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The Anxious Achiever: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Morra Aarons-Mele
Host Morra Aarons-Mele is on a mission to reframe how we think about anxiety and mental health in the workplace. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S. We desperately need better models for leadership and a more holistic view of mental health. Our culture tells those of us who suffer from anxiety and depression that we can’t succeed, but we tell a different story — without sugarcoating the tough stuff. We feature stories from people who’ve been there and experts who can help you thrive.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- Yesterday1h 3m
Enrique Rubio on "Our Existential Advantage" Against AI
What happens when you start trusting AI more than your own judgment? In this episode, I sit down with Enrique Rubio, founder of Hacking HR, to talk about what you risk losing when you hand your thinking over to machines. Enrique shares why critical thinking, creativity, and human connection matter more than ever, and how relying too heavily on AI can weaken your ability to solve problems, work through conflict, and trust your own instincts. We also dive into the responsibility leaders have when adopting AI, the growing risk of workplace loneliness, and why individuals and organizations still have the power to shape how this technology is used. Tune in to discover how to protect your agency, make more intentional decisions, and hold on to the uniquely human skills that matter in the age of AI. Check out our sponsors: HeyPolo - Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to heypolo.com/achiever or use code ACHIEVER and get 40% off your first year! Life at the Speed of Play - Go to getmarksbook.com/anxious to get two copies for the price of one - one for you and one for a friend. Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch and save 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code ACHIEVER. Notion - Learn more about how Notion can support your business, at notion.com/achiever Shopify - Ready to start your business before Black Friday? Go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today! Vinted - Try Vinted and give your clothes a second life. Download the Vinted app for free and start selling with no seller fees. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Meet Enrique Rubio, founder and CEO of Hacking HR. 04:00 What we risk losing when AI removes the friction from thinking and writing. 05:15 How social media and AI may affect critical thinking, creativity, and social skills. 08:00 Enrique’s 90/10 rule for keeping human thinking at the center of AI-assisted work. 11:15 Why leaders, not AI, are responsible for the consequences of AI-driven decisions. 14:00 How to decide what work AI should support and what should remain human. 16:30 Could relying on AI make human relationships and workplace collaboration harder? 18:30 How might AI sycophancy deepen loneliness and weaken human connection? 22:45 How leaders can create opportunities for teams to collaborate without AI. 24:30 What individual and organizational agency look like in the age of AI. 28:30 Reclaiming our agency and recognizing what makes us uniquely human. 30:00 How to question AI when its answers don't pass the smell test. 35:00 Lessons from past technological revolutions. 41:30 Rethinking old systems, leadership, and regulation in the age of AI. 46:00 Jobs, disruption, and the support people need through technological change. 49:30 Who owns the value of our personal data in an AI-driven economy? 52:00 Voting, democracy, and the role of civic participation in shaping AI's future. Resources + Links Get your copy of Enrique Rubio’s books HERE Learn more about Hacking HR HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Enrique on LinkedIn: @rubioenrique
- 6 days ago36 min
Therapy Makes You A Better Leader with Dr. Vikas Shah
How can you turn anxiety into an opportunity to understand yourself and become a better leader? In this classic episode, I talk with Dr. Vikas Shah, entrepreneur, investor, and MBE recipient, about the connection between mental health, emotional awareness, and leadership. Vikas shares how his early anxiety fueled his ambition, why mental health management is an ongoing journey rather than a final destination, and why learning to manage your mental health can make you stronger in business and in life. We also dive into how leaders can recognize the emotional impact of their actions, build resilience, and create healthier workplace cultures. Tune in to learn how understanding your own patterns and taking the next step can help you navigate challenges at work and in life. Check out our sponsors: HeyPolo - Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to heypolo.com/achiever or use code ACHIEVER and get 40% off your first year! Life at the Speed of Play - Go to getmarksbook.com/anxious to get two copies for the price of one - one for you and one for a friend. Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch and save 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code ACHIEVER. Notion - Learn more about how Notion can support your business, at notion.com/achiever Shopify - Ready to start your business before Black Friday? Go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today! Vinted - Try Vinted and give your clothes a second life. Download the Vinted app for free and start selling with no seller fees. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 How can emotional awareness make you a stronger leader? 05:30 How anxiety can influence curiosity, ambition, and achievement. 08:00 The turning point that led Vikas to seek help for his mental health. 12:00 Why building mental resilience is essential for long-term well-being. 14:45 How to make peace with anxiety and learn to manage it over time. 17:30 How your communication style can affect your team’s emotional well-being. 18:15 What can leaders do to protect employees’ mental health outside working hours? 20:15 How financial incentives and reporting standards influence workplace culture. 24:45 How therapy helps uncover the experiences behind your behavior. 26:15 How can you make career choices that fit your goals and personality? 29:15 Why intentional rest and recovery are essential during demanding periods. Resources + Links Learn more about Dr. Vikas Shah HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Dr. Vikas Shah: @vikasshahlinkedin
- 1 weeks ago42 min
What Does Belonging At Work Really Mean? With Sebastian Buck
What makes a workplace somewhere people genuinely want to be? In this episode, I sit down with Sebastian Buck, CEO and co-founder of Enso, to talk about what makes work meaningful and why belonging matters so much to your well-being. Sebastian shares how letting go of the pressure to be the perfect leader helped him reduce his anxiety, reshape his role, and focus on the work that energizes him. We also dive into the research behind workplace well-being, the importance of trust and psychological safety, and what leaders can do to build healthier workplace cultures. Tune in to discover how stronger human connections and a different approach to leadership help create healthier workplaces. Check out our sponsors: HeyPolo - Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to heypolo.com/achiever or use code ACHIEVER and get 40% off your first year! Life at the Speed of Play - Go to getmarksbook.com/anxious to get two copies for the price of one - one for you and one for a friend. Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch and save 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code ACHIEVER. Notion - Learn more about how Notion can support your business, at notion.com/achiever Shopify - Ready to start your business before Black Friday? Go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today! Vinted - Try Vinted and give your clothes a second life. Download the Vinted app for free and start selling with no seller fees. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 What really drives well-being and belonging at work? 05:00 How changing your leadership style can reduce anxiety. 06:45 Making more room for the work that energizes you. 09:45 What future design means and how organizations can use it. 12:15 Why meaningful work is a major challenge for business leaders. 17:30 What does belonging at work really mean? 20:00 Why social connection can matter more than compensation for workplace well-being. 21:15 Why companies struggle to turn well-being research into action. 25:00 How trust and social connection shape workplace belonging. 28:15 The questions leaders need to ask about success. 32:45 How rewriting the stories you tell yourself can change the way you lead. 35:45 How vulnerability and psychological safety help teams connect. Resources + Links Learn more about Enso's work on workplace strategy and future design HERE! Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Sebastian on LinkedIn: @sebastianbuck
- 1 weeks ago37 min
What Can A Financial Therapist Do For You? With Amanda Clayman
How can you make meaningful career and financial decisions without letting money anxiety hold you back? In this classic episode, I talk with Amanda Clayman, a financial therapist, about how your emotions, childhood experiences, and beliefs about money shape the way you work, earn, spend, and negotiate. We break down why financial anxiety leaves you feeling stuck, how shame and self-worth affect your ability to ask for what you deserve, and what it takes to pursue meaningful work while meeting your financial needs. Amanda also shares ways to prepare for uncertainty, recognize unhelpful money patterns, and navigate difficult conversations about finances. Tune in to learn how to better understand your money emotions and make decisions that align with your values. Check out our sponsors: HeyPolo - Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to heypolo.com/achiever or use code ACHIEVER and get 40% off your first year! Life at the Speed of Play - Go to getmarksbook.com/anxious to get two copies for the price of one - one for you and one for a friend. Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch and save 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code ACHIEVER. Notion - Learn more about how Notion can support your business, at notion.com/achiever Shopify - Ready to start your business before Black Friday? Go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today! Vinted - Try Vinted and give your clothes a second life. Download the Vinted app for free and start selling with no seller fees. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why having more money may not resolve your anxiety. 04:15 How your money beliefs influence your professional decisions. 07:45 What to do when money anxiety keeps you from making a change. 11:15 Are you born anxious about money? 14:15 Recognizing your default response to money stress. 17:45 What salary negotiations can reveal about your self-worth. 20:15 What is the connection between money, shame, and asking for what you deserve? 24:30 Who can benefit from working with a financial therapist. 26:30 How family and financial background shape your money beliefs. 30:30 How to talk about money without making others feel pressured. Resources + Links Learn more about Amanda Clayman HERE Learn more about financial therapy and financial wellness 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 Amanda: on LinkedIn @amandaclayman + Instagram @amandaclayman
- 2 weeks ago56 min
Shannon Watts on Neurodivergent Leadership and Burning It All Down
You can be an accomplished leader and still be terrified of what people think of you. Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action and author of Fired Up, knows what it takes to lead through fear, criticism, and self-doubt. In this episode, I talk with Shannon about how she built a movement with millions of supporters while navigating ADHD, anxiety, and a fear of public speaking, and what she learned about the personal cost of being a passionate leader. We explore how to stop letting other people's opinions dictate your decisions, recognize when your ambition is leading to burnout, and find the courage to pursue what you actually want instead of what you think you should want. Shannon also shares powerful lessons on letting go of control, knowing when it's time to move on, and building something that can thrive without you. Check out our sponsors: HeyPolo - Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to heypolo.com/achiever or use code ACHIEVER and get 40% off your first year! Life at the Speed of Play - Go to getmarksbook.com/anxious to get two copies for the price of one - one for you and one for a friend. Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch and save 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code ACHIEVER. Notion - Learn more about how Notion can support your business, at notion.com/achiever Shopify - Ready to start your business before Black Friday? Go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today! Vinted - Try Vinted and give your clothes a second life. Download the Vinted app for free and start selling with no seller fees. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 How Shannon Watts built a national movement while navigating anxiety and self-doubt. 03:00 Facing threats and criticism while leading a passionate cause. 04:15 Letting go of achievement, approval, and the fear of failure. 05:00 Why you don't have to be a natural-born leader to make an impact. 06:45 How empowering others creates stronger leaders. 09:30 Leading with ADHD, OCD, anxiety, and introversion. 11:00 How self-awareness helps neurodivergent leaders manage their energy. 13:15 When intense passion and hyperfocus become a recipe for burnout. 15:30 Why successful leaders must learn to delegate and let go of control. 17:30 Recognizing founder syndrome and knowing when to step away. 19:15 The passion tax and why women undervalue their work. 22:00 Overcoming shame around getting paid for meaningful work. 27:30 How to align your values, abilities, and desires to lead with purpose. 32:00 A practical framework for discovering what you really want. 33:15 Why chasing a single purpose can keep you from feeling fulfilled. 35:30 The hidden desire for recognition and external validation. 38:00 Overcoming guilt about pursuing your ambitions. 40:00 Why it's never too late to redefine success and pursue a new chapter. 44:00 How to handle criticism without letting it silence you. 47:00 Separating constructive feedback from other people's projections. 48:45 Using self-compassion and mindfulness to build resilience. 50:45 Why community is essential for sustaining your leadership and ambition. Resources + Links Get a copy of Shannon Watts’ book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam
- 2 weeks ago39 min
Marc Brackett On How To Talk About Your Feelings When You're a Leader
Your emotional triggers could be affecting your team more than you realize. In this classic episode of The Anxious Achiever, I'm revisiting one of my favorite conversations with Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and author of Permission to Feel. Marc reveals how experiences from your past can shape the way you react to challenges, conflict, and difficult people at work, often without you even realizing it. We explore how to recognize and manage your emotional triggers, why understanding your feelings is an essential leadership skill, and how to create a workplace where people feel motivated, supported, and heard. You'll walk away with practical strategies to become a more self-aware leader, navigate difficult conversations, and make better decisions under pressure. Check out our sponsors: HeyPolo - Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to heypolo.com/achiever or use code ACHIEVER and get 40% off your first year! Life at the Speed of Play - Go to getmarksbook.com/anxious to get two copies for the price of one - one for you and one for a friend. Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch and save 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code ACHIEVER. Notion - Learn more about how Notion can support your business, at notion.com/achiever Shopify - Ready to start your business before Black Friday? Go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today! Vinted - Try Vinted and give your clothes a second life. Download the Vinted app for free and start selling with no seller fees. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 How your emotional triggers influence the way you lead. 03:00 Using the Mood Meter to identify and understand your emotions. 06:00 Why emotional awareness is a critical leadership skill. 07:30 How your emotional intelligence affects employee motivation and performance. 10:15 Becoming an emotion scientist instead of an emotion judge. 11:00 How to create a team culture where employees feel supported and heard. 14:15 Why some executives resist emotional intelligence training. 16:00 How emotional intelligence helps emerging leaders gain influence. 17:15 The hidden costs of overlooking emotional challenges within your team. 18:45 How personal experiences can shape your reactions to difficult employees. 21:00 Recognizing the emotional triggers that influence your leadership decisions. 23:00 How to turn frustration with an employee into empathy and understanding. 24:15 Why your team's emotional well-being directly impacts performance. 25:15 Managing workplace conflict when your own emotions are running high. 27:30 Why effective leadership sometimes requires difficult decisions and firm boundaries. 30:45 How to use your emotions to improve decision-making and creativity. 34:00 The power of emotional connection to restore motivation and inspiration. Resources + Links Get a copy of Marc Brackett's Book: Permission to Feel Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence: Explore the center's research and resources Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam
- 3 weeks ago52 min
This Media Entrepreneur Can't Feel Anxious, Really | Mike Pesca
Imagine going through life without constantly worrying about things outside your control. Sounds pretty great, right? Veteran journalist and The Gist host Mike Pesca says his unusually high levels of anandamide, sometimes called the "bliss molecule," give him exactly that experience. But what happens when the same trait that makes you fearless, curious, and outspoken also makes it harder to recognize threats to your career? Mike joins me to explore the surprising downsides of not feeling much anxiety, how his professional strengths contributed to a painful career upheaval, and what it really takes to reinvent yourself as an entrepreneur in midlife. We also get candid about the pressure to become your own brand, the changing economics of podcasting, and how to protect the work you love when the rules of your industry keep changing. Check out our sponsors: HeyPolo - Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to heypolo.com/achiever or use code ACHIEVER and get 40% off your first year! Life at the Speed of Play - Go to getmarksbook.com/anxious to get two copies for the price of one - one for you and one for a friend. Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch and save 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code ACHIEVER. Notion - Learn more about how Notion can support your business, at notion.com/achiever Shopify - Ready to start your business before Black Friday? Go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today! Vinted - Try Vinted and give your clothes a second life. Download the Vinted app for free and start selling with no seller fees. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Meet the journalist who experiences anxiety differently. 03:00 How the "bliss molecule" affects Mike's ability to worry. 06:45 When being fearless becomes a professional liability. 08:30 How workplace disagreements led to a career-altering experience. 13:30 When your greatest strength becomes your Achilles' heel. 16:00 Reinventing your career and becoming an entrepreneur at 47. 18:15 The challenges of rebuilding a business after losing institutional support. 20:45 Why being great at your work isn't enough to succeed independently. 23:00 How video and social media changed the economics of podcasting. 26:00 The growing pressure for journalists and entrepreneurs to become content creators. 29:15 Why great creative work is becoming harder to sustain financially. 32:30 Can talent and expertise still win in a world driven by personal brands? 34:15 The struggle to build an audience without sacrificing your integrity. 39:45 What it really takes to run multiple podcasts independently. 41:45 The hidden isolation of working for yourself. 43:15 How audience expectations are changing the future of journalism. 46:15 Finding hope in an increasingly divided world. Resources + Links Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam
- 3 weeks ago33 min
Managing Anxiety When Passion Drives Your Work with Poppy Jaman, OBE
How can you build a mentally healthy workplace while still managing the pressure, expectations, and emotional challenges of mission-driven work? In this episode, I talk with Poppy Jaman, OBE, founding CEO of Mental Health First Aid England and CEO of the City Mental Health Alliance, now known as MindForward Alliance UK, about creating workplaces where people can bring their whole selves to work while maintaining healthy boundaries. We break down how stigma prevents people from seeking support, and the mental health challenges that come with caring and mission-driven work. Poppy also opens up about her experience with postnatal depression, how meaningful work supported her mental health, and the practices she uses to protect her mental well-being. Tune in to learn how to recognize your own stress signals, check in with yourself, and build a personal toolkit for staying mentally well. Check out our sponsors: HeyPolo - Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to heypolo.com/achiever or use code ACHIEVER and get 40% off your first year! Life at the Speed of Play - Go to getmarksbook.com/anxious to get two copies for the price of one - one for you and one for a friend. Monarch - Write your own money story with Monarch and save 50% off your first year at monarch.com with code ACHIEVER. Notion - Learn more about how Notion can support your business, at notion.com/achiever Shopify - Ready to start your business before Black Friday? Go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever to start your free trial today! In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 What does a mentally healthy workplace look like? 03:45 Creating a culture where people can bring their whole selves to work. 05:15 Balancing authenticity with healthy boundaries at work. 07:45 Why compassion can be more helpful than empathy in leadership. 10:00 What happened to inspire your journey into workplace mental health? 15:45 How meaningful work can provide purpose, identity, and support during difficult times. 18:45 The stigma that makes mental health and leadership difficult to talk about. 21:00 Why mission-driven and caring professions can create unique pressures. 23:30 Protecting relationships and personal time when your work is your mission. 26:00 What’s the cost of giving your whole self to your work? 27:30 How to check in with yourself and name what you’re feeling. 29:15 Building a personal well-being toolkit around the things that make you feel good. 30:30 How to use your stress signature to recognize when you need extra support. Resources + Links Learn more about MindForward Alliance UK (formerly City Mental Health Alliance) HERE Learn more about Mental Health First Aid England HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Poppy Jaman on LinkedIn: @poppyjaman
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About The Anxious Achiever
Host Morra Aarons-Mele is on a mission to reframe how we think about anxiety and mental health in the workplace. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S. We desperately need better models for leadership and a more holistic view of mental health. Our culture tells those of us who suffer from anxiety and depression that we can’t succeed, but we tell a different story — without sugarcoating the tough stuff. We feature stories from people who’ve been there and experts who can help you thrive.
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