424. “You can’t change the world until you change yourself” | Doing the Inner Work with Susanne Madsen

In this episode, we’re joined by Susanne Madsen, a globally recognized executive coach, award-winning author, and specialist in transformational leadership for complex organizations. With nearly 30 years of experience working with global leaders at companies like JP Morgan, Citigroup, and Lego, Susanne has dedicated her career to helping people rethink how they lead—and, more importantly, how they show up for themselves. Her latest book, How to Do the Inner Work, explores why genuine transformation starts with self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the courage to look inward, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Susanne guides us through the journey of doing the inner work, beginning with self-compassion and small acts of kindness toward ourselves. She shares how foundational practices—like reflection, breathwork, and meditation—help us regulate our emotions and make space for growth. Drawing from her own story and years of coaching, she emphasizes that real change doesn’t require dramatic life overhauls. Instead, it’s about identifying our core values, finding overlaps in our passions, and making small, meaningful tweaks that align our inner and outer worlds. When we stop seeking solutions outside ourselves and focus on our own mindset and actions, the world often meets us differently.

The Biggest Helping: Today’s Most Important Takeaway

Be kind to yourself. When we extend kindness inward, it becomes much easier to offer it to others—and that’s where true change begins.

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Thank you for joining us on The Daily Helping with Dr. Shuster. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube to download more food for the brain, knowledge from the experts, and tools to win at life.

Resources:

• Learn more at SusanneMadsen.co.uk
• Read How to Do the Inner Work by Susanne Madsen
• Read The Power of Project Leadership by Susanne Madsen
• Read The Project Management Coaching Workbook by Susanne Madsen

• Follow Susanne on Instagram: @susannemadsen1

Produced by NOVA