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
5 snips
Oct 7, 2025 • 58min
Beekman 1802's Josh Kilmer-Purcell: Anxiety Is My Superpower
Josh Kilmer-Purcell, co-founder of Beekman 1802 and Amazing Race winner, discusses how clinical anxiety and depression can become powerful assets. He shares his journey from job loss to building a $150M brand, emphasizing the importance of empathy and strategic partnerships in leadership. Josh introduces the 'nightmare board' concept to manage risks and explains the '51% rule' for decision-making. He also highlights kindness as a business advantage and the significance of defining 'enough' to achieve lasting contentment.
30 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 55min
Great Leaders Have Anxiety– And They Know How To Manage It
Morra Aarons-Mele, author and mental health advocate, shares insights from her extensive research on leadership and anxiety. She emphasizes that anxiety is valuable data rather than a flaw, arguing that leaders often experience higher levels of mental health challenges. Morra discusses the importance of self-compassion, grounding techniques for anxiety management, and practical tools to combat procrastination. She also highlights how organizations can better support neurodiverse employees and the necessity of 'banking joy' to draw on during tough times.
Sep 30, 2025 • 38min
Leading for Inclusive Excellence with Dr. Keivan Stassun
In this insightful discussion, Dr. Keivan Stassun, a MacArthur Fellow and renowned astrophysicist, shares his journey towards fostering inclusive excellence in science. He reveals how changing communication norms in his lab, inspired by his son's autism, enhances focus for neurodiverse talent. Dr. Stassun emphasizes the value of structured meetings, respecting individual strengths like hyperfocus, and normalizing remote participation. He encourages managers to view every employee as a potential genius, unlocking creativity and innovation in diverse teams.
36 snips
Sep 25, 2025 • 40min
Conflict Is Necessary At Work... Really with Amy Gallo
Amy Gallo, a conflict expert and author, shares valuable insights on navigating tough conversations. She discusses why avoiding conflict can backfire, leading to heightened anxiety and unresolved issues. Listeners learn about her four-step framework for handling disputes effectively and why reframing conflict as an opportunity rather than a threat can strengthen relationships. Amy also tackles how emotions can derail discussions and offers practical tips on practicing conflict resolution in everyday situations.
Sep 23, 2025 • 42min
"For 20 years I just pretended like there was nothing wrong with me." How this CFO Stopped Hiding His Anxiety and Depression with Adam Nemer
In a candid discussion, Adam Nemer, Founder of Simple Mental Health and former CFO, opens up about his 20-year battle with anxiety and depression. He emphasizes that true leadership stems from self-awareness, sharing practical daily self-care strategies. Adam reveals how normalizing mental health conversations can enhance team engagement and productivity. He also explores the importance of therapy and offers tactics for managing stress during meetings. This insightful dialogue encourages embracing mental health for stronger leadership and personal growth.
Sep 18, 2025 • 56min
Why You Should Stop Labeling Emotions Good or Bad with Dr. Susan David
In this insightful discussion, Dr. Susan David, a Harvard-trained psychologist and bestselling author, explores the transformative power of emotional agility. She challenges the stigma surrounding difficult emotions, emphasizing that they are not inherently good or bad. Jessie Litton shares her personal journey through caregiving and grief, explaining how these experiences helped reshape her professional identity. Together, they reveal how embracing emotions can guide us toward our values, enhance resilience, and prevent burnout in both personal and professional lives.
Sep 16, 2025 • 42min
The Gifts of Neurodivergent Leadership with Dr. Michael Freeman
In this discussion, Dr. Michael Freeman, a psychiatrist and researcher at UC Berkeley, dives into the powerful intersection of neurodiversity and leadership. He unpacks why traits like ADHD, bipolar spectrum, and dyslexia often appear in high-performing entrepreneurs. Discover how these characteristics can be leveraged as superpowers but may also turn into liabilities. Dr. Freeman also explores the unique advantages AI might offer to neurodivergent thinkers, highlighting the dual nature of their strengths and vulnerabilities in the business world.
37 snips
Sep 11, 2025 • 35min
Why Anxiety Can Be Your Superpower with Shopify’s Harley Finkelstein
Harley Finkelstein, President of Shopify, shares how anxiety transformed from a survival instinct into a driving force in his entrepreneurship journey. He emphasizes viewing anxiety as a tool that sharpens foresight and fuels ambition. Listeners will discover strategies to manage anxiety, the importance of building a balanced team, and why vulnerability is a leadership strength. Harley also discusses how different personality types recharge and the critical skills needed for anxious achievers, making anxiety a potential advantage in business.
11 snips
Sep 9, 2025 • 33min
How Childhood Adverse Experiences (ACES) Impact Your Working Life with Dr. Melissa Merrick
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Melissa Merrick, President and CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America, delves into the profound impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on adult life. She reveals how childhood trauma can manifest as hypervigilance in high achievers and influence healthcare outcomes. Dr. Merrick explains the vital protective factors that help foster healing and the importance of supportive work environments. Listeners will discover daily habits to enhance resilience and strategies for navigating workplace dynamics affected by ACEs.
Sep 4, 2025 • 39min
Turning Anxiety Into Your Growth Edge with Whitney Johnson
Whitney Johnson, CEO of Disruption Advisors and a leader in personal disruption, shares her insightful journey from Wall Street to empowering growth through discomfort. She discusses how anxiety can ignite productivity rather than hinder it and offers strategies to tackle avoidance fueled by fear. Whitney emphasizes the significance of confronting anxieties during career transitions and highlights daily practices that cultivate resilience. Tune in for actionable tips on embracing anxiety as a catalyst for transformative growth!
