Time To Press Pause - Real-Life Stories from the C-Suite
The only constant is change.
To successfully navigate through the change, leaders need the time and space to focus.
It’s time to press pause.
Ellen Williams, CEO of The Salient Strategist, is the host of these raw, intimate C-Suite "press pause" stories. Listen to the why, when, and how they knew it was time to press pause and their outcomes.
Pausing to focus is crucial, whether it is minutes, days, weeks, or longer because some decisions can be made quickly, but many can’t and shouldn’t.
Episodes
51 episodes
Later is Not Guaranteed with Ann Sheu
In this heartfelt episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams speaks with Ann Sheu, CEO and founder of Mpowered Journey, about two pivotal moments in Ann’s life when she chose to "press pause" and radically re-evaluate how she ...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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18:59
There's More to Life Than Your Business with Julie Niehoff
In this heartfelt episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams sits down with Julie Niehoff, co-founder of Distance Learning Media and a long-time advocate for small businesses and veteran support. Julie shares how her intended ...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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19:48
Observe Without Judgement with Elor Shem Tov
In this powerful episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams speaks with Elor Shem Tov, founder and CEO of Lucid Lev, about a deeply personal and professional moment that tested her identity and leadership. Elor recounts how un...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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21:38
You Can't Go Back with Leah Salinas
In this episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams welcomes Leah Salinas, former founder of a thriving beauty business and now Director at The Alexander Group. Leah shares her journey from early entrepreneurial success—launchi...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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23:30
Pausing Can Be Easier Said Than Done - Anniversary Episode with Kim Poulos Lieberz
In this special one-year anniversary episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams welcomes guest Kim Poulos Lieberz, founder and CEO of KGI Design Group, for an open conversation about the challenges and importance of creating s...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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26:20
Feed the Soul and the Bottom Line with Kevin Bartram
In this episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams speaks with Kevin Bartram, founder and principal of Bartram Partnerships, about the pivotal moments that reshaped his career and life. Kevin reflects on his early years growin...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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18:06
The Pause Rewritten with Andrea Schiavone
In this heartfelt episode of Time to Press Pause, Ellen Williams speaks with Andrea Schiavone, a seasoned operations and finance executive, about how even the most intentional pauses can be derailed by life’s unpredictability. Andrea s...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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20:45
Allow Yourself to Evolve with Jenn Gulbrand
In this episode, Ellen Williams interviews Jennifer Gulbrand, founder of Embody Your Essence, who shares her journey of breaking free from burnout and discovering authenticity. After 35 years in the health and wellness industry, Jennif...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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18:40
Beware of Mental Cement with Rajen Sheth
In this episode, Rajen Sheth, formerly a vice president at Google Cloud AI and industry solutions, shares with host, Ellen Williams, how he took a bold step after nearly two decades at Google. Motivated by a desire to make a positive social imp...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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21:45
Pay Attention to Pets and Pet Projects with Mei-Yung Lee
In this episode, host Ellen Williams speaks with entrepreneur and philanthropist Mei-Yung Lee about her unique approach to taking a “pause” when burnout loomed. Mei-Yung, CEO of Ageless Zen—a natural skincare research and manufacturing company—...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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19:27
Nurture Your Dreams with Johanne Brierre
In this podcast episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams welcomes guest Johanne Brierre, CEO of Brooklyn Commons and New York Beauty Suites. Johanne recounts her transition from working in the fast-paced New York City hospit...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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19:06
Less is More with Paige Arnof-Fenn
Ellen Williams host of Time To Press Pause and CEO of The Salient Strategist, Inc. welcomes Paige Arnof-Fenn, founder and CEO of the global branding firm Mavens and Moguls. Paige describes how a six-year period of family caregiving and estate r...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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18:56
Trust Your Feelings with Jeffrey P. McNulty
In this episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams interviews Jeffrey P. McNulty, CEO and Founder of New Retail Ethos Consultancy. Jeffrey recounts two major "press pause" moments in his life that spurred him to step away from...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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19:01
Pause Before You Hit the Bottom with Dr. Shehzad Batliwala
In this episode of “Time to Press Pause,” Ellen Williams speaks with Dr. Shehzad Batliwala, an ophthalmologist, entrepreneur, and first-generation Indian American who grew up undocumented in the United States. Dr. Batliwala shares how his early...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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21:24
What Is Your Currency? with Erin Mote
In this episode, host Ellen Williams interviews Erin Mote, CEO of InnovateEDU and co-founder of Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School, as she recounts her transformative moment of realizing she felt detached from her work’s impact. Once working at...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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20:17
Secure Your Mask Before Helping Others with Megan Steckly
In this episode of Time To Press Pause, host Ellen Williams speaks with CEO Megan Steckly of CompuDopt. She shares how she dramatically grew the nonprofit—from a shoestring budget and three-person staff to a multimillion-dollar organization ser...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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18:22
Identify Your Transferable Skills with Ruchi Pinniger
In this episode of Time to Press Pause, Ellen Williams interviews Ruchi Pinniger, founder and CEO of Watch Her Prosper. Ruchi recounts her background on Wall Street, where she excelled in leadership and team-building, yet felt unfulfil...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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17:31
Let Go of Things You No Longer Need with Donna Cravotta
In this episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams, CEO of The Salient Strategist, interviews Donna Cravotta, CEO and founder of Cravotta Media Group. Donna shares how, after 18 years running a virtual agency that managed ever...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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18:57
Enagage in Honest Assessments to Avoid Regret with Urs Koenig
In this episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams speaks with Urs Koenig, founder of the Radical Humility Leadership Institute and author of Radical Humility: Be a Badass Leader and a Good Human. Urs shares his power...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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19:49
Discover What You Really Want with Andrea Chilcote & Stephanie Borsari
In this episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams welcomes two guests: executive coach and Morningstar Ventures CEO Andrea Chilcote, and philanthropic advisor Stephanie Borsari. Andrea explains three common reasons profession...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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18:05
Creating Your Point of View with Henry Poydar
In this episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams speaks with Henry Poydar, founder and CEO of Steady, a predictive coordination platform that grew out of his earlier venture, Status Hero. Henry describes two pivotal moments ...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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17:03
Special Episode: Happy New Year 2025
In this special New Year’s episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams compiles lessons from several Season 1 guests to help leaders make 2025 a purposeful and growth-oriented year. Each guest highlights a key insight for perso...
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Season 2
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15:12
Learn From Your Customers with Robert Levin
In this episode of Time to Press Pause, host Ellen Williams interviews Rob Levin, a long-time friend and business colleague, about the pivotal moments in his entrepreneurial journey that stemmed from deliberately taking tim...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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17:01
Thanksgiving Episode with Ellen Williams
In this special Thanksgiving episode of "Time to Press Pause," host Ellen Williams reflects on the themes of gratitude, togetherness, and reflection amid a year marked by global conflicts and challenges. She emphasizes the importance of "pressi...
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21:41
Season One Finale - Everyone Pauses with Ellen Williams
In the Season 1 finale of Time to Press Pause, Ellen Williams, CEO of The Salient Strategist, reflects on the journey of launching the podcast in April and emphasizes that pausing is crucial for everyone, not just CEOs or busines...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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3:03