Hello Monday with Jessi Hempel

We spend so much of our lives chasing goals: big ones, small ones, some we barely remember choosing. But what if the goals we’re working toward aren’t really ours? This week on Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel sits down with neuroscientist and author Anne-Laure Le Cunff to talk about how we really achieve the lives we want to live. Anne-Laure is the founder of Ness Labs, a popular online school focused...

Most of us spend the majority of our lives at work — but how often do we pause to ask whether our days are actually fun? In this episode of Hello Monday, host Jessi Hempel sits down with Bree Groff, a senior advisor at SYPartners and author of Today Was Fun: A Book About Work (Seriously), to talk about how fun, mischief, and human connection can radically improve our work lives. Bree’s work center...

You shouldn’t have to choose between showing up for your job and showing up for your family and loved ones. Caregiving is a growing part of modern work life — and it’s largely invisible. In today’s episode of Hello Monday, host Jessi Hempel talks with Jennifer Levin, author of Generation Care, about what it means to care for others while juggling a career, and how we can better support caregivers...

More professionals than ever are rethinking what’s next. For many mid-career and senior-level workers, consulting is the best path forward. But how do you actually make the leap? In this week’s episode of Hello Monday, host Jessi Hempel sits down with Erin Halper, founder and CEO of The Upside, a vibrant community for consultants. Erin shares what she’s learned from years of working independent co...

Millions of professionals are balancing side hustles alongside their full-time jobs. But what does it take to turn that extra project into something bigger? In this episode from the Hello Monday archives, Jessi Hempel sits down with Side Hustle Pro creator and host Nicaila Matthews Okome to explore how side work can lead to a meaningful, lasting career. Nicaila didn’t always see herself as an entr...

You’re showing up, doing the work, checking the boxes, but something feels…off. You’re not falling apart, but you’re not really okay either. And you’re certainly not alone. This week on Hello Monday, Dr. Judith Joseph joins Jessi Hempel to name and unpack this experience: high functioning depression. Dr. Judith is a board-certified psychiatrist, researcher, and educator at Columbia and NYU. Her ne...

Twelve years ago, Shannon Watts was folding laundry when breaking news stopped her in her tracks: a mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary. The next morning, she woke up with a fire inside her, and turned her grief and rage into action. That action became Moms Demand Action, now part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country. In today’s episode, S...

More dads are becoming lead parents. What does that mean for work? When we talk about parenting, the spotlight usually falls on mothers. In this week’s episode of Hello Monday, we’re shifting that focus, and talking about what it means to be a lead dad. Our guest is Paul Sullivan, journalist, author, and founder of The Company of Dads, a media platform and community for fathers who are primary car...

The belief that a four-year degree is the only path to a good job is baked into our culture. But what if that narrative is outdated? In this week’s episode of Hello Monday, host Jessi Hempel sits down with Kathleen deLaski, social entrepreneur, author, and founder of the Education Design Lab. Kathleen’s new book, Who Needs College Anymore?, challenges the assumption that a bachelor’s degree is the...

Pride is more than a celebration, it’s a call to action, especially for queer families navigating today’s uncertain political landscape. This week on Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel sits down with Darra Gordon, CEO of Family Equality, to talk about protecting LGBTQ+ families, raising resilient kids, and why visibility and community are more vital than ever. Darra is a longtime advocate and nonprofit le...

What does it take to make a bold career pivot after decades of doing the expected? This week, we’re resurfacing our conversation with the multi-talented Anna Kendrick, whose journey from acclaimed actor to first-time director offers invaluable insights for anyone thinking about making the leap into something new.  Anna shares the story behind her directorial debut with Netflix’s Woman of the Hour,...

It’s easy to feel lost in your career, especially as the world around us keeps shifting. Whether you’re starting over, seeking purpose, or just unsure what your next move is, this episode is for you. This week, Jessi Hempel sits down with Caroline Wanga, president and CEO of Essence Ventures and co-founder of Wanga Woman. Caroline is a dynamic leader and an unapologetic champion of authenticity. S...

Debbie Millman and Roxane Gay know a thing or two about building creative lives. Debbie is a legendary designer, writer, and podcast host. Roxane is a bestselling author and cultural critic. Together, they’ve built a partnership rooted in discipline, love, and slow growth. On this week’s episode of Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel welcomes the couple back to the studio to talk about their new book, and...

In this special Thursday bonus episode, we’re returning to Jessi Hempel’s conversation with Suzy Welch, a professor at NYU Stern School of Business, business advisor, and three-time NYT bestselling author. Suzy’s latest book, Becoming You, came out this week, in which she synthesizes her wildly popular NYU course of the same name. In conversation with Jessi, Suzy shares her insights on the importa...

How do you live well when life falls apart? Suleika Jaouad has a powerful answer. In this deeply moving episode of Hello Monday, host Jessi Hempel sits down with Suleika Jaouad, bestselling author, speaker, and cancer survivor, to uncover what it truly means to live well in the face of uncertainty. From her fight with leukemia to her remarkable creative journey, Suleika has learned to turn adversi...

If you have found your way here right now, you are most likely at a turning point in your career, maybe in your life. Layoffs are a challenging and often unexpected part of our careers. In today's episode, Jessi Hempel dives deep into the emotional and practical aspects of navigating layoffs. Whether you're facing a layoff yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers valuable insight...

We’ve been taught to chase fancy job titles and large salaries, but what if we aimed for moral ambition instead? In this week’s episode of Hello Monday, host Jessi Hempel sits down with historian and best-selling author Rutger Bregman to explore moral ambition: the idea that the core metric of a successful career should be the positive impact we have on the world. Rutger’s new book, Moral Ambition...

Age bias is everywhere: online, at work, even in the stories we tell ourselves. Ashton Applewhite wants us to see age not as a limitation, but as a source of strength. In today’s episode, Jessi Hempel sits down with the anti-ageism activist to unpack the hidden ways ageism shapes our workplaces, and how we can push back. Ashton is a leading voice in the age equity movement. She’s the author of Thi...

Have you ever been the only one at the table? Maybe the only woman, or the only person of color, or simply the only one with a different perspective in the room? It can feel isolating, but it doesn’t have to hold you back. In fact, it can actually be your superpower.  In this week’s episode of Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel sits down with Angela Chee to unpack how to embrace being an “only” and turn i...

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 b...

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 term...

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 el...

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 popul...

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 sh...

You’ve climbed to the top of the corporate ladder. But now what? The job is great, but maybe you’re feeling bored, stuck, or ready for something more flexible. What if the next step isn’t another corporate role, but building something entirely your own? Today, we dive into why consulting might just be the career move you’ve been waiting for, and how it offers the ideal balance of flexibility, exci...