Hello Monday with Jessi Hempel

Thinking about making a change in your career? Today we’re bringing back an episode on the extraordinary career shift of Robin Arzon, Peloton's VP of Fitness Programming. Once a corporate litigator with a prestigious law degree, Robin courageously pivoted to become a leading fitness expert, proving that it's never too late to reinvent yourself. Robin, known for her energizing Peloton workouts, shares her unique journey from the courtroom to the cycling studio. She candidly discusses the challenges and triumphs of leaving a stable legal career to pursue her passion in fitness. Robin reveals how she embraced uncertainty, leveraged her inner strength, and turned setbacks into stepping stones toward success. She sits down with Jessi to discuss the power of self-belief, the role of discomfort in personal development, and the impact of finding true alignment with your career. Whether you’re contemplating a career change yourself or seeking motivation to overcome obstacles, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable strategies to help you navigate your own path.Subscribe to the Hello Monday newsletter to get episodes and insights delivered straight to your inbox every Monday!

Katherine Morgan Schafler, a distinguished psychotherapist and author of The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control, offers a refreshing perspective on perfectionism. She reframes it as a potent asset rather than an adversary, sharing strategies to transform perfectionistic traits into avenues for growth and self-compassion. Katherine discusses the importance of aligning with personal values, setting boundaries to combat burnout, and cultivating optimism as a mindset for resilience. This insightful conversation equips listeners with essential tools for embracing their perfectionism positively.

Nate Silver, a renowned statistician and author known for his groundbreaking work in political forecasting, dives into the art of risk-taking. He discusses how embracing calculated risks can significantly enhance one’s career and personal growth. The conversation highlights essential traits of successful risk-takers, the balance between risk and caution, and the transformative power of facing fears. Nate also shares insights on intuition versus analytical thinking in decision-making and the importance of empathy in competitive environments.

Scott Doorley and Carissa Carter, directors at Stanford d.school, dive into the transformative power of design thinking. They discuss how embracing constraints can spark creativity and the importance of understanding emerging technologies. The conversation highlights the interplay between creativity and agency in societal change, along with the significance of mentorship in one’s career. They also share insights on material literacy, urging listeners to engage with technology meaningfully to navigate the evolving landscape.

In this insightful conversation, Octavia Raheem, a rest coach and author, highlights the healing power of rest amid our hustle-driven lives. She shares her journey as a 'type A in recovery,' emphasizing the need to prioritize wellness over productivity. Octavia discusses the emotional hurdles of resting and the importance of mindfulness. She also offers transformative techniques for incorporating intentional pauses into our daily routines, revealing how moments of stillness can lead to profound personal growth and clarity.

Kathleen Griffith, an entrepreneur and author of "Build Like a Woman," shares her insights on navigating life's breakdowns. She discusses how these challenging moments can lead to personal breakthroughs and the importance of embracing discomfort for growth. Kathleen emphasizes aligning personal goals with career aspirations and the power of self-belief in professional settings. Her strategies encourage listeners to see vulnerabilities as opportunities for building a fulfilling future, reminding us that transformation often comes from our toughest experiences.

Sebene Selassie, a writer and Buddhist teacher living with breast cancer, shares insights on control, surrender, and connection in the face of uncertainty. The podcast explores the balance between manipulating time and accepting its limitations, emphasizing radical presence in meditation for embracing interconnectedness and joy.

Creativity strategist Natalie Nixon discusses her 'Move, Think, Rest' framework for unlocking potential. Topics include prioritizing movement and rest for deep thought, cultivating work differently, and focusing on the process over the outcome.

How do we measure productivity? Our default metric tends to be activity. How many emails did you send? How many words did you write? How quickly did you respond to that Slack message? Cal Newport, computer science professor at Georgetown and author of “Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout” advocates for a different framework. Rather than thinking about how much activity you have in a day, Cal wants you to consider: how do you work to land at the bigger outcomes and goals? In the second episode of our month-long series about how we make the most of our time, we’re zooming out from hours and days and examining time over the course of weeks. Cal sits down with Jessi to offer strategies for achieving long term productivity, speaking to the importance of quality over quantity, the power of boredom, and the future of technology as it relates to how we spend our time.

Laura Vanderkam, a time management expert, shares tips on planning effectively, time tracking, and the importance of hobbies. She discusses common time management mistakes and tools for efficiency. Vanderkam also emphasizes self-care through bedtime routines and batching tasks.