Coffee with Mike: Wellbeing and Belonging for Leaders

Behind the Podcast: Mental Health, Business, and Building Coffee with Mike with Chrysa Stoiloudi | 007

What really happens behind the scenes of building a podcast, a business, and a meaningful brand? Most people only see the final product. The polished clips. The episodes. The thumbnails. The social media posts. But behind every podcast, business, or creative project is a process most people never see. In this episode, Mike and Chrysa pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to produce Coffee with Mike — from podcast planning and content strategy to editing, systems, communication, experimentation, and mental wellness. Chrysa shares how producing podcasts focused on mental health and wellbeing changed the way she thinks about entrepreneurship and creative work, while Mike opens up about why mental health and belonging are central to the mission of the show. Together, they discuss why business owners often neglect mental health, the importance of systems and communication, how perfectionism slows creators down, and why experimentation matters more than having everything figured out from the beginning. This is an honest behind-the-scenes conversation for creators, entrepreneurs, podcasters, and leaders trying to build something meaningful without losing themselves in the process. > “People who follow you for the long run are the people who truly connect with your message.” 🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode * What goes into producing a professional podcast * Why mental health is often overlooked in entrepreneurship * The importance of systems and communication in production * Why creators should prioritize consistency over perfection * How experimentation helps businesses and podcasts grow * The difference between short-form content and long-term audience building * Why podcast research and audience clarity matter before launch * How leadership, belonging, and mental wellness connect * Behind-the-scenes lessons from building Coffee with Mike 📚 Resources & Mentions Connect with Chrysa: https://chrysastoiloudi.com/ [https://chrysastoiloudi.com/]

Work-Life Harmony: Why Balance Isn’t What You Think | 006

Is work-life balance actually possible — or are we chasing an unrealistic ideal? We hear the phrase “work-life balance” constantly. But what does it actually mean in real life? In this episode, Mike and Chrysa [https://chrysastoiloudi.com/]have an honest conversation about the challenges of managing business, leadership, family responsibilities, delegation, stress, and shifting priorities during different seasons of life. Chrysa shares her perspective as a business owner, mother, and creative professional navigating the demands of entrepreneurship while raising a toddler and building sustainable systems behind the scenes. Together, they explore why high achievers often overestimate what they can handle, why flexibility matters more than perfection, and how systems, communication, and delegation can reduce overwhelm without sacrificing quality. This episode is a grounded conversation about creating work-life harmony in a way that feels realistic — not performative. > Quote “Life will always find a way to surprise you — even when you have systems.” What You’ll Learn in This Episode * Why work-life balance is different for everyone * The difference between balance and harmony * How high achievers overestimate their capacity * Why delegation requires communication and trust * The importance of flexibility during stressful seasons * How systems improve efficiency and reduce overwhelm * Why planning alone is not enough during life transitions * The connection between leadership, quality, and boundaries * Practical insights for managing work, family, and business Resources & Mentions Connect with Chrysa Stoiloudi: https://chrysastoiloudi.com/ [https://chrysastoiloudi.com/]

Purpose-Driven Leadership: Finding Your Why and Leading With Clarity | 005

What if burnout isn’t caused by being too busy — but by losing your sense of purpose? Many leaders feel busy, overwhelmed, and stretched thin — but not always fulfilled. In this episode, Mike explores the power of purpose-driven leadership and explains why having a clear sense of purpose is essential for preventing burnout, building trust, and creating meaningful impact. Through personal stories and leadership insights, Mike explains the difference between passion and purpose, and why purpose — not pleasure — is what sustains leaders through difficult moments. You’ll hear real examples of how staying anchored to values helped Mike refocus during challenging situations and guide his team toward meaningful outcomes. This episode also introduces practical daily habits that help leaders reconnect with their purpose and stay aligned with their mission. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: - What purpose-driven leadership really means - The difference between passion and purpose in leadership - Why clarity of purpose improves resilience and motivation - How values guide decision-making in difficult situations - The connection between purpose and employee engagement - Daily questions that help leaders reconnect with their why - How reviewing mission, vision, and values builds focus - Why repeating the purpose strengthens organizational alignment Resources & Mentions: - 365 Ways to Become a Millionaire — Brian Koslow [https://books.google.gr/books/about/365_Ways_to_Become_a_Millionaire.html?id=Aj8BAAAACAAJ&redir_esc=y] - Deloitte Global Insights Report on Purpose-Driven Organizations - Fortune.com Article on Purpose-Driven Leadership [https://fortune.com/2025/06/04/return-on-leadership-fortune-500/] - Greenwood Lake Roasters Coffee [https://www.gwlrcc.com/]

Emotional Intelligence: The Leadership Skill That Matters More Than IQ | 004

What if emotional intelligence mattered more than IQ when it comes to leadership success? In this bi-weekly episode of Coffee with Mike, we explore emotional intelligence, why it drives leadership performance, and practical tools leaders can use to build stronger relationships, manage stress, and respond instead of react. Growing up, Mike struggled to manage his emotions. Small triggers felt overwhelming, relationships were difficult, and emotional reactions often created distance between him and others. What changed everything? Understanding emotional intelligence. In this episode, Mike shares his personal journey from emotional reactivity to emotional awareness and explains why emotional intelligence is one of the most important leadership skills in today's world. We explore why emotional intelligence matters more than technical intelligence, especially in high-pressure environments where communication, empathy, and relationships determine long-term success. This episode also highlights the growing importance of emotional intelligence in leadership, teamwork, and navigating a rapidly changing workplace environment. Quote: "Emotional intelligence is being smart about feelings — both yours and other people's." What You’ll Learn in This Episode: - What emotional intelligence really means in leadership and relationships - The difference between IQ and emotional intelligence - Why emotional intelligence drives leadership success and workplace performance - How emotions influence communication and conflict resolution - Five practical strategies to improve emotional intelligence - Why pausing before reacting improves decision-making - How listening builds trust and emotional connection - Why empathy is essential in leadership and teamwork - How emotional intelligence can be developed with daily practice Resources & Mentions: - Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ — Daniel Goleman - TalentSmart Emotional Intelligence Research - Harvard Business Review Leadership Research - The Body Keeps the Score — Bessel van der Kolk - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People — Stephen Covey

Burnout to Balance: 5 Strategies for Sustainable Leadership | 003

Are you feeling burned out but still expected to lead effectively? In this bi-weekly episode of Coffee with Mike, we explore burnout to balance strategies and practical tools for sustainable leadership and stress management. Burnout is one of the biggest challenges facing leaders today. In this episode, Mike shares his personal experience with burnout and explains how stress affects the central nervous system, leadership performance, and overall wellbeing. Research shows that 66% of employees are experiencing burnout in 2025, making it critical for leaders to understand how to regulate stress and model healthy behaviors for their teams. Mike walks through five practical strategies for sustainable leadership, including boundary-setting, nervous system regulation, micro recovery moments, and redefining success. This episode is a practical guide for leaders who want to perform at a high level without sacrificing their health. What You’ll Learn in This Episode * What burnout really means and how it develops * Why your central nervous system regulates stress * The four stress responses: fight, flight, freeze, and fawn * How daily regulation improves leadership performance * Why learning to say no prevents burnout * How micro recovery moments restore clarity * Why redefining success supports sustainable leadership * Five practical leadership strategies to reduce burnout Timestamped Chapters 00:00 – Introduction and burnout reflection 01:00 – Burnout statistics and workplace trends 02:00 – What burnout really means 03:00 – Modern leadership stress challenges 04:30 – Key drivers of burnout 07:30 – Your central nervous system explained 08:30 – Fight, flight, freeze, and fawn 10:00 – Regulation vs reaction 11:00 – The Rocket Boots story 13:00 – The power of saying no 14:30 – Boundaries and leadership 15:00 – Micro recovery moments 16:00 – Redefining success 17:00 – Final leadership takeaway Resources Mentioned * Moodle Workplace Burnout Study (2025) * The Power of a Positive No — William Ury [https://www.amazon.com/Power-Positive-No-William-Ury/dp/0340923806] * Boundaries — Dr. Henry Cloud * Greenwood Lake Roasters Coffee [https://www.gwlrcc.com/] About Mike Viney Mike Viney is a corporate wellness specialist, CEO, and workplace mental health speaker helping leaders manage stress, prevent burnout, and build sustainable leadership cultures. Subscribe & Share Subscribe to Coffee with Mike, a bi-weekly podcast, for conversations on leadership, stress management, and workplace mental health. Share this episode with a leader who needs practical burnout prevention strategies.