Licensed psychologist, author, and educator based in Washington, DC, Dr. Samantha Sweeney joins us to share her work and discuss anxiety in children and some of the potential causes behind its rise. Dr. Sweeney has a private practice on Capitol Hill, where she supports children, families, and adults. She holds a Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Maryland and a psychology degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Her background includes work in both public and private schools, with experience as a preschool teacher, school psychologist, researcher, and university instructor. An expert in cultural competence, she is passionate about helping families raise confident, inclusive children. Dr. Sweeney is the author of Working With Worry: A Workbook for Parents on How to Support Anxious Children, and her upcoming book, Culturally Competent Kids, is designed to help families thrive in a diverse world. In therapy, she focuses on empowerment, connection, and honoring the whole person behind the challenges they face.

Dr. Srini Pillay is a harvard-trained psychiatrist, brain researcher,executive coach and the Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of Reulay, a digital therapeutics company that uses AI and neuroscience to enhance well-being and prevent chronic illness. Dr. Pillay joins us to discuss his book, Tinker Dabble Doodle Try: Unlock the Power of the Unfocused Mind. In his work, he explores how strategic "unfocusing" can boost creativity, productivity, and mental well-being—essential skills in today’s age of burnout, disengagement, and AI-driven disruption. A former Harvard Medical School faculty member and top medical graduate, Dr. Pillay brings over 17 years of brain imaging research experience. He is also the CEO of NeuroBusiness Group®, a global leadership development firm, and a pioneer in transformational neurocoaching®. An international speaker and author of three books, Dr. Pillay has advised Fortune 500 companies, the UN, and The World Bank, and is a TEDx speaker on "The Science of Possibility."

This is a compelling conversation on the impact of children’s literature on identity formation.

Dr. Ar brings a unique global and cultural lens to the study of literature, having earned her Ph.D. from Ege University in 2025 after completing her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in American Culture and Literature and a minor in Sociology from Hacettepe University. With a deep commitment to interdisciplinary research and teaching, Dr. Ar explores how stories shape self-perception, racial identity, and belonging—especially among young readers.

Her work has been recognized for examining how African American children’s literature contributes to the construction and affirmation of identity, challenging dominant narratives and offering empowering representations.

This is an engaging conversation with Scott Mautz, former senior executive at Procter & Gamble, where he successfully led several of the company’s largest multi-billion-dollar businesses. A renowned thought leader in leadership and personal development, Scott is the author of four multi-award-winning, bestselling books, including his latest, The Mentally Strong Leader: Build the Habits to Productively Regulate Your Emotions, Thoughts, and Behaviors. Scott is faculty on reserve at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business for Executive Education and a highly sought-after instructor on LinkedIn Learning, where his courses have been taken over 2 million times. Recognized as a “CEO Thought-Leader” by the CEO Executive Guild, Scott contributes to CNBC and was named a “Top 50 Leadership Innovator” by Inc.com, where his column attracts 2 million readers monthly. A frequent guest in national media, Scott is dedicated to helping leaders unlock their full potential through his writing, speaking, and teaching.

Educator, author, and race and education scholar, Dr. OiYan Poon joins me to share her insights for engaging in discourse about race, affirmative action and family. She is currently serving as a consultant to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s office on higher education policy. Dr. Poon is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and co-director of the College Admissions Futures Co-Lab. She has focused on the racial politics of Asian Americans, education access, affirmative action, and admissions systems and practices. She is the author of Asian American Is Not a Color: Conversations on Race, Affirmative Action, and Family, which explores how Asian Americans are shaping the future of race relations through debates over education policies like affirmative action, using personal narrative and interviews of Asian Americans across the country. Her work has appeared widely in national media outlets including NPR, the New York Times, the Washington Post, The Atlantic, and The New Yorker. This was an timely and informative conversation that will be insightful to many!

Human resources consultant with decades of experience creating and delivering workshops for supervisors on how to manage their employees, Robin Paggi joins me to share her insights on today's HR challenges for leadership managing Gen Z. In 2021, she co-authored the book Managing Generation Z: How to Recruit, Onboard, Develop, and Retain the Newest Generation in the Workplace as a guidebook for understanding and motivating the youngest generation in the workforce. Paggi is also a management and communications professor at California State University, Bakersfield, where, in addition to the subject matter, she teaches her students how to be good employees. Paggi has master's degrees in communication studies, interdisciplinary studies, and psychology, and is a life-long resident of California.

Tara Furiani isn't just a part of the people business; she defines it, revolutionizing HR and corporate culture with her unique blend of empathy, insight, and leadership. With a career that breaks the mold, Tara's expertise and influence are showcased in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Post, while her dedication to DEI shines through her work with NASA's DEI board. She’s redefining the standards of leadership and inclusion. As the driving force behind "Not the HR Lady," Tara tackles the industry's toughest challenges with wit and wisdom. Her book, "F*ck Your Office Snacks," along with her innovative initiatives like SAIL Leadership and Workcations, underline her commitment to transforming workplaces into environments where creativity, wellness, and productivity thrive. Tara's work is about inspiring a movement towards more humane, inclusive, and empowering professional ecosystems.

This is a compelling nutrition conversation with Dr. Uma Naidoo, a Harvard-trained nutritional psychiatrist, as we explore the findings of the latest Gallup report on food satisfaction and mental wellbeing. In this discussion, we dove into the psychological and nutritional science behind how our diets impact emotional health, common misconceptions about "healthy eating," and the cultural influences that shape our food choices. Dr. Naidoo provides expert insights and practical strategies to help listeners make more informed, nourishing, and enjoyable dietary decisions. Don't miss this opportunity to rethink the connection between what we eat and how we feel!