In today's episode, Heather welcomes authors, leadership consultants, and husband and wife team Dr. Linda Schubring and Brian Schubring to explore the deeper meaning of identity, transformation, and trusting your inner map. Together, they discuss their bestselling book Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane, a powerful allegory that invites readers to rediscover their inner wisdom and reshape how they show up in the world.

Through stories of leadership coaching, personal reflection, and creative collaboration, Heather, Linda, and Brian unpack how uncertainty, change, and self doubt can become catalysts for growth. This conversation is a reminder that your experiences have already shaped the map you need, and that unfolding your potential is both an internal journey and a shared one.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why the Map Is Already Inside You
  How your past experiences hold the answers for where you are meant to go next.

• Transformation Is a Choice
  Why the shape you are in today does not have to be the shape you stay in.

• The Power of Community in Growth
  How different voices, including critical ones, help shape who we become.

• Reflection and Action Must Coexist
  Why introspection without action leads to paralysis and action without reflection leads to burnout.

• Creating a Practice That Is Truly Yours
  How journaling, meditation, and reflection work best when tailored to your own needs.

• Navigating Noise and Distraction
  Why stepping away from constant external input helps you reconnect with your inner voice.

• Wisdom Across Generations
  How mentors, inner dialogue, and lived experience guide transformation at every stage of life.

In this episode:
[00:00] Introducing Dr. Linda and Brian Schubring and their book Unfolded
[02:00] The origin story behind the origami crane allegory
[04:18] Anchoring certainty within during times of uncertainty
[06:37] Agency, reshaping identity, and choosing how you show up
[08:57] The role of community, inner voices, and leadership teams
[11:19] Reflection versus action and why both matter
[13:40] Meditation, journaling, and intentional pauses
[18:14] Listening to your inner voice amid constant noise
[22:55] Wisdom, mentors, and being the owl for others
[27:36] Writing together, creative process, and collaboration
[33:31] A closing meditation on trust, courage, and taking flight

Resources and Links:

📘 Book: Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane
Discover a powerful allegory about identity, growth, and transformation.

🌐 Website: Leadership Vision Consulting
Learn more about Dr. Linda Schubring and Brian Schubring's leadership and organizational work.

Connect with Heather:

• Schedule a call with Heather

• Follow Heather on Instagram

• Follow Heather on Facebook

• Connect with Heather on LinkedIn

• Website

• Watch Episodes on Youtube

• Heather's TikTok ‍

• heather@elegantwarrior.com

The Elegant Warrior Podcast and content posted by Heather Hansen is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user's own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

In today's episode, Heather invites you to rethink everything you've been taught about power poses, confidence, and presence. While the classic "hands-on-hips" stance is often linked to authority, this episode reveals a far more effective and far more compassionate power move: simply sitting down.

Drawing from real experiences in leadership, advocacy, and high-stakes conversations, Heather shares how lowering yourself to someone else's level can transform interactions, build trust, and leave a lasting impact. From courtroom moments to everyday leadership lessons, you'll see why compassion, presence, and perspective are the true sources of personal power.

Together, we explore why power doesn't require taking up more space, sometimes it is found in offering space to others.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The Real Power in Sitting Down
  Why sitting communicates presence, compassion, and connection more effectively than traditional "power poses."
  
  

• Compassion as a Leadership Superpower
  How compassion strengthens advocacy, relationships, and influence, and why people feel safer when you're willing to sit with them.
  
  

• The Psychology of Being at Eye Level
  How leveling the physical playing field changes energy, reduces intimidation, and allows genuine dialogue.
  
  

• Lessons from the Courtroom
  What a malpractice case taught Heather Hansen about human connection, and why a simple act like sitting on a patient's bed moved an entire jury.
  
  

• A Story Heather Hansen Never Forgot
  The emotional impact of a colleague and how 18 minutes of presence can change a life.
  
  

• Empathy vs. Compassion
  The difference between feeling what others feel and seeing what they see, and why action is what matters most.
  
  

• Why Slowing Down is the New Power Move
  In a world obsessed with speed, volume, and "looking powerful," Heather Hansen explains why slowing down, sitting down, and connecting deeply are the traits that build true charisma.

[00:00] Rethinking the classic power pose
[01:10] Why the "stand big" approach isn't always effective
[02:20] Compassion research in healthcare
[03:17] A malpractice case and the power of sitting at the bedside
[04:50] How sitting changes difficult conversations at work
[05:39] The psychology of being on the same level
[07:30] Joanne's story and the impact of presence
[10:14] Compassion as the foundation of advocacy
[12:40] Cognitive vs. affective empathy
[14:30] Why sitting is the new power pose
[15:08] How presence builds confidence and charisma

Resources and Links:

🎥 Heather Hansen TEDx Talk on empathy and perspective

Connect with Heather:

• Schedule a call with Heather

• Follow Heather on Instagram

• Follow Heather on Facebook

• Connect with Heather on LinkedIn

• Website

• Watch Episodes on Youtube

• Heather's TikTok ‍

• heather@elegantwarrior.com