The Anxious Achiever

YAP Media
  • 4.9 (39)
  • Management
  • Updated Fortnightly

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

  1. 1 day ago

    Deepa Purushothaman On "Acting In" Stress, Anxiety, and Overwork

    How much of yourself should work be allowed to cost you? In this episode, I sit down with author and former Deloitte partner Deepa Purushothaman to talk about what happens when ambition, bias, and chronic overwork are carried in the body. Deepa shares how a major health crisis forced her to rethink the way she worked, the way she defined success, and the ways women of color are taught to survive in workplaces that were never built for them. We talk about masking, hypervigilance, power, and why so many women can appear successful on paper yet feel depleted, silenced, and disconnected from themselves. Get ready to challenge your assumptions about power, productivity, and the stories corporate culture has taught you to believe about yourself. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals Pebl - Take advantage of Pebl’s limited-time offer before it’s gone. Visit hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 What happens when workplace stress gets carried in the body? 04:45 Why high achievers often learn to ignore their bodies. 08:45 How illness can push you to rethink your purpose and priorities. 12:00 How to recognize when your body is sending you a warning sign. 16:00 How women of color can end up in a constant state of hypervigilance. 22:15 What happens when women report racism or bias at work? 24:45 The workplace delusions many women are taught to believe in order to survive. 28:30 Why have so many women been taught to see power as something aggressive or unsafe? 31:15 What does it actually mean to “shed” the beliefs that no longer serve you? 32:30 How to identify the old messages that still drive your anxiety and self-doubt. 36:15 Why toxicity at work isn’t just a mental health issue. 37:45 How to protect yourself while still pursuing ambition and success. 39:30 How redefining success can change the way you work and live. Resources + Links Get a copy of Deepa Purushothaman’s book, The First, the Few, the Only: How Women of Color Can Redefine Power in Corporate America HERE Learn more about Deepa Purushothaman HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Deepa: on LinkedIn @deepapuru + Instagram @deepa.puru

    45 min

  2. 3 days ago

    Surfing Through the AI Apocalypse with Jacob Ward

    How do you stay grounded when technology is changing work faster than any of us can keep up with? In this episode, I sit down with journalist and CNN contributor Jacob Ward to talk about the emotional and psychological impact of living and working alongside increasingly powerful technology. Jacob shares why he believes the bigger threat isn’t just automation, but the way these systems shape your behavior, attention, and relationships at work. We talk about loneliness, agency, management, the pressure to keep producing, and what happens when more of our thinking gets handed over to machines. Get ready to rethink productivity, management, and the value of human judgment. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals Pebl - Take advantage of Pebl’s limited-time offer before it’s gone. Visit hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 What is AI doing to your mind and mood? 04:45 Why technology is really a story about human behavior. 09:00 How “fast thinking” makes us easier to manipulate. 13:00 What an AI co-parenting tool reveals about convenience, conflict, and control. 15:15 Can technology really support mental health without replacing human care? 17:45 Why the systems built to help us often prioritize engagement instead. 20:00 What a more “human-free” workplace could mean for all of us. 26:45 The human skills at work that are most at risk of disappearing. 30:00 How to deal with the helplessness so many people feel about the future of work. 36:00 The Pope’s warning about AI, dignity, and human value. 43:30 Why trust matters so much when institutions are under pressure. 47:45 How to decide when to use AI and when to resist it. 50:00 Why the pressure to produce more can quietly trap high achievers. 54:30 How do you stay relevant without giving up your standards? Resources + Links Visit Jacob Ward’s website HERE Get a copy of Jacob’s book, The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Jacob: on YouTube @byjacobward + Instagram @byjacobward

    1hr 8min

  3. 18 June

    A Unicorn Tech Exec's Complicated Legacy of Childhood Trauma with Andy Johns

    Can achievement become a coping mechanism? In this classic episode, I sit down with entrepreneur, investor, and former Facebook and Twitter growth leader Andy Johns to talk about the connection between childhood trauma, anxiety, achievement, and self-worth. Andy shares how growing up with instability, loss, and trauma shaped his relentless drive to succeed, why panic attacks eventually forced him to confront his mental health, and how years of healing helped him realize that achievement and self-love are not the same thing. We also dive into PTSD, entrepreneurship, intrusive thoughts, overwork, and why so many successful people struggle to slow down even after they've reached their goals. Tune in to learn why healing is the most important achievement of all. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals Pebl - Take advantage of Pebl’s limited-time offer before it’s gone. Visit hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 What’s the connection between achievement and self-worth? 05:00 What "growth" really means in the startup world. 07:15 Why entrepreneurs are more likely to struggle with mental health conditions. 08:45 How anxiety can fuel exceptional performance and success. 15:00 Why speaking publicly about mental health felt so risky. 18:30 What are intrusive thoughts? 20:30 How childhood trauma can shape adult anxiety and depression. 25:15 The childhood experiences that contributed to Andy's PTSD. 30:15 When does achievement become an addiction? 34:15 How to recognize when overachievement is masking emotional pain. 35:45 Why mental health is about more than brain chemistry. 36:45 What is the biopsychosocial model of mental health? 38:15 How your experiences shape the way you think, feel, and live. Resources + Links Read Andy's writing at https://andyjohns.substack.com Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Andy: on LinkedIn @andrewjohns + Substack @cluesdotlife

    43 min

  4. 16 June

    "It's Just So Enjoyable." Jodi Kantor On The Power Of Craft In A Digitized World

    How do you build a meaningful career when AI is rewriting the future of work? In this episode, I sit down with New York Times investigative reporter Jodi Kantor to talk about why so many young professionals feel discouraged about the future, and how digital shifts are reshaping our modern workplaces. Jodi shares how she survived getting fired from her college paper and dropping out of law school, and how those setbacks paved her way back to journalism. We also dive deep into the realities of AI-driven hiring, the loss of workplace autonomy, and the formula for reclaiming your agency. Get ready to rethink what it truly takes to protect your career in a rapidly changing world. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals Pebl - Take advantage of Pebl’s limited-time offer before it’s gone. Visit hipebl.ai today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 What Jodi Kantor believes is one of the most important ingredients for a meaningful career. 04:15 How do you think about hope? 05:45 The question that Columbia students wanted answered during a year of campus turmoil. 09:45 How technology has reduced worker autonomy over the last decade. 14:45 Why AI is making the hiring process feel increasingly impersonal. 17:00 How do you define craft? 19:45 What's the relationship between strengths, interests, and building expertise over time? 24:00 Why career setbacks are often essential parts of growth. 27:00 How to stay focused on the work instead of public praise or criticism. 30:00 How to identify the problems, opportunities, or needs you want your work to serve. 31:45 Why AI won't eliminate the need for fresh talent and new ideas. 33:00 What colleges can do to better prepare students for today's workforce. 35:15 How universities can better help students find their life's work. 38:00 Jodi's advice for anyone starting their career today. Resources + Links Get a copy of Jodi’s book, How to Start: Discovering Your Life’s Work HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Jodi: on LinkedIn @jodikantor + Instagram @jodikantor

    44 min

  5. 11 June

    This U.S. Congressman Gives His Anxiety A Job To Do with Adam Smith

    What if achievement doesn't have to come from suffering? I sit down with Congressman Adam Smith to talk about the complicated relationship between anxiety, achievement, and self-worth. Adam shares his journey through panic attacks, psychotherapy, chronic pain recovery, and the difficult work of building self-worth that isn't tied to performance. We also dive into why so many high achievers believe anxiety is the price of success, how trauma and stress shape the way we lead, and what happens when you stop using fear and self-criticism as your primary source of motivation. Get ready to discover a healthier path to high achievement. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals Pebl - Take advantage of Pebl’s limited-time offer before it’s gone. Visit hipebl.ai today In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Can anxiety make you a better leader? 04:30 Why ambitious people often struggle with fear and insecurity. 06:15 How can you give your anxiety a productive job to do? 08:45 What's the difference between feeling anxious and having clinical anxiety? 10:45 How Adam navigated years of panic attacks, chronic pain, and mental health challenges. 12:15 Why a lack of self-worth can fuel anxiety and achievement. 16:30 How ambition can remain strong even after anxiety is no longer the primary motivator. 28:45 Meditation techniques that help stop the cycle of chasing anxious thoughts. 31:15 What does it mean to demystify trauma? 33:30 New approaches that help people reprocess and heal from trauma. 35:30 The leadership skills that create healthier teams and workplaces. 37:15 How mental health struggles can become a source of empathy, patience, and stronger leadership. Resources + Links Get a copy of Adam Smith's book, Lost and Broken: My Journey Back from Chronic Pain and Crippling Anxiety HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Adam on LinkedIn @​​adamsmith

    43 min

  6. 9 June

    Exploring Gender At Work And "Work Life Conflict" With Dr. David Smith

    Why does modern work feel impossible for so many families? In this episode, I talk with sociologist, former Navy pilot, and workplace researcher Dr. David Smith about why so many modern couples feel trapped in work-life conflict, how to navigate the structural stress of dual-career life, and the realities of modern caregiving. David breaks down the "Lead-Follow" relationship strategy used by highly successful couples. We also dive into the anxieties men face surrounding workplace allyship, why traditional mentorship scripts are broken, and how organizations must design work for a cross-generational workforce. Tune in to learn about the pressures modern families face and what needs to change. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals Pebl - Take advantage of Pebl’s limited-time offer before it’s gone. Visit hipebl.ai today In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why the traditional "breadwinner" corporate model is completely broken. 03:15 How repetition and exposure help build confidence under pressure. 06:15 What can military families teach us about work-life conflict? 08:45 Why women were leaving the military at much higher rates than men. 11:15 The 4 strategies dual-career couples use to navigate work and family stress. 16:45 Why constant renegotiation is essential in long-term partnerships. 22:00 What does work-life conflict mean? 25:00 How outdated workplace structures create burnout for both women and men. 27:30 Why millennial fathers are demanding flexibility and shifts in family culture. 35:00 Why many men now feel anxious about mentoring women at work. 37:15 How avoidance and fear damage workplace culture. 41:45 Can workplaces support women without men feeling left behind? 44:15 How device reliance and isolation are reshaping the incoming Gen Z workforce. 51:15 What can leaders do to better support modern families? 54:45 How organizations can better support career breaks and re-entry. Resources + Links Get a copy of David Smith’s new book, Fair Share HERE Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Dr. David on LinkedIn: @davidgsmithphd

    1 hr

  7. 4 June

    The Freedom Of Not Knowing with HBS's Martin Sinozich

    How much of your life is being driven by fear without you even realizing it? In this episode, I sit down with Harvard Business School lecturer, entrepreneur, and former executive Martin Sinozich to talk about the pressure high achievers carry to prove themselves, stay successful, and never disappoint anyone. Martin shares about divorce, identity, workplace culture, and the freedom that comes from letting go of perfection and learning to trust yourself instead. We also break down the imposter feelings in elite environments, the anxiety of always needing to be “right,” and why so many ambitious people feel like they don’t belong. Get ready to rethink achievement and self-worth. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Quince - Head to quince.com/ACHIEVER for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Martin Sinozich on achievement pressure and mental health. 03:00 What happens when high achievers lose their identity at work? 06:30 What do psychologically healthy workplaces look like? 09:30 Why asking better questions matters more than having answers. 11:45 How achievement culture affects relationships at home. 17:30 How divorce forced Martin to confront the fear driving his life. 20:00 What changed after you stopped living for other people’s approval? 24:15 Living with imposter feelings at Harvard Business School. 27:30 How fear and achievement pressure affect marriage, parenting, and identity. Resources + Links Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Martin on LinkedIn: @sinozich

    36 min

  8. 2 June

    Is Therapy The Best We've Got? Megan Cornish Wants More

    Have you started expecting therapy to do too much? In this episode, I sit down with therapist and writer Megan Cornish to talk about the pressure we place on therapy to solve problems that may actually stem from isolation, lack of community, and modern life itself. Megan shares that many of the struggles we now label as “mental health problems” were once held by friends, neighbors, faith communities, and everyday human relationships. She also breaks down ACT therapy exercises that can help you hold painful thoughts more lightly and reconnect to your values instead of chasing constant happiness. Get ready to rethink therapy, connection, and what makes a meaningful life. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Chime - Head to chime.com/achiever to sign up Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Physician’s Choice - Use code PCPODCAST10 at physicianschoice.com to get 10% off your entire order Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 How capitalism and work culture affect mental health. 04:15 Megan’s viral experiment with AI, LinkedIn, and gender bias. 10:00 Can therapy really work in the workplace? 14:30 How therapists became substitutes for friendship and community. 21:00 How therapy evolved beyond treating severe mental illness. 25:00 Did people cope better emotionally before therapy existed? 29:15 How AI relationships remove friction from connection. 33:30 The ACT therapy exercise that changed how Megan approaches friendship. 36:30 Why discomfort doesn’t always mean something is wrong. 45:30 Why non-attachment to suffering exists across many traditions. 47:45 Do we actually need life to make perfect sense? 49:00 The “80-year-old self” exercise for perspective and gratitude. Resources + Links Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Megan Cornish on LinkedIn: @megan-cornish

    59 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
39 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Channel
    YAP Media
  • Creator
    Morra Aarons-Mele
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    333
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 Morra Aarons-Mele
  • Show Website
    The Anxious Achiever

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