Podcasts about achiever

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 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 granola.ai/ACHIEVER.  IM8 - Go to 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 Monarch.com to get your first year of Monarch Core half off at just $50. Shopify - Head over to SHOPIFY.COM/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today.  Upwork - Visit 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 morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Deborah on LinkedIn: @deborahancona123

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 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 granola.ai/ACHIEVER.  IM8 - Go to 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 Monarch.com to get your first year of Monarch Core half off at just $50. Shopify - Head over to SHOPIFY.COM/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today.  Upwork - Visit upwork.com right now and post your job for free.  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 morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Dave: on LinkedIn @itsdavethompson

Feeling exhausted, anxious, depleted, or simply not like yourself isn't something you have to accept as the price of motherhood or getting older. Dr. Corina Dunlap has spent more than a decade helping women understand what's actually happening inside their bodies and why "this is just my new normal" deserves to be questioned. Cait and Dr. Dunlap unpack the hormones every woman should understand and how they shift through the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and beyond. They explore why support is a physiological need, not a luxury, the simple foundations that can make a meaningful difference in how women feel, and the three hormone personality types Dr. Dunlap sees repeatedly in her work: the Caretaker, Achiever, and Survivor. Key Takeaways • Why feeling worse after motherhood or as you age doesn't automatically have to become your "new normal" (10:57) • The five key hormones every woman should understand and how they influence energy, mood, sleep, strength, and more (19:35) • What actually happens to estrogen and progesterone throughout your cycle, pregnancy, and postpartum (28:20) • Why postpartum support, nourishment, sleep, and replenishment are physiological needs and not indulgences (32:36) • The Caretaker, Achiever, and Survivor hormone types and how each pattern can either support or deplete your health (42:48) About Dr. Corina Dunlap Dr. Corina Dunlap is a licensed naturopathic doctor, medical researcher, and leading expert in women's hormonal health. She is the founder of Naturopathic by Design®, a women's health clinic serving thousands of patients nationwide, and Aligned by Design®, her supplement line supporting women's hormonal health. Her work bridges evidence-based research with root-cause, whole-body care. Website: https://drcorinadunlap.com/ Naturopathic by Design®: https://www.naturopathicbydesign.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcorinadunlap/ Resources Mentioned Hormone Powered: https://drcorinadunlap.com/hormonepowered/ Hormone Type Assessment: https://drcorinadunlap.com/assessment/ Top Lab Guide: https://www.naturopathicbydesign.com/newsletter-signup Aligned by Design® Supplements: https://shopalignedbydesign.com/ The Fourth Trimester by Kimberly Ann Johnson: https://kimberlyannjohnson.com/the-fourth-trimester/ Want to go deeper with The Millionaire Mother? Join The Millionaire Mother Diaries for weekly insights on business, motherhood, wealth, leadership, and living a deeply resourced life: https://themillionairemother.com/diaries/ Pre-order Cait's upcoming book, Born for Both: bornforboth.com Love the show? Share this episode to your stories and tag @themillionairemother, or leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Every share and review helps more ambitious mothers find the show.

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 shopify.com/anxiousachiever Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at 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 hipebl.ai today. IM8 - Go to 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 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 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 morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow The Holderness Family on Instagram: @theholdernessfamily

What if your biggest advantage isn't knowing what's coming next, but trusting yourself to handle whatever comes? In this episode, I sit down with author Simone Stolzoff to talk about why your need for certainty keeps you stuck and how tying your identity too closely to work leaves you vulnerable when life changes. Simone shares why uncertainty isn't something to eliminate, but a part of being human, how values and relationships provide stability when the future feels unclear, and why adapting matters more than predicting what comes next. Tune in to discover how uncertainty can become a source of growth instead of something to fear. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at 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 hipebl.ai today. IM8 - Go to 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 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 upwork.com right now and post your job for free.  In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why your job shouldn't become your entire identity. 08:15 What it means to commit despite doubt. 13:00 How AI is changing the way we think about work and identity. 16:45 What is a diversified identity? 18:45 How to cultivate the practice of not knowing. 21:15 What keeps you trapped in the need for certainty? 26:30 What to do when you're stuck waiting for an answer. 30:30 Advice to anyone worried about being laid off. 33:15 Finding stability in your values when everything else feels uncertain. 37:45 Can preparing for the worst reduce anxiety? 40:00 Are your fears based on facts or assumptions? 44:00 Why uncertainty makes life worth living.  48:30 Why your future self is more capable than you think. Resources + Links Get a copy of How to Not Know HERE Get a copy of The Good Enough Job HERE Learn more about Simone Stolzoff HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Simone: on LinkedIn @simonestolzoff + Instagram @thepizza_bagel

In this episode, I sit down with Alexander Chaparro, an ACC executive coach, leadership and business transformation strategist, author of The Dreamer's Guide, and founder of Power Up Coaching Solutions. With decades of experience in leadership, sales, recruiting, and team development, Alex breaks down how blending neuroscience, mindset transformation, and practical business strategy can help high achievers move beyond limiting beliefs. Together, we explore his personal journey of overcoming childhood dyslexia, ADHD, and a 200-pound weight loss, highlighting how self-acceptance, active hope, and continuous movement unlock lasting achievement and clear purpose.   In this episode, we discuss: How childhood challenges with dyslexia and ADHD in the '70s and '80s initially created limiting beliefs Developing a solution-based mindset to navigate adversity The difference between passive wishing and active hope How self-love, self-acceptance, and peace became the true catalysts for Alex losing 200 pounds after decades of struggle The inspiration behind his book, The Dreamer's Guide to Achieving in Uncertain Times Why dreaming is an essential muscle to communicate with the subconscious mind Utilizing repetition and patient, small adjustments to build lasting healthy habits into muscle memory Knowing when to leverage strength versus momentum during seasons of low motivation Alex's current training for the 500-mile El Camino de Santiago pilgrimage to celebrate his mobility and health   About Alexander: Alexander Chaparro is an ACC executive coach, leadership and business transformation strategist, author of The Dreamer's Guide, and founder of PowerUp Coaching Solutions. With decades of experience in leadership, sales, recruiting, and team development, he has built his work around helping leaders and high achievers move beyond limiting beliefs and translate vision into meaningful, lasting achievement. Through his coaching and speaking, Alex equips individuals to think bigger, act bolder, and lead with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose. Blending neuroscience, mindset transformation, and practical business strategy, he helps others unlock their potential and pursue what once felt impossible.   The Dreamer's Guide bookhttps://a.co/d/0cpYj5C5 https://powerupcoach.net   Book An Appointment with Alex:https://calendly.com/powerupcoach/power-up-coaching   Personal Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/chaparrogroup Personal LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderchaparro/ PowerUp Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powerupcoachinghub PowerUp FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566632063013   ----- Connect with Candice Snyder! Website: https://www.podpage.com/passion-purpose-and-possibilities-1/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candicebsnyder?_rdr Passion, Purpose, and Possibilities Community Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/passionpurposeandpossibilitiescommunity/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passionpurposepossibilities/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicesnyder/ Shop For A Cause With Gifts That Give Back to Nonprofits: https://thekindnesscause.com/ Go to FusionaryFormulas.com and use code PASSION at checkout for 15% off your first order.  Fall In Love With Artists And Experience Joy And Calm: https://www.youtube.com/@movenartrelaxation

Does starting over in midlife feel exciting or terrifying? In this special crossover episode, I joined Olivia F. Scott from Freedom at the Mat to talk about career pivots, identity, ambition, and what it means to rebuild in midlife. We share our own experiences with burnout, rebuilding our careers, redefining what success means, letting go of external validation, and why sometimes the bravest thing you can do is admit you don't have all the answers. Tune in to discover how to navigate midlife with more courage, purpose, and self-trust. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at 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 hipebl.ai today. IM8 - Go to 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 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 upwork.com right now and post your job for free.  In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Midlife can be the beginning of something new. 04:00 What does it mean to rebuild your life and career? 07:45 Reinvention is possible at any stage of life. 14:15 How do you let go of your past without letting go of yourself? 16:45 What happens when you stop chasing external validation? 19:45 How slowing down changes the way you experience life. 22:30 Is your ambition serving you or driving you? 26:00 How understanding your motivations help prevent burnout. 29:15 How trusting your instincts can lead to unexpected opportunities. 35:15 What happens when you give yourself permission to rest? 38:15 What gets better about life in midlife? 39:45 What younger women need to know about midlife. 44:30 Why you should reach out to 3 people every day. Resources + Links Learn more about Olivia F. Scott HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Olivia: on LinkedIn @oliviafscottmarketing + Instagram @olivialove901fm

Have you ever wondered why the way everyone else works just doesn't seem to work for you? In this episode, I introduce my TAAM framework and share what I learned from my Neuro Strength Survey of more than 1,200 neurodistinct professionals. I talk about how time, attention, agency, and motivation shape the way you work and why understanding those patterns can help you build a career that feels more aligned. Plus, I share questions to help you identify your own TAAM profile and start designing work that fits you better. Tune in to discover how understanding the way your brain works can help you build a career that works for you.  Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at 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 hipebl.ai today. IM8 - Go to 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 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 upwork.com right now and post your job for free.  In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why traditional work advice doesn't fit every brain.  04:15 Why understanding your individuality matters more than labels. 06:45 What more than 1,200 neurodistinct professionals revealed about work. 10:00 Why your brain is both a strength and a challenge. 12:15 The strengths neurodistinct professionals bring to the workplace. 15:15 Why flexibility matters more than productivity hacks. 17:15 What is the TAAM framework? 20:15 Rethink your relationship with time at work. 24:15 What helps your attention thrive instead of drain. 26:30 How agency shapes your experience at work. 30:30 What drives your motivation at work? 33:30 How to create your own TAAM profile. 38:00 Example of the TAAM framework in action. 42:15 Answering common questions about TAAM, values, and accommodations. Resources + Links Take the Neurostrength Survey HERE Download the TAAM Profile Worksheet HERE Pre-order The Atypical Achiever HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

Have you ever tried to achieve your way out of anxiety or depression? What happens when reaching your biggest goals still doesn't make you feel like you're enough? In this episode, I sit down with NBA champion and mental health advocate Kevin Love to talk about the anxiety, depression, and constant sense of dread that existed alongside his extraordinary success. Kevin opens up about the panic attack that changed his relationship with mental health, the pressure to prove himself, and why achievement, fame, and money could never fill the void. We also break down perfectionism, overwork, social anxiety, vulnerability, and the complicated relationship between ambition and mental health. Tune in to learn how changing your relationship with achievement can create more room for self-acceptance, connection, and joy. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at 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 hipebl.ai today. IM8 - Go to 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 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 upwork.com right now and post your job for free.  In This Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why Kevin Love decided to speak publicly about his mental health. 04:15 The panic attack that forced Kevin to confront his mental health. 05:00 What happens when you try to achieve your way out of depression? 12:45 Can understanding your mental health make you a better teammate? 14:15 The freedom that comes from separating yourself from your performance. 16:00 When the thing you love becomes your only source of identity. 18:00 What high achievers can learn from failure. 23:15 The fear of being judged after opening up about mental health. 26:15 Why overwork can't fill the emotional void. 27:30 What social anxiety looks like when you're constantly in the public eye. 30:45 Learning to give yourself permission to experience joy. 32:15 How do you redefine achievement without losing your ambition? Resources + Links Learn more about the Kevin Love Fund HERE! Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Kevin Love Fund: @kevinlovefund

Do you know how to bring yourself back to balance when stress and anxiety take over? In this episode, I sit down with HeartMath president and co-CEO Dr. Deborah Rozman to talk about how stress, anxiety, and emotions affect your heart, brain, and nervous system. Deborah breaks down what heart rate variability measures, what it means to move into a state of coherence, and why staying activated by stress for too long can drain your energy and performance. We also did the Quick Coherence Practice to reset when you're triggered or regain clarity during a stressful day. Tune in to learn how to feel calmer, clearer, and more resilient under pressure. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at 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 hipebl.ai today. IM8 - Go to 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 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 upwork.com right now and post your job for free.  In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 How nervous system regulation supports focus and performance at work. 05:30 What is the relationship between your emotions and your nervous system? 08:00 How stress and positive emotions create different heart rhythm patterns. 12:00 What's the difference between heart rate and heart rate variability? 17:15 How frustration shifts your heart rhythm and stress response. 20:15 The Quick Coherence practice you can use when you're triggered. 26:30 Can anxiety actually help you perform better? 30:00 How staying stuck in stress drains your energy over time. 33:15 Ways to bring heart-brain coherence into your workday. 38:00 Is emotional regulation the same as suppressing your feelings? Resources + Links Learn more about HeartMath HERE! Learn the Quick Coherence Technique HERE! Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Dr. Deborah on LinkedIn: @deborahrozman

Does perfectionism feel like the reason you're successful and the thing that's exhausting you at the same time? In this episode, I sit down with author and workplace expert Susan Schmitt Winchester to talk about the roots of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and the constant need for external validation. Susan shares how childhood experiences follow you into the workplace, why everyday triggers send you into old patterns of fear and self-doubt, and ways to regulate your response. Tune in to learn how to loosen perfectionism's grip without giving up your ability to do great work. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at 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 hipebl.ai today. IM8 - Go to 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 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 upwork.com right now and post your job for free.  In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 When perfectionism makes you feel like nothing is ever good enough. 03:15 When the need to prove yourself becomes a pattern. 07:45 How fear of failure keeps perfectionists chasing external validation. 11:45 Can your purpose become bigger than your fear of judgment? 16:15 Turning the workplace into a laboratory for emotional healing. 18:15 What “bumper car moments” can teach you about your emotional triggers. 21:15 How to regulate your response before anxiety takes over. 26:15 Are you reacting to reality or a story you've created? 27:15 The 3 steps for changing your automatic reactions at work. 33:45 Perfectionism can move mountains, but it comes at a cost. 36:00 What makes perfectionism so brittle? 38:15 Separating your adult self from the patterns that once kept you safe. 42:15 Tools for managing perfectionism at work. 45:00 Giving yourself permission not to react immediately. Resources + Links Learn more about Susan Schmitt Winchester HERE!  Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Susan: on LinkedIn @susanschmittwinchester + Instagram @susanjschmittwinchester

Do you ever wonder if you're doing enough for your parents? In this episode, I sit down with Baylor University professor Dr. Allison Alford to talk about the emotional, mental, logistical, and identity work women take on to keep their families connected. Allison shares how to recognize the daughtering you're already doing, why so many women struggle to feel like a “good enough” daughter, and how family expectations shape the way you show up in other areas of your life. We also break down the difference between daughtering and caregiving, how to set healthier boundaries, and why doing more isn't always the answer. Tune in to redefine what being a good daughter means without losing yourself in the expectations that come with it. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at 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 hipebl.ai today. IM8 - Go to 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 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 upwork.com right now and post your job for free.  In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 How being a daughter can shape the way you show up at work. 03:15 What distance daughtering looks like when you live far from your parents. 08:15 What is daughtering? 12:15 The 4 types of work daughters take on in their families. 18:45 Daughtering and caregiving aren't the same thing. 21:30 Why daughtering isn't always about doing more for your parents. 24:00 Where does the pressure to be a “good daughter” come from? 28:15 Can you define what being a good daughter means for yourself? 30:15 The 4 categories that show how much daughtering you actually do. 35:15 Why setting boundaries is part of healthy daughtering. 37:45 What your daughtering score can teach you about balance. 40:15 Can you still be a daughter when you've cut off contact with a parent? Resources + Links Get a copy of Dr. Allison's book Good Daughtering HERE! Learn more about Dr. Allison Alford HERE! Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Dr. Allison: on LinkedIn @allisonalford + Instagram @daughtering101

Check out Mindy on the Bigger Pockets Money podcast This episode brought to you by Abound Wealth. Take the relationship to the next level and become a client: https://moneyguy.com/become-a-client/ Building wealth is only half the battle—keeping it, enjoying it, and avoiding costly financial blind spots is where the real challenge begins. In this special Making a Millionaire collaboration, Brian and Bo sit down with Mindy from BiggerPockets Money and her husband Karl to analyze a nearly $10 million portfolio, uncovering hidden risks like concentration risk, margin loans, Roth conversion opportunities, tax planning, required minimum distributions (RMDs), retirement withdrawal strategies, liquidity planning, and the Achiever's Trap. Whether you're pursuing financial independence, FIRE, retirement planning, or simply want to build lasting wealth through investing and smart tax strategies, this conversation offers practical insights for high-income earners, retirees, and anyone serious about optimizing their financial future without sacrificing the life they've worked so hard to build. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Jump start your journey with our FREE financial resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reach your goals faster with our products⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take the relationship to the next level: become a client⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube for early access and go beyond the podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with us on social media for more content⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bring confidence to your wealth building with simplified strategies from The Money Guy. Learn how to apply financial tactics that go beyond common sense and help you reach your money goals faster. Make your assets do the heavy lifting so you can quit worrying and start living a more fulfilled life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you worried about what AI means for your job and the future of work? How do you stay grounded when technology is changing faster than you can keep up? In this episode, I sit down with Oxford Road CEO and founder Dan Granger to talk about AI anxiety, uncertainty, and what it takes to keep moving forward when the future feels impossible to predict. We dive into how to recognize when anxiety is useful, why focusing on the process can pull you out of the “what if” spiral, and how curiosity and adaptability can help you navigate rapid change. Tune in to learn how to work with uncertainty, focus on what you can control, and lean into the uniquely human value you bring to your work. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician's Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order 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 hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Meet Dan Granger, CEO and Founder of Oxford Road. 03:15 Can you build a healthier relationship with anxiety? 06:00 Why anxiety is a necessary part of the human experience. 09:30 When does normal anxiety become unhealthy? 13:15 How to focus on what you can control when the future feels uncertain. 16:30 Is the fear of AI taking your job actually rational? 20:15 Finding your unique value in a world increasingly shaped by AI. 27:45 What a podcast can give you beyond money and downloads. 34:45 The role trust and authenticity play in podcast advertising. 40:15 Can anxiety actually become rocket fuel for achievement? 44:45 Is video changing what it means to be a podcast? Resources + Links Learn more about Oxford Road HERE! Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Dan: on LinkedIn @dangranger

Do you want to become the kind of leader people genuinely trust? Could kindness be one of the most overlooked leadership skills today? In this episode, I sit down with John MacPhee, CEO of the Jed Foundation, to talk about how compassionate leadership creates stronger teams, healthier workplaces, and a greater sense of belonging. John shares how his own struggles with anxiety, failing out of college, and an unforgettable conversation with his mother transformed his definition of success and ultimately led him to purpose-driven work. We also dive into what workplaces still get wrong about mental health and the small leadership shifts that can make a lasting difference. Tune in to discover how leading with kindness can strengthen your team, your culture, and yourself. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician's Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order 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 hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Meet John MacPhee, CEO of The Jed Foundation (JED). 05:15 What is kind leadership? 10:00 Can you make difficult decisions without losing compassion? 12:00 How to say "no" with empathy while helping people feel heard. 14:00 What the Jed Foundation has learned about protecting mental health. 20:00 Why psychological safety starts long before someone asks for help. 21:30 What most workplaces still misunderstand about mental health. 27:00 Why purpose gives people a reason to keep going. 33:30 What does it take to create a culture of belonging? 37:00 Kindness as a competitive advantage in leadership. 45:30 Can failure become the foundation of better leadership? 53:00 The leadership lesson every young person deserves. Resources + Links Learn more about the Jed Foundation HERE! Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow John on LinkedIn: @johnamacphee

What if the goal you're struggling to reach isn't a motivation problem? Maybe it simply doesn't fit anymore.In episode #1206, George and Mary-Lynn explore why changing direction doesn't mean giving up and how a thoughtful mid-year reset can help you make the second half of the year count.In This Episode We'll Explore:One of the biggest mistakes achievers make Why resetting your goals often trumps just pushing harder How to finish the year strongBIGG Takeaways:The mid-year reset is an opportunity to reassess your goals and align them with your current life situation.Successful people know that changing a goal doesn't mean failure; it shows adaptability and wisdom in navigating life.As you reflect on the past six months, focus on lessons learned rather than what you didn't achieve.Instead of pushing harder, take a step back to ensure your goals still serve the life you want to build.BIGG Chapters[00:01] The Mid Year Reset[01:17] Reevaluating Our Goals[01:47] Embracing Change: The Importance of Goal Adjustment[04:50] Reflecting on Goals and Life Alignment[05:47] Setting Goals for the Second Half of the Year Links referenced in this episode:BIGG Success Life Map CourseJoin our Newsletter

Send us Fan MailThis episode is your complete Disney World planning guide for anyone stepping into the role of lead planner for an upcoming trip, whether this is your first time at Disney World or your tenth. I'm walking through my real planning process using our friends who are finally taking their first trip after years of us trying to convince them, but every tool and tip in this episode works no matter how many times you've already been.I start with the three decisions every Disney World trip planner has to make before anything else can fall into place: when you're going, how you're getting there, and where you're staying. Once those are locked in, you can start dissecting your days, but not before. I talk through how we landed on our own dates, why we chose to fly instead of drive this time, and how we balanced a moderate resort stay with a couple of nights using our Disney Vacation Club points so we could stretch our budget during one of the most expensive times of year to visit.From there I get into something most people skip completely when they're figuring out how to plan a Disney World trip, which is understanding your own planning personality, along with the personalities of everyone else coming with you. I share the Disney Enneagram quiz I use, paired with Disney characters, so you can see how a Helper plans differently than an Achiever or a Peacemaker, and why knowing this ahead of time can save you from burnout and save your group from mismatched expectations once you're actually at the parks.I also share the free Disney World planning workbook I use for every single trip we take, and I walk through exactly how I use it with first-timers. That includes a ride questionnaire so I know ahead of time who gets motion sick, who's never been on a roller coaster, and who has specific things they love or hate, like inversions, launches, or dark rides. I cover the Disney family interest survey, which helps me figure out favorite movies and characters before we ever start building a Disney World itinerary, and the Disney vacation style quiz, which is especially useful if you're traveling with another family or group of friends and want to know ahead of time how loose or detailed their vacation style tends to be.This episode also covers the Disney World booking window, including exactly when dining reservations, Enchanted Extras, and Lightning Lane booking open depending on your check-in date. I explain why I always tell people not to touch their actual day-by-day planning until 90 days before the trip, since that's when your 60-day dining window is approaching and most major announcements or refurbishments have already been made. I also share the six-day outlook sheet I use for early brainstorming, which lets you jot down restaurants or experiences you've heard about without locking anything in too soon.You'll also hear about the Disney World packing list system I use for every vacation, not just Disney trips, including how I shop sales year-round and keep everything organized in one vacation box so nothing gets lost between the time I buy it and the day we leave. I talk about the outfit planner I use for coordinating looks for special dinners or park days, and why I don't expect guests traveling with us to match, even though my own family loves doing it.Toward the end, I get into the difference between genuine Disney magic and manufactured magic, especially when it comes to character interactions, dressing kids in bounding outfits, and why some of what you see online from other Disney creators is planned more intentionally than it looks. My goal with this podcast has never been to chase virality. It's to make sure you have the facts so you can have a truly magical trip, whether that means dressing up for extra character attention or just showing up and enjoying the experience as it comes.If you're the one in charge of pulling off a magical trip for your family, your friends, or anyone experiencing Disney World for the first time, I hope this episode gives you a clear, repeatable framework you can use for this trip and every one after it. And if you know someone getting ready for their first Disney World vacation, please share this episode with them so they can start planning with a little less overwhelm and a lot more excitement.Support the showHey Welcome to Well Hello Magic!Well Hell Magic Website Instagram YouTube  Pinterest Amazon Shop LTK ShopReady to Plan your Disney Vacation?Free Planning GuideJoin The Newsletter

Happy International Lonely Guy Friday, broadcasting from Athens with limited Greek, Coke Zero investigations, and billion-dollar brains. Today Kev gets into how one of Greece's biggest stars proves you don't need the biggest audience (you need the right niche!), and how a working vacation led to a humbling realization that the world's most fulfilled people share one uncommon trait: extraordinary self-awareness. He chats how the Enneagram goes beyond describing what you do and uncovers why you do it: what you fear, what drives you, and how your personality changes under stress. How the same behavior can come from completely different emotional engines, and why understanding those motives can transform relationships, leadership, and even your family. Then, how your greatest strength can quietly become your greatest limitation and how replacing “That's just who I am” with “That's the strategy I learned to use” can completely change how you see yourself. Kev also discovers he's a Type 2 Helper with strong Achiever and Challenger traits and why that explains a lifetime of building, protecting, overextending, and occasionally forgetting himself along the way. Plus, how successful families hold regular meetings to improve their relationships, why awareness is the ultimate competitive advantage, and why there are people in the castle and equally valuable people on the ground. Also, why simply showing up opens unexpected doors … and why the opportunity you're waiting for may already be waiting for you. Bye Betches! Join us at our Canyon Ranch 2026 Retreat: https://www.canyonranch.com/lenox/retreats/heal-retreat-maria-menounos HEAL SQUAD SOCIALS IG: https://www.instagram.com/healsquad/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@healsquadxmaria HEAL SQUAD RESOURCES: Heal Squad Website:https://www.healsquad.com/ Heal Squad x Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HealSquad/membership Maria Menounos Website: https://www.mariamenounos.com My Curated Macy's Page: Shop My Macy's Storefront EMR-Tek Red Light: https://emr-tek.com/discount/Maria30 for 30% off Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/host ABOUT MARIA MENOUNOS: Emmy Award-winning journalist, TV personality, actress, 2x NYT best-selling author, former pro-wrestler and brain tumor survivor, Maria Menounos' passion is to see others heal and to get better in all areas of life. ABOUT HEAL SQUAD x MARIA MENOUNOS: A daily digital talk-show that brings you the world's leading healers, experts, and celebrities to share groundbreaking secrets and tips to getting better in all areas of life. DISCLAIMER: This Podcast and all related content (published or distributed by or on behalf of Maria Menounos or http://Mariamenounos.com and http://healsquad.com) is for informational purposes only and may include information that is general in nature and that is not specific to you. Any information or opinions provided by guest experts or hosts featured within website or on Company's Podcast are their own; not those of Maria Menounos or the Company. Accordingly, Maria Menounos and the Company cannot be responsible for any results or consequences or actions you may take based on such information or opinions. This podcast is presented for exploratory purposes only. Published content is not intended to be used for preventing, diagnosing, or treating a specific illness. If you have, or suspect you may have, a health-care emergency, please contact a qualified health care professional for treatment.

Can your greatest struggles become the foundation for your best work? What if the way through anxiety isn't eliminating it, but creating something meaningful despite it? In this episode, I sit down with Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic Jerry Saltz to talk about growing up with profound trauma, living with panic attacks, overcoming envy, and finding purpose through creative work. Jerry shares how years of self-doubt, social anxiety, and rejection eventually led him to reinvent himself, why meaningful work matters more than perfection, and how embracing your own voice can transform your life. Tune in to discover why showing up, creating consistently, and letting go of comparison may be the most powerful antidotes to anxiety. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician's Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order 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 hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why anxiety can show up as overwork, perfectionism, and the need for control. 03:15 How childhood experiences shape the way you work and cope with stress. 07:45 Why the routines you rely on may be helping you more than you realize. 11:15 How can you move forward after growing up in a chaotic environment? 16:00 What panic attacks taught Jerry about fear, identity, and purpose. 19:00 How do you stop comparing yourself to everyone else? 20:30 Is it ever too late to reinvent your career? 22:15 How meaningful work can replace resentment with purpose. 24:15 Can social anxiety become a creative strength? 29:45 The mindset shift that helps you stop waiting and start creating. 31:15 How creating consistently builds confidence and resilience. 32:30 What does "always be around" really mean for your career? Resources + Links Learn more about Jerry Saltz HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Jerry: on X @jerrysaltz + Instagram @jerrysaltz

What happens when the strategies that always worked for you suddenly stop working? How do you keep believing in yourself when success no longer feels certain? In this episode, I sit down with entrepreneur and author Jenny Blake to talk about financial uncertainty, career setbacks, and the emotional toll of building a business. Jenny shares what it was like to lose major clients, question long-held beliefs about success, navigate the "flop era" of entrepreneurship, and find new meaning through creativity instead of certainty. Tune in to discover how to navigate uncertainty with more self-compassion, patience, and purpose. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician's Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order 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 hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why everyone looks rich on the internet, even when they're not. 04:15 What if your career doesn't go according to plan? 09:15 How Jenny Blake built a successful business after leaving Google. 13:15 What happens when your biggest source of income suddenly disappears? 18:45 How do you recover after a major career setback? 20:45 How to separate your self-worth from your achievements. 24:15 Can your body tell you when you're on the wrong path? 28:45 What Bell's palsy taught Jenny about burnout and self-care. 31:00 How atypical achievers can build careers that work for them. 35:15 How permission slips can help you navigate difficult seasons. 40:45 Would you still do it if it failed? 44:00 Is it okay if your greatest success is already behind you? 47:30 Why letting go of your old identity helps you move forward. 52:00 What permission do you need to give yourself right now? Resources + Links Learn more about Jenny Blake HERE Get your copy of Jenny's book, Pivot HERE Get your copy of Jenny's book, Free Time HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Jenny: on LinkedIn @jennyblake

Send us Fan MailThe version of you that overthinks, overworks, people-pleases, or clamps down on control is not “bad” or “evil”; it may be exhausted love trying to stay safe. We name that identity the protective self, and we contrast it with the beloved self: the true identity God gives and sustains, not earned through performance, not constructed through survival, but received through Agape. If you've been stuck in spiritual striving or quiet anxiety, this conversation offers language that makes the pattern visible without condemnation.We unpack how the protective self forms from the womb through unmet needs and wounding, then keeps running on autopilot even when the danger has passed. We connect this to the Isaac Principle, showing how the protective self can treat surrender like a completed transaction and replace trust with vigilance: “I've already trusted enough. Now I must manage what's left.” We also draw a sharp line between doing a work for God versus co-laboring with God, and why that “with” changes everything about motivation, peace, and presence.To make it practical, we map the protective self to Positive Intelligence saboteurs like the Judge, Controller, Achiever, Restless, Pleaser, Avoider, and Victim. Then we move to the beloved self, rooted in the heart and the imago Dei, echoing God's declaration of delight. Stillness and the inner room of Matthew 6:6 do not create belovedness; they uncover what has been true all along, helping your soul finally hear, “You are my beloved.”If this helped you breathe deeper, share it with a friend who's tired of striving, subscribe for what's next, send us a message sharing your thoughts, and leave a review so more people can find this path back to belovedness.For more insights on the Protective Self, check out these additional episodes: Understanding the True Self and False Self The Birth of the False Self  This podcast is a production of The Center for Biblical Coaching and Leadership. If this episode has been useful or inspiring to you in any way, please share it with someone else.  Lastly, please follow the show and write a review.If you want to go deeper on this journey, visit www.tcbcl.org to learn how we're walking this path together through biblical coaching, spiritual formation, and the ROOTED Global Movement. 

Which conversations have you been avoiding at work? In this classic episode, I sit down with Death, Sex & Money host Anna Sale to talk about why conversations about money, mental health, and personal struggles still feel so difficult in many workplaces. We discuss the shame that often shapes our financial decisions, how your upbringing influences the way you negotiate and advocate for yourself, and what to consider before telling your boss you're struggling. Anna also shares advice for setting boundaries, asking for what you need, and creating more honest relationships at work. Get ready to rethink the conversations that could change your work and your life. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician's Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order 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 hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 The value of talking about hard things. 05:30 Which conversations are still taboo at work? 08:15 The shame that shapes our relationship with money. 12:15 Anna's experience with money anxiety. 15:45 The money mindset behind anxious achievers. 18:00 How do you negotiate without losing yourself? 20:30 How to set boundaries without apologizing. 22:45 A test before saying yes. 23:45 Negotiation advice for the start of your career.  27:30 Should you tell your boss you're struggling? 31:45 Choosing your wellbeing over your paycheck. Resources + Links Learn more about Anna Sale HERE Get a copy of Anna's book Let's Talk About Hard Things HERE Listen to Death, Sex & Money HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Anna: on LinkedIn @annasale + Instagram @annasalepics

Unlocking Leadership in a Disruptive World with Frans Campher -Executive Coach and Program Director at Imperial College Business School London.Book on Amazon: Dynamic Leadership in a Disruptive WorldWeb: https://www.ildynamics.com/ In this episode, Frans Campher, an executive coach and leadership strategist, shares his insights on how leaders can navigate the complexities of today's disruptive environment. From shifting identities to cultivating authenticity and strategic agility, Frans offers practical frameworks for leaders at every level.Key topics:The evolving definition of leadership and the shift from expert to catalytic rolesThe importance of identity and ego in leadership developmentHow to foster authenticity and trust within leadership teamsThe orchestra analogy for understanding leadership transitionsThe significance of voice, listening, and shared thinking in decision-makingPractical approaches for coaching senior leaders and facilitating growthLeveraging AI while maintaining human connection and empathyDesigning impactful leadership programs rooted in relevance and personalizationThe role of inside-out development—who I am—and its impact on organizational cultureDynamic Leadership in a Disruptive World by Frans CampherImperial College Business SchoolRichard Pascal on Behavior and ThinkingLinkedInTimestamps:00:00 - Why leadership development matters in a disruptive world01:17 - Leaders must be present and curious for effective leadership01:47 - Lightning round: common misconceptions about leadership02:02 - Leaders often try to have all the answers, limiting growth02:20 - Authenticity hinges on trusting oneself02:32 - The biggest surprise: leaders don't need to have all the answers02:54 - The orchestra analogy: transitioning from expert to conductor03:46 - Identity shifts required to grow from managing to leading04:43 - Creating shiny eyes: impact as leadership metaphor05:12 - The amnesia of new leaders and rediscovering genuine leadership05:46 - The importance of letting go of controlling behaviors06:11 - Scaling leadership from small teams to enterprise-wide impact07:52 - The three leadership buckets: Expert, Achiever, Catalytic08:45 - Impact of the catalytic leader: orchestrating system-wide impact10:00 - The danger of micromanagement and the importance of trust10:51 - Hiring smart people and setting them free11:42 - The inside-out personal development for authentic leadership12:10 - The importance of human presence over superficial skills13:15 - Practical coaching with senior leaders: feedback, awareness, growth pathways14:23 - How leaders influence culture through vulnerability and openness15:15 - The process of gathering stakeholder feedback for leadership growth16:55 - Leaders operating below their potential and AI's role in organizational squeeze18:17 - Ownership of outcomes and empowering teams19:03 - Using narrative 360 for leadership self-awareness20:12 - The essence of purpose: understanding the “why” in leadership and organizations21:56 - Fundamental human needs: being seen, ideas matter, growth22:43 - Supporting development through personalized conversations and recognition23:58 - Leaders owning their own development, beyond HR and L&D25:36 - The importance of sharing thinking in decision-making processes26:23 - The metaphor of baking a cake: timing and readiness in decision-making30:12 - Leading academic programs: designing relevant, practical leadership education31:48 - Grounding oneself and holding steady against expert ego32:11 - The evolving role of AI and the irreplaceable value of human connection34:03 - Behaving your way into new thinking, not just thinking into new behaviourFrans Campher is an executive coach and has worked with senior executives and teams at companies like BP, Ford Europe, GlaxoSmithKline, Deloitte, Citibank, and Johnson & Johnson.

Would you take four months away from work? Have you ever wondered who you'd be without your job for a while? In this episode, I sit down with Harvard Business School lecturer and The Sabbatical Project founder Dennis “DJ” DiDonna to talk about why many of us keep pushing until burnout forces us to stop, how intentional time away creates space to reflect on what really matters, and why rest isn't about doing nothing. DJ also shares ways to plan a sabbatical, navigate the uncertainty that comes with slowing down, and return with a stronger sense of purpose. Get ready to rethink time off as an investment in the life and career you want to build. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician's Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order 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 hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 A new way to think about time away from work. 05:30 How sabbaticals create space for renewal instead of escape. 07:15 What is a sabbatical? 10:00 How burnout led DJ to rethink the life he was building. 15:00 Why achievement often comes at the expense of the people who matter most. 21:45 What are the benefits of stepping away from work? 26:45 When is the perfect time for a sabbatical? 32:15 What are the 3 types of sabbatical takers? 36:00 Why reconnecting with your craft can restore creativity. 41:00 How do you give yourself permission? 46:00 Are sabbaticals always relaxing? 49:00 How stepping away from work can make you a better leader. 53:00 Why taking time off is an investment, not an escape. 57:30 DJ's advice for planning your first sabbatical. Resources + Links Learn more about DJ DiDonna HERE Pre-order a copy of DJ DiDonna's book Big Time Off HERE Learn more about The Sabbatical Project HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow DJ DiDonna on LinkedIn: @djdidonna

Could the way you think about money have more to do with your childhood than your bank account? In this episode, I sit down with personal finance expert Shannah Game to talk about why your relationship with money is often shaped long before you earn your first paycheck. We dive deep into money trauma, the stories we attach to spending and saving, and how those patterns influence our careers, relationships, and sense of self. Shannah also shares ways to respond differently to financial triggers and build healthier habits that align with the life you want. Get ready to rethink your relationship with money. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician's Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order 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 hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 How childhood experiences shape your money habits and beliefs. 05:00 Why money is about so much more than dollars and cents. 07:15 How your money story influences your work and relationships. 12:00 A question that helps uncover your beliefs about money. 16:15 What is money trauma? 19:15 How to recognize your financial triggers before they take over. 22:00 How to interrupt unhealthy money habits with healthier thought patterns. 24:45 An exercise for changing your emotional response to money. 26:15 How do you build systems that reduce financial anxiety? 28:30 Why creating a regular "money date" builds confidence instead of fear. 30:00 What is financial self-actualization? 33:00 The 100-day challenge that helps you rethink every financial decision. Resources + Links Learn more about Shannah Game HERE Get a copy of Shannah's book Unraveling Your Relationship with Money HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Shannah on Instagram: @shannahgame

How do you lead when the future refuses to give you certainty? In this episode, I sit down with leadership experts Scott D. Anthony, Lisa Kay Solomon, and Chris Shipley to talk about what leadership looks like when uncertainty becomes the norm. We dive into making decisions without having all the answers, why leaders need to let go of the illusion of certainty, and how curiosity, agency, and even play can help teams adapt to change. We also share ways to navigate uncertainty, manage anxiety, and create workplaces where people feel empowered to do their best work. Tune in to discover why the future belongs to leaders who are willing to learn, adapt, and grow. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician's Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order 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 hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why today's leaders need clarity instead of certainty. 03:15 What effective leadership looks like in an era of constant disruption. 08:15 Why clarity matters more than having all the answers. 11:00 Why learning often requires unlearning first. 12:45 How can you become more comfortable with uncertainty? 20:00 How mindfulness helps leaders stay grounded under pressure. 22:00 Why is agency one of the most important leadership skills today? 30:00 Why anxiety often leads people to avoid the work that matters most. 32:30 How to build psychological safety when everything feels uncertain. 39:00 How to create more joy, connection, and creativity at work. 44:45 Why appreciation and gratitude are essential for a thriving team. 53:45 Who are you when you take your job title away? Resources + Links Get your copy of Leading for Tomorrow HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Scott on LinkedIn: @scottdanthony Follow Lisa on LinkedIn: @lisakaysolomon Follow Chris on LinkedIn: @cshipley9

Can loving your work make burnout more likely? In this episode, I sit down with Harvard Business School professor Jon Jachimowicz to talk about the downside of passion at work. Jon shares why passion isn't something you either have or don't have, but something that rises and falls over time. We also talk about why passionate employees often overwork, skip recovery, and become vulnerable to burnout, how organizations unintentionally exploit passion, and why leaders need a better strategy for helping people sustain meaningful work over the long term. Tune in to rethink what it really means to follow your passion without sacrificing your well-being. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician's Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order 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 hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why following your passion isn't always the path to sustainable success. 04:00 How Jon's own loss of passion inspired his research. 09:00 Why passion can become one of the biggest drivers of burnout. 12:15 How passionate employees unknowingly skip recovery and overextend themselves. 15:00 Why do client and societal expectations trap high achievers into overperforming? 17:00 How do workplaces systematically confuse extroversion with passion? 23:15 Why performing passion can become emotionally exhausting. 27:15 How managers should lead passionate employees differently. 31:00 Why organizations often exploit passionate workers without realizing it. 35:15 Why current promotional career paths are broken for passionate workers. 39:15 How can companies help employees sustain passion? 43:45 The 3 different types of burnout and why they need different solutions. 45:30 Ways to recover when burnout comes from a loss of self-efficacy or cynicism. Resources + Links Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

How do you ask for what you need at work when the system still makes disability feel risky to name? In this episode, I sit down with attorney, author, and neurodiversity advocate Haley Moss to talk about the reality of being neurodivergent at work. Haley breaks down what the ADA actually protects, how reasonable accommodations work in practice, and why disclosure is still such a fraught decision for so many people. We also talk about masking, internalized ableism, the pressure to frame neurodivergence as a “superpower,” and MORE. Get ready to rethink disclosure, disability, and what real inclusion at work should actually look like. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician's Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order 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 hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why talking about neurodivergence at work is still so loaded. 03:00 How Haley's career shifted after becoming known as Florida's first openly autistic attorney. 08:00 Why telling your own story matters more than letting other people simplify it for you. 11:30 What the ADA protects for neurodivergent employees at work. 13:30 How to understand reasonable accommodations and what counts as “essential functions” of a job. 16:30 What are the myths people still believe about workplace accommodations? 22:15 Why neurodivergent workers are often expected to do the emotional labor of culture change. 25:45 What happens when an accommodation exists on paper but not in practice? 29:30 What the “double empathy problem” shows about communication between neurotypical and neurodivergent coworkers. 35:00 What to do if you're neurodivergent but don't identify as disabled or don't want to disclose formally? 39:15 What do you think about disclosing to get legal protection versus advocating informally? 41:45 How framing neurodivergence as a strength can be both empowering and strategic. 49:30 How meeting other neurodivergent people can shift your sense of identity and belonging. 50:45 Why Haley is intentionally expanding beyond autism as the center of her public identity. 53:45 How to make work feel safer for different brains and bodies. Resources + Links Get a copy of Haley Moss's book, The Young Autistic Adult's Independence Handbook HERE Learn more about Haley Moss HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Haley: on LinkedIn @haleylmoss + Instagram @haley.moss

How much of yourself should work be allowed to cost you? In this episode, I sit down with author and former Deloitte partner Deepa Purushothaman to talk about what happens when ambition, bias, and chronic overwork are carried in the body. Deepa shares how a major health crisis forced her to rethink the way she worked, the way she defined success, and the ways women of color are taught to survive in workplaces that were never built for them. We talk about masking, hypervigilance, power, and why so many women can appear successful on paper yet feel depleted, silenced, and disconnected from themselves. Get ready to challenge your assumptions about power, productivity, and the stories corporate culture has taught you to believe about yourself. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician's Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order 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 hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 What happens when workplace stress gets carried in the body? 04:45 Why high achievers often learn to ignore their bodies. 08:45 How illness can push you to rethink your purpose and priorities. 12:00 How to recognize when your body is sending you a warning sign. 16:00 How women of color can end up in a constant state of hypervigilance. 22:15 What happens when women report racism or bias at work? 24:45 The workplace delusions many women are taught to believe in order to survive. 28:30 Why have so many women been taught to see power as something aggressive or unsafe? 31:15 What does it actually mean to “shed” the beliefs that no longer serve you? 32:30 How to identify the old messages that still drive your anxiety and self-doubt. 36:15 Why toxicity at work isn't just a mental health issue. 37:45 How to protect yourself while still pursuing ambition and success. 39:30 How redefining success can change the way you work and live. Resources + Links Get a copy of Deepa Purushothaman's book, The First, the Few, the Only: How Women of Color Can Redefine Power in Corporate America HERE Learn more about Deepa Purushothaman HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Deepa: on LinkedIn @deepapuru + Instagram @deepa.puru

How do you stay grounded when technology is changing work faster than any of us can keep up with? In this episode, I sit down with journalist and CNN contributor Jacob Ward to talk about the emotional and psychological impact of living and working alongside increasingly powerful technology. Jacob shares why he believes the bigger threat isn't just automation, but the way these systems shape your behavior, attention, and relationships at work. We talk about loneliness, agency, management, the pressure to keep producing, and what happens when more of our thinking gets handed over to machines. Get ready to rethink productivity, management, and the value of human judgment. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician's Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order 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 hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 What is AI doing to your mind and mood? 04:45 Why technology is really a story about human behavior. 09:00 How “fast thinking” makes us easier to manipulate. 13:00 What an AI co-parenting tool reveals about convenience, conflict, and control. 15:15 Can technology really support mental health without replacing human care? 17:45 Why the systems built to help us often prioritize engagement instead. 20:00 What a more “human-free” workplace could mean for all of us. 26:45 The human skills at work that are most at risk of disappearing. 30:00 How to deal with the helplessness so many people feel about the future of work. 36:00 The Pope's warning about AI, dignity, and human value. 43:30 Why trust matters so much when institutions are under pressure. 47:45 How to decide when to use AI and when to resist it. 50:00 Why the pressure to produce more can quietly trap high achievers. 54:30 How do you stay relevant without giving up your standards? Resources + Links Visit Jacob Ward's website HERE Get a copy of Jacob's book, The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Jacob: on YouTube @byjacobward + Instagram @byjacobward

Can achievement become a coping mechanism? In this classic episode, I sit down with entrepreneur, investor, and former Facebook and Twitter growth leader Andy Johns to talk about the connection between childhood trauma, anxiety, achievement, and self-worth. Andy shares how growing up with instability, loss, and trauma shaped his relentless drive to succeed, why panic attacks eventually forced him to confront his mental health, and how years of healing helped him realize that achievement and self-love are not the same thing. We also dive into PTSD, entrepreneurship, intrusive thoughts, overwork, and why so many successful people struggle to slow down even after they've reached their goals. Tune in to learn why healing is the most important achievement of all. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician's Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order 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 hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 What's the connection between achievement and self-worth? 05:00 What "growth" really means in the startup world. 07:15 Why entrepreneurs are more likely to struggle with mental health conditions. 08:45 How anxiety can fuel exceptional performance and success. 15:00 Why speaking publicly about mental health felt so risky. 18:30 What are intrusive thoughts? 20:30 How childhood trauma can shape adult anxiety and depression. 25:15 The childhood experiences that contributed to Andy's PTSD. 30:15 When does achievement become an addiction? 34:15 How to recognize when overachievement is masking emotional pain. 35:45 Why mental health is about more than brain chemistry. 36:45 What is the biopsychosocial model of mental health? 38:15 How your experiences shape the way you think, feel, and live. Resources + Links Read Andy's writing at https://andyjohns.substack.com Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Andy: on LinkedIn @andrewjohns + Substack @cluesdotlife

Check out the Backstory vs. Bullet Points episode mentioned here! -> https://www.buzzsprout.com/1850780/episodes/16622539What happens when the Achiever and the Individualist end up on the same team? In this episode of Coworker Chemistry, we dig into the Type 3 + Type 4 dynamic -  the strengths, the friction, the communication gaps, and what growth actually looks like when someone striving to feel outstanding meets someone striving to feel unique and authentic.The Strengths of This Pairing:The Three drives toward the finish line; the Four makes sure what gets built there actually means something, together they produce work that doesn't just perform well, it stands outFours can help Threes to slow down and ask whether the goal is worth chasing, producing work that's genuinely differentiated rather than just technically impressiveThrees can pull Fours forward; their bias toward action and deadlines is often exactly what gets a Four's best creative work out of their head and into the worldFours bring creative depth; Threes bring polished execution. That combination is genuinely rare and genuinely valuable on any team!Where the Friction Lives:The Three is ready to present before the Four is ready to ship, and the Four is still refining while the Three has already sent the deck. The gap in speed is real.Threes shift to fit the room; Fours resist any shift that feels like a compromise of who they are. What the Three calls professional, the Four can read as inauthentic.When a Three gets the credit, and the Four feels pushed into the background, the resentment is quiet, but it can build deep. Threes manage emotions to keep things moving; Fours bring emotional honesty as a feature of their work. The Three reads the Four as too sensitive, the Four reads the Three as performative, and both are missing the point.Resources + Links:Learn more about the 3-part Dream Team Momentum program: enneagrammba.com/enneagram-team-workshopsRun your own Enneagram Workshop: enneagrammba.com/enneagram-workshop-kitConnect with Sarah on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarahlynnwallace/Take the 2-question Enneagram quiz: enneagrammba.com/blog/enneagramtestWork with Sarah - workshops, speaking, and team facilitation: enneagrammba.com/enneagram-speakerHave a request for a future episode? Drop a text here! 

How do you build a meaningful career when AI is rewriting the future of work? In this episode, I sit down with New York Times investigative reporter Jodi Kantor to talk about why so many young professionals feel discouraged about the future, and how digital shifts are reshaping our modern workplaces. Jodi shares how she survived getting fired from her college paper and dropping out of law school, and how those setbacks paved her way back to journalism. We also dive deep into the realities of AI-driven hiring, the loss of workplace autonomy, and the formula for reclaiming your agency. Get ready to rethink what it truly takes to protect your career in a rapidly changing world. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician's Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order 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 hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 What Jodi Kantor believes is one of the most important ingredients for a meaningful career. 04:15 How do you think about hope? 05:45 The question that Columbia students wanted answered during a year of campus turmoil. 09:45 How technology has reduced worker autonomy over the last decade. 14:45 Why AI is making the hiring process feel increasingly impersonal. 17:00 How do you define craft? 19:45 What's the relationship between strengths, interests, and building expertise over time? 24:00 Why career setbacks are often essential parts of growth. 27:00 How to stay focused on the work instead of public praise or criticism. 30:00 How to identify the problems, opportunities, or needs you want your work to serve. 31:45 Why AI won't eliminate the need for fresh talent and new ideas. 33:00 What colleges can do to better prepare students for today's workforce. 35:15 How universities can better help students find their life's work. 38:00 Jodi's advice for anyone starting their career today. Resources + Links Get a copy of Jodi's book, How to Start: Discovering Your Life's Work HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Jodi: on LinkedIn @jodikantor + Instagram @jodikantor

What if achievement doesn't have to come from suffering? I sit down with Congressman Adam Smith to talk about the complicated relationship between anxiety, achievement, and self-worth. Adam shares his journey through panic attacks, psychotherapy, chronic pain recovery, and the difficult work of building self-worth that isn't tied to performance. We also dive into why so many high achievers believe anxiety is the price of success, how trauma and stress shape the way we lead, and what happens when you stop using fear and self-criticism as your primary source of motivation. Get ready to discover a healthier path to high achievement. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician's Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order 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 hipebl.ai today In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Can anxiety make you a better leader? 04:30 Why ambitious people often struggle with fear and insecurity. 06:15 How can you give your anxiety a productive job to do? 08:45 What's the difference between feeling anxious and having clinical anxiety? 10:45 How Adam navigated years of panic attacks, chronic pain, and mental health challenges. 12:15 Why a lack of self-worth can fuel anxiety and achievement. 16:30 How ambition can remain strong even after anxiety is no longer the primary motivator. 28:45 Meditation techniques that help stop the cycle of chasing anxious thoughts. 31:15 What does it mean to demystify trauma? 33:30 New approaches that help people reprocess and heal from trauma. 35:30 The leadership skills that create healthier teams and workplaces. 37:15 How mental health struggles can become a source of empathy, patience, and stronger leadership. Resources + Links Get a copy of Adam Smith's book, Lost and Broken: My Journey Back from Chronic Pain and Crippling Anxiety HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Adam on LinkedIn @​​adamsmith

Achiever syndrome affects more entrepreneurs and high performers than most people realize. Outwardly, many business leaders appear confident, driven, and successful, yet internally they often carry persistent stress, self-doubt, anxiety, and the constant pressure to prove themselves. The challenge is that these struggles are frequently hidden beneath productivity, ambition, and professional accomplishments. For many high achievers, success becomes tied to identity. Instead of feeling fulfilled by accomplishments, there is often a lingering fear that success could disappear, that mistakes will expose weaknesses, or that slowing down could cause everything to fall apart. This creates a cycle where achievement no longer feels rewarding because the pressure to maintain it never truly ends. Achiever syndrome is not simply about working hard. It is rooted in the unconscious beliefs people develop over time about worthiness, safety, success, and failure. These beliefs often begin early in life and continue operating beneath the surface long into adulthood, influencing decision-making, confidence, relationships, leadership, and personal well-being. Many entrepreneurs and executives attempt to solve these struggles by focusing only on mindset strategies. They read books, attend conferences, hire coaches, and consume motivational content in hopes of overcoming internal resistance. While these tools can be valuable, they often address surface-level thinking without resolving the deeper emotional patterns driving the behavior. That is why many high performers continue feeling stuck despite outward success. Mental barriers are rarely logical. They are emotional patterns reinforced over years of experiences, beliefs, and internal narratives. People may consciously want growth, confidence, financial success, or healthier relationships while subconsciously carrying fears connected to rejection, failure, abandonment, or not feeling "good enough." These hidden beliefs create internal conflict. One part of the mind pushes toward growth and opportunity, while another part quietly resists change because it associates uncertainty with emotional discomfort or danger. This is why many successful individuals repeatedly encounter the same struggles in different forms throughout their lives. The circumstances may change, but the underlying emotional patterns remain the same. Achiever syndrome often shows up through overworking, perfectionism, procrastination, burnout, imposter syndrome, or difficulty enjoying success. Some people become addicted to proving themselves. Others become trapped in comparison, constantly measuring their progress against others instead of focusing on their own growth. The pressure can become exhausting. Many high achievers operate as though rest must be earned and self-worth must be constantly validated through performance. Even after reaching significant milestones, there is often another target, another challenge, or another level of success required before they feel "enough." Over time, this mindset creates emotional fatigue and chronic stress. Stress itself is not always the problem. In many cases, it is the ongoing internal tension created by unresolved beliefs and emotional patterns. The mind and body remain in a heightened state of alert because success feels fragile and identity feels attached to outcomes. Breaking through mental barriers requires more than positive thinking. Real transformation often begins by identifying the beliefs operating beneath conscious awareness. These beliefs shape how people interpret experiences, respond to setbacks, evaluate opportunities, and perceive themselves. Without recognizing these patterns, individuals may continue repeating behaviors that no longer serve them. One of the most important shifts involves moving from self-protection to self-trust. When people operate from fear, they tend to avoid discomfort, hesitate during opportunities, or emotionally punish themselves after setbacks. This creates a cycle of tension that limits creativity, confidence, and long-term fulfillment. In contrast, individuals who develop stronger self-trust become more resilient, adaptable, and capable of navigating uncertainty without constant emotional strain. Another important factor is the quality of internal questions people ask themselves each day. Questions focused on fear, limitation, or self-criticism often reinforce negative emotional states. Questions focused on growth, possibility, and learning can gradually shift perspective and behavior. Over time, these internal patterns influence how people approach leadership, relationships, health, business decisions, and personal development. Entrepreneurs and executives frequently invest heavily in business systems, marketing strategies, and operational improvements while neglecting the internal systems driving their own behavior. Yet leadership effectiveness is deeply connected to emotional resilience, self-awareness, and mental clarity. The most sustainable growth often occurs when people strengthen both external strategy and internal alignment. Achiever syndrome does not mean someone lacks ambition or capability. In many cases, highly driven individuals developed their work ethic and determination as coping mechanisms designed to create safety, approval, or validation. While those patterns may initially fuel achievement, they can eventually become barriers to peace, fulfillment, and authentic confidence. Breaking through mental barriers requires awareness, honesty, and a willingness to examine the beliefs shaping daily behavior. Growth becomes more sustainable when success is no longer driven solely by fear, pressure, or the need to constantly prove worth. The strongest leaders are not necessarily the ones who avoid struggle. They are often the ones willing to confront the internal patterns limiting their growth, challenge outdated beliefs, and create healthier foundations for success moving forward. Watch the full episode on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/live/xjDJD5er1oE?si=nNiET_v93dJuRRyg Join Fordify LIVE every Wednesday at 11 a.m. Central on your favorite social platforms and catch The Business Growth Show Podcast every Thursday for a weekly dose of business growth wisdom. About Tim Shurr Tim Shurr is a Mind Architect, speaker, and expert in human behavior, subconscious transformation, and performance psychology. For more than three decades, Tim has helped entrepreneurs, executives, and high achievers overcome limiting beliefs, emotional barriers, and subconscious patterns that impact confidence, leadership, and long-term success. Through his coaching, speaking, and transformational programs, Tim specializes in helping individuals break free from achiever syndrome, imposter syndrome, burnout, and self-sabotaging behaviors so they can perform at higher levels both personally and professionally. He is the founder of Indy Hypnosis and creator of transformational tools designed to help leaders strengthen clarity, resilience, and emotional well-being. About Ford Saeks Ford Saeks is a Business Growth Accelerator who has generated more than a billion dollars in sales worldwide by helping companies attract loyal customers, expand brand visibility, and drive innovation. As President and CEO of Prime Concepts Group, Inc., Ford has founded more than ten companies, authored five books, earned three U.S. patents, and advised organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 500 brands. His expertise spans business growth strategy, customer acquisition, leadership, franchising, and AI-driven content systems that help businesses improve performance in rapidly changing markets. Learn more at ProfitRichResults.com and watch Fordify LIVE at Fordify.tv.

If you've ever wondered why certain goals feel harder than they should, why you keep repeating the same cycles, or why success sometimes still feels unsatisfying, this episode will help you connect the dots. ✅ ‌ FREE CLASS! LEARN HOW TO STOP CARING WHAT PEOPLE THINK ‌ Don't forget to sign up for our free “How to Stop Caring What People Think” webinar masterclass at https://www.trishblackwell.com/stopcaring ‌ ✅‌ GET ACCELERATED RESULTS: Our next-level coaching happens at: http://www.collegeofconfidence.com ✅ STAY CONNECTED.

Why does modern work feel impossible for so many families? In this episode, I talk with sociologist, former Navy pilot, and workplace researcher Dr. David Smith about why so many modern couples feel trapped in work-life conflict, how to navigate the structural stress of dual-career life, and the realities of modern caregiving. David breaks down the "Lead-Follow" relationship strategy used by highly successful couples. We also dive into the anxieties men face surrounding workplace allyship, why traditional mentorship scripts are broken, and how organizations must design work for a cross-generational workforce. Tune in to learn about the pressures modern families face and what needs to change. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician's Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order 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 hipebl.ai today In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why the traditional "breadwinner" corporate model is completely broken. 03:15 How repetition and exposure help build confidence under pressure. 06:15 What can military families teach us about work-life conflict? 08:45 Why women were leaving the military at much higher rates than men. 11:15 The 4 strategies dual-career couples use to navigate work and family stress. 16:45 Why constant renegotiation is essential in long-term partnerships. 22:00 What does work-life conflict mean? 25:00 How outdated workplace structures create burnout for both women and men. 27:30 Why millennial fathers are demanding flexibility and shifts in family culture. 35:00 Why many men now feel anxious about mentoring women at work. 37:15 How avoidance and fear damage workplace culture. 41:45 Can workplaces support women without men feeling left behind? 44:15 How device reliance and isolation are reshaping the incoming Gen Z workforce. 51:15 What can leaders do to better support modern families? 54:45 How organizations can better support career breaks and re-entry. Resources + Links Get a copy of David Smith's new book, Fair Share HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Dr. David on LinkedIn: @davidgsmithphd

How much of your life is being driven by fear without you even realizing it? In this episode, I sit down with Harvard Business School lecturer, entrepreneur, and former executive Martin Sinozich to talk about the pressure high achievers carry to prove themselves, stay successful, and never disappoint anyone. Martin shares about divorce, identity, workplace culture, and the freedom that comes from letting go of perfection and learning to trust yourself instead. We also break down the imposter feelings in elite environments, the anxiety of always needing to be “right,” and why so many ambitious people feel like they don't belong. Get ready to rethink achievement and self-worth. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Quince - Head to quince.com/ACHIEVER for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician's Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Martin Sinozich on achievement pressure and mental health. 03:00 What happens when high achievers lose their identity at work? 06:30 What do psychologically healthy workplaces look like? 09:30 Why asking better questions matters more than having answers. 11:45 How achievement culture affects relationships at home. 17:30 How divorce forced Martin to confront the fear driving his life. 20:00 What changed after you stopped living for other people's approval? 24:15 Living with imposter feelings at Harvard Business School. 27:30 How fear and achievement pressure affect marriage, parenting, and identity. Resources + Links Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Martin on LinkedIn: @sinozich

Have you started expecting therapy to do too much? In this episode, I sit down with therapist and writer Megan Cornish to talk about the pressure we place on therapy to solve problems that may actually stem from isolation, lack of community, and modern life itself. Megan shares that many of the struggles we now label as “mental health problems” were once held by friends, neighbors, faith communities, and everyday human relationships. She also breaks down ACT therapy exercises that can help you hold painful thoughts more lightly and reconnect to your values instead of chasing constant happiness. Get ready to rethink therapy, connection, and what makes a meaningful life. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician's Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order 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 In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 How capitalism and work culture affect mental health. 04:15 Megan's viral experiment with AI, LinkedIn, and gender bias. 10:00 Can therapy really work in the workplace? 14:30 How therapists became substitutes for friendship and community. 21:00 How therapy evolved beyond treating severe mental illness. 25:00 Did people cope better emotionally before therapy existed? 29:15 How AI relationships remove friction from connection. 33:30 The ACT therapy exercise that changed how Megan approaches friendship. 36:30 Why discomfort doesn't always mean something is wrong. 45:30 Why non-attachment to suffering exists across many traditions. 47:45 Do we actually need life to make perfect sense? 49:00 The “80-year-old self” exercise for perspective and gratitude. Resources + Links Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Megan Cornish on LinkedIn: @megan-cornish

Most people think over-functioning just means “doing too much.”But what I've realized — both personally and through working with clients — is that over-functioning doesn't actually look the same for everyone.Are you an Achiever, a Manager, a Harmonizer, or the Self-Reliant type?In this episode, I'm breaking down the 4 Over-Functioning Archetypes I most commonly see in women who feel exhausted, resentful, disconnected from themselves, and like everything falls on them.We talk about:the subconscious patterns underneath each archetypewhat each one is trying to protecthow these patterns shape relationships, work, emotions, and identitythe parts of ourselves we lose touch with along the waywhy over-functioning is about much more than simply “doing too much”how Human Design helps reconnect us to who we actually are underneath the conditioningOne important thing to understand:You will probably relate to ALL of these archetypes to some degree.These are not rigid personality boxes.They're adaptive patterns — ways we learn to move through the world in order to feel safe, loved, successful, needed, or in control.Most people have one primary archetype that tends to lead, with secondary patterns that show up depending on the environment, relationship, or season of life they're in.The goal of this work isn't to shame these patterns.It's to finally see them clearly — so we can stop mistaking conditioned behaviors for our personalities.✨ Take the Over-Functioning Archetypes Quiz✨ Ready to explore your patterns on a deeper level?Pattern Readings help uncover the subconscious beliefs and relational dynamics shaping the way you move through life, work, and relationships.Learn more or book here: Pattern Reading.Any questions? You can always email me at nicole@nicoleguenaconsulting.com

Why do so many capable, high-performing people end up exhausted, and emotionally drained even when they're doing everything “right”? In this episode, I sit with psychologist Dr. Thomas Greenspon to talk about perfectionism, shame, and self-worth. Thomas breaks down why perfectionism isn't actually about excellence, then entrepreneur Eleanor Beaton shares how perfectionism shaped her leadership, ambition, and identity and what changed when she stopped chasing perfection and started embracing wholeness instead. Get ready to rethink the way you work, care for others, and define success. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Quince - Head to quince.com/ACHIEVER for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician's Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 What is perfectionism? 08:30 What's the difference between perfectionism and the pursuit of excellence? 10:00 How perfectionism becomes a coping mechanism for anxiety. 14:30 What's the connection between perfectionism, depression, and hopelessness? 17:00 How childhood experiences shape perfectionism. 20:45 Why humans are wired for connection and belonging. 22:45 How modern culture rewards perfectionism and overachievement. 23:30 What can parents do to help perfectionistic kids? 25:45 The 4 things that help people overcome perfectionism. 32:45 Why perfectionism disconnects you from our wholeness. 35:30 How perfectionism delays growth and keeps people stuck. 41:00 Why entrepreneurship becomes personal development work. 44:00 How perfectionism shows up as avoidance and overwork. 46:30 What are the signs that perfectionism is running your life? Resources + Links Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

What if the problem isn't your brain, but the systems you've spent your life trying to fit into? In this episode, I sit down with David Flink, founder of the Neurodiversity Alliance. We talk about what it means to navigate work, leadership, and identity as a neurodivergent person. David shares how he learned to stop forcing himself into systems that didn't fit, how metacognition changed his life, and why today's younger workers are approaching neurodivergence differently. Get ready to build your life around your strengths instead of constantly trying to fix your weaknesses.  Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Quince - Head to quince.com/ACHIEVER for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician's Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 How do you define leadership? 04:00 What became easier for you as you got older as a neurodivergent leader? 08:00 The strengths David has come to love about his dyslexic ADHD brain. 11:15 Why neurodivergent adults spend years unlearning shame. 17:15 Why kids need to become detectives of their own learning styles. 19:00 What metacognition means and why it matters so much. 24:00 Don't let your current environment define your potential. 27:45 Why neurodivergent people often develop extraordinary resilience. 31:15 Can workplaces change for neurodivergent employees? 37:15 How remote work transformed David's company culture. 41:30 Why Gen Z approaches disability and neurodivergence differently. 45:15 How focusing on deficits causes companies to miss great talent. 47:30 What happens to neurodivergence in midlife. 51:45 What is inter-able relationship? 54:15 Why the best teams are built around complementary strengths. Resources + Links Pre-order your copy of David Flink's book, 20% Smarter HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow David on LinkedIn @dflink

Why does AI feel so personal to so many professionals right now? In this episode, I talk with Nilay Patel, editor-in-chief of The Verge, about the emotional side of artificial intelligence and why so much of the fear around AI may actually be about work itself. We dive into how layoffs, shrinking trust in employers, “good enough” automation, and constant technological change are reshaping the way ambitious people think about stability, creativity, and their future careers. Nilay shares why humans naturally form emotional relationships with technology, why AI companions and chatbots can feel strangely comforting, and why today's AI hype may be running ahead of reality. Tune in to learn how AI is reshaping work, identity, and ambition. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Quince - Head to quince.com/ACHIEVER for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician's Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why AI feels emotionally threatening at work right now. 03:15 Why humans form emotional relationships with technology. 05:15 How social media is engineered to shape emotions and behavior. 10:00 Why the media frames AI as an existential threat. 12:15 What are the jobs already being affected by generative AI? 16:30 Can AI become a better therapist, mentor, or manager than humans? 21:30 Why constructive criticism and “teeth” matter in management. 24:00 The fear that AI will devalue expertise and creativity. 27:45 Why large language models can't actually create original ideas. 30:13 How to think about expertise and career growth in the age of AI. 32:30 Why democratizing creative tools changes entire industries. 37:30 What happens when the middle of the labor market disappears? 40:30 Is AI actually as transformative as people claim? 43:45 Why tech companies are failing to help workers emotionally adapt. 45:30 Nilay's advice for CEOs and billionaires building AI products. Resources + Links Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Nilay: on LinkedIn @nilaypatel + Instagram @reckless1280

What happens when a leader realizes the traits they spent years hiding are actually their greatest strengths? In this episode, I talk with Amy Streater Wilson, Chief Marketing Officer, who was diagnosed later in life with ADHD and autism. Amy shares the shame and confusion that can come with a late diagnosis, from struggling with “boring” tasks to feeling overwhelmed by sensory input and social dynamics at work. We also dive into negotiation and selling through a neurodivergent lens, why many neurodivergent people struggle with traditional power dynamics, and how understanding neurodivergence can transform the way you lead, negotiate, communicate, and work with others.  Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Quince - Head to quince.com/ACHIEVER for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician's Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 The shame many neurodivergent adults carry before diagnosis. 05:30 What is neurodivergence? 07:45 What does leadership mean to you? 10:45 Why neurodivergent people often struggle with dishonesty and mixed signals. 13:30 What's the difference between internal anxiety and external performance? 19:45 How reading body language can be a negotiation superpower. 25:15 The pressure neurodivergent women feel to make everyone comfortable. 31:30 How BATNA reduces anxiety in difficult negotiations. 35:45 How to sell without pretending to be someone else. 39:30 How to spot manipulation and dishonesty quickly. 45:15 The downside of being “too direct” at work. 48:30 Why autonomy and agency matter to neurodivergent people. 55:00 What's your advice for neurodivergent people trying to advocate for themselves? Resources + Links Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Amy on LinkedIn: @amywilson24601

What happens when stress, uncertainty, and lack of control start to take over your brain? In this episode, I sit down with renowned behavioral economist Dan Ariely to talk about resilience, learned helplessness, anxiety, and why so many people feel overwhelmed right now. Dan shares how surviving severe burns, years in the hospital, and later facing conspiracy theories and death threats shaped his understanding of stress, resilience, and human behavior. We also dive into why uncertainty at work feels so psychologically destabilizing, how scarcity and anxiety reduce our mental capacity, why humans look for villains during stressful times, and what actually helps us build resilience. Tune in to learn ways to regain agency when life feels chaotic. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Quince - Head to quince.com/ACHIEVER for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician's Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why starting something new can help you feel unstuck. 03:45 The mental health benefits of walking with friends. 08:35 Why invisible mental health struggles feel more isolating. 11:00 What workplaces still misunderstand about neurodiversity. 16:15 How physical limitations forced Dan to think more creatively. 19:15 Why uncertainty and unpredictability increase anxiety at work. 22:30 Why does modern life making you less resilient? 24:15 How layoffs and workplace uncertainty create learned helplessness. 29:15 The strategy performers use to stay engaged and motivated. 33:30 Why anxiety consumes your brain's “CPU.” 36:45 Why humans look for villains during stressful times. 38:15 How negative narratives reshape the way you see people. Resources + Links Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

What happens when the version of success you built your life around suddenly stops working? In this episode, I sit down with Meredith Arthur to talk about ego death, anxiety, nervous system healing, and what it means to let go of the need to prove yourself. We talk about career humiliation, social media comparison, identity, chronic pain, and the process of realizing that the things that once made you feel successful or special no longer fit who you are becoming. Meredith shares how ego death is about surrendering control and accepting that your worth cannot come from achievement, productivity, attention, or external validation. Tune in to learn the healing practices to reconnect with yourself. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Quince - Head to quince.com/ACHIEVER for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician's Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why success, validation, and recognition can become your identity. 06:15 What does ego death mean to you? 10:00 Solutions for letting go of control and external validation. 16:30 Why ego death happens in layers over time. 18:30 How anxiety fuels the need to feel special or secure. 25:30 What is nervous system regulation? 29:15 How chronic pain led Meredith into mind-body healing work. 36:00 How to process emotional pain without shutting down. 41:45 Using symbols, imagery, and intuition to understand emotional healing. 45:00 Spirituality, energy, and finding support beyond achievement. 51:45 Why surrender is central to ego death. 55:45 How to think differently about work in midlife. Resources + Links Learn more about Meredith Arthur's work HERE! Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Meredith: @bevoya

Think imposter syndrome means something is wrong with you? Think again. In this episode, Basima Tewfik shares research on anxiety, self-doubt, and the traits high achievers often try to “fix.” She breaks down how workplace imposter thoughts can actually make you more effective, especially when it comes to how you show up with others. We also talk about why people who experience imposter thoughts are often better listeners, more thoughtful collaborators, and more attuned in conversations. Remember, not everything you label as a flaw is actually holding you back. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Quince - Head to Quince.com/ACHIEVER for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why the traits you think are “bad” might actually be strengths. 04:15 What are the cognitive advantages of anxiety and neuroticism? 06:15 What is imposter syndrome? 10:15 Why imposter thoughts might mean you're doing something right. 12:00 The surprising link between self-doubt and interpersonal effectiveness. 14:30 How imposter thoughts make you a better listener and collaborator. 19:45 The “I'm a banana” technique to defuse intrusive thoughts. 24:00 How anxiety can actually fuel creativity. 28:30 Why you're probably harder on yourself than anyone else is. 32:00 How to work with anxiety instead of fighting it. 35:00 What's the difference between feeling like an imposter and not belonging? 41:00 Why imposter syndrome isn't just personal. Resources + Links Learn more about Basima Tufek's research at MIT Sloan HERE! Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

Feeling unsure about your role in a world where AI seems to know more than you do? In this episode, Charlene Li is back to talk about how the most effective leaders today are letting go of the need to have all the answers and instead stepping into curiosity, experimentation, and honest leadership. Charlene shares her 90-day AI framework, why so many companies are stuck in pilot mode, and how to move your team from fear into confidence faster than you think. Get ready to lead through AI change without needing all the answers. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Quince - Head to quince.com/ACHIEVER for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why does leadership today require letting go of certainty? 04:15 What can leaders realistically promise about jobs right now? 07:30 How to move forward without waiting for certainty. 12:00 Charlene's 90-day AI sprint framework for leaders and organizations. 16:30 Why you do not need to be technical to start using AI. 20:00 Ways to use AI as a second brain to improve performance. 28:00 The generational divide in how people see AI. 34:00 What's the gap between knowing, doing, and leading? 39:30 The shift from fear to adaptability. 42:00 Why leadership will define how AI shapes the future. Resources + Links Learn more about Charlene Li HERE! Get your copy of Charlene's book, Winning with AI, HERE! Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Charlene: on LinkedIn @charleneli + Youtube @CharleneLi

What if burnout isn't something you fix with better habits, but something built into the way we work? In this episode, I'm bringing back one of my favorite conversations because it gets at something I think we still don't talk about enough. I talk with Rita McGrath, Poornima Luthra & Andrew Barnes about what actually makes work feel sustainable and human, why getting people back into the office doesn't fix anything, how lack of control and fairness quietly drive stress, and why so many well-intentioned solutions miss the mark. Get ready to rethink burnout and see what actually needs to change at work. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 What's the problem with scaling workplaces and losing humanity? 04:45 Ways to build a stronger team connection. 07:15 What actually defines a “good job”? 09:15 Why perks don't fix mental health at work. 13:00 What the 4-day workweek reveals about productivity. 17:45 Why time matters more than money for employees 22:30 How bias and inequity increase stress at work. 25:15 Why inclusion improves mental health and performance. 32:00 How better listening improves team culture. 37:30 How leaders can reduce uncertainty for their teams. 42:30 Why inclusive cultures create more resilient organizations. 44:15 Leadership habits that improve team wellbeing. 48:03 The leadership shift that changes how work feels. Resources + Links Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam

What if the difference between reacting and responding was just a few seconds? In this episode, I sit down with executive coach Dina Denham Smith to talk about what really happens when you get triggered at work and how to handle it. Dina breaks down a framework to help you understand what emotions actually are, how they show up in your body, and how to interrupt the automatic reaction cycle. Tune in to learn how to pause in the moment, regulate your nervous system, and respond with clarity instead of stress, anxiety, or overwhelm. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why mastering your emotional reactions is the ultimate leadership skill. 03:45 The cost of masking emotions on your performance and energy. 06:30 The 3 parts of every emotion and why this changes how you manage them. 10:45 How to reframe stress into something useful. 13:30 Why do emotions feel unsafe for some people? 18:45 What's the impact of emotions on team performance? 22:00 What to do when someone gets emotional in a meeting. 23:45 The grounding technique every leader should know. 28:15 The “Notice, Name, Need” framework for emotional regulation. 33:00 A breathing technique to calm your nervous system fast. 39:00 What's the difference between coaching and therapy? 48:15 Why is leadership today emotionally exhausting? 54:00 How to disconnect from work and reset your brain. Resources + Links Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Dina on LinkedIn @dinadenhamsmith