The Happiness Squad Podcast with Ashish Kothari – Details, episodes & analysis

We all have that little voice in our heads. The one that says, “You’re not good enough,” or “Why even bother?” Instead of letting it boss you around, what if you could turn that nagging voice into a helpful guide?

Rosi Greenberg, Artist, CEO & Leadership Development Facilitator at Drawn to Lead, calls her inner critic Sam, and in our latest episode at HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, she’s teaching us how to meet, greet, and tame that inner critic. 

Rosi Greenberg, a leadership development artist with 15 years of experience, empowers leaders to embrace their inner strength and creativity through bespoke workshops. Her book, Everyone Has a Sam: Meeting the Inner Critic and Re-Writing the Rules, tackles imposter syndrome with transformative strategies. 

With a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School and advanced leadership training, Rosi champions empathy as a crucial leadership skill, blending artistry and leadership to foster meaningful professional connections.

Things you will learn from this episode:

• Are inner critics useful?

• How our inner critic can hold us back

• The steps to befriending your inner critic

• Why everyone has an inner critic

• How the inner critic can appear in a parent-child relationship

Whether you’re leading a team or just trying to lead your life, learn how to befriend your Sam before it runs the show. Listen to the full episode now!

• Rosi Greenberg Website: https://www.rosigreenberg.com/ 

• Everyone Has a Sam: www.everyonehasasam.com

• Drawn to Lead: www.drawntolead.org 

• Exploring the Roots of the Inner Critic: https://s3.amazonaws.com/nicabm-stealthseminar/Next_Level_Practitioner/Week103/NEXT-Week103-Day3-DanSiegel.pdf

• Everyone Has a Sam by Rosi Greenberg: https://www.amazon.com/Everyone-Has-Sam-Rosi-Greenberg/dp/B0CGXR71CJ 

• Truths for Turbulent Times by Rosi Greenberg: https://www.amazon.com/Truths-Turbulent-Times-Rosi-Greenberg/dp/1088274412 

Hardwired for Happiness: 9 Proven Practices to Overcome Stress and Live Your Best Life.https://www.amazon.com/Hardwired-Happiness-Proven-Practices-Overcome/dp/1544534655

Are you making happiness a daily reality? The truth is, most of us have fallen into a routine where we're just surviving, not thriving. Our brains are wired to keep us safe, not happy—and that’s where the problem begins. We settle for less, waiting for weekends, vacations, or "someday" to finally feel alive. 

But in this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Brian Dubow shed light on a simple yet powerful approach designed to rewire your brain for happiness, one small step at a time.

Brian Dubow is the Founder of Hit of Happiness, where he helps individuals and organizations live more intentional and fulfilling lives through coaching, consulting, and community events. He is certified in happiness studies and passionate about health and wellbeing. 

Things you will learn from this episode:

• The “magic” of happiness framework

• Building the habit of mindfulness

• How physical activity boosts happiness

• Cultivating gratitude to rewire your brain for happiness

• Bringing back your childlike sense of inspiration

• Why connections matter and how to build them

Brian’s five-step framework will help you break out of autopilot and rediscover what it feels like to truly live every day.

• Hit of Happiness: Reframe Your Reality: https://hitofhappiness.com/ 

• The Hit of Happiness Podcast: https://hitofhappiness.com/latest-pod-episodes

• Project Smile by Hit of Happiness: https://hitofhappiness.com/project-smile

• #66Happy Guide eBook: https://hitofhappiness.com/%2366happy-guide 

• #66Happy Habit Building Program: https://hitofhappiness.com/%2366happy 

• Hardwired for Happiness: 9 Proven Practices to Overcome Stress and Live Your Best Life.https://www.amazon.com/Hardwired-Happiness-Proven-Practices-Overcome/dp/1544534655

Let's face it, traditional top-down leadership styles just don't cut it anymore. Employees today are looking for something more than just a boss who dictates orders. They want a leader who understands them, values their contributions, and invests in their growth. Human-centric leadership offers a solution.

In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, we’ll explore how human-centric leadership can create cultures that value people with Jehanzeb Noor, President & Managing Director at Trivium Packaging.

Jehanzeb Noor is the President & Managing Director at Trivium Metal Products, specializing in growth execution and technology commercialization in the Medical Device and Industrials sectors. Previously CEO of Smiths Medical and a leader at Amcor, Jehanzeb has a track record of enhancing shareholder value, driving strategic growth, and integrating social responsibility into business practices.

Things you will learn from this episode:

• 3 Qualities that Build a Human-Centric Culture

• Understanding human-centric leadership

• 6 tips to enhance mentorship

• 5 ways to enhance leadership

Tune in now and discover how human-centric leadership can create a ripple effect of positivity throughout your organization.

Websites: 

• http://mckinsey.com/

• https://operations-extranet.mckinsey.com/

• http://www.mckinsey.com/client_service/marketing_and_sales 

• Hardwired for Happiness: 9 Proven Practices to Overcome Stress and Live Your Best Life.https://www.amazon.com/Hardwired-Happiness-Proven-Practices-Overcome/dp/1544534655

Despite living in a time of incredible prosperity, record-breaking GDP, and life-saving advancements, many of us feel increasingly stressed, anxious, and dissatisfied. This paradox—abundance alongside unhappiness—is what we’ll tackle in this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast with Ashish Kothari, Founder of HAPPINESS SQUAD.

In this episode, we’ll unravel the hidden habits that might be unconsciously chipping away at our well-being. Learn how to identify and break free from these "unhappiness habits" that hold you back from a more fulfilling life.

Things you will learn from this episode:

• “Unhappiness Habits” that drive lower life satisfaction and increased stress

• Happy practices that help fix your broken sleeping patterns 

• How to kill the habit of comparison

• Breaking free from the addiction to technology

Tune in to this episode now and learn to identify and break the habits that contribute to your unhappiness.

• Rewire Program: https://happinesssquad.com/rewire-program/ 

• The Happiness Squad on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-happiness-squad/id1663683864

• Happiness Squad Podcast: https://podcast.happinesssquad.com/ 

• Happiness Squad website: https://happinesssquad.com/

• Happiness Squad on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myhappinesssquad/ 

• Hardwired for Happiness: 9 Proven Practices to Overcome Stress and Live Your Best Life: https://www.amazon.com/Hardwired-Happiness-Proven-Practices-Overcome/dp/1544534655

The world of work is on fast-forward. New skills are constantly in demand, and keeping up can feel like playing catch-up in a high-speed chase. Without a mentor to provide guidance and support, these new challenges can be overwhelming.

In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Lori Crever, Author and Founder of Protégé Power, explores the importance of creating a culture of mentorship in our organizations.

Lori Crever is the author of "Protégé Power: A Roadmap for Mentorship" and founder of Protégé Power LLC. As Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Center for Mentoring Excellence, she leverages her extensive corporate experience and career development expertise to deliver impactful presentations and workshops. 

Lori's career includes two decades at Wells Fargo, where she led a successful mentor program that significantly advanced participants' careers. Currently, she is pursuing a Global Leadership Diploma at the United Nations University for Peace. Her methods have facilitated career breakthroughs for professionals globally, as detailed in her book.

In the conversation, you’ll learn the key elements of effective leadership and the importance of embedding mentorship into the organizational culture.

Things you will learn from this episode:

• The importance of setting clear goals for mentees

• Creating psychological safety to foster mentorship

• How to empower mentees

• The role of humility in mentorship

• Why mentorship should be embedded into the organization’s culture

Thousands of listeners have already benefited from our career guidance. Now, discover the power of mentorship in our latest episode!

• Protégé Power: https://www.protegepower.com/ 

• About Lori Crever: https://lori-crever.squarespace.com/ 

• Lori Crever on X : https://x.com/loricrever?lang=en 

• Protégé Power: A Roadmap to Mentorship: https://www.amazon.com/Prot%C3%A9g%C3%A9-Power-Roadmap-Mentorship/dp/B09DM73X6G 

• Hardwired for Happiness: 9 Proven Practices to Overcome Stress and Live Your Best Life.https://www.amazon.com/Hardwired-Happiness-Proven-Practices-Overcome/dp/1544534655

We all hit a point where our current path just doesn’t match up with our deepest desires and goals any longer. That's when a "relaunch" starts to happen. It's that moment of transition in our lives that presents a powerful opportunity to redefine what success means to us and realign with our true selves. But how do we handle this big change smoothly and confidently?

In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Hilary DeCesare, Founder & CEO of The ReLaunch Company, reveal the secrets to effectively relaunching yourself and thriving in your life’s transitions.

Hilary DeCesare is an award-winning business expert, internationally recognized author, and Silicon Valley pioneer. She founded The Relaunch Co., significantly contributed to Oracle’s sales, and is a sought-after speaker and mentor to CEOs and entrepreneurs. 

Hilary has raised millions in venture capital, earned multiple accolades including AlwaysOn’s “Top 25 Women in Tech to Watch,” and won the 2010 DEMOgod Award and the 2012 Golden Bridge Women Founder of the Year Award. 

She serves on the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo board, lectures on business, and is committed to philanthropy, with notable appearances on ABC’s Secret Millionaire. Her work culminates in the 3HQ Methodology, empowering mid-life women to achieve career fulfillment.

Tune into this episode for expert guidance on effectively relaunching your life and thrive through dramatic transitions!

Things you will learn from this episode:

• The 3HQ Method

• Tapping into the Wisdom of the Heart

• The Tune-In Process

• Daily Dose from the Tune-In Process

• The ReLaunch Company - http://www.therelaunchco.com/ 

• Free PDF at tuneinpowertool.com - https://www.therelaunchcocourses.com/tunein 

• RELAUNCH!: Spark Your Heart to Ignite Your Life : https://www.amazon.com/RELAUNCH-Spark-Your-Heart-Ignite-ebook/dp/B0B2WZKBDB

• Also mentioned:  "Mind Magic" by James Doty https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Magic-Neuroscience-Manifestation-Everything/dp/0593541146  

• Hardwired for Happiness: 9 Proven Practices to Overcome Stress and Live Your Best Life.https://www.amazon.com/Hardwired-Happiness-Proven-Practices-Overcome/dp/1544534655

Is happiness the hidden ingredient to extraordinary business success? We're so used to workplaces focused on getting things done fast and generating results. But what if fostering a happy work environment is the key to unparalleled productivity, innovation, and employee loyalty?

In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Lars Kure Juul explore the potent impact of organizational happiness on overall business health.

Lars Kure Juul is a Trusted Advisor, HR Executive, and Author of the book, Organizational Happiness: The Happiness Sweet Spot & Your Motivational Landscape. He is no stranger to the transformative power of happiness. 

Transitioning from a seasoned legal career in mergers and acquisitions to a revered HR executive, Lars has spent over two decades mastering the art of enhancing corporate environments through strategic happiness interventions. His approach blends rigorous positive psychology with practical corporate applications, setting the stage for thriving workplaces.

During their engaging discussion, Ashish and Lars dissect a variety of pivotal topics, including the concept of compassionate leadership—how it shapes high-performing teams and fosters a robust organizational culture.

Things you will learn from this episode:

• Workplaces can either drag down or uplift individuals through organizational dynamics

• Key Drivers for Organizational Happiness

• The importance and effectiveness of compassionate leadership

• How leaders can cultivate compassion and presence within their teams

Listen now and discover how embracing organizational happiness can improve business outcomes. You’ll take away practical strategies to implement in your own organization.

• The Happiness Sweet Spot: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/happiness-sweet-spot-explained-lars-kure-juul/ 

• Organizational Happiness by Lars Kure Juul: https://www.amazon.com/Organizational-Happiness-Sweet-Motivational-Landscape/dp/8797105503 

• Hardwired for Happiness: 9 Proven Practices to Overcome Stress and Live Your Best Life.https://www.amazon.com/Hardwired-Happiness-Proven-Practices-Overcome/dp/1544534655

Have you ever noticed how a delicious meal can instantly lift your spirits? Food goes beyond just fueling our bodies; it nourishes our souls and strengthens connections with the people around us. But how exactly does food create happiness and deeper connections?  

In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Paul Cure explore the fascinating link between food, happiness, and building meaningful relationships.

Paul Cure is a Realtor with the Burgess Group | Compass and the Community Chair for the Conference on World Affairs. He is also a freelance journalist who specializes in lifestyle topics, including design, style, food, and travel. Paul is passionate about bringing together various businesses and personalities to foster community building and social engagement.

In this conversation, Ashish and Paul discuss how shared meals can enhance happiness and strengthen relationships.

Things you will learn from this episode:

• What is Slow Food?

• The Emotional Impact of Eating Environments

• How Sharing a Meal Cultivates Mindfulness

• Building Connections Through Food

Struggling to find meaningful ways to connect with loved ones? We've got the recipe for you! Don’t wait! Tune into this podcast now.

Resources:

• Michelin Star Restaurants in Colorado: Culinary Adventures in Aspen, Boulder, and Denver (article by Paul Cure) : https://iconiclife.com/michelin-start-restaurants-colorado-culinary-adventures/

• “Welcome, Nice to See You” AKA “Irashaimase” (article by Paul Cure) : https://citylifestyle.com/articles/welcome-nice-to-see-you-aka-irashaimase

• 40th Food & Wine Classic in Aspen | The View From the Top (article by Paul Cure): https://iconiclife.com/food-wine-classic-aspen-exploring-aspen-food-wine-festival/

• The Eat-In Method by Callie Cavanaugh: https://calliecavanaugh.com/program

Books:

• Comfort Food: Exploring Our Relationship and Craving for Love and Belonging At the Table by Paul Cure

• Hardwired for Happiness: 9 Proven Practices to Overcome Stress and Live Your Best Life.https://www.amazon.com/Hardwired-Happiness-Proven-Practices-Overcome/dp/1544534655

Relationships can be tricky because they mix together two people with different backgrounds and habits, and sometimes things get a bit tangled up. It’s like blending two different paint colors without making a mess! Every relationship hits rough patches, but we can turn those bumps in the road into springboards for growing closer.

In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari, Founder of Happiness Squad, discusses how to cultivate positive emotions to deepen our relationships.

Things you will learn from this episode:

• How to generate positive emotions

• Practice being a ‘gratitude detective’

• Managing negative emotions and interactions

• The most destructive behaviors in relationships.

Resources:

• Rewire Program: https://happinesssquad.com/rewire-program/

• The Happiness Squad on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-happiness-squad/id1663683864

• Happiness Squad Podcast: https://podcast.happinesssquad.com/

• Happiness Squad website: https://happinesssquad.com/

• Happiness Squad on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myhappinesssquad/

• The Magic Relationship Ratio by Dr. John Gottman: https://www.gottman.com/blog/the-magic-relationship-ratio-according-science/

Books:

• Hardwired for Happiness: 9 Proven Practices to Overcome Stress and Live Your Best Life.https://www.amazon.com/Hardwired-Happiness-Proven-Practices-Overcome/dp/1544534655

• The Prophet by Khalil Gibran: https://www.amazon.com/Prophet-Kahlil-Gibran/dp/B001AGWEMK

We're investing big bucks in employee well-being programs without really addressing the real problems affecting employees' performance. In fact, shocking stats from the McKinsey Health Institute reveal that a mere 3% of burnout comes from individual factors, while a staggering 97% is due to organizational, team, and job-related issues. 

It looks like we’re spending a lot of money on wellness without tackling the bigger problem. Shouldn’t we be aiming for solutions that address the whole picture? In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Ali Khan will discuss this issue with you.

Ali Khan is an accomplished entrepreneur and the Founder and CEO of SHAPE - The Employee Experience Measurement Company. His leadership is marked by a commitment to creating flagship products that enhance flourishing and drive positive outcomes in workplaces facing unprecedented change. An expert in chronic and infectious disease diagnosis, Ali excels in transforming clinical, technical, and operational growth through data-driven services. 

In the conversation, Ashish and Ali redefine employee flourishing and organizational success. They discuss how well-being and happiness are not merely byproducts of successful workplace environments but are foundational to creating them.

Things you will learn from this episode:

• Defining flourishing and what helps individuals and organizations flourish

• The Flourishing Wheel: 12 domains of flourishing

• Effectiveness of Well-being Initiatives

• Data-driven insights in transforming organizational practices

• SHAPE Website: https://www.shapepowered.com/

• SHAPE Global news: https://www.forbes.com/sites/sheilacallaham/2023/09/19/startup-advances-employee-productivity-measurement-captures-attention-of-global-leaders/?sh=4d0ff1f541c9 

• Check out our related episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/lv/podcast/the-power-of-purpose-driven-organizations-with-alex-edmans/id1663683864?i=1000633983201 

• Hardwired for Happiness: 9 Proven Practices to Overcome Stress and Live Your Best Life.https://www.amazon.com/Hardwired-Happiness-Proven-Practices-Overcome/dp/1544534655