The Happiness Squad Podcast with Ashish Kothari

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

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