Hello Monday with Jessi Hempel

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.

Amanda Miller Littlejohn, an executive coach and author of The Rest Revolution, shares her inspiring journey from burnout to healing. She discusses the detrimental effects of glorifying overwork and offers practical strategies for integrating rest into our daily lives. The conversation emphasizes redefining success beyond mere productivity and highlights the power of self-care, creative practices, and emotional responsibility. Amanda urges us to reclaim our joy and health in an increasingly demanding world.

Morgan DeBaun, founder of Blavity and Afrotech, is a trailblazer redefining opportunities for Black entrepreneurs. In the conversation, she emphasizes that failure is fundamental to success and encourages embracing stagnation for growth. Morgan shares insights from her new book, 'Rewrite Your Rules,' offering strategies for self-discovery and resilience. She recounts a pivotal moment when she almost sold Blavity and discusses the evolving landscape for DEI professionals. Tune in for actionable steps to achieve success on your own terms!

In this engaging discussion, branding experts Steven Wolfe Pereira and Marisa Thalberg delve into what makes a brand unforgettable. They emphasize the critical role of defining a brand’s purpose for lasting impact. The conversation highlights actionable strategies for crafting both personal and professional brands. The duo also explores the 'four P’s' of branding and how they create powerful identities. Additionally, they address the importance of evolving personal branding in the digital age, encouraging authenticity and curiosity in career growth.

Natalie Nixon, a creativity strategist and president of Figure 8 Thinking, shares her early-onset menopause journey, reflecting on feeling unprepared after her surgery. Joining her is Anne Marie Squeo, CEO of Proof Point Communications, who discusses managing menopause while leading at Xerox during a pandemic. They dive into the unexpected advantages of this life transition and how menopause’s stigma affects professional environments. Together, they advocate for a work culture that normalizes discussions around menopause and offers better support for those experiencing it.

Melinda French Gates has spent her life navigating pivotal career moments and using her influence to empower others. In today’s episode of Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel sits down with Melinda to dive into how we can summon and own our power, both professionally and personally. From her early days as high school valedictorian to her role as one of the world’s most impactful philanthropists, Melinda shares what she’s learned about leadership, career pivots, and using your power to make a difference.Melinda and Jessi discuss: The role of trusted advisors to guide you throughout your career The difference between a mentor and a sponsor, and why having a sponsor is crucial to your success How to ask questions and admit when you don’t have all the answers Strategies for tackling gender inequity in the workplace Re-entering the workforce after parental leave Making intentional career pivots and surviving despite fear of a career transition  Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! Join us here, on the LinkedIn News page, this Wednesday at 3 PM EST.