In this episode of Matters.com Presents, Barton Williams interviews Lauren Wu.

Lauren Wu, attorney, executive coach, keynote speaker, author, and mother, shares the story behind her HEART-Led Leadership framework — and it's deeply personal. After suffering a near-fatal pulmonary embolism at 41, Lauren realized that burnout is a system failure, not a personal one, and she's on a mission to change how leaders show up at work and at home. She walks us through practical small shifts anyone can make, why high achievers need to stop sprinting through a marathon, and how leading with empathy and authenticity can create seismic change over time.

[00:35] Lauren introduces the HEART framework: Humanity, Environment, Alignment, Resilience, and Trust

[01:58] Lauren shares her personal turning point — a pulmonary embolism at 41 that nearly took her life

[03:08] Small shifts that can prevent burnout: rest, honesty, and leading with empathy

[06:18] How high achievers can keep achieving without burning out

[07:10] Why burnout is a system failure, not a personal failure — and the healthcare product recall analogy

[08:21] Modeling healthy behavior for children and letting go of perfectionism

[09:31] Lauren's work as an executive coach helping companies change their systems from the inside out

[10:04] Matters.com Speed Round: AI, Science, Health, Exercise, Mental Health, Politics, The Arts, Sport, The Oscars, Dogs

You can find Lauren Wu at:
https://www.heartledleadership.org
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-foster-wu/
https://www.instagram.com/heartledlauren