“What happens when the phrase ‘I’m okay’ becomes a mask for what you’re really feeling?”

In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession continues the Stand Tall in Your Story series with Gretchen Schott, Chief Learning Officer at Threefold. Gretchen shares the deeply personal story of losing her father to suicide and how the simple phrase “it’s okay” became a coping mechanism she used to push through grief, discomfort, conflict, and emotional pain.

Rebecca goes through the leadership and neuroscience behind Gretchen’s story, exploring how high achievers often suppress emotions, stay in survival mode, and prioritize everyone else’s needs while ignoring their own. Together, they talk about nervous system regulation, psychological safety, emotional honesty, people-pleasing, burnout, workplace culture, and authentic leadership.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why “I’m fine” and “it’s okay” can become emotional survival patterns
• How psychological safety creates healthier leadership and stronger teams
• Why honest communication is essential for healing, growth, and authentic leadership

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:43) Gretchen shares the story of her father’s suicide

(07:17) High achievers, people-pleasing, and emotional suppression

(12:06) The neuroscience behind grief, trauma, and nervous system patterns

(18:47) Psychological safety, leadership communication, and workplace culture

(27:53) Breaking unhealthy emotional patterns and telling the truth

(36:13) Creating healthier teams, relationships, and authentic leadership

Connect with Gretchen:

Gretchen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchenschott/ 

Explore Threefold: https://www.growthreefold.com/ 

Connect with Rebecca:

https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/

Watch all of the Season 7 Stand Tall in Your Story talks here: https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/stand-tall