Flourishing Edge Podcast with Ashish Kothari

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

Social media was supposed to connect us, but instead, it’s become a source of stress, manipulation, and mental health challenges. From endless scrolling to harmful algorithms, the negative effects are clear. In this episode of the Happiness Squad Podcast, we uncover the truth about social media’s negative impact on our minds and explore practical ways to take back control with Mark Weinstein.Mark Weinstein is a social media pioneer and privacy advocate. He founded early social media platforms (Superfamily.com, Superfriends.com) and MeWe, a privacy-focused social network. He is also an author (Restoring Our Sanity Online) and a leading expert on privacy and ethical digital practices.Mark shares actionable strategies to reduce social media dependency, set healthy boundaries between our personal and virtual lives, and restore our overall mental well-being in a digital age.Things you will learn in this episode:• The mental health crisis driven by social media• Social media’s negative impact on the youth and on adults• How to restore your sanity online• Parenting in the digital age• Ethical digital practices to protect your privacyBeing social media savvy doesn’t have to mean losing your sanity. Discover Mark’s actionable strategies to protect your mental well-being and restore your balance in today’s hyperconnected world.Resources:✅•  Mark Weinstein’s website: https://www.markweinsteininventor.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabV2aoowooKGM7uNIHm5bNth2caBCCgv8Fpwpdf-_7gUmGGMcDQ4ve01NA_aem_opeSAO_sU2svv-sgBUAkWg• Mark Weinstein TEDx Talks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoYC4ogezE4  • Jonathan Haidt on The Effects of Social Media on Teen Mental Health: https://jonathanhaidt.com/social-media/ Books:✅• Restoring Our Sanity Online by Mark Weinstein: https://www.amazon.com/Restoring-Our-Sanity-Online-Revolutionary/dp/1394273967

Stress and burnout aren’t inevitable—they’re symptoms of how we’ve been working. Habits like juggling too many tasks, always staying connected, and back-to-back meetings have become so routine that we hardly question them anymore. But these habits are taking a toll on our happiness and well-being. In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari, Founder of Happiness Squad, explores the hidden costs of these behaviors, the drivers behind them, and how we can build a more intentional, fulfilling approach to work.Things you will learn in this episode:• Understanding the myth of multitasking• Breaking free from the need to always stay connected• How to plan and execute efficient meetingsIt’s time we stop wearing busyness as a badge of honor and start building habits that make us more resilient, adaptable, and—above all—happier.Resources:✅• Rewire Program: https://happinesssquad.com/rewire-program/ • Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-happiness-squad/id1663683864• Website: https://happinesssquad.com/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myhappinesssquad/ 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

Leaders, here’s the wake-up call: More than half of your workforce is burned out. Ignoring it won’t make it go away, and throwing tools like mindfulness apps at the problem won’t fix it either. The solution lies in redesigning how work happens.In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Jen Fisher, Former Human Sustainability Leader and Chief Well-being Officer at Deloitte, uncover why workplace well-being is directly tied to your organization’s success and how you can make it a cornerstone of your strategy.Jen Fisher is a leading expert in workplace wellbeing and human sustainability, known for her groundbreaking role as Deloitte US's first Chief Wellbeing Officer. She is the bestselling co-author of Work Better Together and host of The WorkWell Podcast. Her work has been featured in major outlets such as Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and CNN, making her a sought-after thought leader and speaker in the field.Things you will learn in this episode:• Why well-being is a strategic imperative• The real causes of burnout and how to address them• Building a culture of permission and psychological safety• The ROI of investing in well-being at work• Non-negotiables for thriving leadersResources: ✅•  Jen Fisher on Substack: https://jenfisher.substack.com/• Work by Dr. Alex Edmans: https://alexedmans.com/correlation/  • McKinsey: Addressing Employee Burnout: https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/addressing-employee-burnout-are-you-solving-the-right-problem Books: ✅• Work Better Together book co-authored by Jen Fisher: https://a.co/d/1imvQxy • Hardwired for Happiness by Ashish Kothari: https://a.co/d/3SixHKF

Sometimes, life and work can feel like a never-ending loop—same routines, same challenges, no real progress. If 2024 felt like a year where things didn’t quite click, you’re not alone. Many of us struggle with finding the right balance between leading effectively, making meaningful changes, and just feeling genuinely happy. But it’s time to change that.In this episode of the Happiness Squad Podcast, we’re taking a fresh look at what it takes to thrive. As 2024 comes to a close, we’re celebrating the standout episodes that resonated with listeners worldwide. This special compilation brings you three impactful conversations packed with insights to help you thrive in life and work.Things you will learn in this episode:• Driving Deep Organizational Change with Robert Quinn• Embracing Modern Leadership with Andrew White• Building Happy Habits for Long-Term Joy with Ashish KothariWe learned a lot this year about dealing with challenges and creating a better future. Join us as we revisit the year's most inspiring conversations on leadership, change, and happiness, and discover useful lessons for the coming year.Resources:✅• Robert E. Quinn∙ https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-e-quinn-57b9a9100/ ∙ http://www.bob-quinn.com/ ∙ https://michiganross.umich.edu/faculty-research/faculty/robert-quinn ∙ Deep Change by Robert Quinn: https://michiganross.umich.edu/faculty-research/faculty/robert-quinn ∙ More books by Robert Quinn: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001H6MQSK • Andrew White∙ https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-andrew-white/?originalSubdomain=uk ∙ Transcend.Space on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/transcend-space/  ∙ Transcend.Space Website: https://transcend.space/who-we-are/  ∙ Andrew White’s TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9fwC3tInlo  ∙ Leadership 2050 Newsletter: https://transcend.space/leadership-2050/   • Ashish Kothari∙ https://www.facebook.com/ashish.kothari.397∙ https://www.instagram.com/myhappinesssquad/∙ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashishkothari1/∙ https://www.linkedin.com/company/happiness-squad/ Books:✅• Hardwired for Happiness by Ashish Kothari: https://www.amazon.com/Hardwired-Happiness-Proven-Practices-Overcome/dp/1544534655 • Andrew White’s Harvard Business Review article: https://hbr.org/2016/06/lessons-from-companies-that-put-purpose-ahead-of-short-term-profits

Nowadays, big challenges are silently destroying workplaces. Employees feel unmotivated, leaders face retention challenges, and meaningful impact is lost. That's because people want more than a job, they crave purpose. Without it, work becomes a grind, teams disengage, and potential goes untapped. But conscious, purpose-driven leadership changes everything. In this episode of the Happiness Squad Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Anil Ramjiani are joined by Raj Sisodia, co-founder of Conscious Capitalism and author of Awaken, to explore how conscious purpose-driven leadership can transform not just organizations, but lives.Raj Sisodia is a distinguished author, speaker, and educator, recognized as a founding figure in the Conscious Capitalism movement. He serves as the FEMSA Distinguished University Professor of Conscious Enterprise and Chairman of the Conscious Enterprise Center at Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico. Raj shares powerful insights into the role of conscious leadership, explaining how aligning personal and organizational purpose can foster resilience, improve outcomes, and create meaningful connections. Things you will learn in this episode:• Why purpose is the foundation of conscious leadership• The connection between healing, self-awareness, and leadership effectiveness• Aligning individual purpose with organizational goals• Practical steps to embrace conscious leadershipFollow The Happiness Squad Podcast for weekly insights and inspiration on how to lead with purpose, joy, and authenticity.Resources:✅ • Raj Sisodia on X : https://x.com/RajSisodiaCC  • https://rajsisodia.com/ • Center for Positive Organizations - University of MichiganBooks:✅• AWAKEN: The Path to Purpose, Inner Peace, and Healing• The Healing Organization• Conscious Capitalism• All Books Written by Raj Sisodia: http://rajsisodia.com/books.html • Man's Search For Meaning• Synchronicity: The Inner Path of Leadership• Hardwired for Happiness: 9 Proven Practices to Overcome Stress and Live Your Best Life

How does a company remain resilient and successful during challenging times? How can leaders steer their companies to thrive, not just survive, during times of uncertainty and change? Complex strategies or advanced technologies can help, but there’s something more impactful that can lead any company to long-term gains. According to Chris Cright, Founder, CEO and Chair of Liberty Energy, it's about prioritizing your people.Chris Wright is a tech nerd turned entrepreneur. With a deep-rooted passion for energy in all its forms, he has journeyed through various sectors, from fusion, solar, and geothermal, to his current focus on oil and gas and next-generation geothermal. His guiding principle is clear: the source of energy matters less than its ability to be secure, reliable, affordable, and, most importantly, its capacity to better human lives. Chris’ commitment is not just to energy itself, but to unlocking its potential to enrich communities worldwide.In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Chris, shares with us the power of a people-first culture and how to lead one. Join us as we uncover how Chris’ passion for energy and commitment to improving lives translates into a leadership style that puts people at the forefront.Episode highlights:• The power of meaningful relationships• How vulnerability creates connections• The importance of a People-first Business Strategy• How to Lead a People-first cultureReady to learn from a master? Tune in to hear Chris Wright talk about building a thriving people-first culture. Listen to the episode here! Resources:• Liberty Energy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LibertyFrac• Liberty Energy on linkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/libertyenergy/ • Bettering Human Lives Report - https://www.libertyenergy.com/betteringhumanlivesv2/ Books:• Hardwired for Happiness by Ashish Kothari• Grow the Pie by Alex Edmans

Let's face it, work can be a pressure cooker sometimes. Aside from the physical toll, it's also about mental stress and feeling isolated, making us less productive and more likely to call in sick. But what if our workplace focused on keeping us healthy in every way? We'd probably feel more motivated, stick around longer, and do better work. In this episode, we feature Barbara Jeffery, a Partner at McKinsey & Company in the London office who leads the People and Organizational Performance practice in the UK, Ireland, and Israel. With over 15 years of experience in various sectors, including healthcare and public services, Barbara specializes in strategy development, organizational design, and driving large-scale change. She is also deeply involved with the McKinsey Health Institute (MHI) as an Affiliate Partner, focusing on Employee Health and Wellbeing. Moreover, Barbara is a Board member for Business in the Community (BITC), a prominent organization championing responsible business in the UK.In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Barbara Jeffery, Partner at McKinsey & Company, discuss how addressing our holistic health could transform our work lives. Things you will learn from this episode:• Holistic health in the workplace• The 4 dimensions of holistic health• How organizations can foster holistic health• Understanding burnoutResources:• Addressing Employee Burnout: https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/addressing-employee-burnout-are-you-solving-the-right-problem• Barbara Jeffery: https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/barbara-jeffery • Working Nine to Thrive: https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/working-nine-to-thrive • Reframing employee health: Moving beyond burnout to holistic health: https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/reframing-employee-health-moving-beyond-burnout-to-holistic-health• Present company included: Prioritizing mental health and well-being for all: https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/present-company-included-prioritizing-mental-health-and-well-being-for-all 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