Flourishing Edge Podcast with Ashish Kothari

We all hit a point where our current path just doesn’t match up with our deepest desires and goals any longer. That's when a "relaunch" starts to happen. It's that moment of transition in our lives that presents a powerful opportunity to redefine what success means to us and realign with our true selves. But how do we handle this big change smoothly and confidently?In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Hilary DeCesare, Founder & CEO of The ReLaunch Company, reveal the secrets to effectively relaunching yourself and thriving in your life’s transitions.Hilary DeCesare is an award-winning business expert, internationally recognized author, and Silicon Valley pioneer. She founded The Relaunch Co., significantly contributed to Oracle’s sales, and is a sought-after speaker and mentor to CEOs and entrepreneurs. Hilary has raised millions in venture capital, earned multiple accolades including AlwaysOn’s “Top 25 Women in Tech to Watch,” and won the 2010 DEMOgod Award and the 2012 Golden Bridge Women Founder of the Year Award. She serves on the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo board, lectures on business, and is committed to philanthropy, with notable appearances on ABC’s Secret Millionaire. Her work culminates in the 3HQ Methodology, empowering mid-life women to achieve career fulfillment.Tune into this episode for expert guidance on effectively relaunching your life and thrive through dramatic transitions!Things you will learn from this episode:• The 3HQ Method• Tapping into the Wisdom of the Heart• The Tune-In Process• Daily Dose from the Tune-In ProcessResources:• The ReLaunch Company - http://www.therelaunchco.com/ • Free PDF at tuneinpowertool.com - https://www.therelaunchcocourses.com/tunein Books:• RELAUNCH!: Spark Your Heart to Ignite Your Life : https://www.amazon.com/RELAUNCH-Spark-Your-Heart-Ignite-ebook/dp/B0B2WZKBDB• Also mentioned:  "Mind Magic" by James Doty https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Magic-Neuroscience-Manifestation-Everything/dp/0593541146  • 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

Is happiness the hidden ingredient to extraordinary business success? We're so used to workplaces focused on getting things done fast and generating results. But what if fostering a happy work environment is the key to unparalleled productivity, innovation, and employee loyalty?In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Lars Kure Juul explore the potent impact of organizational happiness on overall business health.Lars Kure Juul is a Trusted Advisor, HR Executive, and Author of the book, Organizational Happiness: The Happiness Sweet Spot & Your Motivational Landscape. He is no stranger to the transformative power of happiness. Transitioning from a seasoned legal career in mergers and acquisitions to a revered HR executive, Lars has spent over two decades mastering the art of enhancing corporate environments through strategic happiness interventions. His approach blends rigorous positive psychology with practical corporate applications, setting the stage for thriving workplaces.During their engaging discussion, Ashish and Lars dissect a variety of pivotal topics, including the concept of compassionate leadership—how it shapes high-performing teams and fosters a robust organizational culture.Things you will learn from this episode:• Workplaces can either drag down or uplift individuals through organizational dynamics• Key Drivers for Organizational Happiness• The importance and effectiveness of compassionate leadership• How leaders can cultivate compassion and presence within their teamsListen now and discover how embracing organizational happiness can improve business outcomes. You’ll take away practical strategies to implement in your own organization.Resources:• The Happiness Sweet Spot: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/happiness-sweet-spot-explained-lars-kure-juul/ Books:• Organizational Happiness by Lars Kure Juul: https://www.amazon.com/Organizational-Happiness-Sweet-Motivational-Landscape/dp/8797105503 • 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

Have you ever noticed how a delicious meal can instantly lift your spirits? Food goes beyond just fueling our bodies; it nourishes our souls and strengthens connections with the people around us. But how exactly does food create happiness and deeper connections?  In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Paul Cure explore the fascinating link between food, happiness, and building meaningful relationships.Paul Cure is a Realtor with the Burgess Group | Compass and the Community Chair for the Conference on World Affairs. He is also a freelance journalist who specializes in lifestyle topics, including design, style, food, and travel. Paul is passionate about bringing together various businesses and personalities to foster community building and social engagement.In this conversation, Ashish and Paul discuss how shared meals can enhance happiness and strengthen relationships.Things you will learn from this episode:• What is Slow Food?• The Emotional Impact of Eating Environments• How Sharing a Meal Cultivates Mindfulness• Building Connections Through FoodStruggling to find meaningful ways to connect with loved ones? We've got the recipe for you! Don’t wait! Tune into this podcast now.Resources:• Michelin Star Restaurants in Colorado: Culinary Adventures in Aspen, Boulder, and Denver (article by Paul Cure) : https://iconiclife.com/michelin-start-restaurants-colorado-culinary-adventures/ • “Welcome, Nice to See You” AKA “Irashaimase” (article by Paul Cure) : https://citylifestyle.com/articles/welcome-nice-to-see-you-aka-irashaimase • 40th Food & Wine Classic in Aspen | The View From the Top (article by Paul Cure): https://iconiclife.com/food-wine-classic-aspen-exploring-aspen-food-wine-festival/ • The Eat-In Method by Callie Cavanaugh: https://calliecavanaugh.com/programBooks:• Comfort Food: Exploring Our Relationship and Craving for Love and Belonging At the Table by Paul Cure• 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

Relationships can be tricky because they mix together two people with different backgrounds and habits, and sometimes things get a bit tangled up. It’s like blending two different paint colors without making a mess! Every relationship hits rough patches, but we can turn those bumps in the road into springboards for growing closer. In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari, Founder of Happiness Squad, discusses how to cultivate positive emotions to deepen our relationships.Things you will learn from this episode:• How to generate positive emotions• Practice being a ‘gratitude detective’• Managing negative emotions and interactions• The most destructive behaviors in relationships. Resources:• Rewire Program: https://happinesssquad.com/rewire-program/ • The Happiness Squad on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-happiness-squad/id1663683864 • Happiness Squad Podcast: https://podcast.happinesssquad.com/ • Happiness Squad website: https://happinesssquad.com/• Happiness Squad on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myhappinesssquad/ • The Magic Relationship Ratio by Dr. John Gottman: https://www.gottman.com/blog/the-magic-relationship-ratio-according-science/ 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• The Prophet by Khalil Gibran: https://www.amazon.com/Prophet-Kahlil-Gibran/dp/B001AGWEMK

We're investing big bucks in employee well-being programs without really addressing the real problems affecting employees' performance. In fact, shocking stats from the McKinsey Health Institute reveal that a mere 3% of burnout comes from individual factors, while a staggering 97% is due to organizational, team, and job-related issues. It looks like we’re spending a lot of money on wellness without tackling the bigger problem. Shouldn’t we be aiming for solutions that address the whole picture? In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Ali Khan will discuss this issue with you.Ali Khan is an accomplished entrepreneur and the Founder and CEO of SHAPE - The Employee Experience Measurement Company. His leadership is marked by a commitment to creating flagship products that enhance flourishing and drive positive outcomes in workplaces facing unprecedented change. An expert in chronic and infectious disease diagnosis, Ali excels in transforming clinical, technical, and operational growth through data-driven services. In the conversation, Ashish and Ali redefine employee flourishing and organizational success. They discuss how well-being and happiness are not merely byproducts of successful workplace environments but are foundational to creating them.Things you will learn from this episode:• Defining flourishing and what helps individuals and organizations flourish• The Flourishing Wheel: 12 domains of flourishing• Effectiveness of Well-being Initiatives• Data-driven insights in transforming organizational practicesResources:• SHAPE Website: https://www.shapepowered.com/• SHAPE Global news: https://www.forbes.com/sites/sheilacallaham/2023/09/19/startup-advances-employee-productivity-measurement-captures-attention-of-global-leaders/?sh=4d0ff1f541c9 • Check out our related episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/lv/podcast/the-power-of-purpose-driven-organizations-with-alex-edmans/id1663683864?i=1000633983201 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

Do you know how stressed people are at work these days? Studies show a startling fact: nearly 40% of young workers feel they're on the edge because of job stress. It's clear we have a serious issue that's hurting both people's well-being and their job performance. Could our work environments be contributing to the problem? In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Genevieve Bonin explore this critical topic.Genevieve Bonin is the Managing Director and partner at Boston Consulting Group. She is a seasoned leader with over 27 years of experience in the public and private sectors, specializing in solving complex problems and leading transformational change. At BCG, she leads the global public sector practice with a focus on Defence and Security and heads the Canadian Public Sector practice. A recognized thought leader in diversity, equity and inclusion, mental health and well-being, and leadership, she has authored numerous articles and delivered keynotes on these topics.Her military background as a Naval Engineering Officer in the Royal Canadian Navy deeply influences her ongoing commitment to philanthropy, particularly in supporting troops, veterans, and their families. She serves on several boards, including the True Patriot Love Foundation, Invictus Games 2025, and the Royal Ottawa Hospital Institute for Mental Health Research.Genevieve holds professional titles as a Fellow Certified Management Consultant and Professional Engineer and has been honored with the Telfer School of Management Philanthropy Award and the Veterans Affairs Ministerial Medal for her contributions to society. In this conversation, Ashish and Genevieve discuss the importance of ongoing attention to workplace mental health and the need for businesses to prioritize improving their employees’ well-being and productivity at work.Things you will learn from this episode:• Combating Workplace Burnout• Research on Mental Health Among Canadian Workers• Determining Workplace Stressors• The Concept of Generative Leadership• Organizational Strategies for Mental HealthResources:• Genevieve Bonin at Boston Consulting Group: https://www.bcg.com/about/people/experts/genevieve-bonin • Genevieve Bonin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/genbonin?lang=en • The Royal Mental Health Center: https://www.theroyal.ca/research/biography/genevieve-bonin • The Next Frontier of Workplace Culture: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2023/workplace-burnout-costing-canadian-companies-billions • Why Canada Needs Generative Leaders: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2022/generative-leadership-aiding-canadas-public-sector 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

Our world feels increasingly divided, largely because we tend to surround ourselves with people who think the same way we do. This creates a cycle where we constantly reinforce our own beliefs and opinions. Over time, this makes it challenging to see or appreciate different viewpoints, as we're not regularly exposed to them. In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Diana McLain Smith, Founder and Author of Remaking the Space Between Us, discuss overcoming our divides by transforming how we interact and understand each other in a divided world.Diana McLain Smith is a distinguished author and consultant specializing in leadership and organizational development. She has a robust academic background in psychology and social systems, and her work primarily focuses on helping leaders and teams navigate complex relationships and organizational challenges. Diana is also well-known for her insightful book, "The Elephant in the Room: How Relationships Make or Break the Success of Leaders and Organizations," where she explores the dynamics of human relationships within a professional context. Her expertise is frequently sought by leading organizations looking to enhance their leadership effectiveness and team collaboration.In the conversation, Ashish and Diana share their insights and provide actionable advice for improving societal and personal connections.Things you will learn from this episode:• Ending the Epidemic of Loneliness• Hope as a crucial political act• Empathy as a superpower• Transforming conflict into an opportunity for improvementTune in now and find out how you can take part in remaking the space between our divided world!Resources:• Diana’s website: http://www.dianamclainsmith.com/ • Company website: http://www.newprofit.com/ • Remaking the Space Between Us on Substack: https://remakingthespace.substack.com/about • Citizen Connect Organization: https://citizenconnect.us/ • Listen First Project: https://www.listenfirstproject.org/ • Roots & Shoots Organization by Jane Goodall: https://rootsandshoots.org/ • Solutions Journalism Network: https://www.solutionsjournalism.org/ Books:• Remaking the Space Between Us by Diana McLain Smith• Elephant in the Room by Diana McLain Smith• Divide of Conquer by Diana McLain Smith• Waking Up White by Debbie Irving: https://www.debbyirving.com/the-book/ • Primal Fear: Tribalism, Empathy, and the Way Forward by Rob Smith• Ask: Tap Into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You for Unexpected Breakthroughs In Leadership and Life• Begin Again by Eddie Glaude• Difficult Conversations by Bruce Patton• Getting to Yes by Roger Fisher and William Ury• 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

Here's a thought: What if the real secret to making more money was to focus less on the money itself? True success in organizations isn't just about chasing profits, but about being driven by a genuine purpose. It’s about making a meaningful impact, serving a greater cause, and adding value to the world.In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish chats with Alex Edmans, a multi-award-winning professor of finance at London Business School with a PhD in finance from MIT Sloan. As a Fulbright scholar, he joined Wharton in 2007 before moving to London Business School. His TED talk, "The Pie Growing Mindset” and “The Social Responsibility of Business," has a combined 2.8 million views. He's written for the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and the Harvard Business Review.The focus of this conversation is Alex's book, 'Grow the Pie: How Great Companies Deliver Both Purpose and Profit'. Through quantitative research, Alex introduces the concept of growing value for all stakeholders rather than merely dividing it. He presents three pivotal principles that guide organizations in defining their purpose. Ashish supplements this with examples from his own work, ensuring that leaders, shareholders, or stakeholders of organizations will benefit. Ready to redefine success and discover the power of purpose in organizations? Listen to this episode now!Things you will also learn from this episode:• The concept of ‘growing the pie’ and long-term greed• The correlation and causation of employee satisfaction and stock returns• The power of purpose in maximizing profitResources:• Alex Edmans’ website: http://www.alexedmans.com/ • Growth the Pie website: http://www.growthepie.net/ • TED Talk: The Pie-Growing Mindset https://www.ted.com/talks/alex_edmans_the_pie_growing_mindset • TED Talk: The Social Responsibility of Business  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5KZhm19EO0 Books:• Grow the Pie: How Great Companies Deliver Both Purpose and Profit

Do you ever feel like you're juggling work and your personal life at once, trying to keep them from crashing down? You're not alone. The traditional notion of work-life balance often paints an unrealistic picture of perfectly equal scales. But let's face it; the scales are rarely balanced.  Stress builds as you struggle to keep up, leaving you exhausted and frustrated. What if there was a better way to balance work and life? In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari sits with Scott Shute, Founder of Changing Work. Scott Shute is a keynote speaker, author, and leadership coach with extensive experience as an executive. He is passionate about people development, integrating the practical aspects of leadership in the modern business world with the wisdom of ancient traditions. With over twenty-five years in customer-oriented leadership and executive roles, including three years leading Mindfulness and Compassion programs at LinkedIn, Scott now aids other leaders and companies to become more compassionate and effective. Scott aims to weave these practices into the fabric of company culture, influencing how products are developed, sold, and serviced to benefit employees and customers. His background in operations allows him to scale these transformative practices across organizations effectively.In the conversation, Ashish and Scott discuss the concept of work-life integration and the best approaches to blending work and life.Here are other things you will learn from this episode:• The meaning and inspiration of the ‘Full Body YES’• Work-life balance vs Work-life integration• Handling unmeaningful work• Mindfulness and compassion programs• The Changing Work CollectiveResources:/• Scott Shute website: https://www.scottshute.com/ • Work with Scott Shute here: https://www.scottshute.com/work-with-me • Changing Work Movement: https://www.changingwork.org/ Books:• The Full Body YES by Scott Shute: https://www.scottshute.com/the-book • 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

Ever feel like chasing personal achievements isn't really making you happy? You're not alone. It's a common trap that leaves many of us feeling empty. It's a frustrating realization that success and status often fail to fill the void we hope they would. It leaves us questioning, what does happiness truly mean?In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Stephanie Harrison, Founder of The New Happy, discuss a groundbreaking approach to finding your ‘new happy’. It's happiness, redefined.Stephanie Harrison, Founder of The New Happy Co., is a multifaceted entrepreneur, acclaimed writer, innovative designer, and engaging speaker. Holding a master's degree in positive psychology from the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, she has dedicated her career to pioneering a transformative philosophy of happiness.As the author of the upcoming book NEW HAPPY: Getting Happiness Right In A World That’s Got It Wrong, set to be published by Penguin Random House on May 14, 2024, Stephanie continues to influence and reshape the conversation around what it truly means to live a fulfilled life.In the conversation, Ashish and Stephanie discuss a new formula for happiness that’s about more than just personal gain—it's about community and helping others.Things you will learn from this episode:• The Old vs. New Concept of Happiness• The importance of self-acceptance• Growth through self-love• Discovering your talents• Serving others with your giftsTune into the full episode here to hear their insightful discussion on the new meaning of happiness.Resources:• The New Happy website: https://www.thenewhappy.com/about • New Happy Book: https://www.thenewhappy.com/book 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• Author of New Happy: Getting Happiness Right in a World That's Got It Wrong: https://www.amazon.com/New-Happy-Getting-Happiness-Right/dp/0593541383