Sometimes, life and work can feel like a never-ending loop—same routines, same challenges, no real progress. If 2024 felt like a year where things didn’t quite click, you’re not alone. Many of us struggle with finding the right balance between leading effectively, making meaningful changes, and just feeling genuinely happy. But it’s time to change that. In this episode of the Happiness Squad Podcast, we’re taking a fresh look at what it takes to thrive. As 2024 comes to a close, we’re celebratin...
Dec 31, 2024•46 min•Ep. 106
Nowadays, big challenges are silently destroying workplaces. Employees feel unmotivated, leaders face retention challenges, and meaningful impact is lost. That's because people want more than a job, they crave purpose. Without it, work becomes a grind, teams disengage, and potential goes untapped. But conscious, purpose-driven leadership changes everything. In this episode of the Happiness Squad Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Anil Ramjiani are joined by Raj Sisodia, co-founder of Conscious Capitali...
Dec 24, 2024•46 min•Ep. 105
How does a company remain resilient and successful during challenging times? How can leaders steer their companies to thrive, not just survive, during times of uncertainty and change? Complex strategies or advanced technologies can help, but there’s something more impactful that can lead any company to long-term gains. According to Chris Cright, Founder, CEO and Chair of Liberty Energy, it's about prioritizing your people. Chris Wright is a tech nerd turned entrepreneur. With a deep-rooted passi...
Dec 17, 2024•51 min•Ep. 104
Let's face it, work can be a pressure cooker sometimes. Aside from the physical toll, it's also about mental stress and feeling isolated, making us less productive and more likely to call in sick. But what if our workplace focused on keeping us healthy in every way? We'd probably feel more motivated, stick around longer, and do better work. In this episode, we feature Barbara Jeffery, a Partner at McKinsey & Company in the London office who leads the People and Organizational Performance pra...
Dec 10, 2024•42 min•Ep. 103
As pressure in today’s work environments rises, teams are increasingly seeking a sense of purpose and genuine connection. Traditional leadership might keep things on track, but it often misses the core of what truly inspires people to thrive. That’s why now, more than ever, we need positive leadership. In this second part of our two-part episode, Ashish Kothari and Kim Cameron, Professor and Co-founder of the Center for Positive Organizational Scholarship at The University of Michigan, dig deepe...
Dec 03, 2024•48 min•Ep. 102
Studies show that people naturally thrive when they feel a sense of purpose and positive energy at work. So why not make that same energy a core strategy in leadership? In this episode of the Happiness Squad Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Kim Cameron, Professor and Co-founder of the Center for Positive Organizational Scholarship at The University of Michigan, reveal how positive leadership can generate extraordinary organizational outcomes. Kim Cameron is the William Russell Kelly Professor of Mana...
Nov 26, 2024•53 min•Ep. 101
Despite countless self-help resources, workplace perks, and wellness programs, why are we still struggling to find real happiness? In this milestone 100th episode of The Happiness Squad Podcast, Ashish Kothari, Founder and CEO of Happiness Squad, digs into the hard truth: happiness can’t be bought or chased—it must be cultivated from within. Drawing on insights from top experts and 100 episodes of transformative conversations, Ashish reveals the four essential ingredients to lasting happiness an...
Nov 19, 2024•15 min•Ep. 100
Triggers are a part of the job—but constant reactions don’t have to be. It’s easy to get stuck in that reactive mode, but it’s exhausting and distracting from what matters. In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Renelle Everett Darr, Founder and CEO at InSight Coaching & Consulting LLC, dive into the tools you need to take back control from your triggers and learn how to respond, not react to them. Renelle Everett Darr specializes in conscious leadership and organ...
Nov 12, 2024•40 min•Ep. 99
More than 50% of employees don’t feel heard at work. This disconnect can cost companies more than just morale—it’s affecting productivity, retention, and ultimately, profits. If your company is still relying on surveys and feedback forms as your main tools for "listening" to employees, it might be time to rethink your approach. In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Dr. Angela Jackson, Founder of Future Forward Strategies and Author, dig into the Win-Win Workplace Fra...
Nov 05, 2024•48 min•Ep. 98
Did you know? Our brains make instant, unconscious judgments about who’s “safe” or “like us.” This hardwired survival instinct can make it tough to create inclusive workplaces! But the good news is there are crucial steps to overcoming it, and we’ll explore just that in this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast. Ashish Kothari sits down with Shannon Murphy, Co-founder of BrainSkills@Work and Co-Author of the Neuroscience of Inclusion, to dive into brain states, empathy circuits, and ways to bu...
Oct 29, 2024•56 min•Ep. 97
Do you want to know how to achieve peak leadership performance? A lof of people don't realize that athletes and corporate leaders share similar requirements to perform at their peak. The key difference is that athletes understand that peak performance requires nurturing the mind, body, and soul, while many leaders don’t. Today’s fast-paced corporate world often pushes leaders to the edge. How can leaders perform well without compromising their well-being? In our latest episode of the HAPPINESS S...
Oct 22, 2024•53 min•Ep. 96
We all have that little voice in our heads. The one that says, “You’re not good enough,” or “Why even bother?” Instead of letting it boss you around, what if you could turn that nagging voice into a helpful guide? Rosi Greenberg, Artist, CEO & Leadership Development Facilitator at Drawn to Lead, calls her inner critic Sam , and in our latest episode at HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, she’s teaching us how to meet, greet, and tame that inner critic. Rosi Greenberg, a leadership development artist wi...
Oct 15, 2024•41 min•Ep. 95
Are you making happiness a daily reality? The truth is, most of us have fallen into a routine where we're just surviving, not thriving. Our brains are wired to keep us safe, not happy—and that’s where the problem begins. We settle for less, waiting for weekends, vacations, or "someday" to finally feel alive. But in this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Brian Dubow shed light on a simple yet powerful approach designed to rewire your brain for happiness, one small step at...
Oct 08, 2024•50 min•Ep. 94
As the world's pressures pile up, many of us struggle to bounce back in life and at work. How do you keep performing at your best without losing your mental edge? Just like we can train our bodies to handle physical demands, we can also improve our mindsets to stay resilient under pressure. In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Dr. Karen Doll, explore the art of psychological fitness and how to build the mental muscle you need to handle stress, overcome setbacks, and...
Oct 01, 2024•42 min•Ep. 93
Are you tired of waking up every morning, dragging yourself to the office, and counting the hours until you can clock out? If you feel your job is just a series of endless tasks without real meaning, you're not alone. Many professionals find themselves stuck in a cycle of monotony, feeling like they're just going through the motions. But work doesn't have to be this way. In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari, Founder of HAPPINESS SQUAD, shares how to uncover and activate...
Sep 24, 2024•41 min•Ep. 92
Life’s challenges are inevitable. The stress and setbacks are part of the deal. But while you can’t always control what happens to you, you can always control how you respond; you can always CHOOSE HAPPINESS! However, choosing happiness isn’t always easy. It takes effort, intention, and courage, especially when the going gets tough. But making that choice can help you reclaim your life and find peace amidst the chaos. In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Dr. Elia Go...
Sep 17, 2024•45 min•Ep. 91
The relentless demands of modern life are drowning us in noise, leaving us anxious and burned out. The digital age has us constantly plugged in, leaving little room for the quiet we desperately need. How do we find peace and unlock our inner clarity? In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Justin Zorn, an Author at HarperCollins, explain the science of silence and offer practical tips on how to find quiet in this noisy world. Justin Zorn is an author, adviser, and form...
Sep 10, 2024•39 min•Ep. 90
Our world revolves around constant hustle and achieving more, often at the expense of rest. But if we only knew how immeasurable the rewards of quality sleep are, we wouldn't take rest for granted. In this HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast episode, Ashish Kothari and Sleep Neuroscientist Dr. Els van der Helm discusses how better sleep management can boost our overall productivity. Dr. Els van der Helm is a distinguished sleep neuroscientist, adjunct professor at IE Business School, and lecturer at St. Gal...
Sep 03, 2024•53 min•Ep. 89
Unhappiness habits are guests we'd all rather evict. They can creep into our lives subtly, often masked as normal daily routines. But these seemingly harmless habits can have a profound impact on our overall well-being. It's time to identify the patterns holding you back and replace them with healthier alternatives. In this second part of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast series about unhappiness habits, Ashish Kothari, Founder of HAPPINESS SQUAD, shares three detrimental habits that might be sabotagi...
Aug 27, 2024•35 min•Ep. 88
We've all got an inner critic, that pesky voice whispering doubts and insecurities. But for some, this critic morphs into a full-blown bully, undermining self-worth and happiness. Self-bullying is the silent enemy of potential, a hidden obstacle to overall well-being. In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Anna Marie Frank, Founder of Happy Whole You, shares tips on how to overcome self-bullying to embrace your holistic health. Anna Marie Frank is a brain health expert and holistic well...
Aug 20, 2024•42 min•Ep. 87
Despite advancements in efficiency, many are wrestling with being too busy. We've removed friction from tasks like travel, banking, and meetings, yet why are we busier than ever? How do we get out of it? In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Kate Sotsenko, Founder and Productivity & Leadership Coach at thegoodbusy.com, dig into the root causes of "bad busy," and explore how to be “good busy” and reinvent your approach to productivity. Kate Sotsenko is a seasoned ...
Aug 13, 2024•44 min•Ep. 86
Let's face it, traditional top-down leadership styles just don't cut it anymore. Employees today are looking for something more than just a boss who dictates orders. They want a leader who understands them, values their contributions, and invests in their growth. Human-centric leadership offers a solution. In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, we’ll explore how human-centric leadership can create cultures that value people with Jehanzeb Noor, President & Managing Director at Triviu...
Aug 06, 2024•56 min•Ep. 85
Despite living in a time of incredible prosperity, record-breaking GDP, and life-saving advancements, many of us feel increasingly stressed, anxious, and dissatisfied. This paradox—abundance alongside unhappiness—is what we’ll tackle in this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast with Ashish Kothari, Founder of HAPPINESS SQUAD. In this episode, we’ll unravel the hidden habits that might be unconsciously chipping away at our well-being. Learn how to identify and break free from these "unhappiness...
Jul 30, 2024•22 min•Ep. 84
The world of work is on fast-forward. New skills are constantly in demand, and keeping up can feel like playing catch-up in a high-speed chase. Without a mentor to provide guidance and support, these new challenges can be overwhelming. In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Lori Crever, Author and Founder of Protégé Power, explores the importance of creating a culture of mentorship in our organizations. Lori Crever is the author of "Protégé Power: A Roadmap for Mentor...
Jul 23, 2024•52 min•Ep. 83
We all hit a point where our current path just doesn’t match up with our deepest desires and goals any longer. That's when a "relaunch" starts to happen. It's that moment of transition in our lives that presents a powerful opportunity to redefine what success means to us and realign with our true selves. But how do we handle this big change smoothly and confidently? In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Hilary DeCesare, Founder & CEO of The ReLaunch Company, reve...
Jul 16, 2024•46 min•Ep. 82
Is happiness the hidden ingredient to extraordinary business success? We're so used to workplaces focused on getting things done fast and generating results. But what if fostering a happy work environment is the key to unparalleled productivity, innovation, and employee loyalty? In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Lars Kure Juul explore the potent impact of organizational happiness on overall business health. Lars Kure Juul is a Trusted Advisor, HR Executive, and A...
Jul 09, 2024•47 min•Ep. 81
Have you ever noticed how a delicious meal can instantly lift your spirits? Food goes beyond just fueling our bodies; it nourishes our souls and strengthens connections with the people around us. But how exactly does food create happiness and deeper connections? In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Paul Cure explore the fascinating link between food, happiness, and building meaningful relationships. Paul Cure is a Realtor with the Burgess Group | Compass and the Com...
Jun 25, 2024•46 min•Ep. 80
Relationships can be tricky because they mix together two people with different backgrounds and habits, and sometimes things get a bit tangled up. It’s like blending two different paint colors without making a mess! Every relationship hits rough patches, but we can turn those bumps in the road into springboards for growing closer. In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari, Founder of Happiness Squad, discusses how to cultivate positive emotions to deepen our relationships. T...
Jun 17, 2024•43 min•Ep. 79
We're investing big bucks in employee well-being programs without really addressing the real problems affecting employees' performance. In fact, shocking stats from the McKinsey Health Institute reveal that a mere 3% of burnout comes from individual factors, while a staggering 97% is due to organizational, team, and job-related issues. It looks like we’re spending a lot of money on wellness without tackling the bigger problem. Shouldn’t we be aiming for solutions that address the whole picture? ...
Jun 11, 2024•47 min•Ep. 78
Do you know how stressed people are at work these days? Studies show a startling fact: nearly 40% of young workers feel they're on the edge because of job stress. It's clear we have a serious issue that's hurting both people's well-being and their job performance. Could our work environments be contributing to the problem? In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Genevieve Bonin explore this critical topic. Genevieve Bonin is the Managing Director and partner at Boston ...
Jun 03, 2024•42 min•Ep. 77
