Redesigning Wellness Podcast

Being a working mom during COVID was an impossible act of balancing full time jobs and full time teaching. Pew Research Center found that working mothers were generally more likely than working fathers to say that they faced a variety of professional challenges since the beginning of COVID. In this episode, podcast guest Leslie Forde explains the impact of the pandemic on working mothers. She shares some relevant research, strategies on how employers can support mothers, and how working moms can take care of their own wellbeing. For links mentioned in today's episode visit https://redesigningwellness.com/

It's important to stay positive, especially in trying times. But what happens when that positivity becomes unhelpful, shaming, and ultimately, toxic? The idea that the best or only way to cope with a negative situation is to put a positive spin on it is toxic to our emotional health. In this episode guest Dr. Natalie Dattilo, a Clinical Psychologist, and Mental Wellness Expert describes what toxic positivity looks like, and the line between being helpful and crossing over into toxicity. For links mentioned in today's episode visit https://redesigningwellness.com/

Connecting socially is an innate human need and one that was practically eliminated during the pandemic. For the past two years, we turned to social media, Zoom calls, and Netflix for our main sources of connection. Now that we're going back into the office and gathering in larger groups, how can we ease back into being with each other and rebuild social connections? Podcast guest, Dr. Natalie Kerr, is a social psychologist and a Professor of Psychology at James Madison University. Dr. Kerr enjoys sharing psychological science to help others improve their lives. Her current research focuses on the social psychology of loneliness, including interventions to help people feel more connected and less lonely. In this episode, we discuss why social connection is so important and how we can come back together without extreme awkwardness. Dr. Kerr talks about loneliness and how the solution is counter to the advice of "just put yourself out there". We discuss how nature can help build social connections and why we don't reach out to people when they are going through hard times. Finally, Natalie leaves us with a warning about marketing programs to ease loneliness. For links mentioned in today's episode visit https://redesigningwellness.com/

The stats point to the likelihood that most of us are in some stage of burnout, and guess who this includes? Managers – you know, the ones leading your employees. Managers navigate the delicate balance between investing in and supporting their team, getting their own work done, and (trying to) understand the priorities from above. How do successful managers balance it all? That's what this episode is all about. Podcast guest, Karen Suchsland, is known for fostering collaborative team environments that allow team members to learn, grow professionally and successfully deliver on company objectives while having a healthy dose of fun. In this episode, we discuss how leaders can help their employees with overwhelm, and why trust is the most crucial ingredient a leader needs to build. Karen guides leaders on how to navigate the conversation around mental health and offers a script for following up after you've suggested specific resources. Finally, she leaves us with ways a leader can better engage their team (and these are ones she's implemented with her own teams). For links mentioned in today's episode visit https://redesigningwellness.com/

It's been over a year since host, Jen Arnold, decided to take a break from the Redesigning Wellness podcast. In this episode, Jen walks you through what's in store for the podcast and her thoughts on where we are today (and where we're not) with organizational wellbeing. She also reveals a new product she's just released and unveils where her and her family settled down after almost two years of RV travel. Plus, she answers the questions she gets most often about the transition from full time RV life to living in a (stationary) house. For links mentioned in today's episode visit https://redesigningwellness.com/

Host Jen Arnold began the Redesigning Wellness Podcast in 2016, fresh out of the corporate workforce and eager to learn and dissect the multitude of aspects affecting employee wellness. Back then, she had fewer clients, much more free time, and one fewer kid at home. After a bit of soul searching and careful deliberation, Jen's decided that she needs some space from the podcast to assess if she misses it, or if it's time to move on. In this episode, podcast host Jen Arnold explains her decision to take a break from the podcast, a few of the reasons behind her careful consideration, and offers a heartfelt thanks to longtime listeners who have accompanied her on this journey. For links mentioned in today's episode visit: http://bit.ly/Redesignpod

In a society hyper focused on productivity and doing more, it can be easy to bully yourself about being lazy and not accomplishing enough. Today's guest, Dr. Devon Price, Professor at Loyola University Chicago and author of Laziness Does Not Exist believes that worth is not tied to productivity and that the perception around laziness is toxic. In this episode, Devon explains their personal experience with overachievement and how that mentality changed. They discuss what they call the laziness lie, how mistrust from employers is damaging employees, and how organizations can change the perception around laziness. Lastly, Devon offers an excellent tangible tip for people who have a hard time saying no. For links mentioned in today's episode visit: http://bit.ly/Redesignpod

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the shortcomings of many benefits programs at the same time as 2020 prompted a closer look at diversity and inclusion within organizations. The marriage of these two occurrences has resulted in interesting considerations regarding inclusion in benefits. Today's guest, Rachael McCann, Senior Director and North American Health & Benefits Inclusion & Diversity practice leader at Willis Towers Watson, is helping businesses understand how to optimize their benefits offerings based on the diverse characteristics of their current and future workforce. Rachael has 20 years of experience supporting employers inclusion and diversity and exploring the role benefits can play. In this episode, Rachael explores some of the benefits trends she saw in response to COVID, highlighting mental health offerings and caregiving solutions. She shares a few guidelines for considering inclusion in benefits programs and the importance of understanding social determinants of health in relation to benefits inclusivity. Lastly, Rachael offers tangible tips for both wellness professionals and organizations on considering inclusion and diversity in benefits offerings. For links mentioned in today's episode visit: http://bit.ly/Redesignpod

In the last decade, the wellness industry has been on a steady rise. With 80% of large companies and 50% of small companies implementing wellness programs, wellness isn't just a consideration for big businesses anymore. Today's guest, Nikki Reynolds, Wellness Specialist at ePlus, believes that small businesses can actually provide the best environment for wellness program success. In this episode, Nikki explains her somewhat unorthodox start with SMP and how she went about building a wellness program for a business of fewer than 50 employees. Nikki shares some of her challenges as well as her proudest moments, as well as the philosophy she's held while pivoting through COVID. Finally, she offers tangible tips to professionals making a pitch and to small business owners unsure of buying into wellness. For links mentioned in today's episode visit: http://bit.ly/Redesignpod

The ability to understand and alter the power dynamic of a team is an essential leadership skill for maximum effectiveness according to today's guest, Lindy Greer, Associate Professor of Management and Organizations at University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. In addition to her Associate Professorship, Lindy is the Faculty Director of the Sanger Leadership Center. Her expertise in leadership development has been published in leading outlets such as Forbes, the New York Times, and the Journal of Applied Psychology to name a few. In this episode, Lindy briefly discusses her inspiration to look at leadership differently and takes a deep dive on the four keys to a positive leadership hierarchy. She explains the importance of creating areas of ownership for team members as well as building team structures that are flexible. Lindy gives the example of learning to power flex through voice and other strategies for reducing or increasing the power distance between leaders and teams. Lastly, she offers a tangible tip to be intentional about your team's hierarchy. For links mentioned in today's episode visit: http://bit.ly/Redesignpod