I'm Maura Erin's Mealy, and this is The Anxious Achiever.

We look at stories from business leaders who've dealt with anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges,

how they fell down, how they pick themselves up, and how they hope workplaces can change in the future.

All right, everyone, it's time to start season two. Now, for those of you new to the show,

we have a point of view around here. Anxiety is normal. It's a part of leadership,

and it just might help you succeed. I wanted to open season two with an anxiety hero.

Gabrielle Union is an actress who you all know, whether from her TV show Being Mary Jane

or classics I grew up with

were about the same age, like Bring It On. Gabrielle is also a New York Times best-selling author

and an advocate for reproductive rights, sexual assault survivors, and the LGBTQ community.

I invited her on the show to explore some themes that you told me you wanted to hear about,

like, how does PTSD affect social anxiety and our relationships at work and beyond? What toll does a

lifetime of trying not to offend people in power have on your mental health? And what's the impact of a

toxic workplace on our mental health?

Gabrielle Union is a hero to many of us who've experienced toxic workplaces and decided we just

wouldn't stand for it anymore. In spring 2019, Union and her co-host, Juliana Huff joined America's Got Talent's

14th season as judges, replacing Mel B.

and Heidi Klum, but their tenure didn't last long. In November, Variety published a report,

alleging Union's contract was not renewed after she had urged the show's producers to report

an incident involving a racist joke, and after she was told her hairstyles on the show were, quote,

too black. Union took a risk and stood up on behalf of many people who've been victims of a

toxic work environment. Gabrielle Union joined us recently to look at these issues and more,

...