In a world that tells us to hustle harder and keep on our game face, self-criticism has become endemic for many people. But what if that voice in our heads is making us more anxious and less effective?

Key Takeaways

• Self-Compassion Fuels Sustainable Success
• Detach Productivity from Self-Worth
• Mindfulness Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

Special Thanks

• 🎧 Production: Brent Klein
• 🌟 Guest Coordination: Christy Lawrence
• 🎯 Free Resources: TheCultureWorks.com

Notable Quotes

“Criticism comes from fear. Compassion comes from love.” – Matt Kovachis
“Detach your productivity from your worth. Your value isn’t tied to your output.” – Matt Kovachis
“When you’re kind to yourself, it becomes effortless to be kind to others.” – Matt Kovachis

We encourage you to listen to the full episode here...

Support the show

For a weekly dose of gratitude from Chester Elton, text GRATITUDE to 908-460-2820.

Until next week, we hope you find peace & calm in a world that often is a sea of anxiety.

If you love this podcast, please share it and leave a 5-star rating! If you feel inspired, we invite you to come on over to The Culture Works where we share resources and tools for you to build a high-performing culture where you work.

Your hosts, Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton have spent over two decades helping clients around the world engage their employees on strategy, vision and values. They provide real solutions for leaders looking to manage change, drive innovation and build high performance cultures and teams.

They are authors of award-winning Wall Street Journal & New York Times bestsellers All In, The Carrot Principle, Leading with Gratitude, & Anxiety at Work. Their books have been translated into 30 languages and have sold more than 1.5 million copies.

Visit The Culture Works for a free Chapter 1 download of Anxiety at Work.
Learn more about their Executive Coaching at The Cultur...

In a world that tells us to hustle harder and keep on our game face, self-criticism has become endemic for many people. But what if that voice in our heads is making us more anxious and less effective?

In today’s fast-paced, perfection-driven world, self-criticism has become second nature—and for many, a barrier to mental health and professional growth. But what if self-compassion isn’t weakness, but a secret superpower?

This week, Chester and Adrian sit down with Matt Kovatchis, a certified coach, mindfulness facilitator, and founder of Purposely Present Coaching, to explore the real cost of negative self-talk—and the liberating shift toward self-acceptance.

Matt shares his personal journey from corporate burnout to emotional breakthrough, offering powerful strategies for developing resilience, reducing anxiety, and building a fulfilling life based on authenticity—not approval.

Key Takeaways

• Self-Compassion Fuels Sustainable Success
• Detach Productivity from Self-Worth
• Mindfulness Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

Special Thanks

• 🎧 Production: Brent Klein
• 🌟 Guest Coordination: Christy Lawrence
• 🎯 Free Resources: TheCultureWorks.com

Notable Quotes

“Criticism comes from fear. Compassion comes from love.” – Matt Kovatchis“Detach your productivity from your worth. Your value isn’t tied to your output.” – Matt Kovatchis“When you’re kind to yourself, it becomes effortless to be kind to others.” – Matt Kovatchis

Support the show

For a weekly dose of gratitude from Chester Elton, text GRATITUDE to 908-460-2820.

Until next week, we hope you find peace & calm in a world that often is a sea of anxiety.

If you love this podcast, please share it and leave a 5-star rating! If you feel inspired, we invite you to come on over to The Culture Works where we share resources and tools for you to build a high-performing culture where you work.

Your hosts, Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton have spent over two decades helping clients around the world engage their employees on strategy, vision and values. They provide real solutions for leaders looking to manage change, drive innovation and build high performance cultures and teams.

They are authors of award-winning Wall Street Journal & New York Times bestsellers All In, The Carrot Principle, Leading with Gratitude, & Anxiety at Work. Their books have been translated into 30 languages and have sold more than 1.5 million copies.

Visit The Culture Works for a free Chapter 1 download of Anxiety at Work.
Learn more about their Executive Coaching at The Cultur...

🔔 Subscribe & Share this episode if you believe leaders can—and should—create workplaces where people actually want to listen.

What You'll Learn:

• Why deep listening is a radical act in today’s distracted world
• How leaders can balance empathy and efficiency in the workplace
• The surprising benefits of listening to your "foes"
• How self-reflection and curiosity make you a better listener
• Why listening ≠ agreement—and how to hold boundaries while staying present
• A real-world story from Latvia that illustrates deep listening's power in divided communities

We encourage you to listen to the full episode here...

Support the show

For a weekly dose of gratitude from Chester Elton, text GRATITUDE to 908-460-2820.

Until next week, we hope you find peace & calm in a world that often is a sea of anxiety.

If you love this podcast, please share it and leave a 5-star rating! If you feel inspired, we invite you to come on over to The Culture Works where we share resources and tools for you to build a high-performing culture where you work.

Your hosts, Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton have spent over two decades helping clients around the world engage their employees on strategy, vision and values. They provide real solutions for leaders looking to manage change, drive innovation and build high performance cultures and teams.

They are authors of award-winning Wall Street Journal & New York Times bestsellers All In, The Carrot Principle, Leading with Gratitude, & Anxiety at Work. Their books have been translated into 30 languages and have sold more than 1.5 million copies.

Visit The Culture Works for a free Chapter 1 download of Anxiety at Work.
Learn more about their Executive Coaching at The Cultur...

These days, with everyone multitasking and constantly plugged in, real connection can feel rare. But what if the key to resilience and healthy relationships wasn't about talking more, but listening better? 

In a world filled with noise, distraction, and division, could the simple act of truly listening be the key to deeper connection, better mental health, and greater understanding—even across opposing viewpoints? In this powerful and timely episode, Chester and Adrian are joined by journalist and workplace mediator Emily Kasriel, whose upcoming book, Deep Listening, explores how we can transform our relationships by listening not just to others—but also to ourselves.

Emily shares her 8-step method rooted in science and real-world examples—from Nelson Mandela’s reconciliation efforts to Indigenous listening rituals—showing how active listening can ease anxiety, bridge divides, and foster psychological safety at work and at home.

What You'll Learn:

• Why deep listening is a radical act in today’s distracted world
• How leaders can balance empathy and efficiency in the workplace
• The surprising benefits of listening to your "foes"
• How self-reflection and curiosity make you a better listener
• Why listening ≠ agreement—and how to hold boundaries while staying present
• A real-world story from Latvia that illustrates deep listening's power in divided communities

Notable Quotes:

“We rarely listen to understand. We listen to respond.” – Emily Kasriel
 “Listening does not signal agreement. It signals respect.” – Emily Kasriel
 “Being curious is the gateway to empathy and connection.” – Adrian Gostick

Support the show

For a weekly dose of gratitude from Chester Elton, text GRATITUDE to 908-460-2820.

Until next week, we hope you find peace & calm in a world that often is a sea of anxiety.

If you love this podcast, please share it and leave a 5-star rating! If you feel inspired, we invite you to come on over to The Culture Works where we share resources and tools for you to build a high-performing culture where you work.

Your hosts, Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton have spent over two decades helping clients around the world engage their employees on strategy, vision and values. They provide real solutions for leaders looking to manage change, drive innovation and build high performance cultures and teams.

They are authors of award-winning Wall Street Journal & New York Times bestsellers All In, The Carrot Principle, Leading with Gratitude, & Anxiety at Work. Their books have been translated into 30 languages and have sold more than 1.5 million copies.

Visit The Culture Works for a free Chapter 1 download of Anxiety at Work.
Learn more about their Executive Coaching at The Cultur...

🔔 Subscribe & Share this episode if you believe leaders can—and should—create workplaces where people actually want to show up.

What you will learn

     Resilience Has a Limit — and That’s Okay

     Self-Awareness is the New Strengt

     Use the 2-2-2 Method to Regain Control

🧠 Featured Quote:

“This season needs a new strategy. Stop white-knuckling it—and choose to be an active participant in your own life.”
 — Dr. Tasha Eurich

Listen to the full episode here

Support the show

For a weekly dose of gratitude from Chester Elton, text GRATITUDE to 908-460-2820.

Until next week, we hope you find peace & calm in a world that often is a sea of anxiety.

If you love this podcast, please share it and leave a 5-star rating! If you feel inspired, we invite you to come on over to The Culture Works where we share resources and tools for you to build a high-performing culture where you work.

Your hosts, Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton have spent over two decades helping clients around the world engage their employees on strategy, vision and values. They provide real solutions for leaders looking to manage change, drive innovation and build high performance cultures and teams.

They are authors of award-winning Wall Street Journal & New York Times bestsellers All In, The Carrot Principle, Leading with Gratitude, & Anxiety at Work. Their books have been translated into 30 languages and have sold more than 1.5 million copies.

Visit The Culture Works for a free Chapter 1 download of Anxiety at Work.
Learn more about their Executive Coaching at The Cultur...

What if resilience wasn't about pushing harder, but about learning to bend without breaking?

In this profoundly insightful episode, Chester and Adrian sit down with renowned self-awareness expert Dr. Tasha Eurich to explore her groundbreaking new book, Shatterproof. Together, they challenge conventional wisdom around resilience, revealing that pushing through adversity isn't always the smartest or most sustainable approach. Instead, Eurich offers a science-backed roadmap to building proactive, personalized strength—and why it's essential in today's high-pressure world.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

      ✅ Take the Resilience Quiz: resilience-quiz.com

      📖 Pick up Shatterproof (Hachette Little, Brown)

      🌐 Learn more about Tasha Eurich: www.tashaeurich.com

What you will learn

     Resilience Has a Limit — and That’s Okay

     Self-Awareness is the New Strengt

     Use the 2-2-2 Method to Regain Control

🧠 Featured Quote:

“This season needs a new strategy. Stop white-knuckling it—and choose to be an active participant in your own life.”
 — Dr. Tasha Eurich

Support the show

For a weekly dose of gratitude from Chester Elton, text GRATITUDE to 908-460-2820.

Until next week, we hope you find peace & calm in a world that often is a sea of anxiety.

If you love this podcast, please share it and leave a 5-star rating! If you feel inspired, we invite you to come on over to The Culture Works where we share resources and tools for you to build a high-performing culture where you work.

Your hosts, Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton have spent over two decades helping clients around the world engage their employees on strategy, vision and values. They provide real solutions for leaders looking to manage change, drive innovation and build high performance cultures and teams.

They are authors of award-winning Wall Street Journal & New York Times bestsellers All In, The Carrot Principle, Leading with Gratitude, & Anxiety at Work. Their books have been translated into 30 languages and have sold more than 1.5 million copies.

Visit The Culture Works for a free Chapter 1 download of Anxiety at Work.
Learn more about their Executive Coaching at The Cultur...

🔔 Subscribe & Share this episode if you believe leaders can—and should—create workplaces where people actually want to show up.

Top Takeaways

1. Unhealthy Attachments Are Rooted in Fear

Dr. Rosen explains that we all carry mental baggage—attachments to things like success, control, perfection, and even the future—that stem from deep-rooted fears. Identifying and confronting these fears is the first step to personal and professional freedom.

 2. “Just Enough Anxiety” Is a Good Thing

Anxiety isn’t always bad. In fact, a moderate amount can serve as a motivator. Too little can lead to complacency; too much causes chaos. The sweet spot—just enough anxiety—helps us grow, stay alert, and push past comfort zones.

3. Living in the Present Unlocks Fulfillment

Bob’s formula for a well-balanced mindset: 10% in the past, 20% in the future, and 70% in the present. Being overly attached to what’s next—or what was—keeps us from experiencing contentment and clarity right now.

Support the show

For a weekly dose of gratitude from Chester Elton, text GRATITUDE to 908-460-2820.

Until next week, we hope you find peace & calm in a world that often is a sea of anxiety.

If you love this podcast, please share it and leave a 5-star rating! If you feel inspired, we invite you to come on over to The Culture Works where we share resources and tools for you to build a high-performing culture where you work.

Your hosts, Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton have spent over two decades helping clients around the world engage their employees on strategy, vision and values. They provide real solutions for leaders looking to manage change, drive innovation and build high performance cultures and teams.

They are authors of award-winning Wall Street Journal & New York Times bestsellers All In, The Carrot Principle, Leading with Gratitude, & Anxiety at Work. Their books have been translated into 30 languages and have sold more than 1.5 million copies.

Visit The Culture Works for a free Chapter 1 download of Anxiety at Work.
Learn more about their Executive Coaching at The Cultur...

Hosts: Chester Elton & Adrian Gostick
Guest: Dr. Bob Rosen, Psychologist & Author of Detach: Ditch Your Baggage to Live a More Fulfilling Life
Run Time: Approx. 45 minutes
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

With a world full of uncertainty—from global unrest to economic instability—it’s no surprise that anxiety is on the rise. In this uplifting and enlightening conversation, Chester and Adrian welcome renowned psychologist Dr. Bob Rosen, who brings both deep expertise and personal vulnerability to the mic. Bob shares insights from his latest and most personal book, Detach, where he outlines the 10 unhealthy attachments that hold us back—and how to break free.

Drawing on decades of coaching CEOs and working with global leaders, Bob introduces a transformational framework that helps people let go of fear-based behaviors and embrace a life filled with clarity, contentment, and connection.

“Detach doesn’t mean disconnect—it means freeing yourself to live with intention.”
— Dr. Bob Rosen

Support the show

For a weekly dose of gratitude from Chester Elton, text GRATITUDE to 908-460-2820.

Until next week, we hope you find peace & calm in a world that often is a sea of anxiety.

If you love this podcast, please share it and leave a 5-star rating! If you feel inspired, we invite you to come on over to The Culture Works where we share resources and tools for you to build a high-performing culture where you work.

Your hosts, Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton have spent over two decades helping clients around the world engage their employees on strategy, vision and values. They provide real solutions for leaders looking to manage change, drive innovation and build high performance cultures and teams.

They are authors of award-winning Wall Street Journal & New York Times bestsellers All In, The Carrot Principle, Leading with Gratitude, & Anxiety at Work. Their books have been translated into 30 languages and have sold more than 1.5 million copies.

Visit The Culture Works for a free Chapter 1 download of Anxiety at Work.
Learn more about their Executive Coaching at The Cultur...

In a world of complexity, purpose at work is still the clearest path to resilience and results.

🔔 Subscribe & Share this episode if you believe leaders can—and should—create workplaces where people actually want to show up.

Key Takeaways:

 - Meaningful Work is Built on the Three Cs: Community, Contribution, and Challenge

 - Small Moments Create Big Meaning: Leaders don’t need grand gestures to make work meaningful

 - Meaning is Contagious—Start by Creating it for Others: One of the most effective ways to deepen your own sense of purpose is to help others find meaning in their work.

We encourage you to listen to the full episode and as always, we hope the time you spend with us will help remove the stigma of anxiety and mental health in the workplace and your personal life.

Support the show

For a weekly dose of gratitude from Chester Elton, text GRATITUDE to 908-460-2820.

Until next week, we hope you find peace & calm in a world that often is a sea of anxiety.

If you love this podcast, please share it and leave a 5-star rating! If you feel inspired, we invite you to come on over to The Culture Works where we share resources and tools for you to build a high-performing culture where you work.

Your hosts, Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton have spent over two decades helping clients around the world engage their employees on strategy, vision and values. They provide real solutions for leaders looking to manage change, drive innovation and build high performance cultures and teams.

They are authors of award-winning Wall Street Journal & New York Times bestsellers All In, The Carrot Principle, Leading with Gratitude, & Anxiety at Work. Their books have been translated into 30 languages and have sold more than 1.5 million copies.

Visit The Culture Works for a free Chapter 1 download of Anxiety at Work.
Learn more about their Executive Coaching at The Cultur...

In a world of complexity, purpose at work is still the clearest path to resilience and results.

🔔 Subscribe & Share this episode if you believe leaders can—and should—create workplaces where people actually want to show up.

Gostick & Elton are Joined by researchers and authors Wes Adams and Tamara Myles, co-authors of Meaningful Work: How to Ignite Passion and Performance in Every Employee, the conversation explores the foundation of workplace meaning and how any job—yes, any—can become meaningful with the right leadership practices. Tamara and Wes introduce their compelling "Three Cs" framework—Community, Contribution, and Challenge—based on a robust research study across 25 industries and thousands of employees. 

Key Takeaways:

 - Meaningful Work is Built on the Three Cs: Community, Contribution, and Challenge

 - Small Moments Create Big Meaning: Leaders don’t need grand gestures to make work meaningful

 - Meaning is Contagious—Start by Creating it for Others: One of the most effective ways to deepen your own sense of purpose is to help others find meaning in their work.

Quote highlights: 

“Meaning is created in moments that matter.” – Tamara Myles 
“You don’t need to save the world to feel that your work matters.” – Wes Adams

🔗 Learn more and explore their tools at makeworkmeaningful.com

🎧 Listen, Share & Subscribe!

If this episode helped you rethink your role as a leader or teammate, pass it on! Share it with a friend, post it on LinkedIn, and rate us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Visit thecultureworks.com for free tools to elevate your team’s engagement and mental well-being.

Support the show

For a weekly dose of gratitude from Chester Elton, text GRATITUDE to 908-460-2820.

Until next week, we hope you find peace & calm in a world that often is a sea of anxiety.

If you love this podcast, please share it and leave a 5-star rating! If you feel inspired, we invite you to come on over to The Culture Works where we share resources and tools for you to build a high-performing culture where you work.

Your hosts, Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton have spent over two decades helping clients around the world engage their employees on strategy, vision and values. They provide real solutions for leaders looking to manage change, drive innovation and build high performance cultures and teams.

They are authors of award-winning Wall Street Journal & New York Times bestsellers All In, The Carrot Principle, Leading with Gratitude, & Anxiety at Work. Their books have been translated into 30 languages and have sold more than 1.5 million copies.

Visit The Culture Works for a free Chapter 1 download of Anxiety at Work.
Learn more about their Executive Coaching at The Cultur...