

Happier At Work®
Aoife O'Brien
Happier at Work® is the go-to podcast for client-facing leaders who want to create thriving workplaces where people and businesses succeed. Hosted by career and workplace culture strategist Aoife O’Brien, each episode explores the psychology of work, tackling the biggest challenges and opportunities shaping today’s workplace—from leadership and career growth to workplace culture, imposter syndrome, and employee engagement.
Blending expert insights, psychological research, real-world stories, and actionable strategies, Happier at Work® helps you build a career and workplace where people feel valued, supported, and inspired. Guests include leading psychologists, bestselling authors, and professionals like you who are putting these ideas into practice.
Whether you’re a leader looking to create a high-performing team or an ambitious professional navigating career growth, this podcast gives you the tools to drive real change.
🎧 Subscribe now and join the movement!
Blending expert insights, psychological research, real-world stories, and actionable strategies, Happier at Work® helps you build a career and workplace where people feel valued, supported, and inspired. Guests include leading psychologists, bestselling authors, and professionals like you who are putting these ideas into practice.
Whether you’re a leader looking to create a high-performing team or an ambitious professional navigating career growth, this podcast gives you the tools to drive real change.
🎧 Subscribe now and join the movement!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 11, 2020 • 51min
45: Helen Joy on First Time Managers
Helen Joy and Aoife O’Brien speak about first time managers, and answer the question: what makes a great manager? In this current Covid world, we cover the non-verbal cues and how to check in with people to make sure they’re doing ok. Traditionally the role of the manager has been to make sure that stuff gets done, now it is more focused on getting the best out of people. We talk about the key skills required to be an effective manager, such as communication, including setting clear expectations for the role of the manager, emotional intelligence (self-awareness, self-management in particular), flexibility, adaptability, critical thinking and coaching.
Helen passionately believes that we are all capable of creating a motivating and inspiring workplace if we want to do so.
She is passionate about Leadership and Management Development, particularly aspiring and new managers. She led and developed teams within operational and support environments to achieve results through formal/informal training and coaching.
Helen has held senior operational and training roles in the recruitment industry and has a clear understanding of the need to balance commercial realities and results with people development.
Helen's expertise lies in enabling businesses to grow from the inside out by working with managers to create inspired, motivated, top-performing teams.
Helen’s links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenjoyleadershipgrowth/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeopleSparkltd
Website: http://www.people-spark.co.uk
My social links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien
https://twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQ
https://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.ie
https://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast

Dec 4, 2020 • 45min
44: Katharine Slattery on Effective Mentoring
Katharine Slattery and Aoife O’Brien speak about mentoring: the difference between mentoring and coaching; the benefits of mentoring specifically; what makes an effective mentoring programme. We also talk about the preparation needed for both the mentor and the mentee when it comes to designing and delivering an effective mentoring programme.
Katharine Slattery established Mentoring Resources in 2012, to design and deliver in-person and eLearning training programmes for mentors and mentees participating in mentoring programmes in professional, educational and community settings in Ireland. Katharine believes in the power of mentoring in providing an additional level of support for those going through a time of transition and challenge - whether that is starting off in a new level of education, beginning a new role, or striving for professional or personal development. Mentoring Resources also design, implement and manage mentoring programmes for small and large-scale organisations in Ireland.
Katharine has worked with several Irish Higher Education Institutions, corporate sector and community sector clients, and other organisations such as the HSE, HIQA and the Law Society of Ireland, and has seen first-hand the benefits to mentees, mentors and the organisation in which mentoring is embedded. Katharine is a member of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council and the Women’s Inspire Network. Katharine holds a B.A. and M.A. in English Literature from the Queen’s University of Belfast, as well as a Professional Practice Certificate in Training Development & Delivery from the Irish Institute of Training and Development. She has just begun a post-graduate Diploma in Business in Executive Management.
A mentor provides three Ss – a safe pair of ears, a sounding board, and a source of possible solutions. Amid the noise and competing demands of a workplace environment, it’s not hard to see how the opportunity to have those ears, that sounding board and that source of help could make you ‘Happier At Work’.
Katharine’s links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Trainer4Mentors
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katharineslattery/
Website: https://www.mentoringresources.ie/
My social links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien
https://twitter.com/Empowerment_IE
https://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.ie
https://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast

Nov 27, 2020 • 48min
43: Garima Gupta on Self Care for HR
Garima Gupta and Aoife O’Brien speak about how HR can implement better self-care practices. HR tend to be the ones looking after everyone else, which can lead to increased levels of burnout within the team. We discuss how HR should be the ones to put on their own oxygen mask first and Garima shares some very practical tips on how to make that happen. The advice she shares is applicable not only to HR, but to anyone working in an organisation and who could do with learning ways to deal with burnout and overwhelm.
Garima Gupta- People Geek & Continuous Learner
When the whole world is silent, then even one voice becomes powerful. - Malala Yousufzai
“Your voice matters” no matter who you are and where you are. I had come to this realization as a young adult but somewhere in my career I felt the need to conform and to be politically correct and spoke my truth more diplomatically. I was told that I need to add more please and thank you. Somewhere I lost my voice in all this.
But I found my voice again and more importantly the courage, it requires to use it, a few years back, after a coaching session. I have since been speaking, within and outside my organization about Inclusion, Equity and using your voice, to share my unique perspective of working with a global workforce in constantly changing environments
I have been working as a Global HR leader for over 15 years, across industries and geographies (India, China, Australia, Sub-Saharan Africa, USA, UK and Central American countries). Over these years, I have been having robust conversations about the future of work, creating a better employee experience and investing in talent.
Garima’s links:
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/garimagupta-shrm-scp/
My social links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien
https://twitter.com/Empowerment_IE
https://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.ie
https://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast

Nov 20, 2020 • 44min
42: Casey Ryals on Leading Yourself First
Casey Ryals and Aoife O’Brien speak about his new book Last to Least. Casey shares some wonderful insights about how we can lead ourselves better. Leadership books often cite the importance of leading ourselves before we can lead others, however they don’t address the way to do this. Casey wants to share with the world this new way of thinking and being. He encourages us to make decisions based on our character, or who we are (want to be!) rather than rash decisions and instant gratification. His framework starts by looking at the purpose (why), then the ‘who’ (identitity), before addressing the ‘how’.
Casey Ryals, most recently, is the author of the new published book, Last to Least. For the last decade Casey has helped clients THINK about possible future outcomes, DECIDE how to plan, and MAKE the next wise move. For 7 straight years his insurance agency has been #1 in production in the entire company. He also has a paving and grading company, Ryals Brothers, that just became a million dollar business after only 2 years. But most importantly, Casey is a husband to Alli, a dad to 3 daughters, and a servant leader in his community for the next generation.
Casey’s links:
Website
Instagram http://www.instagram.com/jcaseyryals
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-ryals-8806b721/
Personal FB https://www.facebook.com/casey.ryals.9
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTrKsVMqSmsj9pWRy0U87MA
My social links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien
https://twitter.com/Empowerment_IE
https://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.ie
https://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast

Nov 13, 2020 • 56min
41: Pattie Grimm on Empowering Women Leaders
Pattie Grimm and Aoife O’Brien speak about empowering women at work. Recent studies from McKinsey & Lean In and IBM show that one in four women is considering leaving or stepping back from work duties due to Covid-19. This particularly impacts on women in leadership positions. In this podcast, we discuss ways for women to empower themselves as well as others. Pattie Grimm shares her 5 step approach: 1 Be Strong; 2 Stand Up; 3 Stand Out; 4 Put Yourself First on your List; 5 Rise Up. We speak about supporting not sabotaging other women, business strategy, and returnship programs.
With over 25 years of experience, Pattie is an empowerment expert for organizations, leaders, and women. Her presentations/interviews are empowering, educational, and engaging.
Pattie was a senior leader for several Global Fortune 100 companies. She owns a company focused on empowering women to be the best they can be. She is an author/speaker/ podcast guest/trainer/coach/ women’s advocate.
Pattie was recognized by Executive Women’s Association, Who’s Who in Women’s Leadership. Women of Influence and the State of California. She is the author of Quiet Women Never Changed History – Be Strong, Stand Up and Stand Out – “Let’s Go Kick Some Glass.”
Pattie’s links:
Website www.advantage-training.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/pattie_grimm
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pattie_grimm/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattie-grimm/
Personal FB https://www.facebook.com/pattie.grimm
Business FB https://www.facebook.com/womenkickingglass2
Book offer https://www.womenkickingglass.com/book for only $10.00 including over $200.00 in free bonuses and free S & H. (Free S & H only available in the US). Book is available outside the US on Kindle @ https://www.amazon.com/Quiet-Women-Changed-History-Strong/dp/0692742417
My social links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien
https://twitter.com/Empowerment_IE
https://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.ie

Nov 6, 2020 • 48min
40: Chris Pinner on Wellbeing at Work
Chris Pinner and Aoife O’Brien speak about all things wellbeing at work. We speak about getting leadership buy-in to the wellness programmes in organisations, the basics of wellbeing at work and what that means, the importance of investing in addition to role modelling in an organisation, using statistics versus stories to share about wellbeing at work, e.g 90% of CEOs are investing in wellbeing initiatives, mental wellbeing declined during lockdown, how can senior leaders in your organisation share stories from their own wellbeing journey? How can you tailor your wellbeing approach? Focus on movement, nutrition and mental wellbeing. Set clear boundaries. Use mindfulness and journaling as a way to make space for your own wellbeing. Start small, start today!
Chris is the founder of employee wellbeing company Innerfit.
Chris started his career in Banking and Management Consultancy, where projects regularly demanded working weekends, 12+ hour days and the odd 36-hour shift.
Since founding Innerfit, Chris has conducted a global webinar series for a worldwide broadcaster, led executive-level coaching programmes and ran over 500 client 1-1 sessions. He specialises in sharing practical tips to help people feel and work well.
Chris’s links:
https://www.innerfit.co.uk/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/innerfit/
My social links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien
https://twitter.com/Empowerment_IE
https://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.ie

Oct 30, 2020 • 48min
39: Nate Regier on Seeing People Through
Nate Regier and Aoife O’Brien speak about his latest book, Seeing People Through. This is a fable-based book which focuses on the types in people (rather than types of people). We speak about compassion, the importance of diversity of personality, PCM - observable communication behaviours - hypocrisy; honesty; influence; self-deception; trust, the importance of leveraging diversity towards a shared goal, the importance of personality diversity in D&I, how ‘like attracts like’ creates an echo chamber, values vs belief systems, vs needs satisfaction - 'so what, now what?’ leads to taking action
The 6 types are - thinker, harmoniser, promoter, persister, imaginer, rebel.
Nate Regier, Ph.D. is the CEO and founding owner of Next Element, a global learning consultancy focused on compassionate leadership. Dr. Regier is clinical psychologist and expert in personality, social-emotional intelligence, communication and leadership. Recognized as a Top 100 keynote speaker, he is a Process Communication Model® certifying master trainer. Nate is the author of three books—Beyond Drama: Transcending Energy Vampires, Conflict Without Casualties, and his newest book, Seeing People Through. He hosts a podcast called OnCompassion with Dr. Nate, writes a weekly blog, contributes to multiple industry publications and blogs, and is a regular guest on podcasts.
Nate’s links:
https://www.seeingpeoplethrough.com
My social links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien
https://twitter.com/Empowerment_IE
https://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.ie

Oct 23, 2020 • 2min
Trailer
The podcast returns after an extended break, with lots of juicy content lined up for you well into the new year! You'll find the survey at: https://www.happieratwork.ie/survey and connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien

Jul 24, 2020 • 47min
38: Elysia Hegarty on the future of Wellness
Elysia Hegarty from CPL’s Future of Work institute and I speak about the future of wellness. We speak about work-related stress and burnout, the causes (time pressure, work overload, job insecurity, poor leadership, long hours, lack of progression, not feeling valued). The eight dimensions of wellness are: spiritual, environmental, physical, mental, intellectual, occupational, social, financial. How can our approach to wellness change for the better?
With over 15 years’ experience in Human Resource Management and the Wellness Industry Elysia has combined her expertise to partner with businesses to help develop strategies to attract, engage and retain employees. Working within multiple sectors Elysia helps promote a healthy workforce that supports business needs and enhances productivity and engagement. She does this through a range of strategies including workshops, speaking engagements, workplace wellness strategies and diagnostic assessments. Elysia currently leads the Strategic Wellness service offering within Cpl’s Future of Work Institute.
Links:
Book Multipliers by Liz Wiseman - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0062699172/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_EwvgFbK5E1RC4
Strategic Wellness Whitepaper - http://pages.cpl.com/workplace-wellness-whitepaper.html
Reimagining Wellness Post Covid paper - https://cpl.com/future-of-work-institute/employee-wellbeing-post-covid/
FOW Webinar Series - https://cpl.com/future-of-work-institute/perspectives-during-times-of-change-webinars/
My social links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien
https://twitter.com/Empowerment_IE
www.instagram.com/empowermentcoaching.ie

Jul 17, 2020 • 55min
37: Enrique Rubio from Hacking HR
Enrique Rubio from Hacking HR and I speak about the future of work and the opportunity presented to us during this difficult time. We cover topics such as creativity at work, how there is an opportunity to allow people to be more curious and innovative. Trust featured highly in the podcast - could it be that you are not hiring the right people (because you don't trust them to do their job) or you don't have the right people in the right roles? Companies are not taking advantage of their talent. Your job as a leader is to not unmotivate and uninspire your staff. Provide a balance of support and challenge. Create psychological safety through vulnerability and transparency. Ultimately, be human at work!
Enrique is an HR, Tech and Future of Work expert and keynote speaker and founder of Hacking HR, a global learning community at the intersection of future of work, technology, business and organizations, with thousands of members of all over the world. He came to the United States from Venezuela as a Fulbright Scholar. Prior to coming to the US, Enrique was the CEO at Management Consultants, a firmed specialized in Human Resources in Venezuela. Before Management Consultants, Enrique worked in the telecommunications sector as a Senior Project Engineer for Telefonica. He is also the cofounder of Cotopaxi, a recruitment platform focused on Latin America and the Caribbean. Enrique is a guest author in several blogs about innovation, management and human resources. Most recently Enrique worked as an advisor to the Chief Human Resources Officer at the Inter-American Development Bank. Enrique has over twenty years of experience and is an Electronic Engineer with an Executive Master’s in Public Administration from Maxwell School.
Links:
https://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_do_schools_kill_creativity?language=en
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rubioenrique/
https://hackinghr.io
My social links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien
https://twitter.com/Empowerment_IE
www.instagram.com/empowermentcoaching.ie