Hello Monday with Jessi Hempel

Darra Gordon, CEO of Family Equality, passionately advocates for LGBTQ+ families while juggling her own parenting journey. In this conversation, she emphasizes the necessity of visibility and community support during uncertain times. They discuss empowering children to embrace their identities and the importance of allyship beyond Pride Month. Darra shares personal experiences navigating the legal hurdles faced by queer families in adoption and foster care, highlighting the ongoing fight for equal rights and the joy within queer family dynamics.

Join Anna Kendrick, an accomplished actress known for her roles in Pitch Perfect and Up in the Air, as she takes a bold leap into directing with her Netflix film, Woman of the Hour. She shares her journey of stepping out of her comfort zone, confronting imposter syndrome, and the importance of trusting her intuition. The conversation dives into the emotional depth of storytelling, exploring themes of vulnerability, intimacy, and betrayal. Anna's insights on overcoming fears and the necessity of trustworthy feedback offer inspiration for anyone looking to reinvent their careers.

Caroline Wanga, President and CEO of Essence Ventures and co-founder of Wanga Woman, shares her journey from intern to corporate leader and her views on career mapping. She emphasizes that your next career move doesn't have to follow a traditional path and that embracing imperfection in your career map can provide clarity. Caroline discusses the power of authenticity in leadership, the necessity of self-compassion during uncertain times, and how reframing failure can lead to growth. Her insights inspire building a meaningful career that evolves with you.

Debbie Millman, a legendary designer and podcast host, joins bestselling author Roxane Gay to explore the intersection of love and creativity. They share insights from their new book, discussing how personal growth mirrors gardening. Topics include the often invisible path to success, the importance of resilience in the face of failure, and the necessity of prioritizing what truly matters. They candidly address the challenges of work culture and advocate for a more meaningful, sustainable approach to creativity and career.

Suzy Welch, a professor at NYU Stern and a three-time bestselling author, shares her insights on authenticity in this engaging talk. She emphasizes the crucial role of aligning professional lives with personal values for true satisfaction. Suzy discusses navigating the post-pandemic work landscape, the tension between personal and professional values, and offers strategies for self-discovery to help individuals find fulfillment in their careers. Her expert advice is a guiding light for anyone seeking to live authentically.

Suleika Jaouad, a bestselling author and cancer survivor, shares her insights on living well amid uncertainty. She discusses how creativity can transform adversity into art and purpose, highlighting her journey through leukemia. The conversation touches on the healing power of deep friendships, the significance of a 100-day journaling challenge, and rethinking productivity through kindness and bravery. Suleika emphasizes the importance of curiosity and play as daily rituals, encouraging listeners to embrace resilience and joy even in their darkest moments.

Facing a layoff can be a daunting experience, but it doesn't have to define your journey. The discussion reveals essential strategies for managing the emotional turmoil while emphasizing that layoffs are often business decisions rather than personal failures. Listeners receive practical advice on documenting achievements and the importance of seeking community support. It's a valuable resource for anyone navigating career transitions or helping others through these challenging moments.

We’ve been taught to chase fancy job titles and large salaries, but what if we aimed for moral ambition instead? In this week’s episode of Hello Monday, host Jessi Hempel sits down with historian and best-selling author Rutger Bregman to explore moral ambition: the idea that the core metric of a successful career should be the positive impact we have on the world. Rutger’s new book, Moral Ambition: How to Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference, calls on all of us to rethink what we’re really working for. If you’ve ever felt like there should be more to your job than climbing the ladder, this conversation is for you. Jessi and Rutger dive into: What moral ambition is—and why we need more of it Why “follow your passion” is the wrong advice How to shift from success-driven to service-driven work Why young professionals are funneled into finance and consulting The real-world heroes solving the world’s biggest problems How to build coalitions and collaborate for impact This episode is a call to action for anyone who wants to do good—and do it well. Join the conversation at Hello Monday Office Hours! We’ll be live on the LinkedIn News page this Wednesday at 3PM EST. Bring your questions and your curiosity; we’d love to hear what moral ambition looks like for you.

Age bias is everywhere: online, at work, even in the stories we tell ourselves. Ashton Applewhite wants us to see age not as a limitation, but as a source of strength. In today’s episode, Jessi Hempel sits down with the anti-ageism activist to unpack the hidden ways ageism shapes our workplaces, and how we can push back.Ashton is a leading voice in the age equity movement. She’s the author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism and founder of the Old School Hub, a resource center filled with free tools to combat age bias. In this conversation, she shares practical strategies for navigating ageism at work, whether you’re feeling “too old,” “too young,” or just underestimated.Jessi and Ashton discuss:• Why age has less to do with competence than we think• How internalized ageism holds us back, and how to recognize it• What managers can do to build age-diverse teams• How to tell your story in a way that challenges bias• Tips for job seekers facing age-based assumptions• The power of language in shaping workplace perceptionsContinue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! Join us on the LinkedIn News page this Wednesday at 3 PM ET. 

Angela Chee, a media and communications coach and author of The Power of the Only, shares her journey as a TV news anchor often being the only Asian American and woman in the room. She discusses how embracing the status of being 'the only' can transform it into a superpower. Angela highlights the importance of personal development, breaking through internal barriers, and knowing when to walk away from toxic environments. With insights on cultivating an abundance mindset and owning your voice, she inspires listeners to thrive amidst challenges.