Podcast

The Anxious Achiever

Business, Careers, Management

Host Morra Aarons-Mele is on a mission to reframe how we think about anxiety and mental health in the workplace. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S. We desperately need better models for leadership and a more holistic view of mental health. Our culture tells those of us who suffer from anxiety and depression that we can’t succeed, but we tell a different story — without sugarcoating the tough stuff. We feature stories from people who’ve been there and experts who can help you thrive.

Listen in your favorite podcast app: https://pod.link/1480904163

For ad inquiries, please reach out to: Network+TAA@yapmedia.com

Management chart
#48
Episodes
370
Releases
Twice a week
Typical length
50 min
On air since
2019
Latest episode
20 hours ago

Episodes

370 episodes, newest first

  1. Enrique Rubio on "Our Existential Advantage" Against AI

    Show notes

    What happens when you start trusting AI more than your own judgment? In this episode, I sit down with Enrique Rubio, founder of Hacking HR, to talk about what you risk losing when you hand your thinking over to machines. Enrique shares why critical thinking, creativity, and human connection matter more than ever, and how relying too heavily on AI can weaken your ability to solve problems, work through conflict, and trust your own instincts. We also dive into the responsibility leaders have when adopting AI, the growing risk of workplace loneliness, and why individuals and organizations still have the power to shape how this technology is used. Tune in to discover how to protect your agency, make more intentional decisions, and hold on to the uniquely human skills that matter in the age of AI.

    Check out our sponsors:

    HeyPolo - Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to https://heypolo.com/achiever or use code ACHIEVER and get 40% off your first year!

    Life at the Speed of Play - Go to http://getmarksbook.com/anxious to get two copies for the price of one - one for you and one for a friend.

    Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch and save 50% off your first year at http://monarch.com with code ACHIEVER.

    Notion - Learn more about how Notion can support your business, at http://notion.com/achiever

    •

    Shopify - Ready to start your business before Black Friday? Go tohttps://shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today!

    Vinted - Try Vinted and give your clothes a second life. Download the Vinted app for free and start selling with no seller fees.

    In this Episode, You Will Learn

    00:00 Meet Enrique Rubio, founder and CEO of Hacking HR.

    04:00 What we risk losing when AI removes the friction from thinking and writing.

    05:15 How social media and AI may affect critical thinking, creativity, and social skills.

    08:00 Enrique’s 90/10 rule for keeping human thinking at the center of AI-assisted work.

    11:15 Why leaders, not AI, are responsible for the consequences of AI-driven decisions.

    14:00 How to decide what work AI should support and what should remain human.

    16:30 Could relying on AI make human relationships and workplace collaboration harder?

    18:30 How might AI sycophancy deepen loneliness and weaken human connection?

    22:45 How leaders can create opportunities for teams to collaborate without AI.

    24:30 What individual and organizational agency look like in the age of AI.

    28:30 Reclaiming our agency and recognizing what makes us uniquely human.

    30:00 How to question AI when its answers don't pass the smell test.

    35:00 Lessons from past technological revolutions.

    41:30 Rethinking old systems, leadership, and regulation in the age of AI.

    46:00 Jobs, disruption, and the support people need through technological change.

    49:30 Who owns the value of our personal data in an AI-driven economy?

    52:00 Voting, democracy, and the role of civic participation in shaping AI's future.

    Resources + Links

    Get your copy of Enrique Rubio’s books HERE

    Learn more about Hacking HR HERE

    Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever

    Watch the podcast on YouTube

    Find more resources on our website http://morraam.com

    Follow

    Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

    Follow Enrique on LinkedIn: @rubioenrique

    1 hr 4 min
  2. Therapy Makes You A Better Leader with Dr. Vikas Shah

    Episode 369

    Show notes

    How can you turn anxiety into an opportunity to understand yourself and become a better leader? In this classic episode, I talk with Dr. Vikas Shah, entrepreneur, investor, and MBE recipient, about the connection between mental health, emotional awareness, and leadership. Vikas shares how his early anxiety fueled his ambition, why mental health management is an ongoing journey rather than a final destination, and why learning to manage your mental health can make you stronger in business and in life. We also dive into how leaders can recognize the emotional impact of their actions, build resilience, and create healthier workplace cultures. Tune in to learn how understanding your own patterns and taking the next step can help you navigate challenges at work and in life.

    Check out our sponsors:

    HeyPolo - Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to https://heypolo.com/achiever or use code ACHIEVER and get 40% off your first year!

    Life at the Speed of Play - Go to http://getmarksbook.com/anxious to get two copies for the price of one - one for you and one for a friend.

    Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch and save 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code ACHIEVER.

    Notion - Learn more about how Notion can support your business, at http://notion.com/achiever

    Shopify - Ready to start your business before Black Friday? Go tohttps://shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today!

    Vinted - Try Vinted and give your clothes a second life. Download the Vinted app for free and start selling with no seller fees.

    In this Episode, You Will Learn

    00:00 How can emotional awareness make you a stronger leader?

    05:30 How anxiety can influence curiosity, ambition, and achievement.

    08:00 The turning point that led Vikas to seek help for his mental health.

    12:00 Why building mental resilience is essential for long-term well-being.

    14:45 How to make peace with anxiety and learn to manage it over time.

    17:30 How your communication style can affect your team’s emotional well-being.

    18:15 What can leaders do to protect employees’ mental health outside working hours?

    20:15 How financial incentives and reporting standards influence workplace culture.

    24:45 How therapy helps uncover the experiences behind your behavior.

    26:15 How can you make career choices that fit your goals and personality?

    29:15 Why intentional rest and recovery are essential during demanding periods.

    Resources + Links

    Learn more about Dr. Vikas Shah HERE

    Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever

    Watch the podcast on YouTube

    Find more resources on our website http://morraam.com

    Follow

    Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

    Follow Dr. Vikas Shah: @vikasshahlinkedin

    37 min
  3. What Does Belonging At Work Really Mean? With Sebastian Buck

    Episode 368

    Show notes

    What makes a workplace somewhere people genuinely want to be? In this episode, I sit down with Sebastian Buck, CEO and co-founder of Enso, to talk about what makes work meaningful and why belonging matters so much to your well-being. Sebastian shares how letting go of the pressure to be the perfect leader helped him reduce his anxiety, reshape his role, and focus on the work that energizes him. We also dive into the research behind workplace well-being, the importance of trust and psychological safety, and what leaders can do to build healthier workplace cultures. Tune in to discover how stronger human connections and a different approach to leadership help create healthier workplaces.

    Check out our sponsors:

    HeyPolo - Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to https://heypolo.com/achiever or use code ACHIEVER and get 40% off your first year!

    Life at the Speed of Play - Go to http://getmarksbook.com/anxious to get two copies for the price of one - one for you and one for a friend.

    Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch and save 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code ACHIEVER.

    Notion - Learn more about how Notion can support your business, at http://notion.com/achiever

    Shopify - Ready to start your business before Black Friday? Go tohttps://shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today!

    Vinted - Try Vinted and give your clothes a second life. Download the Vinted app for free and start selling with no seller fees.

    In this Episode, You Will Learn

    00:00 What really drives well-being and belonging at work?

    05:00 How changing your leadership style can reduce anxiety.

    06:45 Making more room for the work that energizes you.

    09:45 What future design means and how organizations can use it.

    12:15 Why meaningful work is a major challenge for business leaders.

    17:30 What does belonging at work really mean?

    20:00 Why social connection can matter more than compensation for workplace well-being.

    21:15 Why companies struggle to turn well-being research into action.

    25:00 How trust and social connection shape workplace belonging.

    28:15 The questions leaders need to ask about success.

    32:45 How rewriting the stories you tell yourself can change the way you lead.

    35:45 How vulnerability and psychological safety help teams connect.

    Resources + Links

    Learn more about Enso's work on workplace strategy and future design HERE!

    Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever

    Watch the podcast on YouTube

    Find more resources on our website http://morraam.com

    Follow

    Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

    Follow Sebastian on LinkedIn: @sebastianbuck

    43 min
  4. What Can A Financial Therapist Do For You? With Amanda Clayman

    Episode 367

    Show notes

    How can you make meaningful career and financial decisions without letting money anxiety hold you back? In this classic episode, I talk with Amanda Clayman, a financial therapist, about how your emotions, childhood experiences, and beliefs about money shape the way you work, earn, spend, and negotiate. We break down why financial anxiety leaves you feeling stuck, how shame and self-worth affect your ability to ask for what you deserve, and what it takes to pursue meaningful work while meeting your financial needs. Amanda also shares ways to prepare for uncertainty, recognize unhelpful money patterns, and navigate difficult conversations about finances. Tune in to learn how to better understand your money emotions and make decisions that align with your values.

    Check out our sponsors:

    HeyPolo - Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to https://heypolo.com/achiever or use code ACHIEVER and get 40% off your first year!

    Life at the Speed of Play - Go to http://getmarksbook.com/anxious to get two copies for the price of one - one for you and one for a friend.

    Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch and save 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code ACHIEVER.

    Notion - Learn more about how Notion can support your business, at http://notion.com/achiever

    Shopify - Ready to start your business before Black Friday? Go tohttps://shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today!

    Vinted - Try Vinted and give your clothes a second life. Download the Vinted app for free and start selling with no seller fees.

    In this Episode, You Will Learn

    00:00 Why having more money may not resolve your anxiety.

    04:15 How your money beliefs influence your professional decisions.

    07:45 What to do when money anxiety keeps you from making a change.

    11:15 Are you born anxious about money?

    14:15 Recognizing your default response to money stress.

    17:45 What salary negotiations can reveal about your self-worth.

    20:15 What is the connection between money, shame, and asking for what you deserve?

    24:30 Who can benefit from working with a financial therapist.

    26:30 How family and financial background shape your money beliefs.

    30:30 How to talk about money without making others feel pressured.

    Resources + Links

    Learn more about Amanda ClaymanHERE

    Learn more about financial therapy and financial wellnessHERE

    Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever

    Watch the podcast on YouTube

    Find more resources on our website http://morraam.com

    Follow

    Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

    Follow Amanda: on LinkedIn @amandaclayman + Instagram @amandaclayman

    38 min
  5. Shannon Watts on Neurodivergent Leadership and Burning It All Down

    Episode 366

    Show notes

    You can be an accomplished leader and still be terrified of what people think of you. Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action and author of Fired Up, knows what it takes to lead through fear, criticism, and self-doubt. In this episode, I talk with Shannon about how she built a movement with millions of supporters while navigating ADHD, anxiety, and a fear of public speaking, and what she learned about the personal cost of being a passionate leader. We explore how to stop letting other people's opinions dictate your decisions, recognize when your ambition is leading to burnout, and find the courage to pursue what you actually want instead of what you think you should want. Shannon also shares powerful lessons on letting go of control, knowing when it's time to move on, and building something that can thrive without you.

    Check out our sponsors:

    HeyPolo - Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to https://heypolo.com/achiever or use code ACHIEVER and get 40% off your first year!

    Life at the Speed of Play - Go to http://getmarksbook.com/anxious to get two copies for the price of one - one for you and one for a friend.

    Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch and save 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code ACHIEVER.

    Notion - Learn more about how Notion can support your business, at http://notion.com/achiever

    Shopify - Ready to start your business before Black Friday? Go tohttps://shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today!

    Vinted - Try Vinted and give your clothes a second life. Download the Vinted app for free and start selling with no seller fees.

    In this Episode, You Will Learn

    00:00 How Shannon Watts built a national movement while navigating anxiety and self-doubt.

    03:00 Facing threats and criticism while leading a passionate cause.

    04:15 Letting go of achievement, approval, and the fear of failure.

    05:00 Why you don't have to be a natural-born leader to make an impact.

    06:45 How empowering others creates stronger leaders.

    09:30 Leading with ADHD, OCD, anxiety, and introversion.

    11:00 How self-awareness helps neurodivergent leaders manage their energy.

    13:15 When intense passion and hyperfocus become a recipe for burnout.

    15:30 Why successful leaders must learn to delegate and let go of control.

    17:30 Recognizing founder syndrome and knowing when to step away.

    19:15 The passion tax and why women undervalue their work.

    22:00 Overcoming shame around getting paid for meaningful work.

    27:30 How to align your values, abilities, and desires to lead with purpose.

    32:00 A practical framework for discovering what you really want.

    33:15 Why chasing a single purpose can keep you from feeling fulfilled.

    35:30 The hidden desire for recognition and external validation.

    38:00 Overcoming guilt about pursuing your ambitions.

    40:00 Why it's never too late to redefine success and pursue a new chapter.

    44:00 How to handle criticism without letting it silence you.

    47:00 Separating constructive feedback from other people's projections.

    48:45 Using self-compassion and mindfulness to build resilience.

    50:45 Why community is essential for sustaining your leadership and ambition.

    Resources + Links

    Get a copy of Shannon Watts’ book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age

    Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever

    Watch the podcast on YouTube

    Find more resources on our website http://morraam.com

    Follow

    Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

    57 min
  6. Marc Brackett On How To Talk About Your Feelings When You're a Leader

    Episode 365

    Show notes

    Your emotional triggers could be affecting your team more than you realize. In this classic episode of The Anxious Achiever, I'm revisiting one of my favorite conversations with Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and author of Permission to Feel. Marc reveals how experiences from your past can shape the way you react to challenges, conflict, and difficult people at work, often without you even realizing it. We explore how to recognize and manage your emotional triggers, why understanding your feelings is an essential leadership skill, and how to create a workplace where people feel motivated, supported, and heard. You'll walk away with practical strategies to become a more self-aware leader, navigate difficult conversations, and make better decisions under pressure.

    Check out our sponsors:

    HeyPolo - Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to https://heypolo.com/achiever or use code ACHIEVER and get 40% off your first year!

    Life at the Speed of Play - Go to http://getmarksbook.com/anxious to get two copies for the price of one - one for you and one for a friend.

    Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch and save 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code ACHIEVER.

    Notion - Learn more about how Notion can support your business, at http://notion.com/achiever

    Shopify - Ready to start your business before Black Friday? Go tohttps://shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today!

    Vinted - Try Vinted and give your clothes a second life. Download the Vinted app for free and start selling with no seller fees.

    In this Episode, You Will Learn

    00:00 How your emotional triggers influence the way you lead.

    03:00 Using the Mood Meter to identify and understand your emotions.

    06:00 Why emotional awareness is a critical leadership skill.

    07:30 How your emotional intelligence affects employee motivation and performance.

    10:15 Becoming an emotion scientist instead of an emotion judge.

    11:00 How to create a team culture where employees feel supported and heard.

    14:15 Why some executives resist emotional intelligence training.

    16:00 How emotional intelligence helps emerging leaders gain influence.

    17:15 The hidden costs of overlooking emotional challenges within your team.

    18:45 How personal experiences can shape your reactions to difficult employees.

    21:00 Recognizing the emotional triggers that influence your leadership decisions.

    23:00 How to turn frustration with an employee into empathy and understanding.

    24:15 Why your team's emotional well-being directly impacts performance.

    25:15 Managing workplace conflict when your own emotions are running high.

    27:30 Why effective leadership sometimes requires difficult decisions and firm boundaries.

    30:45 How to use your emotions to improve decision-making and creativity.

    34:00 The power of emotional connection to restore motivation and inspiration.

    Resources + Links

    Get a copy of Marc Brackett's Book: Permission to Feel

    Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence:Explore the center's research and resources

    Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever

    Watch the podcast on YouTube

    Find more resources on our website http://morraam.com

    Follow

    Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

    39 min
  7. This Media Entrepreneur Can't Feel Anxious, Really | Mike Pesca

    Episode 364

    Show notes

    Imagine going through life without constantly worrying about things outside your control. Sounds pretty great, right? Veteran journalist and The Gist host Mike Pesca says his unusually high levels of anandamide, sometimes called the "bliss molecule," give him exactly that experience. But what happens when the same trait that makes you fearless, curious, and outspoken also makes it harder to recognize threats to your career? Mike joins me to explore the surprising downsides of not feeling much anxiety, how his professional strengths contributed to a painful career upheaval, and what it really takes to reinvent yourself as an entrepreneur in midlife. We also get candid about the pressure to become your own brand, the changing economics of podcasting, and how to protect the work you love when the rules of your industry keep changing.

    Check out our sponsors:

    HeyPolo - Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to https://heypolo.com/achiever or use code ACHIEVER and get 40% off your first year!

    Life at the Speed of Play - Go to http://getmarksbook.com/anxious to get two copies for the price of one - one for you and one for a friend.

    Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch and save 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code ACHIEVER.

    Notion - Learn more about how Notion can support your business, at http://notion.com/achiever

    Shopify - Ready to start your business before Black Friday? Go tohttps://shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today!

    Vinted - Try Vinted and give your clothes a second life. Download the Vinted app for free and start selling with no seller fees.

    In this Episode, You Will Learn

    00:00 Meet the journalist who experiences anxiety differently.

    03:00 How the "bliss molecule" affects Mike's ability to worry.

    06:45 When being fearless becomes a professional liability.

    08:30 How workplace disagreements led to a career-altering experience.

    13:30 When your greatest strength becomes your Achilles' heel.

    16:00 Reinventing your career and becoming an entrepreneur at 47.

    18:15 The challenges of rebuilding a business after losing institutional support.

    20:45 Why being great at your work isn't enough to succeed independently.

    23:00 How video and social media changed the economics of podcasting.

    26:00 The growing pressure for journalists and entrepreneurs to become content creators. 29:15 Why great creative work is becoming harder to sustain financially.

    32:30 Can talent and expertise still win in a world driven by personal brands?

    34:15 The struggle to build an audience without sacrificing your integrity.

    39:45 What it really takes to run multiple podcasts independently.

    41:45 The hidden isolation of working for yourself.

    43:15 How audience expectations are changing the future of journalism.

    46:15 Finding hope in an increasingly divided world.

    Resources + Links

    Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever

    Watch the podcast on YouTube

    Find more resources on our website http://morraam.com

    Follow

    Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

    53 min
  8. Managing Anxiety When Passion Drives Your Work with Poppy Jaman, OBE

    Episode 363

    Show notes

    How can you build a mentally healthy workplace while still managing the pressure, expectations, and emotional challenges of mission-driven work? In this episode, I talk with Poppy Jaman, OBE, founding CEO of Mental Health First Aid England and CEO of the City Mental Health Alliance, now known as MindForward Alliance UK, about creating workplaces where people can bring their whole selves to work while maintaining healthy boundaries. We break down how stigma prevents people from seeking support, and the mental health challenges that come with caring and mission-driven work. Poppy also opens up about her experience with postnatal depression, how meaningful work supported her mental health, and the practices she uses to protect her mental well-being. Tune in to learn how to recognize your own stress signals, check in with yourself, and build a personal toolkit for staying mentally well.

    Check out our sponsors:

    HeyPolo - Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to https://heypolo.com/achiever or use code ACHIEVER and get 40% off your first year!

    Life at the Speed of Play - Go to http://getmarksbook.com/anxious to get two copies for the price of one - one for you and one for a friend.

    Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch and save 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code ACHIEVER.

    Notion - Learn more about how Notion can support your business, at http://notion.com/achiever

    Shopify - Ready to start your business before Black Friday? Go tohttps://shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today!

    In this Episode, You Will Learn

    00:00 What does a mentally healthy workplace look like?

    03:45 Creating a culture where people can bring their whole selves to work.

    05:15 Balancing authenticity with healthy boundaries at work.

    07:45 Why compassion can be more helpful than empathy in leadership.

    10:00 What happened to inspire your journey into workplace mental health?

    15:45 How meaningful work can provide purpose, identity, and support during difficult times.

    18:45 The stigma that makes mental health and leadership difficult to talk about.

    21:00 Why mission-driven and caring professions can create unique pressures.

    23:30 Protecting relationships and personal time when your work is your mission.

    26:00 What’s the cost of giving your whole self to your work?

    27:30 How to check in with yourself and name what you’re feeling.

    29:15 Building a personal well-being toolkit around the things that make you feel good.

    30:30 How to use your stress signature to recognize when you need extra support.

    Resources + Links

    Learn more about MindForward Alliance UK (formerly City Mental Health Alliance) HERE

    Learn more about Mental Health First Aid England HERE

    Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever

    Watch the podcast on YouTube

    Find more resources on our website http://morraam.com

    Follow

    Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

    Follow Poppy Jaman on LinkedIn: @poppyjaman

    36 min
  9. How to Recenter Yourself With Dr. Liane Davey

    Episode 362

    Show notes

    Do you ever feel exhausted at the end of the workday without being able to point to what you actually accomplished? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Liane Davey, an organizational psychologist, about the invisible cognitive and emotional load that keeps you distracted, anxious, and stuck in the swirl. We break down the connection between thoughtload and conflict, why modern workplaces create so much mental noise, and what happens when you outsource too much of your thinking and feedback to AI. We also share the difference between useful stress and generalized anxiety, the power of “doing more nothing,” and how taking one small action can help you get unstuck. Tune in to learn how to create more space in your brain and get back to doing meaningful work.

    Check out our sponsors:

    HeyPolo - Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to https://heypolo.com/achiever or use code ACHIEVER and get 40% off your first year!

    Life at the Speed of Play - Go to http://getmarksbook.com/anxious to get two copies for the price of one - one for you and one for a friend.

    Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch and save 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code ACHIEVER.

    Notion - Learn more about how Notion can support your business, at http://notion.com/achiever

    Shopify - Ready to start your business before Black Friday? Go tohttps://shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today!

    In this Episode, You Will Learn

    00:00 What is thoughtload, and how does it affect your work?

    03:45 How thoughtload affects your ability to have a good fight.

    06:00 The invisible tax that drains your attention, emotions, and energy.

    09:30 Why modern workplaces create so much mental noise.

    13:00 What happens when feedback becomes constant and impersonal?

    15:30 Can AI actually help us become better at giving and receiving feedback?

    19:15 What’s the difference between using AI to think and using it to avoid thinking?

    22:30 What does deeper processing have to do with better work?

    25:15 Why high thought load makes creativity and presence harder.

    27:15 Is all stress and anxiety actually harmful?

    30:00 What your emotional reactions can reveal about what matters to you.

    33:45 The first step to getting off the hamster wheel.

    36:00 Could doing less actually help you access more insight and creativity?

    42:45 Ways to create more space for your brain.

    45:45 What is conflict debt, and what happens when you avoid difficult conversations?

    48:00 How a triggered state can change the way you interpret an email.

    52:15 What conflict patterns did you learn from your family?

    Resources + Links

    Get your copy of Thoughtload by Liane Davey HERE

    Get your copy of The Good Fight by Liane Davey HERE

    Learn more about Liane Davey HERE

    Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever

    Watch the podcast on YouTube

    Find more resources on our website http://morraam.com

    Follow

    Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

    Follow Liane on LinkedIn: @lianedavey

    1 hr 3 min
  10. How to Handle Anxiety About Difficult Conversations with Amy Gallo

    Episode 361

    Show notes

    Do you avoid difficult conversations because you don't want to make things worse? You're not alone. Many of us avoid conflict because it feels uncomfortable, but avoiding it often creates even more stress, uncertainty, and anxiety. In this episode, I sit down with workplace conflict expert Amy Gallo to talk about why healthy conflict is an essential leadership skill and how you can approach difficult conversations with more confidence. We talk about how emotional flooding affects difficult conversations, why shame often keeps us from speaking up, and Amy's 4-step framework for handling difficult conversations with more clarity and confidence. Tune in to discover a healthier way to approach difficult conversations.

    Check out our sponsors:

    HeyPolo - Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to https://heypolo.com/achiever or use code ACHIEVER and get 40% off your first year!

    Life at the Speed of Play - Go to http://getmarksbook.com/anxious to get two copies for the price of one - one for you and one for a friend.

    Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch and save 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code ACHIEVER.

    Notion - Learn more about how Notion can support your business, at http://notion.com/achiever

    Shopify - Ready to start your business before Black Friday? Go tohttps://shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today!

    In this Episode, You Will Learn

    00:00 Why does avoiding conflict make you even more anxious?

    03:15 How Amy Gallo became fascinated by workplace conflict.

    06:00 Can healthy conflict actually strengthen your relationships?

    07:30 How emotional flooding can derail difficult conversations.

    10:15 Why avoiding conflict creates long-term stress and anxiety.

    12:00 What's stopping you from speaking up?

    14:15 Shift from winning the argument to solving the problem together.

    18:15 Ways to practice conflict in everyday situations.

    23:30 Amy Gallo's 4-step framework for difficult conversations.

    27:15 How to identify what really matters before the conversation begins.

    30:00 When should you compromise, let it go, or walk away?

    33:00 What to do after a difficult conversation doesn't go as planned.

    Resources + Links

    Get a copy of Amy Gallo's book, Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) HERE

    Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever

    Watch the podcast on YouTube

    Find more resources on our website http://morraam.com

    Follow

    Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

    Follow Amy: on LinkedIn @amyegallo + Instagram @amyegallo

    41 min
  11. Ambition And Motherhood Are a Magic Combination with Dr. Anne Welsh

    Episode 360

    Show notes

    Do you feel like you're constantly choosing between your career, your children, and yourself? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Ann Welsh, a therapist and psychologist, about why women are taught to see motherhood and ambition as opposing forces. We dive into the ambition paradox and how motherhood challenges you to rethink what success really means. We also discuss the power of small changes, reconnecting with joy and hobbies, the difference between healthy and unhealthy striving, and how to separate your worth from achievement, money, and status. Tune in to learn how to pursue what you want while creating a version of ambition that feels sustainable and true to you.

    Check out our sponsors:

    ElevenLabs - If you run a business or handle customer operations across support, sales, or marketing, you can start with a demo at http://elevenlabs.io/achiever.

    Granola - If meetings are eating up your day, Granola is a no-brainer. You can try it totally free - just head to http://granola.ai/ACHIEVER.

    IM8 - Go to http://im8health.com/achiever RIGHT NOW or click on the link in the description and use code achiever for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets, plus ten percent off your order

    Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch. Use code ACHIEVER at http://monarch.com to get your first year of Monarch Core half off at just $50.

    Shopify - Head over to http://shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today.

    Upwork - Visit http://upwork.com right now and post your job for free.

    Brevo - Get started for free today—or use code ACHIEVER50 to save 50% on Starter and Standard Plans for the first three months of an annual subscription.

    In this Episode, You Will Learn

    00:00 The expectations women carry into motherhood and their careers.

    03:45 Rethinking ambition as motherhood changes your identity and priorities.

    06:00 The motherhood advantage and how becoming a mother can strengthen your career.

    11:00 What is an ambition paradox?

    16:00 How perfectionism, people pleasing, and pretending fuel the ambition paradox.

    20:00 Why achievement-driven habits can stop working in motherhood.

    23:45 When feeling unhappy doesn't mean you need to blow up your life.

    27:30 How small shifts can create sustainable change.

    33:30 What are the different kinds of ambition?

    38:00 Separating money, achievement, and success from your sense of worth.

    42:00 What is healthy versus unhealthy striving?

    46:15 What it takes to pursue ambition in a sustainable way.

    52:45 An exercise for letting go of expectations that no longer fit.

    Resources + Links

    Get a copy of Ambitious Mother HERE

    Learn more about Dr. Anne Welsh HERE

    Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever

    Watch the podcast on YouTube

    Find more resources on our website http://morraam.com

    Follow

    Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

    Follow Anne: on LinkedIn @drannewelsh + Instagram @drannewelsh

    1 hr
  12. How To Work And Lead With Intention with Jacqui Brassey & Vivek Bapat

    Episode 359

    Show notes

    How can leaders create healthier, more intentional workplaces while navigating anxiety, uncertainty, and remote work? In this classic episode, I talk with Jacqui Brassey, co-leader at the McKinsey Health Institute, and Vivek Bapat of SAP on the connection between leadership, mental health, and workplace culture. We dive into how toxic behavior fuels anxiety, why emotional flexibility and psychological safety matter, and how leaders can create space for people to bring their whole selves to work. We also talk about intentional communication, building relationships in remote and hybrid teams, and why empathy, listening, and healthy boundaries are essential to leading well. Tune in to discover what it really takes to create a workplace where people can feel supported, connected, and able to do their best work.

    Check out our sponsors:

    ElevenLabs - If you run a business or handle customer operations across support, sales, or marketing, you can start with a demo at http://elevenlabs.io/achiever.

    Granola - If meetings are eating up your day, Granola is a no-brainer. You can try it totally free - just head to http://granola.ai/ACHIEVER.

    IM8 - Go to http://im8health.com/achiever RIGHT NOW or click on the link in the description and use code achiever for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets, plus ten percent off your order

    Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch. Use code ACHIEVER at http://monarch.com to get your first year of Monarch Core half off at just $50.

    Shopify - Head over to http://shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today.

    Upwork - Visit http://upwork.com right now and post your job for free.

    Brevo - Get started for free today—or use code ACHIEVER50 to save 50% on Starter and Standard Plans for the first three months of an annual subscription.

    In this Episode, You Will Learn

    00:00 Why mental health is essential to organizational health.

    06:15 The anxiety that keeps people from speaking up, taking risks, and sharing ideas.

    08:45 Toxic behavior, stress, and the cycle that fuels workplace anxiety.

    13:00 How workplace culture affects individual and team well-being.

    16:30 Why mental health benefits alone can't fix a toxic team culture.

    21:30 What is authentic confidence?

    26:30 Why leaders need to embrace uncertainty and let go of control.

    30:15 How leaders can create psychological safety at work.

    34:00 How openness can strengthen remote teams and relationships.

    37:15 Lessons from 16 years of leading remotely.

    43:15 What companies risk when productivity becomes the only measure of remote work.

    49:00 How deep listening can help managers show they care.

    51:00 What leaders can learn when they fail to notice someone is struggling.

    53:30 How can leaders use boundaries to support their team's mental health?

    Resources + Links

    Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever

    Watch the podcast on YouTube

    Find more resources on our website http://morraam.com

    Follow

    Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

    Follow Jacqui on LinkedIn: @jacquibrassey

    Follow Vivek on LinkedIn: @vivekbapat

    1 hr 1 min
  13. The Psychology of Leadership With Sébastien Page

    Episode 358

    Show notes

    What if anxiety isn't something you need to eliminate, but something you can learn to work with? In this episode, I sit down with Sébastien Page, Chief Investment Officer and Head of Global Multi-Asset at T. Rowe Price, to explore how personality, stress, and anxiety shape the way we lead and perform. We share how to use anxiety as fuel, the difference between mastery and ego, why relationships matter to high performance, and what high achievers can learn from sports psychology. Tune in to discover how to pursue excellence without losing sight of your wellbeing.

    Check out our sponsors:

    ElevenLabs - If you run a business or handle customer operations across support, sales, or marketing, you can start with a demo at http://elevenlabs.io/achiever.

    Granola - If meetings are eating up your day, Granola is a no-brainer. You can try it totally free - just head to http://granola.ai/ACHIEVER.

    IM8 - Go to http://im8health.com/achiever RIGHT NOW or click on the link in the description and use code achiever for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets, plus ten percent off your order

    Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch. Use code ACHIEVER at http://monarch.com to get your first year of Monarch Core half off at just $50.

    Shopify - Head over to http://shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today.

    Upwork - Visit http://upwork.com right now and post your job for free.

    Brevo - Get started for free today—or use code ACHIEVER50 to save 50% on Starter and Standard Plans for the first three months of an annual subscription.

    In this Episode, You Will Learn

    00:00 What does leadership mean to you?

    05:30 How your personality can shape the way you lead and perform.

    08:15 Why listening is one of the most underrated leadership skills.

    13:00 How sports psychology helps you reframe anxiety as fuel.

    15:00 Why stress led Sébastien to study the psychology of leadership.

    19:00 What positive psychology teaches you about high performance.

    22:30 Why the joy of work matters for high achievers.

    27:30 What is the difference between mastery and ego?

    29:00 How relationships and teamwork can improve performance.

    32:00 How individual performance and collaboration can work together.

    38:30 What will AI mean for the future of work?

    40:30 How anxiety can shape the way you lead and perform.

    45:00 What Simone Biles can teach us about mental health and performance.

    48:45 How past experiences shape your emotional reactions.

    51:15 What losing can teach us about resilience.

    55:00 How thinking about death can put everyday challenges into perspective.

    Resources + Links

    Get a copy of Sébastien‘s book The Psychology of Leadership HERE

    Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever

    Watch the podcast on YouTube

    Find more resources on our website http://morraam.com

    Follow

    Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

    Follow Sébastien: @sebastien-page

    1 hr 1 min
  14. A C-Suite Exec On Finding Growth After Battling Depression with Paul Greenberg

    Episode 357

    Show notes

    What does it take to keep leading when depression tells you that you can’t go on? In this classic episode, I talk with Paul Greenberg, CEO of Butter Works about building a successful career while living with severe, chronic depression and suicidal thoughts. Paul shares how he kept showing up for work, why connecting with other people gave him a sense of purpose, and what happened when decades of traditional treatments failed to bring relief. We also talk about ECT, ketamine treatment, mental health stigma, and how leaders can create workplaces where people feel safer asking for help. Get ready to rethink what strength and success can look like when mental illness is part of the picture.

    Check out our sponsors:

    ElevenLabs - If you run a business or handle customer operations across support, sales, or marketing, you can start with a demo at http://elevenlabs.io/achiever.

    Granola - If meetings are eating up your day, Granola is a no-brainer. You can try it totally free - just head to http://granola.ai/ACHIEVER.

    IM8 - Go to http://im8health.com/achiever RIGHT NOW or click on the link in the description and use code achiever for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets, plus ten percent off your order

    Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch. Use code ACHIEVER at http://monarch.com to get your first year of Monarch Core half off at just $50.

    Shopify - Head over to http://shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today.

    Upwork - Visit http://upwork.com right now and post your job for free.

    Brevo - Get started for free today—or use code ACHIEVER50 to save 50% on Starter and Standard Plans for the first three months of an annual subscription.

    In this Episode, You Will Learn

    00:00 How can someone build a successful career while living with severe depression?

    03:45 What does a “slog day” with severe depression actually feel like?

    06:00 Can depression make you more sensitive to what other people are feeling?

    08:15 How depression created a constant and destructive inner narrative.

    10:45 Why achievement and responsibility can’t make depression go away.

    12:45 What happens when therapy and medication aren’t enough?

    15:00 What did it feel like to experience happiness for the first time after treatment?

    17:30 How ketamine treatment offered relief when severe depression returned.

    21:00 Why mental illness needs to be treated like any other medical condition.

    23:45 How being open about treatment shaped the culture at Paul’s company.

    25:15 What should you do if your workplace doesn’t support your mental health?

    28:15 How leaders can help make conversations about mental health feel more normal.

    Resources + Links

    Find more about Paul Greenberg on his website https://paulgreenberg.com

    If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can find support through the National Suicide Prevention Lifelinehttps://suicidepreventionlifeline.org

    If you're concerned about a young person in your life, find support and resources through the JED Foundationhttps://jedfoundation.org

    You can also reach out for support through the Crisis Text Linehttps://www.crisistextline.org

    Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever

    Watch the podcast on YouTube

    Find more resources on our website http://morraam.com

    Follow

    Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

    Follow Paul on LinkedIn: @paulgreenberg

    33 min
  15. What Is Post Traumatic Growth? with Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman

    Episode 356

    Show notes

    What if the parts of yourself you feel most ashamed of are not things you need to hide or fix, but parts you need to learn to accept? In this episode, I sit down with psychologist and author Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman to talk about self-compassion, neurodivergence, shame, and what it means to find growth and meaning in the face of adversity. Scott shares why you create so much unnecessary suffering by ruminating over how others perceive you, how trusting your intentions can help you stop beating yourself up, and why you can accept and love yourself without necessarily liking every part of who you are. Tune in to discover how to stop reducing yourself to your mistakes or your past and build a more compassionate relationship with your whole self.

    Check out our sponsors:

    ElevenLabs - If you run a business or handle customer operations across support, sales, or marketing, you can start with a demo at http://elevenlabs.io/achiever.

    Granola - If meetings are eating up your day, Granola is a no-brainer. You can try it totally free - just head to http://granola.ai/ACHIEVER.

    IM8 - Go to http://im8health.com/achiever RIGHT NOW or click on the link in the description and use code achiever for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets, plus ten percent off your order

    Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch. Use code ACHIEVER at http://monarch.com to get your first year of Monarch Core half off at just $50.

    Shopify - Head over to http://shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today.

    Upwork - Visit http://upwork.com right now and post your job for free.

    Brevo - Get started for free today—or use code ACHIEVER50 to save 50% on Starter and Standard Plans for the first three months of an annual subscription.

    In this Episode, You Will Learn

    00:00 Why self-actualization isn't something you achieve once and for all.

    05:45 What is human-centered leadership?

    09:00 What Maslow meant by self-actualization.

    15:00 Why no one type of mind should be considered superior.

    18:30 How to think about the different parts of yourself.

    23:30 Can you accept all the different parts of yourself?

    26:00 Why being your authentic self can feel so difficult.

    30:30 How neurodivergence can contribute to rumination and feeling different.

    35:00 How self-compassion changes your relationship with yourself.

    36:00 Why trusting your intentions can help you stop overthinking.

    39:30 What is post-traumatic growth?

    42:00 Can you really grow from trauma and adversity?

    47:30 What does it mean to choose growth instead of fear?

    49:30 Shame, authenticity, and the courage to ask for what you need.

    53:30 What does Maslow mean by being love?

    55:30 Why are you more than the worst thing that happened to you?

    Resources + Links

    Check out Dr. Scott’s books, including Choose Growth, Rise Above, and Leading for Tomorrowhttps://www.google.com/search?q=https://scottbarrykaufman.com/books/HERE

    Learn more about Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman HERE

    Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever

    Watch the podcast on YouTube

    Find more resources on our website http://morraam.com

    Follow

    Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

    Follow Dr. Scott on LinkedIn: on LinkedIn @scottbarrykaufman + Instagram @scottbarrykaufman

    1 hr 3 min
  16. Depression Can Be So Funny, With John Moe

    Episode 355

    Show notes

    Can depression make success feel like something you have to keep earning? In this episode, I sit down with John Moe, host of The Hilarious World of Depression, to talk about depression, anxiety, and the ways mental health shapes how you work and see yourself. John shares how he learned to recognize “magical thinking” and the unreliable narrator of depression, why achievement can’t fill the gap between success and self-worth, and how therapy helped him challenge distorted thinking. We also talk about getting laid off, separating your identity from your work, performing normalcy, and knowing when it’s time to ask for help. Tune in to separate your worth from your achievements.

    Check out our sponsors:

    ElevenLabs - If you run a business or handle customer operations across support, sales, or marketing, you can start with a demo at http://elevenlabs.io/achiever.

    Granola - If meetings are eating up your day, Granola is a no-brainer. You can try it totally free - just head to http://granola.ai/ACHIEVER.

    IM8 - Go to http://im8health.com/achiever RIGHT NOW or click on the link in the description and use code achiever for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets, plus ten percent off your order

    Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch. Use code ACHIEVER at http://monarch.com to get your first year of Monarch Core half off at just $50.

    Shopify - Head over to http://shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today.

    Upwork - Visit http://upwork.com right now and post your job for free.

    Brevo - Get started for free today—or use code ACHIEVER50 to save 50% on Starter and Standard Plans for the first three months of an annual subscription.

    In this Episode, You Will Learn

    00:00 Why depression and anxiety affect work in very different ways.

    03:15 What humor shows about depression and mental health.

    05:00 What’s the difference between anxiety and an anxiety disorder?

    07:30 What depression can teach you about perspective, creativity, and warning signs.

    10:15 Can achievement actually make you feel better?

    13:00 What does the “unreliable narrator” of depression sound like?

    15:00 How therapy helps identify and challenge distorted thinking.

    17:15 What remains when you separate depression from your sense of self.

    18:45 How getting laid off challenged John’s relationship with work and achievement.

    21:15 When your identity becomes too closely tied to your work.

    24:00 Do you still have to perform normalcy when you’re depressed?

    27:15 How to show up at work when depression makes everything harder.

    29:45 What creative professionals teach us about working with mental illness.

    32:30 Why creative work can accompany mental health struggles without replacing treatment.

    34:00 How does depression show up across different professions?

    Resources + Links

    Get a copy of John Moe’s book, The Hilarious World of Depression HERE!

    Find more resources on John’s websitehttps://www.johnmoe.website/

    Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever

    Watch the podcast on YouTube

    Find more resources on our website http://morraam.com

    Follow

    Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

    Follow John on LinkedIn: @johnemoe

    39 min
  17. How To Lead 106,000 People Without Losing Yourself with Dr. John D'Angelo

    Episode 354

    Show notes

    How do you lead at the highest level while still taking care of yourself? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. John D’Angelo, CEO of Northwell Health, to talk about what it means to lead through uncertainty, pressure, and enormous responsibility without losing sight of your own wellbeing. John shares how his emergency medicine background shaped his approach to leadership, how anxiety has fueled his drive to succeed, and why purpose, healthy boundaries, and taking care of yourself can make you a stronger leader. We also talk about burnout, psychological safety, navigating mistakes, protecting time to think, and building a trusted inner circle you can be vulnerable with. Tune in to discover how to lead through pressure and uncertainty while protecting your energy, wellbeing, and sense of self.

    Check out our sponsors:

    ElevenLabs - If you run a business or handle customer operations across support, sales, or marketing, you can start with a demo at http://elevenlabs.io/achiever.

    Granola - If meetings are eating up your day, Granola is a no-brainer. You can try it totally free - just head to http://granola.ai/ACHIEVER.

    IM8 - Go to http://im8health.com/achiever RIGHT NOW or click on the link in the description and use code achiever for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets, plus ten percent off your order

    Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch. Use code ACHIEVER at http://monarch.com to get your first year of Monarch Core half off at just $50.

    Shopify - Head over to http://shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today.

    Upwork - Visit http://upwork.com right now and post your job for free.

    Brevo - Get started for free today—or use code ACHIEVER50 to save 50% on Starter and Standard Plans for the first three months of an annual subscription.

    In this Episode, You Will Learn

    00:00 What does leadership mean to you?

    03:45 How an emergency medicine mindset helps leaders navigate uncertainty.

    06:30 How do you manage worry and stay composed under pressure?

    10:30 Do leaders need to make space for emotion after high-stakes moments?

    16:00 How to create more effective meetings and protect time to think.

    19:30 Why taking care of yourself can make you a better leader.

    23:00 How to handle imposter feelings during major career transitions.

    30:00 What’s putting the most pressure on healthcare today?

    32:00 What does mentally healthy leadership look like?

    34:15 How do you protect your energy, family time, and well-being?

    38:30 How to create psychological safety in high-stakes environments.

    43:45 Who do you need to surround yourself with?

    Resources + Links

    Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever

    Watch the podcast on YouTube

    Find more resources on our website http://morraam.com

    Follow

    Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

    Follow John on LinkedIn @john-dangelo-md

    53 min
  18. Understand Your Family Ghosts At Work with Deborah Ancona

    Episode 353

    Show notes

    What if the patterns that helped you succeed are also holding you back at work? In this episode, I sit down with MIT professor Dr. Deborah Ancona to talk about how the “family ghosts” you carry from childhood can shape the way you handle authority, conflict, responsibility, perfectionism, and asking for help. We dive into how recognizing these patterns helps you understand your triggers, change behaviors that keep you stuck, and lead with greater intention. Tune in to discover how your past may be influencing the way you work, lead, and relate to others.

    Check out our sponsors:

    ElevenLabs - If you run a business or handle customer operations across support, sales, or marketing, you can start with a demo at http://elevenlabs.io/achiever.

    Granola - If meetings are eating up your day, Granola is a no-brainer. You can try it totally free - just head to http://granola.ai/ACHIEVER.

    IM8 - Go to http://im8health.com/achiever RIGHT NOW or click on the link in the description and use code achiever for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets, plus ten percent off your order

    Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch. Use code ACHIEVER at http://monarch.com to get your first year of Monarch Core half off at just $50.

    Shopify - Head over to http://shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today.

    Upwork - Visit http://upwork.com right now and post your job for free.

    Brevo - Get started for free today—or use code ACHIEVER50 to save 50% on Starter and Standard Plans for the first three months of an annual subscription.

    In this Episode, You Will Learn

    00:00 What are “family ghosts,” and how do they follow us into adulthood?

    04:45 Can the patterns from your childhood become your greatest strengths?

    09:30 Why some behaviors are easier to change than others.

    14:45 How familiar family roles can shape the way you lead.

    18:15 How reconnecting with forgotten parts of yourself can strengthen your leadership.

    23:45 Which “good ghosts” help ambitious people succeed?

    28:00 How avoiding conflict and refusing to ask for help can create anxiety.

    30:30 How do you identify the ghosts you want to change?

    32:45 How feedback can reveal patterns you may not see in yourself.

    37:00 How role models can help you try on new ways of leading.

    40:15 Are your workplace relationships repeating old family patterns?

    42:00 How thinking in “triangles” can change difficult workplace dynamics.

    43:30 When is it time to step away from a relationship or workplace?

    Resources + Links

    Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever

    Watch the podcast on YouTube

    Find more resources on our website http://morraam.com

    Follow

    Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

    Follow Deborah on LinkedIn: @deborahancona123

    49 min
  19. Rebranding the Brain With Neurodiversity Expert Dave Thompson

    Episode 352

    Show notes

    Could your workplace be making it harder for you to do your best work? In this episode, I sit down with author and neurodiversity advocate Dave Thompson to talk about designing work around how people actually function best. Dave shares what he learned from helping build a successful social enterprise with a majority-autistic workforce. We dive into neuroinclusive work, masking, and how understanding your own needs helps you do better work without constantly forcing yourself to fit in. Tune in to discover how to create more room for the way you actually work, think, and thrive.

    Check out our sponsors:

    ElevenLabs - If you run a business or handle customer operations across support, sales, or marketing, you can start with a demo at http://elevenlabs.io/achiever.

    Granola - If meetings are eating up your day, Granola is a no-brainer. You can try it totally free - just head to http://granola.ai/ACHIEVER.

    IM8 - Go to http://im8health.com/achiever RIGHT NOW or click on the link in the description and use code achiever for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets, plus ten percent off your order

    Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch. Use code ACHIEVER at http://monarch.com to get your first year of Monarch Core half off at just $50.

    Shopify - Head over to http://shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today.

    Upwork - Visit http://upwork.com right now and post your job for free.

    Brevo - Get started for free today—or use code ACHIEVER50 to save 50% on Starter and Standard Plans for the first three months of an annual subscription.

    In this Episode, You Will Learn

    00:00 What would your ideal workplace look like?

    03:15 Why owning what you're good at and bad at matters.

    10:15 How designing work for everyone can improve productivity and engagement.

    13:45 How early expectations can shape the way you see your abilities.

    18:45 The 5 questions that change the way you design work.

    23:00 What do you do differently that helps you succeed?

    26:45 How the “Busy Burner” method helps manage competing priorities.

    29:00 Why your ideal work environment may not look like anyone else's.

    36:30 How masking can show up in everyday workplace behaviors.

    43:30 What's wrong with the way most job descriptions are written?

    46:15 Why employers need to think about what they're offering candidates.

    47:45 What happens when workplaces aren't designed for everyone.

    Resources + Links

    Get Dave Thompson's book, Brainstorm HERE

    Learn more about Dave Thompson and his work HERE

    Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever

    Watch the podcast on YouTube

    Find more resources on our website http://morraam.com

    Follow

    Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

    Follow Dave: on LinkedIn @itsdavethompson

    53 min
  20. Penn and Kim Holderness on Neurodivergence And The Creative Journey

    Episode 351

    Show notes

    Do you ever feel like you're forcing yourself to work in ways that just don't fit how your brain works? In this episode, I sit down with Penn and Kim Holderness to talk about how understanding ADHD transforms the way you lead, create, and work together. Penn and Kim share how understanding emotional dysregulation transformed their marriage, why shame can hold people with ADHD back, and the systems they use to reduce overwhelm, unlock creativity, and work more effectively as a team. Tune in to discover how embracing the way your brain works can lead to stronger relationships, better collaboration, and more meaningful work.

    Check out our sponsors:

    Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to http://shopify.com/anxiousachiever

    Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at http://monarch.com to get 50% off your first year

    Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals

    Pebl - Take advantage of Pebl’s limited-time offer before it’s gone. Visit http://hipebl.ai today.

    IM8 - Go to http://im8health.com/achiever RIGHT NOW or click on the link in the description and use code achiever for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets, plus ten percent off your order

    DripDrop - Right now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order. Go to http://dripdrop.com and use promo code ACHIEVER

    Brevo - Get started for free today—or use code ACHIEVER50 to save 50% on Starter and Standard Plans for the first three months of an annual subscription

    Upwork - Visit http://upwork.com right now and post your job for free.

    In this Episode, You Will Learn

    00:00 Why ADHD is about more than distraction.

    05:00 How to recognize emotional flooding before it takes over.

    08:00 How to build a work schedule that fits your brain.

    09:15 Why giving your brain room to hyperfocus pays off.

    11:15 How to structure your week for more creativity and focus.

    14:30 How anxiety and ADHD strengthen creative thinking.

    20:15 Does creativity become harder under constant pressure?

    25:15 What would a workplace designed for ADHD look like?

    29:15 Advice to anyone trying to build work around their strengths.

    31:15 Why creating work that reflects who you are leads to greater fulfillment.

    Resources + Links

    Get a copy of ADHD Is Awesome HERE

    Learn more about the Holderness Family HERE

    Watch the Holderness Family on YouTube HERE

    Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever

    Watch the podcast on YouTube

    Find more resources on our website http://morraam.com

    Follow

    Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

    Follow The Holderness Family on Instagram: @theholdernessfamily

    39 min