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
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Listen in your favorite podcast app: https://pod.link/1480904163
For ad inquiries, please reach out to: Network+TAA@yapmedia.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
6 snips
Mar 26, 2026 • 48min
The Freelancer's Guide To Less Anxiety with Chris Brogan & Ada Calhoun
Ada Calhoun, writer who explores midlife work anxiety and freelance money fears. Chris Brogan, entrepreneur and content creator living with clinical depression. They talk about how freelancing exposes stability illusions. Conversation covers negotiating with inner critics, day-to-day effects of depression on work, cashflow and client diversification, and the emotional roots of financial fear.
Mar 24, 2026 • 1h 8min
A Mad Scientist's Guide to Happiness: Arthur Brooks on Anxiety and Meaning
Arthur Brooks, Harvard social scientist and author who studies happiness and meaning. He explains why happiness must be learned, how smartphones and modern life erode attention, and introduces emotional “profiles” like the mad scientist that shape leadership. He offers a skill-based approach to happiness and a stepwise protocol to turn anxiety into focused, actionable fear.
8 snips
Mar 19, 2026 • 44min
Manage Anxiety When It's Your Daily Companion with Alice Boyes
Alice Boyes, former clinical psychologist and author of The Anxiety Toolkit, shares practical, research-informed ways to relate to everyday anxiety. She explores why control backfires, common traps like perfectionism and rumination, how anxiety rushes decisions, and strategies to create distance from anxious thoughts and handle feedback without spiraling.
Mar 17, 2026 • 1h 7min
“College Is Your Best Four Years” And Other Lies We Need to Stop Telling with Dr. Alexis Redding
Dr. Alexis Redding, a Harvard developmental psychologist who studies young adult transitions, challenges myths about college and student well being. She discusses normal developmental struggles like anxiety and loneliness. She reframes rising diagnoses, questions the “best four years” idea, highlights financial stress and time poverty, and offers practical ways to support students during transitions.
Mar 12, 2026 • 37min
Hiding In The Bathroom: Social Anxiety And You with Dr. Ellen Hendriksen & Arvind Rajan
Dr. Ellen Hendriksen, clinical psychologist and social anxiety expert who wrote How to Be Yourself, and Arvind Rajan, entrepreneur and former LinkedIn executive who led Cricket Health, discuss social anxiety. They explore avoidance, how social anxiety shows up at work, strengths that accompany it, practicing to build confidence, leadership challenges, and practical strategies for navigating networking and team roles.
Mar 10, 2026 • 1h 8min
Greg Lukianoff: Why Free Speech Makes Us Mentally Stronger
Greg Lukianoff, First Amendment attorney and FIRE CEO who co-wrote The Coddling of the American Mind, links cognitive behavioral ideas to free speech and resilience. He talks about emotional reasoning, why discomfort is not danger, and the costs of treating speech as violence. He also shares how CBT helped him recover from depression and strengthened his leadership.
9 snips
Mar 5, 2026 • 41min
Your Attachment Style At Work with Jack Hinman
Dr. Jack Hinman, founder of Engage Young Adult Transitions and clinician specializing in attachment and DBT-informed care, unpacks how childhood attachment patterns shape leadership, feedback responses, and burnout. Short, clear takes on secure, preoccupied, avoidant styles. Practical tips on decoding workplace dynamics, managing uncertainty, and building connection-based leadership.
6 snips
Mar 3, 2026 • 1h 9min
Jedi Mindsets for the Anxious Achiever with Shirzad Chamine
Shirzad Chamine, founder of Positive Intelligence and author of Positive Intelligence, shares quick mental fitness tools. He explains 'saboteurs' and how overused strengths backfire. Short practices like PQ reps help shift from stress to calm clarity. Conversations cover tunnel vision under pressure, the five Sage powers, and turning setbacks into opportunity.
Feb 26, 2026 • 41min
Do Conflict Better With Amy Gallo
Amy Gallo, workplace conflict expert and longtime HBR editor, offers practical frameworks for handling difficult conversations. Hear why conflict can strengthen trust and decision-making. Learn about amygdala hijacks, conflict avoidance and “conflict debt,” practicing low-stakes conversations, and a four-step approach to stay grounded and communicate more confidently.
Feb 24, 2026 • 54min
The Gift of Introverted Leadership with Jennifer Kahnweiler
Jennifer Kahnweiler, leadership expert and author who champions introverted leadership, shares how quiet strengths reshape influence. She explores listening, preparation, and the 'four Ps' framework. Short takes cover workplace bias against quiet leaders, saying you are introverted as a leadership tactic, and meeting and hybrid-work strategies that let thoughtful leaders shine.
