Change Wired

What if could upgrade performance at work, build deep relationships at home and in the workplace, heal loneliness everywhere by communicating 3 simple things?We're facing a crisis that's hiding in plain sight.It's not just loneliness or disengagement - it's what researcher Zach Mercurio calls a "mattering deficit." Despite our hyper-connected world, people simply don't feel seen, heard, and valued in their everyday interactions.The statistics are striking: one-third of people report persistent loneliness, 70% feel emotionally uninvested in their work, and half of students don't believe anyone would notice if they were absent. But Mercurio reveals that these aren't separate problems - they're symptoms of our collective failure to make each other feel significant.Why now?Since the early 2000s, digital communication has allowed us to bypass situations that once developed our human connection skills. We can respond to someone's bad news with a sad emoji rather than sitting with them, truly listening, and showing compassion. Zach Mercurio introduces a powerful framework - Notice, Affirm, Need - that transforms how we interact. Through compelling stories and research, Dr Mercurio demonstrates how small interactions can have profound impacts.A supervisor who keeps notes about team members' lives, a facilities manager who shows his team photos of people enjoying their work, or simply telling someone "if it wasn't for you..." can transform an ordinary exchange into one that fosters significance.Your next great act will happen in your next interaction. Don't overthink it. Instead of searching for the next big program or initiative, focus on optimizing how you notice, affirm, and need the people around you.Join the mattering movement and discover how making others feel significant creates a virtuous cycle that enriches everyone's lives.  _____________________Dr Zach Mercurio: https://www.zachmercurio.com/  Mattering Assessment for leaders and more book resources: https://www.zachmercurio.com/mattering/"The Power of Mattering" book equips leaders to unleash the hidden superpowers in each individual by addressing the fundamental human need to feel significant: https://www.zachmercurio.com/the-power-of-mattering/  Connect with Dr Zach Mercurio on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachmercurio/  More about Dr Zach Mercurio:  Dr Zach Mercurio is an author, researcher, and leadershipdevelopment facilitator specializing in purposeful leadership,mattering, and meaningful work. He advises leaders inorganizations worldwide on practices for building cultures thatpromote well-being, motivation, and performance.  Zach holds a Ph.D. in organizational learning, performance, andchange and serves as one of Simon Sinek’s Optimist Instructors,teaching a top-rated course on creating mattering at work. Hisnew book is "The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create aCulture of Significance." His previous book is "The InvisibleLeader: Transform Your Life, Work, and Organization with ThePower of Authentic Purpose.”  He’s been featured in The Harvard Business Review, Forbes,Psychology TText Me Your Thoughts and IdeasSupport the show Brought to you by Angela Shurina EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

TUNE IN TO LEARN:  Ever noticed how hard it is to make healthy choices when you're feeling sick, tired, or overwhelmed?  That's exactly when self-leadership matters most - and precisely when it feels most challenging.  This episode reveals a research-backed emotional regulation technique that transforms how you care for yourself during difficult times.  Learn the powerful three-step process that helps you make better choices when your energy is low but the stakes are high. By shifting how you talk to yourself (hint: third-person self-talk is scientifically proven to enhance decision-making), you'll discover how to bridge the gap between what feels good momentarily and what truly serves your recovery and wellbeing.  The framework shared isn't just for sick days, it's a versatile approach for improving any self-care habit when motivation wanes. Whether you're struggling with fitness consistency, nutritional choices, sleep discipline, or boundary-setting, this episode provides practical tools to strengthen your self-leadership muscle.   What makes this approach particularly valuable is its simplicity and immediate applicability. You don't need special equipment, extensive preparation, or perfect conditions - just a willingness to engage with yourself differently.  Ready to become better at taking care of yourself, especially when you don't feel like it? Listen now and learn how to lead yourself toward the future you truly want to create. Your future self will thank you.    Text Me Your Thoughts and IdeasSupport the show Brought to you by Angela Shurina EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

TUNE IN TO LEARN:  What if the solution to your productivity struggles isn't found in the next AI tool, but in mastering something you already possess?   This episode explores a simple truth about personal growth and leadership: we've mistakenly believed that better tools, more knowledge, or the perfect system will finally help us get organized and reach our potential. Yet despite having access to all the knowledge we need to live better lives, most of us still struggle with consistency and follow-through.  Why is that?  The real operating system for success isn't external - it's internal.  Drawing from research on emotional regulation and insights from experts and entrepreneurs like Derek Sivers and Yu-kai Chou, we unpack how the most important human problem to "fix" isn't knowledge or access to tools - it's self-leadership.  At the heart of this episode is a practical five-step framework for emotional mastery to unlock self-leadership skills you need to get the most of all the tools and knowledge humanity has to offer - you'll discover how to cultivate your "emotional garden" to drive meaningful change.  Ready to move beyond the endless search for the perfect productivity system?  Join us to learn how emotional mastery creates the foundation for everything else in your life to work successfully.    Text Me Your Thoughts and IdeasSupport the show Brought to you by Angela Shurina EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

TUNE IN TO LEARN:  Every day we wake up to expanding to-do lists, countless open tabs, and the gnawing feeling that we're falling behind. Sound familiar?  It's not just you - it's the natural result of living in an accelerating world where AI, content, and expectations multiply faster than we can keep up.  But what if your frustration with "not getting things done" isn't a personal failure but simply the result of working against your brain's natural wiring?  In this episode we break down the behavioral science behind why willpower alone fails and how to deal with increasing forgetfulness :) - a practical four-step system will transform how you approach tasks and responsibilities.  Quit frustration - welcome to getting all the IMPORTANT done consistently and reliably.  Drawing from Stanford scientist BJ Fogg's groundbreaking behavior model (Behavior = Motivation + Ability + Prompt) and insights from neuroscience, We reveal why our brains function much like apps - without the right trigger, action simply doesn't happen. You'll discover why "what looks like resistance is often a lack of clarity" and how this insight can free you from the shame spiral of repeatedly forgetting important tasks.  Ready to transform your relationship with productivity and reclaim your sense of control? Listen now, and remember to share this episode with someone who might benefit from breaking free of overwhelm and building systems that actually work.  https://calendly.com/angelashurina/executive-momentum-360    Text Me Your Thoughts and IdeasSupport the show Brought to you by Angela Shurina EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

Have you ever wondered if your mind could actually heal your body?  Not through some mystical force, but through simple, deliberate attention?  Pain had become my unwelcome companion.  Despite no obvious injury, a nagging pain in my hip forced me to move differently, think differently, and ultimately feel different.  And through a very simple mindfulness practice I got rid of it.  The experience revealed a profound truth about our bodies: we're integrated ecosystems where everything connects.  As someone who battled frequent illness in younger years, I've witnessed firsthand how nervous system regulation dramatically improves immune function, energy levels, and even decision-making ability. When your nervous system remains in a state of tension, recovery processes never fully activate, cellular energy is wasted, and you're primed for short-term thinking rather than choices that benefit your long-term wellbeing.  Learning to control your nervous system might be the most important skill you can develop, with benefits ranging from pain elimination to enhanced immunity to better life choices.  This simple practice we talk about on this episode could transform your health and wellbeing more powerfully than any supplement or trendy wellness protocol. What might change in your life if you learned to truly listen to what your body is telling you?  Simple body scan protocol - on YouTube  Text Me Your Thoughts and IdeasSupport the show Brought to you by Angela Shurina EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

TUNE IN TO LEARN:  What if the secret to consistent healthy habits isn't iron discipline but simply the art of asking better questions?  This episode we dive into the science of strategic questioning that can completely bypass your willpower and naturally guide you toward choices that serve your highest goals.  I'm sharing my personal journey as someone with an intense sweet tooth (once consuming over a kilogram of chocolate in a single day!) - and I still manage to maintain fitness-magazine-ready physique 365/year. The magic lies not in superhuman restraint but in mastering specific questions at critical decision points.  The episode provides practical applications for both personal goals and leadership scenarios. When coaching others toward positive change, questions prove far more effective than direct instructions.  Whether you're struggling with health habits, professional goals, or simply making better daily choices, this episode offers a refreshingly different approach to change that feels natural rather than forced.  Try these questioning techniques today and experience how much easier change becomes when you engage your brain's natural programming instead of relying on willpower that's so short-lived.  Text Me Your Thoughts and IdeasSupport the show Brought to you by Angela Shurina EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

TUNE IN TO LEARN:Have you ever felt frustrated by your inability to follow through on things you genuinely want to do?   That gap between intention and action isn't a character flaw - it's neurobiology at work.  What if you could reprogram your brain to automatically do the things that align with your goals and values?  In this episode, we dive deep into implementation intentions, a powerful psychological tool that creates neural pathways for better follow-through. This isn't about willpower or motivation; it's about understanding how your brain works and leveraging that knowledge to your advantage.  I share my personal struggles with consistency in podcast recording, language learning, client deliverables, and presentation preparation - and how implementation intentions transformed these areas of my life.  What makes this approach so effective is that it works with your brain's natural tendency toward efficiency rather than fighting against it.  What important action have you been struggling to take despite knowing its value?  Try implementation intentions and experience the difference between hoping you'll do better and actually programming yourself for success.  Share this episode with someone who could benefit from this research-backed approach to personal transformation, and let me know how it works for you!  Text Me Your Thoughts and IdeasSupport the show Brought to you by Angela Shurina EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

Ever wondered why some people seem consistently productive and energized while others constantly bounce between burnout and recovery?   The answer isn't superhuman genetics or fancy supplements - it's understanding the fundamental science of energy management.  After working for 100+ consecutive days without a traditional day off, I've discovered something counterintuitive: sustainable productivity has nothing to do with motivation or willpower. It's about aligning with our biological design rather than fighting against it. Weekends are social constructs, but rest is biological. When you implement strategic, science-backed rest protocols throughout your day, you can maintain high energy levels without requiring complete disconnection.  This approach is validated by leaders like Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, who dedicates significant space in his productivity blog to health optimization. This isn't about pushing through fatigue—it's about preventing fatigue from accumulating in the first place.  Ready to transform how you work?  Book a free trial coaching session through this link in the show notes to discover the missing pieces in your energy optimization routine.  https://calendly.com/angelashurina/executive-momentum-360  Whether you're aiming to grow a business, advance your career, or simply live with more vitality, sustainable energy management is the foundation everything else builds upon.    Text Me Your Thoughts and IdeasSupport the show Brought to you by Angela Shurina EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

How do C-suite, busy leaders, entrepreneurs get work done and take care of themselves?  Do they get more hours in the day? Or some superhero secrets?  Strategic thinking.  It isn't just for boardrooms and business plans—it's the secret weapon for transforming every aspect of your life. When we apply the same thoughtful preparation to our health, relationships, and personal development that we do to our work projects, everything changes.  The power lies not in how well you squeeze more things into your calendar but in strategically choosing what deserves your attention and how to prepare for it well in advance. The most successful leaders apply this thinking across their entire lives, not just their professional responsibilities.  Because in the end, you'll never "find" more time—there will always be just 24 hours. The difference-maker is how strategically you invest those hours in what truly matters.  Tune in and learn from examples of my clients, myself and Sam Altman how to simplify strategy for achievement and life lived well.  Text Me Your Thoughts and IdeasSupport the show Brought to you by Angela Shurina EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

TUNE IN TO LEARN:  Behavior change is the foundation of all transformation, yet we often approach it backward. Instead of trying to change people's deeply-held beliefs or identities, the most effective approach starts with small, simple behavioral shifts that gradually reshape how people see themselves.And that changes what people choose to do or not do.Isn't this what sales are all about? An invitation to change?Drawing from behavioral science research and personal experience as a change consultant, this episode reveals why attempting to change people's minds directly often backfires by triggering resistance.    The key insight comes from understanding that our brains are wired to conserve energy - learn how the best salesmen and business owners use it when designing products.  This perspective shift has profound implications for anyone trying to create change. Instead of asking, "How can I persuade or motivate others?" start asking, "How can I make the desired behavior easier and simpler?" Stop expecting people to leap into new ways of thinking, and instead create pathways for them to tiptoe forward with minimal resistance.  Whether you're trying to transform yourself, your team, your organization, or sell more - this episode provides actionable tools that will start things moving.  Text Me Your Thoughts and IdeasSupport the show Brought to you by Angela Shurina EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH