Revolutionaries of Wellbeing: Breaking Burnout Culture
Revolutionaries of Wellbeing (ROW)
Times are tough right now, and nearly everyone is feeling the pressure - it’s universal. Whether you’re in a wellbeing role, a wellbeing champion, a people leader, or someone who believes wellbeing should and can be a core part of work, I hear you: the challenges are real and the cost is too high.
I’m Sarah McGuinness, founder and editor of Revolutionaries of Wellbeing (ROW) and a workplace wellbeing specialist with a background in psychology. I know firsthand what burnout feels like because I’ve been there. In 2020, I hit rock bottom, and recovery was a long road. Sharing my story opened my eyes to just how many others were fighting the same battle, and it became clear: something needed to change. That’s why I created ROW - to break burnout culture for good.
This podcast exists for you. If you’ve ever felt the burn of burnout or seen its impact on your team, this is your space to find support, solutions, and inspiration. With 57% of New Zealanders at high risk of burnout - and similar trends around the world - it’s clear we need fast, practical, evidence-based approaches. Each episode is designed to help you make a difference, with real stories, expert insights, and practical suggestions you can take away to improve the culture in your workplace and support your colleagues.
But it’s not just about burnout. We dive into the issues that matter most, like inclusivity, bullying, menopause, financial health, psychological safety, and more - all with the goal of helping you grow personally and professionally.
By tuning in, you’ll not only discover ways to boost your own wellbeing but also learn how to create lasting impact at work. And you’re not alone in this journey. ROW is a growing community of HR and health and safety professionals, people leaders, and wellbeing advocates just like you, working to transform workplace practices into real business success.
So join us as we tackle burnout culture and drive a revolution forward - one episode at a time. Together, we can do this.
I’m Sarah McGuinness, founder and editor of Revolutionaries of Wellbeing (ROW) and a workplace wellbeing specialist with a background in psychology. I know firsthand what burnout feels like because I’ve been there. In 2020, I hit rock bottom, and recovery was a long road. Sharing my story opened my eyes to just how many others were fighting the same battle, and it became clear: something needed to change. That’s why I created ROW - to break burnout culture for good.
This podcast exists for you. If you’ve ever felt the burn of burnout or seen its impact on your team, this is your space to find support, solutions, and inspiration. With 57% of New Zealanders at high risk of burnout - and similar trends around the world - it’s clear we need fast, practical, evidence-based approaches. Each episode is designed to help you make a difference, with real stories, expert insights, and practical suggestions you can take away to improve the culture in your workplace and support your colleagues.
But it’s not just about burnout. We dive into the issues that matter most, like inclusivity, bullying, menopause, financial health, psychological safety, and more - all with the goal of helping you grow personally and professionally.
By tuning in, you’ll not only discover ways to boost your own wellbeing but also learn how to create lasting impact at work. And you’re not alone in this journey. ROW is a growing community of HR and health and safety professionals, people leaders, and wellbeing advocates just like you, working to transform workplace practices into real business success.
So join us as we tackle burnout culture and drive a revolution forward - one episode at a time. Together, we can do this.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 25, 2024 • 35min
Episode 42: The power of storytelling for mental health awareness
Humans have been sharing stories since the dawn of time to help us make sense of the world around us and to influence our thinking. Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools in a wellbeing leader’s toolkit. With it, you can normalise conversations about mental health and wellbeing, you can destigmatise, you can challenge and change beliefs and you can foster psychological safety.
In this episode, we’re delighted to be joined by Michelle Ortega, wellbeing advocate and Communications and Relationship Manager at Fonterra Brands. Join us as we explore how you can use storytelling to create an empathetic, psychologically safe work environment and shape a culture that supports mental health.
Michelle is a passionate advocate for mental health, using her own lived experience to reduce stigma and drive positive mental health conversations in the workplace. Because of her dedication to raising awareness of mental health at Fonterra through openly sharing her own story, Michelle took home the PWC New Zealand Lived Experience Leadership Award at the 2021 HeadFit Awards. Michelle has also presented and has been a keynote speaker at a number of national and international conferences. Most recently at the HR ANZ Summit in the Gold Coast, where she received a standing ovation for her presentation on The Power of Storytelling in Turning the Tide on Mental Health Awareness in Workplaces.
If anything in this episode feels a bit close to the bone, we encourage you to reach out to someone you trust or your national helpline.
Share your thoughts: We'd love to hear from you! Leave a review and let us know what you enjoyed most about this episode.
Be a champion for change in your workplace: Join ROW - get started for free today!
8 snips
Mar 17, 2024 • 39min
Episode 41: Wellbeing from a senior leader’s perspective
Hugh Goddard, Managing Director at Pipeline & Civil, champions a people-first culture in construction. He discusses how senior leaders can drive a wellbeing-focused environment and the importance of their visibility in enhancing team dynamics. The conversation touches on the mental health challenges within the industry, urging leaders to normalize discussions around these issues. Goddard shares personal experiences and strategies to align employee wellbeing with organizational success, advocating for psychological safety and open dialogue throughout the workplace.
Mar 9, 2024 • 41min
Episode 40: Understanding financial wellbeing and its impact
While financial wellbeing has always been important, the current economic climate and cost of living crisis are causing stress and pressure for people across the board.
We explore some of the key financial wellbeing issues people face, shedding light on the various challenges people encounter when it comes to managing their finances effectively. We also examine how societal conditioning influences our relationship with money, impacting our overall wellbeing in ways we might not even realise. Finally, we'll also discuss actionable strategies and insights on what workplaces can do to foster and support better financial health for their people, ensuring employees feel empowered and equipped to navigate through these turbulent times with confidence. So, make sure you have a pen and paper handy, and get ready for an insight-packed conversation with practical tips for enhancing employee (and maybe your own?) financial wellbeing!
Share your thoughts: We'd love to hear from you! Leave a review and let us know what you enjoyed most about this episode.
Be a champion for change in your workplace. Join ROW - get started for free today!
Mar 2, 2024 • 33min
Episode 39: Developing an effective wellbeing strategy in a complex environment
Jessica Hayes, former People Experience Lead at Auckland Transport, shares her expertise on developing impactful wellbeing strategies in complex environments. She discusses innovative initiatives that have garnered awards and the challenges of navigating employee wellness during leadership changes and the pandemic. The conversation highlights the 'me, we, us' communication framework and effective practices like meeting-free blocks. Hayes emphasizes human-centered design and collaboration as keys to fostering a supportive workplace that adapts to the evolving needs of employees.
Feb 24, 2024 • 49min
Episode 38: Taking a proactive and preventative approach to bullying behaviour
Michael Plowright, a workplace bullying specialist and founder of Working Well Together, dives into the dark world of workplace bullying. He discusses the severe psychological impacts on individuals and the culture it creates. Plowright emphasizes the necessity of psychological safety and the need for proactive intervention strategies. He highlights the importance of compassionate support for targets and redefines the language around bullying to empower individuals. Listeners will gain invaluable insights on fostering healthier work environments and being champions for change.
Aug 22, 2023 • 44min
Episode 37: Embedding wellbeing in your organisation
In this episode, we’re joined by Natalee Scripps-Hawkins, author, coach and Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing at Auckland Airport to explore a key issue, and that’s this: as wellbeing leaders and champions, we’re passionate about driving the organisation’s wellbeing agenda. But what does that look like in reality?
We know we need to be influential and drive of change. But how?
Together, we discuss what it means to create a people-first organisation. We also look at the broad role of the wellbeing manager as an influencer, communicator, and an agent of change.
Because to be successful as wellbeing professionals – we need to drive the change we want to see.
Learn more about wellbeing and transform your workplace. Join ROW - get started for free today!
Aug 15, 2023 • 37min
Episode 36: Coming back from a traumatic brain injury
In this episode, we chat with Nick Jenkins. Nick is a health & safety professional who suffered a traumatic brain injury after a mountain biking accident in 2020.
He shares the story of his injury, and his considerable rehab and recovery journey. We also talk about returning to work after a significant injury and adjusting to a new normal. Plus, we explore what workplaces can do to support those on a similar recovery journey.
Join us and be inspired by Nick's story and gain an insight into life with a brain injury and overcoming the odds.
Learn more about wellbeing and transform your workplace. Join ROW - get started for free today!
Jul 11, 2023 • 45min
Episode 35: Understanding neurodiversity and ADHD
In this episode, we chat to an expert on ADHD, and explore how workplaces can better support neurodiversity.
It’s estimated that over 280,000 Kiwis have ADHD. People from all walks of life, in all professions, live and work with ADHD.
But we don’t really talk about how businesses can lead for and accommodate different neurotypes.
We're joined by ADHD advocate, coach and facilitator Callum McKirdy. Together, we discuss how we can create work environments that understand the value that people with ADHD and other forms of neurodiversity can bring, and how to support them to thrive.
Be a wellbeing leader. Join ROW
Jun 20, 2023 • 52min
Episode 34: The honest guide to menopause and perimenopause
With half of people experiencing menopause in their life, this is an important topic with significant impacts on work. But where do we start the menopause conversation?
Learning about this life stage is the first step. In this episode, we’re delighted to be joined by Niki Bezzant, writer and author of the bestselling menopause book, This Changes Everything: the honest guide to menopause and perimenopause.
In the episode, we’ll help you understand how you can best support employees, friends, or family members going through menopause, and how you can navigate menopause at work if you're experiencing it.
Be a wellbeing leader. Join ROW
May 30, 2023 • 45min
Episode 33: Psychosocial hazards and the neurobiology of stress
Dr. Georgi Toma, Founder and CEO of Heart & Brain Works and a research fellow at the University of Auckland, dives into the critical issue of psychosocial hazards at work. He reveals how poor management leads to widespread burnout and the Great Resignation. Toma discusses the neurobiological impacts of workplace stress and the need for psychological safety. He underscores the essential role of organizational culture and the significance of employee feedback in creating healthier work environments. Plus, insights on navigating stress during COVID-19 add depth to the discussion.
