Friends with Mental Health Benefits

One of Faye McCray’s biggest focuses as a mom: Giving her sons an example of what happiness looks like. In this episode, the editor-in-chief of PsychCentral and former attorney talks with Marah about pursuing her second act as a journalist, building a more inclusive conversation around mental health, and creating space as a leader for the days when people aren’t OK.

When Trinity Mouzon Wofford feels imposter syndrome creeping in, she’s learned to remind herself: Sitting in that place of fear won’t help her build the life she wants. In this episode, the co-founder and CEO of Golde, a Brooklyn-born health and beauty brand, talks with Marah and Naomi about finding a new perspective in the noise of negative self-talk, her journey to building grit, and what it means to create a new model of DEI that supports employees’ whole self.

Friends with Mental Health Benefits is brought to you by Shine at Work, an employee wellbeing program rooted in culturally competent care from the team behind the award-winning Shine app. Learn more about Shine at Work by heading to theshineapp.com/benefits.

As Apple’s Director of Environment, Policy & Social Initiatives/Racial Equity & Justice Initiative (REJI), Alisha Johnson Wilder’s work can collide with so much of what’s heavy today. How she navigates it: By giving herself—and her team—time and space to process. In this episode, Alisha talks with Shine's co-founder Marah Lidey about how she cares for her mental health as a leader in the DE&I space, what helped her overcome imposter syndrome, and the ways we can build a more inclusive tech sector. Content warning: Today’s episode mentions racial injustice, racial violence, and mass shootings.

Friends with Mental Health Benefits is brought to you by Shine at Work, an employee wellbeing program rooted in culturally competent care from the team behind the award-winning Shine app. Learn more about Shine at Work by heading to theshineapp.com/benefits.

In the midst of total burnout, Jen Fisher was ready to step away from her career at Deloitte. But instead: A compassionate manager truly listened to Jen’s needs, giving her the time and space to re-envision her career in a way that served her. Now: Jen’s the first-ever chief well-being officer at Deloitte, leading the firm’s US health and wellness program for more than 100,000 professionals. In this episode, Jen talks with Marah and Naomi about her burnout journey, how vulnerability can help leaders build psychological safety in the workplace, and why we should all challenge the notion of “work-life balance.”

Friends with Mental Health Benefits is brought to you by Shine at Work, an employee wellbeing program rooted in culturally competent care from the team behind the award-winning Shine app. Learn more about Shine at Work by heading to theshineapp.com/benefits.

As the co-founder of clothing brand Bonobos, Andy Dunn led the company to a $310 million acquisition by Walmart in 2017—a dream feat for any startup. But what was happening behind the scenes: His struggle navigating bipolar 1 disorder. In this episode, Andy talks with Marah and Naomi about the power—and fear—in disclosing his mental health journey, the daily habits that help him navigate his disorder, and the importance of feeling fully known by at least one person in the workplace.

Andy’s new book, Burn Rate: Launching a Startup and Losing My Mind, is available now.

Content warning: Today’s episode mentions bipolar 1 disorder, depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma, and suicidal thoughts. Please take care of yourself, and if you need support the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 at 800-273-8255. Things can get better.

Friends with Mental Health Benefits is brought to you by Shine at Work, an employee wellbeing program rooted in culturally competent care from the team behind the award-winning Shine app. Learn more about Shine at Work by heading to theshineapp.com/benefits.

What if you only had five years to live? How would you show up differently at work and in your personal life? These were questions that Sarah Jones Simmer, CEO of weight care startup Found and a former executive at Bumble, faced after a May 2020 diagnosis of stage 3 breast cancer—and a potential worst-case prognosis from a doctor. Now one-year cancer-free, the experience fundamentally changed how she lives her life today. In this episode, Sarah talks with Shine’s co-founders Marah and Naomi about reprioritizing joy and gratitude in her life, her approach to building workplaces where people can show up authentically, and how vulnerability can help us all conquer mental health stigma.

Friends with Mental Health Benefits is brought to you by Shine at Work, an employee wellbeing program rooted in culturally competent care from the team behind the award-winning Shine app. Learn more about Shine at Work by heading to theshineapp.com/benefits.

What if workplaces were actually designed to serve working women and moms? For Reshma Saujani, the founder of Girls Who Code and the Marshall Plan for Moms, it’s a reality that’s long overdue. In this candid conversation with Shine's co-founders Marah and Naomi, Reshma talks about reaching her breaking point as a working mom, the burnout crisis, and how those most marginalized can stand in their power to protect their mental health at work.

Content warning: This episode discusses miscarriage.

Reshma's new book, Pay Up: The Future of Women and Work (and Why It's Different Than You Think), is available now.

Friends with Mental Health Benefits is brought to you by Shine at Work, an employee wellbeing program rooted in culturally competent care from the team behind the award-winning Shine app. Learn more about Shine at Work by heading to theshineapp.com/benefits.