Best HBR Presents / Morra Aarons Mele Podcasts (2025)

1
The Roots of Perfectionism and How We Can Change 31:01

2d ago31:01

31:01

Perfectionism can help us succeed, but it can also be a detriment to our mental health and our lives. Understanding it is the first step to better management. In this episode, psychologist Thomas Greenspon shares research about perfectionism, where it comes from, how it can impact us - and how we can try to cope with it to move forward.…

1
The Power of Spaciousness and the Gift of Being Seen 44:17

9d ago44:17

44:17

Do you feel like a rubber band about to snap- low on capacity, time, and space to think? Are you constantly stuck in a mode of “doing” - trapped by your own productivity? Researcher and author Megan Reitz says that shifting into “spacious mode” could do wonders for your mental health, your relationships, and your work. She speaks with Morra about h…

1
Flexing Your Emotional Intelligence Muscles 46:27

16d ago46:27

46:27

What does it really mean to be emotionally strong—and why is emotional intelligence the leadership skill of the future? Emily Anhalt, author of the new book Flex Your Feelings: Train Your Brain to Develop the 7 Traits of Emotional Fitness, explains why mental health is an ongoing practice, and how we can get more fit. She breaks down why emotional …

1
Finding Your “Why” and Rooting Leadership in Healing 44:33

23d ago44:33

44:33

Five years ago, Dr. Maggie Chery tragically lost both of her parents to the Covid 19 pandemic, just weeks apart. It was a trauma that still affects her today, but it shifted the course of her life’s work as well. Today Maggie is a program manager at Google, and Chief Operating Officer at Not Just a Black Body. Her personal loss has drastically shif…

1
Masculinity, Disability, and Reframing Leadership 59:02

1M ago59:02

59:02

What assumptions do you hold about leadership, ability, and power? In the wake of recent comments from Mark Zuckerberg about the need for more “masculine energy” in the workplace, Jason Rosario returns to the show to talk about changing definitions of masculinity and vulnerability - and what it means for work. Rosario is CEO of the agency The Lives…

1
OCD and the Art of Noticing Everything 44:58

1M ago44:58

44:58

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder isn’t just a cluster of symptoms to manage. Like other mental health challenges, it can come with hidden advantages like the ability to be more creative and empathetic. The key is understanding - whether you have OCD or you work with someone who does. Michael Alcee, author of the book The Upside of OCD: Flip the Script…

1
Hypervigilance: When Everything Feels Like a Threat 37:12

1M ago37:12

37:12

Hypervigilance is a state of being where you constantly are on the lookout for perceived threats. It’s often the result of trauma - but it shows itself in the work world as well. Ironically, many high achievers are rewarded for hypervigilant behavior, but it comes at a cost. Tanvi Gautam, executive coach and managing director of Leadershift Inc., e…

1
The Practice of Mindfulness and Meditation, From Industry Leader Sharon Salzberg 39:36

2M ago39:36

39:36

Practice makes perfect - except perhaps when it comes to meditation and mindfulness. In this episode we revisit a conversation with mindfulness expert Sharon Salzberg on what led her to the path of meditation, what mindfulness does for anxiety, how she deals with the ups and downs of life, and how mental health is or isn’t present in our work lives…

1
The Real Cost of Masking at Work: Neurodiversity Expert Ludmila Praslova 48:07

2M ago48:07

48:07

It’s absolutely crucial in today’s work for leaders and the organizations they run to understand the unique strengths and challenges of neurodivergent workers. In this episode, host Morra Aarons-Mele dives into the complexities around the word “superpower” and the ways workplaces can improve with Ludmila Praslova, a professor at Vanguard University…

1
The Unseen Links Between Mental Health, IBS and Your Gut 49:05

2M ago49:05

49:05

Among the most important links between our physical and mental health might just lie in our digestive tract. Dr. Will Bulsiewicz is a gastroenterologist, gut health expert, and the founder of 38TERA. In this episode, he explains his own journey to eating better, how that impacted him mentally, and the most cutting edge research about how anxiety an…

1
What We Still Don’t Understand about Adult ADHD 1:05:16

2M ago1:05:16

1:05:16

Dr. James Kustow is a London-based expert in adult ADHD. He shares the latest research around the disorder - which he hesitates to even call a disorder - including how ADHD is linked to emotions and our physical body. Kustow has a truly whole-body understanding of ADHD. We’ll hear some of the science behind ADHD-related behaviors and how they can i…

1
Shows We Love: We Too Are One 34:00

3M ago34:00

34:00

Want to learn more about neurodivergence and navigating career success? Check out Morra’s recent appearance on the We Too Are One podcast, where host Martin Gale aims to celebrate the power of individuals with ADHD and autism - and what it looks like in their work and lives. Check out more about the show here: https://www.wetooareonepodcast.com/abo…

1
What’s the Root of Your Perfectionism? 50:12

3M ago50:12

50:12

Author and former Fortune 500 CHRO Susan Schmitt Winchester returns to the show, this time to talk about past toxic bosses, perfectionism, and coming to terms with why we do what we do at work. She talks about uncovering the reasons we are drawn to perfectionism, what it looks like, and actionable ways we can change our behavior to improve our ment…

1
Managing Leadership Anxiety 46:41

3M ago46:41

46:41

Leadership comes in many forms, and good leadership can be found at all kinds of organizations, from startups to faith communities. In this episode, Morra searches to learn more about how leaders perform and manage their own anxieties, as well as the anxieties of others. We also explore how leaders can most effectively communicate during anxious ti…

1
Mental Well-Being Can Supercharge Your Organization’s Success - Here’s How 42:47

3M ago42:47

42:47

Vlad Gheorghiu is on a mission to make workers happier, healthier, and at the same time, more productive. The ex-McKinsey consultant took his own experience of panic attacks to change his work to something more meaningful. After leading the global mental health and well-being program at the storied consulting firm, he went on to found Kyan Heath, w…

1
What Can Radical Transparency Do For Leadership? 39:29

4M ago39:29

39:29

Disclosing your mental health struggles to colleagues or a boss (or even friends and family) can be really hard. In this conversation, host Morra Aarons-Mele speaks with leadership development expert Elle Clark about the upside of creating a culture of transparency. Clark shares her experience being open about anxiety in the corporate world, how it…

1
The Toll of Shame on Mind and Body 51:32

4M ago51:32

51:32

Many of us carry shame around every day without even realizing it. It can stop us from developing great relationships, chasing our dreams, or even making the most of the day. David Bedrick is an author, psychological activist, and founder of the Santa Fe Institute for Shame-Based Studies, and he’s spent his life helping people recognize shame and d…

1
Bringing Vulnerability to Work: A Non Profit Leader and a Police Officer 1:01:51

4M ago1:01:51

1:01:51

We all bring our trauma with us to work every day. But if we build the right culture and relationships, we can also bring vulnerability and healing. If you’ve felt like you have to hide a huge part of yourself at work, this episode is for you. First, Morra speaks with Schroeder Stribling, President and CEO of Mental Health America, about how her tr…

1
Revisiting Accent Bias in a World Pushing Against DEI Initiatives 38:56

4M ago38:56

38:56

The bias against accents and the perception of how well someone speaks English has huge impacts for individual contributors, leaders, and the business world at large - but it is often ignored. In the wake of a number of DEI related initiatives being cancelled in the federal government, we revisit this conversation with Heather Hansen on what accent…

1
Is Your Leadership Style Inspiring or Infuriating? 41:34

4M ago41:34

41:34

Have you ever had a boss who just infuriated you? Bosses and leaders often have the ability to make or break our experience at work. In this episode, host Morra Aarons-Mele speaks with Columbia Business School professor Adam Galinsky about the attributes that differentiate great leaders from terrible ones, and how leaders can have a outsized effect…

1
When The Company You Build Almost Fails 42:06

5M ago42:06

42:06

From afar, Luvvie Ajayi Jones seems to have it all together; to be thriving as an entrepreneur and author, complete with New York Times best-selling books and a viral Ted Talk. But all careers face downturns, and Jones has shared how one of the hardest years of her life affected her company, her finances, and her mental health. In this conversation…

1
How to convince others you’re still relevant — Hint: start with yourself (from Fixable) 37:07

5M ago37:07

37:07

Experience is not always seen as an asset in a world that equates innovation and youth – particularly in fast-moving industries like tech and art. How do you convince others that your work still matters…now more than ever? This week, Anne and Frances help digital artist and TED Fellow Julie Freeman break free from her own story about aging and rele…

1
The Couple Making the Most of ADHD for Their Creative Business 38:36

5M ago38:36

38:36

When you are neurodivergent, it can feel like you are always behind, don’t fit in, or even worse - wreak havoc on the lives of those who love you. But Penn and Kim Holderness faced ADHD as a couple and a family head on. Through five years of research, they figured out ways to harness Penn’s superpower of ADHD and even built a business around it. Th…

1
How to Ride the Wave of Anxiety and Overthinking 39:07

5M ago39:07

39:07

In the high stakes world of technology companies, a lot of lip service is paid to well-being and mental health. But Meredith Arthur has been researching practical ways to manage anxiety and overthinking since before it was cool. In this episode, Morra speaks with the author and Beautiful Voyager creator about everything from polyvagal theory, clini…

1
When Your Body Dials 911 40:44

5M ago40:44

40:44

Ongoing stress can affect not just your emotional and mental health, but also your physical health. The connection between mind and body is often overlooked in the work world, but leadership development expert Jason Miller has spent his career trying to change that. In this episode, host Morra Aarons-Mele hears more about Miller’s experience that l…

1
Resilience Isn’t Enough: We Need To Be Anti-Fragile 49:45

6M ago49:45

49:45

To succeed in sports and in the corporate world, you might need more than just resilience. Enter the concept of anti-fragility, which focuses on the idea that meaningful resistance and meaningful difficult situations can be approached in a way where you actually come out better on the other side. Dr. Nick Holton is a performance coach for professio…

1
What if Impostor Syndrome Isn’t All Bad? 48:46

6M ago48:46

48:46

It turns out, a lot of our beliefs about how we are performing at work - and how we choose to label that performance - can negatively impact our jobs and our mental health. Basima Tewfik is an Assistant Professor of Work and Organization Studies at the MIT Sloan School of Management, who looks deeply at our social behaviors and psychology at work. …

1
Connecting Mind, Body, and Work Performance in a Stressful Season 29:46

6M ago29:46

29:46

Why do we feel anxious even when threats are only imagined, and why have we evolved to feel anxiety? The connection between mental and physical health is well documented and talked about, but very easy to forget in times of stress. In this episode, we revisit a conversation with Dr. Christine Runyan, a professor at the University of Massachusetts M…

1
Say Goodbye to Negative Self-Talk and Hello to Your Superpowers 43:14

7M ago43:14

43:14

Sanyin Siang is an advisor, coach, and adjunct professor at Duke University where she leads the Fuqua/Coach K Leadership and Ethics Center or COLE. She’s also someone who believes in being your own best friend, and that starts with the self-talk we have going on in our heads all day long. In this episode, she walks host Morra Aarons-Mele through he…

1
Tim Shriver on Emotional Intelligence, Family Healing, and Difficult Conversations 43:06

7M ago43:06

43:06

Tim Shriver is a filmmaker, chairman of the Special Olympics, and host of the podcast Need a Lift. He’s also a member of the Kennedy clan, and has spent much of his life’s work helping to increase emotional awareness and improve the discourse around things like mental health, faith, disabilities, and more. He speaks with host Morra Aarons-Mele abou…

1
Finding Healing After Layoffs 38:57

7M ago38:57

38:57

Yowei Shaw was the host of the NPR podcast Invisibilia before layoffs hit the organization. In the aftermath, she struggled with how her identity and sense of self shifted in unexpected ways. Now, she hosts the podcast Proxy with Yowei Shaw. We’ll talk about the process she went through following her layoff, how she’s recovered, and advice she’d sh…

1
Introducing: Let's Talk Offline 40:54

7M ago40:54

40:54

Check out a new show we love: LinkedIn's Let's Talk Offline. Co-hosted by Gianna Prudente, LinkedIn's early career development editor, and Jamé Jackson, a LinkedIn community manager, this show seeks to answer unfiltered questions about work life, covering topics like: Setting workplace boundaries, building your personal brand, scoring your dream jo…

1
How Envy Impacts Work and Leadership 33:53

7M ago33:53

33:53

Envy can drive us - but it can also drive us into a wall. It can motivate us at work, but it can make us - and the teams around us - miserable. And sometimes, envy is trying to tell us we might want a change in our own life. In this episode, we revisit a conversation with executive coach and president of PartnerExec, Nihar Chhaya, about how to reco…

1
Is Work Fundamentally Broken? 45:00

8M ago45:00

45:00

Laurie Ruettimann is a former human resources leader and current author and speaker on work place culture. She looks at how the overall system of capitalism is hurting us, what is broken about work, and what can be done. She shares her own journey through corporate America, despite her anti-establishment roots; how living a corporate lifestyle led …

1
Hacks for Managing Yourself and Others: Understanding Attachment Styles 40:20

8M ago40:20

40:20

A lot of us have a basic understanding of how attachment styles - secure, anxious and avoidant - affect human beings in their relationships. But we don’t often think about what they mean for work. In this episode Morra Aarons-Mele speaks with Jack Hinman, who expands the definition and understanding of attachment styles and explains how they can be…

1
What Companies Should Do For Workers in an AI Age 42:34

8M ago42:34

42:34

When it comes to managing our mental health as AI takes over the workplace, there’s a lot on our plate. But in a world that is also driven by systems, it’s important to think about what organizations can be, should be, and are doing to remember worker mental health in the coming years. To wrap up our month long series on AI, mental health, and work…

1
Disruptive Change and Shifting Mindsets Around GenAI 1:10:01

8M ago1:10:01

1:10:01

When it comes to anxiety, the best thing we can do is figure out what is in our control and shift our energy away from the what ifs and the negative thinking. This applies when it comes to anxiety around GenAI taking our jobs as well. In this episode, Morra Aarons-Mele speaks to two people sharing real tools to navigate today’s work landscape. We h…

1
Does Discomfort Reflect What We Value Most? 42:46

9M ago42:46

42:46

Sometimes, you have to look scary change in the eye and approach it with flexibility instead of fear. Dr. Diana Hill is a clinical psychologist and leadership coach who specializes in ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), and we speak to her this week as part of our month-long series on artificial intelligence and work. GenAI and how it is impac…

1
Morra Joins The Next Big Idea To Talk Anxiety As a Trait of Great Leaders 58:32

9M ago58:32

58:32

Host Morra Aarons-Mele recently spoke with Rufus Griscom on LinkedIn’s The Next Big Idea to talk about leadership. She speaks about how anxiety is an asset, resource and motivator - if you can learn to harness it the right way. And she offers up practical advice - with help from a pen, a banana, and science-baked research - on how exactly you can d…

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AI, Work and Mental Health: Nilay Patel on Tech and the Future 52:11

9M ago52:11

52:11

Like anxiety or depression, AI is now a constant companion for millions of people around the world. We might be benefitting from the use of AI at work, but also truly worried about what it means for our future. For the next few weeks, host Morra Aarons-Mele is exploring what AI means for our work and our mental health, from what tech giants are pla…

1
Is Passion Driving Burnout? 52:11

9M ago52:11

52:11

There’s often a direct connection between how much you achieve at work, and how high you climb, and how much passion you have for your work. It’s a huge motivator, but it has a downside for those especially geared towards overachievement: burnout. Jon Jachimowicz is an assistant professor at Harvard Business School and he shares what he’s learned f…

1
Hope as an Essential Ingredient of Life and Work 45:49

9M ago45:49

45:49

We humans need hope! A lack of hope contributes to much to mental health struggles across the board, and that’s why it’s important to learn more about the science behind hope and how it impacts us. Hope is a skill we can all learn. In this episode, Kathryn Goetzke, founder and chairman at The Shine Hope Company, explains what she’s learned about ne…

1
You Can’t Change the World If You’re Unhappy At Work 32:39

10M ago32:39

32:39

We’ve come a long way in the last five years, but there’s so much still to be done when it comes to our working lives and our mental health. In this episode, host Morra Aarons-Mele revisits our very first episode, where she speaks with Scott Stossel. He’s a National Editor of the Atlantic magazine and author of the New York Times Best seller “My Ag…

1
Adapting Your Career to Your Neurodivergent Needs 1:00:08

10M ago1:00:08

1:00:08

What if all your assumptions about people with neurodivergent conditions… were all wrong? In this episode, host Morra Aarons-Mele speaks to two people living very different lives, but who have a Tourette Syndrome diagnosis in common. First, TV presenter Aidy Smith shares how he became the only person to host a show in the UK who has Tourette Syndro…

1
When Your Job Revolves Around The Tumultuous U.S. Election 41:24

10M ago41:24

41:24

The news is overwhelming, and thinking about the upcoming election makes many of us anxious. Political veterans know how to get things done in a never-ending 24 hour news cycle, and somehow stay on course when the world is spinning too fast - but it isn’t always easy. In this episode, host Morra Aarons-Mele speaks with Shaniqua McClendon, Vice Pres…

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

10M 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

11M 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

11M 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

11M 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…

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HBR Presents / Morra Aarons Mele Podcasts

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