The Should-Free Life and Business Podcast

3: "I should be working harder"

If you’ve ever felt like you have to grind, hustle, or push yourself to exhaustion just to feel worthy of success - this episode is for you.
In this episode, I’m tackling the deeply ingrained belief that success only comes from working harder, longer and sacrificing any of our bodily needs like rest. Sound familiar? This ‘hard work = success’ equation starts young and follows us into adulthood, shaping how we approach our careers, businesses, and even our self-worth.
Here’s what we’re unpacking:
✨ Where this belief comes from (and why it’s so hard to shake).
✨ My own experiences with overwork in sectors that glorify struggle, including religious organizations and academia
✨ Why it’s time to challenge outdated ideas of productivity and success.
✨ How to set your own boundaries and redefine what a truly productive day looks like for you.
I’ll also be sharing insights from Cal Newport’s Deep Work, as well as tools like Human Design, to help you curate workdays that truly honour your energy and personal flow.
🎧 Tune in now to start rewriting your work rules, embracing guilt-free rest, and making productivity a personalized experience instead of a one-size-fits-all grind.
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2: “I should be more established and successful in my career by now”

If you’ve ever found yourself feeling shame over how you ‘should be more established and successful’ in your career by now, this episode is for you.
In this episode, I’m tackling the all-too-common pressure to be more established or successful by a certain stage of life.
Here’s what we’re diving into:
✨ What does it really mean to be established and successful? (Hint: It’s not one-size-fits-all.)
✨ My personal career journey — from unexpected pivots to complete overhauls — and how I’ve come to embrace a non-linear path.
✨ Why breaking free from traditional ideas of success is essential for finding alignment with your own values and vision.
You’ll hear how diverse experiences and winding roads can be a huge asset, not a setback. Because here’s the thing: success isn’t about ticking off society’s boxes — it’s about creating a career and life that truly fulfills you and supports your growth.
🎧 Tune in now to start reframing your thoughts on career success and defining what it means to create and travel a career path on your terms.
❤ If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a 5-star review—it’ll help more people discover the show and start their should-free journey too!
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1: Defining the ‘shoulds’ and sharing my personal journey

Welcome to the very first episode of The Should-Free Life and Business Podcast! 🎉
We’re diving straight into the heart of the sneaky little 'shoulds' that rule our lives: those external expectations, unspoken rules and societal standards that whisper (or shout) what we should do, be, or achieve to live a "good" life.
In this episode, I share an introduction to the ‘shoulds’:
✨ What exactly are 'shoulds' and how do they shape our choices and experiences?
✨ The difference between explicit 'shoulds' (the obvious ones) and implicit 'shoulds' (the ones we absorb without even realizing it).
✨ My own journey navigating 'shoulds' in powerful, often controlling institutions like media, fashion, religion, and academia—and how these experiences brought me to where I am today.
You’ll hear how these 'shoulds' can hold us back and what it takes to start breaking free. Because here’s the truth: when we let go of the 'shoulds,' we make space to start creating a life and business our way - one that that feel more aligned, more joyful and more you.
🎧 Tune in now to discover how to identify your own limiting 'shoulds' and start shifting them toward greater freedom and confidence.
❤ If you loved this episode, don’t forget to Subscribe to the podcast and leave a 5-star review—it’ll help more people discover the show and start their should-free journey too!
***
Come hang out with me!
Connect with me on LinkedIn here
Follow me on Instagram here
Join my mailing list here
Check out what else I do on my website

Trailer: Welcome to the Should-Free Life and Business Podcast!

Break free from the ‘shoulds’ and start creating a life and business on your terms. Hosted by Dr. Jamie Pei, this podcast dives deep into the societal and cultural pressures that hold us back. Through candid personal stories and inspiring conversations with trailblazing guests, you’ll uncover mindset shifts and soulful strategies to start letting go of those pesky ‘shoulds’ and enjoy success and fulfillment your way. Your should-free journey starts right here!