Well Workplaces

In this episode of the Well Workplaces podcast, host Tom Bosna is joined by Ray Good, a former world-class DJ turned mindfulness and meditation expert. Ray shares his fascinating journey from being a top DJ to becoming an accredited mindfulness coach. They discuss the significance of mental fitness in an AI-driven world, practical mindfulness strategies and the science behind mindfulness.Tune in to learn about micro practices, stress management, and the importance of mental fitness for high performers.~Resources:Ray Good | The Good Place: https://www.goodplace.com.au/Richard Ram Dass: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ram_DassTools of Titans by Tim Ferris: https://www.amazon.com.au/Tools-Titans-Tim-Ferriss/dp/1328683788BJ Fogg, Tiny Habits: https://www.amazon.com.au/Tiny-Habits-Changes-Change-Everything/dp/0358003326

In this engaging conversation, Arthur Papagiannis, CEO of AP Psychology and registered psychologist with 25 years of experience, shares his insights on the changing landscape of mental health in the workplace. He discusses the evolution from traditional employee assistance programs to systematic strategies for psychological safety. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of leadership training and the integration of psychosocial risks with workplace safety. Arthur also highlights work design for small businesses and envisions a future where mental well-being is prioritized alongside physical safety.

In this conversation, Tom Bosna and Dr. Michelle McQuaid explore the evolution of workplace wellbeing, focusing on the shift from compliance to commitment. They discuss the societal expectations placed on women, particularly the 'good girl conditioning' that affects their wellbeing and career choices. The conversation also touches on the pressures faced by men to conform to the 'tough guy' mentality, the impact of social media, and practical steps for individuals to break free from these conditioning patterns. Dr. McQuaid emphasises the importance of self-compassion, secure attachment and managing ones nervous system in navigating these challenges. Takeaways- Workplace wellbeing requires commitment, not just compliance.- Good girl conditioning affects women's ability to prioritise wellbeing.- Societal expectations can lead to burnout and resentment.- Self-compassion is crucial for personal and professional growth.- Social media can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy.- Men also face societal pressures that impact their wellbeing.- Role models can help break the cycle of conditioning.- Understanding secure attachment can improve workplace dynamics.- Managing our nervous systems is essential in times of change.- Practical steps can empower individuals to reclaim their wellbeing.Resources: https://www.michellemcquaid.com/https://michellemcquaid.substack.com/?utm_source=MMcQ&utm_medium=WebsitePodcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-good-girl-game-changers-podcast/id1750227241Book: The Perfectly Imperfect Women's Journal: Tools To Set Yourself Free Of Your Good Girl Beliefshttps://www.amazon.com.au/Perfectly-Imperfect-Womens-Journal/dp/176380562XBook: The Perfectly Imperfect Little Girlhttps://www.dymocks.com.au/the-perfectly-imperfect-little-girl-by-michelle-mcquaid-and-lucia-benito-9781763805606Dr Amy Webb: https://futuretodayinstitute.com/team/amy-webb/Holding Your Own in an Insecure World by Sue Marriott, Ann Kelley: https://www.amazon.com.au/Secure-Relating-Holding-Insecure-World/dp/0063334550Dr Carol Dweck: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_Dweckhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_Dweck

Kathryn Elliott, a certified alcohol coach with six years of alcohol-free living, shares her transformative journey and the benefits of quitting alcohol. She emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and self-reflection in assessing our relationship with drinking. The conversation uncovers the pressures of using alcohol during social events and explores the clarity and energy gained through sobriety. Kathryn also discusses coaching high-functioning professionals with drinking challenges and highlights the therapeutic benefits of connecting with nature.

In this episode of the Well Workplaces podcast, host Tom Bosna delves into women's health with Dr. Ariella Heffernan Marks, founder of the FemTech start-up Ovum. She shares her inspiring journey from studying reproductive biology to launching Ovum. They discuss the McKinsey Gender Health Gap Report, highlighting the economic impact of health disparities, and the challenges women face in healthcare.Dr. Heffernan Marks also explains how Ovum centralises women's health data, empowers users with personalised health advice, and aims to close the gender data gap in clinical research.The episode touches on the practical applications of Ovum's technology in the workplace and broader implications for women's health worldwide. Resources: Ovum: https://www.ovum-ai.com.au/ Connect with Dr Ariella Heffernan Marks: https://au.linkedin.com/in/dr-ariella-heffernan-marks-935401120 McKinsey Gender Health Gap Report: https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/closing-the-womens-health-gap-a-1-trillion-dollar-opportunity-to-improve-lives-and-economies Sign up to Ovum's newsletter: https://www.ovum-ai.com.au/signuptoovum

In this episode of the Well Workplaces podcast, hosted by Tom Bosna, special guest Poppy Griffiths, founder of UnlimitU, and an expert in high performance coaching, discusses the challenges faced by working parents and carers. The discussion centres on the findings of the National Working Families Survey 2024, conducted by surveying 6,000 working parents across Australia. Key topics include the persistent high stress levels among working parents, the need for more support in workplaces, gender-neutral parental leave policies, and the importance of flexible work arrangements. The episode also highlights exemplary practices from Australian companies like Multiplex and Car Sales, and advocates for systemic changes at the government level to support working parents better. ~ Resources: National Working Families Survey 2024: https://nationalworkingfamiliesreport.org/ Connect with Poppy on Linkedin: https://au.linkedin.com/in/poppy-griffiths-23b65b31 UnlimitU: https://unlimitu.com.au/ Working Parents Mini-Series (Ep51-56): https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ep051-how-to-keep-your-career-on-track-during-parenthood/id1532493952?i=1000559452417

In this episode of Well Workplaces Podcast, host Tom Bosna interviews Andrew McLaren, also known as AMc, from Medibank's ventures team.  They discuss the corporate health and wellbeing landscape in Australia, focusing on how start-ups and small businesses can proactively approach exits and partnerships. The conversation delves into Medibank's evolution from a passive insurer to an active health services provider, the integration of Pinnacle Health Group, and the future directions of corporate health and wellbeing. ~ Connect with Andrew McLaren here: https://au.linkedin.com/in/andrewgmclaren Read the Medibank Media Release here: https://www.medibank.com.au/livebetter/newsroom/post/medibank-agrees-to-acquire-pinnacle-health-group-to-accelerate-corporate

Anna Feringa, an award-winning International Speaker and workplace mental health consultant, shares her insights on psychosocial safety in the modern work environment. She emphasizes the significance of human connection in hybrid and remote setups and discusses the rise of mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Anna highlights recent regulatory changes affecting workplace safety and the importance of consulting staff. The conversation explores proactive strategies to address psychological injuries, underscoring the need for continuous communication and effective policies.

In this episode, we welcome Sarah Rusbatch from Perth to discuss her new book 'Beyond Booze' and the significance of re-evaluating our relationship with alcohol. Sarah shares her personal journey of becoming alcohol-free and the benefits she has experienced. She explains the concept of 'grey area drinking' and how it impacts people's lives. The conversation addresses the negative effects of alcohol, especially on women, highlighting the need for better public awareness and healthier alternatives. Sarah also provides insights into how workplaces can support employees by reducing alcohol-cantered activities and promoting overall wellbeing. Finally, listeners are encouraged to evaluate their own alcohol consumption through a thoughtful exercise. About SarahSarah is the author of the best selling book “Beyond Booze”, a multi award winning Health and Wellbeing Coach, an accredited Grey Area Drinking Coach, a menopause accredited coach, a motivational speaker and a passionate ambassador for helping as many women as possible to live their best life. Sarah is also an ex-Grey Area Drinker and quit booze in April 2019 and has NEVER looked back! Her Coaching specialities include: Sobriety and Grey Area Drinking Creating a fulfilling and purposeful life after 40 Navigating the menopause years Managing Stress and soothing a dysregulated nervous system - WITHOUT using alcohol Resources: ⁠https://sarahrusbatch.com/⁠ ⁠https://sarahrusbatch.com/beyond-booze⁠ ~ 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:21 Sarah's Journey to Sobriety 05:47 Understanding Grey Area Drinking 09:31 Impact of Alcohol on Women 22:06 Workplace Culture and Alcohol 24:49 Future of Alcohol Advertising 28:04 Reflecting on Alcohol's Role in Life 29:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this podcast episode, Tom welcomes Jeff Wetzler, who joins us from New York. Jeff introduces his book 'Ask', which centres around enhancing relationships and learning from peers through the art of asking questions. Jeff shares the inspiration behind his book, emphasising the pervasive and painful problem of disconnection he aims to address. He outlines the ask approach, a set of five practices based on scientific research and practical testing designed to improve learning and relationships by fostering genuine curiosity and creating a psychologically safe environment for sharing. These practices include: - choosing curiosity; - making it safe; - posing quality questions; - learning actively; and - the importance of reflecting and reconnecting. Jeff also discusses the challenges of establishing genuine connections in a digital world, particularly in remote work settings, and offers strategies for organisations to cultivate better learning environments and encourage a culture of curiosity. ~ Resources: Connect with Jeff here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-wetzler-9ba3824 https://www.askapproach.com/#Jeff https://transcendeducation.org/ Ask: https://www.amazon.com/Ask-Hidden-Unexpected-Breakthroughs-Leadership/dp/0306832690 ~ About Jeff Jeff Wetzler has been on a quarter-century quest to transform learning opportunities. Blending a unique set of leadership experiences in the fields of business and education, he’s pursued this quest as a management consultant to the world’s top corporations, as a learning facilitator for leaders around the world, as Chief Learning Officer at Teach For America, and most recently, as co-CEO of Transcend, a nationally recognized innovation organization. ~ 00:00 Welcoming Jeff to the Show 00:13 The Connection Through Topaz and Leadership in New Zealand 01:11 The Inspiration Behind Jeff's Book on Asking Questions 02:05 Exploring the Ask Approach and Its Impact on Relationships and Learning 03:24 The Challenge of Virtual Connections in Today's Work Environment 04:54 Diving Deep into the Ask Methodology: Curiosity as a Foundation 12:05 Making It Safe: Creating a Comfortable Environment for Sharing 17:41 The Art of Posing Quality Questions 22:15 The Importance of Listening and Understanding in Communication 29:54 Reflecting and Reconnecting: The Final Step in the Ask Approach 33:08 Facilitating Better Learning Environments in Organisations