The Power of Pause: Zoë Healey on Finding Voice, Clarity, and Connection

Zoë Healey is a strategist, scientist, and storyteller whose career has been shaped by curiosity and courage. In this episode, she shares how learning to pause, speak up, and trust her voice changed not only her path—but how she shows up as a leader.

Guest Shoutout:

Zoë Healey is a strategist, storyteller, and connector working at the intersection of science, insight, and purpose. She helps people align with their voice, values, and impact. Follow her work on LinkedIn.

The Story Behind the Episode

Zoë has never followed a traditional route. From studying biotechnology in Australia to becoming a connector of ideas and people in the UK’s healthcare sector, she’s built a life from asking thoughtful questions—and listening closely to the answers.

In our conversation, she reflects on a pivotal moment when she asked herself, “What if I don’t?” What if she stayed silent? Stayed stuck? Kept accepting the status quo? That question sparked her first real experience of choosing to walk away—from a role that didn’t feel right, even without a plan for what was next.

Leaving wasn’t easy. But Zoë realized that staying would have cost more: to her integrity, her energy, and the people around her. She shares how stepping back gave her clarity, and how support from a trusted colleague made space for healing and reflection. The absence of a plan didn’t bring fear—it brought freedom.

Zoë’s strength lies in her ability to connect: across disciplines, within teams, and between people and their own sense of purpose. Her legacy isn’t just about the work she’s done—it’s the people she’s helped see themselves more clearly.

She talks about learning to value what she calls “not yet fully completed strategic thoughts”—the flashes of intuition and creative insight that often lead to the most meaningful breakthroughs. For Zoë, success isn’t about being polished. It’s about being real.

Key Takeaways:

• Walking away is sometimes the most powerful move you can make.
• You don’t always need a plan—just the pause to listen inward.
• Great leadership comes from clarity, not control.
• Helping others see themselves clearly is a legacy in itself.

Watch or Listen:

YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcast

Shortened Transcript Highlights

00:25 – Zoë’s early career steps and the turning point that shifted her lens.
03:10 – Asking “What if I don’t?” and how that changed her leadership.
05:45 – Navigating transitions—personal and professional—with grace.
08:00 – The role of authenticity in building teams and trust.
10:30 – Legacy as showing up, not showing off.