What if the stress you feel around your boss isn’t “just part of the job”—but your nervous system sounding an alarm?

In this episode of Refirement Life, Christine sits down with Shannon Smith, a former Microsoft leader and Harvard-trained neuroscience researcher who is on a mission to help professionals reclaim their power at work.

Shannon breaks down the real science behind toxic leadership—why your body reacts before your mind does, how chronic stress hijacks your performance, and why even top performers can lose confidence, creativity, and clarity in unhealthy environments.

Together, they explore:

• How to recognize a toxic boss (and toxic workplace) before burnout sets in
• Why your gut, vagus nerve, and amygdala are key signals—not weaknesses
• The Toxic Boss Immune Framework: practical, brain-based strategies to stay regulated, grounded, and clear under pressure
• How to protect your performance without escalating conflict or confrontation
• When resilience leads to growth—and when it’s time to plan your exit

Shannon also shares her personal journey—from pandemic-era anxiety and overload to building neuroscience-based systems that help professionals thrive—and how those same principles now power her work in sales leadership, AI, and founder resilience.

Whether you’re navigating a difficult boss, questioning your workplace environment, or simply want to understand how to stay mentally strong in high-pressure roles, this episode will leave you with clarity, language, and tools you can use immediately.

Because surviving work isn’t the goal—owning your power is.

🔗 Learn more & connect:

• brainhacksbyshannon.com
• salesage.co
• Connect with Shannon on LinkedIn (here (7) 🧠 Shannon Smith, J.D., M.S. 🚀 | LinkedIn)