Hello Monday with Jessi Hempel

No one plans to lose their financial independence. But for many women, it happens slowly, quietly, over years of caregiving and career pauses. In today’s episode, Jessi Hempel sits down with Steph Wagner, expert voice in women’s wealth and financial empowerment and author of Fly: A Woman’s Guide to Financial Freedom and Building a Life You Love, to talk about what it really takes to rebuild your financial life. Steph began her career in investment banking, drawn to numbers, strategy, and financial control. A brief pause from work to focus on motherhood turned into 14 years, during which she lost her income, confidence, and ultimately her marriage. When she discovered her husband’s double life, she was surprised to find herself financially unprepared. Her story is one many women will recognize, whether the catalyst is divorce, job loss, grief, or a major life transition.  Jessi and Steph discuss: How women slowly lose financial power, and how to take it back The emotional toll of financial dependence, shame, and starting over Why so many of us carry scarcity mindsets we don’t even realize we learned in childhood How to identify your “money personality” and how it shapes your habits How compounding interest and awareness of opportunity cost can quietly transform your financial future Why traditional budgets fail and Steph’s 45/20/35 model that actually works How to talk about money with partners, kids, and family members who have their own money beliefs What it really looks like to rebuild your identity after financial and emotional collapse And how to build healthier relationships without giving up your financial autonomy again Steph’s story is a reminder that financial freedom isn’t about having more money, it’s about understanding your choices, aligning them with your values, and believing you’re capable of steering your own life. The skills are learnable. And it’s never too late to begin.

Most people think personal branding is for the loudest voices in the room. But Goldie Chan, longtime creator and author of Personal Branding for Introverts, believes the opposite; introverts have superpowers that make them uniquely equipped to shape a personal brand with depth, clarity, and impact. Goldie has built a global audience with her signature green hair, thoughtful storytelling, and approachable advice for people who don’t want to pretend to be someone they’re not. In this episode of Hello Monday, she sits down with Jessi Hempel for a practical, generous conversation about how introverts can build a personal brand that feels authentic, sustainable, and true to who they are. Jessi and Goldie discuss: Why personal branding is not about being loud The difference between reputation (what others say) and personal brand (what you say) Goldie’s 5 Cs framework: clarity, consistency, competency, confidence, and community What it really means to be an introvert How “loud introverts” can manage energy, show up powerfully, and recover afterward Tips for networking without draining your battery, from scripts to small-group strategy Why “evergreen content” is your friend, and how to build a sustainable posting cadenceThe power of making mistakes in an AI-saturated world How to evolve your brand over time without confusing your audience Practical advice for job seekers, career pivoters, and anyone afraid of climbing “Cringe Mountain” Goldie’s message is clear: introverts don’t need to become extroverts to build a meaningful presence. They just need the right tools, and permission to build a brand in a way that honors their energy, creativity, and voice. Continue the conversation at Hello Monday Office Hours! Join us this Wednesday at 3 PM ET on the LinkedIn News page. Want more? Watch the full conversation with Goldie Chan with LinkedIn Premium.

Most of us were taught to “play the game” when it comes to money; work hard, follow the rules, and financial stability will follow. But what happens when the game itself was never built for most of us to win? Jasmine Rashid calls herself a financial activist. She’s an impact investor, writer, and advocate who believes that reclaiming power in our financial systems starts with everyday people—not policymakers or billionaires, but those of us who spend, save, and invest every day. Her new book, The Financial Activist Playbook: Eight Strategies for Everyday People to Reclaim Wealth and Collective Wellbeing, is part invitation, part instruction manual for building a fairer economy from the ground up. In this episode of Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel talks with Jasmine about how to put people back into the economy. Together, they explore how financial activism can help us move from scarcity to abundance, and from isolation to collective power. Jessi and Jasmine discuss: Why both finance and activism feel intimidating—and how to reclaim both How to build community wealth instead of just personal wealth Why talking about money is an act of empowerment How scarcity mindsets and cultural taboos keep us disconnected The role of mutual aid and community care in a just economy Why “enough” is one of the most radical financial goals we can set How expanding our definition of capital can change everything The power of collective action to build a fairer financial future Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! Join us Wednesday at 3 PM ET on the LinkedIn News page.

What if the traits that once got you in trouble could actually be your greatest strengths? Viral creators Penn and Kim Holderness have built careers—and a family life—around embracing ADHD. They join Jessi Hempel to talk about how understanding the ADHD brain can transform frustration into creativity, connection, and confidence. Penn and Kim Holderness—viral content creators, parents, and partners—have built an entire career on laughter, honesty, and showing what real family life looks like. With over 5 million followers and hundreds of millions of views, they’re known for turning everyday chaos into hilarious and heartfelt videos about marriage, parenting, and mental health. In this episode of Hello Monday, they sit down with Jessi Hempel to talk about how embracing ADHD has reshaped their lives, their marriage, and their work—and why understanding neurodiversity can be the key to unlocking success. In this episode, Penn and Kim open up about: How shame and misunderstanding often mask ADHD’s gifts The systems and strategies that make their partnership work Why reframing “fixation” as “hyperfocus” can change everything How parents and leaders can support ADHD brains—at home and at work The growing cultural awareness around neurodiversity and creativity Whether you’re raising a neurodivergent child, leading a team, or navigating your own diagnosis, this conversation offers a roadmap for understanding difference as strength. Check out Penn and Kim’s new children’s book: All You Can Be with ADHD Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! Join us Wednesday at 3 PM ET on the LinkedIn News page.

In the age of endless scrolling, the antidote to overconsumption is creativity. Dr. Jennifer Freed believes that when we spend less time consuming and more time creating, we reconnect to something essential: our vitality. A clinical psychologist and astrologer with over 40 years of experience, Jennifer combines psychology and spirituality to help people understand themselves more deeply and live more fully. Her client list includes everyone from celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow to teens in her nonprofit program AHA!, which supports emotional intelligence, empathy, and inclusion. In this episode of Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel sits down with Jennifer to explore how creativity, self-awareness, and collective action can help us navigate a world in flux. They discuss how to turn grief into imagination, why nostalgia can hold us back, and how astrology can serve as a “map” to our potential—not a prediction of our fate. Jessi and Jennifer discuss: Why creativity is the antidote to consumption How grief and reinvention go hand in hand The difference between astrology as prediction and astrology as self-understanding What it means to find “immunity” from collective despair Why spiritual bypassing keeps us stuck—and how to move through pain instead The discipline of daily creation (even when you’re not “good” at it) What Jennifer learned from writing her first novel and redefining success Why our human longing for love, meaning, health, and purpose unites us all Jennifer’s work bridges the head and the heart. Her message: less consumption, more creation. When we make something—however imperfect—we resist the pull of cynicism and reclaim our power to imagine a better future. Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! Join us Wednesday at 3 PM ET on the LinkedIn News page.

When your story falls apart, how do you begin again? Jen Hatmaker has lived through more than one public unraveling. Once an acclaimed evangelical Christian leader and author, she lost much of her audience when she began to publicly speak out against racism and homophobia within the church. And then, a few years later, she lost her marriage too. But instead of retreating, she rebuilt her life from the ground up. In this episode of Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel sits down with Jen to talk about faith, identity, and what happens when you decide to live in alignment with your values, even when it means losing the world you built. Jen shares what she’s learned about listening to her intuition, rewriting her story, and building a new identity rooted in honesty and self-trust. Her new book, Awake, begins the night everything changed—and chronicles how she moved from shock and grief to calm and clarity. Jessi and Jen discuss: What it means to lose everything you thought defined you How to tell the truth about your life, even when it breaks the story you wanted How to listen to intuition when fear is loud Jen’s experience of public cancellation after confronting racism and affirming LGBTQ+ rights The difference between recovering and truly flourishing How identity evolves after faith, marriage, and public failure What it takes to move from rupture to renewal Jen’s story is about more than resilience. It’s about the power of starting over and finding freedom on the other side of letting go. Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! Join us Wednesday at 3 PM ET on the LinkedIn News page.

The economy can feel overwhelming, confusing, and even intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be. As markets shift, housing costs rise, and labor shortages disrupt industries, economist Kyla Scanlon believes the way forward is understanding how the economy really works—and seeing the human connections at its core. Kyla is the founder of the financial education company Bread and the author of In This Economy? How Money and Markets Really Work. She creates viral, accessible content that makes economics understandable, actionable, and even empowering. In this episode from our Hello Monday archives, Jessi Hempel sits down with Kyla to break down how money, markets, and macroeconomic forces impact our everyday lives—and how shifting from scarcity to abundance can help us navigate them. Jessi and Kyla discuss: Why understanding the economy starts with people, trust, and relationships How labor shortages, the housing crisis, and renewable energy challenges really work The mindset shift from scarcity to abundance—and why it matters for decision-making How economic systems can feel complicated but are actually predictable Practical ways to make informed financial choices in personal and professional life Why the economy isn’t just numbers—it’s human, and it can even be beautiful Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! Join us Wednesday at 3 PM ET on the LinkedIn News page.

Brené Brown has spent more than two decades studying courage, vulnerability, and leadership. Her work has changed how we talk about shame and belonging—and helped millions of people lead with more humanity.  In her new book, Strong Ground, Brené introduces the idea of “grounded confidence”: a practice of leading with consistency, clarity, and courage instead of bravado. She argues that the strongest leaders aren’t the loudest or the most certain. They’re the ones willing to hold paradoxes, set boundaries, and strip away the armor that keeps us stuck. In this episode of Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel sits down with Brené to talk about what it really takes to lead today, and why developing human skills, like courage and empathy, matters more than ever. Jessi and Brené discuss: Why we’ve been “building on dysfunction” at work—and how to stop How to embrace paradox instead of rushing toward certainty Why grounded confidence is a stronger foundation than bravado What leaders get wrong about vulnerability How values clarify choices and protect against resentment Practical ways to set boundaries and build trust Why human skills are the real core muscles of work today Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! Join us Wednesday at 3 PM ET on the LinkedIn News page. 🎥 Want more? LinkedIn Premium members can watch an extended version of this interview.

When rejection strikes, smart bets win. Mark Cuban knows that the biggest opportunities don’t come from luck, they come from bold, calculated moves. In this episode of Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel sits down with Mark, the entrepreneur, investor, and Shark Tank star, to uncover how he turns setbacks into wins and spots opportunities before anyone else does. From negotiating high-stakes deals to pivoting careers in uncertain times, he shares the mindset and strategies that help him thrive when the future feels unpredictable. This conversation will leave you with tools to: Identify opportunities others overlook Make smarter bets that pay off Turn rejection and failure into momentum Negotiate with confidence and get what you’re worth Stay resilient in a world that never stops changing Navigate career pivots, ageism, and salary conversations at any stage Don’t just survive the changing world of work; learn how to turn uncertainty into your greatest advantage. Continue the conversation at Hello Monday Office Hours, Wednesdays at 3 PM ET on the LinkedIn News page. Watch the extended conversation with LinkedIn Premium.

Why does success make men more likable, but women less so? Researchers call it the success–likeability paradox, and it’s one of the biggest challenges women face as they rise in their careers. In this episode of Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel sits down with Kate Mason—executive coach, former world champion debater, and author of the new book Powerfully Likeable—to explore how women can succeed without sacrificing authenticity or influence. Kate argues that likability and power aren’t opposites. In fact, the most effective leaders know how to blend authority with connection, conviction with empathy. And with the right communication tools, we can all do the same. Jessi and Kate discuss: Why the likability–success paradox persists—and how to navigate it How women can project authority without being labeled “too much” Why over-preparation holds many leaders back (and how to stop) What executive presence really means (and why the term is flawed) Why you don’t have to minimize yourself to be liked Practical ways to build authentic influence through better communication Why failure is essential to success—and how to reframe it as experimentation If you’ve ever felt like you’re walking a tightrope between being likable and being respected, Kate offers a new way forward—one that’s rooted in communication, confidence, and authenticity. Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! Join us Wednesday at 3 PM ET on the LinkedIn News page.

Most of us think of negotiation as something reserved for high-stakes boardrooms—or even hostage situations. But Christopher Voss, former FBI lead hostage negotiator and bestselling author of Never Split the Difference, says negotiation is everywhere: in salary talks, in team meetings, even in conversations with your kids. And the secret isn’t control. It’s influence. In this episode of Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel sits down with Chris to explore how we can all become better negotiators by focusing on empathy, collaboration, and trust. Drawing on decades of experience, Chris shares practical tools you can use to move conversations forward—whether you’re asking for a raise, dealing with a difficult boss, or navigating conflict at home. Chris and Jessi discuss: Why negotiation is really about collaboration and long-term relationships How to shift from seeking control to building influence The power of labeling emotions to build trust and lower defenses Why “no” is often more powerful than “yes” How to recognize when a negotiation is over—or when it’s time to walk away Strategies to reframe salary conversations and show your value Chris’s methods aren’t about winning at someone else’s expense. They’re about creating better outcomes for everyone involved. If you’ve ever wondered how to be heard, respected, and influential in your work, this conversation offers a masterclass. This episode was recorded live in-studio. For an extended, behind-the-scenes version, watch on LinkedIn Premium. Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! Join us Wednesday at 3 PM ET on the LinkedIn News page.

Burnout. Ubiquitous technology. New rules for remote work. These forces are reshaping our jobs—and in many cases, breaking them. The old model of productivity, born during the Industrial Revolution, doesn’t fit the realities of knowledge work today. In this episode of Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel talks with Natalie Nixon, creativity strategist and author of Move. Think. Rest., about why it’s time to reinvent productivity and how her framework can help us do it. Natalie calls it the MTR Framework: Move, Think, Rest. It’s not about doing more. It’s about cultivating creativity as a strategic advantage, for individuals and organizations alike. Jessi and Natalie explore: How burnout, technology, and remote work are disrupting traditional productivity How the MTR Framework helps us reimagine work around creativity and flexibility What “movement hygiene” is and why small shifts matter more than big ones The importance of daydreaming Why rest goes beyond sleep and includes micro-breaks, sabbaticals, and recovery Practical ways to redesign meetings to spark creativity and democratize ideas Why creativity is now one of the most essential skills for the future of work If you’ve been feeling drained by endless meetings and productivity hacks that don’t deliver, this episode offers another path forward. Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! Join us Wednesday at 3 PM ET on the LinkedIn News page.

Most of us grow up with unspoken lessons about money—lessons that can stick with us for life. But what if those beliefs are holding us back? In this week’s episode from the Hello Monday archives, Jessi Hempel sits down with Mellody Hobson, Co-CEO and President of Ariel Investments, and one of the most powerful voices in finance and leadership. Named by TIME and Fortune as one of the most influential leaders in business, Mellody shares how to shift your money mindset, build healthy financial habits, and teach the next generation how to thrive. Mellody’s latest project is a children’s book, Priceless Facts About Money, designed to make financial literacy accessible and fun for kids. In this conversation, she and Jessi explore how money shapes identity, how to overcome financial anxiety, and why separating self-worth from net worth is key to long-term success. Mellody and Jessi discuss: How early money beliefs influence financial decisions and careers The importance of financial literacy for kids and families Practical strategies for reducing money anxiety Why self-worth is not the same as net worth Steps anyone can take today to achieve financial freedom This episode was recorded live in-studio. For an extended, behind-the-scenes version, watch on LinkedIn Premium. Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours, every Wednesday at 3 PM ET on the LinkedIn News page.

Change is no longer something that happens occasionally—it’s constant. And navigating it effectively requires the right mindset. In this episode of Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel sits down with FutureThink CEO, bestselling author, and LinkedIn Learning instructor Lisa Bodell to explore how simplicity, meaningful work, and essential soft skills can help us thrive in a world defined by chaos and constant change. Lisa is the author of Why Simplicity Wins and a speaker who has spent years helping leaders and teams cut through complexity to focus on what truly matters. This conversation was recorded live during LinkedIn’s learning day, in an interactive session with insights you can put into practice immediately. Lisa and Jessi discuss: How to navigate constant change versus leading through predictable change Designing your North Star around meaningful work and aligning your priorities accordingly The power of subtraction: freeing your time from low-value tasks and distractions Essential soft skills—empathy, listening, and communication—for thriving in complex environments How to reclaim control, joy, and focus in your daily work Practical tips for applying simplicity and prioritization at work Continue the conversation at Hello Monday Office Hours this Wednesday at 3 PM EST on the LinkedIn News page. Join Jessi and senior producer Sarah Storm live to discuss actionable strategies from the episode and share your own experiences.

Taste might be the most valuable skill in business today. But what is it, exactly? And how do you know if you have it? In this episode, Jessi Hempel sits down with legendary retail executive Mickey Drexler to explore the magic behind great taste—and how it shapes products, brands, and careers. Mickey is known as the “King of Retail.” Over his decades-long career, he transformed Gap into a 1990s style powerhouse, invented Old Navy, revitalized J.Crew, and launched Madewell. Today, he’s the co-founder of Alex Mill, a fast-growing apparel brand he started with his son. Jessi and Mickey discuss: • Why taste is more than pattern recognition—and why AI can’t replicate it • How intuition, curiosity, and listening fuel creativity and business success • Lessons from building and reinventing iconic fashion brands • How to rebound after career setbacks • The role of taste in spotting products that move markets and shape culture • How to cultivate your own taste, no matter your field Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! Join us here, on the LinkedIn News page, this Wednesday at 3 PM EST.

We’ve all had conversations that go sideways. Not because we said the wrong thing, but because we weren’t speaking the same language. In this week’s episode of Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel sits down with Charles Duhigg, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author, to unpack the science of great communication. Charles's latest book, Supercommunicators, explores how anyone—yes, anyone—can get better at having meaningful, impactful conversations. Whether you’re pitching an idea at work or trying to connect more deeply at home, Charles offers tools to help you bridge the gap between intention and understanding. Jessi and Charles discuss: The three types of conversations: practical, emotional, and social—and how to recognize them Why most of us are bad at predicting how conversations will go Why listening in real time matters more than planning what to say How to practice your way into being a better communicator How to talk so people will listen and listen so others feel heard This is a must-listen for anyone who wants to communicate more clearly, build stronger relationships, or become a better leader. Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! We’re live on the LinkedIn News page every Wednesday at 3 PM ET.

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 on mindful productivity for knowledge workers. Her new book, Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World, offers an alternative to rigid goal-setting: a flexible, curiosity-driven approach to figuring out what matters most—through trial, reflection, and self-compassion. In today’s episode, Jessi and Anne-Laure discuss: • Why we put too much pressure on “capital P” Purpose • How to design tiny experiments to better understand yourself • The role of curiosity in redefining ambition • The “Head, Heart, Hand” framework for navigating uncertainty • How to make peace with evolving priorities • The dangers of hustle culture, and how to opt out This conversation is a gentle invitation to slow down, reflect, and explore new ways of working that are more aligned with who you are rather than who you think you’re supposed to be. Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours—live on the LinkedIn News page, every Wednesday at 3 PM ET.

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 centers around workplace transformation and employee experience. She’s advised companies like Google, Microsoft, Pfizer, and Calvin Klein on how to build work cultures where people thrive. And her approach is surprisingly joyful. Jessi and Bree unpack: Why fun belongs at the center of great workplace culture How professionalism can strip us of our humanity — and how to get it back The emotional toll of over-identifying with our jobs How “Do Nothing Days” unlock creativity and innovation The radical power of micro-mischief and music in the workplace Friendship at work and why it matters more than we think This episode is for anyone feeling worn down by workplace norms or wondering if work has to feel so serious. Bree offers fresh, practical strategies to build a work life that’s more joyful, more connected, and yes, more productive. Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! Join us this Wednesday at 3 PM ET on the LinkedIn News page.

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 at work and beyond. Jennifer began caregiving for her chronically ill father in her early thirties, long before her peers were navigating similar responsibilities. Struck by how few people were talking about it, she created Caregiver Collective, a Facebook group for Millennial and Gen X caregivers. Her new book, gives voice to a generation of caretakers, and confronts the increasingly urgent crisis of caretaking in the U.S. Jessi and Jennifer discuss: • The emotional toll of caregiving and why so many of us feel alone in it • Why caregiving should be treated as real, valuable work • How to support colleagues who are quietly balancing care responsibilities • Why policy change must recognize caregiving as core to the future of work • How managers and leaders can create cultures that acknowledge and support caregiving • The power of talking about caregiving — with friends, with employers, and in public This episode is for anyone who’s ever whispered, I’m sandwiching today. Whether you're deep in it now or likely to take on a caregiving role in the future, this conversation offers clarity, comfort, and community. Continue the conversation at Hello Monday Office Hours. Join Jessi and Senior Producer Sarah Storm this Wednesday at 3PM ET on the LinkedIn News page to talk about caregiving, trade-offs, and what support really looks like in today’s workplace.

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 consulting and coaching others through the same transition. From pricing and positioning to finding your first clients and building support systems, Erin and Jessi walk through what it really takes to thrive as a consultant. They also tackle the big questions: How do you know if consulting is right for you? What’s the best way to price your work? How do you talk about what you do in 10 words or less? What role does community play in solo success? How do you shift between full-time work and consulting as your career evolves? Whether you're just starting out or thinking about a pivot, this episode offers practical advice, clarity, and confidence for building your independent career—especially in an uncertain job market. 🔗 Join us for Office Hours. We’re continuing the conversation on Wednesday at 3PM ET on the LinkedIn News page. RSVP here!