The Anxious Achiever

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

In this insightful discussion, psychiatrist Dr. Mark Frye, psychiatrist Dr. Kate Burdick, and neuroscientist Cara Altimus dive into bipolar disorder—its complexities and the latest research breakthroughs. They explore the genetic aspects and ways to combat stigma while highlighting the importance of patient collaboration. The guests emphasize a shift from merely reducing symptoms to enhancing quality of life and empowerment for those affected. With a focus on innovation, they introduce exciting initiatives and research aimed at redefining treatment and understanding of bipolar disorder.

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.

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.