How Good Can It Get

Why Courage Isn’t Fearlessness—It’s Action in the Face of Fear In this powerful second lesson from the Winter of 2026 series, Bree Johnson explores what courage really looks like when life feels unstable, overwhelming, and uncertain. We’re often taught that courage belongs to the bold, the confident, the fearless. But real courage? It’s feeling scared out of your mind… and choosing to move forward...

In this deeply personal episode, Bree shares the first lesson from the Winter of ’26: learning that she had been too quiet. After years of compartmentalizing herself to “protect” her growing business, Bree reflects on what it cost her—and her community—to edit her voice, soften her truth, and outsource her authenticity in the name of success. She opens up about leaving the employment law firm she...

What if the leadership skills we’ve been taught to develop are no longer the ones that matter? In this episode, Bree Johnson co-hosts with Andrea Tessier to name what many leaders are quietly feeling as we move toward 2026: the old playbook is breaking down. Strategy isn’t enough. Performance is no longer sustainable. And certainty is gone. Together, they explore what leadership actually requires...

There’s a quote I keep returning to: Some years are questions, and some years are answers. For me, 2025 was an answer year. Not because everything was easy but because the growth was undeniable. In this episode, I share five lived lessons from a year that asked me to stop negotiating with myself, simplify radically, experiment with contentment, trust the timing of the universe, and listen to my in...

The holidays have a way of amplifying what we’ve been carrying all year. In this brief year-end episode, Bree explores why resentment often shows up during the holidays—and why it’s not a personal failure. Drawing on Brené Brown’s research, she unpacks how resentment is frequently rooted in unmet needs and unspoken envy, especially for rest, ease, and space. This episode invites listeners to stop...

We’ve been sold the wrong story about wellbeing. It’s not that leaders don’t care enough. It’s not that they aren’t resilient enough. And it’s definitely not that they need one more productivity hack. The real problem? Leaders are hemorrhaging energy trying to control things that were never theirs to manage in the first place. In this episode, I break down the single biggest barrier to wellbeing I...

Bree discusses transforming work into a craft, emphasizing the need for personal empowerment and the identification of resistance in one's professional life.   She invites listeners to join her Soul Goals workshop 11:30 CST Dec 16 and reflects on her journey of redefining her work to focus on individual needs rather than corporate demands.   Bree encourages listeners to embrace their resistance as...

Bree Johnson hosts guest Stephanie Wall Morrow who advocates for integrating genuine self-care into daily life. They discuss the creation of The Self Care Circle, accessible self-care practices, the significance of mindfulness and intention, and the myths surrounding self-care. Stephanie also shares insights on navigating self-care with ADHD, effective time management strategies, and the importanc...

The often unrecognized burden of meeting others' expectations, particularly for women who are caregivers, is intense and time consuming. Bree reflects on her personal experiences during the holiday season and emphasizes the importance of reclaiming time and energy for oneself.   She encourages listeners to recognize the invisible weight of expectations and to prioritize their own desires and joy,...

Bree addresses the challenges many face during the holiday season, particularly those who feel they are merely surviving rather than thriving. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging one's struggles and introduces the concept of the wellness wheel, which consists of eight core areas of well-being. Bree advocates for making small, manageable adjustments in life rather than overwhelming yours...

Have you every thought about how your childhood conditioning affects your adult relationships, particularly the tendency to justify actions and defend oneself in interpersonal interactions? Bree Johnson discusses the impact of early experiences on emotional responses and communication patterns in adulthood.   Takeaways We are conditioned from a young age to justify our actions. Defending ourselves...

If you're feeling fear, anxiety, or overwhelm, tune in to this episode where Bree delves into the complexities of fear, particularly the subtle, insidious types that keep individuals from embracing change and stepping out of their comfort zones.   She discusses how fear can masquerade as practicality, leading to a cycle of negative thinking and avoidance. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of...

Guest Michelle M. Ghassemi helps Bree explore the themes of identity death, personal growth, and self-sabotage in the context of entrepreneurship. Michelle shares her journey of transitioning from the beauty industry to becoming a business mentor for women entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of self-discovery, resilience, and the tools needed to navigate significant life changes.   They disc...

Bree talks about Gold Medal Syndrome as a way to describe how we all often focus on outcomes and miss out on the good stuff  - particularly the 'messy middle' - where growth and effort occur. Outcomes aren't often as they seem. We're rarely as happy as we think we'll be once we achieve that hoped for outcome and contentment right where you are is an option rather than solely aiming for accolades a...

Bree Johnson hosts Rhonda Parmer to explore innovative leadership coaching approaches, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, discovering personal strengths, and the impact of burnout on leaders. Rhonda shares her personal experiences and insights on how to navigate challenges in leadership, particularly regarding gender dynamics and the necessity of intentionality in preventing burnout. Th...

Bree Johnson shares her excitement about being selected for a TED Talk and dives into the paradox of choice in personal and professional life, particularly the decision to stay in a comfortable situation or take a leap into the unknown. Bree emphasizes the importance of embracing change and the benefits of stepping out of one's comfort zone, while also highlighting the value of depth work and comm...

"Most women don't lack drive - they lack direction." Bree Johnson and Beverly Smith discuss effective strategies for navigating career transitions, particularly in the context of mid, senior, and executive-level job searches. They explore the importance of understanding one's strengths, crafting compelling resumes that resonate with both AI and human recruiters, and the nuances of working with rec...

Bree reflects on her summer of silence and disconnection from productivity, sharing personal experiences and insights gained during this time. She discusses the importance of being present in life, the lessons learned from stepping back from social media and productivity, and the significance of prioritizing joy and pleasure. Bree encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives, identify areas...

Bree discusses the resistance that often hinders individuals from identifying their true desires. She reflects on astrological events that prompted her to evaluate her own aspirations and the challenges that arise when seeking financial freedom.   She shares how shifting timelines created the importance of allowing oneself to sit in discomfort while exploring new values and life designs. She encou...

Bree Johnson discusses recalibrating her nervous system and mindset after a period of intense activity and achievement. She reflects on the discomfort of not having a to-do list and the importance of being present and content in the moment.   Bree introduces five metrics she is tracking this summer to cultivate a more intentional and fulfilling life, emphasizing the need for self-awareness and acc...

Host Bree Johnson is joined by guest Emily Bronaugh to discuss the importance of creating people-centric workplaces, emphasizing the need for trust, collaboration, and effective leadership. Emily shares her journey and insights on how to redesign work cultures that prioritize autonomy and respect.   They explore the balance between vulnerability and authority in leadership, the significance of sys...

In this celebratory 100th episode of 'How Good Can It Get?', Bree Johnson reflects on her journey of podcasting, the growth she has experienced, and the importance of following one's spark. She shares insights on personal transitions, the global community that has formed around the podcast, and expresses gratitude to her listeners. Bree emphasizes the value of authenticity, presence, and the joy t...

In part III of "The Season of Change" mini series, Bree discusses her recent life changes, including selling her house and redefining her work approach. She introduces the concept of 'work recovery,' emphasizing the importance of recovering within the work environment rather than after burnout. Bree outlines the three pillars of work recovery: regulation, rewiring, and reclaiming, and invites list...

Part II of the mini series "The Season of Change" features Bree Johnson sharing her personal journey through significant life changes, focusing on the importance of nervous system regulation, the concept of micro recoveries, and how to support family dynamics during transitions.   She emphasizes the need for self-care, emotional safety, and effective communication, particularly when navigating cha...

In this solo episode which is Part I of the mini series "A Season of Change", Bree shares the past six weeks, detailing the significant life changes her family has undergone, including selling their home and finding a new place to live. She emphasizes the importance of listening to intuition, having values-based conversations, and navigating family dynamics during times of change. Bree reflects on...