The Anxious Achiever
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.Listen in your favorite podcast app: https://pod.link/1480904163
Episodes
Mentioned books
9 snips
Jul 30, 2025 • 27min
“Energy Is All There Is”: Understand Your Energy Body, Feel Better
Ellen Donaldson, an energy healing practitioner specializing in mind-body energy medicine, discusses the importance of managing your energy to combat anxiety and stress. She explains how energy dysregulation appears in high-achievers, particularly the role of chakras in emotional and physical well-being. Ellen shares practical tools for grounding and regulating energy, including a guided meditation. Highlights also include how understanding the second chakra can help caregivers reduce overwhelm and creative visualization techniques to integrate into daily routines.
Jul 23, 2025 • 40min
How Growing Up in Foster Care Shaped Chéla Gage’s Leadership
Chéla Gage, former Vice President and inclusion expert, details how her foster care upbringing shaped her leadership style. She discusses transforming trauma into purpose, highlighting how her experiences fostered hypervigilance—now a strength in navigating corporate dynamics. Chéla reflects on motherhood as a path of reparenting and giving herself the love she missed, while exploring the dual nature of anxiety as both challenge and asset. Her insights on cultivating inclusion and belonging in the workplace stem from her unique journey of resilience.
63 snips
Jul 16, 2025 • 38min
Using AI for ADHD With Lindsay Scola
In this engaging discussion, Lindsay Scola, a writer, strategist, and sleep coach, shares her insights on harnessing AI to manage ADHD after her late diagnosis. She reveals how AI acts as an accountability partner, boosting creativity and combating perfectionism. Lindsay emphasizes the importance of freeing up cognitive space by automating mundane tasks, enabling a focus on larger ideas. Additionally, she encourages listeners to explore personalized tools that work for their unique brains instead of adhering to rigid productivity systems.
Jun 25, 2025 • 43min
Crossover Special: Everyday Better with Leah Smart
Leah Smart, host of Everyday Better and personal development expert, chats with Morra Aarons-Mele about the intersection of mental health and leadership. They dive into the value of neurodiversity in the workplace, advocating for greater acceptance of introverted leaders. The discussion emphasizes the importance of creating inclusive environments that recognize unique cognitive strengths. They also explore how vulnerability can enrich workplace relationships while managing personal boundaries. A fascinating look at how embracing differences can lead to thriving careers!
8 snips
Jun 18, 2025 • 51min
Who’s In Your Mental Health Squad?
The discussion centers on the importance of workplace friendships in addressing mental health challenges. Personal journeys reveal how anxiety can be both a hurdle and a helpful tool. The conversation questions traditional mental health initiatives, advocating for more grassroots support. Experiences in toxic environments highlight the need for emotional transparency and supportive cultures. Insights on personality tests underscore their role in team dynamics. Ultimately, the focus shifts toward redefining work-life balance and fostering genuine connections at work.
Jun 11, 2025 • 37min
Unpacking Your Money Trauma
In this enlightening discussion, personal finance expert Shannah Game uncovers the roots of money trauma and its impact on our financial decisions. She shares how childhood experiences shape our beliefs about money, emphasizing emotional narratives behind spending habits. Shannah delves into navigating financial stress and unconscious triggers while encouraging mindful spending practices. With practical strategies, she inspires listeners to rewrite their money stories and align their financial choices with personal values for a more abundant life.
51 snips
Jun 4, 2025 • 44min
Defining Your Values with Suzy Welch
Suzy Welch, a professor at NYU Stern and author of 'Becoming You,' dives deep into the significance of defining core values and how they diverge from virtues. She emphasizes that clarity in values can lead to greater resilience and focus in both personal and professional life. The conversation addresses the importance of self-awareness and effective communication, especially for introverts navigating anxiety. Suzy also offers tools to identify individual values, fostering authentic expressions that guide decision-making and leadership.
24 snips
May 28, 2025 • 30min
The Roots of Perfectionism and How We Can Change
Thomas Greenspon, a psychologist and author, dives deep into the world of perfectionism, shedding light on its origins and effects on mental health. He discusses how perfectionism can both fuel success and lead to detrimental anxiety, revealing a complex relationship with self-esteem. Greenspon explores childhood influences that shape perfectionistic behaviors and critiques societal pressures that glorify this mindset. He emphasizes the importance of fostering a nurturing environment, especially for parents, to promote unconditional love and acceptance of mistakes.
May 21, 2025 • 43min
The Power of Spaciousness and the Gift of Being Seen
Megan Reitz, a researcher and author specializing in spaciousness, joins the conversation to reveal the transformative power of slowing down. She explains how our relentless pursuit of productivity can stifle creativity and connection. Listeners learn about practical methods to cultivate mental spaciousness in their lives and work, fostering deeper relationships and enhancing team dynamics. Reitz also discusses navigating workplace anxiety through honest conversations and the AIM framework, encouraging leaders to create supportive environments.
6 snips
May 14, 2025 • 45min
Flexing Your Emotional Intelligence Muscles
Emily Anhalt, a clinical psychologist and author of 'Flex Your Feelings,' shares insights on emotional fitness as vital for leadership and team dynamics. She explains how emotional resilience and adaptability can enhance workplace performance. Anhalt likens emotional fitness to gym training, emphasizing ongoing practice through methods like 'emotional pushups.' She also discusses the transformative power of embracing discomfort, receiving feedback, and cultivating patience and playfulness as key skills for personal and professional growth.
