Stand in the & with Heather Gates

In this episode, small business founders, Heather and Erica, explore the intricate & imperfect balance between ambition and contentment, sharing personal insights, practical tools, and cultural reflections. As ambitious entrepreneurs with families, they discuss navigating the rhythms of life and work, emphasizing the importance of self-defined success, noticing little moments of contentment, t...

On this “expert in the &” episode, Heather and Dr. Ahmad Hariri, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University, unpack some complexities of the human brain and how understanding it can help us live more intentional lives. Dr. Hariri shares some brain-circuit basics, along with details on how our neural architecture influences behavior and emotional regulation. This episode also...

On this episode, Heather Gates and Meghan O'Malley explore the nuanced dance between control, surrender, and agency. This conversation delves into how embracing paradoxes, regulating our nervous systems, and fostering connection can unlock human potential and foster authentic leadership. Disclaimer: The views and opinions shared in this episode belong solely to the host and the guest and do n...

In this episode, Heather Gates and Daniel Carnegie explore the importance of balancing acceleration and stewardship in tech and data innovation. They discuss the critical role of listening, the challenges of implementing technology, and the need for humility and curiosity in fostering effective communication. Through personal anecdotes and insights, they highlight the lessons learned from past inn...

In this episode Heather sits down with long-time friend and singer songwriter Eric Erdman for storytelling around Eric’s background and the experience of writing the song Stand in the & together. They chat about “the ANDs” in a career within music and in the song writing journey. Through stories of co-creating music in real time, they highlight the messiness, patience, trust, courage, and vuln...

In this episode, Heather and Kirsten explore the intricate dance between empathy and accountability in leadership, team dynamics, personal relationships, and with ourselves. They discuss the importance of connection, clear expectations, and the necessity of pre-work in preparing for difficult conversations. They emphasize the value of curiosity, care, and the normalization of discomfort in fosteri...

In this episode, business owners and makers, Heather and Erin explore the intricate relationship between our internal narratives and the work to make our visions real in the world. They discuss the practice & challenges of moving from imagination to reality, the duality of anchoring and expanding in the creative process, and how fear can serve as a passageway. The dialogue emphasizes the signi...

In this episode, Brooke Nielsen Yang, a psychotherapist and coach, joins the podcast to discuss the concept of “parts work” and how it can help individuals understand different parts of themselves and manage internal conflicts. Heather and Brooke share examples from their own experiences and tools they use to help engage and navigate their human complexity. The conversation delves into the differe...

In this conversation, Heather and Rod explore the “and” of joy & adversity, reflecting on how these two forces shape personal and professional growth. They discuss how joy can be both a fuel for the journey and the reward on the other side of hardship. Rod shares his belief that mastery over adversity brings fulfillment, while Heather notes that joy can also exist in moments, offering connecti...

In this episode, Heather sits down with Dr. Sarah Banks to explore the lived reality of holding gratitude & grief at the same time—how life can feel full and heartbreaking in the very same breath. Through stories of leadership in crisis, collective loss, and Sarah’s personal experience of losing her father to suicide, they name many of the tangles we don’t usually talk much about: relief along...

In this episode, Heather and Willysha explore the balance between passion and pause. They delve into personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of self-care and energy management. The conversation highlights the need for intentional pauses to sustain passion and prevent burnout, offering practical tools and insights for listeners to apply in their own lives. Disclaimer: The views and opinion...

In this conversation, Heather and Dolly discuss the complexities of life transitions, focusing on the concept of being 'whelmed' and the importance of wringing out ‘our sponge’. They explore the challenges of balancing caregiving roles, personal aspirations, and the need for pauses to manage overwhelm. The conversation emphasizes the value of curiosity and self-awareness in navigating li...

In this engaging conversation, Heather and Leah explore the themes of community transformation, resilience, and the importance of creating safe spaces for risk-taking. They discuss the metaphor of flailing and flying as a representation of learning and growth, emphasizing the need for leaders to foster environments where individuals can experiment and learn from their failures. The conversation hi...

In this episode of the "Stand in the &" podcast, Heather Gates and Lisa Macon Harrison discuss the complexities of public health leadership in a VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) world. They explore the importance of communication, trust, and connection in navigating challenges, emphasizing the need for active hope and collaboration. The conversation highlights th...

In this Episode Heather and Rob explore the intricate balance between structure and flexibility in leadership, particularly within the healthcare system. They discuss the importance of human connection, trust, and creativity in navigating complex environments. The dialogue highlights the challenges and opportunities that arise when integrating diverse systems and emphasizes the need for leaders to...

In this episode, Heather and Ashley explore the themes of fear, anxiety, presence, and patience in the context of personal and professional growth. They discuss navigating the 'not yet' or ‘in the meantime’ phase between what we can imagine and where we are now. The conversation emphasizes curiosity, self-compassion, and support from others as essential tools for overcoming obstacles and...

In the first episode of the “Stand in the &” podcast, host Heather Gates introduces the concept of embracing the complexity of the human experience. Joined by her son Nash, they discuss the importance of acknowledging the 'and' in life, where multiple truths coexist. Heather shares her journey of creating this podcast as a platform for honest conversations about human complexity, whe...