The Anxious Achiever

YAP Media
YAP Media
  • 5.0 (1)
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  • Every two weeks

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. 13 hr ago

    Penn and Kim Holderness on Neurodivergence And The Creative Journey

    Do you ever feel like you're forcing yourself to work in ways that just don't fit how your brain works? In this episode, I sit down with Penn and Kim Holderness to talk about how understanding ADHD transforms the way you lead, create, and work together. Penn and Kim share how understanding emotional dysregulation transformed their marriage, why shame can hold people with ADHD back, and the systems they use to reduce overwhelm, unlock creativity, and work more effectively as a team. Tune in to discover how embracing the way your brain works can lead to stronger relationships, better collaboration, and more meaningful work. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year 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. IM8 - Go to IM8HEALTH.com/achiever RIGHT NOW or click on the link in the description and use code achiever for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets, plus ten percent off your order DripDrop - Right now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order. Go to dripdrop.com and use promo code ACHIEVER Brevo - Get started for free today—or use code ACHIEVER50 to save 50% on Starter and Standard Plans for the first three months of an annual subscription Upwork - Visit upwork.com right now and post your job for free.  In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why ADHD is about more than distraction. 05:00 How to recognize emotional flooding before it takes over.  08:00 How to build a work schedule that fits your brain.  09:15 Why giving your brain room to hyperfocus pays off. 11:15 How to structure your week for more creativity and focus.  14:30 How anxiety and ADHD strengthen creative thinking. 20:15 Does creativity become harder under constant pressure? 25:15 What would a workplace designed for ADHD look like? 29:15 Advice to anyone trying to build work around their strengths. 31:15 Why creating work that reflects who you are leads to greater fulfillment.  Resources + Links Get a copy of ADHD Is Awesome HERE Learn more about the Holderness Family HERE Watch the Holderness Family on YouTube 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 The Holderness Family on Instagram: @theholdernessfamily

  2. 2 days ago

    Learn How To Handle Uncertainty With Simone Stolzoff

    What if your biggest advantage isn't knowing what's coming next, but trusting yourself to handle whatever comes? In this episode, I sit down with author Simone Stolzoff to talk about why your need for certainty keeps you stuck and how tying your identity too closely to work leaves you vulnerable when life changes. Simone shares why uncertainty isn't something to eliminate, but a part of being human, how values and relationships provide stability when the future feels unclear, and why adapting matters more than predicting what comes next. Tune in to discover how uncertainty can become a source of growth instead of something to fear. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year 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. IM8 - Go to IM8HEALTH.com/achiever RIGHT NOW or click on the link in the description and use code achiever for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets, plus ten percent off your order DripDrop - Right now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order. Go to dripdrop.com and use promo code ACHIEVER Brevo - Get started for free today—or use code ACHIEVER50 to save 50% on Starter and Standard Plans for the first three months of an annual subscription Upwork - Visit upwork.com right now and post your job for free.  In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why your job shouldn't become your entire identity. 08:15 What it means to commit despite doubt. 13:00 How AI is changing the way we think about work and identity. 16:45 What is a diversified identity? 18:45 How to cultivate the practice of not knowing. 21:15 What keeps you trapped in the need for certainty? 26:30 What to do when you're stuck waiting for an answer. 30:30 Advice to anyone worried about being laid off. 33:15 Finding stability in your values when everything else feels uncertain. 37:45 Can preparing for the worst reduce anxiety? 40:00 Are your fears based on facts or assumptions? 44:00 Why uncertainty makes life worth living.  48:30 Why your future self is more capable than you think. Resources + Links Get a copy of How to Not Know HERE Get a copy of The Good Enough Job HERE Learn more about Simone Stolzoff 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 Simone: on LinkedIn @simonestolzoff + Instagram @thepizza_bagel

  3. 20 Aug

    How To Make Space For Your Soul In Midlife with Olivia F. Scott

    Does starting over in midlife feel exciting or terrifying? In this special crossover episode, I joined Olivia F. Scott from Freedom at the Mat to talk about career pivots, identity, ambition, and what it means to rebuild in midlife. We share our own experiences with burnout, rebuilding our careers, redefining what success means, letting go of external validation, and why sometimes the bravest thing you can do is admit you don't have all the answers. Tune in to discover how to navigate midlife with more courage, purpose, and self-trust. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year 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. IM8 - Go to IM8HEALTH.com/achiever RIGHT NOW or click on the link in the description and use code achiever for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets, plus ten percent off your order DripDrop - Right now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order. Go to dripdrop.com and use promo code ACHIEVER Brevo - Get started for free today—or use code ACHIEVER50 to save 50% on Starter and Standard Plans for the first three months of an annual subscription Upwork - Visit upwork.com right now and post your job for free.  In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Midlife can be the beginning of something new. 04:00 What does it mean to rebuild your life and career? 07:45 Reinvention is possible at any stage of life. 14:15 How do you let go of your past without letting go of yourself? 16:45 What happens when you stop chasing external validation? 19:45 How slowing down changes the way you experience life. 22:30 Is your ambition serving you or driving you? 26:00 How understanding your motivations help prevent burnout. 29:15 How trusting your instincts can lead to unexpected opportunities. 35:15 What happens when you give yourself permission to rest? 38:15 What gets better about life in midlife? 39:45 What younger women need to know about midlife. 44:30 Why you should reach out to 3 people every day. Resources + Links Learn more about Olivia F. Scott 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 Olivia: on LinkedIn @oliviafscottmarketing + Instagram @olivialove901fm

  4. 18 Aug

    The Four Factors Every Neurodistinct Leader Needs To Understand

    Have you ever wondered why the way everyone else works just doesn't seem to work for you? In this episode, I introduce my TAAM framework and share what I learned from my Neuro Strength Survey of more than 1,200 neurodistinct professionals. I talk about how time, attention, agency, and motivation shape the way you work and why understanding those patterns can help you build a career that feels more aligned. Plus, I share questions to help you identify your own TAAM profile and start designing work that fits you better. Tune in to discover how understanding the way your brain works can help you build a career that works for you.  Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year 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. IM8 - Go to IM8HEALTH.com/achiever RIGHT NOW or click on the link in the description and use code achiever for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets, plus ten percent off your order DripDrop - Right now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order. Go to dripdrop.com and use promo code ACHIEVER Brevo - Get started for free today—or use code ACHIEVER50 to save 50% on Starter and Standard Plans for the first three months of an annual subscription Upwork - Visit upwork.com right now and post your job for free.  In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why traditional work advice doesn't fit every brain.  04:15 Why understanding your individuality matters more than labels. 06:45 What more than 1,200 neurodistinct professionals revealed about work. 10:00 Why your brain is both a strength and a challenge. 12:15 The strengths neurodistinct professionals bring to the workplace. 15:15 Why flexibility matters more than productivity hacks. 17:15 What is the TAAM framework? 20:15 Rethink your relationship with time at work. 24:15 What helps your attention thrive instead of drain. 26:30 How agency shapes your experience at work. 30:30 What drives your motivation at work? 33:30 How to create your own TAAM profile. 38:00 Example of the TAAM framework in action. 42:15 Answering common questions about TAAM, values, and accommodations. Resources + Links Take the Neurostrength Survey HERE Download the TAAM Profile Worksheet HERE Pre-order The Atypical Achiever 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

  5. 13 Aug

    NBA Great Kevin Love on Trying to Achieve His Way Out of Depression

    Have you ever tried to achieve your way out of anxiety or depression? What happens when reaching your biggest goals still doesn't make you feel like you're enough? In this episode, I sit down with NBA champion and mental health advocate Kevin Love to talk about the anxiety, depression, and constant sense of dread that existed alongside his extraordinary success. Kevin opens up about the panic attack that changed his relationship with mental health, the pressure to prove himself, and why achievement, fame, and money could never fill the void. We also break down perfectionism, overwork, social anxiety, vulnerability, and the complicated relationship between ambition and mental health. Tune in to learn how changing your relationship with achievement can create more room for self-acceptance, connection, and joy. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year 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. IM8 - Go to IM8HEALTH.com/achiever RIGHT NOW or click on the link in the description and use code achiever for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets, plus ten percent off your order DripDrop - Right now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order. Go to dripdrop.com and use promo code ACHIEVER Brevo - Get started for free today—or use code ACHIEVER50 to save 50% on Starter and Standard Plans for the first three months of an annual subscription Upwork - Visit upwork.com right now and post your job for free.  In This Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Why Kevin Love decided to speak publicly about his mental health. 04:15 The panic attack that forced Kevin to confront his mental health. 05:00 What happens when you try to achieve your way out of depression? 12:45 Can understanding your mental health make you a better teammate? 14:15 The freedom that comes from separating yourself from your performance. 16:00 When the thing you love becomes your only source of identity. 18:00 What high achievers can learn from failure. 23:15 The fear of being judged after opening up about mental health. 26:15 Why overwork can't fill the emotional void. 27:30 What social anxiety looks like when you're constantly in the public eye. 30:45 Learning to give yourself permission to experience joy. 32:15 How do you redefine achievement without losing your ambition? Resources + Links Learn more about the Kevin Love Fund 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 Kevin Love Fund: @kevinlovefund

  6. 11 Aug

    HeartMath: The Science of HRV with Dr. Deborah Rozman

    Do you know how to bring yourself back to balance when stress and anxiety take over? In this episode, I sit down with HeartMath president and co-CEO Dr. Deborah Rozman to talk about how stress, anxiety, and emotions affect your heart, brain, and nervous system. Deborah breaks down what heart rate variability measures, what it means to move into a state of coherence, and why staying activated by stress for too long can drain your energy and performance. We also did the Quick Coherence Practice to reset when you're triggered or regain clarity during a stressful day. Tune in to learn how to feel calmer, clearer, and more resilient under pressure. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year 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. IM8 - Go to IM8HEALTH.com/achiever RIGHT NOW or click on the link in the description and use code achiever for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets, plus ten percent off your order DripDrop - Right now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order. Go to dripdrop.com and use promo code ACHIEVER Brevo - Get started for free today—or use code ACHIEVER50 to save 50% on Starter and Standard Plans for the first three months of an annual subscription Upwork - Visit upwork.com right now and post your job for free.  In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 How nervous system regulation supports focus and performance at work. 05:30 What is the relationship between your emotions and your nervous system? 08:00 How stress and positive emotions create different heart rhythm patterns. 12:00 What’s the difference between heart rate and heart rate variability? 17:15 How frustration shifts your heart rhythm and stress response. 20:15 The Quick Coherence practice you can use when you're triggered. 26:30 Can anxiety actually help you perform better? 30:00 How staying stuck in stress drains your energy over time. 33:15 Ways to bring heart-brain coherence into your workday. 38:00 Is emotional regulation the same as suppressing your feelings? Resources + Links Learn more about HeartMath HERE! Learn the Quick Coherence Technique 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. Deborah on LinkedIn: @deborahrozman

  7. 6 Aug

    Toxic Bosses, Perfectionism, And Healing At Work with Susan Schmitt Winchester

    Does perfectionism feel like the reason you're successful and the thing that's exhausting you at the same time? In this episode, I sit down with author and workplace expert Susan Schmitt Winchester to talk about the roots of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and the constant need for external validation. Susan shares how childhood experiences follow you into the workplace, why everyday triggers send you into old patterns of fear and self-doubt, and ways to regulate your response. Tune in to learn how to loosen perfectionism's grip without giving up your ability to do great work. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year 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. IM8 - Go to IM8HEALTH.com/achiever RIGHT NOW or click on the link in the description and use code achiever for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets, plus ten percent off your order DripDrop - Right now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order. Go to dripdrop.com and use promo code ACHIEVER Brevo - Get started for free today—or use code ACHIEVER50 to save 50% on Starter and Standard Plans for the first three months of an annual subscription Upwork - Visit upwork.com right now and post your job for free.  In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 When perfectionism makes you feel like nothing is ever good enough. 03:15 When the need to prove yourself becomes a pattern. 07:45 How fear of failure keeps perfectionists chasing external validation. 11:45 Can your purpose become bigger than your fear of judgment? 16:15 Turning the workplace into a laboratory for emotional healing. 18:15 What “bumper car moments” can teach you about your emotional triggers. 21:15 How to regulate your response before anxiety takes over. 26:15 Are you reacting to reality or a story you've created? 27:15 The 3 steps for changing your automatic reactions at work. 33:45 Perfectionism can move mountains, but it comes at a cost. 36:00 What makes perfectionism so brittle? 38:15 Separating your adult self from the patterns that once kept you safe. 42:15 Tools for managing perfectionism at work. 45:00 Giving yourself permission not to react immediately. Resources + Links Learn more about Susan Schmitt Winchester 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 Susan: on LinkedIn @susanschmittwinchester + Instagram @susanjschmittwinchester

  8. 4 Aug

    The Hard Work of "Daughtering" With Dr. Allison Alford

    Do you ever wonder if you're doing enough for your parents? In this episode, I sit down with Baylor University professor Dr. Allison Alford to talk about the emotional, mental, logistical, and identity work women take on to keep their families connected. Allison shares how to recognize the daughtering you're already doing, why so many women struggle to feel like a “good enough” daughter, and how family expectations shape the way you show up in other areas of your life. We also break down the difference between daughtering and caregiving, how to set healthier boundaries, and why doing more isn't always the answer. Tune in to redefine what being a good daughter means without losing yourself in the expectations that come with it. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year 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. IM8 - Go to IM8HEALTH.com/achiever RIGHT NOW or click on the link in the description and use code achiever for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets, plus ten percent off your order DripDrop - Right now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order. Go to dripdrop.com and use promo code ACHIEVER Brevo - Get started for free today—or use code ACHIEVER50 to save 50% on Starter and Standard Plans for the first three months of an annual subscription Upwork - Visit upwork.com right now and post your job for free.  In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 How being a daughter can shape the way you show up at work. 03:15 What distance daughtering looks like when you live far from your parents. 08:15 What is daughtering? 12:15 The 4 types of work daughters take on in their families. 18:45 Daughtering and caregiving aren't the same thing. 21:30 Why daughtering isn't always about doing more for your parents. 24:00 Where does the pressure to be a “good daughter” come from? 28:15 Can you define what being a good daughter means for yourself? 30:15 The 4 categories that show how much daughtering you actually do. 35:15 Why setting boundaries is part of healthy daughtering. 37:45 What your daughtering score can teach you about balance. 40:15 Can you still be a daughter when you've cut off contact with a parent? Resources + Links Get a copy of Dr. Allison’s book Good Daughtering HERE! Learn more about Dr. Allison Alford 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. Allison: on LinkedIn @allisonalford + Instagram @daughtering101

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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
    351
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 Morra Aarons-Mele
  • Show Website
    The Anxious Achiever
  • Provider

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