Flourishing Edge Podcast with Ashish Kothari

Ashish Kothari
  • 5.0 (59)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Flourishing Edge. This is the podcast dedicated to helping you unlock your full potential by mastering the art and science of happiness. We bring on the best leading experts on the topic of human flourishing to help you unlock your true potential and live with more joy, health, love, and meaning in your life. Your host is Ashish Kothari, the Founder and CEO of Happiness Squad, a company focused on helping individuals and organizations make flourishing their competitive edge and operate at their fullest potential. Thanks for being here and joining the squad! Learn more: https://happinesssquad.com/

  1. 3D AGO

    How Values-Driven Leaders Build Businesses That Truly Flourish with Jean Moncrieff

    What if building a great business mattered more than building a big one? In this episode, Jean Moncrieff shares hard-won lessons from entrepreneurship, Small Giants, and purpose-driven leadership—revealing how values, people, and intentional growth create long-term success without burnout. 🔑 Key Topics CoveredWhy chasing revenue alone leads to burnout and stalled growthPurpose-driven leadership vs. survival-mode entrepreneurshipSmall Giants principles: values, people-first culture, intentional growthHow leadership growth must match business growthEarly warning signs founders are stuck in fear, firefighting, or plateauRedefining success beyond profit, scale, and vanity metrics If you’re a founder, executive, or leader feeling stuck, exhausted, or disconnected from your original mission—this conversation offers a powerful reframe: profit is the outcome, not the purpose. Flourishing starts with people, values, and leadership from the inside out. __________________________________________________ Happiness Squad Website: https://happinesssquad.com/ Ashish Kothari: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashishkothari1/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@MyHappinessSquad LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/happiness-squad Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myhappinesssquad/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myhappinesssquad

    55 min

  2. FEB 3

    Flourishing Without Guilt: Redesigning Work, Leadership, and Life for Working Mothers with Mary Sheehan

    What if guilt—not ambition—is the real burnout driver for working mothers? In this powerful conversation, Ashish Kothari sits down with Mary Sheehan to unpack why high-performing women feel stuck in a no-win game—and how leaders and individuals can redesign work to truly flourish. This episode blends lived experience, leadership insight, and science-backed practices to help working parents move from exhaustion and self-blame to clarity, boundaries, and sustainable performance. Key Topics Covered Why guilt is the #1 struggle for working mothers—and how societal expectations amplify it Values-based decision making as a practical antidote to burnout The hidden cost of broken corporate systems: RTO mandates, inflexibility, childcare, and unpaid parental leave Leadership’s role in inclusion: why flexibility and outcomes-based work benefit everyone Mary’s powerful concept of the “Minimum Viable Person (MVP)”—small daily practices that restore energy and identity Micro-practices for self-compassion, nervous system regulation, and resilience How leaders at every level can redesign teams to support parents without sacrificing performance Only ~20% of people are thriving at work—and working mothers are disproportionately paying the price. This conversation reframes flourishing not as a perk, but as a strategic leadership responsibility and a deeply human necessity. __________________________________________________ Happiness Squad Website: https://happinesssquad.com/ Ashish Kothari: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashishkothari1/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@MyHappinessSquad LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/happiness-squad Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myhappinesssquad/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myhappinesssquad

    42 min

  3. JAN 27

    People First, Profit Follows: Building a Thriving, Human-Centered Workplace with David Hughes

    What if putting people first wasn’t just the right thing to do—but the smartest business strategy? In this episode of the Flourishing Edge Podcast, Ashish Kothari sits down with David Hughes of BCR Engineering to explore how trust, relationships, and human-centered leadership create thriving teams, resilient cultures, and long-term performance. Key Topics CoveredWhy people-first leadership drives sustainable profit and performanceHow true and honest relationships build trust with employees and clientsMoving from annual performance reviews to developmental check-insCreating psychological safety and distributed leadershipSupporting employee growth, well-being, and individual “genius”Navigating crises with strong culture and deep relationshipsPractical examples of human-centered workplace practices that work David Hughes is a leader at BCR Engineering, a company known for prioritizing employee well-being, trust, and long-term relationships as the foundation of success. 🔗 Connect with David Hughes & BCR Engineering Website: https://www.bcreng.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcr-engineering 🎧 Subscribe to Flourishing Edge Podcast for weekly conversations on leadership, culture, and unlocking human potential through flourishing. __________________________________________________ Happiness Squad Website: https://happinesssquad.com/ Ashish Kothari: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashishkothari1/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@MyHappinessSquad LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/happiness-squad Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myhappinesssquad/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myhappinesssquad

    41 min

  4. JAN 20

    Unapologetically Human: Why Stability Is the New Superpower for Leadership and Performance with Crystal Fernando

    In this deeply human and science-backed conversation, Ashish Kothari sits down with Crystal Fernando to explore why today’s burnout, overwhelm, and underperformance signal a human capacity crisis—not a performance problem. Together, they unpack how leaders can reclaim stability, agency, and humanity to thrive in a fast-changing, AI-driven world. Key Topics Covered: The human capacity crisis vs. traditional performance challenges Why stability must come before agility in leadership and organizations The neuroscience of safety, mindset, and intentional focus Crystal’s SIMPLE framework for sustainable leadership and flourishing Moving from busyness to intention and from reaction to clarity How empathy fuels innovation, trust, and long-term performance Letting go of control to unlock flow, creativity, and resilience Practical micro-practices to restore agency and calm in daily work This episode is a powerful invitation to slow down, reconnect with what makes us human, and redesign work so people—and performance—can truly flourish. Connect with Crystal: Founding Partner and CEO, Whatbox Innovation Partners https://www.linkedin.com/in/crys-fernando/ __________________________________________________ Happiness Squad Website: https://happinesssquad.com/ Ashish Kothari: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashishkothari1/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@MyHappinessSquad LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/happiness-squad Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myhappinesssquad/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myhappinesssquad

    59 min

  5. JAN 13

    Building Flourishing Cultures and Human-Centered Leadership with Jeffrey Schmitz

    What if your company’s greatest competitive edge wasn’t technology or strategy — but culture? In this inspiring episode of The Flourishing Edge Podcast, Ashish Kothari sits down with Jeffrey Schmitz, CEO of Zebra Technologies, to explore how the global tech leader is redefining success through its brand philosophy: Better Every Day. From engineering to marketing to becoming Chief People Officer and now CEO, Jeff’s career journey embodies a human-centered approach to leadership — one that proves people and purpose are at the heart of innovation and performance. Together, they dive deep into how flourishing cultures, inclusive leadership, and continuous learning create long-term business success in a rapidly changing, AI-driven world. Key Insights & Takeaways:🧭 The heart of leadership: Why people, not products or profits, define the true strength of a company.🌱 The power of purpose: How Zebra Technologies built its “Better Every Day” brand around continuous improvement and collective growth.🤝 Culture as a competitive edge:How Zebra successfully merged two massive companies (Zebra + Motorola Enterprise) through shared experiences, not slogans.Why culture must be defined, invested in, and lived — not left to chance.💬 Belonging as survival: How inclusion and belonging fuel creativity, innovation, and retention across 54 countries and 9,900+ employees.\🚀 Ownership and growth: Why the key to flourishing careers is never outsourcing your development — and how Zebra empowers employees to own their Individual Development Plans (IDPs).🧠 Happiness & resilience: Jeff’s personal “5-3-2” practice — five gratitudes, three acts of kindness, and two minutes to reset before reentering family life — and why positivity, hard work, and curiosity are his “three foundations for success.” 🤖 Leading in the age of AI:How Zebra is creating safe AI sandboxes for experimentation and play.Why curiosity is now a hiring requirement and the key to thriving in a fast-changing tech landscape. 🌍 The future of flourishing leadership: Practical advice for executives who want to build purpose-driven, adaptive, and joyful organizations — even under shareholder pressure 🧘 Guest Spotlight: Jeffrey SchmitzCEO, Zebra Technologies 🔗 Connect with Jeffrey on LinkedIn Jeffrey Schmitz is a visionary leader who believes culture is the ultimate driver of business success. His career spans engineering, marketing, and HR — culminating in his leadership of Zebra Technologies, a global powerhouse known for its people-first,...

    41 min

  6. JAN 6

    Mastering Your Emotions: The Science of Flourishing with Ethan Kross

    What if mastering your emotions was the key to unlocking your peak performance and inner peace? In this fascinating conversation, Ashish Kothari sits down with Dr. Ethan Kross, acclaimed psychologist and author of Chatter and Shift, to explore the science of emotional mastery — and how simple, research-backed tools can help you transform anxiety, anger, and stress into clarity, focus, and resilience. Dr. Kross unpacks the six core “emotional shifters” — from sensory awareness to perspective-taking — that anyone can use to quiet mental chatter, navigate life’s chaos, and thrive in both work and life. 💡 What You’ll Learn: 🧠 What emotions really are — and why they’re not the enemy. ⚡ The purpose of “negative” emotions like anger and anxiety (and how they can fuel growth and innovation). 🎧 The six emotional shifters you can use to regulate your emotions: 1. Sensory Shifters: Use music, touch, or nature to calm the nervous system. 2. Attention Shifters: Learn when to focus and when to take mental breaks. 3. Perspective Shifters: Reframe your challenges by changing the lens you view them through. 4. Relationship Shifters: Choose the right “emotional advisors” — people who listen and help you move forward. 5. Environmental Shifters: Design physical spaces that restore focus, calm, and creativity. 6. Cultural Shifters: Build and participate in cultures that support emotional well-being. 🌬️ How to manage anxiety in real time using a “1-2-3” combination of tools. 💬 The science behind why venting alone doesn’t help — and what actually does. 🌱 How leaders can create emotionally intelligent, high-performing cultures at work. Guest Spotlight: Dr. Ethan Kross 📚 Author of Chatter and Shift 🎓 Professor of Psychology and Management, University of Michigan 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekross/ Ethan Kross is one of the world’s leading experts on controlling the conscious mind. His work bridges neuroscience and practical tools, helping people regulate their inner voice, harness emotions, and turn stress into strength. 🪞 Key Insight: Mastering your emotions isn’t about eliminating them — it’s about learning to work with them. #FlourishingEdgePodcast #HappinessSquad #EthanKross #AshishKothari #EmotionalIntelligence #FlourishingAtWork #MentalFitness #NeuroscienceOfEmotions #MindfulLeadership #PositivePsychology #ChatterBook #ShiftBook #StressManagement #LeadershipDevelopment #shorts __________________________________________________ Happiness Squad Website: https://happinesssquad.com/ Ashish Kothari: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashishkothari1/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@MyHappinessSquad LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/happiness-squad Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myhappinesssquad/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myhappinesssquad

    47 min

  7. 12/16/2025

    The Science of Meaningful Work and the 3 C’s of Flourishing with Dr. Tamara Myles

    What if you could make every job deeply meaningful — no matter the industry, title, or task? In this episode of The Flourishing Edge Podcast, host Ashish Kothari sits down with Tamara Myles, author, researcher, and founder of Keynote Speaker, to explore the science of meaningful work. Together, they reveal how leaders can turn workplaces into thriving communities where employees feel valued, challenged, and connected. From her groundbreaking research, Tamara shares the Three C’s of Meaning — Community, Contribution, and Challenge — and how these elements can unlock performance, loyalty, and fulfillment across organizations. 💡 What You’ll Learn:🌱 What makes work meaningful: Why it’s not what you do but how you experience what you do.🧩 The 3 C’s Framework:Community — Creating belonging through care and authentic connection.Contribution — Recognizing impact and helping people see how their work matters.Challenge — Stretching potential with support to inspire growth and pride.💬 Leadership’s impact on meaning: Research shows leaders shape 48% of how meaningful work feels.🪞 The power of positive feedback: How one simple “thank you” per week can halve burnout and disengagement.🔁 Gratitude as culture: A story of how one leader’s “five Friday thank-you emails” transformed an entire team.🧠 The ROI of meaning: How fostering meaningful work drives productivity, retention, engagement — and even financial performance.🤖 Meaning in the age of AI: Why human connection, purpose, and mattering are more vital than ever in a technology-driven world. 🧘 Guest Spotlight: Tamara MylesFounder, Keynote Speaker & Researcher on Meaningful Work 🔗 Connect with Tamara on LinkedIn Tamara Myles is a leading expert in organizational psychology and meaningful work. Her research, consulting, and talks help companies cultivate workplaces where people don’t just perform — they flourish. 🪞 Key Insight: “Meaningful work isn’t about what you do — it’s about how you experience what you do.”__________________________________________________ Happiness Squad Website: https://happinesssquad.com/ Ashish Kothari: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashishkothari1/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@MyHappinessSquad LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/happiness-squad Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myhappinesssquad/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myhappinesssquad

    56 min

  8. 12/09/2025

    From Scarcity to Sustainable Abundance: Jennifer Cohen on Healing, Systems Thinking, and the Seven Laws of Enough

    What if the secret to flourishing wasn’t about doing more—but about realizing you already are enough? In this inspiring episode of the Flourishing Edge Podcast, host Ashish Kothari is joined by Jennifer Cohen, Founder and Director of Seven Stones Leadership Group, to explore how shifting from scarcity to sustainable abundance can transform your leadership, your relationships, and your life. Together, they uncover the seven timeless laws that help us move beyond fear, scarcity, and separation—toward joy, connection, and sufficiency. 💡 In This Episode: Key Takeaways🌎 The root of scarcity: Why our modern systems of economics and culture condition us to feel “not enough.”💫 The 7 Laws of Enough:Stories Matter – Recognize that the context you live in shapes your reality.I Am Enough – Shift from striving to sufficiency.I Belong – Remember your inherent connection to everything.No One Is Exempt – Accept both life’s joys and sorrows as part of being human.Resting Is Required – True peace begins when we stop resisting what is.Joy Is Available – Learn to access the inner joy that isn’t dependent on outcomes.Love Is the Answer – The universal truth that heals and unites us all.🌱 The origin of the Seven Stones philosophy: How Jennifer’s own healing from trauma and systems thinking shaped her life’s work.💬 From scarcity to sufficiency: How to live and lead from the truth that there is enough for all, for all time.🔁 Daily practices for flourishing: Create intentional connections, reflect on “What is happening now?” and “How is that enough?”, and anchor your day in gratitude.❤️ Love as leadership: Why authentic care and connection are the most powerful forces in business and beyond. 🧘 Featured GuestJennifer Cohen Founder & Director, Seven Stones Leadership Group Co-author of The Seven Laws of Enough Jennifer helps individuals, teams, and organizations redefine success through sufficiency, sustainable abundance, and conscious leadership. 🔗 Connect with Jennifer CohenLinkedIn 🧭 Connect with the HostAshish Kothari Founder of Happiness...

    1h 4m
See All (164)

Trailer

5
out of 5
59 Ratings

About

Welcome to Flourishing Edge. This is the podcast dedicated to helping you unlock your full potential by mastering the art and science of happiness. We bring on the best leading experts on the topic of human flourishing to help you unlock your true potential and live with more joy, health, love, and meaning in your life. Your host is Ashish Kothari, the Founder and CEO of Happiness Squad, a company focused on helping individuals and organizations make flourishing their competitive edge and operate at their fullest potential. Thanks for being here and joining the squad! Learn more: https://happinesssquad.com/

Information

You Might Also Like