Hello Monday with Jessi Hempel

We’re taught that hard work, overachievement, and never needing a break are the keys to success. But what if this mindset only leads to burnout, rather than to fulfillment? In today’s episode of Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel and Amanda Miller Littlejohn explore the ways in which rest can be revolutionary. Amanda, an executive coach and author of The Rest Revolution, shares her personal journey from burnout to healing, and explains how we can all reclaim our health, our productivity, and our joy. Together, Jessi and Amanda dive into practical strategies for finding rest in our busy lives, even when it feels like there’s no time for it. They discuss: The toll of burnout on our mental and physical health How the pandemic helped Amanda confront her own dangerous work habits The importance of redefining success beyond productivity Simple ways to build rest into your daily rhythm Why true rest is essential to creating and sustaining new ideas How to reset your relationship with work and reclaim your health This episode is an essential listen for anyone ready to reimagine how to work, live, and rest. Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! Join us on the LinkedIn News page this Wednesday at 3 PM EST.

Morgan DeBaun didn't let statistical probabilities or conventional expectations hold her back from achieving massive success. As the founder of Blavity and Afrotech, she's redefining what's possible for Black entrepreneurs. In today’s episode, Jessi Hempel sits down with Morgan to discuss the lessons she’s learned on her entrepreneurial journey, and how you too can achieve success on your own terms.  Morgan’s new book, Rewrite Your Rules, provides a roadmap for anyone looking to succeed faster, with more freedom. She shares her story of building Blavity and Afrotech, how she raised venture capital, and why she believes we all have the potential to achieve the outcomes we want. Morgan and Jessi discuss:  Why failure is an essential part of success and how to start practicing it  The importance of embracing periods of stagnation to make room for growth Re-evaluating your goals, checking in on your personal growth, and making pivots How to overcome fear and self-doubt to create something meaningful at scale The moment Morgan almost sold Blavity How DEI professionals can adapt to the current landscape Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! Join us here, on the LinkedIn News page, every Wednesday at 3 PM EST.

In today’s bonus episode of Hello Monday, we’re resurfacing our conversation with branding and marketing experts Steven Wolfe Pereira and Marisa Thalberg. Together with Jessi, they explore what makes a brand memorable and why some brands feel like home while others are simply functional. Drawing from their years of leadership in branding and marketing, Steven and Marisa break down the essential elements of brand-building, revealing why it's critical not only for businesses but also for personal career growth. Steven and Marisa discuss: The importance of defining a brand’s purpose and promise for lasting impact Actionable strategies for crafting a standout brand, whether personal or professional The “four P’s” of branding—Product, Pricing, Place, and Promotion—and how each contributes to a powerful brand identity How a strong brand can shape your business and career journey Whether you're an entrepreneur or an individual navigating the job market, this episode offers valuable insights on using branding to make a lasting impression.

The Menopause Secret No One Talks About at Work—And Why It Needs to Change Breaking the Silence: Menopause in the Workplace with Natalie Nixon and Anne Marie Squeo Why Aren’t We Talking About Menopause? Reimagining Work Culture for All The Workplace Secret No One’s Talking About: Breaking the Silence on Menopause Why don’t we talk about menopause at work, when it’s something roughly half the population experiences? Most people with ovaries hit menopause somewhere between the ages of 45 and 55, often at the height of their careers. But for years, they’re left to push through this period silently. Peers and mentors don’t discuss it. Businesses do little to recognize it, let alone accommodate it. No one is served by this silence. So on today’s episode of Hello Monday, we’re talking about menopause. Jessi Hempel sits down with Natalie Nixon, creativity strategist and president of Figure 8 Thinking, and Anne Marie Squeo, CEO and Founder of Proof Point Communications.  Together, they discuss: Natalie’s experience of going through menopause early and unprepared, following a myomectomy. Anne Marie’s experience of juggling menopause, a global pandemic, and her C-suite position at Xerox. The unexpected advantages at the intersection of menopause and career Managing the symptoms of menopause at work, from irritability, to hot flashes, to sleeping less than five hours a week. How we can reimagine a work culture that destigmatizes menopause and better supports the people experiencing it. Want to keep talking about menopause with us? Join us for Office Hours, Wednesday at 3pm on the LinkedIn News Page Learn more about menopause through the following resources: Mayo Clinic: Menopause The Menopause Society Let’s Talk Menopause

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.