In this episode of The Embraced Life, we talk with Suzanne Deegan, a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 CEOs who is often called in during moments of crisis and high-stakes decision-making. Suzanne shares insights on leadership, executive presence, navigating power, and making clear decisions under pressure.She also opens up about intuition, knowing your worth, and how personal growth and motherhood have reshaped the way she works and leads. This conversation is a thoughtful look at what it truly means to live and lead well.Timestamps:0:00 – The Role of a Crisis AdvisorSuzanne explains why companies call her in high-stakes moments and how outside perspective breaks “bunker mentality.”2:01 – Welcome to The Embraced LifeIntroduction to Suzanne Deegan — trusted advisor to Fortune 500 CEOs and business leaders when everything is on the line.2:50 – From Politics to CEO AdvisorSuzanne shares her career journey: city government, global PR firms, and advising executives through mergers, crises, and global disruptions.4:15 – What Happens in the Room During a CrisisHow Suzanne walks into high-emotion situations and brings focus, trust, and clarity.7:00 – Speaking Truth to PowerWhy strong leaders need someone willing to challenge them — and how Suzanne does it.8:05 – The Psychology of Presence & PowerFrom “the higher the heel, the tougher the client” to strategic body language — how physical presence shapes influence.9:17 – First Impressions in Two MinutesWhy where you sit, how you shake hands, and what you wear matters more than people think.11:31 – Planning for Worst-Case ScenariosIs preparing for impact negative thinking? Suzanne explains why anticipating problems is actually strategic leadership.13:36 – What the Best Leaders Do in CrisisCharacteristics of effective CEOs: clarity, consistency, humility, and surrounding themselves with truth-tellers.16:24 – Growing Up CompetitiveHow Suzanne’s upbringing — a gym teacher mom, orthodontist dad, and two older brothers — shaped her resilience and drive.18:33 – Working at 13 & Early IndependenceHow starting work young built confidence, identity, and self-reliance.19:57 – Academic Failure & ReinventionFrom high school rebellion to college setbacks — and the self-advocacy that changed her trajectory.21:04 – Changing Majors & Finding Her PathHospitality to advertising and PR — discovering where she truly belonged.22:14 – The Political Internship That Changed EverythingHer internship with the Mayor of Providence and how it sparked her passion for public leadership and communications.