The Courage to Be Seen: Emotional Vulnerability Explained

Episode 26 with Molly Bierman & Jill Griffin

In this episode of No Permission Necessary, Molly Bierman and Jill Griffin unpack what happens when high-functioning leaders slowly drift outside their window of tolerance, and why stress can make even small problems feel urgent, overwhelming, or impossible to manage.

Drawing from EMDR-informed concepts and real-life leadership pressures, they break down the window of tolerance in a practical way, exploring the difference between being productive and being present, and how emotional buildup can show up as irritability, reactivity, or a sudden breaking point at home.

They also share simple ways to regulate and return to baseline, including breathwork, grounding practices, nervous system support, and the basics that often get neglected first, like sleep, nutrition, and movement. The episode closes with a permission slip challenge to identify three non-negotiables that help you feel grounded and to start using them before you hit the edge.

Topics include: window of tolerance, nervous system regulation, EMDR-informed coping skills, leadership stress, emotional reactivity, burnout prevention, breathwork, sleep, movement, and staying present under pressure.