Episode Summary:

What if the reason you feel stuck isn’t your circumstance—but your comparison?

In this episode, I share a story about racing my young son—a moment that unexpectedly revealed how comparison can distort our vision and derail our growth. I unpack the dangers of comparison, the surprising results from my Leadership and Engagement study, and what PTSD studies taught me about the power of belief.

You'll hear why so many people feel stuck at a “5,” and what it really takes to build the emotional strength to move forward—regardless of what life throws your way. Whether you're a leader, a parent, or someone navigating burnout, this episode will challenge you to stop looking sideways and start investing in the one skill that matters most right now: resilience. Because you’re not in a race—you’re on a mission.

00:00 Stretch Capacity Story: Racing My Son

01:16 The Comparison Trap

03:06 What Leadership Research Reveals

05:39 The Danger of Measuring Against Others

07:13 The PTSD Insight That Changes Everything

08:34 You Are Not Your Circumstances

10:46 Resilience Is Essential

12:26 When Your Resilience Reserves Are Low

14:16 You’re Not in a Race

15:59 Own Your Emotional Wellness

17:06 Make Resilience a Habit

18:25 Resilience Education Starts with You

20:03 Emotional Intelligence in the Age of AI

21:18 Final Thoughts & Challenge

Ready to build resilience that lasts?

If you're looking to strengthen your team’s capacity to thrive through change, handle pressure, and stay engaged—resilience training is the next right step.

Let’s talk about how I can support your organization through a keynote, workshop, or leadership retreat. I’ll bring research-backed strategies that help your team stretch without snapping—and perform at their best.

Prefer to start with a resource?
Download my Leadership and Engagement Blueprint—a practical guide to help leaders increase performance, trust, and emotional intelligence in today’s fast-paced workplace.

Leadership & Engagement Blueprint

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Which generation claims to be the happiest at work? How does leadership style impact resilience across different age groups? In this episode, we reveal surprising stats from the 2025 Leadership and Engagement blueprint and explore what truly drives well-being on multi-generational teams. Tune in to find out what matters most to Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X—and why your approach to authenticity and adaptability as a leader could make all the difference.

If you’re ready to cultivate better connections within your multigenerational team, start the conversation today.

Tune in next week for more insights on leadership and productivity.

And don’t forget to Download the Workplace Research Reports Here.

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Instagram @speakmichelle & @bethehappyist

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Episode Overview:

How does social media affect your well-being? Can reducing screen time boost your happiness and strengthen connections? In this MiniCast episode, I share data-backed information on the relationship between social media usage and personal happiness. I conducted a personal month-long experiment, blending research insights from my Happiness Research with actionable strategies to reduce screen time and create intentional, meaningful moments offline and I share my findings of that.

Whether you're aiming to reclaim your time, foster better connections, or just learn how to balance social media and real life, this episode is packed with tips, reflections, and action items to improve your relationship with social media and your personal happiness.

00:00 Introduction and Background

00:20 The Research on Social Media

01:15 Personal Screen Time Reduction Journey

01:46 Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Goals

02:21 Tracking Happiness and Connection

02:30 Challenges of Social Media Comparison

03:04 Social Media as a Tool

03:30 Approach to Reducing Screen Time

09:34 Results and Reflections on the Journey

09:55 Encouragement for Listeners

11:54 Conclusion and Additional Resources

Loved this episode? Don’t forget to rate and review the podcast. Your feedback helps the show grow and share more actionable content with amazing listeners like you!

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Instagram @speakmichelle & @bethehappyist

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