Hello Monday with Jessi Hempel

Melinda French Gates has spent her life navigating pivotal career moments and using her influence to empower others. In today’s episode of Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel sits down with Melinda to dive into how we can summon and own our power, both professionally and personally. From her early days as high school valedictorian to her role as one of the world’s most impactful philanthropists, Melinda shares what she’s learned about leadership, career pivots, and using your power to make a difference. Melinda and Jessi discuss: The role of trusted advisors to guide you throughout your career The difference between a mentor and a sponsor, and why having a sponsor is crucial to your success How to ask questions and admit when you don’t have all the answers Strategies for tackling gender inequity in the workplace Re-entering the workforce after parental leave Making intentional career pivots and surviving despite fear of a career transition  Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! Join us here, on the LinkedIn News page, this Wednesday at 3 PM EST.

You’ve climbed to the top of the corporate ladder. But now what? The job is great, but maybe you’re feeling bored, stuck, or ready for something more flexible. What if the next step isn’t another corporate role, but building something entirely your own? Today, we dive into why consulting might just be the career move you’ve been waiting for, and how it offers the ideal balance of flexibility, excitement, and financial success. Jessi is joined in the studio by Eloiza Domingo, CEO and Founder of FourTen, a consulting firm focused on inclusive strategies for brands. Most recently, she served as the Chief Diversity Officer at Allstate, but when the company eliminated her position, she decided to make the leap to consulting after a successful career in high-level corporate positions. Just eight months in, she’s already crushing it. Eloiza shares her journey and offers key insights for anyone considering making the leap into consulting. Eloiza and Jessi discuss: Why consulting isn’t a last resort, but the future of flexible, high-impact careers How to define your own voice and expertise after leaving a corporate role How you don’t need to be a salesperson or entrepreneur to succeed How to build a team that supports you and helps your consulting business thrive The key to finding fulfillment and financial independence If you're thinking about consulting, or already pursuing it, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration to help you take your career to the next level. Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! Join us here, on the LinkedIn News page, this Wednesday at 3 PM EST.

Have you ever felt like you lack agency at work, like your boss doesn’t hear you, or like you need to shift your relationships with the people in charge? Managing up might be the key to creating positive, lasting change. In today’s episode, Jessi Hempel talks with Melody Wilding to give you the roadmap to managing your manager. Melody Wilding is an LMSW, executive coach, and author of the new book Managing Up: How to Get What You Want from The People in Charge. Melody and Jessi discuss: Five conversations you can have with your boss to improve your working relationship How managing up is a skill that anyone can learn Aligning yourself with your manager to ensure you are working on the right work Understanding both your boss’s and your own work style and preferences How to give your boss the right feedback in the right way How and when to set boundaries at work Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! Join us here, on the LinkedIn News page, this Wednesday at 3 PM EST.

How do you balance your calling – the thing you are passionate about, with your career – the thing that pays your bills? In honor of the Oscars this weekend, we’re resurfacing our conversation with actor, writer, director, and producer Jesse Eisenberg. Jesse’s new film, A Real Pain, which he wrote, directed, produced, and co-starred in, has received two Oscar nominations, including Best Original Screenplay. The film has already received wide acclaim this awards season, with Jesse taking home an Independent Spirit Award and a BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay. In this candid conversation, Jesse Eisenberg sits down with Jessi Hempel to discuss the delicate balance between his calling, writing, and his career, which also encompasses acting, directing, and producing. From personal experiences to valuable lessons on handling criticism, Jesse offers practical insights that will resonate with anyone striving to stay true to their creative vision. Jesse and Jessi discuss: Jesse's creative process as an actor, writer, and director Overcoming imposter syndrome and self-doubt in the industry Balancing commercial viability with artistic passion The challenges of handling criticism and staying true to your vision How Jesse approaches the business side of filmmaking For more inspiration, listen to Jessi's conversation with Laura Linney on dealing with criticism here.

Ambition. Is it a dirty word? Do you love the term, or hate it? In this episode of Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel sits down with two incredible colleagues at LinkedIn, Ahyiana Angel and Hayley Saltzman, to explore how our understanding of ambition evolves, and what it means to chase personal growth rather than external validation. Ahyiana Angel is the Podcast Ad Ops Producer at LinkedIn and the host of her own podcast called Switch, Pivot, or Quit. Hayley Saltzman is an Editor at Large at LinkedIn, recently focusing on vertical video strategy. Together, they reflect on how ambition is often shaped by external expectations and how true fulfillment comes when we start living for ourselves. In this episode, Jessi, Ahyiana, and Hayley discuss: The tension between extrinsic and intrinsic ambition Our gendered notions of ambition, and how society’s definition of ambition is often limiting for women What happens when you quit a dream job to pursue something more aligned with personal growth The relationship between fear and ambition Practical tips for reconnecting with your own ambitions and self-worth If you've ever questioned what success and ambition truly mean for you, this episode is for you. Whether you're navigating career transitions or redefining what ambition looks like in your life, we hope this conversation will inspire you to live and work authentically. Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! Join us here, on the LinkedIn News page, this Wednesday at 3 PM EST.

In a world where opinions are divided and polarization runs deep, how can we change people's minds and move them to action? In this episode from the archives, Jessi Hempel sits down with Dr. Marcus Collins to explore how individuals, companies, and brands can navigate our fragmented world with conviction, empathy, and purpose.  Marcus is an award-winning marketer, cultural translator, and the author of For the Culture, a book that explores the intersection of culture, identity, and consumer behavior. He and Jessi break discuss: How cultural shocks create opportunities for connection, even in a polarized world The power of empathy in bridging gaps between people with different worldviews Why brands need to take a stand and risk alienating some to build trust with others The complex tension between capitalism and democracy, and what it means for brands and consumers How technology speeds up our cultural shifts and pushes us to define our place in the world This conversation is packed with insights on how to move people, not just to buy, but to act and engage, while staying true to the values that matter most. Whether you’re a leader, marketer, or consumer, this episode will make you rethink how you navigate today’s culture and how we all can make a difference in a divided world. Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! Join us here, on the LinkedIn News page, this Wednesday at 3 PM EST.

Curious, excited, or even concerned about AI’s impact on your career and the future of work? Whether you're eager to embrace AI or cautious about its effects, this episode with Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn co-founder and author of the new book Superagency: What Could Possibly Go Right With Our AI Future, is packed with insights that will help you navigate the AI revolution, no matter your perspective. Jessi and Reid discuss: Practical strategies for using AI to boost career growth Leveraging AI to enhance your job search Supercharging creativity with AI How to use AI to make better decisions Why we should approach AI with curiosity rather than fear This episode was filmed live in-studio. Check out the full video version on LinkedIn Premium. Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! Join us here, on the LinkedIn News page, this Wednesday at 3 PM EST. Want to learn more about using AI at work and in life? Check out Jessi’s conversation with Ethan Mollick on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Rest is essential. It’s like food or water; without it, we die. As today’s guest points out though, it’s also a sacred practice. In today’s conversation, originally held live on Hello Monday’s Office Hours, Octavia Raheem joins Jessi Hempel to talk about, and to practice, rest. Octavia Raheem is a rest coach, yoga and meditation teacher, and author. Her latest book is called Rest is Sacred: Reclaiming Our Brilliance Through the Practice of Stillness. She and Jessi discuss: How rest sparks creativity and connection Rethinking productivity through rest How to build micro-rest practices into your days The power of rest for self-reflection, personal growth, and clarity Then, Octavia leads us in a transformative guided rest practice that combines mindfulness, relaxation, and breathing techniques. Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! RSVP here to join us on the LinkedIn News page this Wednesday at 3 PM EST.

Quit rates are up, burnout is rampant, and your boss wants you in the office five days a week. But Jennifer Moss says work doesn’t have to be this way. In today’s episode, Jessi Hempel and Jen unpack how we can create a better work culture. Jen is an award-winning journalist, speaker, and workplace culture strategist. She is the author of six books on work and work culture. Her previous book, The Burnout Epidemic, came out in 2022 and her latest title Why Are We Here?: Creating a Work Culture Everyone Wants was released earlier this January. Jen and Jessi discuss: The three qualities at the foundation of a better work culture: hope, purpose, and community How to deal with burnout How to increase cognitive hope by celebrating small wins DEI initiatives and how to foster a sense of belonging at work The future of remote work Return-to-office mandates and employee flexibility and autonomy Start every week with Hello Monday, delivered straight to your inbox! Subscribe to the Hello Monday newsletter and never miss an episode.

What stories do we tell ourselves about the past? How do they inform our present, and our future? Where did we learn them and what if they’re wrong? In today’s episode of Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel sits down with Irvin Weathersby Jr. to explore how we challenge existing systems, and the beliefs and ideas that prop them up.   Irvin is a Brooklyn-based writer and professor, originally from New Orleans. His new book is In Open Contempt: Confronting White Supremacy in Art and Public Space. In it, he explores the myths about America and its people that are woven throughout our art, our monuments, and our public spaces. And how we can go about unravelling them.  Together, Irvin and Jessi discuss: Centering curiosity and understanding to combat white supremacy  Building empathy through storytelling The consequences of DEI rollbacks Communication across difference Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! RSVP here to join us on the LinkedIn News page this Wednesday at 3 PM EST.

There’s a myth about trust: that once you lose it, it’s gone. In reality, most of us walk around losing and rebuilding trust every day. In today’s episode of Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel sits down with Anne Morriss and Frances Frei to get to the bottom of trust and uncover how we build, and rebuild it. Anne is the co-founder of The Leadership Consortium, a management consultancy that helps organizations unlock leadership potential and drive positive change. Frances is a beloved professor at Harvard Business School and a leading authority on organizational behavior, leadership, and trust. The two are authors of three books together, including Unleashed: The Unapologetic Leader's Guide to Empowering Everyone Around You, and are co-hosts of the TED podcast Fixable. Together, they discuss: The “trust triangle,” comprised of the three qualities that are foundational to trust: empathy, authenticity, and logic.  Finding your “wobble,” the quality that wavers, and your “anchor,” the quality that always holds strong.  How to build trust as individuals, how to build trust in a team, and how to build trust in a workplace. The most common reasons organizations fail when it comes to trust. How to transform your leadership for lasting change. How to amplify your ambition for faster results. Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! RSVP here to join us on the LinkedIn News page this Wednesday at 3 PM EST.

When was the last time you said “no”? In this episode of Hello Monday with Jessi Hempel, Dr. Sunita Sah, author of Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes, reveals the psychology behind decision-making, compliance, asserting your boundaries without guilt. Dr. Sah’s groundbreaking research on human behavior explores the psychological forces that lead us to follow bad advice and conform to social expectations. She introduces the concept of insinuation anxiety—the fear of giving negative feedback—and how it impacts our ability to speak up, even when something feels wrong. Dr. Sah also discusses how to navigate authority, cultivate confidence, and practice defiance in a way that aligns with your values. Whether you're facing pressure at work, in relationships, or within your own mind, this episode offers actionable strategies for setting boundaries, asserting your "no," and making decisions that truly serve your goals. Tune in for insights on how to build confidence, manage authority dynamics, and defy expectations when it matters most. Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! RSVP here to join us on the LinkedIn News page this Wednesday at 3 PM EST.

As 2024 comes to a close, Jessi Hempel invites you to kick off the new year by crafting a vision for your future. In this special episode of Hello Monday, Jessi shares a powerful exercise–writing a “dream job description” for your life five years from now. Inspired by her own transformative experience, Jessi walks you through the process of envisioning your ideal job, the role that aligns with your values, passions, and dreams, without limiting yourself by what's “realistic.” Rather than focusing on New Year's resolutions, which often feel dictated by external pressures, Jessi encourages you to tap into the power of your own imagination. This exercise is designed to help you break free from self-doubt and the negative biases that limit your growth, and instead, to visualize and manifest your dream future. Jessi’s personal story of using this exercise to transform her career path from burnout to fulfillment will inspire you to take action and start shaping your ideal future today. Start your year with a clear vision of the future you want to create. Grab a pencil, clear your mind, and get ready to dive into this transformative exercise with Jessi.  Subscribe to the Hello Monday newsletter to get episodes and insights delivered straight to your inbox every Monday!

Feeling stuck in your career? Wondering if you’re moving too fast to make the right decisions? In today’s episode of Hello Monday, award-winning journalist Poppy Harlow reveals why taking a pause might be the key to unlocking your next big career move. After 16 years at CNN, Poppy faced an unexpected crossroads when her morning show was canceled. Instead of rushing to the next opportunity, she is taking the time to reflect and listen to the stillness, a choice that is leading her to profound personal and professional transformation. Join Jessi Hempel and Poppy as they explore the power of slowing down during times of uncertainty. In a world obsessed with hustle, Poppy’s journey reminds us that the most important decisions often come when we step back, breathe, and listen to our intuition. From embracing the "messy middle" of career transitions to the importance of empathy in leadership, this episode offers powerful insights for anyone navigating a career shift or seeking greater clarity and purpose. Subscribe to the Hello Monday newsletter to get episodes and insights delivered straight to your inbox every Monday!

In this special feed drop from The Anxious Achiever, Morra Aarons-Mele sits down with Yowei Shaw, former host of NPR's Invisibilia, to explore the personal and professional challenges that followed her unexpected layoff. In this candid conversation, Yowei opens up about how losing her job caused a profound shift in her identity and sense of self—and how she found the courage to rebuild. Yowei shares the emotional and psychological journey she went through after the layoff, including how she navigated feelings of uncertainty, grief, and personal reinvention. Now hosting her own podcast, Proxy with Yowei Shaw, she offers valuable advice for anyone facing similar career setbacks. Whether you're dealing with a job loss or just questioning your place in the workplace, this conversation offers insights on resilience, recovery, and embracing new beginnings. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about career, identity, and the power of moving forward after setbacks.

What does it take for an idea to reach a tipping point today, and how has that changed over 20 years? In this episode of Hello Monday, best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell joins Jessi Hempel to explore how the power of influence has evolved in the digital age. In his new book, Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering, Malcolm reflects on the transformation of how ideas spread, from when his debutThe Tipping Point was first published in 2000 to today’s era of social media, influencers, and AI. Malcolm explores how technology and social platforms have changed the dynamics of influence, emphasizing that you don’t need millions of followers to make a difference. He shares personal stories, including one about his brother, an elementary school principal whose impact resonated through a small, yet deeply connected community. Plus, Malcolm offers advice for adapting to the fast-paced, ever-changing world of work, including tips for early career professionals on staying nimble in the face of rapid changes. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on the rise of superspreaders, social engineering, and the power of influence in today’s world. This episode was filmed live in-studio. Check out the full video version on LinkedIn Premium. Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! RSVP here to join us on the LinkedIn News page this Wednesday at 3 PM EST.

Feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and burned out as the year comes to a close? You’re not alone. In this bonus episode of Hello Monday, originally recorded back in 2020, Jessi Hempel sits down with Emily and Amelia Nagoski, co-authors of Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle. They explore the root causes of burnout, the importance of emotional resilience, and how societal expectations contribute to the stress cycle. The Nagoskis discuss how burnout manifests in different groups, particularly women, and how to strike a balance between being a "human giver" and a "human being" to break free from constant exhaustion. They identify connection and community as the strongest tools against burnout. They also touch on the need for self-compassion, and how to find true purpose beyond societal pressures. Whether you're struggling with work burnout or seeking healthier emotional strategies, this episode offers valuable insights into managing stress, healing from emotional wounds, and creating a life of balance and fulfillment.

Actor, writer, and director Jesse Eisenberg sits down with Jessi Hempel to dive into his creative process, offering valuable insights on how to balance artistic passion with commercial viability. From his experiences writing and directing A Real Pain to his candid thoughts on imposter syndrome, Jesse discusses the challenges of navigating self-doubt, managing criticism, and staying true to your vision in a highly competitive industry. He shares how he approaches the business side of filmmaking, including managing costs and choosing the right projects, while staying connected to the pure joy of creation.  With honesty and humor, Jesse reflects on the complexities of balancing external expectations, handling criticism, and finding your creative calling in a world that often demands more than just your art. This episode offers a refreshing perspective on how to stay grounded while pursuing your creative dreams. Tune in for a candid conversation that will inspire anyone looking to find balance in their creative life and career.  For more, listen to Jessi’s conversation with Laura Linney on criticism here.  Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! RSVP here to join us on the LinkedIn News page this Wednesday at 3 PM EST.

Money: it’s one of the most powerful forces in our lives, and yet it’s also one of the most complicated to navigate. In today’s episode, Jessi sits down with Aja Evans, financial expert and author of the new book Feel Good Finance, to discuss how to take control of your finances without guilt or stress. Together they explore how our money habits are shaped by past experiences and how understanding your financial history is key to making healthier decisions. Aja shares practical strategies for managing common issues like overspending, fear of investing, and balancing financial support for aging parents. Aja also highlights the emotional side of money, explaining how the "keeping up with the Joneses" mentality can lead to overspending. In today’s social media-driven world, we often compare ourselves to others, but Aja encourages a shift in mindset to focus on what we truly need—not what everyone else has. Finally, they discuss how to navigate financial decisions with a partner, emphasizing the importance of open communication, vulnerability, and understanding each other’s financial triggers. Aja’s approach helps couples collaborate, not clash, when making money decisions.This episode is full of actionable tips to set financial boundaries, overcome overspending, and shift your mindset for financial success. Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! RSVP here to join us on the LinkedIn News page this Wednesday at 3 PM EST.

As the year winds down, many of us reflect on our work, our personal lives, and the balance (or lack thereof) between the two. In this episode of Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel talks with Brigid Schulte, the best-selling author of Overwhelmed and Over Work, about the culture of work and how it shapes our lives. Brigid’s research spans countries like Iceland, Japan, and the U.S., giving her unique insights into how different cultures approach work-life balance and productivity.Brigid shares why the pressure to love our work and work non-stop is unsustainable and harmful. As technology—especially AI—reshapes the future of work, it’s time to reassess how we define success and productivity. Is more work really better work? Together, Jessi and Brigid discuss how small changes in our work culture can lead to less stress, greater fulfillment, and healthier work-life balance. They also explore the importance of creating work cultures that prioritize well-being alongside productivity.In this episode, you’ll learn how to challenge outdated work norms and how to design a more sustainable future for work, life, and everything in between. Plus, hear Scott Olster discuss his recent read Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari.