Episode Details

“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: Caro