podcast 033: the rich professional life: making a living and making a life
In this episode, Deb is joined by attorney and HX ally Gretchen Miller Busch for a conversation that may change how you think about your career especially if you’re successful on paper, but quietly exhausted in real life.
“The crust is doing the job you’ve been hired for. The toppings are the elements of your rich professional life and they’ll change over time.” – Gretchen Miller Busch
Together, they explore a reframing that lands hard: a demanding career doesn’t have to be draining. Gretchen names what most high performers feel but rarely say out loud: burnout isn’t always a sign you’re in the wrong place, and “work life” isn’t meant to be something you survive until you can finally go live your real life after hours.
You’ll also hear Gretchen’s memorable “pizza” framework, an unexpectedly useful way to identify what actually makes your professional life feel rich (and why those needs change over time). If you’ve been craving language, permission, and a practical path forward, this episode delivers.
Key Highlights:
The surprising shift that turns “high-achieving” into sustainable
Why Gretchen believes revenue is the lagging indicator, and what comes first
The real reason “friends at work” is protective
The 11 “pizza toppings” that help you stop just making a living and start making a life
About Our Guest:
Gretchen Miller Busch is a partner and management board member at a top national law firm, where she is leading initiatives to center connection, collaboration, and culture in one of the country’s most competitive industries. She is also a proud Gen X mom, wife, and advocate for redefining what thriving looks like in modern leadership.
About The HX Collective:
The HX Collective is a movement to elevate the human experience—at work, in relationships, and with ourselves. Through honest conversations and strategic insight, we explore how connection, context, and compassion can create a more flourishing world, starting right where we are.
