The Happiness Squad Podcast with Ashish Kothari

Sometimes, it feels like work wasn't designed with us, humans, in mind. Human suffering at work is becoming far too common in our tech-driven world of work. It’s burning us out, disconnecting us, and draining our energy. We’ve lost sight of the one thing that truly powers progress: people. But there's a way to break that mean cycle. A better way to redesign work to fuel joy, not exhaustion. In this inspiring Happiness Squad Podcast episode, Ashish Kothari and Rich Sheridan, CEO and Chief Storyteller of Menlo Innovations, talk about how to radically reimagine work to end human suffering in the world of technology.Richard Sheridan is the co-founder, CEO, and "Chief Storyteller" of Menlo Innovations, a software and IT consulting firm renowned for its innovative and joyful workplace culture. Disillusioned by the chaos of the tech industry, Rich co-founded Menlo in 2001 with a mission to end human suffering in the workplace. His passion for creating joyful work environments led to his bestselling books, Joy, Inc. and Chief Joy Officer, and he has shared his insights through over 1,000 talks worldwide.It’s time to redesign your tech organization into a place where people feel more alive.Things you will learn in this episode:• Pair programming as a tool for collaboration and continuous learning• Replacing fear and micromanagement with clarity and trust• How laughter, energy, and joy signal a healthy workplace• Ending tech burnout through intentional systems design• The ROI of flourishing: higher quality work, retention, and impactIf you’ve ever questioned whether work has to be painful to be productive, this conversation offers a hopeful, proven alternative. Tune into this epic episode now.Resources:• Menlo Innovations: http://www.menloinnovations.com/ • Menlo Innovations Case Studies: https://menloinnovations.com/stories • Richard Sheridan on X: https://x.com/menloprez • Get to know Richard Sheridan: https://richardsheridan.com/meet-rich Books:• Joy Inc.: How We Built a Workplace People Love by Richard Sheridan: https://a.co/d/6C4HJbe • Books from Richard Sheridan: https://richardsheridan.com/books• Chief Joy Officer by Richard Sheridan: https://a.co/d/7F4t8HA • Hardwired for Happiness by Ashish Kothari: https://www.amazon.com/Hardwired-Happiness-Proven-Practices-Overcome-ebook/dp/B0BCXDCLX1?ref_=ast_author_mpb

Many leaders today are emotionally dysregulated, and that shows up in the way they lead, communicate, and coach others. If you think emotional intelligence is just a “soft skill,” this one’s your wake-up call.In this episode of the Happiness Squad Podcast, Ashish Kothari sits down with Dr. Dan Docherty, President of Braintrust and Neurocoach, to expose the hidden cost of emotional dysregulation at work.They discuss how neurocoaching helps turn emotional intelligence from a theory into a repeatable daily practice, why self-regulation is non-negotiable in today’s high-stress environments, and how building a coaching climate starts with your own internal work.Dr. Dan Docherty is a pioneer in neurocoaching with 25 years of leadership experience in pharma sales, marketing, and operations. He holds a PhD in Management from Case Western Reserve University, where his research focused on the neuroscience of coaching, engagement, and performance. Dan is the co-author of the upcoming book NeuroCoaching, blending science and practice to help leaders build high-impact, emotionally intelligent teams.Things you will learn in this episode:• Emotional Intelligence Is Common Sense, But Uncommon Practice• The Four Domains and Twelve Competencies of Emotional Intelligence• How Unchecked Emotions Can Hijack Your Leadership• Why Emotional Intelligence Is Declining in a Hyper-Connected World• The Building Blocks of Neurocoaching: Vision, Mission, and Real Conversations• Science-backed Practices to Reset the Nervous System and Improve Emotional RegulationIf performance starts with emotional regulation, this episode will show you how to get there. Tune in now and learn to lead with greater impact.Resources✅:• Braintrust Growth: https://braintrustgrowth.com/dan-docherty/ • Dr. Dan Docherty’s website: https://dandocherty.com/ • Emotional and Social Competency Inventory (ESCI): https://www.eiconsortium.org/measures/eci_360.htmlBooks✅:• Dr. Dan Docherty’s upcoming book “NeuroCoaching”: https://braintrustgrowth.com/neurocoaching-the-book-2/ • Hardwired for Happiness by Ashish Kothari: https://happinesssquad.com/hardwired-for-happiness/ Other books mentioned in the episode:• Primal Leadership by Richard Boyatzis: https://a.co/d/atZGzoD • Helping People Change by Richard Boyatzis: https://a.co/d/bIyrV1X • The Science of Change by Richard Boyatzis: https://a.co/d/2sxNlVT • Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman: https://a.co/d/70ZQvwV • The New Emotional Intelligence by Travis Bradberry: https://a.co/d/70ZQvwV • How Will You Measure Your Life? By Clay Chistensen: https://a.co/d/8LVugK1

Our workplaces are full of smart, capable people who are stuck in survival mode. They’re overwhelmed, constantly busy, and unsure how to sustain high performance. Meanwhile, organizations continue to default to control-based leadership, even though it's no longer effective in a fast-changing, “loosely coupled” world.Does this mean consistently driving high performance while maintaining personal well-being is impossible today? Not when you have the right tools.In this Happiness Squad Podcast episode, Ashish Kothari sits down with Angus Ridgway, former McKinsey partner & co-founder of Potentialife, to unpack the SHARP framework: a research-backed system that helps leaders and teams flourish through Strengths, Health, Absorption, Relationships, and Purpose.Angus Ridgway is a seasoned leadership expert with a 20-year tenure at McKinsey & Company, where he held senior roles, including leading the Strategy Practice across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He co-founded Potentialife with Tal Ben-Shahar to democratize leadership development, making it accessible and impactful at all organizational levels.Things you will learn in this episode:• Strengths: Rediscovering What Makes You Shine• Health: Why The Real Problem Isn’t Stress But Lack of Recovery• Absorption: Monotasking Is the New Superpower• Relationships: The Power of Being Positively Authentic• Purpose: The Final Lever for FlourishingIf you’re ready to become an up to 10X more effective leader, don’t miss this epic episode. Tune in now.Resources:✅• Potentialife: https://www.linkedin.com/company/potentialife/ • Kagan’s Theory of Adult Development: https://medium.com/@NataliMorad/how-to-be-an-adult-kegans-theory-of-adult-development-d63f4311b553 • Owning the difference you make to the world | Angus Ridgway | TEDxIEMadrid: https://youtu.be/o-tdmbiQ-yE?si=x9owGL-5QQyNons9 Books:✅• The Joy of Leadership by Angus Ridgway & Tal Ben-Shahar: https://a.co/d/8BFQHGz • 4,000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman: https://a.co/d/3sAJi0d • Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg: https://a.co/d/6A5Bzur • Hardwired for Happiness by Ashish Kothari: https://a.co/d/asM0o0c

At work, we often operate in transactional mode, almost always skipping the human side of communication. But if you want to build trust, boost performance, and create a culture of belonging for your teams, you need to let go of silence, stress, and surface-level interactions. The only way to make meaningful connections is intentionally embracing positive communication. However, it’s easier said than done. That’s why we partnered up with Dr. Julien Mirivel for the second time in this episode to explore the elements of positive communication so that you can lead and connect with your people more meaningfully.In Part 2 of this powerful episode of the Happiness Squad Podcast, Julien Mirivel returns to unpack the final three behaviors from his model of Positive Communication: Disclosing, Encouraging, and Listening. He explores how small acts, like sharing your own story, offering meaningful praise, or even opening your hand, can create deeper trust and connection at work.Things you will learn in this episode:• “Disclosing” as a reciprocal and deeply humanizing act• How “Encouraging” moves people from who they are to who they can become• How “Listening” helps transcend perceived differences especially for leaders• The three forms of support• Making Positive Communication a HabitThis is your playbook for building lasting connections. Don’t miss it!If you’ve missed part 1 of our conversation, check it out here: https://podcast.happinesssquad.com/episode/how-to-lead-better-through-positive-communication-with-julien-mirivel-part-1Resources:✅• The Art of Positive Communication: https://positiveorgs.bus.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/Model-of-Positive-Communication-Copyright-Julien-C-Mirivel.pdf • The Six Keys to Positive Communication (article by Dr. Julien Mirivel): https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/the_six_keys_to_positive_communication • Dr. Julien Mirivel’s website: https://www.julienmirivel.com/ • TEDx with Dr. Julien Mirivel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmmlA19WLgs • Unconditional Positive Regard by Carl Rogers: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589708/ • The Electric Connection: Martin Buber's View on Authentic Human Relationships and the Divine: https://worldmindhub.tistory.com/1717 Books:✅• Positive Communication for Leaders by Alexander Lyon and Julien Mirivel: https://a.co/d/ahFgouG • The Art of Positive Communication by Julien Mirivel: https://a.co/d/24bwU1k• How to Smile by Thich Nhat Hanh: https://a.co/d/9AEZ2hJ  • A Complaint Free World by Will Bowen: https://a.co/d/iMksSlT • Hardwired for Happiness by Ashish Kothari: https://a.co/d/3uUuteQ

Too often, leaders think their biggest job is solving problems and driving results. But in the process, they unintentionally become task machines: skipping the “hello,” missing the human moments, and delivering feedback like checklists. That’s a sure way to build a culture where people feel unseen, unappreciated, and disconnected.In this episode of the Happiness Squad Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Dr. Julien Mirivel explore a new model of communication with small, intentional practices that help leaders strengthen relationships, elevate performance, and bring more humanity into the way work gets done.Dr. Julien C. Mirivel is a professor of applied communication at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, an author specializing in positive communication, and a professional speaker. He is the co-author of multiple books, including The Art of Positive Communication and Positive Communication for Leaders. Dr. Julien reveals in this episode how you can communicate more intentionally to build stronger relationships at work and in life.Things you will learn in this episode:• Redefining communication from exchanging information to building relationships• The six foundational behaviors of positive communication• How positive communication can create connection, trust, and performance at work• Why leaders must learn to see and reflect the effort behind the work—not just the outcome.• How to reframe tough conversations through curiosity and open-ended questions.This episode will leave you with practical tools and deep insights you can start using today to communicate with more humanity and impact. Tune in now!Resources:✅• The Art of Positive Communication: https://positiveorgs.bus.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/Model-of-Positive-Communication-Copyright-Julien-C-Mirivel.pdf • The Six Keys to Positive Communication (article by Dr. Julien Mirivel): https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/the_six_keys_to_positive_communication • Dr. Julien Mirivel’s website: https://www.julienmirivel.com/ • TEDx with Dr. Julien Mirivel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmmlA19WLgs Books:✅• Positive Communication for Leaders by Alexander Lyon and Julien Mirivel: https://a.co/d/ahFgouG • The Art of Positive Communication by Julien Mirivel: https://a.co/d/24bwU1k • Hardwired for Happiness by Ashish Kothari: https://a.co/d/3uUuteQ

It's no secret that artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of work. But one question looms large: will AI strip us of our humanity—or help us become more of who we’re meant to be? As technology accelerates, it's easy to fear that empathy, connection, and self-awareness will fall behind. But what if the secret to thriving in the age of AI is not rejecting it—but learning how to pair it with something deeply human?In this episode of the Happiness Squad Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Rasmus Hougaard, Managing Partner of Potential Project and best-selling author of More Human, explore how leaders can use AI not to replace their humanity—but to amplify it.Rasmus Hougaard is the author of Compassionate Leadership and The Mind of the Leader, and has been recognized by Thinkers50 as one of the world’s top leadership thinkers. He coaches C-suite leaders at global companies like IKEA, Accenture, and Unilever, and regularly writes for Harvard Business Review and Forbes.Things you will learn in this episode:• The Power of Common Humanity• How AI Can Make Us More Human• The Human Operating Model: Awareness, Wisdom, Compassion• Leaders Must Set Context, Not Just Deliver Content• Meditation as the Antidote to AI Overload• How to Develop the Beginner’s Mind• Compassion in Action: Doing Hard Things in a Human Way• The Inner and Outer Technologies of LeadershipTune in now and discover how you can lead not just with your head, but with your heart, in an AI-powered world.Resources: ✅• Potential Project: https://www.potentialproject.com/ • Vipassana Meditation: https://www.dhamma.org/ • Quote by Zen master Shunryu Suzuki"In the expert’s mind, there are few possibilities. In the beginner’s mind, there are many."Books: ✅• More Human: How the Power of AI Can Transform the Way You Lead by Rasmus Hougaard and Jacqueline Carter: https://a.co/d/d8UtOdZ • Compassionate Leadership: How to Do Hard Things in a Human Way by Rasmus Hougaard and Jacqueline Carter: https://a.co/d/cVDrtl8 • A More Beautiful Question: The Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas by Warren Berger: https://a.co/d/0pGLBlK • Hardwired for Happiness by Ashish Kothari: https://a.co/d/fybNBNK

Would you trade your brain health for career wins? You might already be and you're not noticing it. It's in the way you push through the back-to-back meetings, rely on caffeine to stay sharp, and squeeze in rest when you can. Your brain is keeping score of that behavior, and if you keep doing it, your performance, energy, and health will slowly decline—even while you’re “succeeding.”Today’s Happiness Squad Podcast episode is your chance to flip the script. Ashish Kothari sits down with Dr. Ryan Williamson about how you can actively protect your brain, extend your health span, and sustain peak performance—not just today, but for the decades ahead.Dr. Ryan Williamson is a board-certified neurologist, U.S. Navy veteran, and founder of Transcend Health. Focused on brain health and longevity, he helps individuals optimize performance and build lasting legacies through evidence-based wellness strategies. His work includes a membership program, educational resources, and an upcoming book aimed at expanding his impact on health and success.Things you will learn in this episode: • Why you have more control over your health than you think• The four pillars of brain longevity• How to manage chronic stress• How to improve your sleep quality and why it matters• How having a community helps you take control of your healthWe’re all going to live longer—but how we live matters more than how long. If you’re ready to make the shift now, check out our full episode here: [link]Resources:• Transcend Health: https://transcendhealthgroup.com/ • Brain-Computer Interaction study by Microsoft: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/publication/brain-computer-interaction-applying-minds-human-computer-interaction/ • Dr. Peter Attia: https://peterattiamd.com/ • Dr. Andrew Huberman: https://www.hubermanlab.com/ Books:• Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity Book by Bill Gifford and Peter Attia: https://a.co/d/dFKDGOX • Hardwired for Happiness by Ashish Kothari: https://a.co/d/6TnTq5h

What do you do when $150 billion in economic pressure is knocking on your door?If you're leading a small or medium-sized business right now, you're not just navigating volatility—you're steering through a full-blown storm. Between plummeting markets, rising tariffs, and a fog of uncertainty, we can no longer afford to keep doing business as usual.In this special episode of the Happiness Squad Podcast, Ashish Kothari, Founder & CEO of Happiness Squad, addresses the urgent challenges facing small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the face of unprecedented economic turbulence—triggered by sharp market downturns and a new wave of import tariffs.These external pressures are putting nearly $150 billion of headwinds on SMBs, threatening both financial stability and long-term survival.Ashish shares three critical leadership capabilities that can help SMB leaders to survive and thrive through this storm:Adaptability and Resilience – Cultivating inner calm, shifting into resilient mindsets, reconnecting to purpose, and leading with vulnerability and psychological safety.Leveraging Data and Analytics – Using data to assess risk, segment customers, evaluate suppliers, and make strategic, insight-led decisions.Negotiation Excellence – Preparing for tough conversations with customers and suppliers and acting decisively with clarity, fairness, and confidence.Ashish also introduces support offerings from Happiness Squad and a team of seasoned experts to help business leaders navigate these times—ranging from free white papers and webinars to a deep-dive bootcamp and mastermind community.Be the clarity, courage, and calm your people need in this time of chaos. Tune into this episode now and get the edge your business needs.Resources:✅http://tariffresponseteam.com/ Cultivate Focus and Calm: https://insighttimer.com/bfcmind/guided-meditations/abc-meditation-for-focus-and-calmness Should-Cost Modeling Tool: https://www.gep.com/blog/technology/should-cost-modeling-because-you-must-get-the-cost-rightGrowth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset: https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/growth-mindset-vs-fixed-mindset Books:✅The Lexus and the Olive Tree: https://www.thomaslfriedman.com/the-lexus-and-the-olive-tree/ Man's Search for Meaning By Viktor Frankl: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4069.Man_s_Search_for_Meaning Emotional Intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ by Daniel Goleman: https://amzn.eu/d/dsLrKrS Hardwired for Happiness by Ashish Kothari: https://happinesssquad.com/hardwired-for-happiness/ 

So many of us are negotiating every day: at work, at home, and most importantly, with ourselves—without even realizing it. Yet, when we think of “negotiation,” we often imagine a high-stakes business deal or a zero-sum game where someone wins and someone loses. That mindset is long obsolete. It's been holding us back from better relationships, greater confidence, and even personal happiness. In this episode of the Happiness Squad Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Mori Taheripour—renowned negotiation expert, Wharton professor, and author of Bring Yourself—reframe what negotiation really means.Mori Taheripour is a globally recognized negotiation expert, a 12-time award-winning faculty member at the Wharton School, a highly sought-after speaker, and the author of Bring Yourself: How to Harness the Power of Connection to Negotiate Fearlessly.Things you will learn in this episode:• What negotiation really means in everyday life• The importance of negotiating with yourself• Why leading with curiosity makes you a better decision-maker• How to turn rejection into opportunity• Why self-awareness starts with stillness• The difference between perfection and excellence• What it means to show up as your full self• How to handle conflict by gaining perspectiveGet ready to negotiate fearlessly from the inside out. Tune in—you’ll never see negotiation the same way again.Resources:✅• Mori Taheripour website: http://www.moritaheripour.com/• Wharton Legal Studies and Business Ethics: http://lgst.wharton.upenn.edu/ Books:✅• Bring Yourself by Mori Taheripour: https://a.co/d/34lTnOZ • Hardwired for Happiness by Ashish Kothari: https://a.co/d/2iRN8rK • Getting to Yes Book by Roger Fisher and William Ury: https://a.co/d/4YNbIZu

Most businesses start with a bold “why,” but along the way, profits take over, and purpose fades into just another corporate slogan. Now, with ESG and purpose-driven business facing backlash, companies are backing away, fearing controversy and short-term losses. But the truth is that leaders who abandon purpose risk more than just bad PR; they lose trust, culture, and long-term success.In this episode of The Happiness Squad Podcast, Ashish Kothari sits down with Thomas Eckschmidt to explore how organizations can evolve beyond profits, embrace conscious leadership, and create a culture of trust and impact—without sacrificing success. Thomas Eckschmidt is the co-founder of the Conscious Capitalism movement in Brazil and CEO of CBJ Conscious Business Journey, a global network driving conscious business transformation. A seasoned entrepreneur and advocate for Conscious Capitalism, he has launched multiple ventures, won 12 business awards, authored 11 books, and filed four patents. He also serves on corporate boards, helping organizations integrate conscious business practices.Things you will learn in this episode:• Understanding the Four Tenets of Conscious Capitalism• The Danger of Losing Your "Why" in Business• Ego vs. Ecosystem Leadership• The Power of Stakeholder Orientation• Reframing Business Success Beyond Just Profit• The Rise and Challenge of Conscious Capitalism• The Leadership Reset—Why This Matters NOWResources:✅• Thomas Eckschmidt’s website: http://www.cbjourney.com/ • Creating Better Businesses for a Better World | Thomas Eckschmidt | TEDx: https://youtu.be/9Oqy8zywipU?si=GOnG6TCj7HFcBdeC • Harvard Global Leadership Development Study 2023: https://www.harvardbusiness.org/leadership-learning-insights/global-leadership-development-study/• The Conscious Business Activator: https://www.cbactivator.cc/ Books:✅• “Purpose Canvas for Business: Making it clear why we are in business” by Thomas Eckschmidt: https://a.co/d/gRYSAfy • Conscious Capitalism Field Guide (Harvard) co-authored by Thomas Eckschmidt: https://a.co/d/gRYSAfy • Shakti Leadership by Nilima Bhat and Rajendra Sisodia: https://a.co/d/3Vao9Ra • The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben: https://a.co/d/bSSr9nE• I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong: https://a.co/d/hIFnx7K • Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl: https://a.co/d/jiIH4Gk