Game Changers with Molly Fletcher

What happens when kids start turning to AI instead of the people in their lives? In this episode, I sit down with MIT professor, psychologist, and bestselling author Sherry Turkle to explore a side of artificial intelligence that many parents aren't paying attention to. Sherry has spent decades studying our relationship with technology, and in her new book Artificial Intimacy, she's sounding the alarm about what happens when AI starts replacing human connection. From teenagers forming emotional relationships with chatbots to kids practicing conversations with AI before talking to their own parents, Sherry reveals how technology is changing the way we connect, communicate, and think. We discuss why AI is different than social media, how tech companies tap into our need for connection, what parents can do to protect their kids, and why relying on AI at work could be undermining the very skills we need to succeed. The big question: As AI gets better at acting human, what are we at risk of losing? More from Molly: Get Molly's latest book, Dynamic Drive Website: mollyfletcher.com

Every team hits a rough stretch. It might be a losing streak, a setback no one saw coming, or a season that doesn't go to plan. And when things get hard, the foundation you've built is what holds a team together. Dan Quinn knows a thing or two about building great teams. He led the Atlanta Falcons to a Super Bowl appearance and took the Washington Commanders to the NFC Championship game in his first season. But some of his biggest growth as a leader came after Atlanta, when he asked close to 50 former players and staff members for a "blind spot report" on how he leads. In this conversation, Dan shares why consistency is the key to building trust and how he develops leaders at every level of his team. He also talks about the lessons he took from Pete Carroll and Nick Saban, and how he helps players love the grind by showing them their progress. If you want to build a team that brings out the best in each other, this conversation is full of ideas you can put to work right away. More from Molly: Get Molly's latest book, Dynamic Drive Website: mollyfletcher.com

It's easy to focus on the results. The wins. The numbers. The next big milestone. But what if the secret to achieving more is focusing less on the outcome and more on what you do every day? Two years into his first head coaching job, Dusty May called his wife and told her he didn't think he was cut out to be a head coach. "I'm just not a very good head coach," he said. Fast forward, and he's led Florida Atlantic University to the Final Four, won a national championship at Michigan, and become head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. In this conversation, Dusty shares why he believes championships are a byproduct of the daily work. We talk about how he gets people with different personalities and motivations aligned around a common goal, why he wants his players to make mistakes, and what it takes to build a culture where people get better every day. If you've been chasing the result and losing touch with the work that gets you there, this conversation is a good reset. More from Molly: Get Molly's latest book, Dynamic Drive Website: mollyfletcher.com

If your team is growing, you've probably asked some version of this question: How do we hold on to what makes this place special? Danny Meyer spent years trying to answer it, until he realized it was the wrong question. Danny is the founder of Union Square Hospitality Group and Shake Shack, and he has spent 40 years building some of the most admired hospitality businesses in the world. His new book, What Could Possibly Go Right?, is a candid look at the mistakes that taught him the most. In this conversation, Danny shares his simple equation for culture: the sum of the behaviors you celebrate, minus the behaviors you tolerate. We talk about why kind leaders give the feedback nice leaders avoid, why culture has to evolve as you grow, and how to lead people through change they didn't sign up for. If you want to build a team where your best people are asking, "Why would I want to work anywhere else?" this conversation is a great place to start. More from Molly: Get Molly's latest book, Dynamic Drive Website: mollyfletcher.com

We all have conversations we know we should have, but keep putting off. Maybe it feels too small to bring up, or we worry that saying something will only make it worse. But avoiding the conversation rarely makes the issue go away. According to conflict resolution facilitator Priya Parker, the conversations we avoid are often the ones we need most. In fact, the right kind of conflict can actually bring us closer. Priya is the author of the new book The Art of Fighting, and she's spent her career helping people get better at navigating conflict instead of running from it. In this conversation, Priya explains why healthy conflict can build trust and shares practical tools for approaching difficult conversations. If there's a conversation you know you need to have, this might be the nudge you need to finally have it. More from Molly: Get Molly's latest book, Dynamic Drive Website: mollyfletcher.com  

What does it take to stay hungry when you've already reached the top? Kerri Walsh Jennings is the most decorated beach volleyball player of all time. She's a five-time Olympian,  three-time gold medalist, and one of the most dominant athletes of all time. But what fueled that level of sustained greatness wasn't just a desire to win. Kerri loved the work it took to get there. In this conversation, we talk about how she maintained her drive and intensity for so long, how she learned to manage pressure and her inner critic, and why she now thinks of hard moments as reps instead of tests. We also talk about motherhood and ambition, navigating loss after years of dominance, and separating your identity from your achievements. Whether you're chasing a big goal or simply trying to get better, Kerri's perspective is a powerful reminder that lasting success isn't just about reaching the destination. It's about learning to love the pursuit. More from Molly: Get Molly's latest book, Dynamic Drive Website: mollyfletcher.com

Have you ever been told you're too sensitive? Maybe you take things too personally, overthink, or have a hard time letting things go. According to psychiatrist and ADHD specialist Dr. Sasha Hamdani, some of us are simply wired to process emotions more intensely. And that sensitivity isn't necessarily a weakness. In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Sasha to talk about why some people feel things more deeply and how to better navigate those emotions without letting them take over. We talk about why our brains can turn small moments into big stories and what to do when you feel yourself start to spiral. We also explore how those same qualities can make you more empathetic, perceptive, and emotionally intelligent. And even if you don't identify as sensitive, you'll learn how to better understand and communicate with the people in your life who process emotions differently than you do. More from Dr. Sasha Hamdani: Get Dr. Sasha's latest book, Too Sensitive More from Molly: Get Molly's latest book, Dynamic Drive Website: mollyfletcher.com

Why do some people rise to the occasion under pressure while others tighten up? Whether it's a big presentation or a job interview, pressure has a way of making us tighten up and second-guess ourselves. We think the goal is to eliminate stress. But what if that's actually not the best approach? In this conversation, I sit down with performance expert Steve Magness to talk about why pressure isn't the enemy and how the best performers learn to use it to their advantage. We talk about the difference between stress and pressure and the practical tools you can use to quiet your inner critic and perform at your best when the stakes are high. By the end of this conversation, you'll think differently about pressure and walk away with practical strategies you can use the next time you find yourself in a high-pressure moment. More from Molly: Get Molly's latest book, Dynamic Drive Website: mollyfletcher.com

Why do so many high achievers burn out? Most of us think recovery is what happens after the work is done. We push through the week, take care of everyone else, and tell ourselves we'll slow down later. But according to Dr. Kristen Holmes, Global Head of Human Performance at WHOOP, recovery isn't separate from high performance. It's an essential part of it. In this conversation, I sit down with Kristen to unpack the science behind sustainable high performance and why recovery plays a much bigger role than most of us realize. We talk about why sleep consistency matters more than sleep duration, the habits that have the biggest impact on our energy, and how to stop running on empty. By the end of this conversation, you'll have a new way of thinking about recovery and practical strategies to put into practice right away. Pre-order Kristen's new book, Aligned.  More from Molly: Get Molly's latest book, Dynamic Drive Website: mollyfletcher.com

Are you so busy getting through your life that you're never fully present for it? We rush from one thing to the next, convinced that if we can just get ahead, clear the to-do list, or better optimize our time, we'll finally have space to enjoy the life we've worked so hard to build. But that moment never seems to come. In this conversation, I sit down with Oliver to unpack how we can rethink our relationship with time and be more intentional about where our attention goes. We talk about why high achievers feel perpetually behind, how our need for control fuels anxiety, and why accepting our limitations can actually be freeing. By the end of this conversation, you'll think differently about time and walk away with a more freeing way to pursue big goals while being present for the life you're living now. More from Molly: Get Molly's latest book, Dynamic Drive Website: mollyfletcher.com