Hey humans, welcome to "What If," a new, short-format summer mini-series. I know life is busy, so these episodes are five minutes or less, designed to help you focus inward. This week, we're tackling a feeling many of us have been made to feel: that we are "too much". Whether you've been called too emotional, too quiet, or too opinionated, these labels can cause us to internalize the message that we must shrink ourselves to be accepted.

I struggled with this myself after being told for years that my intuition was irrelevant and I needed to rely only on data. But embracing our full selves is what leads to resilience and well-being. So, here is your assignment: write a letter to your younger self affirming the very parts of you that were once labeled "too much". The goal is to begin seeing that you are not, and never were, too much. It’s about reframing what was called "too emotional" into the compassion and love it truly represents.

Enjoy,

Stacie

More episodes at StacieBaird.com.

On this special two-part episode of the HX Podcast, I’m so excited to be joined by two of my colleagues from CMS, Mike and Reggie. We dive deep into the human experience of artificial intelligence, starting not with the technology itself, but with the people who use it. Mike and Reggie share their personal histories and what drives them, from a passion for service to the constant search for a better work-life balance.

We explore how so many of us have been taught that "hustle equals worth," and how AI, when used wisely, presents an opportunity to reclaim our time for more meaningful human interactions. My guests offer fantastic, practical advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed and wondering where to even begin with AI.

We then tackle the big questions head-on, discussing the common fears around AI replacing jobs and the complex topic of AI consciousness, ultimately exploring what it truly means to be human in an age of rapidly advancing technology.

Stacie

More episodes at StacieBaird.com.