Everyday Better with Leah Smart

In this enlightening conversation, hospice nurse Julie McFadden, known as Hospice Nurse Julie, shares her journey from ICU to hospice care, emphasizing the importance of accepting mortality for a more fulfilled life. She discusses how contemplating death daily can enhance our appreciation for life and foster deeper connections. Julie reflects on personal stories, the beauty of small moments, and the need for open dialogues about death. Her insights encourage listeners to embrace life with intention and find peace amidst the uncertainty of mortality.

Discover how to take control of your calendar with a unique time management technique called Time Crafting. Learn the importance of tracking daily activities to evaluate their emotional impact and energy levels. Explore the paradox of discretionary time and its effect on happiness, alongside the emotional facets of balancing work and family life. Hear personal insights on managing communication overload and prioritizing meaningful moments with loved ones, ensuring your schedule reflects what truly matters.

“Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” We’ve all heard it, maybe even lived by it. But what if turning your passion into a career is doing more harm than good?  In this episode, sociologist Erin Cech challenges our cultural obsession with finding fulfillment at work. Drawing from her book “The Trouble with Passion”, Erin explains how the “passion principle” can exacerbate societal inequalities as well as burnout. She also shares practical questions to ask yourself about the relationship you want to have with paid work, and offers ways to find meaning in a variety of places. If you liked this episode, you’ll also love this one: Redefine Your Relationship to Work with Former Top Magazine Editor Jennifer Romolini

Morra Aarons-Mele, host of the podcast "The Anxious Achiever," long understood her challenges at work as byproducts of anxiety and depression. She had a hard time working for other people and often found herself saying the wrong thing in meetings. But a recent discovery changed everything: Morra learned she’s neurodivergent. That realization helped her reframe not only her struggles, but also her strengths, and paved the way towards a more authentic, empowered way of working. In this week's episode of Everyday Better, Morra shares how embracing her neurodivergence helps her tap into her full potential. She and Leah discuss what neurodivergence encompasses, the hidden power of introversion and how our workplaces need to evolve to support a broader range of minds. Morra also explains why difference isn’t a liability but a competitive advantage, and how to leverage your own unique strengths to show up stronger at work.  If you liked this episode, check out Morra’s podcast “The Anxious Achiever” here. Listen to my conversation with Dr. Barry Kudrowitz on why play and humor belong at work here.

Leah is back from maternity leave! In her first episode back, she and her producers talk about her birth story, the tools she used to manage anxiety during pregnancy and how she’s learning to let go of control and live in the moment.

Suleika Jaouad, a bestselling author and cancer survivor, shares her journey of facing the return of leukemia after years of remission. She reveals how journaling became her lifeline, reshaping her perspective to live each day as if it were her first. Discussing the emotional weight of illness, she highlights creativity's role in reclaiming joy and navigating grief. Suleika candidly explores the power of love and community during uncertain times while offering insights on embracing vulnerability and manifesting hope.

Dr. Russell Kennedy, a physician and neuroscience expert, shares his journey from crippling anxiety to healing through body awareness. He reveals how traditional treatments often miss the mark and emphasizes the power of somatic practices in addressing unresolved trauma. Listeners learn about concepts like 'Background Alarm' and techniques for reconnecting with their inner selves. Russell discusses coping mechanisms and sensory awareness, offering practical tools to navigate anxiety and foster emotional balance in everyday life.

Dive into a candid exploration of anxiety management! Discover the difference between stress and anxiety from personal tales that resonate. Learn the power of intentional breathing and simple techniques like the 4-7 breathing exercise for calming your mind. Intrusive thoughts are unpacked, revealing their connection to care instead of character flaws. Embrace healing as a journey, and find comfort in seeking help while navigating these complexities. Valuable resources and practices await to support your mental health!

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Everyday Better is spotlighting some of the most common, yet least understood, mental health challenges. This week, ABC News’ Chief National Correspondent Matt Gutman joins Leah to share his personal journey with anxiety and panic attacks – struggles he hid for nearly two decades, even while reporting live on national television. But in 2020, after a career-altering on-air mistake, Matt was forced to confront his panic head-on, or walk away from the job he loved. In his book “No Time to Panic,” Matt explores the science behind anxiety and panic attacks. He explains why humans have panic attacks and how evolution has made anxiety a surprisingly adaptive trait. He also shares the practical tools and mindset shifts that helped him regain control, from breathwork and mindfulness to self-compassion and daily gratitude rituals.  Get Matt’s book No Time to Panic here. If you liked this episode, you’ll also love this one: Conquer Everyday Anxiety with Dr. Wendy Suzuki

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Anna Lembke, a renowned psychiatrist and author of "Dopamine Nation," dives deep into the intricacies of addiction. She explains how the brain's pleasure-pain balance fuels compulsive behaviors and explores the impact of modern distractions on mental health. Anna shares insights on resetting dopamine levels and highlights the importance of genuine connections in recovery. With thoughts on radical honesty and the role of technology, she offers a fresh perspective on navigating mental health challenges.