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
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.
10 snips
Feb 19, 2026 • 1h 9min
How To Negotiate When Negotiating Makes You Nervous with Chris Voss & Moshe Cohen
Moshe Cohen, a negotiation instructor who teaches emotional regulation, and Chris Voss, a former FBI hostage negotiator and author, break down negotiating while nervous. They explore why negotiation triggers fear. They discuss curiosity as an antidote, tactical empathy to build trust, listening more than talking, labeling emotions, slowing time to avoid reactivity, and rehearsal to build confidence.
Feb 17, 2026 • 1h 7min
Inside the Role of Chief Wellbeing Officer with Jen Fisher
Jen Fisher, former Chief Wellbeing Officer at Deloitte turned entrepreneur and author, helped pioneer wellbeing as a strategic organizational function. She discusses why workplace wellbeing is an outcome of systems, how hopelessness fuels burnout, the pivotal role of middle managers, and why leaders must treat wellbeing as enterprise strategy rather than perks.
Feb 12, 2026 • 38min
Why Do We Micromanage People? With Prof. Julia Milner
Prof. Julia Milner, an organizational behavior professor at EDHEC who studies leadership, coaching, and micromanagement, explores why well-meaning help becomes control. She explains anxiety-driven micromanagement, how questions can secretly shut down dialogue, and practical shifts from fixing to coaching to rebuild trust and confidence.
29 snips
Feb 10, 2026 • 1h 2min
The Best Leadership Advice You'll Ever Get with Margaret Andrews
Margaret Andrews, leadership educator and former MIT Sloan MBA program director, shares why leadership starts with self-understanding. She outlines quick practices for calming before meetings. She explains the “best boss” exercise and the interpersonal behaviors that matter. She offers six questions to unpack your story and practical tactics like alter egos and S-curve learning.
50 snips
Feb 5, 2026 • 56min
Should You Be Yourself At Work? With Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic
Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, psychologist and author focused on personality and leadership, questions radical authenticity at work. He explores why “just be yourself” can burn people out, how perceived authenticity differs from feeling authentic, and why leaders often curate their realness. Short takes on masking, neurodiversity, impression management, and practical boundaries for sustainable presence at work.
5 snips
Feb 3, 2026 • 55min
David Lancefield Has A Better Way To Talk About Mental Health At Work
David Lancefield, former PwC partner turned strategy coach who helps leaders reduce friction and boost performance. He explains why mental health talk fails in corporations. He recommends pitching wellbeing as a business solution, using small pilots, asking better questions about how people do their best work, and designing roles around strengths and trust.
Jan 29, 2026 • 36min
Eating Disorders, Body Image, Anxiety with Melissa Gerson
Melissa Gerson, founder of Columbus Park Treatment Center and clinical psychologist, discusses how anxiety and perfectionism shape eating behaviors. She explains why restriction or overeating can feel like control or relief. Short, clear takes cover brain effects of starvation, workplace food pressures, perfectionist profiles, signs to seek help, and evidence-based treatment.
4 snips
Jan 27, 2026 • 1h 21min
Jane Chen On Collapse, Extreme Self-Help, and Healing Yourself
Jane Chen, founder of Embrace and author of Like a Wave We Break, shares how building a life-saving startup nearly broke her and why collapse catalyzed radical healing. She discusses burnout, how trauma can drive social entrepreneurship, extreme self-help as escapism, and transformative practices like IFS, therapy, psychedelics, and surfing.
