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 fee...
Jun 04, 2026•36 min•Ep. 326
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 h...
Jun 02, 2026•59 min•Ep. 325
This week we’re sharing a special episode from our friends at How To! , the 2026 Ambie Award-nominated “Best Personal Growth Podcast” that’s back with a new host and new topics to fuel your curiosity. Each week on How To!, award-winning journalist Mike Pesca tackles a listener’s question – on topics ranging from travel and finance to health and relationships – with help from world-class experts who actually know what they're talking about. Think of it as eavesdropping on someone else's therapy s...
Jun 01, 2026•43 min
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 whol...
May 28, 2026•54 min•Ep. 324
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...
May 26, 2026•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 323
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 human...
May 21, 2026•52 min•Ep. 322
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 ne...
May 19, 2026•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 321
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 f...
May 14, 2026•43 min•Ep. 320
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...
May 12, 2026•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 319
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. Remembe...
May 07, 2026•49 min•Ep. 318
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 wi...
May 05, 2026•51 min•Ep. 317
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-...
Apr 30, 2026•53 min•Ep. 316
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 inste...
Apr 28, 2026•1 hr•Ep. 315
What if the habits you rely on to cope with anxiety are keeping you stuck? In this episode, we explore what it really means to be “mentally healthy” and why most of us were never given the language or tools to get there. Kent Coules shares his story of high-functioning alcoholism and what happened when he stopped drinking after decades of using it to manage anxiety. We talk about why so many high achievers rely on coping mechanisms like alcohol, overwork, or constant problem-solving, and more. I...
Apr 23, 2026•54 min•Ep. 314
What if better performance at work didn’t come from pushing harder, but from being more honest? In this episode, Dan Simons shares how he built a $100M+ restaurant group by doing something most leaders still resist. Dan explains how honesty at work actually helps people show up more present, make better decisions, and perform at a higher level. We also talk about how you can get better results, stronger retention, and more focused teams by creating a workplace where people don’t have to hide wha...
Apr 21, 2026•1 hr•Ep. 313
Is your overthinking actually helping you or draining your energy? In this episode, I talk with Meredith Arthur, Chief of Staff of the Pinterest Innovation Lab, about what it means to live with anxiety you don’t even recognize. Meredith shares how anxiety shows up in unexpected ways, from physical symptoms like migraines to subtle patterns like overworking and lack of boundaries. We talk about what happens when you push through without understanding your internal signals, how overthinking can di...
Apr 16, 2026•36 min•Ep. 312
What if the qualities that make you successful are the ones keeping you from getting the help you need? In this episode, I talk with General Gregg Martin, a retired U.S. Army two-star general, about what it’s like to lead at the highest levels while living with bipolar disorder. Greg shares how the same energy, drive, and creativity that propelled his career were also symptoms of a condition that went undiagnosed for decades. We also dive into the cost of high performance, why success can mask s...
Apr 14, 2026•57 min•Ep. 311
What if your anxiety isn’t just something you feel, but something you’ve been practicing? In this episode, I talk with psychiatrist Dr. Jud Brewer and Charles Duhigg about the science behind why anxiety sticks, how your brain confuses worrying with problem-solving, and why willpower alone isn’t enough to change your patterns. We break down how anxiety can become a habit loop and why so many high achievers unknowingly reinforce it through overwork, worry, and constant mental effort. Tune in to le...
Apr 09, 2026•59 min•Ep. 310
What if success isn’t about fitting in, but about creating something that fits you? In this episode, I talk with astrophysicist Dr. Jessica Schonhut Stasik about what it takes to succeed when your brain doesn’t match the systems around you. Jessica shares her experience of being late-diagnosed with autism and ADHD, the burnout and rejection that nearly ended her path in science, and the moment someone recognized her potential when she couldn’t see it herself. We also talk about what it looks lik...
Apr 07, 2026•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 309
Are you actually more productive when you work longer hours or just more exhausted? In this episode, I talk with Christopher Barnes, Professor of Management and the Michael G. Foster Endowed Professor at the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington, about the ingrained belief that sacrificing sleep is the price of success and why that belief is costing you more than you think. Chris shares how leaders create “sleep-deprived cultures” through their behavior, from late-night email...
Apr 02, 2026•34 min•Ep. 308
What if the problem isn’t your focus, your discipline, or your productivity, but the way you’ve been taught to work? In this episode, I talk with Ennis Olson, Global Innovation Lead at Google, about what changes when you truly understand how your brain operates. Ennis shares how his late diagnosis of ADHD and autism helped him make sense of a career built on creativity, curiosity, and constant reinvention and why those same traits can create friction in traditional work environments. We break do...
Mar 31, 2026•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 307
Is entrepreneurship making your anxiety worse, or is it actually revealing something deeper about how you work and cope? In this episode, I talk with entrepreneur Chris Brogan and writer Ada Calhoun about the complicated relationship between freelancing, mental health, and the illusion of stability. Chris shares what it’s really like to build a career while living with depression, why success and struggle can coexist, and how he’s learned to “negotiate” with his mental health instead of letting ...
Mar 26, 2026•48 min•Ep. 306
What if happiness isn’t something you feel, but something you learn? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Arthur Brooks about why anxious achievers often struggle with happiness, and how emotions are data we can use to build better lives. Arthur shares how our emotional “profiles” shape leadership, why anxiety is really unfocused fear, and how to turn late-night spirals into something actionable. We also dive into what’s broken about how we live today and why that’s making it harder to find meaning....
Mar 24, 2026•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 305
Is your anxiety something you need to eliminate or something you need to understand better? In this episode, I talk with psychologist Alice Boyes about the everyday patterns that can make anxiety worse. Alice shares why trying to control anxiety often backfires and how common traps like perfectionism, rumination, avoidance, and impulsive decision-making keep anxious high achievers stuck. We also break down ways to create distance from anxious thoughts, handle feedback without spiraling, and make...
Mar 19, 2026•44 min•Ep. 304
Are today’s college students really in a mental health crisis, or are you misunderstanding what it’s always been like to grow up? In this episode, I talk with Dr. Alexis Redding, a Harvard developmental psychologist and editor of Mental Health in College. Dr. Redding shares that feelings like anxiety, loneliness, and uncertainty are often normal parts of growing up, especially during major transitions like starting college or entering the workforce. We also talk about what has actually changed f...
Mar 17, 2026•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 303
What if the anxiety you feel walking into a meeting, networking event, or conference isn’t a personal flaw, but social anxiety? In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen talks about the psychology behind social anxiety and why avoidance keeps it alive. She breaks down the belief at the core of social anxiety and tools to challenge anxious thoughts, manage shame, and build confidence even when anxiety is still present. Then, entrepreneur and former LinkedIn executive Arvind Raja...
Mar 12, 2026•37 min•Ep. 302
What if the skill that makes you a stronger leader is the same skill that protects free speech? In this episode, I’m joined by Greg Lukianoff, First Amendment attorney, to talk about emotional reasoning, why discomfort isn’t the same as danger, and what happens when we start treating speech as violence. Greg shares how his own battle with depression and suicidal thoughts led him to CBT and how learning to question his thoughts transformed both his mental health and his leadership. Get ready to r...
Mar 10, 2026•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 301
What if the stress you feel at work isn’t just about deadlines or difficult bosses, but about your attachment style? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Jack Hinman, founder and executive director of Engage Young Adult Transitions, to talk about how the patterns you develop in early childhood show up in your leadership, ambition, anxiety, and burnout. We break down secure, preoccupied, and avoidant attachment styles, how they influence the way you handle feedback and uncertainty, and why your “re...
Mar 05, 2026•41 min•Ep. 300
What if the biggest obstacle to your performance isn’t your workload or your leadership challenges, but your own mind? In this episode, I sit down with Shirzad Chamine, founder and CEO of Positive Intelligence, to talk about the habits many anxious achievers rely on to succeed (i.e. hypervigilance, perfectionism, control, and constant striving), but that can drain energy, clarity, and confidence over time. Shirzad breaks down how overused strengths turn into self-sabotage, and the 10-second prac...
Mar 03, 2026•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 299
Do difficult conversations keep you up at night, or do they make you want to avoid conflict altogether? In this episode, I sit down with workplace conflict expert Amy Gallo, author of Getting Along, to talk about how healthy conflict actually strengthens trust, decision-making, and leadership confidence. We dive into how our brains get emotionally hijacked during difficult conversations, how avoidance creates “conflict debt,” and why learning to stay grounded in discomfort may be one of the most...
Feb 26, 2026•41 min•Ep. 297
