
Making Positive Psychology Work
If you believe as we do that by uncovering tested, practical ways to help people move from functioning to flourishing at work, we can better navigate the incredible challenges and opportunities our world faces, then this podcast is for you. Our goal each week is to give you access to the world’ leading positive psychology, positive organizational scholarship and neuroscience researchers and practitioners to explore their latest research findings on how you can improve wellbeing, develop strengths, nurture positive relationships, make work meaningful and cultivate the grit to accomplish what matters most. If you want evidence-based approaches to bringing out the best in yourself and others at work, then consider this podcast your step-by-step guide.
Latest episodes

Aug 28, 2020 • 24min
Can You Buffer Against Burnout? with Dr Gail Gazelle
Today we’re talking to Dr. Gail Gazelle, who is a former hospice physician, part-time Harvard Medical School Assistant Professor, and Master Certified Coach for physicians. Over the past decade, Gail has coached hundreds of physician leaders on leadership development, mindfulness, and building resilience. Her passion is to provide physicians the resilience skills not covered in training that make the difference between burnout and surviving the marathon of a medical career. Gail is also a long-time mindfulness practitioner and teacher and has recently released a book called – ‘Everyday Resilience. A Practical Guide to Build Inner Strength and Weather Life’s Challenges ’. In this week’s podcast, we explore how we can reduce burnout in our workplaces. Connect with Dr. Gail Gazelle: https://www.gailgazelle.com/ You’ll Learn: [02:01] - Gail shares what’s leading to physician burnout. [04:05] - Gail paints a picture of burnout culture for physicians and what it can cost them. [05:31] - Gail shares how the pandemic has changed the world of physicians. [06:56] - Gail explores why coaching is an effective method of supporting people in high burnout professions. [09:53] - Gail shares three things leaders and coaches should be focusing on when it comes to supporting people facing burnout. [12:51] - Gail puts a spotlight on how we can build a culture that reduces burnout. [15:05] - Gail shares the most essential thing we should be aware of in the face of burnout. [17:15] - Gail highlights one thing everyone should start doing today to grow their resilience to buffer against burnout. [18:30] - Gail enters the lightning round. Your Resources: MPPW Podcast on Facebook Group Lucy Hone TED Talk on Resilience Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post. Please leave an honest review of the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them. And don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free! You can also listen to all the episodes of Making Positive Psychology Work streamed directly to your smartphone or iPad through stitcher. No need for downloading or syncing. Until next time, take care! Thank you, Gail!

5 snips
Aug 21, 2020 • 33min
Do You Really Understand How Your Brain Works? Podcast with Dan Siegel
In this week’s podcast, we explore how to integrate our brains to care for our wellbeing and enhance our performance at work – especially when we’re feeling uncertain or insecure. Connect with Dan Siegel: https://www.drdansiegel.com/ [free_product_purchase id="89473"] You’ll Learn: [03:15] - Dan explains why interpersonal neurobiology offers important insights for all of us when it comes to caring for wellbeing in workplaces. [06:20] - Dan offers some tips for helping leaders to understand the potential practical impacts of harnessing interpersonal neurobiology as we work. [08:01] - Dan explains why we need to integrate all the parts of our brains in order to care for our wellbeing and improve our performance at work. [11:45] - Dan provides some practical, easy-to-apply examples to help integrate the different parts of your brain as you work. [16:24] - Dan shares some tips on how we can create better neurological integration in our relationships with others as we work. [19:17] - Dan shares how leaders can help people feel seen, safe, soothed, and secure as we work together. [24:15] - Dan offers some recommendations on the role of leaders as more people experience and share their traumas in workplaces – for example as a result of COVID. [29:13] - Dan completes the Lightning Round. Your Resources: MPPW Podcast on Facebook Group How racial bias works -- and how to disrupt it | Jennifer L. Eberhardt Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post. Please leave an honest review of the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them. And don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free! You can also listen to all the episodes of Making Positive Psychology Work streamed directly to your smartphone or iPad through stitcher. No need for downloading or syncing. Until next time, take care! Thank you, Dan!

Aug 14, 2020 • 33min
Can Your Workplace Become More Human? Podcast with Gary Hamel
In this week’s episode, we explore how traditional models of organizing in workplaces stifle innovation and creativity. Gary helps us understand what we can do to fuel collaboration, resilience, and leadership in our workplaces. Connect with Gary Hamel: http://www.garyhamel.com/ [free_product_purchase id="89127"] You’ll Learn: [02:56] - Gary explains how we can recognize ways in which bureaucracy stifles creativity and innovation in our own organizations and contexts. [05:08] - Gary describes what human-centric principles can look like in organizations. [10:23] - Gary explains the Humanocracy principle of Ownership. [14:28] - Gary explains the Humanocracy principle of Meritocracy. [17:03] - Gary explains the Humanocracy principle of Markets. [19:41] - Gary explains the Humanocracy principle of Community. [21:55] - Gary explains the Humanocracy principle of Openness. [23:48] - Gary explains the Humanocracy principle of Experimentation. [23:48] - Gary explains the Humanocracy principle of Paradox. [23:48] - Gary suggests how we can start to help our own workplaces become more human-centered. [23:48] - Gary provides caveats and cautions as we help to create more humanocratic workplaces. [26:17] - Gary completes the Lightning Round. Your Resources: MPPW Podcast on Facebook Group Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post. Please leave an honest review of the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them. And don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free! You can also listen to all the episodes of Making Positive Psychology Work streamed directly to your smartphone or iPad through stitcher. No need for downloading or syncing. Until next time, take care! Thank you, Gary!

Aug 7, 2020 • 29min
Can You Collaborate More Effectively? with Jody Hoffer Gittell
Jody Hoffer Gittell is a professor at Brandeis University Heller School for Social Policy and Management. Jody's research explores how people contribute to high-performance outcomes through their coordination with each other, and she's the Executive Director of the Relational Coordination Research Collaborative and Principal Investigator of the Relational Society Project. Jody, in these roles, brings together scholars and practitioners to build relational coordination for positive impact all over the world. In this week’s episode, we explore how we can collaborate more effectively and joyfully as we work together, even in the midst of uncertainty and disruption. Connect with Jody Hoffer Gittell: https://www.jodyhoffergittell.info/ You’ll Learn: [02:56] - Jody explains the process of relational coordination and how it can help us bring out the best in each other in workplaces. [05:08] - Jody shares the research findings from more than 70 empirical papers on the potential benefits of relational coordination in workplaces. [10:23] - Jody offers some tips for leaders to support better relational coordination in their teams. [14:28] - Jody explains how workplaces can support leaders in moments of crisis to reach for relational – rather than technical – responses. [17:03] - Jody shares her thoughts on how leaders can balance the need for control and autonomy in our relationships during periods of crisis. [19:41] - Jody explains how relational co-ordination approaches can help us navigate change more confidently and effectively. [21:55] - Jody offers tips for creating shared goals in teams and workplaces. [23:48] - Jody shares how teams can create shared accountability around their goals. [26:17] - Jody enters the lightning round. Your Resources: MPPW Podcast on Facebook Group Humble Leadership by Edgar Schein Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post. Please leave an honest review of the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them. And don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free! You can also listen to all the episodes of Making Positive Psychology Work streamed directly to your smartphone or iPad through stitcher. No need for downloading or syncing. Until next time, take care! Thank you, Jody!

Jul 31, 2020 • 33min
Is Your Energy, Attitude and Mindset AntiFragile? with Dr. Paige Williams
Today we're talking to Dr. Paige Williams, co-founder of the Leaders Lab, an honorary fellow, and researcher at the Center for Positive Psychology at the University of Melbourne. Paige works to create practical evidence-based pathways that use the latest research in neuroscience, positive psychology, leadership, and systems thinking to help leaders leverage their energy, attitudes, and mindsets to benefit from the dynamic, complex, and uncertain environment in which most organizations now operate. She is determined to help leaders move beyond just the need for resilience so that they can become anti-fragile. This is the focus of her new book, Becoming Anti-fragile, Learning to Thrive Through Disruption, Challenge, and Change, which we're going to explore together today. In this week’s episode, we explore how we can leverage the physical, emotional, and mental energy, attitude and mindsets of anti-fragility to create positive change. Connect with Dr. Paige Williams: https://drpaigewilliams.com/ You’ll Learn: [02:30] - Paige explains what antifragility is and why it is important. [04:27] - Paige shares some real-life examples of antifragility in action. [07:14] - Paige explains the robust principles that we can use as touchstones to becoming antifragility. [09:45] - Paige explains why energy, attitude, and mindsets are the building blocks to being antifragile. [13:17] - Paige explains the nuances of energy – the physical, mental and emotional components. [15:10] - Paige describes antifragile attitudes. [17:43] - Paige describes the antifragile mindset. [21:17] - Paige explains how to scale up antifragile principles and building blocks for teams and organizational systems. [26:00] - Paige enters the lightning round. Your Resources: MPPW Podcast on Facebook Group Letting Go by Dr. David Hawkins Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post. Please leave an honest review of the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them. And don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free! You can also listen to all the episodes of Making Positive Psychology Work streamed directly to your smartphone or iPad through stitcher. No need for downloading or syncing. Until next time, take care! Thank you, Paige!

Jul 24, 2020 • 34min
Are You Reaching For Gratitude At Work? with Robert Emmons
Today we’re talking to Robert Emmons, who’s a professor of psychology at the University of California. Bob’s research focuses on the Psychology of Gratitude and joy as they relate to human flourishing and wellbeing. Bob has authored over 200 original publications in peer-reviewed journals or chapters written or edited eight books, including The Psychology of Gratitude. He is a frequent speaker at professional conferences and public events and has his groundbreaking work on gratitude featured in dozens of popular media outlets all over the world. Bob is also the founding editor and editor in chief of The Journal of Positive Psychology. In this week’s episode, we explore how the practice of gratitude can help us care for wellbeing in workplaces and the practical things leaders and teams can do to practice affirmation and recognition of each other. Connect with Robert Emmons: https://emmons.faculty.ucdavis.edu/ You’ll Learn: [02:30] - Bob defines gratitude for us. [04:27] - Bob shares some of the common misunderstandings people have about gratitude when it comes to improving wellbeing. [07:14] - Bob explains the bottom-line benefits for prioritizing gratitude in workplaces. [09:45] - Bob shares what recent studies have found in terms of how gratitude works neurologically. [13:17] - Bob explains how the practice of gratitude can help leaders and teams feel psychologically safe. [15:10] - Bob offers some tips for how the best ways to express gratitude in workplaces. [17:43] - Bob offers some advice to ensure our expressions of gratitude are authentic. [21:17] - Bob shares what the research is finding in terms of the most effective forms of expressing gratitude. [26:00] - Bob enters the lightning round. Your Resources: MPPW Podcast on Facebook Group The Book of Joy Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post. Please leave an honest review of the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them. And don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free! You can also listen to all the episodes of Making Positive Psychology Work streamed directly to your smartphone or iPad through stitcher. No need for downloading or syncing. Until next time, take care! Thank you, Bob!

4 snips
Jul 16, 2020 • 33min
What is the Art of Coaching? with Christian Van Nieuwerburgh
Today we’re talking to professor Christian Van Nieuwerburgh. Christian is a leading academic and practitioner in the field of coaching in education. He’s a professor of coaching and positive psychology at the University of East London and executive director of Growth Coaching International, a Sydney based global coaching provider for the education sector. In this week’s podcast, we explore the skills and art that enable us to be effective coaches. Connect with Christian Van Nieuwerburgh: https://www.growthcoaching.com.au/ You’ll Learn: [02:55] - Christian explains what makes coaching so effective for development and growing wellbeing. [05:12] - Christian shares the top two skills coaches should develop. [07:25] - Christian shares the ‘art’ of coaching and how we can lean into this opportunity to make our coaching more effective. [13:30] - Christian highlights what coaches should be considered when supporting people faced with uncertainty and disruption. [37:20] - Christian enters the lightning round. Your Resources: MPPW Podcast on Facebook Group Humble Enquiry by Edgar Schein Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for joining me again this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of this post. Please leave an honest review of the Making Positive Psychology Work Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them. And don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates. It’s free! You can also listen to all the episodes of Making Positive Psychology Work streamed directly to your smartphone or iPad through stitcher. No need for downloading or syncing. Until next time, take care! Thank you, Christian!

Jul 10, 2020 • 28min
Are Your Thoughts Holding You Back? with Dr. Judith Beck
Dr. Judith Beck, expert in cognitive behavior therapy, discusses its use in workplaces for wellbeing. Topics include: examples of CBT support, research benefits, changes in therapy, safe workplace applications, tips for personal wellbeing at work.

Jul 4, 2020 • 41min
Are Your Leaders Islands of Sanity? with Meg Wheatley
Meg Wheatley, organizational consultant, discusses challenges and opportunities for leaders in uncertain times. She emphasizes the importance of compassion, trust, and creating 'islands of sanity' in leadership. Exploring self-awareness and emotional triggers for effective leadership is key to fostering a positive work culture.

Jun 26, 2020 • 30min
Do You Receive Feedback Well? with Sheila Heen
Sheila Heen, a negotiation expert, discusses why learning to receive feedback is crucial at work and shares tips on how to overcome feedback triggers. She explains the impact of feedback on performance and wellbeing, differentiates between types of feedback, and offers strategies for effective feedback reception. The podcast emphasizes the role of leaders in modeling feedback culture for psychological safety and explores enhancing well-being through meaningful conversations and self-compassion.
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