#8- I Wish I Would’ve Known This About My Calendar

SUMMARY In this special I Wish I Would’ve Known edition of the podcast, Nicky, Ali, and Heidi unpack one of the most deceptively simple but impactful lessons of their careers: learning how to truly own their time. What starts as a conversation about calendars quickly turns into a deeper reflection on identity, productivity, and the pressure especially for women to always appear on and busy.

Heidi shares her experience transitioning out of corporate life and realizing how conditioned she was to justify her worth through meetings and a packed schedule. The group discusses the guilt that comes with white space, the fear of being judged for not being constantly booked, and how hard it is to break the habit of equating busyness with value. From blocking time intentionally to redefining what productivity actually means, the episode highlights the mindset shifts required to protect energy, not just hours.

The conversation widens to the invisible mental load many women carry leading at work, managing at home, and serving as the default logistics manager everywhere in between. Through honest stories, humor, and self awareness, Nicky, Ali, and Heidi make the case for white space not as a luxury, but as a necessity for sustainability, leadership, and health.

ABOUT WITHIN Within is a podcast hosted by Nicky Wallace and Ali Payne, founders of The People Co. It explores what happens when organizations stop chasing surface-level solutions and start doing the real work from within. Each episode unpacks stories of leadership, burnout, growth, culture, and the messiness of being human at work. Whether you’re in HR, leading a team, or just rethinking how work fits into your life, Within offers a candid and refreshing look at how people-first business gets built.

Connect with them on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/nwallace515/ or www.linkedin.com/in/alipayne/ and www.linkedin.com/in/heidibuttolph/