Flourishing Edge Podcast with Ashish Kothari

What if the most painful moments in life could become the greatest catalysts for growth?In this deeply moving episode of The Flourishing Edge, Ashish Kothari sits down with Ian Ziskin, President of EXec EXcel Group LLC, author, and leadership thought leader, to explore the powerful connection between loss, learning, and leadership.Ian shares the personal story that shaped his life from age 13 — losing his father to multiple sclerosis — and how that early experience of grief forged his lifelong commitment to intentional living, compassion, and resilience. Together, Ashish and Ian unpack what it truly means to flourish through adversity, why intentionality (not time) heals wounds, and how leaders can create workplaces where people feel trusted, valued, and alive.This episode is a masterclass in transforming suffering into strength — and leading with both heart and purpose.💡 Key Topics & Insights:The Early Loss That Defined a Leader:At 13, Ian lost his father to multiple sclerosis — a moment that sparked his lifelong choice to turn lemons into lemonade and lead with empathy and purpose.The Fork in the Road: Grief or GrowthHow an 11-year-old learned to focus on helping others, mastering his emotions, and finding meaning — three timeless principles for navigating hardship.Intentionality Over Time:“Time doesn’t heal all wounds — intentionality does.”Ian shares how conscious reflection, not waiting, transforms loss into wisdom.Flourishing Beyond Balance:Ian’s modern definition: “Do what I want, when I want, where I want, with whom I want.”True flourishing is about reconciling passions, relationships, and purpose — not chasing work-life balance.Lessons from Sweden: Systems That Support LifeThrough time spent with family in Sweden, Ian discovered how public policy and culture can align to prioritize humanity — a stark contrast to the U.S. work model.The Trust Crisis at Work:Why only 20% of people are thriving — and how rebuilding trust between leaders and teams is the missing link to organizational flourishing.→ “Do what you say you’ll do, and treat others with dignity and respect — that’s real trust.”Rethinking HR and Engagement:Ian challenges outdated corporate norms:Stop overcomplicating engagement surveysMeasure fewer things, more oftenHold leaders accountable for culture and well-being, not just performance metricsLives Lost and Leadership Found: The BookInspired by the loss of his brother and mother within six months, Ian’s latest book compiles stories from leaders who found meaning, courage, and compassion through grief.The Smoothie Effect 🥤:A brilliant metaphor for blending life’s contrasting emotions into something nourishing and whole.Ingredients = People and experiences you chooseBlending = Processing chaos into growthIntention = The key to turning pain into purposeA Call to Write Your Own StoryThe book includes writing prompts to help readers process their own loss — of a loved one, relationship, or career — and find wisdom through reflection.💬 Memorable Quotes:“Time doesn’t heal all wounds — intentionality heals all wounds.” — Ian Ziskin“We can hold grief, but we don’t have to let grief hold us.” — Ashish Kothari“Flourishing isn’t balance. It’s reconciliation — between passion, purpose, and the people we love.” — Ian Ziskin“Trust isn’t doing what makes others happy. It’s doing what you said you would, with honesty and respect.” — Ian Ziskin👤 About the Guest:Ian Ziskin is the President of EXec EXcel Group LLC, leadership advisor, and author of Lives Lost and Leadership Found: Life and Leadership Lessons Learned from Lost Loved Ones. With over 40 years of experience as a CHRO, coach, and consultant, Ian’s work bridges strategy, culture, and human potential to help leaders flourish through authenticity and purpose.🔗 Connect with Ian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-ziskin-bb1504/If this conversation moved you, share it with someone navigating loss or leading through challenge.Get your copy of Lives Lost and Leadership Found and try the reflective writing exercise Ian includes at the end of the book.Then, subscribe to The Flourishing Edge Podcast for weekly inspiration on leading and living with purpose.__________________________________________________Happiness Squad Website: https://happinesssquad.com/Ashish Kothari: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashishkothari1/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/happiness-squadFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/myhappinesssquad/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myhappinesssquad

What if our obsession with being “happy all the time” is actually what’s keeping us from true wellbeing? We’ve been chasing happiness as a fixed state, a finish line we’re supposed to reach and stay at. But that’s not how life works. Real flourishing isn’t about constant positivity, but learning to move with life’s rhythm through the highs and the lows. Because when the world gets hard, the question isn’t how to stay happy — it’s how to keep flourishing anyway.In this episode of the Happiness Squad Podcast, Ashish Kothari sits down with Dr. Michelle McQuaid, to explore why flourishing isn’t about being happy all the time — it’s about learning how to rise with confidence, compassion, and courage when life knocks us down.Dr. Michelle McQuaid, Ph.D. is an award-winning researcher, best-selling author, and workplace wellbeing teacher who translates positive psychology and neuroscience into practical strategies for leaders and teams. She is an honorary fellow at Melbourne University’s Centre for Wellbeing Science, hosts the Making Positive Psychology Work podcast, and has helped organizations globally to build psychological safety, strengths-based cultures, and more resilient workplaces. This episode teaches how leaders and individuals can cultivate true flourishing not by avoiding discomfort, but by embracing it as a path to deeper growth, purpose, and human connection.Things you will learn in this episode:• Why happiness alone isn’t the true measure of flourishing• The power of confidence in navigating life’s highs and lows• How embracing imperfection fuels learning and growth• Why self-compassion is a leadership advantage• The neuroscience behind psychological safety at work• How to shift from chasing happiness to building inner strengthListen to the full episode now and discover practical tools you can use to redefine what it means to flourish.✅Resources:• How to make flourishing your competitive edge by Ashish Kothari on TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRV-2C-fkNg&t=146s • michellemcquaid.com  (Company)• thewellbeinglab.com  (Company)• permahsurvey.com  (Free Wellbeing Survey)• Dr. Michelle McQuaid on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/chellemcquaid • Seligman’s PERMA+ model: https://positivepsychology.com/perma-model/ • Oxytocin shot tool: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6949379/ • Carole Dweck’s The Power of Yet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-swZaKN2Ic ✅Books:• Your Wellbeing Blueprint by Dr. Michelle McQuaid: https://a.co/d/8mLoSHr • Hardwired for Happiness by Ashish Kothari: https://a.co/d/ftKT8SZ

Tamara Lechner, a happiness and flourishing expert at Harvard, dives deep into the double-edged sword of AI. She discusses how AI can either erode our humanity or enhance our well-being, emphasizing the need for ethical frameworks centered on productivity, protection, and fairness. Tamara highlights the importance of prioritizing relationships and collaboration in AI design. She encourages collective action for humane technology and shares her personal well-being practices, underscoring the potential of AI to identify meaningful work and foster purpose in our lives.

What would it look like if organizations were intentionally designed for human flourishing instead of mere survival? Most workplaces today are leaking energy—burnout is rising, workers are underpaid, and leaders are still chasing profits at the expense of people.We’ve never had more knowledge about wellbeing, yet we remain starved for practice, with millions stuck in jobs that deny them dignity, security, and purpose. But today, that changes.In this episode of the Happiness Squad Podcast, Ashish Kothari sits down with Andrew Soren to explore how to design organizations where people can flourish using the ancient Greek concept of Eudaimonia—living a life of purpose, growth, and virtue.Andrew Soren is the founder and CEO of Eudaimonic By Design, a global network of facilitators, coaches, and advisors who partner with organizations to design systems that enable people to flourish. For more than 20 years, he has worked at the intersection of positive psychology, organizational design, and leadership development, helping companies around the world embed purpose, meaning, and wellbeing into the heart of work. Andrew also teaches in the University of Pennsylvania’s Master of Applied Positive Psychology program, sharing the science and practice of human flourishing with the next generation of leaders.Things you will also learn in this episode:• The meaning of Eudaimonia and how it differs from Hedonia.• Why modern society is disconnected from nature and what it means to “suffer well.”• The role of decent work (freedom, equity, security, dignity) as the foundation for flourishing.• The business, competitive, and moral cases for designing organizations where people thrive.• Practical ways leaders can create cultures of care, growth, and purpose at work.Tune in now and learn how ancient wisdom and modern science can help us bring virtue and flourishing back into our workplaces.✅Resources:• Eudaimonic by Design: https://www.eudaimonicbydesign.com/andrewsoren • Eudaimonic by Design: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eubd/ • Confuscian and Aristotelian Philosophy: https://bigthink.com/thinking/confucius-aristotle/ • Changemaker Wellbeing Index: https://wellbeingindex.ca/ • Column: U.S. Surgeon General: Loneliness Is at Heart of Growing Mental Health Crisis: https://www.uclahealth.org/news/publication/column-us-surgeon-general-loneliness-heart-growing-mental ✅Books:• The Case for Good Jobs: How Great Companies Bring Dignity, Pay, and Meaning to Everyone's Work by Zeynep Ton: https://a.co/d/f8OmSfT • Hardwired for Happiness by Ashish Kothari: https://a.co/d/8qWGfEU 

Great leaders pour themselves into serving others, sometimes until they burn out. But if you want lasting impact, understand that it requires balance. When service comes without self-care, burnout follows. And when self-care comes without service, your leadership’s meaning fades. That’s why the key is learning to hold both, so you can thrive while helping others flourish.In this episode, Ashish Kothari and Dr. Tenzin Dadul explore how leaders can build a flourishing life by aligning service with self-care, gratitude, and continuous growth.Dr. Tenzin Dadul is a Clinical Associate Professor of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology and Director of Educational Research at the University of Detroit Mercy. He is also the founder of "Wild Flower," a mission-driven organization that, since around 2009, has provided free medical, dental, and cancer care and educational support to underprivileged children and Himalayan refugee communities. In 2022, he was awarded the Agere ex Missione Award by Detroit Mercy for his outstanding service and other honors from institutions in the U.S. and abroad.His story is a powerful reminder that true leadership and flourishing begin when we care for ourselves as deeply as we care for others.Things you will also learn in this episode:• Why service without self-care leads to burnout• How Dr. Tenzin transformed failure and hardship into a flourishing life of purpose• The importance of mentorship and education as a “golden ticket” for generational impact• Insights on preventing burnout in healthcare and leadership• How Eastern and Western philosophies can be integrated for resilience and wellbeingTune in now to hear how you can lead a flourishing life with both service and self-care at the center.✅Resources:• Michigan Ross: michiganross.umich.edu• Dr. Tenzin Dadul's website: tenzindadul.org/ • Cancer Medical Dental Organization founded by Dr. Tenzin Dadul: https://www.tenzindadul.org/mission • His Holiness The Dalai Lama: https://www.dalailama.com/• Sadhguru: https://isha.sadhguru.org/en/sadhguru • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: https://www.unc.edu/ • University of Detroit Mercy: https://www.udmercy.edu/• Saveetha Medical College: https://www.smc.saveetha.com/ • Andrews University: https://www.andrews.edu/index.html • University of Michigan Center for Positive Organizations: https://michiganross.umich.edu/terms/center-positive-organizations ✅Books:• Hardwired for Happiness by Ashish Kothari: https://happinesssquad.com/hardwired-for-happiness/

In this engaging discussion, Sri Kaza, an entrepreneur and former McKinsey consultant, reveals how small and medium businesses (SMBs) can thrive by embracing their underdog status. He introduces the three Underdog Principles: Positioning, Proximity, and Purpose, explaining how these can differentiate SMBs from larger corporations. Sri shares inspiring real-world examples, such as a community bookstore adapting during COVID, and highlights how AI can amplify the strengths of SMBs. Discover practical strategies that empower small business founders to play their own game and succeed.

Grace Zuncic, a seasoned executive known for her roles at Chobani and Cotopaxi, dives into the essence of flourishing at work. She argues that a culture of courage and kindness is crucial for unlocking human potential, not just wellbeing programs. Grace shares insights on how fear stifles contribution, revealing that clear roles and trust are key to engagement. The discussion highlights the impact of human-centered leadership during COVID and emphasizes that private equity must prioritize culture for sustainable growth. A compelling conversation on leading with heart!

Work doesn’t have to be a grind. In fact, the smallest acts of care, recognition, and empowerment can spark extraordinary transformation in how people show up and thrive. Yet too many leaders still chase big programs and sweeping changes, overlooking the everyday moments that actually matter most. What if the secret to flourishing at work has been in front of us all along?In this episode of the Happiness Squad Podcast, Ashish Kothari sits down with Gretchen Spreitzer, Professor of Management and Organizations at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, to explore how leaders can empower teams to flourish through meaning, competence, autonomy, and impact. Together, they uncover the science of positive organizations and how leaders can create workplaces where people come alive.Gretchen Spreitzer is a pioneering scholar in the field of positive organizational scholarship. At the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, she has spent decades researching and teaching topics such as thriving at work, leadership development, and empowerment. Her work has shaped how leaders and organizations around the world design conditions for people to flourish and succeed. If you’ve ever wondered how to truly unleash your people’s full potential at work and create a positive organization, this conversation will change the way you approach leadership and people empowerment.Things you will also learn in this episode:• Why small acts of leadership can have a bigger impact than grand gestures• The four dimensions of empowerment and how to apply them in your team• How recognition and authentic feedback can transform workplace culture• Why managers—not just executives—hold the key to reducing burnout• The role of empowerment in the age of AI and organizational change• How to spot and spread the “bright spots” of flourishing inside your companyTune in now to discover how you can start building a workplace where people flourish—not someday, but today.✅Resources:• Center for Positive Organizations: https://positiveorgs.bus.umich.edu/ • Reflective Best Self Exercise• McKinsey: A holistic approach for employees: https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/reframing-employee-health-moving-beyond-burnout-to-holistic-health • Conscious Capitalism: https://www.consciouscapitalism.org/✅Books:• Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl: https://a.co/d/0HDetDR• Everybody Matters by Bob Chapman: https://a.co/d/5niWg2c • Another Way by Dave Whorton: https://a.co/d/j6GUo1E • Hardwired for Happiness by Ashish Kothari: https://a.co/d/1aWVYEx

Leaders often assume transformation comes from learning new skills or following the latest management trend. But real change begins when we confront our own beliefs, reflect deeply, and choose to step out of victimhood into agency. That inner work is what lays the foundation for lasting growth in how we lead and live. Only then can leaders create change that resonates far beyond the workplace.In this episode of the Happiness Squad Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Shawn Quinn talk about the deep reflection leaders need to build their own reality and move from victimhood to agency in life and leadership.Shawn Quinn is the Managing Partner of Lift Consulting and Faculty Director of the Positive Leadership program at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. A leading voice in positive leadership and organizational transformation, he has advised global companies including GE, Coca-Cola, American Express, and the U.S. Army. Shawn is also co-author of Leading Innovation: How to Jumpstart Your Organization’s Growth Engine.Shawn and Ashish explored how transformation doesn’t come from another training, another framework, or another leadership fad. It happens when we pause, reflect, and face the beliefs that hold us back.Things you will also learn in this episode:• Breaking free from a victim mindset• Why belief shifts matter more than skills in true transformation• The power of small experiments, reflection, and awareness to spark change• How leaders at any level—not just executives—can create meaningful impact• How workplace behaviors ripple outward into family, children, and community• The challenge of systems and people resisting changeTune in now and see for yourself how this shift unlocks the kind of transformation no trend or tactic can deliver.✅Resources:• Related episode: (Robert Quinn) https://player.captivate.fm/episode/1b7c5df6-06e1-4929-83d3-5849caa6b9b5 • Strengthsfinder by Gallup: https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/254033/strengthsfinder.aspx • A Fundamental State of Leadership Approach: https://scholar.valpo.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1444&context=jvbl • Charles Snyder’s Hope Theory: https://www.mindtools.com/aov3izj/snyders-hope-theory • The Sunflower Model: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/ee784c9c-cf26-48df-b07f-b4c0dcc638f3 • The Sunflower Model: https://happinesssquad.com/the-sunflower-model-career-transition-guide-with-ashish-kothari/ • The Power of the 5:1 Ratio: https://michiganvirtual.org/blog/the-power-of-the-51-ratio-in-the-classroom-how-fostering-positive-interactions-can-transform-student-learning/ • Martin Seligman’s Learned Helplessness: https://www.simplypsychology.org/learned-helplessness.html ✅Books:• Deep Change: Discovering the Leader Within by Robert E. Quinn: https://a.co/d/dDxJb77 • Hardwired for Happiness by Ashish Kothari: https://a.co/d/fpmucOP

In this engaging discussion, Stacey Dietsch, Executive Vice President of Talent Pipeline at Liberty Mutual and former McKinsey partner, dives into innovative talent development strategies. She advocates for a shift from traditional hiring practices to skills-based assessments, using AI to enhance the recruitment process while promoting equity. Stacey emphasizes the importance of empowering leaders at all levels and developing inclusive team cultures. She also discusses the future of work, urging organizations to embrace agility and resilience amid rapid changes, especially with AI.