The Anxious Achiever

Annie Lowrey, a journalist with keen insights into economics, and Cody Hoyt, an early-career professional with firsthand experience of economic disruptions, explore the harsh realities facing millennials and Gen Z. They discuss how graduating into recessions shapes career aspirations and the psychological toll of student debt. The conversation highlights delayed milestones like homeownership and entrepreneurship due to financial instability. Together, they reveal the structural factors at play in creating generational anxiety and mistrust in institutions.

Jessica Neal, former Chief Talent Officer at Netflix and now a venture investor, delves into the complexities of workplace burnout. She reveals that burnout is not just about overwork, but also a lack of clarity and acknowledgment of successes. Neal emphasizes the need for honesty and clear expectations in leadership. They discuss the unique challenges women face in leadership, including balancing career and caregiving roles. The conversation underscores the importance of celebrating wins and building a supportive culture to combat stress.

Maggie Jackson, an author and expert on uncertainty, dives into how embracing the unknown can enhance creativity and resilience. She explores how our brains react to uncertainty and redefines it from a threat to an opportunity for growth. The discussion reveals the power of 'good stress' and the benefits of curiosity in reducing anxiety. Listeners will learn practical strategies to foster an environment that welcomes uncertainty, encourages exploration, and strengthens collaboration, ultimately transforming decision-making for leaders and teams alike.

Patrick Lencioni, a bestselling author and founder of Working Genius, unpacks how embracing your 'weaknesses' can reveal your true strengths. He discusses his six types of genius—wonder, invention, discernment, galvanizing, enablement, and tenacity—and how recognizing these can transform team dynamics. Lencioni shares his personal journey through burnout and the importance of aligning work with natural strengths. He encourages listeners to lean into their gifts, utilize vulnerability for trust, and reframe their relationship with work.

Join Dr. Ravi Kudesia, an associate professor at Temple University, as he unpacks the essence of mindful leadership. Discover how regulating attention can empower leaders to guide teams through change and ambiguity. Ravi shares the importance of resetting energy between meetings and introduces the Ujjayi breathing technique as a quick calming tool. Learn why a relational leadership mindset is vital and how emotional attunement can transform team dynamics. Get ready to rethink leadership as the art of mindful connection and possibility.

In a compelling discussion, psychologist David Bedrick, an expert in unshaming, reveals how shame distorts our experiences and self-worth. He explains shame isn't just a feeling but a lens that affects our entire lives. David shares insights on how childhood experiences shape our perceptions and contribute to chronic pain and hidden struggles in professional spaces. He emphasizes the importance of curiosity and witnessing in unshaming ourselves and others, offering practical strategies to unpack and alleviate the shame that often surrounds job loss and personal failure.

In this engaging discussion, Lee Gonzales, an engineering leader at BetterUp and creator of AI Flight School, tackles the prevalent anxiety surrounding AI. He explains how to transform fear into agency and optimism. Lee emphasizes the importance of psychological safety and collective sensemaking in adapting to AI. Listeners will discover how to shift from being 'AI passengers' to 'AI pilots' and why overreliance on AI can weaken cognitive skills. He also shares inspiring stories of individuals gaining new capabilities through AI engagement.

In this discussion with Kate Woodsome, a former journalist turned civic resilience researcher, the focus shifts to America’s overloaded collective nervous system. Kate delves into the link between personal trauma and societal polarization, emphasizing how stress impacts civil discourse. She highlights the role of technology in amplifying perceived dangers and discusses tools for leaders to foster compassion and dialogue. With insights on nervous system literacy, Kate advocates for practices that can strengthen democracy and support civic engagement.

Yowei Shaw, an emotional investigative journalist known for exploring feelings in the workplace, shares her impactful journey of being laid off from NPR. She discusses the emotional upheaval it caused, touching on the shame and identity crises many face during such transitions. Yowei highlights the opaque nature of layoff decisions and how this impacts mental health. She offers strategies for recovery, emphasizing self-compassion and the unexpected liberation that can come from letting go of the past. Get ready for a fresh perspective on navigating post-layoff life!

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary, a psychology and neuroscience professor and co-founder of Arcade Therapeutics, delves into the nuances of AI anxiety and its varied manifestations. She critiques our tendency to anthropomorphize AI and highlights the lessons we should learn from the mental health impacts of social media. Tracy also explores the medicalization of mental health, advocating for a more holistic view and emphasizing that anxiety can actually signal creativity and proactive care. Tune in for insightful strategies on managing AI's role in our lives without losing our humanity.