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Success Is An Iceberg

Success Is An Iceberg

By: Janel Donohue
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Success is an Iceberg is a podcast about the real story behind success—the part most people never see. Hosted by Janel Donohue, each episode dives beneath the surface to explore leadership lessons and the perserverance, setbacks, hard decisions, and personal growth that shape true leadership and lasting achievement. Through honest conversations with leaders, innovators, and everyday achievers, Janel shares the reality of what it takes to keep showing up, push through doubt, and grow into the person you're becoming. Because leadership isn't about titles or degrees—it's about ownership, resilience, and believing you belong here, even when confidence feels uncertain. If you're building something meaningful and doing the unseen work behind the scenes, this podcast is for you.2026 Career Success Economics Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • Beyond Golden: How the Platinum Rule Transforms Leadership and Communication

    Beyond Golden: How the Platinum Rule Transforms Leadership and Communication
    Jun 19 2026
    In this episode of Success is an Iceberg, host Janel Donohue welcomes a speaker who introduces the Platinum Rule as a powerful leadership tool. Moving beyond the Golden Rule's "treat others as you'd like to be treated," the Platinum Rule urges leaders to treat people the way they want to be treated. Through personal stories and practical examples, the speaker highlights active listening and personalization as key strategies, including team preference exercises and onboarding forms. The episode challenges listeners to reflect on their leadership style and adopt a more empathetic, individualized approach to communication and relationships. Timestamps Podcast Introduction (00:00:03) The host introduces the podcast's theme: exploring the unseen hard work and perseverance that lie beneath the surface of success. Introducing the Platinum Rule (00:00:53) The speaker introduces the Platinum Rule as a key leadership tool, contrasting it with the more commonly known Golden Rule. The Golden Rule in Practice (00:01:09) The speaker explains the Golden Rule—treat others as you want to be treated—and gives examples of its potential shortcomings. Defining the Platinum Rule (00:02:18) The Platinum Rule is defined as treating others the way they want to be treated, emphasizing empathy and adaptability over assumptions. Platinum Preference Pairs (00:03:22) A fun exercise is presented with contrasting workplace preferences to highlight how differently people like to work and communicate. The Benefits of the Platinum Rule (00:04:28) The speaker explains how using the Platinum Rule saves time, reduces emotional disruptions, and improves efficiency in personal and professional life. Key Aspects: Active Listening & Personalization (00:05:41) The two core components of the Platinum Rule are introduced: active listening to observe preferences and personalizing your approach accordingly. A Personal Example of the Platinum Rule (00:06:58) The speaker shares a personal story about adapting their communication style to a colleague who needed time to process information. Practicing Personalization (00:09:00) This section details how to tailor your approach to fit each person's unique needs, using a "When working with me" form. "My Favorite Things" Exercise (00:11:08) A fun team exercise is shared to learn about personal preferences for recognition, snacks, and gifts to build stronger relationships. Further Learning and Recap (00:12:06) The speaker recommends a book on the topic and recaps the core concepts of the Platinum Rule and its benefits. Your Leadership Challenge (00:13:07) Listeners are challenged to reflect on their own leadership style and start incorporating the Platinum Rule in their daily interactions. Podcast Outro (00:14:27) The host concludes the episode, encouraging listeners to share the podcast and keep persevering through the unseen challenges of success. Powerful Quotes from the Episode 'Leadership isn't a title; it's ownership of who you are and how you show up.' The problem isn't that people are difficult; we just often assume everyone prefers what we prefer.' 'The Platinum Rule challenges us to stop asking, "What would I want?" and to start asking, "What would they want?"' 'Tailoring to other people makes them feel seen and heard.' 'If you're doing the hard, unseen, uncomfortable work, keep going; it counts more than you think.' RESOURCES: Connect With Me: Janel Donohue Website: jdonohueleadership.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janel.s.donohue/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janeldonohue/ FOLLOW THE PODCAST: Success Is An Iceberg on Apple Podcasts and Spotify "Great leadership begins when you stop asking, 'What would I want?' and start asking, 'What do they need?'" Podcast Produced and edited by the team at ResilientVoiceMedia.com Contact us for expert podcast production and support.
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    15 mins
  • Behind the Scenes of Leadership: The Power of Vulnerability and Courageous Conversations

    Behind the Scenes of Leadership: The Power of Vulnerability and Courageous Conversations
    Jun 5 2026
    In this episode, host Janel Donohue explores vulnerability as a cornerstone of courageous leadership. Through a personal story about an employee named Georgie, who secretly struggled financially while hiding it behind a confident exterior, Janel illustrates how leaders often misread behaviors by making assumptions instead of asking questions. Drawing on Brené Brown's Dare to Lead, she introduces the concept of "rumbling" — having honest, curiosity-driven conversations — and shares practical language tools to transform difficult interactions into moments of genuine connection and understanding. Timestamps Introduction to Success as an Iceberg (00:00:03) The host introduces the podcast's theme: exploring the hidden struggles and perseverance behind visible success and what true leadership means. The Story of Georgie (00:00:53) The host shares a story about an employee named Georgie who wanted leadership opportunities but surprisingly declined a perfect one. Initial Misinterpretation and Regret (00:02:19) The host describes her shock and disappointment at Georgie's refusal, admitting she made negative assumptions about Georgie's commitment and drive. The Courage to Lead with Vulnerability (00:03:20) The episode's theme is introduced: leading with vulnerability, addressing fears and feelings, and managing behaviors in leadership effectively. Vulnerability as a Leadership Skill (00:04:48) The host challenges the traditional view of leadership, arguing that the strongest leaders are those who embrace and use vulnerability. The Man in the Arena Quote (00:06:05) The host shares Theodore Roosevelt's famous quote to illustrate that true leadership involves taking risks and being in the arena. Looking Below the Waterline (00:07:32) Leaders must look beyond visible behaviors to understand the underlying fears, feelings, and stories that drive their team members. The Rest of the Story (00:08:46) The host reveals the real reason Georgie declined the opportunity: she was struggling financially and couldn't afford the gas money. Avoiding Tough Conversations (00:11:31) Leaders often avoid difficult conversations, leading them to create and act on incorrect stories they've made up in their heads. What is a Rumble? (00:12:57) The concept of a "rumble" from Brené Brown is introduced: a conversation defined by curiosity, generosity, and staying engaged. The Six Myths of Vulnerability (00:14:12) The host debunks common myths about vulnerability, such as it being a weakness or something that can be avoided. Introduction to Rumble Language (00:15:49) Practical communication tools and phrases from Brené Brown are shared to help transform difficult conversations from accusations to curious inquiries. "The Story I'm Making Up Is..." (00:17:27) The host highlights her favorite rumble phrase, explaining how it helps check assumptions before they become damaging, incorrect beliefs. Choosing Courage Over Comfort (00:21:09) The host explains that meaningful growth and leadership require choosing courage, which often involves stepping into uncomfortable but necessary situations. Three Questions for Reflection (00:22:31) The host poses three questions for listeners to reflect on: Where are you choosing comfort over courage? What conversation are you avoiding? What is the story you're making up? Conclusion and Call to Action (00:23:54) The host encourages listeners to rumble, lead with courage, and remember that success is built on moments of vulnerability. Powerful Quotes from the Episode 'Leadership isn't a title; it's ownership of who you are and how you show up.' 'It's learning to stand in the room and say, "I belong here," even when doubt is sitting quietly behind your confidence.' 'The strongest leaders aren't those who avoid vulnerability; they're the ones who know how to use it and lean into it.' 'We judge others by their actions and we judge ourselves by our intentions.' 'Comfort and courage rarely coexist.' RESOURCES: Connect With Me: Janel Donohue Website: jdonohueleadership.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janel.s.donohue/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janeldonohue/ FOLLOW THE PODCAST: Success Is An Iceberg on Apple Podcasts and Spotify "Leadership begins the moment you get curious enough to replace assumptions with courageous conversations." Podcast Produced and edited by the team at ResilientVoiceMedia.com Contact us for expert podcast production and support.
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    25 mins
  • Why Self-Care Isn't Selfish with Barb Gustavson: The Science of Refilling Your Cup to Lead Better

    Why Self-Care Isn't Selfish with Barb Gustavson: The Science of Refilling Your Cup to Lead Better
    May 22 2026
    In this episode of Success as an Iceberg, host Janel Donohue welcomes Barbara Gustavson, speaker, facilitator, brain health educator, and founder of Discover Next Step Consulting. Barbara is passionate about helping community leaders, caregivers, and professionals navigate stress, burnout, and nervous system dysregulation with practical, science-backed tools. Drawing from psychology and neuroscience, she translates complex brain health concepts into relatable strategies that help people think more clearly, manage their energy, and lead with greater resilience. Barbara also oversees Dr. Daniel Amen's brain health certification programs, supporting clinicians, educators, and organizations in building healthier habits for wellness and leadership. Barbara shares how success often masks hidden struggles beneath the surface, including burnout, negative thought patterns, and emotional exhaustion. Through practical frameworks like REGROUP and the HALT method, she offers tools for managing stress, resetting the nervous system, and building productive peace. She also opens up about overcoming learning disabilities and low self-esteem, reminding listeners that effective leadership isn't about pushing harder, but learning how to work with your brain during life's most demanding seasons. Together, Janel and Barbara explore the hidden work beneath every success story and the importance of self-care, resilience, and embracing imperfection along the way. Timestamps Podcast Introduction (00:00:03) The host introduces the podcast's theme: exploring the unseen hard work and perseverance that lies beneath the surface of success. Welcoming the First Guest (00:00:53) Host Janel Donohue welcomes her first guest, Barb Gustavson, expressing her admiration for Barb as a friend and mentor. The Iceberg of Success (00:01:33) Janel shares how she admired Barb from afar, seeing only the "tip of the iceberg" before getting to know her. Introducing Barb Gustavson (00:02:57) Janel formally introduces Barb Gustavson, highlighting her work as a speaker, facilitator, brain health educator, and consultant. Appearing Successful While Struggling Internally (00:03:40) Barb discusses moments of looking fine on the outside while internally experiencing stress, panic, and nervous system dysregulation. Recognizing and Managing Overwhelm (00:05:51) Barb explains how she learned to recognize her patterns of shutting down and developed tools to regulate her nervous system. The Power of Daily Practice (00:08:02) Barb shares her daily mindfulness practices, like deep breathing and taking "brain breaks," to build resilience against stress. Listen to the Whisper, Not the Two-by-Four (00:09:23) Barb explains the importance of recognizing what gives and drains energy to avoid reaching a point of total burnout. Early Signs of Burnout for Leaders (00:12:24) Barb identifies over-committing as a key early sign of burnout and reframes self-care as essential for effective leadership. The Origin of Self-Retreats (00:15:20) Barb shares how her caregiving journey led her to start taking monthly self-retreats to reset and recharge her brain. The HALT Method for Overwhelm (00:20:39) Barb introduces the HALT method (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired) as a tool to identify and address immediate needs. Advocating for Your Own Needs (00:23:17) The importance of using your words to advocate for your own needs, as no one else will do it for you. How Chronic Responsibility Changes the Brain (00:25:38) Barb explains how chronic stress can physically change the brain, showing up as trauma and impacting executive function. What High-Functioning People Avoid Hearing (00:27:04) High-capacity people often miss early signs of burnout, like cynicism or constant depletion, and need to create more margin. The REGROUP Framework (00:32:12) Barb outlines her REGROUP framework: Resilience, Energy, Guard your margin, Regulate your nervous system, Operate from alignment, Update thinking, Prioritize brain health. Tackling Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTS) (00:36:32) Barb explains how to question and reframe automatic negative thoughts (ANTS) using a four-question process to retrain the brain. Naming Your Brain (00:42:02) Barb suggests naming your brain to create distance from negative thoughts and have a more objective internal conversation. The Journey Beneath the Bio (00:43:49) Barb shares that her unseen journey involved overcoming learning disabilities and mining for her own strengths and self-worth. Advice for Those Barely Hanging On (00:47:49) Barb's advice is that there's nothing wrong with you; it might be your nervous system, which you can change. Accept It, Change It, or Move On (00:48:34) Barb's moment is learning to move forward on decisions even when not 100% sure, accepting "good enough" over perfection. Powerful Quotes from the Episode 'Listen to the whisper, don't wait for the two-by-four.' 'I need to pour into my own cup first. I can give to myself too, and if I don't, ...
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    52 mins
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