#4- Why Asking Questions Could Change Your Career and Health

SUMMARY In this episode of the "Wish I Would've Known" series from the Within Podcast, Heidi opens up about a deceptively simple but powerful idea: the courage to ask questions. Alongside co-hosts Nicky and Ali, she dives into her personal evolution from feeling silenced to embracing curiosity as a superpower, especially in midlife, leadership, and healthcare.

What begins as a reflection on childhood scoldings for “talking too much” unfolds into a deep and relatable conversation about vulnerability, self-advocacy, and the ways women especially are conditioned to stay quiet. Heidi shares how asking the right questions, even the uncomfortable ones, helped her navigate misdiagnoses in her health journey and drive clarity in high-stakes business settings. Together, the trio explores the nuances of authentic listening, the difference between curiosity and interrogation, and why seeking to understand can unlock breakthroughs in both life and leadership.

If you've ever second-guessed speaking up or wished you’d known better questions to ask in a doctor’s office, meeting, or conversation, this episode is your permission slip.

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/