The Anxious Achiever

Epizódok

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  "My Anxiety" With Legendary Art Critic Jerry Saltz 23.07.2026 36p

  Can your greatest struggles become the foundation for your best work? What if the way through anxiety isn't eliminating it, but creating something meaningful despite it? In this episode, I sit down with Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic Jerry Saltz to talk about growing up with profound trauma, living with panic attacks, overcoming envy, and finding purpose through creative work. Jerry shares how years of self-doubt, social anxiety, and rejection eventually led him to reinvent himself, why meaningful work matters more than perfection, and how embracing your own voice can transform your life. Tune in to discover why showing up, creating consistently, and letting go of comparison may be the most powerful antidotes to anxiety. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals Pebl - Take advantage of Pebl’s limited-time offer before it’s gone. Visit hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why anxiety can show up as overwork, perfectionism, and the need for control. 03:15 How childhood experiences shape the way you work and cope with stress. 07:45 Why the routines you rely on may be helping you more than you realize. 11:15 How can you move forward after growing up in a chaotic environment? 16:00 What panic attacks taught Jerry about fear, identity, and purpose. 19:00 How do you stop comparing yourself to everyone else? 20:30 Is it ever too late to reinvent your career? 22:15 How meaningful work can replace resentment with purpose. 24:15 Can social anxiety become a creative strength? 29:45 The mindset shift that helps you stop waiting and start creating. 31:15 How creating consistently builds confidence and resilience. 32:30 What does "always be around" really mean for your career? Resources + Links Learn more about Jerry Saltz HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Jerry: on X @jerrysaltz + Instagram @jerrysaltz
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  "On The Internet, Everyone Looks Rich" with Jenny Blake 21.07.2026 1ó

  What happens when the strategies that always worked for you suddenly stop working? How do you keep believing in yourself when success no longer feels certain? In this episode, I sit down with entrepreneur and author Jenny Blake to talk about financial uncertainty, career setbacks, and the emotional toll of building a business. Jenny shares what it was like to lose major clients, question long-held beliefs about success, navigate the "flop era" of entrepreneurship, and find new meaning through creativity instead of certainty. Tune in to discover how to navigate uncertainty with more self-compassion, patience, and purpose. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals Pebl - Take advantage of Pebl’s limited-time offer before it’s gone. Visit hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why everyone looks rich on the internet, even when they're not. 04:15 What if your career doesn't go according to plan? 09:15 How Jenny Blake built a successful business after leaving Google. 13:15 What happens when your biggest source of income suddenly disappears? 18:45 How do you recover after a major career setback? 20:45 How to separate your self-worth from your achievements. 24:15 Can your body tell you when you're on the wrong path? 28:45 What Bell's palsy taught Jenny about burnout and self-care. 31:00 How atypical achievers can build careers that work for them. 35:15 How permission slips can help you navigate difficult seasons. 40:45 Would you still do it if it failed? 44:00 Is it okay if your greatest success is already behind you? 47:30 Why letting go of your old identity helps you move forward. 52:00 What permission do you need to give yourself right now? Resources + Links Learn more about Jenny Blake HERE Get your copy of Jenny's book, Pivot HERE Get your copy of Jenny's book, Free Time HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Jenny: on LinkedIn @jennyblake
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  "Death, Sex, and Money": Talking Smart About Hard Things With Anna Sale 16.07.2026 38p

  Which conversations have you been avoiding at work? In this classic episode, I sit down with Death, Sex & Money host Anna Sale to talk about why conversations about money, mental health, and personal struggles still feel so difficult in many workplaces. We discuss the shame that often shapes our financial decisions, how your upbringing influences the way you negotiate and advocate for yourself, and what to consider before telling your boss you're struggling. Anna also shares advice for setting boundaries, asking for what you need, and creating more honest relationships at work. Get ready to rethink the conversations that could change your work and your life. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals Pebl - Take advantage of Pebl’s limited-time offer before it’s gone. Visit hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 The value of talking about hard things. 05:30 Which conversations are still taboo at work? 08:15 The shame that shapes our relationship with money. 12:15 Anna's experience with money anxiety. 15:45 The money mindset behind anxious achievers. 18:00 How do you negotiate without losing yourself? 20:30 How to set boundaries without apologizing. 22:45 A test before saying yes. 23:45 Negotiation advice for the start of your career.  27:30 Should you tell your boss you're struggling? 31:45 Choosing your wellbeing over your paycheck. Resources + Links Learn more about Anna Sale HERE Get a copy of Anna’s book Let's Talk About Hard Things HERE Listen to Death, Sex & Money HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Anna: on LinkedIn @annasale + Instagram @annasalepics
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  Exploring Liminal Spaces with HBS's DJ DiDonna 14.07.2026 1ó 4p

  Would you take four months away from work? Have you ever wondered who you'd be without your job for a while? In this episode, I sit down with Harvard Business School lecturer and The Sabbatical Project founder Dennis “DJ” DiDonna to talk about why many of us keep pushing until burnout forces us to stop, how intentional time away creates space to reflect on what really matters, and why rest isn't about doing nothing. DJ also shares ways to plan a sabbatical, navigate the uncertainty that comes with slowing down, and return with a stronger sense of purpose. Get ready to rethink time off as an investment in the life and career you want to build. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals Pebl - Take advantage of Pebl’s limited-time offer before it’s gone. Visit hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 A new way to think about time away from work. 05:30 How sabbaticals create space for renewal instead of escape. 07:15 What is a sabbatical? 10:00 How burnout led DJ to rethink the life he was building. 15:00 Why achievement often comes at the expense of the people who matter most. 21:45 What are the benefits of stepping away from work? 26:45 When is the perfect time for a sabbatical? 32:15 What are the 3 types of sabbatical takers? 36:00 Why reconnecting with your craft can restore creativity. 41:00 How do you give yourself permission? 46:00 Are sabbaticals always relaxing? 49:00 How stepping away from work can make you a better leader. 53:00 Why taking time off is an investment, not an escape. 57:30 DJ's advice for planning your first sabbatical. Resources + Links Learn more about DJ DiDonna HERE Pre-order a copy of DJ DiDonna’s book Big Time Off HERE Learn more about The Sabbatical Project HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow DJ DiDonna on LinkedIn: @djdidonna
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  Unpacking Money Trauma with Shannah Game 09.07.2026 38p

  Could the way you think about money have more to do with your childhood than your bank account? In this episode, I sit down with personal finance expert Shannah Game to talk about why your relationship with money is often shaped long before you earn your first paycheck. We dive deep into money trauma, the stories we attach to spending and saving, and how those patterns influence our careers, relationships, and sense of self. Shannah also shares ways to respond differently to financial triggers and build healthier habits that align with the life you want. Get ready to rethink your relationship with money. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals Pebl - Take advantage of Pebl’s limited-time offer before it’s gone. Visit hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 How childhood experiences shape your money habits and beliefs. 05:00 Why money is about so much more than dollars and cents. 07:15 How your money story influences your work and relationships. 12:00 A question that helps uncover your beliefs about money. 16:15 What is money trauma? 19:15 How to recognize your financial triggers before they take over. 22:00 How to interrupt unhealthy money habits with healthier thought patterns. 24:45 An exercise for changing your emotional response to money. 26:15 How do you build systems that reduce financial anxiety? 28:30 Why creating a regular "money date" builds confidence instead of fear. 30:00 What is financial self-actualization? 33:00 The 100-day challenge that helps you rethink every financial decision. Resources + Links Learn more about Shannah Game HERE Get a copy of Shannah’s book Unraveling Your Relationship with Money HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Shannah on Instagram: @shannahgame
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  Leading When Nothing Feels Certain With Scott D. Anthony, Lisa Kay Solomon, and Chris Shipley 07.07.2026 1ó 1p

  How do you lead when the future refuses to give you certainty? In this episode, I sit down with leadership experts Scott D. Anthony, Lisa Kay Solomon, and Chris Shipley to talk about what leadership looks like when uncertainty becomes the norm. We dive into making decisions without having all the answers, why leaders need to let go of the illusion of certainty, and how curiosity, agency, and even play can help teams adapt to change. We also share ways to navigate uncertainty, manage anxiety, and create workplaces where people feel empowered to do their best work. Tune in to discover why the future belongs to leaders who are willing to learn, adapt, and grow. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals Pebl - Take advantage of Pebl’s limited-time offer before it’s gone. Visit hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why today's leaders need clarity instead of certainty. 03:15 What effective leadership looks like in an era of constant disruption. 08:15 Why clarity matters more than having all the answers. 11:00 Why learning often requires unlearning first. 12:45 How can you become more comfortable with uncertainty? 20:00 How mindfulness helps leaders stay grounded under pressure. 22:00 Why is agency one of the most important leadership skills today? 30:00 Why anxiety often leads people to avoid the work that matters most. 32:30 How to build psychological safety when everything feels uncertain. 39:00 How to create more joy, connection, and creativity at work. 44:45 Why appreciation and gratitude are essential for a thriving team. 53:45 Who are you when you take your job title away? Resources + Links Get your copy of Leading for Tomorrow HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Scott on LinkedIn: @scottdanthony Follow Lisa on LinkedIn: @lisakaysolomon Follow Chris on LinkedIn: @cshipley9
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  Can Passion For Your Work Drive Burnout? With Jon Jachimowicz 02.07.2026 52p

  Can loving your work make burnout more likely? In this episode, I sit down with Harvard Business School professor Jon Jachimowicz to talk about the downside of passion at work. Jon shares why passion isn't something you either have or don't have, but something that rises and falls over time. We also talk about why passionate employees often overwork, skip recovery, and become vulnerable to burnout, how organizations unintentionally exploit passion, and why leaders need a better strategy for helping people sustain meaningful work over the long term. Tune in to rethink what it really means to follow your passion without sacrificing your well-being. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals Pebl - Take advantage of Pebl’s limited-time offer before it’s gone. Visit hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why following your passion isn't always the path to sustainable success. 04:00 How Jon's own loss of passion inspired his research. 09:00 Why passion can become one of the biggest drivers of burnout. 12:15 How passionate employees unknowingly skip recovery and overextend themselves. 15:00 Why do client and societal expectations trap high achievers into overperforming? 17:00 How do workplaces systematically confuse extroversion with passion? 23:15 Why performing passion can become emotionally exhausting. 27:15 How managers should lead passionate employees differently. 31:00 Why organizations often exploit passionate workers without realizing it. 35:15 Why current promotional career paths are broken for passionate workers. 39:15 How can companies help employees sustain passion? 43:45 The 3 different types of burnout and why they need different solutions. 45:30 Ways to recover when burnout comes from a loss of self-efficacy or cynicism. Resources + Links Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam
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  Haley Moss: "My Autism Is Not the Center of the Universe" 30.06.2026 59p

  How do you ask for what you need at work when the system still makes disability feel risky to name? In this episode, I sit down with attorney, author, and neurodiversity advocate Haley Moss to talk about the reality of being neurodivergent at work. Haley breaks down what the ADA actually protects, how reasonable accommodations work in practice, and why disclosure is still such a fraught decision for so many people. We also talk about masking, internalized ableism, the pressure to frame neurodivergence as a “superpower,” and MORE. Get ready to rethink disclosure, disability, and what real inclusion at work should actually look like. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals Pebl - Take advantage of Pebl’s limited-time offer before it’s gone. Visit hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why talking about neurodivergence at work is still so loaded. 03:00 How Haley’s career shifted after becoming known as Florida’s first openly autistic attorney. 08:00 Why telling your own story matters more than letting other people simplify it for you. 11:30 What the ADA protects for neurodivergent employees at work. 13:30 How to understand reasonable accommodations and what counts as “essential functions” of a job. 16:30 What are the myths people still believe about workplace accommodations? 22:15 Why neurodivergent workers are often expected to do the emotional labor of culture change. 25:45 What happens when an accommodation exists on paper but not in practice? 29:30 What the “double empathy problem” shows about communication between neurotypical and neurodivergent coworkers. 35:00 What to do if you’re neurodivergent but don’t identify as disabled or don’t want to disclose formally? 39:15 What do you think about disclosing to get legal protection versus advocating informally? 41:45 How framing neurodivergence as a strength can be both empowering and strategic. 49:30 How meeting other neurodivergent people can shift your sense of identity and belonging. 50:45 Why Haley is intentionally expanding beyond autism as the center of her public identity. 53:45 How to make work feel safer for different brains and bodies. Resources + Links Get a copy of Haley Moss’s book, The Young Autistic Adult's Independence Handbook HERE Learn more about Haley Moss HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Haley: on LinkedIn @haleylmoss + Instagram @haley.moss
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  Deepa Purushothaman On "Acting In" Stress, Anxiety, and Overwork 25.06.2026 45p

  How much of yourself should work be allowed to cost you? In this episode, I sit down with author and former Deloitte partner Deepa Purushothaman to talk about what happens when ambition, bias, and chronic overwork are carried in the body. Deepa shares how a major health crisis forced her to rethink the way she worked, the way she defined success, and the ways women of color are taught to survive in workplaces that were never built for them. We talk about masking, hypervigilance, power, and why so many women can appear successful on paper yet feel depleted, silenced, and disconnected from themselves. Get ready to challenge your assumptions about power, productivity, and the stories corporate culture has taught you to believe about yourself. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals Pebl - Take advantage of Pebl’s limited-time offer before it’s gone. Visit hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 What happens when workplace stress gets carried in the body? 04:45 Why high achievers often learn to ignore their bodies. 08:45 How illness can push you to rethink your purpose and priorities. 12:00 How to recognize when your body is sending you a warning sign. 16:00 How women of color can end up in a constant state of hypervigilance. 22:15 What happens when women report racism or bias at work? 24:45 The workplace delusions many women are taught to believe in order to survive. 28:30 Why have so many women been taught to see power as something aggressive or unsafe? 31:15 What does it actually mean to “shed” the beliefs that no longer serve you? 32:30 How to identify the old messages that still drive your anxiety and self-doubt. 36:15 Why toxicity at work isn’t just a mental health issue. 37:45 How to protect yourself while still pursuing ambition and success. 39:30 How redefining success can change the way you work and live. Resources + Links Get a copy of Deepa Purushothaman’s book, The First, the Few, the Only: How Women of Color Can Redefine Power in Corporate America HERE Learn more about Deepa Purushothaman HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Deepa: on LinkedIn @deepapuru + Instagram @deepa.puru
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  Surfing Through the AI Apocalypse with Jacob Ward 23.06.2026 1ó 8p

  How do you stay grounded when technology is changing work faster than any of us can keep up with? In this episode, I sit down with journalist and CNN contributor Jacob Ward to talk about the emotional and psychological impact of living and working alongside increasingly powerful technology. Jacob shares why he believes the bigger threat isn’t just automation, but the way these systems shape your behavior, attention, and relationships at work. We talk about loneliness, agency, management, the pressure to keep producing, and what happens when more of our thinking gets handed over to machines. Get ready to rethink productivity, management, and the value of human judgment. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals Pebl - Take advantage of Pebl’s limited-time offer before it’s gone. Visit hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 What is AI doing to your mind and mood? 04:45 Why technology is really a story about human behavior. 09:00 How “fast thinking” makes us easier to manipulate. 13:00 What an AI co-parenting tool reveals about convenience, conflict, and control. 15:15 Can technology really support mental health without replacing human care? 17:45 Why the systems built to help us often prioritize engagement instead. 20:00 What a more “human-free” workplace could mean for all of us. 26:45 The human skills at work that are most at risk of disappearing. 30:00 How to deal with the helplessness so many people feel about the future of work. 36:00 The Pope’s warning about AI, dignity, and human value. 43:30 Why trust matters so much when institutions are under pressure. 47:45 How to decide when to use AI and when to resist it. 50:00 Why the pressure to produce more can quietly trap high achievers. 54:30 How do you stay relevant without giving up your standards? Resources + Links Visit Jacob Ward’s website HERE Get a copy of Jacob’s book, The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Jacob: on YouTube @byjacobward + Instagram @byjacobward
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  A Unicorn Tech Exec's Complicated Legacy of Childhood Trauma with Andy Johns 18.06.2026 43p

  Can achievement become a coping mechanism? In this classic episode, I sit down with entrepreneur, investor, and former Facebook and Twitter growth leader Andy Johns to talk about the connection between childhood trauma, anxiety, achievement, and self-worth. Andy shares how growing up with instability, loss, and trauma shaped his relentless drive to succeed, why panic attacks eventually forced him to confront his mental health, and how years of healing helped him realize that achievement and self-love are not the same thing. We also dive into PTSD, entrepreneurship, intrusive thoughts, overwork, and why so many successful people struggle to slow down even after they've reached their goals. Tune in to learn why healing is the most important achievement of all. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals Pebl - Take advantage of Pebl’s limited-time offer before it’s gone. Visit hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 What’s the connection between achievement and self-worth? 05:00 What "growth" really means in the startup world. 07:15 Why entrepreneurs are more likely to struggle with mental health conditions. 08:45 How anxiety can fuel exceptional performance and success. 15:00 Why speaking publicly about mental health felt so risky. 18:30 What are intrusive thoughts? 20:30 How childhood trauma can shape adult anxiety and depression. 25:15 The childhood experiences that contributed to Andy's PTSD. 30:15 When does achievement become an addiction? 34:15 How to recognize when overachievement is masking emotional pain. 35:45 Why mental health is about more than brain chemistry. 36:45 What is the biopsychosocial model of mental health? 38:15 How your experiences shape the way you think, feel, and live. Resources + Links Read Andy's writing at https://andyjohns.substack.com Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Andy: on LinkedIn @andrewjohns + Substack @cluesdotlife
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  "It's Just So Enjoyable." Jodi Kantor On The Power Of Craft In A Digitized World 16.06.2026 43p

  How do you build a meaningful career when AI is rewriting the future of work? In this episode, I sit down with New York Times investigative reporter Jodi Kantor to talk about why so many young professionals feel discouraged about the future, and how digital shifts are reshaping our modern workplaces. Jodi shares how she survived getting fired from her college paper and dropping out of law school, and how those setbacks paved her way back to journalism. We also dive deep into the realities of AI-driven hiring, the loss of workplace autonomy, and the formula for reclaiming your agency. Get ready to rethink what it truly takes to protect your career in a rapidly changing world. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals Pebl - Take advantage of Pebl’s limited-time offer before it’s gone. Visit hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 What Jodi Kantor believes is one of the most important ingredients for a meaningful career. 04:15 How do you think about hope? 05:45 The question that Columbia students wanted answered during a year of campus turmoil. 09:45 How technology has reduced worker autonomy over the last decade. 14:45 Why AI is making the hiring process feel increasingly impersonal. 17:00 How do you define craft? 19:45 What's the relationship between strengths, interests, and building expertise over time? 24:00 Why career setbacks are often essential parts of growth. 27:00 How to stay focused on the work instead of public praise or criticism. 30:00 How to identify the problems, opportunities, or needs you want your work to serve. 31:45 Why AI won't eliminate the need for fresh talent and new ideas. 33:00 What colleges can do to better prepare students for today's workforce. 35:15 How universities can better help students find their life's work. 38:00 Jodi's advice for anyone starting their career today. Resources + Links Get a copy of Jodi’s book, How to Start: Discovering Your Life’s Work HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Jodi: on LinkedIn @jodikantor + Instagram @jodikantor
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  This U.S. Congressman Gives His Anxiety A Job To Do with Adam Smith 11.06.2026 42p

  What if achievement doesn't have to come from suffering? I sit down with Congressman Adam Smith to talk about the complicated relationship between anxiety, achievement, and self-worth. Adam shares his journey through panic attacks, psychotherapy, chronic pain recovery, and the difficult work of building self-worth that isn't tied to performance. We also dive into why so many high achievers believe anxiety is the price of success, how trauma and stress shape the way we lead, and what happens when you stop using fear and self-criticism as your primary source of motivation. Get ready to discover a healthier path to high achievement. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals Pebl - Take advantage of Pebl’s limited-time offer before it’s gone. Visit hipebl.ai today In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Can anxiety make you a better leader? 04:30 Why ambitious people often struggle with fear and insecurity. 06:15 How can you give your anxiety a productive job to do? 08:45 What's the difference between feeling anxious and having clinical anxiety? 10:45 How Adam navigated years of panic attacks, chronic pain, and mental health challenges. 12:15 Why a lack of self-worth can fuel anxiety and achievement. 16:30 How ambition can remain strong even after anxiety is no longer the primary motivator. 28:45 Meditation techniques that help stop the cycle of chasing anxious thoughts. 31:15 What does it mean to demystify trauma? 33:30 New approaches that help people reprocess and heal from trauma. 35:30 The leadership skills that create healthier teams and workplaces. 37:15 How mental health struggles can become a source of empathy, patience, and stronger leadership. Resources + Links Get a copy of Adam Smith's book, Lost and Broken: My Journey Back from Chronic Pain and Crippling Anxiety HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Adam on LinkedIn @​​adamsmith
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  Exploring Gender At Work And "Work Life Conflict" With Dr. David Smith 09.06.2026 1ó

  Why does modern work feel impossible for so many families? In this episode, I talk with sociologist, former Navy pilot, and workplace researcher Dr. David Smith about why so many modern couples feel trapped in work-life conflict, how to navigate the structural stress of dual-career life, and the realities of modern caregiving. David breaks down the "Lead-Follow" relationship strategy used by highly successful couples. We also dive into the anxieties men face surrounding workplace allyship, why traditional mentorship scripts are broken, and how organizations must design work for a cross-generational workforce. Tune in to learn about the pressures modern families face and what needs to change. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals Pebl - Take advantage of Pebl’s limited-time offer before it’s gone. Visit hipebl.ai today In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why the traditional "breadwinner" corporate model is completely broken. 03:15 How repetition and exposure help build confidence under pressure. 06:15 What can military families teach us about work-life conflict? 08:45 Why women were leaving the military at much higher rates than men. 11:15 The 4 strategies dual-career couples use to navigate work and family stress. 16:45 Why constant renegotiation is essential in long-term partnerships. 22:00 What does work-life conflict mean? 25:00 How outdated workplace structures create burnout for both women and men. 27:30 Why millennial fathers are demanding flexibility and shifts in family culture. 35:00 Why many men now feel anxious about mentoring women at work. 37:15 How avoidance and fear damage workplace culture. 41:45 Can workplaces support women without men feeling left behind? 44:15 How device reliance and isolation are reshaping the incoming Gen Z workforce. 51:15 What can leaders do to better support modern families? 54:45 How organizations can better support career breaks and re-entry. Resources + Links Get a copy of David Smith’s new book, Fair Share HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Dr. David on LinkedIn: @davidgsmithphd
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  The Freedom Of Not Knowing with HBS's Martin Sinozich 04.06.2026 35p

  How much of your life is being driven by fear without you even realizing it? In this episode, I sit down with Harvard Business School lecturer, entrepreneur, and former executive Martin Sinozich to talk about the pressure high achievers carry to prove themselves, stay successful, and never disappoint anyone. Martin shares about divorce, identity, workplace culture, and the freedom that comes from letting go of perfection and learning to trust yourself instead. We also break down the imposter feelings in elite environments, the anxiety of always needing to be “right,” and why so many ambitious people feel like they don’t belong. Get ready to rethink achievement and self-worth. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Quince - Head to quince.com/ACHIEVER for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Martin Sinozich on achievement pressure and mental health. 03:00 What happens when high achievers lose their identity at work? 06:30 What do psychologically healthy workplaces look like? 09:30 Why asking better questions matters more than having answers. 11:45 How achievement culture affects relationships at home. 17:30 How divorce forced Martin to confront the fear driving his life. 20:00 What changed after you stopped living for other people’s approval? 24:15 Living with imposter feelings at Harvard Business School. 27:30 How fear and achievement pressure affect marriage, parenting, and identity. Resources + Links Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Martin on LinkedIn: @sinozich
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  Is Therapy The Best We've Got? Megan Cornish Wants More 02.06.2026 59p

  Have you started expecting therapy to do too much? In this episode, I sit down with therapist and writer Megan Cornish to talk about the pressure we place on therapy to solve problems that may actually stem from isolation, lack of community, and modern life itself. Megan shares that many of the struggles we now label as “mental health problems” were once held by friends, neighbors, faith communities, and everyday human relationships. She also breaks down ACT therapy exercises that can help you hold painful thoughts more lightly and reconnect to your values instead of chasing constant happiness. Get ready to rethink therapy, connection, and what makes a meaningful life. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 How capitalism and work culture affect mental health. 04:15 Megan’s viral experiment with AI, LinkedIn, and gender bias. 10:00 Can therapy really work in the workplace? 14:30 How therapists became substitutes for friendship and community. 21:00 How therapy evolved beyond treating severe mental illness. 25:00 Did people cope better emotionally before therapy existed? 29:15 How AI relationships remove friction from connection. 33:30 The ACT therapy exercise that changed how Megan approaches friendship. 36:30 Why discomfort doesn’t always mean something is wrong. 45:30 Why non-attachment to suffering exists across many traditions. 47:45 Do we actually need life to make perfect sense? 49:00 The “80-year-old self” exercise for perspective and gratitude. Resources + Links Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Megan Cornish on LinkedIn: @megan-cornish
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  How To Take Psychedelics for Your Mental Health with Dr. Will Van Derveer 01.06.2026 43p

  This week we’re sharing a special episode from our friends at How To!, the 2026 Ambie Award-nominated “Best Personal Growth Podcast” that’s back with a new host and new topics to fuel your curiosity.  Each week on How To!, award-winning journalist Mike Pesca tackles a listener’s question – on topics ranging from travel and finance to health and relationships – with help from world-class experts who actually know what they're talking about. Think of it as eavesdropping on someone else's therapy session, without the co-pay or awkward silence.  And today, we’re sharing their recent episode “How To Take Psychedelics for Your Mental Health” where Mike interviews psychiatrist Will Van der Veer, a psychedelic researcher, and Myq Kaplan who has taken psychedelics for his mental health and other reasons. I love this episode because you get to hear a bunch of personal experiences of medical psychedelics and learn more about this emerging treatment for mental health conditions.  And for more interviews like this, make sure to follow How To! on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And tell them we sent you.
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  Perfectionism Is Not The Healthy Pursuit Of Excellence: Dr. Thomas Greenspon 28.05.2026 54p

  Why do so many capable, high-performing people end up exhausted, and emotionally drained even when they’re doing everything “right”? In this episode, I sit with psychologist Dr. Thomas Greenspon to talk about perfectionism, shame, and self-worth. Thomas breaks down why perfectionism isn’t actually about excellence, then entrepreneur Eleanor Beaton shares how perfectionism shaped her leadership, ambition, and identity and what changed when she stopped chasing perfection and started embracing wholeness instead. Get ready to rethink the way you work, care for others, and define success. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Quince - Head to quince.com/ACHIEVER for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 What is perfectionism? 08:30 What’s the difference between perfectionism and the pursuit of excellence? 10:00 How perfectionism becomes a coping mechanism for anxiety. 14:30 What’s the connection between perfectionism, depression, and hopelessness? 17:00 How childhood experiences shape perfectionism. 20:45 Why humans are wired for connection and belonging. 22:45 How modern culture rewards perfectionism and overachievement. 23:30 What can parents do to help perfectionistic kids? 25:45 The 4 things that help people overcome perfectionism. 32:45 Why perfectionism disconnects you from our wholeness. 35:30 How perfectionism delays growth and keeps people stuck. 41:00 Why entrepreneurship becomes personal development work. 44:00 How perfectionism shows up as avoidance and overwork. 46:30 What are the signs that perfectionism is running your life? Resources + Links Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam
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  The Power of Divergent Thinking With David Flink 26.05.2026 1ó 5p

  What if the problem isn’t your brain, but the systems you’ve spent your life trying to fit into? In this episode, I sit down with David Flink, founder of the Neurodiversity Alliance. We talk about what it means to navigate work, leadership, and identity as a neurodivergent person. David shares how he learned to stop forcing himself into systems that didn’t fit, how metacognition changed his life, and why today’s younger workers are approaching neurodivergence differently. Get ready to build your life around your strengths instead of constantly trying to fix your weaknesses.  Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Quince - Head to quince.com/ACHIEVER for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 How do you define leadership? 04:00 What became easier for you as you got older as a neurodivergent leader? 08:00 The strengths David has come to love about his dyslexic ADHD brain. 11:15 Why neurodivergent adults spend years unlearning shame. 17:15 Why kids need to become detectives of their own learning styles. 19:00 What metacognition means and why it matters so much. 24:00 Don't let your current environment define your potential. 27:45 Why neurodivergent people often develop extraordinary resilience. 31:15 Can workplaces change for neurodivergent employees? 37:15 How remote work transformed David’s company culture. 41:30 Why Gen Z approaches disability and neurodivergence differently. 45:15 How focusing on deficits causes companies to miss great talent. 47:30 What happens to neurodivergence in midlife. 51:45 What is inter-able relationship? 54:15 Why the best teams are built around complementary strengths. Resources + Links Pre-order your copy of David Flink’s book, 20% Smarter HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow David on LinkedIn @dflink
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  "We Have Emotional Relationships With Our Technology," Nilay Patel On AI 21.05.2026 52p

  Why does AI feel so personal to so many professionals right now? In this episode, I talk with Nilay Patel, editor-in-chief of The Verge, about the emotional side of artificial intelligence and why so much of the fear around AI may actually be about work itself. We dive into how layoffs, shrinking trust in employers, “good enough” automation, and constant technological change are reshaping the way ambitious people think about stability, creativity, and their future careers. Nilay shares why humans naturally form emotional relationships with technology, why AI companions and chatbots can feel strangely comforting, and why today’s AI hype may be running ahead of reality. Tune in to learn how AI is reshaping work, identity, and ambition. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Quince - Head to quince.com/ACHIEVER for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why AI feels emotionally threatening at work right now. 03:15 Why humans form emotional relationships with technology. 05:15 How social media is engineered to shape emotions and behavior. 10:00 Why the media frames AI as an existential threat. 12:15 What are the jobs already being affected by generative AI? 16:30 Can AI become a better therapist, mentor, or manager than humans? 21:30 Why constructive criticism and “teeth” matter in management. 24:00 The fear that AI will devalue expertise and creativity. 27:45 Why large language models can’t actually create original ideas. 30:13 How to think about expertise and career growth in the age of AI. 32:30 Why democratizing creative tools changes entire industries. 37:30 What happens when the middle of the labor market disappears? 40:30 Is AI actually as transformative as people claim? 43:45 Why tech companies are failing to help workers emotionally adapt. 45:30 Nilay’s advice for CEOs and billionaires building AI products. Resources + Links Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Nilay: on LinkedIn @nilaypatel + Instagram @reckless1280