“We are all super unique, and what replenishes one person is going to be completely different than what works for somebody else.” – Jilly Nowacki
Welcome to episode 244 of The CUInsight Experience podcast with your hosts, Randy Smith, co-founder of CUInsight, and Jilly Nowacki, co-founder, president and CEO of Zealyst.
This episode is sponsored by Trellance. Trellance is a leading technology partner for credit unions, delivering innovative technology solutions to help credit unions achieve more. With a comprehensive suite of analytics, cloud and talent solutions, the Trellance team ensures credit unions increase efficiency, manage risk, and improve member experience. Learn more at Trellance.com!
In this 2026 season, Jilly and I will have conversations centered around leadership, credit unions, and living our best lives. We will have some of the most respected leaders from around credit unions who we are grateful to call friends join us in the discussion from time to time too.
For this episode, it’s just us, no guest, and we are discussing the word that we have chosen for this episode: replenish. What does it really mean to replenish ourselves, and why is it so important to how we lead? Join us for this conversation about something we can all lose sight of when we’re focused on our work, our teams, and everyone counting on us: making time for the things that fill our own cups.
We have spent a lot of time talking about purpose-driven leadership, and in this episode, we’re looking at how taking care of ourselves is part of that equation. We talk about how our definitions of success and fulfillment change over time, why working harder and longer isn’t always the answer, and how getting enough rest, exercising, trying new things, and stepping away from work can help us show up as better versions of ourselves. We also get into the difference between being busy and feeling fulfilled because, let’s face it, we’re all busy, but are we making room for the people, experiences, and activities that genuinely bring us joy? We share some thoughts on finding those unexpected moments of connection, surrounding ourselves with positive people, and being intentional about the energy we bring into a room.
Of course, knowing what replenishes us is only half the battle. We talk about setting boundaries, learning to say no without feeling guilty, protecting our time, and making small changes that help us prioritize what matters. We also explore what all of this means for leaders, from recognizing our own strengths to creating workplaces where people can recharge, pursue their passions, and feel valued as whole human beings. Our biggest takeaway, though, is what fills one person’s cup might do absolutely nothing for someone else, and that’s okay. Whether it’s booking a plane ticket, discovering a love of gardening, or simply making space for a good conversation, we all need to find what lights us up.
Join us as we talk about replenishing our energy, making room for joy, and why taking care of ourselves isn’t separate from leading well. It’s part of what makes great leadership possible!
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Books mentioned on The CUInsight Experience podcast: Book List
Show notes from this episode:
Sponsor: Trellance
Shout-out: Jill’s son Crosby
Shout-out: Jill’s friend
Shout-out: Sierra
Shout-out: Carolyn Reeves
Shout-out: CliftonStrengths
Shout-out: Jill’s brother
Shout-out: Jill’s niece
Shout-out: Zoom
Place mentioned: Camino de Santiago
Place mentioned: The Moon
Shout-out: Google
Shout-out: GAC
Shout-out: Chaz Rzewnicki
Shout-out: Vibe Credit Union
Place mentioned: Michigan
Previous guests mentioned in this episode: Mark Zook (#230), Julie R Ferguson (#47), Kelly Botti (#238), & Chuck Fagan (#5 & #176)
In This Episode:
[0:40] - We are talking in this episode about leaders needing to prioritize self-care, rest, and activities that bring them joy.
[3:02] - Reframing rest as an investment in better experiences can help leaders disconnect from work and redefine success.
[5:21] - We discuss how leaders achieve greater long-term success by prioritizing personal well-being over working constantly.
[8:17] - It’s important for leaders to leverage strengths to boost energy, delegate effectively, and find fulfillment beyond being busy.
[11:40] - Staying busy can mask a lack of fulfillment, making it so important to discover meaningful activities.
[13:48] - We talk about how new experiences and meaningful conversations with passionate people help us disconnect and replenish ourselves.
[16:39] - We explore how joyful connections and positive conversations can replenish us, beginning with replacing “busy” with “full.”
[19:38] - Surrounding ourselves with positive people and bringing that energy ourselves helps shape relationships, leadership, and everyday interactions.
[22:38] - Hear us discuss making time for what replenishes us, rather than treating joy as a reward for finishing work.
[24:19] - Saying no without guilt protects our time, creates space for what fulfills us, and rarely damages relationships.
[27:55] - Hear how setting small boundaries and building simple habits can help us reclaim our time without waiting for permission.
[30:15] - We encourage gradual, intentional changes over perfection.
[32:38] - Great leaders celebrate what energizes their people and create space for everyone to thrive as whole humans!
[34:51] - We explore how leaders can model work-life balance, create growth opportunities, and celebrate successes without spreading negativity.
[37:40] - We encourage finding what replenishes you, trying new experiences, and surrounding yourself with positive people.
[40:54] - Jill highlights the importance of listening to our bodies, making room for what lights us up, and recognizing that self-care is essential to great leadership!
