

Working Well Beings
Working Well
This podcast explores the unfiltered stories of Workplace Wellbeing leaders. From Wellbeing Managers and Occupational Health to Heads of Global Wellbeing, our guests share the mission to improve the working lives of others.
Join us as we speak to some of the most inspiring wellbeing leaders from a range of different industries around the globe. We ask them to share how their journey into wellbeing started, where it has taken them , and the sometimes surprising things they have learned along the way. It is a chance to hear an unfiltered account of the life of a wellbeing leader.
Join us as we speak to some of the most inspiring wellbeing leaders from a range of different industries around the globe. We ask them to share how their journey into wellbeing started, where it has taken them , and the sometimes surprising things they have learned along the way. It is a chance to hear an unfiltered account of the life of a wellbeing leader.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 26, 2025 • 28min
Moral Injury: Building a Stronger, More Compassionate Workplace with Neil Greenberg
In this episode of the Working Well Beings podcast, Professor Neil Greenberg discusses the concept of moral injury, its effects on individuals across various professions, and the importance of psychological safety in the workplace. He emphasizes the need for realistic job previews and the significance of creating an inclusive environment that fosters open communication. The conversation also explores the challenges and benefits of hybrid working, highlighting the necessity of adapting work to fit individual needs and circumstances.02:03 Understanding Moral Injury09:30 The Importance of Psychological Safety12:03 Creating an Inclusive Work Environment18:02 Navigating Hybrid Working26:57 Conclusion and Future Engagements🔹 Subscribe for more insights: @workingwellcommunity🔹 Learn more about Working Well Community: https://www.workingwell.community/#WorkplaceWellbeing #HealthAndWellbeingAtWork #EmployeeWellbeing #Podcast

Mar 26, 2025 • 34min
How to Build a Wellbeing Strategy That Actually Works with Rachel Lewis
Dr. Rachel Lewis discusses the importance of workplace wellbeing, the development of a maturity assessment framework for organizations, and the need for standards in wellbeing leadership. The discussion covers the challenges of data collection, the pillars of a healthy work environment, and the impact of work intensification on employee wellbeing. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of tailored approaches to wellbeing and the significance of small changes in organizational practices.00:00 Introduction and Personal Connections01:22 Understanding Workplace Wellbeing04:06 Maturity Assessment Framework for Wellbeing07:48 Pillars of a Healthy Work Environment11:09 Challenges in Data Collection and Usage13:42 Establishing Standards for Wellbeing Leadership17:28 The Future of Wellbeing in Organizations23:18 Work Intensification and Its Impact28:43 Strategies for Managing Work Demands🔹 Subscribe for more insights: @workingwellcommunity🔹 Learn more about Working Well Community: https://www.workingwell.community/#WorkplaceWellbeing #HealthAndWellbeingAtWork #EmployeeWellbeing #Podcast

Mar 26, 2025 • 28min
Simplifying Wellbeing: The Future of Workplace Health with Venetia Leigh
Venetia Lee, Director of Wellbeing at Perkbox Vivup, discusses the evolving landscape of employee wellbeing, particularly in light of recent trends such as neurodiversity and financial wellbeing. She highlights the merger of Perkbox and Vivup, emphasizing the need to decouple wellbeing from Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and the importance of creating a comprehensive wellbeing strategy that is accessible and engaging for employees. Venetia also addresses the changing expectations of employees post-COVID, the significance of personalization in wellbeing offerings, and the role of leadership in fostering a culture of health and wellbeing within organizations.00:00 Introduction to Wellbeing Trends02:59 The Merger of Perkbox and Vivup05:52 Decoupling Wellbeing from EAP08:52 Engagement Strategies in Wellbeing11:57 Changing Employee Expectations14:58 Personalization in Financial Wellbeing18:08 Job Design and Employee Wellbeing20:57 Building Resilience in the Workplace24:01 Leadership and Wellbeing Initiatives🔹 Subscribe for more insights: @workingwellcommunity🔹 Learn more about Working Well Community: https://www.workingwell.community/#WorkplaceWellbeing #HealthAndWellbeingAtWork #EmployeeWellbeing #Podcast

Mar 26, 2025 • 30min
Resilience Reimagined: "Why Calm Teams Thrive" with Carole Hickson
In this episode of the Working Well Beings podcast, Carole Hickson discusses the importance of mental health in the workplace, emphasizing a systemic approach that involves both employers and employees. She shares her journey from therapy to training, highlighting the significance of resilience, psychological safety, and empathy in fostering a supportive work environment. Carol also addresses the challenges of toxic positivity and the need for effective communication in organizations. Additionally, she introduces her children's book aimed at teaching resilience techniques to young minds, advocating for mental health education in schools.00:00 Introduction to Mental Health in the Workplace05:31 Understanding Resilience and Its Misconceptions10:13 The Importance of Psychological Safety16:31 Empathy in the Workplace: Balancing Support and Boundaries22:30 Toxic Positivity and Its Impact23:43 Optimism for the Future of Workplace Mental Health24:37 Children's Mental Health: Tools for Resilience27:45 Embedding Mental Health Practices in Daily Life🔹 Subscribe for more insights: @workingwellcommunity🔹 Learn more about Working Well Community: https://www.workingwell.community/#WorkplaceWellbeing #HealthAndWellbeingAtWork #EmployeeWellbeing #Podcast

Mar 26, 2025 • 22min
Beyond Salary: The Real Secret to Employee Happiness with Howard Watson
Howard Watson, Director of People and Workforce Management at Civica, discusses the company's role in providing software solutions for various sectors, including local and central government, health, and education. He shares insights from recent research on workforce management challenges, particularly focusing on recruitment, retention, and the evolving role of line managers. The discussion highlights the importance of company culture, job design, and the impact of remote work on employee engagement and training. Watson emphasizes the need for organizations to prioritize quality interactions and support for line managers to enhance employee wellbeing and productivity.00:00 Introduction to Civica and Its Role in Workforce Management02:48 Trends in Occupational Health and Workforce Management06:02 Challenges in Recruitment and Retention08:50 The Importance of Line Management12:08 Job Design and Employee Wellbeing15:06 Cultural Shifts Post-Pandemic and Brexit18:06 The Future of Training and Development21:07 Conclusion and Key Takeaways🔹 Subscribe for more insights: @workingwellcommunity🔹 Learn more about Working Well Community: https://www.workingwell.community/#WorkplaceWellbeing #HealthAndWellbeingAtWork #EmployeeWellbeing #Podcast

Jan 7, 2025 • 43min
S3 E6 Nicola Hogan
In this episode of the Working Well Beings podcast, host Matt Smeed speaks with Nicola Hogan, the global psychosocial safety and wellbeing lead at Fonterra. They discuss the complexities of psychosocial safety in the workplace, the importance of legislation, and the business case for prioritizing employee wellbeing. Nicola shares her career journey from teaching to wellbeing leadership and emphasizes the need for compassion in effective leadership.
Nicola discusses the importance of engagement and responsibility in leadership, the evolving structure of wellbeing teams, and the future of wellbeing roles within organizations. She emphasizes the need for dedicated wellbeing leadership while acknowledging the complexities of psychosocial risk assessments and the necessity of building relationships within organizations. The discussion also touches on the challenges of implementing effective wellbeing strategies and the importance of self-care for those in wellbeing roles.

Jan 7, 2025 • 44min
S3 E5 Louise Blanchett
In this episode of the Working Well Beings podcast, Matt interviews Louise Blanchett, a wellbeing leader at McDonald. Louise shares her journey from studying psychology to her current role overseeing wellbeing for over 8,500 employees in Europe. The conversation delves into the importance of data analytics in shaping effective wellbeing strategies, the challenges of navigating personal experiences in wellbeing roles, and the innovative project-based initiatives being implemented to address employee wellbeing.
Louise emphasizes the need for a proactive approach to wellbeing, focusing on empowering employees and addressing root causes of stress and workload. In this conversation, Matt and Louise discuss the evolving landscape of wellbeing in organizations, emphasizing the importance of data-driven strategies, effective communication, and the future of wellbeing leadership.
They explore the need for a balance between individual and organizational responsibilities, the role of health and safety in wellbeing, and the potential for standardization and governance in the field. The discussion highlights the interconnectedness of wellbeing, productivity, and employee experience, and the necessity for ongoing collaboration and innovation in this space.

Nov 25, 2024 • 48min
S3 E4 Asbjørn Overgaard
In this episode Matt Smeed interviews Asbjørn Overgaard, who leads Copenhagen Capacity, an organisation focused on attracting international talent to Copenhagen.
They discuss the innovative 'Quality of Life Insurance' campaign aimed at enticing skilled professionals to relocate to the city by offering them a safety net if their experience does not meet expectations.
The conversation explores the importance of quality of life, cultural perceptions, and the challenges of promoting Copenhagen as a viable career destination. Asbjørn shares insights on the demographic challenges Denmark faces and the need for creative approaches to attract talent, emphasising the significance of community safety and work-life balance in making Copenhagen an appealing place to live and work.
In this conversation, Asbjørn Overgaard discusses the dynamics of the life science industry in Denmark, the cultural aspects contributing to workplace happiness, and the importance of trust in Danish society. He highlights the challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises in attracting international talent and the need for cultural training.
The discussion also touches on the integration of foreigners into Danish society and the social dynamics that can make it difficult for newcomers to form local friendships.

Nov 20, 2024 • 51min
S3 E3 Ryan Hopkins
This conversation delves into personal experiences, the impact of engagement in discussions, and the challenges of communication in modern life. It explores how technology influences interactions, the busy lifestyles people lead, and the evolution of work and collaboration. The speakers reflect on leadership and the emergence of new ideas, concluding with thoughts on future directions.

Nov 20, 2024 • 48min
S3 E2 Stacey Ramm
Stacey Ramm, Director of Employee Experience for GKN Automotive, discusses her career in HR and her current role in employee experience. She emphasizes the importance of creating a positive onboarding experience for new employees and the need for realistic job previews. Stacey also explores the broad scope of employee experience, which includes diversity, inclusion, wellbeing, engagement, and more. She highlights the challenges of balancing physical health and safety with psychosocial risk in manufacturing environments. Stacey believes that connecting health and safety with overall wellbeing can drive positive change in organizations. In this conversation, Stacey Ramm and Matt discuss the concept of psychological safety and the challenges of finding a job in the well-being and inclusion space. Stacey shares her personal experience of being made redundant and offers advice for those in a similar position. They also touch on the topic of measuring maturity within a business and the limitations of benchmarking. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the diverse backgrounds of people in the HR field and the importance of customer skills.
Key Takeaways
Creating a positive onboarding experience is crucial for engaging new employees and setting them up for success.
Realistic job previews help manage expectations and reduce turnover within the first year of employment.
Employee experience encompasses various aspects, including diversity, inclusion, wellbeing, and engagement.
Balancing physical health and safety with psychosocial risk is a challenge in manufacturing environments.
Connecting health and safety with overall wellbeing can drive positive change in organizations. Psychological safety is often misunderstood and confused with other related concepts.
Being made redundant can be a challenging and turbulent experience, but taking time for self-care and maintaining a routine can help.
Measuring maturity within a business involves assessing the comfort level and conversations around well-being and inclusion, as well as the organization's ambitions and understanding of the importance of these topics.
Benchmarking can be useful for gathering data, but it should be approached with caution as each organization is unique and comparisons may not be directly applicable.
The HR field attracts professionals from diverse backgrounds, and their varied experiences contribute to their skills and perspectives.
Customer skills gained from previous jobs, such as working in the service industry, can be valuable in HR roles.