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The Anxious Achiever

The Anxious Achiever

By: Morra Aarons-Mele
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 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/1480904163Copyright 2021 Morra Aarons-Mele Career Success Economics Hygiene & Healthy Living Management Management & Leadership Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Why Anxiety Can Be Your Superpower with Shopify’s Harley Finkelstein

    Why Anxiety Can Be Your Superpower with Shopify’s Harley Finkelstein
    Sep 11 2025
    Behind every bold move is often a quiet fear. In this episode, I sit down with Shopify President Harley Finkelstein to talk about how anxiety has shaped his path from navigating family financial loss as a teenager to leading one of the world’s most influential platforms for entrepreneurs. Harley explains how to view anxiety not as a flaw, but as a tool that sharpens foresight, fuels ambition, and prepares you for what others can’t see. He also shares how to build your team that balances your energy and why vulnerability in leadership is your strength. Get ready to turn anxiety into your advantage! In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Meet Harley Finkelstein, President of Shopify. 05:45 How Harley turned survival-driven anxiety at 17 into his first business. 11:45 Tools Harley uses to manage anxiety. 16:15 How to use anxiety as a checklist for risk and anticipation. 21:00 How do you handle anxiety when it affects your leadership? 24:30 Why extroverts and introverts recharge differently. 27:00 The #1 skill every anxious achiever needs. 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 Harley: on LinkedIn @harleyf + Instagram @harley
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    35 mins
  • How Childhood Adverse Experiences (ACES) Impact Your Working Life with Dr. Melissa Merrick

    How Childhood Adverse Experiences (ACES) Impact Your Working Life with Dr. Melissa Merrick
    Sep 9 2025
    Did you know your childhood story can shape your health, work, and relationships? In this episode, Dr. Melissa Merrick, President and CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America, shares the science behind ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and why nearly two-thirds of adults carry them. We talk about how trauma shows up in adulthood, why high achievers often live with hypervigilance, and the protective factors that can tip the scales toward healing. Tune in to learn why your past doesn’t define you and how to build a stronger, healthier future starting today. In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 Meet Dr. Melissa Merrick, President and CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America. 01:45 What are ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and why do they matter? 05:45 How childhood adversity increases risk for physical and mental health issues. 07:00 The #1 protective factor proven to fuel adult healing and growth. 09:45 The link between ACEs, hypervigilance, and high-achieving adults. 13:15 Why a high ACE score can shorten life expectancy by nearly 20 years. 15:00 The weight of carrying family trauma across generations. 19:30 Examples of leaders creating safer and more supportive work environments. 23:45 Daily habits that retrain your biology to handle stress better. 25:45 Dr. Merrick’s go-to resources for stress and pressure relief. Resources + Links Learn more about ACEs HERE Learn more about Prevent Child Abuse America 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. Merrick on LinkedIn
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    32 mins
  • Turning Anxiety Into Your Growth Edge with Whitney Johnson

    Turning Anxiety Into Your Growth Edge with Whitney Johnson
    Sep 4 2025
    Anxiety doesn’t have to be the thing that holds you back, it can actually be the spark that pushes you forward. In this episode, I sit down with Whitney Johnson, one of the world’s leading experts on personal disruption, to talk about what it really means to disrupt yourself and why growth often comes with discomfort, fear, and uncertainty. Whitney opens up about her leap from Wall Street, building a new identity, the lessons she’s learned as a mother and entrepreneur, and the daily practices that help her stay grounded. She also shares the question to ask yourself when anxiety kicks in, why you sometimes quit or avoid opportunities out of fear, and the exact strategies she uses to handle anxiety instead of running from it. Get ready to grow, no matter where you’re starting from. Highlights 00:00 Meet Whitney Johnson, CEO of Disruption Advisors. 03:30 The privilege of dreaming and why so many people hold back. 05:00 Leaving Wall Street, parenting, and finding a new work-life fit. 07:45 What is disrupting yourself? 12:45 Is anxiety fueling your work ethic or running your life? 17:30 Whitney’s way of breaking the avoidance loop. 19:30 How anxiety shows up in your career and inbox. 23:30 How do you handle the anxiety of leaving a steady job to go out on your own? 27:30 Ways to find strength when anxiety holds you back. 31:00 Why growth is your default setting (and proof change is always possible). 32:45 Whitney’s hack for stopping the anxious cycle. Resources + Links Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Learn more about Whitney Johnson and Disruption Advisors HERE Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Whitney: @johnsonwhitney
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    39 mins
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