Fixable
TED
Frances Frei is a Harvard Business professor. Anne Morriss is a CEO and best-selling author. Anne and Frances are two of the top leadership coaches in the world. Oh, did we mention they're also married to each other? Together, Anne and Frances move fast and fix stuff by talking to guest callers about their workplace issues and solving their problems – in 30 minutes or less. Both listeners and guests will receive actionable insights to create meaningful change in the workplace. From CEOs to nurses, the restaurant world to Silicon Valley, Frances and Anne have a plan for anyone hoping to improve their their workplace. Follow Anne on Instagram @annemorriss and on LinkedIn @anne-morriss. Follow Frances on Instagram @francesxfrei and on LinkedIn @francesfreiIf you want to be on Fixable, call our hotline at 234-Fixable (that's 234-349-2253) to leave Anne and Frances a voicemail with your workplace problem, or email us at fixable@ted.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
20 snips
Mar 23, 2026 • 35min
Toolkit: Talk Like a Leader (Part 2)
They treat communication as a performance and show how to take control of presence on stage and on camera. They explain the “deeply/simply” method: master complexity, then distill it into a clear message. Practical tips cover rehearsing in low-stakes settings, vocal choices like pace and pitch, using pauses, posture and visual framing, and a surprising style rule about comfort for others.
28 snips
Mar 16, 2026 • 32min
Toolkit: Talk Like a Leader (Part 1)
Tools for speaking with authority and care are broken down into learnable skills. Techniques for avoiding embarrassment and preserving dignity in conversation are explored. Ways to match others’ conversational style and balance advocating with genuine inquiry are highlighted. Practical prompts, concise speech tactics, and strategies for keeping influence while staying curious are presented.
10 snips
Mar 9, 2026 • 35min
Toolkit: Give Better Feedback
A practical toolkit for giving and getting workplace feedback. Short explanations of evaluative versus improvement-minded feedback. Clear rules for when to praise publicly and when to offer private, specific critique. Tips on surviving clumsy criticism and using the 5:1 ratio of positives to corrective comments. Advice on sequencing development before honest evaluation.
9 snips
Mar 2, 2026 • 30min
Unsolicited Advice: Why Jeff Bezos should sell the Washington Post
Hosts debate why Jeff Bezos should sell The Washington Post after massive layoffs. They highlight signs of decline, warn against billionaire saviors, and pitch an entrepreneurial, data-driven team as the ideal buyer. They name potential leaders, outline strategic playbooks inspired by other newsrooms, and call for bold experiments, reader mobilization, and a culture of optimistic reinvention.
9 snips
Feb 23, 2026 • 36min
How to challenge negative self-beliefs (w/ Master Fixer Muriel Wilkins)
Muriel Wilkins, leadership expert, executive coach, and author of Leadership Unblocked, helps leaders confront limiting beliefs. She outlines seven common leadership blockers. Conversations cover micromanagement roots, belonging and identity at work, shifting from operator to strategist, and how personal agency changes team dynamics.
10 snips
Feb 16, 2026 • 24min
(Re-release) Unsolicited Advice: How to handle layoffs with care
A frank conversation about how organizations should handle layoffs with care. They explore the risks of normalizing layoffs and the hidden costs to innovation and morale. Leaders are urged to admit failure, apologize, and lay out a clear, repeatable plan for the present and future. Practical steps include storytelling, honoring the past, reframing employee value, and protecting leader capacity.
5 snips
Feb 9, 2026 • 28min
How Zappos outperformed Amazon
A deep look at how exceptional customer service beat traditional marketing. They explore a culture built for happiness, hiring for fit, and daring practices like pay-to-quit. Learn how call-center freedom, simplified tech, and vendor partnerships fueled rapid fulfillment and word-of-mouth growth.
31 snips
Feb 2, 2026 • 27min
Quick Fixes: How to stop judging your colleagues, pick your battles, and delegate responsibly
Advice on repairing collaboration with difficult coworkers through curiosity, vulnerability, and reframing. A practical walk through descending the ladder of inference to focus on facts. A framework for deciding what to be great at and what to let go. Clear rules for active delegation, decision rubrics, and designing empowerment that actually works.
16 snips
Jan 26, 2026 • 37min
Toolkit: Set Better Goals (like Shohei Ohtani)
They introduce a practical Toolkit for setting ambitious goals using the Harada Method. They unpack how to build a goal grid with one big target, eight pillars, and daily actions. They examine Shohei Ohtani’s ninth-grade grid and his daily 'karma' routines. They share tips for starting simple, iterating, and using accountability with partners to sustain progress.
17 snips
Jan 19, 2026 • 36min
(Re-release) Unsolicited Advice: How to get your mojo back at work
Feeling burned out at work? The hosts tackle the concept of exhausted mediocrity and its impact on your performance. They discuss the importance of intentional breaks and how scheduled time off can enhance productivity. Discover tips for emotional management to protect your energy. They encourage observing your interests and quirks as pathways to passion. Dive into ambitious goal-setting and the power of immediate action to ignite creativity. Prepare yourself for a refreshing approach to work and reclaim your enthusiasm!
