How do you balance what works professionally with other goals and needs? Curtis Sittenfeld is the bestselling author of Prep and Romantic Comedy. Though she has found great success as a full-time writer, Curtis wants more interpersonal connection than what she often gets from her very isolated approach to writing. In this episode, Anne and Frances talk to Curtis about how she can build more community in her day-to-day life without abandoning the most important part of her writing process. They also explain how we can all be more deliberate about work-life balance and make our jobs emotionally sustainable.

Transcripts for Fixable are available at go.ted.com/fixablescripts.

How to build community in an isolated job (w/ Curtis Sittenfeld)

Frances Frei is a Harvard Business professor. Anne Morriss is a CEO and best-selling author. Anne and Frances are two of the top leadership coaches in the world. Oh, did we mention they're also married to each other? Together, Anne and Frances move fast and fix stuff by talking to guest callers about their workplace issues and solving their problems – in 30 minutes or less. Both listeners and guests will receive actionable insights to create meaningful change in the workplace – regardless of their position on the company ladder. If you want to be on Fixable, call our hotline at 234-Fixable (that's 234-349-2253) to leave Anne and Frances a voicemail with your workplace problem.

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Starbucks’ stock price dropped sharply after the company reported a significant slowdown in visits to its stores in both the U.S. and China, its two biggest markets. Sales and profits are also not going in the right direction. Everybody seems to be worked up about company performance, especially former chairman and CEO Howard Schultz. Anne and Frances spill the tea (er, coffee) on how Starbucks and its leadership can revamp their strategy. Transcripts for Fixable are available at https://go.ted.com/fixablescripts

Unsolicited Advice: Can Starbucks get their order right?

In a new Quick Fixes segment, Anne and Frances swiftly tackle the work problems of not one but two listeners, delivering relatable advice for both hard-working professionals in under 20 minutes. One listener struggles with how to quit gracefully, and another is challenged by their team’s slow pace. Both issues require a shift in perspective to understand how other people experience us in the workplace. Anne and Frances have some actionable advice to help you do that and more in this week’s episode. What problems are you dealing with at work right now? Text 234-FIXABLE or email fixable@ted.com to be featured on the show.Transcripts for Fixable are available at https://go.ted.com/fixablescripts

Quick Fixes: How to quit and how to work smarter

Listen to Fixable’s first live show at TED2024! Anne and Frances sat down with NYU professor, entrepreneur, best-selling author and celebrity podcaster Scott “Prof G” Galloway for a fascinating conversation on loneliness, resilience, inclusion in the workplace, raising healthy boys and what it takes to be personally and financially successful. Stick around to the end to hear how Scott learned to cry and moving answers from an unexpectedly emotional audience Q+A.

To hear more from Scott, check out his TED Talk recorded the same day at go.ted.com/scottgalloway24.

Transcripts for Fixable are available at go.ted.com/fixablescripts.

Fixable Live: A conversation with Scott Galloway

What do you do when there’s too much work but not enough people to do it? Bring in some support! This week, Anne and Frances talk to a listener whose expert sales team can no longer keep up with everything the company offers. Together, Anne and Frances outline ways to simplify work for a stressed out team—including the use of AI to reduce complexity and increase capacity. They also offer advice for any leader moving through a shift as radical as introducing AI into the workflow.

What problems are you dealing with at work right now? Call or text 234-FIXABLE or email fixable@ted.com to be featured on the show.

Transcripts for Fixable are available at https://go.ted.com/fixablescripts

Is AI your next hire?

This is an episode of The TED Interview, another podcast from the TED Audio Collective, that we think you'll enjoy.

To get a free copy of the Infectious Generosity book, visit ted.com/generosity 

Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft and the co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is one of the top ten richest people in the world. But since 2008, he has traded his day-to-day role with Microsoft to focus full-time on his foundation's work to expand opportunity around the world. Chris interviews Bill about his philanthropy philosophy and digs into the opportunities and challenges that face one of the largest private charitable foundations in the world. The two also discuss The Giving Pledge, the movement Bill co-founded with Warren Buffet, which encourages wealthy individuals to commit the majority of their wealth to charitable causes within their lifetimes. Chris and Bill examine the importance of solving the world’s most pressing problems efficiently, talk about why meaningful change requires scale, and compare notes on how to best encourage collective excitement about giving back.

How to build community in an isolated job (w/ Curtis Sittenfeld)

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