Everyday Better with Leah Smart

What does 'success' mean to you?Jennifer Romolini is a writer, author and podcaster. Her second book is ‘Ambition Monster,’ a memoir about the connection between workaholism and childhood trauma. In it, she traces the evolution of her voracious ambition and reckons with the price she paid to obtain career success.On this week’s episode of Everyday Better, Jennifer joins Leah to discuss how her relationship to work has evolved since she entered the workforce as a teenager. A self-described ‘workaholic,’ Jennifer also reflects on how she learned to redefine success and ambition for herself. Later, she shares strategies for how to manage your time so you can prioritize what matters most.Follow Leah Smart on LinkedIn.Follow Jennifer Romolini on LinkedIn.

Dr. Rebecca Robbins, a sleep scientist and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School, dives deep into the science of sleep and its connection to performance. She debunks myths like the ‘magic eight hours’ and explains why catching up on sleep isn’t effective. Listeners learn practical strategies for improving sleep habits, managing disruptions, and optimizing rest, especially for high achievers. With insights on how stress affects sleep quality, Robbins provides actionable tips that can lead to better emotional stability and productivity.

Dr. Aditi Nerurkar, a Harvard physician and expert in stress and burnout, shares insights from her book, The Five Resets. She explores the difference between stress and anxiety, revealing how they impact the brain. Listeners learn five powerful strategies to reset their stress levels and cultivate resilience. Aditi discusses the challenge of forming new habits and offers tips for creating effective boundaries, especially with technology. Her approach empowers individuals to reshape their mental well-being and tackle burnout head-on.

Meik Wiking, founder of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen and author of The Little Book of Hygge, shares insights on the Danish concept of 'hygge,' which translates to coziness. He reveals how Danes prepare for winter by creating warm, inviting spaces that enhance well-being. The discussion highlights the link between hygge and happiness, focusing on the importance of simple pleasures and meaningful connections. Meik also addresses how small changes in environments can foster joy and resilience during challenging times.

Katherine May, author of *Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times*, shares her journey through personal challenges and the importance of embracing life’s metaphorical winters. She discusses the need for rest and reflection, highlighting how vulnerability fosters growth. The conversation also explores alternative winter solstice celebrations, emphasizing mindfulness and self-care. May advocates for accepting change and processing emotions, urging listeners to find joy and community even in tough times.

Andrew Adams, co-founder and CEO of Headway, is making access to therapy easier. Headway is a mental health care marketplace that matches patients with providers who accept insurance. Earlier this year, Headway was named a LinkedIn top 50 startup.On this week’s episode of Everyday Better, Andrew joins Leah to discuss the barriers to accessing mental health care. He shares his experience with finding a therapist and going to therapy, as well as his personal motivation for building a national network of mental health care providers. Andrew also reflects on how his mental health hygiene routine has changed as his company and responsibilities as a CEO have grown. Follow Leah Smart on LinkedIn.Follow Andrew Adams on LinkedIn.To learn more about Headway, check out their website.

Athena Aktipis, an Assistant Professor at Arizona State University and co-Director of The Human Generosity Project, dives into the critical importance of cooperation for humanity's survival. She shares insights from her research with the Maasai tribe, emphasizing how collaboration can help us weather crises like climate change and pandemics. The discussion highlights the balance between individualism and collectivism, the power of storytelling and humor in fostering trust, and urges proactive preparedness to turn anxiety into meaningful action.

Scott Rick is a behavioral scientist and marketing professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. He holds a PhD in Behavioral Decision Research from Carnegie Mellon, where he was a National Science Foundation graduate research fellow.On this week’s episode of Everyday Better, Scott joins Leah to explore the complicated role of money in relationships. He shares advice for couples who have different views on spending money, including strategies for those who hate spending and those who enjoy it too much. He also discusses the importance of gift-giving in relationships and how to use psychology to find the perfect gift this holiday season.Follow Leah Smart on LinkedIn.Follow Scott Rick on LinkedIn.To learn more about how money messes with relationships – and how you can keep it from messing with yours – check out Scott’s book Tightwads and Spendthrifts: Navigating the Money Minefield in Real Relationships.

Shasta Nelson, an intimacy expert with over 15 years of experience in healthy relationships, explores the core elements that build strong friendships. She discusses the stark difference between loneliness and having friends, urging listeners to seek deeper connections. Shasta highlights the time commitment needed to nurture friendships and shares strategies for both creating and compassionately ending them. She emphasizes positivity, consistency, and vulnerability as key ingredients for trust and intimacy in relationships, making a compelling case for their impact on well-being.

Lynne Peeples is a journalist and author of The Inner Clock: Living in Sync With Our Circadian Rhythms. She covers science, health and the environment and holds master’s degrees in biostatistics and science journalism.On this week’s episode of Everyday Better, Lynne joins Leah to discuss the science behind our circadian rhythms. Lynne explains why our inner clocks are out of sync and what that means for our physical and mental health. She also offers strategies for resetting our clocks, including limiting the hours during which we eat and following a consistent sleep/wake schedule.Follow Leah Smart on LinkedIn.Follow Lynne Peeples on LinkedIn.To learn more about circadian rhythms, check out Lynne’s book The Inner Clock.