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

Ready to book me to speak? Let’s connect.

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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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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

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Should businesses offer remote work, hybrid options, or require employees to return to the office? This week, I’m sharing research and offering insights for managers and business leaders to consider the answer to this question. While research shows that office-based employees often feel happier and more resilient, the desire to have a choice in work environments remains significant. Join today’s conversation as I discuss connection and collaboration across remote and hybrid teams, emphasizing the importance of intentional team-building activities.

00:00 Introduction to Remote Work Debate

00:08 Research Findings on Employee Happiness

00:44 Importance of Team Connection

01:13 Practical Steps for Team Building

01:37 Case Study: Remote Sales Team

02:25 Connection Questions

03:24 Learning Clubs and In-person Meetings

04:03 Conclusion: Importance of Connection

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

Tune in next week for more insights on leadership, productivity, and creating thriving workplaces!

And don’t forget to Download the Happiness Research Reports Here

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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Let’s explore the critical roles of coaching and mentoring in the workplace and their impact on both personal and professional growth in today’s mini episode. Drawing on findings from the United States Happiness Report, I discuss how these practices can foster happier and more resilient employees. In this episode, I share personal stories and unique examples of coaching initiatives, as well as actionable advice for integrating coaching and mentoring into your organization. Whether you're a leader or an aspiring mentor, this episode offers valuable guidance on building stronger, more successful teams.

00:00 Introduction to Coaching and Mentoring

00:15 Research Findings from the United States Happiness Report

00:35 Roles of Coaches and Mentors in Organizations

01:24 Personal Experience as a Coach

02:06 Unique Approaches to Coaching and Mentoring

03:05 Balancing Physical and Emotional Wellness

05:06 Early Career Experience with Coaching

06:50 Employee Engagement and Retention

08:15 Training Managers as Mentors

10:58 Conclusion and Upcoming Content

• United States Happiness Report

• Blog Bank to Learn How to Train Managers as Mentors in Your Organization

Stay tuned for the next episode, where we discuss "How to Build Emotional Intelligence in Leaders." Don’t forget to subscribe!

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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Episode Summary:

How can you attract and retain top talent in a competitive job market? In this episode, let’s discuss the connection between emotional intelligence, workplace happiness, trust, and resilience in creating a strong company culture. How do you get the right people to work for you and how do you keep them for a long time? Join me in today’s episode for actionable strategies, data-driven insights, and advice on creating an environment where employees thrive and choose to stay long-term.

This episode is packed with essential resources for leaders and HR professionals aiming to elevate their organizational culture and boost talent management.

00:00 Introduction and Key Statistics

00:15 The Role of Happiness and Resilience

00:58 Beyond Food and Fun

01:56 Importance of Emotional Intelligence

03:13 Building Trust

04:29 Organizational Solutions

05:47 Resources and Closing Remarks

Resources Mentioned:

• United States Happiness Report - Volume 1 & 2: Gain insights into emotional wellness, happiness, and leadership’s role in workplace culture.

• Visit SpeakMichelle.com: Explore additional resources, training, and expert guidance on building emotional intelligence and resilience in your organization.

Connect With Us:

I’m here to help you create a workplace culture where employees love to stay. Visit my website for more resources and training opportunities. Stay tuned for the next episode, where we’ll unpack how to drive productivity and innovation in your organization.

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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• Download the United States Happiness Report to start transforming your workplace today.

• Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss our next episode!

Episode Summary

What role does emotional intelligence play in workplace productivity? Turns out, it’s a big one! In today’s episode, I share how emotional intelligence—along with happiness and resilience—impacts innovation, teamwork, and overall performance. All insights come from my happiness research report. In this episode, I share actionable tips for leaders to implement emotional intelligence trainings and foster a positive, more productive work culture for their teams. Tune in to learn how you can create a happier, high-performing team!

00:00 Introduction

00:13 The Importance of Emotional Intelligence

01:36 Practical Applications and Solutions

04:02 Leadership and Empowerment

04:45 Conclusion and Resources

Download the Happiness Research Report

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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In today’s episode, Karen McCullough, a renowned generational diversity expert, joins me as we discuss the complexities and opportunities of multi-generational workplaces. We discuss the challenges leaders face when managing different age groups and the impact of changing communication styles, work-life balance perspectives, and technology. Karen shares insights drawn from years of experience working with top organizations like NASA, McDonald's, and World Bank, offering practical advice for thriving in workplaces powered by generational diversity.

Whether you're a leader striving for adaptable leadership or an employee navigating cross-generational interactions, this episode delivers actionable tips for bridging the divide and fostering a positive, collaborative workplace.

• 00:00 - Introduction to the Episode

• 00:34 - Karen's Journey into Generational Studies

• 01:17 - Generational Dynamics in the Workplace

• 04:23 - Generational Stories and Work Ethics

• 09:42 - Adapting and Authenticity in Leadership

• 13:07 - Challenges in the Workplace

• 26:13 - Virtual Work and Building Relationships

• 29:42 - Final Advice and Closing Thoughts

Karen McCullough is a leading speaker and expert in generational diversity, founder of Your Killer Keynote Academy, and a member of the National Speakers Association (NSA). With experience working with top organizations like the World Bank, McDonald's, Johnson Space Center, Humana, and NASA, Karen inspires and educates audiences with actionable tools for workplace success. Through her work, she unlocks the secrets to crafting impactful messages and mastering the stage.

• Learn more about Karen McCullough and her work HERE.

• Connect with Karen on social media

• • Instagram

  • LinkedIn

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