In this conversation,
and I explore the transformative power of awe as a counter to burnout, the importance of self-transcendence, and how embracing one's multifaceted identity can lead to personal and professional growth. We discuss the significance of storytelling in branding and the need to create narratives that reflect one's true self. Rebecca shares her journey through burnout and how it led her to a deeper understanding of her identity and purpose, emphasizing the importance of being a window for change in the world.
Bio
Rebecca is a Brand Sense Maker, Alchemist of Potential and Cultivator of Future Selves. Or in other words thought partner, strategic mentor to brilliant, multifaceted humans.
Her work is grounded in the beliefs that what you do is the least interesting thing about you, that we should all live life in pursuit of awe – especially in ourselves – and that, contrary to the wider branding and strategy industry, inner-knowing and intuition should override analysis and data, every time.
In a past life, as Managing Director of a Word of Mouth Marketing Agency, she ideated campaigns that got thousands of people talking about household brands from fabric conditioner to incontinence pads – she knows what it takes to spark conversations that reshape industry narratives.
As founder of BLOC + ROSE, a brand consultancy specialising in positioning and thought leadership strategy, she’s co-created brands with 75+ founders and taught 100’s more to shift from being known for what you do, to harnessing your unique brand of wisdom to create a movement that changes minds.
She also teaches the brand programme for the Start-Up Lab at Ravensbourne University, as well regularly running workshops in business communities.
Keywords
awe, burnout, self-transcendence, identity, narrative, branding, storytelling, personal growth, mental health, emotional well-being
Takeaways
Awe can counteract feelings of burnout and stress.
Self-transcendence involves recognizing our connection to something greater.
Experiencing awe can lead to a shift in identity and self-perception.
It's important to embrace and articulate our multifaceted identities.
Creating a narrative that reflects our true selves is crucial for personal branding.
Storytelling is a powerful tool for connecting with others and sharing our message.
We should strive to be the window for others to see new possibilities.
Burnout can lead to profound personal transformation and growth.
The belief in oneself is essential for making an impact.
Our purpose is to be our authentic selves, not just to produce.
Chapters
00:00The Power of Awe Against Burnout
04:12Understanding Awe: Psychological Insights
11:44Self-Transcendence and Identity
16:31Being in Awe of Your Future Self
22:59Distilling Your Multifaceted Identity
31:23Crafting Your Narrative for Connection
38:11The Interconnection of Beliefs and Deliverables
41:06Being the Window: Shifting Perspectives for Future Generations
46:30The Journey of Self-Discovery and Brand Evolution
52:13Navigating Burnout and Rebuilding from the Ground Up
01:02:22Embracing Multifaceted Identities and Authenticity
Links
“Awe-inducing events may be one of the fastest and most powerful methods of personal change and growth.” Approaching Awe, a Moral, Spiritual and Aesthetic emotion by Keltner and Haidt.
Rebecca’s private podcast, Brand Chaos to Identity Alchemy can be found here. https://www.blocandrose.com/privatepodcast
Rebecca’s website: www.blocandrose.com
Thank you to our headline sponsors for this season
✹The Unmasked Woman✹ (Hannah) is a writer and coach for late-discovered neurodivergent women. She writes candidly about living unmasked in a neurotypical, patriarchal, capitalist world.
✹Business Unmasked✹ is her newsletter for self-employed neurodivergent women who want to experience more peace & profit. Hannah struggled with CFS/ME and autistic burnout for four years. Now recovered and thriving, she’s keen to share what she knows about building a business that’s kind on the nervous system while bringing the financial rewards we all hope for.
Neurodivergent women shouldn’t waste our extraordinary brains on bog-standard neurotypical business strategies as they’re not compatible with our neurological wiring.
Burnout is disabling. Overwhelm is stressful. Financial insecurity plays havoc on the nervous system.
Unlock Peace & Profit in your Business by using Hannah’s Free gift; 4 (Surprisingly Simple!) Strategies For Neurodivergent Women.
Escape the paralysis of overwhelm and feel excited about your next steps.
Tap into your unique gifts and watch your bank account flourish—reflecting the actual value you bring to the world.
Rise from burnout, rejuvenated, and feel empowered to move forward sustainably.
You can download this resource here.
Mariah Friend is a poet, former ICU nurse, and creator of Heartbeats —a nurturing community where creative caregivers find their rhythm and permission to honour all of life's seasons as sacred. Drawing from her experiences with grief, motherhood, and professional burnout, she accompanies others through life's natural cycles with compassion and intuitive wisdom as a peer, never an expert.
In her work as a community builder, tarot reader, and podcast host, Mariah creates spaces where the "both/and" of the human experience is honoured: joy intertwined with grief, rest alongside growth, solitude beside belonging. Like nature, she believes our lives ebb and flow in cycles with opportunities to embrace their distinct wisdom and champions stories of others embodying a unique path. Mariah invites you to join Heartbeats and discover your resonance with the pulse of life. You can learn more about her seasonal journal and how to purchase it here.
Sarah Teresa Cook is a trauma-informed creative mentor who works 1:1 with sensitive and neurodivergent writers—or with anyone craving a softer, more sustainable way in. She also writes the Substack newsletter, For the Birds.
If burnout has dulled your creative spark—or made it hard to begin—"Creative Vitality" is a free, gentle guide to help you reconnect with your voice, your pace, and your aliveness.
The result? You’ll develop practices that honor your nervous system and help you:
Build sustainable habits, so you can avoid burnout and work in rhythm with yourself.
Cultivate artistic self-trust, so you can follow your instincts and take creative risks.
Rediscover your capacity for enchantment, so you can create with joy and curiosity again.
Join Sarah in cultivating momentum alongside safety—get "Creative Vitality" here.
Nicola Washington is not your typical Instagram strategist and educator. Her approach is the antidote to influencer-culture and bro-marketing tactics that have sucked the connection and creativity out of using Instagram, and that ignore the needs of writers and authors. She'll say with her whole chest that she doesn't care about your follower count and, while your Instagram audience will grow when you work with her, and you will find more readers for your work, she'll also make sure you're not living in service to the algorithms, or wasting time on tactics that won't work for you.
If you've ever felt overwhelmed, anxious or plain old confused about how best to harness Instagram to find more readers for your work, Nicola offers a range of support - including a monthly membership and 121 services - to writers and authors at all stages in their writing and publication journey. Get in touch with her on Instagram @toomuch_social or visit her website, toomuchsocial.com to find out more about her services. She'd love to hear from you!
You can find her podcast episode here.
If you’d like tailored support to build a business that honours your values, energy, and goals, you can apply for a 60-minute strategy session with Marisa here: https://marisaguthriecoaching.co.uk/apply-now-form.
Marisa was on Season 1 of the podcast and you can listen to her episode on to grow your business with integrity here.
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