The Anxious Achiever
Morra Aarons-Mele
Host Morra Aarons-Mele is on a mission to reframe how we think about anxiety and mental health in the workplace. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S. We desperately need better models for leadership and a more holistic view of mental health. Our culture tells those of us who suffer from anxiety and depression that we can’t succeed, but we tell a different story — without sugarcoating the tough stuff. We feature stories from people who’ve been there and experts who can help you thrive.
Listen in your favorite podcast app: https://pod.link/1480904163
For ad inquiries, please reach out to: Network+TAA@yapmedia.com
Listen in your favorite podcast app: https://pod.link/1480904163
For ad inquiries, please reach out to: Network+TAA@yapmedia.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 12, 2026 • 1h 5min
Ego Death Is The Only Way Through with Meredith Arthur
Meredith Arthur, chief of staff at 220 (Pinterest) and mind-body healer focused on nervous-system regulation and chronic pain recovery. She discusses ego death as surrendering control. Short takes on anxiety’s role in identity, nervous-system-informed healing practices, symbolic imagery in recovery, and how life upheaval forces a shift away from external validation.
6 snips
May 7, 2026 • 49min
The Upside of Imposter Syndrome with Basima Tewfik
Basima Tewfik, an MIT Sloan assistant professor who studies the social self at work, explains why imposter thoughts and neuroticism can be strengths. She explores how self-doubt can boost listening, collaboration, creativity, and interpersonal effectiveness. Practical tactics like defusion techniques and ways to work with anxiety are discussed.
16 snips
May 5, 2026 • 51min
Letting Go Of The Need To Know: Charlene Li on Leadership And AI
Charlene Li, author and leadership expert on digital disruption, shares how leaders can trade certainty for curiosity. She outlines a 90-day AI sprint, why pilots stall companies, and practical nontechnical ways to use AI as a second brain. Expect candid talk on reskilling, human-centered rollouts, modeling vulnerability, and moving teams from fear to adaptability.
5 snips
Apr 30, 2026 • 53min
How Can You Improve Your Team's Mental Health? It's Not Rocket Science! with Rita McGrath, Poornima Luthra & Andrew Barnes
Poornima Luthra, DEI expert tackling bias and intersectional inclusion. Andrew Barnes, four-day workweek pioneer who tested shorter workweeks. Rita McGrath, strategy professor focused on scaling humane systems. They discuss why work structures drive burnout, how shorter weeks and fewer interruptions boost wellbeing, why fairness and control matter, and practical changes leaders can make to redesign work.
6 snips
Apr 28, 2026 • 60min
Managing the Emotional Drain of Work and Leadership with Dina Denham Smith
Dina Denham Smith, executive coach and leadership expert who studies emotions at work, joins to unpack how feelings show up in the body and derail leaders. She outlines quick grounding and breathing tools. Short, practical frameworks like Notice, Name, Need and reframing stress get attention. The conversation centers on pausing, regulating your nervous system, and recovering energy after emotional drain.
13 snips
Apr 23, 2026 • 54min
Do You Speak Mental Health? Exploring Mental Health Literacy with Kent Coules & Donna Volpitta
Donna Volpitta, educator and co-founder of a mental health literacy collaborative, outlines brain-based resilience and prevention in schools and workplaces. Kent Coules, newsperson in long-term recovery, shares his high-functioning alcoholism story and habit-change journey. They discuss why coping habits mask anxiety, how addiction and achievement culture connect, and why teaching mental-health language matters.
10 snips
Apr 21, 2026 • 1h
The CEO Who Doesn't Want You To Leave Your Problems At Home with Dan Simons
Dan Simons, founder of a $100M+ restaurant group who champions operational honesty and mental-health-informed workplaces. He explains why honesty outperforms performative vulnerability. He outlines self-leadership, trauma-informed practices, practical training, and systems that make mental-health conversations safe. He shows how honesty improves focus, retention, and business results.
8 snips
Apr 16, 2026 • 36min
The Twisted Comfort of Overthinking with Meredith Arthur
Meredith Arthur, Chief of Staff at the Pinterest Innovation Lab and mental-health advocate, talks about living with generalized anxiety disorder and how it can hide as productivity. She describes anxiety showing up as migraines, overworking, and blurred boundaries. She also explores designing products and systems that track emotions and support mental well-being.
Apr 14, 2026 • 57min
The Gifts And Struggles of a Bipolar General with Gregg Martin
Major General (Ret) Gregg Martin, a West Point grad, MIT PhD, combat veteran and author, discusses leading at the highest levels while living with bipolar disorder. He explores how high energy and creativity can be both strengths and warning signs. Short, candid segments cover mixed mood states, how military structure shaped symptoms, missed diagnoses, and the challenges of speaking up about mental health.
12 snips
Apr 9, 2026 • 59min
Break The Anxiety Habit with Dr. Jud Brewer and Charles Duhigg
Charles Duhigg, journalist and author who studies how habits form, and Dr. Jud Brewer, psychiatrist and researcher focused on anxiety and habit change, unpack why worry becomes a practiced loop. They explore how anxiety masquerades as problem-solving, the cue-routine-reward habit model, and practical ways to interrupt rumination and replace short-term relief with better alternatives.
