The Happiness Squad Podcast with Ashish Kothari

Employees are burnt out, disengaged, and silently struggling with their mental health. Meanwhile, leaders assume they’re doing enough because their company offers an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) or has a "Mental Health Matters" poster in the breakroom. But most employees never use these resources. Not because they don’t need help, but because they don’t feel safe enough to ask for it. This silence is costing businesses productivity, innovation, and even lives. So, how do we change this? How can leaders not just acknowledge workplace mental health but actually win the fight for better well-being—permanently? That’s exactly what we unpack in this powerful episode of the Happiness Squad Podcast with Ashish Kothari and Michael Landsberg, a leading voice in mental health advocacy.Michael Landsberg is a Canadian sports journalist and mental health advocate, best known as the longtime host of Off the Record on TSN. He has been a prominent voice in raising awareness about depression and anxiety, openly sharing his own struggles to reduce stigma. Landsberg founded SickNotWeak, a mental health advocacy initiative, and continues to speak publicly about the importance of mental health support.For leaders who want to fix workplace mental health for good, it’s not about offering more benefits. It’s about changing how it is talked about and handled at work.Things you will learn in this episode:• Why People Stay Silent About Mental Illness• Hope as the Missing Piece in Depression Recovery• The Business Case for Mental Health in the Workplace• First Step: A Mental Health Program That Actually Works• Why Leaders Need to Be Vulnerable to Fix Mental HealthTune into our full episode with Michael Landsberg and take your first step toward better mental health.Resources:✅• Michael Landsberg’s website: https://www.michaellandsberg.ca/• First Step – Mental Health Program by Michael Landsberg: https://www.greenshield.ca/en-ca/health/letsbereal • Sick Not Weak - Mental Health Community: https://www.sicknotweak.com/ • Alcoholics Anonymous Program: https://www.addictioncenter.com/treatment/12-step-programs/alcoholics-anonymous/ • Health Insight with Michael Lansberg: https://www.healthinsight.ca/advocacy/michael-landsberg-on-the-record-about-mental-health/• Darkness and Hope: Depression, Sports, and Me (Documentary featuring Michael Landsberg) : https://www.mcintyre.ca/titles/SST001 • McKinsey Study on Mental Health and Burnout: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-explainers/what-is-burnout • Deloitte’s Mental Health in the Workplace Study: https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/global/Documents/Life-Sciences-Health-Care/gx-mental-health-2022-report-noexp.pdf Books:✅• The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran : https://a.co/d/h6Jfjav• Hardwired for Happiness by Ashish Kothari: https://a.co/d/e9sUUpL

If you want your company to scale, here's one question you need to ask yourself: Are you growing your people as fast as you're growing your revenue? Too many leaders obsess over business expansion but ignore the foundation that makes it possible—PEOPLE. In this episode of the Happiness Squad Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Ryan Heckman remind us that when you invest in your people’s growth, your business follows. Ryan reveals the leadership shift that can turn any stagnant company into an unstoppable force.Ryan Heckman is a seasoned private equity investor with over 25 years of experience, currently serving as co-founder, managing partner, and CEO at Rallyday Partners, a lower middle market investment firm. He also co-founded the Colorado Impact Fund, a Denver-based social impact fund. Previously, Ryan was the CEO and Chairman of EVP Eyecare and co-founded Excellere Partners, a private equity firm managing approximately $1.3 billion in capital. A two-time Olympian in skiing, he is also the Chairman of CiviCO, a founding board member of Endeavor Global/Colorado, and a Trustee at the University of Denver.Things you will learn in this episode:• Why growing your people is the fastest way to grow your business• How leadership is not about control—it’s about empowerment• Why culture should get better as a company grows—not worse• Why leaders must be coaches, not just managers• How trust and psychological safety drive performanceThis episode will challenge everything you thought you knew about leadership and business growth. Don’t miss it!Resources:✅• Rallyday Partners: http://www.rallydaypartners.com/ • Colorado Impact Fund: http://www.coloradoimpactfund.com/ • CiviCO: https://www.livecivico.org/ • Intrinsic Value (Wall Street Journal Column by Roger Lowenstein) https://rogerlowenstein.com/ • First Biography of Warren Buffett – By Roger Lowenstein: https://hbr.org/1996/01/what-i-learned-from-warren-buffett • Research from the Michigan Ross Center for Positive Organizational Scholarship: https://positiveorgs.bus.umich.edu/an-introduction/ • Clay Christensen's Work on Management as a Noble Profession: https://hbr.org/2020/01/clayton-christensen-the-gentle-giant-of-innovation • Jan-Emmanuel De Neve & Sonja Lyubomirsky (Oxford Research on Workplace Well-Being): https://d341ezm4iqaae0.cloudfront.net/ews/20220817145319/Work-Wellbeing-2022-Insights-Report-.pdf Books:✅• The Heart of Business by Hubert Joly: https://a.co/d/eVeJrY1 • Grow the Pie by Alex Edmans: https://alexedmans.com/books/ • Hardwired for Happiness by Ashish Kothari: https://a.co/d/5G5k5IX

We’ve been sold this idea that work and life are two separate things—one to survive, the other to enjoy. But here’s the truth: It’s all just life.  The best workplaces don’t force people to "balance" their time between stress and fulfillment. They create cultures where work itself is a source of purpose, growth, and well-being.That’s exactly what Teresa Roche, Chair of the Learning Innovation Laboratory at Harvard and CHRO at the City of Fort Collins, has helped build—an adaptive and well-being-driven organization where people don’t just work, they flourish. Teresa Roche is a transformational HR leader with expertise in building well-being-driven workplaces. As CHRO of the City of Fort Collins, she has led innovative talent strategies, inclusion initiatives, and the Future of Work, shaping a culture where people and performance thrive. Previously, she drove leadership development at Agilent Technologies, ensuring 90% of senior roles were filled internally. In this episode of the Happiness Squad Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Teresa Roche explore how leaders can start designing purposeful workplaces that fuel both performance and well-being.Things you will learn in this episode:• The myth of work-life balance• The importance of building a workplace culture that prioritizes well-being• Why well-being must be an organizational priority• Why organizations need to make the systemic shift to promote wellness• The ROI of creating flourishing organizations• The role of leaders in driving a flourishing cultureThe system needs to change! If you want to be a part of it, start by tuning into this epic episode. Resources: ✅• City of Fort Collins Health and Wellness Programs: https://larimer.senioraccesspoints.colostate.edu/blog/2021/11/16/city-of-fort-collins-health-and-wellness-programs/• IFTF Palo Alto: https://www.iftf.org/ • Harvard Flourishing Network: https://hfh.fas.harvard.edu/flourishing-network-HFH  • Chief Learning Officer: https://resource.chieflearningofficer.com/chief-learning-officer-resource-center• Related episode: https://podcast.happinesssquad.com/episode/the-power-of-purpose-driven-organizations-with-alex-edmans • Alex Edman’s research proving that employee satisfaction leads to 2–3.5% incremental shareholder returns.  https://alexedmans.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Finding-the-Purpose-of-Your-Business.pdf• McKinsey Health Institute - A holistic health approach for employees: https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/reframing-employee-health-moving-beyond-burnout-to-holistic-health • Oxford Economics on prioritizing workplace well-being: https://www.oxfordeconomics.com/resource/why-companies-should-prioritise-their-employees-wellbeing/ Books: ✅• Hardwired for Happiness by Ashish Kothari: https://a.co/d/7cgP2X8

keep up with endless demands. Trying to "just get through the day" instead of truly thriving can impact you far beyond your personal well-being. It cascades down to your teams, organizations, and long-term success. So how do you shift from just surviving to actually thriving? That’s what we dive into in this episode of the Happiness Squad Podcast with Ashish Kothari and Renee Moorefield, CEO of Wisdom Works Group, Inc.Renee Moorefield, PhD, is the CEO of Wisdom Works, a social enterprise she co-founded in 1999 to promote leadership and organizational cultures that empower people to thrive. With over 30 years of experience, she has coached and advised executives from Fortune 500 companies, including The Coca-Cola Company, Nike, and Hyatt. Renee is also the author of "Driven by Wellth," a book that explores how contemporary leaders can integrate wealth with well-being. She serves on the Advisory Board of the Global Wellness Institute and is an international speaker, as well as a Master Certified Coach and Certified Health & Wellness Coach. In the conversation, Ashish and Renee break down what it really means to thrive as a leader and why so many leaders struggle to make the shift. Renee shares a simple but powerful framework that helps leaders build resilience, stay energized, and lead with clarity—even in high-pressure environments. Things you will learn in this episode:• Defining thriving ang its importance in leadership• The six-part thriving framework (Developed by Wisdom Works)• Why thriving is a leadership responsibility• Practical Strategies for Moving from Survival to ThrivingIf you’re feeling stretched too thin, constantly reacting, or struggling to find balance, this conversation will give you the practical tools you need to take back control and lead with energy, confidence, and purpose.Tune in now to learn how to stop leading in survival mode and start thriving!Resources: ✅• Wisdom Works website: http://wisdom-works.com/• Be Well, Lead Well Pulse Assessment: https://www.wisdom-works.com/assessment/ • Be Well, Lead Well: https://www.bewellleadwellpulse.com/ • Wisdom Works Group: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wisdom-works-group/ Books: ✅• “Driven by WELLth” by Julie Maloney and Renee Moorefield: https://a.co/d/83TGDFc • "Full Catastrophe Living" by Jon Kabat-Zinn: https://a.co/d/gIeCdCF • "Leadership and the New Science" by Margaret Wheatley: https://a.co/d/6vWxdR6 • Hardwired for Happiness book by Ashish Kothari: https://www.amazon.com/Hardwired-Happiness-Proven-Practices-Overcome/dp/1544534655

Episode Summary:In this episode, we dive deep into the power of rewiring our minds and relaunching our lives with transformational coaches Hillary DeCesare and Ashish Kothari. We explore how limiting beliefs hold us back, why traditional habits don’t always stick, and how the Belief Blaster tool can help you break free from subconscious patterns. Plus, we introduce the Rewire & Relaunch program—a 40-day journey designed to help you make lasting changes in the four key domains of life: Wealth, Health, Love, and Meaning.What You'll Learn:• How hidden beliefs sabotage success and happiness.• The neuroscience behind rewiring the brain (and why it takes 62-67 days!).• Why radical life changes don’t always lead to lasting transformation.• The 5-step process to release limiting beliefs and replace them with empowering ones.• The role of mind, body, and spirit in creating sustainable change.• How community, accountability, and personal networks fuel transformation.• The importance of energy alignment and using ancient wisdom for success.Key Takeaways:• We don’t see the world as it is; we see it as we are.• Success and happiness don’t happen overnight—they require intentional rewiring.• Knowledge isn’t power—practice is power.• To create real change, you must change from within first.Resources & Links:• Learn more about the Rewire & Relaunch program: Link to website• Read Ashish Kothari’s book: Hardwired for Happiness (available on Amazon)• Check out Hillary DeCesare’s book: Relaunch: Spark Your Heart to Ignite Your LifeLoved this episode? Share it with someone who needs a transformation! Don’t forget tosubscribe, rate, and leave a review.

Most leaders think of creativity as something exclusive to artists, but it’s actually a skill leaders can learn to master. Just like art, leadership requires taking risks, challenging assumptions, and building what doesn’t exist yet. If you’re ready to stop playing it safe and start making a real impact, it’s time to unleash your creative edge.In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Will Day, Award-winning Abstract Painter-Artist, break down exactly how to turn creativity into your biggest leadership advantage.Will Day is a Boulder-based contemporary artist known for his bold, large-scale abstract paintings that capture movement and transformation. With a background in architecture and finance, he brings a unique perspective to the art world, blending structure with expressive creativity. His work has been exhibited across the U.S., earning recognition for its emotional depth and dynamic energy. Through his art, Will inspires others to embrace risk, resilience, and the power of creative expression.Will shares powerful lessons on why creativity is essential for leadership, how to embrace failure, and why relentless self-expression helps you lead with confidence. Things you will learn in this episode:• Creativity as a leadership skill• How to apply creativity as a daily practice• The role of vulnerability in creativity• Creativity as a tool for resilience• Why leaders must think like an artistIf you’ve ever doubted your creative potential, this episode will challenge you to rethink leadership as an art form—one that requires courage, curiosity, and an unshakable commitment to growth. Tune in now!Resources:✅• Will Day Art: https://www.willdayart.com/ • Will Day on the CanvasRebel Magazine: https://canvasrebel.com/meet-will-day/ • Wil Day on Saatchi Art: https://www.saatchiart.com/willday?srsltid=AfmBOorV40nKMstu9n8hbu5rtWjgw6DWf1LN_xpso7TGQD1UkWDi8fkk • Will Day’s Artworks: https://www.artsy.net/artist/will-day • Will Day - TedX - Finding Creativity in the Chaos: https://www.ted.com/talks/will_day_finding_creativity_in_the_chaos Books: ✅• Hardwired for Happiness book by Ashish Kothari: https://www.amazon.com/Hardwired-Happiness-Proven-Practices-Overcome/dp/1544534655

The world glorifies the grind of entrepreneurship, but nobody talks about the toll it takes on your well-being. Stress, self-doubt, and a constant need to prove yourself can leave even the most driven entrepreneurs feeling stuck. Without addressing the root cause, you risk burnout and a loss of purpose. Self-discovery is the game-changer most entrepreneurs overlook. In this Happiness Squad Podcast episode, Ashish Kothari and Alex Raymond, Founder of AMplify, Board at Kapta, and Host of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast, explore how self-discovery empowers entrepreneurs to face their toughest challenges, find clarity, and sustain long-term success in their ventures. Things you will learn in this episode:• Overcoming imposter syndrome in entrepreneurship • The importance of self-discovery for resilience• Reframing success as a journey, not a destination• How to operate in your zone of genius• Preventing burnout through alignment and relationshipsIf you want proven, actionable tips to address the most pressing challenges in entrepreneurship, this is an episode you wouldn’t want to miss.Resources: ✅• The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast by Alex Raymond: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-conscious-entrepreneur/id1708478000• The Conscious Entrepreneur Summit by Alex Raymond: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/ • The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI): https://www.mindgarden.com/117-maslach-burnout-inventory-mbi • Well-being in the Workplace by McKinsey & Co.: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/well-being-in-the-workplace • Related Episode with Dr. Srikumar Rao: https://podcast.happinesssquad.com/episode/living-in-pure-awareness-with-professor-srikumar-rao Books: ✅• "10X Is Easier Than 2X" by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy: https://a.co/d/2OCtzHs • "How Will You Measure Your Life?" by Clayton Christensen: https://a.co/d/eZaR7pn• "Finite and Infinite Games" by James Carse: "Finite and Infinite Games" by James Carse  • Hardwired for Happiness book by Ashish Kothari: https://www.amazon.com/Hardwired-Happiness-Proven-Practices-Overcome/dp/1544534655

We live in a world where success often leads to burnout, anxiety, and loneliness instead of fulfillment. Ashish Kothari, Founder and CEO of Happiness Squad, faced this firsthand, realizing that titles and achievements alone weren’t enough. His journey from relentless striving to meaningful happiness led him to uncover truths about well-being that many miss.In our latest episode, Ashish shares how he founded Happiness Squad to help people find purpose, resilience, and true joy in life. Things you will learn in this episode:How burnout, stress, and anxiety have become widespread challenges across industriesThe science behind individual and organizational flourishingUsing data and continuous insights to build effective well-being programsWhy community support and continuous practice are essential for real changeResources:✅• Sadhguru, Isha Foundation: https://isha.sadhguru.org/sg/en • The Art of Living by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: https://www.artofliving.org/in-en• Vipassana Meditation: https://www.dhamma.org/  • Rewire Program: https://happinesssquad.com/rewire-program/  • Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-happiness-squad/id1663683864• Website: https://happinesssquad.com/Books:✅• Hardwired for Happiness: 9 Proven Practices to Overcome Stress and Live Your Best Life.https://www.amazon.com/Hardwired-Happiness-Proven-Practices-Overcome/dp/1544534655

Uncertainty has become the new normal, and as a leader, it can feel like the ground beneath you is constantly shifting. How do you inspire confidence when you're struggling to find it yourself? Without a strong foundation in your leadership, it can be difficult to respond to challenges and your team could feel it too. In this episode of the Happiness Squad Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Jason Hanson show you how to change the game with grounded leadership and lead with strength, clarity, and conviction—no matter what comes your way. Jason Hanson is the Director of the President's Leadership Class at the University of Colorado Boulder, specializing in mentoring future leaders. A former Senior Manager of Enterprise Learning at Charles Schwab, he is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach with expertise in leadership development and talent strategy. Jason holds a Master’s in Higher Education Administration from Northwestern University and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Illinois Chicago.Things you will learn in this episode:• Understanding the importance of grounded leadership in times of change• How to build grounded leadership by leveraging your values and strengths• The role of strengths-based development in unlocking individual and team potential• Practical leadership tools for building high-performing teams• Why meaningful relationships are critical for leadership success• Navigating career transitions with self-awareness and intentionalityTune in now to learn how to lead with clarity and resilience in the most volatile of times.Resources:✅•   Gallup StrengthsFinder: https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/254033/strengthsfinder.aspx • VIA Character Strengths: https://www.viacharacter.org/ • Harvard Business School Net Promoter Score Case Study: https://www.hbsp.harvard.edu/product/8573BC-PDF-ENG • The ADKAR Model: https://www.prosci.com/methodology/adkar • Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html • Job Crafting by Jane Dutton: https://positivepsychology.com/job-crafting/ • https://positiveorgs.bus.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/Glance-Leading-Positively.pdf Books:✅• A Model for Change in Business, Government, and Our Community: https://a.co/d/9kSsCqw • Hardwired for Happiness by Ashish Kothari: https://a.co/d/iXGAjje

Leadership often feels like navigating a high-stakes game where every decision could make or break the outcome. Yet, the best leaders aren’t the ones who power through with toughness alone—they are the ones who master the ability to stay calm under pressure. In this episode of the Happiness Squad Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Brent Lang explore how mental calmness helps leaders build resilience, maintain optimism, and inspire teams to thrive under pressure.Brent Lang is an Olympic gold medalist and accomplished business leader. As the former CEO of Vocera Communications and current Chair of the Board at Eko Health and Movella, Brent combines his athletic discipline with strategic leadership to inspire resilience, mental calmness, and innovation in the organizations he serves.Things you will learn in this episode:• The power of persistence and resilience• The importance of coaching, mentorship, and empathy• Staying present and cultivating mental calmness• Building strong foundations for well-being• The value of positive thinking and opennessDon’t miss this inspiring episode! Hear Olympic gold medalist Brent Lang share his secrets to staying composed under pressure and building habits for success.Resources:✅• Brent Lang’s website: http://www.brentdlang.com/ • Brent Lang’s appointment to Chair of the Board of Directors at Eko Health  https://www.ekohealth.com/blogs/newsroom/brent-lang-joins-eko-board-of-directors?srsltid=AfmBOorgkQ3U3t_WX0sRAzzGyppxGseEpfrPgvNnFwccQCb9y7EO84hg • Brent Lang as Chairman of the Board at Movella: https://www.movella.com/investors/governance Books:✅• Hardwired for Happiness by Ashish Kothari: https://a.co/d/iXGAjje