Everyday Better with Leah Smart

Carole Hopson, a United Airlines Boeing 737 captain and author of ‘A Pair of Wings,’ shares her inspiring transition from a corporate career to aviation. She reflects on overcoming challenges and emphasizes the importance of pursuing your dreams. Carole balances her roles as a pilot and a parent, showcasing how motherhood can enhance career excellence. She passionately discusses Bessie Coleman’s legacy and her ambitious goal to fund flight school for 100 Black women by 2035, encouraging others to embrace their unique paths.

Cassie Holmes is a Professor of Marketing and Behavioral Decision Making at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management. Her first book Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters Most is a practical guide for how to think about and spend time in order to experience joy every day. On this week’s episode of Everyday Better, Cassie joins Leah to discuss her research on time and happiness. After dispelling the notion that more free time equals more happiness, Cassie offers tips for making the things you have to do every day – commuting, house chores, etc. – more enjoyable. She also explains the concept of ‘time crafting’ and why it’s so important to account for how we spend the hours in our days.Follow Leah Smart on LinkedIn.Follow Cassie Holmes on LinkedIn.

Jeffrey Hall is a Professor of Communication Studies and the Director of the Relationships and Technology Lab at the University of Kansas. He studies the way technology influences relationships, including the impact of social media on feelings of belonging, connectedness and loneliness.The harms of social platforms have been well documented over the past decade – political polarization, misinformation – but is social media also to blame for the rise in loneliness? On this week’s episode of Everyday Better, Jeffrey joins Leah to discuss the role of social media in the loneliness epidemic. Jeffrey argues that when used more intentionally, social media can fulfill its original promise: help us stay connected and deepen our connections with the people we care about most.Follow Leah Smart on LinkedIn.Follow Jeffrey Hall on LinkedIn.Keep an eye out for Jeffrey’s forthcoming book The Social Biome: How Everyday Communication Connects and Shape Us.

Thubten Chodron is an American Tibetan Buddhist Nun and the founder of Sravasti Abbey, the only Tibetan Buddhist training monastery in the United States. In her recently re-released book Working With Anger, Thubten describes different practices for dealing with our anger that don't involve expression or suppression.On this week’s episode of Everyday Better, Thubten and Leah explore the Buddhist perspective on some of the toughest emotions we experience, including anger. While many of us believe that anger is useful or even righteous, Thubten argues that anger distorts our perception of reality. She encourages us to reframe our anger using techniques such as meditation, self-reflection and humor.Follow Leah Smart on LinkedIn.Follow Thubten Chodron on LinkedIn.To learn more about the Buddhist perspective on anger, check out Thubten’s book Working with Anger: Buddhist Teachings on Patience, Acceptance, and Transforming Negativity.

In this thought-provoking discussion, David Kessler, a renowned grief and loss expert, unpacks the sixth stage of grief—finding meaning. He emphasizes the importance of "excavating" pain as a vital part of healing and shares insights on supporting grieving colleagues by simply being present. The conversation also highlights that grief extends beyond death, touching on life changes like estrangement and job loss. Through personal anecdotes, Kessler inspires listeners to embrace their emotions, seek community support, and reclaim joy amid sorrow.

In recognition of World Mental Health Day, personal experiences with anxiety take center stage. The discussion distinguishes anxiety from stress, revealing impactful insights and transformative moments. It explores the concept of separating identity from intrusive thoughts, likening the mind to complex software. Practical strategies for management are shared, including breathing exercises and meditation, emphasizing a compassionate approach to self-healing. Listeners gain valuable tools to navigate their journey toward better mental well-being.

Bonnie Wan, a brand strategist and author of 'The Life Brief,' shares her passion for helping people uncover their true desires. She discusses the powerful concept of a life brief, which serves as a guide for intentional living without regrets. Bonnie emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and understanding personal wellness rituals. The conversation dives into how self-perception impacts relationships and career interactions, advocating for safe environments and recognition of personal worth in pursuing a fulfilling life.

Corey Keyes, a sociologist and professor emeritus at Emory University, dives deep into the concepts of languishing and flourishing. He argues that true mental health isn’t merely the absence of illness but the presence of well-being. Keyes emphasizes the necessity of mental health hygiene and shares five essential practices for maintaining it. He critiques traditional therapeutic approaches for focusing only on symptoms, promoting instead proactive strategies that nurture personal growth and emotional connections.

We’d love to hear from you! Take our audience survey here.Anna Sale is a journalist, author and host of the award-winning podcast Death, Sex & Money. On her show, Anna has intimate conversations with people about life’s toughest yet often under-discussed moments – infidelity, bankruptcy, aging and illness to name just a few.On this week’s episode of Everyday Better, Anna joins Leah to discuss what it was like when her podcast was unexpectedly canceled after nearly ten years on the air. Anna talks about how she transformed a moment of major career uncertainty into an opportunity to clarify her purpose. Anna and Leah also explore the evolution of ambition and what happens when we mine deep meaning from our work.Follow Leah Smart on LinkedIn.Follow Anna Sale on LinkedIn.To hear more from Anna, listen to Death, Sex & Money wherever you find your podcasts.

This week on Everyday Better, we’re featuring the first episode of Let’s Talk Offline, a new podcast from LinkedIn and iHeartPodcasts. Each week on the show, co-hosts Gianna Prudente, LinkedIn’s early career development editor, and Jamé Jackson Gadsden, a LinkedIn community manager, will answer your questions about what it takes to thrive in the early years of your career – without sacrificing your values, sanity or sleep.Listen to Let’s Talk Offline wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every Tuesday.