Welcome to
Seen by Birkman
You know that moment when someone names something about you that you’ve never had words for… and suddenly, you feel seen. Not in a way that’s flattering or critical. Just really… real. That’s what this podcast is about.
On Seen by Birkman, hosts Amy Shepley and Torri Olanski explore real stories, practical applications, and honest conversations about what it actually looks like to be understood through the power of perception. Each episode dives into the patterns behind behavior and how greater awareness can transform the way we work, lead, and relate to each other.
Explore Our Episodes
Check back here or on your preferred podcast platform every other week for new episodes and new insights!
Episode 7
The Problem With Conflict
Conflict isn't usually the problem.
In this episode, Amy and Torri explore why so much conflict at work, at home, and in our relationships begins with a simple misunderstanding: we assume other people see the world the way we do. They unpack why two well-intentioned people can experience the exact same situation in completely different ways, how hidden personality differences shape our reactions, and why trying to eliminate conflict often creates even bigger problems. Rather than seeing conflict as something to avoid, they argue that healthy conflict—paired with curiosity and understanding—is one of the most powerful drivers of trust, innovation, and stronger relationships.
Episode 6
The Hidden World of Needs: Part 2
In Part 2 of this conversation on Needs, Amy and Torri explore what happens after we become aware of our Needs. They discuss why unmet Needs create discomfort, how the stories we attach to them create unnecessary suffering, and how greater self-awareness can lead to more freedom, healthier relationships, and a deeper appreciation for who we are. Rather than trying to eliminate our Needs, they explore how accepting them, advocating for them, and loosening our attachment to unmet expectations can change the way we experience work, leadership, and everyday life.
Episode 5
The Hidden World of Needs Part 1
Needs are one of the most powerful and misunderstood parts of Birkman. In this episode, Amy and Torri begin a two-part conversation on what Needs are, why they matter, and how they shape the way people experience work, relationships, and themselves. They explore the difference between what people show on the outside and what they need on the inside. From Assertiveness to Social Energy to Emotional Energy, they unpack why people can look one way but need something very different from their environment.
Episode 4
The Ideal Leader
Many organizations search for the perfect leadership profile, hoping to reduce risk and predict success. In this episode, Amy and Torri explore why that profile does not exist and why leadership is far more complex than personality alone. They discuss the hidden risks of hiring for a specific type, the value of diverse perspectives, and why leadership should be viewed as an ongoing practice rather than a title. Along the way, they unpack how self-awareness, emotional intelligence, trust, and development shape effective leaders in a world that is becoming more uncertain and rapidly changing.
Episode 3
What AI Can't Replace
In this episode, Amy and Torri explore what happens when technology begins to shape the way we express ourselves. They discuss why AI naturally gravitates toward the average, how personality creates trust and connection, and why our differences may become even more valuable in the future.
Episode 2
Retaking the Birkman
Should you retake the Birkman? It is one of the most common questions people ask after seeing their results, especially when they feel like they have changed, grown, or entered a new season of life.In this episode, Amy and Torri unpack why Birkman results are designed to remain stable, even when your context, behavior, relationships, or self-awareness shift. Through the metaphor of trees, they explore the difference between changing who you are and transforming into the healthiest version of who you have always been.
Episode 1
Welcome to Seen by Birkman
In the first episode of Seen by Birkman, Amy and Torri define what it means to be seen and why this need shows up so strongly in relationships, leadership, and work. They explore how Birkman helps make invisible perceptions visible, and why understanding alone is not enough.