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 11

Component Series: What Your Physical Energy Level Really Says About You

We live in a world that rewards busyness, but being busy and being productive are not the same thing. In this episode, Amy and Torri dig into one of the most socially loaded Components in the Birkman framework: Physical Energy, and why the way we read other people's pace is almost always wrong. From the high-energy person who resents being rushed, to the low-energy person who actually thrives when more is put on their plate, every pattern carries a hidden story that most people around them never see. The hosts get personal, sharing their own patterns and the real cost of mistaking someone's natural pace for their character or commitment. The bigger question this episode leaves open: whose pace have you been judging by your own standard, and what would change if you stopped?

Episode 11

Understanding Social Energy: It’s More Than Introvert vs. Extrovert

Social energy is one of the most misunderstood dimensions of personality, and it has almost nothing to do with whether you like people. Amy and Tori open a new series diving deep into the components of the Birkman Method, starting with the one that shapes more relationships, conflicts, and quiet resentments than almost any other. From the couple who nearly divorced over backyard barbecues to the leader who schedules week-long retreats that exhaust her entire team, the stories here are familiar. What is less familiar is the framework underneath them, one that explains why the same person can light up a room and then disappear for three days without it being a contradiction.

Episode 10

Seen & Unscripted: Collaboration Is a Skill, Not a Personality Trait

In this episode of Seen & Unscripted, Amy and Torri explore why collaboration is a skill, not a personality trait. They unpack how different Birkman scores can shape the way we collaborate, why seemingly collaborative strengths can be overused, and how quieter, more independent, or competitive people can bring exactly what a team needs.

Episode 9

Seen & Unscripted: On Incentives, Change, What We'd Ask Dr. B & More

In this episode of Seen & Unscripted, they tackle four very different questions, from how to motivate a team with high Incentives Needs to how leaders should communicate change when they do not have all the answers.

The conversation also gets more personal as they reflect on what they would ask Dr. Roger Birkman today and which single piece of Birkman information can reveal the most about a person. Along the way, they explore motivation, leadership, uncertainty, Image Management, and why Birkman becomes most useful when the data turns into conversation.

Episode 8

Seen & Unscripted

What happens when Amy and Torri show up unscripted? In the first Seen & Unscripted episode, they answer questions they have never seen before, covering psychological safety, unmet Needs at work, overused strengths, and the thinkers who have shaped how they see people and leadership. The conversation moves from practical workplace challenges to personal reflections, with a common thread throughout: greater self-awareness requires paying attention to yourself, the people around you, and the impact you may be having without realizing it.

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.