Everyday Better with Leah Smart

Michelle Thaller serves as the Assistant Director for Science Communication at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, where she has dedicated over two decades to sharing the wonders of science with audiences worldwide.Michelle’s journey is marked by resilience, as she shares stories of grief after losing her husband. As a scientist, she goes beyond facts and theories, seeking connections that infuse our existence with deeper meaning. Michelle joins Leah Smart to emphasize the importance of intentionality in our lives, and why being in awe is the key to everyday life. According to her, the universe grants us just one chance to see the world through our own eyes, urging us to live purposefully and consciously.Follow Leah on LinkedInLearn More about Michelle Thaller

Bonnie Wan is a globally-renowned career brand strategist and the author of "The Life Brief: A Playbook for No Regrets Living." She is passionate about helping people uncover their true desires and show up authentically, and believes deeply in the power of intention to propel personal and professional growth.Bonnie joins Leah Smart to explain the concept of a life brief, which is a tool for getting clear on what you want and how you want to show up in various areas of your life. She highlights the importance of wanting in driving personal growth and creativity, the value of self-reflection, and the role privilege plays in shaping our desires.Follow Leah Smart on LinkedInFollow Bonnie Wan on LinkedInRead More on The Life Brief

It’s Women’s History Month, so we’re featuring exceptional women who are introducing refreshing perspectives on mental, physical and emotional thriving in this series, Women Making Waves. If someone asked you to point to who you are, where does your finger naturally point? Your heart. It turns out your heart stores its own perceptions and memories that influence cognitive and emotional functions. Deborah Rozman Ph.D., is the Founding Executive Director of HeartMath Institute. She joins Leah to share the real, and often undiscussed, function of the heart, how it has more power over the brain than you think, and ways to become more aware of its intelligence for practical decision-making. Follow Leah on LinkedInFollow Deborah on LinkedinLearn more about HeartMath Institute

We’re dedicating Black History Month to Black voices who inspire excellence in all of us. You're going to hear honest stories and guidance from four women who advocate for chasing your own version of excellence.This is our final episode of our four-part series.Dr. Mariel Buqué is a trauma psychologist and author of the book "Break the Cycle." With over a decade of experience in the field, Dr. Buqué specializes in healing intergenerational trauma and helping people rewrite their narratives. She is dedicated to making trauma healing accessible to all and empowering individuals to create positive change in their lives. Dr. Buqué joins Leah Smart to discuss the impact of trauma and how it is passed down through generations. She explains that trauma is not limited to major events but can also result from everyday traumatic experiences. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing and acknowledging trauma in order to begin the healing process, and also provides practical tools and practices for healing, which can help regulate the nervous system and promote better stress responsesFollow Leah Smart on LinkedInFollow Dr. Mariel Buqué on LinkedInLearn More on Break The Cycle

Leah Smart reflects on her career journey overcoming roadblocks to reach LinkedIn. Topics include navigating different roles, trusting instincts, finding purpose in work, managing anxiety, embracing personal growth, power of synchronicity, and setting conditions for success.

February is Black History Month. We're dedicating it to Black voices who inspire excellence. In this four-part series, you're going to hear honest stories and guidance from four women who advocate for chasing your own version of excellence.This week Leah Smart sits down to talk with beloved Peloton instructor Tunde Oyeneyin about trusting that everything that’s for you will come exactly when it’s supposed to, how to keep showing up when life doesn’t go your way, and the internal “drumbeat” we can all follow. Follow Leah Smart on LinkedInFollow Tunde Oyeneyin on Instagram

February is Black History Month. We're dedicating it to Black voices who inspire excellence. In this four-part series, you're going to hear honest stories and guidance from four women who advocate for chasing your own version of excellence.The series kicks off with Jenee Desmond-Harris, the current Prudie and writer behind Slate's beloved Dear Prudence advice column. She joins Leah Smart to share her story and insights on the importance of self-discovery, navigating obstacles, and the significance of taking risks. From her initial doubts about her role to becoming a prominent advice columnist, Jenee's journey exemplifies the power of surrounding oneself with the right people and making choices aligned with personal fulfillment, defining your desires and pursuing your passions.Follow Leah Smart on LinkedInFollow Jenee Desmond-Harris

This is the final episode of our series, “The Better Blueprint for Your 2024,” focused on spiritual health. Dr. Deepak Chopra, a pioneer in blending Eastern wisdom with Western medicine, joins Leah Smart to talk about his 94th book, 'The Quantum Body: The New Science of Living a Longer, Healthier, More Vital Life.' In it, Dr. Chopra, along with physicist Jack Tuszynski and endocrinologist Brian Furtig, explores the world of quantum science and its potential to transform well-being, potentially eradicating disease and helping us live healthier for longer. In this conversation, Dr. Chopra shares innovative research and prescriptive exercises aimed at enhancing our understanding of how to improve spiritual well-being.Follow Leah Smart on LinkedInFollow Deepak Chopra on LinkedIn

John and Julie Gottman are top relationship researchers, psychologists, and the power couple behind the new book, “Fight Right." They joined Leah Smart to share eye-opening perspectives on conflict management and resolution. We’re all familiar with those tense moments at home or office disagreements. The Gottmans reveal that these aren't just hurdles to overcome; they're valuable opportunities to strengthen bonds with family, colleagues, and even yourself. The Gottmans highlight the transformative power of the simple shift from criticizing to making complaints, give their take on and reveal the three styles of handling conflict that can change your perspective on disagreements.Follow Leah Smart on LinkedIn Follow The Gottman Institute on LinkedInListen to the previous conversation with The Gottmans

Author and productivity expert Ali Abdaal discusses Feel Good Productivity, addressing blockers like uncertainty and fear. Strategies include breaking tasks into steps, embracing alter egos, and overcoming inertia to boost productivity and find joy in the process of work.