true WELLth

Roughly one in three Americans is struggling with mental health issues—some situational, some chemical. Unfortunately, there are no conclusive medical tests to diagnose certain conditions, nor are there universal "prescriptions" for lifestyle and/or pharmaceutical remedies to treat them. However, one oft-cited source of relief is exercise. In this episode, Dr. Michael Hosking, biologist and founder of Revocycle Mind and Body Cycling, walks us through the science of exercise using the lens of his own struggles with mental health.

What constitutes healthy growth? Why are there benefits to high failure rates? How can nature help us with investing? This episode provides answer – ones that can even be used in your personal life too! Katherine was the first female director of research at Fidelity Investments, earned her masters at Harvard Divinity School, created Honeybee Capital, an investment research firm focused on mental models such as "biomimicry," and today is Putnam Investments' first head of sustainable investing.

Why don't we require a financial literacy class in all high schools?" Many a parent – or young adult – has asked this question. Turns out the answer is not as simple as one might think. Dr. Billy Hensley, CEO of the National Endowment for Financial Education explains why. Even better, he presents a road map for creating a world where Americans – of varying incomes, education, ages – can achieve financial capability and stability. The answer is innovative, creative, and you'll want to hear it!

This week, in observance of the holiday, we are airing a bonus episode where we turn the microphone on our host Manisha Thakor to give us a quick aperitif and insight as to where the True WELLth team is going.

How do you commit to slowing down in a world that demands we move fast? In this episode we have a very timely conversation with Carl Honore, the acclaimed father of "The Global Slow Movement." In May 2019, the World Health Organization recognized burnout as an official medical diagnosis. As Carl says, "When we get stuck in fast forward… it's harming us on every single level." Tune in to hear Carl's prescription to inoculate ourselves against what he calls "the global virus of hurry."

In an exceptionally competitive industry, Dave Goetsch has thrived. Co-executive producer of the Emmy-nominated sitcom "The Big Bang Theory" and long-time writer for "3rd Rock from the Sun," Dave has mastered the lonely existence of the Hollywood writer. But how? By embracing the power of human connection and collaboration. In this episode, Dave reveals the secrets behind getting things done in the boisterous writers' room and tells us why few things are better than making your friends laugh.

Imagine you wake up to find that your (now ex) husband has blown through your entire inheritance, skipped the country and left behind a $1 million tax bill. Oh, and you signed joint tax returns so that bill is now yours. Welcome to the situation Barbara Huson found herself in. Yet wow, did she ever turn those lemons into lemonade. Barbara not only paid back that entire tax liability, she's shared invaluable lessons about women, wealth and power with thousands of others over the ensuing decades.

What can you learn from a former Obama White House staffer currently teaching at MIT? A series of mental models to help you move beyond the daily deluge of "texts, tasks, and to do's" so you can more effectively think ahead. For example, Bina presents living "heirlooms" (ideas, concepts, output) as a tool to create lasting, enduring work that complements our day-to-day. Or learning to measuring ourselves in the now in a manner that reflects the contribution we wish to make over our lifetime.

In this episode, internationally renowned keynote speaker, author and 4-time Oprah guest Mary LoVerde shares a foolproof recipe for regaining our footing when life turns us upside down. Spoiler alert: it's only 3 words – and works professional and personally. Mary also shares some moving, pivotal moments where she follows this advice herself. One instance leads to the kind of adventure most people only dream of. The other involves some hard, bittersweet choices about what matters most in life.

Feel like you have too much to do, not enough time and "crazy busy" has become your middle name? Psychologist, NYT best-selling author and founder of the consultancy Ignite180, Ron Friedman has developed a unique program to help. In this episode Ron provides specific practices based on his very popular "Peak Performance Formula" that will enable you to reclaim your work day – and your overall life. And be sure to listen through to the very end of the episode for a surprise guest and bonus tip!