Best HBR Presents / Morra Aarons Mele Podcasts (2024)

1
A Former Olympic Rower on Grit, Heartache and Success 44:26

1h ago44:26

44:26

In 2012, Michael DiSanto graduated from a prestigious university. But instead of following the path of his peers, he set out to achieve a lofty goal: make the 2016 Olympic rowing team. It was a tough decision and even tougher training process; at times he was bored, at times he wanted to give up. di Santo used anxiety and anger as powerful motivato…

1
ADHD Expert (and Diagnosee) Dr. Ned Hallowell on Unwrapping Our Gifts and Changing Labels 40:02

11m ago40:02

40:02

Dr. Ned Hallowell has ADHD himself, and is a well-respected doctor who focuses on counseling people of all ages with similar disorders. But he’s quick to point out that the phrase deficit disorder isn’t quite right. Dr. Hallowell’s life’s work is freeing people from the stigma associated with these kinds of conditions. He explains how he thinks abo…

1
Dan Ariely on Resilience as the Antidote to Stress 43:08

3d ago43:08

43:08

Dan Ariely is a famed behavioral economist who looks at the irrational, upside-down ways that humans think and act. His recent interests include resilience - something he’s had to build up in his own life after a serious burn accident in his teens. Ariely is a professor at Duke University and the author of bestselling books like “The Upside of Irra…

1
Is People Pleasing Hurting Your Career? 40:45

10d ago40:45

40:45

If you fall into certain people-pleasing behaviors at work, we have news: it’s not just an individual problem. Kathleen Smith, therapist and author of the new book True to You, explains how relationships, family ghosts, and systems inform our behavior in all kinds of ways, both inside and outside of the workplace. She explains how family systems th…

1
More Than Breadwinners: The Mental Health of Working Fathers 41:28

17d ago41:28

41:28

Just as working mothers increasingly feel pressure from all sides to achieve and be the best family members possible, expectations for fathers have shifted in recent years. But professor Brad Harrington and former TV anchor Liam Martin argue that the ecosystem of support for working fathers hasn’t been formed in the same it has for women. Brad’s re…

1
Tools and Tricks for Neurodivergent Leaders 48:26

24d ago48:26

48:26

Clayton Lord breaks the mold of what you might expect someone’s career to look like if they are on the autism spectrum. He’s Director of Programs at the SHRM Foundation and channels his strengths to create insight and order out of complex and messy problems. He also balances that with the fact that he isn’t always first to notice interpersonal issu…

1
Burnout, Balance, and Why Work From Home Isn’t Working 42:26

1M ago42:26

42:26

Shirley Leung is a columnist at the Boston Globe and host of the podcast Say More, and in 2020, she hit “rock bottom.”Being stretched on all sides for years finally took its toll and she realized her work life balance needed a change. Four years later, Shirley went on a quest to better understand how to deal with and prevent burnout at work. In thi…

1
Craig Robinson on Following Your Passion, Forgetting What Others Think, and Bringing out the Best in People 51:48

1M ago51:48

51:48

Craig Robinson, brother of former First Lady Michelle Obama, is a basketball legend, former NBA executive, coach, and Executive Director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. But he wasn’t always on that path: after playing basketball at Princeton, he ended up spending much of his career in finance before following his true passion. Ro…

1
Coming Soon: Season 10 2:25

2M ago2:25

2:25

Starting June 5th, the Anxious Achiever is back to celebrate its tenth season. We’ll be diving into the topics and challenges you’ve asked about most: How to manage anxiety around AI and your job What is is like crafting a career while living with Tourette’s syndrome How to identify if you are a people pleaser (and how to change) Why your boss is o…

1
Thinkers50: The Limits and Responsibilities of Leaders 51:55

2M ago51:55

51:55

Leaders of organizations have a large responsibility when it comes to their own mental health, and of those in their organization. When they speak up about mental health, others can too. But vulnerability comes with risks. How can leaders model openness around mental health without bumping up against stereotypes and judgment? In this roundtable con…

1
Thinkers50: Can We Banish Burnout? 57:14

2M ago57:14

57:14

Burnout doesn’t come on because of weakness, and it doesn’t come about overnight. Many of us are walking around with some degree of burnout! On the flip side, it takes more than a vacation or loving your job to solve the problem. In this special Thinkers50 episode, host Morra Aarons-Mele explores some of the ways companies and individuals can more …

1
Thinkers50: Stop Being Your Own Worst Enemy, Start Being Your Best Friend 55:50

2M ago55:50

55:50

As part of a month long series with Thinkers50 and The Silicon Guild, in this episode host Morra Aarons-Mele explores constructive ways we can improve our relationship with ourselves, instead of always being our harshest critic. She’s joined by Duke Professor Sanyin Siang, Lenny Mendoca, Senior Partner Emeritus at McKinsey, and Palo Alto City Counc…

1
Thinkers50: Improving Work, Improving Mental Health (For Everyone) 54:59

3M ago54:59

54:59

What are some of the most important management ideas out there in today’s world? Thinkers50 is an organization that aims to identify and share these important ideas day in and day out, and all month long host Morra Aarons-Mele is partnering with Thinkers50 and The Silicon Guild for a series of roundtable talks about mental health and work. In this …

1
When Anxiety Sneaks Up on You, Try Something Different 31:40

3M ago31:40

31:40

Imagine you are having an anxious moment at work. Instead of letting yourself slip into old patterns of negative thoughts or self-criticisms, today’s guest says you can take a step back and try something new: maybe moving around, going out for lunch, drinking some water - but definitely not doom scrolling. Emma Seppala is a lecturer at Yale and aut…

1
Are You And Your Employer In An Abusive Relationship? 39:13

3M ago39:13

39:13

Burnout culture is everywhere - case in point, a lawsuit brought against Goldman Sachs earlier this year by a former employee claiming that the relentless workload required by the firm led to heart problems and depression. The firm’s response was of particular note to Sarah Green Carmichael, a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. In this LinkedIn Live, Sar…

1
Mental Health Literacy Can Change Lives - and Careers 55:23

4M ago55:23

55:23

There was a time when everyone masked their mental and emotional struggles at work; or worse, didn’t even know that what they were experiencing might be anxiety, depression, or something similar. In this episode, host Morra Aarons-Mele first speaks with Kent Coules, co-publisher at Hawaii Business Magazine, about his long career in media, his path …

1
Think Your Family Background Doesn’t Affect You At Work? Think Again 48:26

4M ago48:26

48:26

Just as members of a family have different roles to play and different patterns of behavior they keep, so too can our family dynamics play out in the workplace. We bring with us to work our feelings about how we should assert ourselves, ask for help, deal with failure and more - all behaviors we learn in our family system growing up. Deborah Ancona…

1
Are You Harnessing Your Anxiety for Good? 45:13

4M ago45:13

45:13

Anxiety rarely feels good, so it might feel counterintuitive to think about it as a positive thing. But in this episode, we revisit a conversation with Wendy Suzuki, an NYU neuroscientist who studies neuroplasticity. Anxiety can bring benefits to performance and work, and we can reframe our relationship with this challenging but necessary emotion. …

1
Trauma-Informed Leadership: Is it Right For You? 52:39

4M ago52:39

52:39

In the quest to be a more empathetic and effective leader or manager, the lens of trauma-informed leadership might be helpful for you. It’s the idea that all people have various forms of trauma that they carry with them to the workplace, and that leaders should approach situations at work accordingly. Matthew Cooke, partner at the coaching, consult…

1
Accent Bias: How It Impacts You and Your Work 42:03

4M ago42:03

42:03

Heather Hansen challenges the notion of "good" and "bad" English. Good communication is about getting the message across. She’s based in Singapore and helps executives with their linguistic and communication skills. Hansen is helping us tackle a real problem in our increasingly globalized work world: accent bias. Hansen is on a mission to help incr…

1
Are You Good at Embracing Uncertainty? 46:28

5M ago46:28

46:28

Uncertainty and anxiety are highly linked in our brains: when we aren’t sure what will happen, we often go into planning, defensive mode, trying to come up with every possible scenario and ensure a good outcome. Author Maggie Jackson looks at the ways that better managing uncertainty - like anxiety - is an essential skill. Reframing uncertainty hel…

1
Dan Harris: 10 Percent Happier, 10 Years Later 49:20

5M ago49:20

49:20

We all have big moments that shift the course of our life - and our relationship with those moments also change over time. Dan Harris was a long time TV journalist when he had a panic attack on air in 2004. That set in motion a different course in his life - where he began meditating, finding healthier ways to manage his anxiety, and hosting the po…

1
Toxic Bosses, Mean Girls, and Trusting Yourself 45:45

5M ago45:45

45:45

You know the feeling when you know that something is off with a relationship at work, but feel like you can’t speak up? Many of us have felt this feeling but haven’t known how to describe it or work through it in a healthy way. Toxic bosses and coworkers are super common, and can send negative ripple effects throughout the organization, far beyond …

1
The Toll of Selling Your Business: Two Entrepreneurs Share Their Stories 51:51

5M ago51:51

51:51

We put so much of ourselves and our identity into our work; that’s especially true for entrepreneurs. It can be hard to deal with the emotions of selling the business you started, even when it’s the outcome you dreamed of. In this episode, we speak with two very different entrepreneurs about how their lives and mental health have changed over time,…

1
Is Your Anxiety a Habit You Need to Break? 57:21

6M ago57:21

57:21

For many of us, anxiety is a partner on our journey of life: it is always there. But a helpful reframe could also be the idea that anxiety is a habit. And the good news is: habits are something we can break. We’ll learn about how to recognize these habits and change them, especially at work. In this episode Morra speaks with Dr. Judson Brewer, auth…

1
Former Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing at Google on Why Teams and Culture Matter 52:06

6M ago52:06

52:06

How far have we come in terms of mental health at organizations, and how far do we still need to go? Kristin Maczko leads Strategic People Programs for Synopsys, but formerly served as the Head of Health and Wellbeing at Google before recently being laid off. She speaks with host Morra Aarons-Mele about how she’s seen workplace structures around me…

1
What You Still Don’t Understand About Imposter Syndrome 33:17

6M ago33:17

33:17

Studies show that over 70 percent of us feel imposter syndrome at one time or another. But there’s a lot we still don’t know about the why, the how, the what. In this episode, imposter syndrome expert Lisa Orbe-Austin returns to the show to talk about the latest research, how we can start fresh this year, and what’s really holding us back in our ca…

1
“I Have Always Cared a Lot What Other People Think of Me” 41:58

6M ago41:58

41:58

Congressman Adam Smith spent years quietly struggling with both anxiety and physical pain, while serving the people of his state and the entire country in Washington D.C. For many years, holding public office meant hiding things like mental health struggles, but things have changed recently. He speaks with host Morra Aarons-Mele about what his anxi…

1
Micromanaging, Mental Health, and Breaking Free 37:34

7M ago37:34

37:34

Leaders out there who are guilty of micromanaging might not immediately realize that it comes from a need for control, and probably a bit of anxiety. On the other side of the table, being micromanaged can have really negative impacts on our mental health. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Julia Milner, a leadership professor at EDHEC Business Scho…

1
LinkedIn Live: From Digital Transformations to Personal Transformations 37:19

7M ago37:19

37:19

Charlene Li is someone who has spent her career focusing on digital transformations and disruptive leadership. And she practices what she preaches - she even helped host Morra Aarons-Mele set up an AI (check out morra.ai). Li shares how to define your individual purpose and find the motivation to “be great” in this special LinkedIn Live. Read more:…

1
“You See Flashes of Really Deep Emotion in the Heat of These Competitions” 1:00:18

7M ago1:00:18

1:00:18

What can we learn about performance and mental health from professional athletes? As we start a new year off, Morra Aarons-Mele revisits her conversations with sports and performance psychologist Alex Auerbach, who works with the Toronto Raptors; and with former NFL star Ryan Mundy, who now runs a mental health start-up called Alkeme Health. Learn …

1
Pressure, Perfectionism, and Passion: What Medical Professionals Face 1:04:15

7M ago1:04:15

1:04:15

The limelight - and appreciation - given to medical professionals early in the pandemic has largely faded, but the stresses they face continue. In this episode, Morra speaks to a veterinarian and a physician about their personal mental health, compassion fatigue, and making decisions that go against the grain. Her guests are Chief Medical Officer a…

1
The Loneliness Epidemic and Work (with Surgeon General Vivek Murthy) 40:48

8M ago40:48

40:48

Do you feel lonely, even when you’re almost never alone? It’s a common feeling for many workers in the U.S. right now - with around 50 percent of Americans experiencing measurable levels of loneliness. That sense of loneliness has a huge impact on our collective mental health as well. U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy speaks with host Morra Aar…

1
We All Experience Class At Work (And Why We Should Talk About It) 46:28

8M ago46:28

46:28

Ever been at work and everyone starts talking about their recent trip to Italy, or their Ivy League college reunion coming up… and you just feel left out? Beyond money, class is something that also involves culture and it shows up everywhere - including at work. The stress we feel around class can have a big impact on our mental health, and it’s li…

1
Want To Run A Good Company? You Can’t Ignore Menopause Anymore 51:56

8M ago51:56

51:56

The working world has gotten a lot more open about a lot of things, from mental health challenges to the realities of being a working parent. But a topic that is still taboo for many is the subject of menopause. Today's guests share why understanding more about this phase of life and how it affects women's physical and mental health is paramount to…

1
How Your Family History - and Tensions - Affect You At Work 38:33

8M ago38:33

38:33

Many in the U.S. this week are celebrating the holiday of Thanksgiving - which, unfortunately for many, can mean difficult conversations with family about money, politics, and even the past. At a time when old habits can re-emerge for people, host Morra Aarons-Mele revisits a conversation with Kathleen Smith about family systems theory. The role we…

1
Building Your Career When You Have Borderline Personality Disorder 39:10

9M ago39:10

39:10

Today’s guest always seemed to seek out chaos in his career. It wasn’t until a diagnosis that he learned to manage his emotions, stay still, and practice consistency as a leader. Bryce Seto is an SVP of Business Strategy and Business Development, and has been managing borderline personality disorder since he was diagnosed several years ago. He’s al…

1
Farnoosh Torabi on Fear, Money, and Career Success 36:33

9M ago36:33

36:33

Farnoosh Torabi is a veteran journalist and personal finance expert who has spent much of her life trying to help others have a healthier relationship with money. But we all have hangups, and varying degrees of anxiety when it comes to how we make money and how we measure success. She speaks with host Morra Aarons-Mele in this special LinkedIn live…

1
LinkedIn Live: How to Speak Up 28:17

9M ago28:17

28:17

Speaking up is an essential skill in work and in leadership, but it can be scary and anxiety-inducing for many of us. This week, Morra Aarons-Mele speaks with executive coach Nihar Chhaya about how can speak up more strategically, get what you want, and manage your mental health.By Morra Aarons-Mele

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Leadership, Burnout, and Breakdowns (and Why Coaching Can Help) 41:22

9M ago41:22

41:22

Everyone needs support at work, whether that comes in the form of coaching, therapy, some combination - or something else. In this episode we look at the specific kinds of challenges that executives face with burnout and breakdowns with executive coach Dr. Chris Bittinger. We’ll learn more about coaching versus therapy, the work he does at Open Piv…

1
Mood and Food: What You Need to Know About Gut and Mental Health 39:02

9M ago39:02

39:02

While information about the connection between food, gut health, and our overall well-being has come into the spotlight in recent years, it can still often be something that only the privileged have time, money, and energy to devote to. Kimberley Wilson is hoping to change that. She’s a psychologist with a degree in nutrition, and author of the boo…

1
The Israel-Hamas War and Managing Grief 1:03:46

9M ago1:03:46

1:03:46

It was an emotional and scary week for millions of people around the world following the horrific attacks in Israel and subsequent ramp up of war. In this episode, we return to Rebecca Soffer, author of “The Modern Loss Handbook.” to offer up thoughts on dealing with grief - and work - through such a tragedy, and we share her previous episode on gr…

1
20 Minutes a Week Devoted to Culture Building Can Improve Mental Health for Grocery and Retail Workers 36:17

10M ago36:17

36:17

Anthony Sartori knows just how overlooked the mental health of retail workers can be. After finishing college in 2018, and seeing the plight of frontline workers during the beginning of the global pandemic, Sartori started the nonprofit Evolving Minds. He speaks with Morra Aarons-Mele about the goal of the organization and how companies can work to…

1
Mindfulness to Be A Better Colleague - and Stop Being Passive-Aggressive 53:47

10M ago53:47

53:47

We bring ourselves to work - or to our Zoom calls - every day with the desire to be professional and to achieve. That often means trying to put whatever else is going on in our world aside, but it’s a lot easier said than done. Cynthia Kane is a certified meditation and mindfulness instructor who focuses on communication routines. She explains to h…

1
“He’s a Jerk Who Got Rich and Now He Hates Everybody” 41:35

10M ago41:35

41:35

Gabe Howard had a successful tech career when, at the age of 26, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. To the outside world, many people thought it was merely a case of an inflated ego. After going through a divorce, losing his job, and getting through the scare of losing health insurance, he came out the other side as a speaker and activist. How…

1
"I Have Everything to Gain and Nothing to Lose, and I Have a Responsibility to Use My Voice" 41:28

10M ago41:28

41:28

A huge part of breaking down stigma around mental health challenges at work is about being open and honest about our experiences. Mita Mallick is head of Inclusion, Equity and Impact at Carta and host of the LinkedIn podcast Brown Table Talk, and she speaks publicly about injustices she herself has seen and felt in her career. We speak about becomi…

1
“When I Was Diagnosed with PTSD I Was Treated Like Damaged Goods” (Part II) 25:41

11M ago25:41

25:41

We continue the conversation with Dean Yates, a Tasmania-based mental health advocate, former journalist, and author of the book Line in the Sand.By Morra Aarons-Mele

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“I Wanted to Cover War Without Having Any Clue What War Was Like” (Part I) 27:28

11M ago27:28

27:28

Dean Yates was a foreign correspondent and worked for Reuters for decades until the traumatic events he witnessed took their toll. Over time, he realized he was struggling with PTSD - while at the same time realized his company was pushing him out. He shares his story of why he began reporting in the first place, the uncomfortable truths about PTSD…

1
“I Didn’t Know What the Word Burnout Meant”: One Teacher’s Mental Health Journey 35:37

11M ago35:37

35:37

The public school system in the U.S. lost at least 300,000 public school teachers and administrators between February 2020 and May 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Post-pandemic, some of that strain has abated, but many of the underlying causes for quitting, burnout and other mental health challenges remain. At the start of the sc…

1
Behind the Scenes of Meditation and Mental Health with the CEO of Headspace 38:16

11M ago38:16

38:16

The first time that Russell Glass tried meditation, he wasn’t really sure what to make of it. Flash-forward several years and lots of practice later, Glass is now the CEO of Headspace, the mental health and meditation app. He speaks with host Morra Aarons-Mele about his own experience with anxiety and imposter syndrome as an entrepreneur, why he wa…

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HBR Presents / Morra Aarons Mele Podcasts

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