Say Goodbye to Negative Self-Talk and Hello to Your Superpowers

The Anxious Achiever

#Business #HBR Presents / Morra Aarons-Mele #MBA #Fitness #Mental #Depression #Work #Workplace #Leadership #Harvard #Review #Careers #Anxiety #Health and Well-Being #Mental Health #HBR #Presentations

19:15

Can AI compress the years long research time of a PhD into seconds? Research scientist Max Jaderberg explores how “AI analogs” simulate real-world lab work with staggering speed and scale, unlocking new insights on protein folding and drug discovery. Drawing on his experience working on Isomorphic Labs' and Google DeepMind's AlphaFold 3 — an AI model for predicting the structure of molecules — Jaderberg explains how this new technology frees up researchers' time and resources to better understand the real, messy world and tackle the next frontiers of science, medicine and more. Want to help shape TED's shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! For a chance to give your own TED Talk, fill out the Idea Search Application: ted.com/ideasearch . Interested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links: TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou TEDAI Vienna: ted.com/ai-vienna Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

about a year ago 43:14

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Sanyin Siang is an advisor, coach, and adjunct professor at Duke University where she leads the Fuqua/Coach K Leadership and Ethics Center or COLE. She’s also someone who believes in being your own best friend, and that starts with the self-talk we have going on in our heads all day long. In this episode, she walks host Morra Aarons-Mele through her superpowers framework, her own quest to find her strengths, and how high-achievers can zero in on our gifts instead of what we need to improve.

The Superpowers with Sanyin Substack: https://leadershipplaybook.substack.com/

247 episodes

The Anxious Achiever

Say Goodbye to Negative Self-Talk and Hello to Your Superpowers

The Anxious Achiever

648 subscribers

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

The Superpowers with Sanyin Substack: https://leadershipplaybook.substack.com/

247 episodes

#Business #HBR Presents / Morra Aarons-Mele #MBA #Fitness #Mental #Depression #Work #Workplace #Leadership #Harvard #Review #Careers #Anxiety #Health and Well-Being #Mental Health #HBR #Presentations

All episodes

The Anxious Achiever

1
Using AI for ADHD With Lindsay Scola 38:14

4 hours ago38:14

38:14

What happens when a late ADHD diagnosis meets the powerful potential of AI? Writer, strategist, and sleep coach Lindsay Scola joins Morra to share how she uses AI as a personal productivity partner to manage ADHD challenges, perfectionism, and executive dysfunction—while preserving creativity and rest. Diagnosed with ADHD at 41, Lindsay discovered that AI could act as an accountability buddy, thought partner, and creativity booster. From using AI to overcome the dread of the blank page to automating follow-up emails, Lindsay shares practical ways she leverages AI without losing her humanity. Buy Lindsay’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/AI-ADHD-Practical-Starting-Finishing-ebook/dp/B0F5T9QKMH Listen to our interview about the stimulant shortage, narcolepsy and ADHD: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ritalin-and-adderall-shortage-and-how-it-impacts-work/id1480904163?i=1000611595946 Key Themes: AI as an ADHD Copilot: Lindsay explains how AI helps her manage executive dysfunction, tackle writing tasks, and avoid the overwhelm of perfectionism while maintaining her unique voice. Reducing Shame and Preserving Brain Space: Using AI for small but stressful tasks frees up cognitive space, letting her focus on big ideas and creative work without getting stuck in spirals of self-criticism. Permission to Play: Lindsay urges people with ADHD to experiment with AI and other tools to find what actually works for their brains instead of following rigid systems that suppress creativity. Scheduling for Neurodivergent Brains: From building “dopamine deadlines” to respecting personal circadian rhythms, Lindsay shares how she structures her week to maximize focus while honoring energy dips. AI for Burnout and Loneliness: We discuss how AI can help solo workers feel less isolated and provide accountability without judgment, acting like a team member who says, “let’s keep going.” Timestamps: 03:28 ADHD, Midlife, and AI Solutions 08:13 Balancing Perfection and Completion 11:07 Childhood Injustice and Self-Awareness 18:30 Optimize Productivity by Time Awareness 19:37 Embrace Napping for Productivity 25:40 AI-Assisted Writing for Quick Posts 29:06 Podcasting Inspiration for Writing Newsletter 32:32 Flexible Time Management Strategy 35:50 Improvised Charging Solution…

The Anxious Achiever

1
Crossover Special: Everyday Better with Leah Smart 44:11

21 days ago44:11

44:11

Everyday Better with Leah Smart is a show that helps listeners level up - in their careers and their lives. In this episode, Leah speaks with Anxious Achiever host Morra Aarons-Mele about her research and work around having a understanding your own unique brain and embracing a big career, from introversion, mental health, and neurodivergence. Morra explains what she’s learned about leadership and organizations through the lens of studying these topics. Check out Everyday Better: On Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G8zjY1 On Spotify: https://bit.ly/3HRpNsQ…

The Anxious Achiever

1
Who’s In Your Mental Health Squad? 51:34

28 days ago51:34

51:34

It might not be that easy to talk to your boss about mental health. But having close friends at work - on your team or elsewhere - where you can have open, honest dialogues can go a long way. In this episode, host Morra Aarons-Mele speaks with three work friends about how they started talking mental health, how it helped them in their jobs, and what they hope managers can better understand in the future.…

The Anxious Achiever

1
Unpacking Your Money Trauma 38:22

5 weeks ago38:22

38:22

We all have hang ups when it comes to money - but do you know where yours come from? In a time when many people feel economically insecure, Morra speaks with personal finance expert Shannah Game about the root of money issues and how we can recognize and grow from our trauma around money. Your money history doesn’t have to be your financial future! Shannah is the author of the book Unraveling Your Relationship with Money: Ditch Your Money Trauma So You Can Live an Abundant Life. Check out her book here: https://www.amazon.com/Unraveling-Your-Relationship-Money-Abundant/dp/1394299850 Shannah’s podcast: https://everyonestalkinmoney.com/episodes/…

The Anxious Achiever

1
Defining Your Values with Suzy Welch 45:24

6 weeks ago45:24

45:24

Do you really live by your core values - or do you even need help defining what they are? Many of us might have a vague notion of what is important to us in life, but our daily decisions and actions don’t always align with those values. The more precision with which we define our values, the more resilience we have to thrive in tough times, and lead through anxiety. Suzy Welch is the author of a number of books including most recently Becoming You: The Proven Method for Crafting Your Authentic Life and Career. And she explains how she approaches values, why they are different than virtues, and how better understanding what really matters to you can guide a more focused and productive work life. Suzy’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-You-Proven-Crafting-Authentic/dp/0063418606Suzy’s podcast: https://www.suzywelch.com/podcasts/…

The Anxious Achiever

1
The Roots of Perfectionism and How We Can Change 31:01

7 weeks ago31:01

31:01

Perfectionism can help us succeed, but it can also be a detriment to our mental health and our lives. Understanding it is the first step to better management. In this episode, psychologist Thomas Greenspon shares research about perfectionism, where it comes from, how it can impact us - and how we can try to cope with it to move forward.…

The Anxious Achiever

1
The Power of Spaciousness and the Gift of Being Seen 44:17

8 weeks ago44:17

44:17

Do you feel like a rubber band about to snap- low on capacity, time, and space to think? Are you constantly stuck in a mode of “doing” - trapped by your own productivity? Researcher and author Megan Reitz says that shifting into “spacious mode” could do wonders for your mental health, your relationships, and your work. She speaks with Morra about how our obsession with productivity might be crowding out creativity, insight, and connection. Plus, she’ll share practical ways to slow down, get present, and pay attention.…

The Anxious Achiever

1
Flexing Your Emotional Intelligence Muscles 46:27

9 weeks ago46:27

46:27

What does it really mean to be emotionally strong—and why is emotional intelligence the leadership skill of the future? Emily Anhalt, author of the new book Flex Your Feelings: Train Your Brain to Develop the 7 Traits of Emotional Fitness, explains why mental health is an ongoing practice, and how we can get more fit. She breaks down why emotional resilience, self-awareness, and adaptability are essential not just for personal well-being but for building sustainable, high-performing teams. Plus, Anhalt explains why emotional fitness is more like going to the gym than going to the doctor, how to build it through “emotional pushups,” and why soft skills are actually some of the hardest (and most valuable) to build in your career. Check out Emily’s new book here: https://www.amazon.com/Flex-Your-Feelings-Develop-Emotional/dp/0593717619…

The Anxious Achiever

1
Finding Your “Why” and Rooting Leadership in Healing 44:33

10 weeks ago44:33

44:33

Five years ago, Dr. Maggie Chery tragically lost both of her parents to the Covid 19 pandemic, just weeks apart. It was a trauma that still affects her today, but it shifted the course of her life’s work as well. Today Maggie is a program manager at Google, and Chief Operating Officer at Not Just a Black Body. Her personal loss has drastically shifted how she works - both in terms of her leadership philosophy, and in terms of how she approaches creating better health equity outcomes around the globe, including those of mental health.…

The Anxious Achiever

1
Masculinity, Disability, and Reframing Leadership 59:02

11 weeks ago59:02

59:02

What assumptions do you hold about leadership, ability, and power? In the wake of recent comments from Mark Zuckerberg about the need for more “masculine energy” in the workplace, Jason Rosario returns to the show to talk about changing definitions of masculinity and vulnerability - and what it means for work. Rosario is CEO of the agency The Lives of Men and Chief Impact and Inclusion Office at BBDO Worldwide. Plus, we’re joined by Dom Kelly, CEO of the nonprofit New Disabled South, to talk about disability and leadership.…

The Anxious Achiever

1
OCD and the Art of Noticing Everything 44:58

12 weeks ago44:58

44:58

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder isn’t just a cluster of symptoms to manage. Like other mental health challenges, it can come with hidden advantages like the ability to be more creative and empathetic. The key is understanding - whether you have OCD or you work with someone who does. Michael Alcee, author of the book The Upside of OCD: Flip the Script to Reclaim Your Life, explains the misconceptions we have about OCD, what spiraling thoughts really feel like, and how this relates to the ability to achieve. Read Michael’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Upside-OCD-Flip-Script-Reclaim/dp/1538191105…

The Anxious Achiever

1
Hypervigilance: When Everything Feels Like a Threat 37:12

13 weeks ago37:12

37:12

Hypervigilance is a state of being where you constantly are on the lookout for perceived threats. It’s often the result of trauma - but it shows itself in the work world as well. Ironically, many high achievers are rewarded for hypervigilant behavior, but it comes at a cost. Tanvi Gautam, executive coach and managing director of Leadershift Inc., explains how she’s seen hypervigilance show up in her clients, and how she helps them work through it and push forward in their careers. Read more about hypervigilance: https://hbr.org/2024/11/3-ways-to-temper-your-hypervigilance-at-work…

The Anxious Achiever

1
The Practice of Mindfulness and Meditation, From Industry Leader Sharon Salzberg 39:36

14 weeks ago39:36

39:36

Practice makes perfect - except perhaps when it comes to meditation and mindfulness. In this episode we revisit a conversation with mindfulness expert Sharon Salzberg on what led her to the path of meditation, what mindfulness does for anxiety, how she deals with the ups and downs of life, and how mental health is or isn’t present in our work lives today. Plus, she guides us through a short practice - even if it doesn’t turn out perfect.…

The Anxious Achiever

1
The Real Cost of Masking at Work: Neurodiversity Expert Ludmila Praslova 48:07

15 weeks ago48:07

48:07

It’s absolutely crucial in today’s work for leaders and the organizations they run to understand the unique strengths and challenges of neurodivergent workers. In this episode, host Morra Aarons-Mele dives into the complexities around the word “superpower” and the ways workplaces can improve with Ludmila Praslova, a professor at Vanguard University of Southern California and author of the book The Canary Code: A Guide to Neurodiversity, Dignity, and Intersectional Belonging at Work. They speak about the kinds of accommodations companies can be taking, the latest data around neurodiversity and work, and personal stories about being neurodivergent leaders.…

The Anxious Achiever

1
The Unseen Links Between Mental Health, IBS and Your Gut 49:05

16 weeks ago49:05