Episode notes
Can depression make success feel like something you have to keep earning? In this episode, I sit down with John Moe, host of The Hilarious World of Depression, to talk about depression, anxiety, and the ways mental health shapes how you work and see yourself. John shares how he learned to recognize “magical thinking” and the unreliable narrator of depression, why achievement can’t fill the gap between success and self-worth, and how therapy helped him challenge distorted thinking. We also talk about getting laid off, separating your identity from your work, performing normalcy, and knowing…
Podcast
The Anxious Achiever
Morra Aarons-Mele · Business · English
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
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E360 · 29 Sep 2026 · 1 hr
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E359 · 24 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
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E358 · 22 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
The Psychology of Leadership With Sébastien Page
What if anxiety isn't something you need to eliminate, but something you can learn to work with? In this episode, I sit down with Sébastien Page, Chief Investment Officer and Head of Global Multi-Asset at T. Rowe Price, to explore how personality, stress, and anxiety shape the way we lead and perform. We share how to use anxiety as fuel, the difference between mastery and ego, why relationships matter to high performance, and what high achievers can learn from sports psychology. Tune in to discover how to pursue excellence without losing sight of your wellbeing. Check out our sponsors:…
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E357 · 17 Sep 2026 · 33 min
A C-Suite Exec On Finding Growth After Battling Depression with Paul Greenberg
What does it take to keep leading when depression tells you that you can’t go on? In this classic episode, I talk with Paul Greenberg, CEO of Butter Works about building a successful career while living with severe, chronic depression and suicidal thoughts. Paul shares how he kept showing up for work, why connecting with other people gave him a sense of purpose, and what happened when decades of traditional treatments failed to bring relief. We also talk about ECT, ketamine treatment, mental health stigma, and how leaders can create workplaces where people feel safer asking for help. Get…
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E356 · 15 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
What Is Post Traumatic Growth? with Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman
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E354 · 8 Sep 2026 · 53 min
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E353 · 3 Sep 2026 · 49 min
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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 -…
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E352 · 1 Sep 2026 · 53 min
Rebranding the Brain With Neurodiversity Expert Dave Thompson
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…
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E351 · 27 Aug 2026 · 39 min
Penn and Kim Holderness on Neurodivergence And The Creative Journey
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…
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E350 · 25 Aug 2026 · 55 min
Learn How To Handle Uncertainty With Simone Stolzoff
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…
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