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Season 2 Episode 6 | Closing the Year Intentionally:Why Slowing Down Is a Founder’s Greatest Advantage

Welcome home, inspired entrepreneurs.

As we wrap up an incredible second season, we are closing out with a conversation that serves as the perfect bridge into your end-of-year reflection. In this season finale, Deborah sits down with Leslie Valmonte—systems strategist, educator, and founder of Bridge5D—to explore why the "power of pause" isn’t just a luxury; it is a leader’s most competitive advantage.

Leslie opens up about the pivotal moments that shifted her perspective:

●The High Cost of Speed: Losing the memories of her daughter’s early years to the consulting hustle.
●The "Lupus Dance": How chronic illness became a forced invitation to lead with health first.
●Human-Centered AI: Why the future of technology must be built on empathy, not just efficiency.
●The Jack of All Trades: Why adaptability is the new "mastery" in a shifting labor market.

From the intersection of AI literacy to the sacredness of a family dinner table, Leslie’s story is a roadmap for any founder ready to stop reacting and start creating from clarity.

In This Season Finale, We Explore:

🔹 What does the power of pause mean to you as a leader in systemic reform and innovation?
🔹 What have you witnessed as the cost of moving too fast — in systems and in people?
🔹 Where does humanity fit in the age of AI, and how can technology be used to close opportunity gaps?
🔹 How do we measure “finishing well” when our systems are constantly evolving?
🔹 If we reframed “pause” as a leadership tool rather than a slowdown, 🔹 how would that change how we design organizations?
🔹 How can intentional reflection prepare the next generation for a rapidly changing world of work?
🔹 How do we keep data human — ensuring it tells the real story rather than erasing it?
🔹 What practices personally help you pause and stay grounded in purpose?
🔹 What shifts do you see ahead for small business owners and entrepreneurs as AI transforms the future of work?
🔹 What final message would you share with leaders closing out the year — about finishing well and starting fresh with integrity and heart?

🔗 Connect with Leslie Valmonte

Bridge5D Consulting: 👉 https://www.bridge5dconsulting.com/
LinkedIn: 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-valmonte/

🔗 Connect with Us:

Website: www.inspired-bp.com
Instagram: @inspiredbusinessperformance
Facebook: @deborahannhartnett

✨ Ready to Build with Intention?

If you're ready to stop the hustle-and-react cycle and start leading with peace of mind, let’s talk. 👉 Book an Exploratory Call for the Inspired Growth Accelerator: https://bit.ly/inspiredprofitandgrowthaccelerator

✨ 𝑹𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆, 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒑𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒅𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒇𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒖𝒓𝒔! ✨

Music Credit:
“Who I’ve Always Been” by Beza, licensed via PremiumBeat (License #7089927, Order #5573317)
© PremiumBeat.com / Shutterstock Ca

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Music Credit:
“Who I’ve Always Been” by Beza, licensed via PremiumBeat (License #7089927, Order #5573317) © PremiumBeat.com / Shutterstock Canada, ULC

Legal Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult qualified experts for medical, legal, mental health, or business matters.

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𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐔𝐬:

Website :www.inspired-bp.com
Instagram: @inspiredbusinessperformance
Facebook: @deborahannhartnett