Revolutionaries of Wellbeing: Breaking Burnout Culture

Ever worked in a team that just clicked - where everyone had each other’s backs and you felt like you belonged? What if you could create that on purpose? Turns out, you can, and it’s not just about being nice. It’s about leadership, clarity, and knowing what gets in the way. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Emma Clarke - a Kiwi researcher and specialist, currently based in Europe. Emma’s just wrapped up her PhD on leadership, psychological safety, and wellbeing in professional services, and she’s now channeling that research into a new startup. We dive into her key findings, including a practical 3-Factor Model of Psychological Safety, which is incredibly timely. Whether you’re leading a team or working to shift culture in your organisation, there’s something in this for you.    Share your thoughts: We'd love to hear from you! Leave a review and let us know what you enjoyed most about this episode.   Get more: For episode chapters, highlights, and key takeaways, head to rowwellbeing.com/podcast   Boost your wellbeing and make a difference at work:  Join ROW - together, we can break burnout culture for good.

What if the key to ending burnout culture is in the stories of those who’ve lived it and come out the other side? In this powerful episode of the Revolutionaries of Wellbeing podcast, three prominent New Zealand leaders open up about their personal journeys through crisis and recovery. In this episode, we're joined by: Joanna Sinclair, Chief Wellbeing Officer (then National Clinical Lead for Employee Wellbeing) at Te Whatu Ora Health NZ and Consultant Anaesthetist,  Rob Beard, Owner of Beard Brothers Smallgoods, and Matthew Tukaki, Chair of the National Māori Authority This is a real and honest conversation about the toll of burnout, mental health struggles, and physical challenges on leadership. Our guests share their personal experiences, what helped them recover, and why self-care matters - especially for leaders. We’ll also talk about practical ways to support employees through tough times. We also touch on suicide in this episode, so if anything feels heavy, please reach out to your trusted people or call a local support helpline. As our guests say, these conversations matter.   Share your thoughts: We'd love to hear from you! Leave a review and let us know what you enjoyed most about this episode.   Get more: For episode chapters, highlights, and key takeaways, head to rowwellbeing.com/podcast   Boost your wellbeing and make a difference at work:  Join ROW - together, we can break burnout culture for good.

When it comes to wellbeing at work, body image isn’t often (ever?) at the top of the priority list. Yet, it can have a profound impact on how people perceive themselves and their abilities in the workplace. Our relationship with our bodies doesn't stay at home when we go to work. It comes with us and can affect our confidence, willingness to contribute and speak up, and ultimately, our career growth. Years of research have linked body image to factors such as self-esteem and mental health. Emerging research has linked it to workplace factors like job satisfaction and social engagement. In this episode, we’re joined by advocate, speaker, and coach Emma Wright to discuss body image, its impact on work, and some key differences we need to be aware of. We’ll also discuss practical steps organisations can take to support healthy body image discussions and reduce harm, and the steps we can all take to foster a healthy body image for the next generation. This is an important conversation - and one that’s long overdue.   Share your thoughts: We'd love to hear from you! Leave a review and let us know what you enjoyed most about this episode.   Get more: For episode chapters, highlights, and key takeaways, head to rowwellbeing.com/podcast   Boost your wellbeing and make a difference at work:  Join ROW - together, we can break burnout culture for good.   And make sure you subscribe so you don't miss an episode!

If your workplace thinks wellbeing is puppies and popsicles, then this episode is for you. Getting your colleagues engaged in wellbeing at work can be hard. Even in organisations where safety is a huge focus, it doesn’t always mean they actually get what wellbeing is all about. So, what can you do? Today, I’m joined by Leora Hornstein, an award-winning wellbeing specialist at Cenovus Energy in Canada. For the record, Leora and I often catch up, over time zones and continents to share ideas and chat all things wellbeing. She is an absolute superstar. Leora started as a nurse before moving in a dedicated wellbeing role. In this episode, we’ll dive into what wellbeing looks like in the energy sector, explore the unique challenges of embedding wellbeing in a safety-focused organisation, and discuss her incredible advocacy for mental health awareness. Plus, we’ll unpack emerging trends in workplace wellbeing. No matter your workplace or location, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!   Share your thoughts: We'd love to hear from you! Leave a review and let us know what you enjoyed most about this episode.   Get more: For episode chapters, highlights, and key takeaways, head to rowwellbeing.com/podcast   Boost your wellbeing and make a difference at work:  Join ROW - together, we can break burnout culture for good.   And make sure you subscribe so you don't miss an episode!  

Today’s podcast guest shared a startling statistic: we spend a whopping 82,000 hours of our lives at work. While many of us are great at prioritising our physical health outside the office - going for runs, eating well, walking in nature - we often forget about our physical wellbeing in the place where we spend most of our waking hours – especially if we’re desk-bound. It's a bit of a disconnect and it could be harmful in the long run. In this episode, we’re joined by Agnes Lisowska Masson from Logitech. Agnes is an expert in human-computer interaction, working in the lab to discover what really works.  We explore how to make our workspaces work for us, not against us, and we look at how small changes in our daily routines can make a big difference. No matter where you're working - from home, in a shared office space, or in a traditional office setting - this episode is packed with useful tips to help you work smarter and create a happy desk space that will boost your 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.   Get more: For episode chapters, transcript, highlights, and key takeaways, head to rowwellbeing.com/podcast   Be a champion for change in your workplace: Join ROW - together, we can break burnout culture for good.

Psychosocial safety is the latest buzzword in health, safety, and wellbeing circles, and for a good reason. Australia has led the charge in bringing psychosocial hazards into the spotlight, sparking important conversations about why every business must address them. But when it comes to understanding what psychosocial hazards are, and how to manage them, things can get confusing. There’s a lot of jargon and a lot to get your head around. So, how do big organisations handle this? Today, we’ll explore a case study from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Waka Kotahi, looking at how they structured their approach to psychosocial hazards. Our guests are Shelley Easton and Ryan Young from NZTA Waka Kotahi, who will walk us through how their organisation used ISO 45003 as a framework. They’ll share how they secured senior leader buy-in, implemented effective controls, and set up systems to continuously monitor their impact. It’s all about making real, meaningful progress - because perfect isn’t the goal. If you’re a wellbeing champion, HR professional, or health and safety manager, you’ll want to stick around for this one. There’s so much to learn from Waka Kotahi’s experience and plenty of practical takeaways to bring back to your workplace.   Share your thoughts: We'd love to hear from you! Leave a review and let us know what you enjoyed most about this episode.   Get more: For episode chapters, transcript, highlights, and key takeaways, head to rowwellbeing.com/podcast   Be a champion for change in your workplace: Join ROW - together, we can break burnout culture for good.

Imagine a workplace where giving feedback feels completely safe and normal - a place where you can share your ideas or concerns without worrying that things might go badly. Unfortunately, many of us hold back from speaking up because we’ve either felt dismissed before or experienced situations where it all went wrong. But what if we could change that? In this episode, we’re diving into psychological safety with executive leadership coach and author Suzi McAlpine. She explains why it’s essential for team engagement and decision-making, and how to foster trust within your team to combat burnout and enhance wellbeing and performance. We’ll also cover the telltale signs of low psychological safety, the role of vulnerability in leadership, and the simple shifts that can make feedback a natural part of your team’s culture. This one is great for people leaders!   Share your thoughts: We'd love to hear from you! Leave a review and let us know what you enjoyed most about this episode.   Get more: For episode chapters, transcript, highlights, and key takeaways, head to rowwellbeing.com/podcast   Be a champion for change in your workplace: Join ROW - together, we can break burnout culture for good.

Sleep is something we all do, and yet it’s a bit of a mystery. How much do we really need? What happens when we sleep? And why is it sometimes so hard to achieve, no matter how hard we try? These questions affect millions of people worldwide, impacting their health, life satisfaction, and productivity.  In this episode, we explore sleep with Bernice Tuffery, a sleep health advocate and author of "Sleep Easy". Bernice's journey from struggling with insomnia to becoming a sleep health coach is both inspiring and full of useful insights for anyone looking to improve their sleep. We also discuss how workplaces can support their employees' sleep health, creating a more productive and healthier work environment. Whether you're a night owl, an early bird, or somewhere in between, this episode is packed with practical strategies and interesting insights to help you rethink your approach to sleep.    Share your thoughts: We'd love to hear from you! Leave a review and let us know what you enjoyed most about this episode.   Get more: For episode chapters, transcript, highlights, and key takeaways, head to rowwellbeing.com/podcast   Be a champion for change in your workplace: Join ROW - together, we can break burnout culture for good.

In this episode, we’re exploring the profound impact trauma can have on people, teams, and organisations, and how workplaces can better respond and be more trauma-aware. We’ll unpack the difference between stress and trauma, and look at how events like the COVID-19 pandemic have reshaped our sense of wellbeing. To better understand the effects of trauma, we’re joined by Ross Anderson, an Australian-based registered psychologist, executive coach, and leadership development expert. Ross has led complex change initiatives across sectors like Defence, Health, and Utilities, and formerly served as Director of MBS Mt Eliza executive education. He brings extensive experience in trauma management, having served as Director of the National Trauma Clinic. Ross has been on the ground responding to critical incidents like the Queen St., Hoddle Street, and Port Arthur massacres, workplace injuries, and fatalities. His deep understanding offers invaluable insights into creating trauma-informed workplaces. Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode: A better understanding of what trauma is and how it’s different from ongoing stress Key signs to look for in team members who may be experiencing trauma How different generations might respond to trauma The link between burnout and trauma—and why it’s important to recognize Practical steps for fostering a trauma-informed workplace Whether you’re a leader, an HR professional, or simply looking to understand trauma in the workplace better, this episode provides valuable tools and insights to help you create a healthier, more supportive environment for your team, even during the toughest of times.   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.   Get more: For episode chapters, transcript, highlights, and key takeaways, head to rowwellbeing.com/podcast   Be a champion for change in your workplace: Join ROW - together, we can break burnout culture for good.

**We've had a name change! This podcast is now called Breaking Burnout Culture. It was Workplace Wellbeing, but we've made the change to better reflect our mission. It's still all the content you know and love.** In this episode, ROW Alumni Chris Hewitt chats with Dean Yates, author of Line in the Sand. Dean Yates was the ideal warzone correspondent: courageous, compassionate, and dedicated. After years of facing the worst, including covering the Bali bombings and the Boxing Day tsunami, one final incident undid him. In this gritty and compelling interview, Dean shares his lived experience of trauma, PTSD, moral injury and his three admissions to the Ward 17 psych unit in Melbourne, Australia. There are lessons we can all learn from Dean’s story, and obvious actions for workplaces to ensure they protect their people.   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.   Get more: For episode chapters, transcript, highlights, and key takeaways, head to rowwellbeing.com/podcast   Be a champion for change in your workplace: Join ROW - together, we can break burnout culture for good.

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!

Wellbeing starts at the top of an organisation, which means we need senior leaders to be committed and engaged. So how can you influence leaders in your workplace? In this episode, we talk to a leader who is more than walking the talk. Hugh Goddard, Managing Director at Pipeline & Civil, is a role model for embracing and leading a people-first culture. We’ll talk about the role of senior leaders in being a champion for wellbeing and we’ll explore how wellbeing advocates can influence up. We’ll also look at some of the challenges of wellbeing in the construction sector and how Hugh has tackled these head-on.   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!

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!

Auckland Transport (AT) is a large, complex, public organisation with a wide range of physical and psychosocial risks to manage. This interview was recorded in mid-2023 when we were joined by AT’s then-People Experience Lead Jessica Hayes to take a look at their wellbeing strategy and some of the award-winning initiatives that they had rolled out over the last two years. We’ll also look at the process of developing an effective wellbeing strategy and how to truly bring it to life. Be a champion for change in your workplace. Join ROW - get started for free today!

Bullying behaviours and attitudes can very extremely damaging. But if you do have a bully at work? And what can you do to proactively change their behaviours and the culture they create? What assistance and support can you give to the target of those behaviours? In this episode, we’re joined by workplace bullying specialist Michael Plowright, founder of Working Well Together. We discuss all things bullying, prevention and remediation. And what you can do to address this important issue in your workplace. Be a champion for change in your workplace. Join ROW - get started for free today!

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!

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!

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

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

In this episode, we chat with Dr Georgi Toma, Founder and CEO of Heart & Brain Works. We talk about how many of the drivers of the current ‘Great Resignation’ have their origins traced back to poor management of psychosocial hazards. This could stem from a lack of psychological safety, poor culture, or leaders that lack the capabilities and skills to lead for wellbeing. We also look at the neurobiological responses to workplace stress and how they can be understood and managed. Be a wellbeing leader. Join ROW