In this episode of This Mother Means Business, Laura sits down with author and business anthropologist Meghan French Dunbar to talk about her book “This Isn’t Working” and why our current work culture is leaving so many women burned out, anxious, and overwhelmed. They unpack what’s actually at the root of modern burnout, how leaders and companies can build human-first businesses, why defining “enough” in life and business matters, and how to create success that includes mental health, joy, and quality of life—not just revenue.

In this episode you will hear:

01:29 – Meghan explains who she is and what a “business anthropologist” means

03:20 – The core problem behind “This Isn’t Working” and why work feels broken

05:42 – Laura’s client story about wanting to burn it all down and run away

07:18 – What thriving leaders do differently: authenticity and sustainable performance

09:44 – The five elements of human flourishing and how we neglect them

10:24 – Laura realizes she’s been neglecting her basic needs as a founder and mum

11:58 – Human-first companies like Eileen Fisher and EO Products as real-world examples

13:50 – Meghan’s personal story: Conscious Company Magazine, hustle, and panic attacks

17:24 – Stepping down as CEO, becoming a full-time mum, and hitting burnout

18:59 – Clinical depression, starting therapy, and questioning what “normal” work is

22:35 – How Meghan researched the book and interviewed nearly 100 leaders

25:47 – Sharon Rowe, EcoBags, and building a “tiny business” around an ideal life

29:29 – Redefining success: extrinsic vs intrinsic motivation and Meghan’s Venn diagram

33:25 – Where to find “This Isn’t Working” and support local bookstores

Meghan's Links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghanfrenchdunbar/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MeghanFrenchDunbar

Tickets for This Mother Means Business LIVE - Presented by CIBC Business Banking on April 1st, 2026 are available now! Get yours here: 

https://www.thismothermeansbusiness.com/tmmb-2026 

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