ROW: Workplace Wellbeing Podcast

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.   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

In this episode, we’re joined by Liam Scopes, Air New Zealand’s Strategic Wellbeing Manager. Few industries were as impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic as air travel. International borders closed and the ability to move people and freight was significantly affected by the crisis. Air New Zealand has been through a period of significant changes to its operations, headcount, and structure over the past few years. First, there was a rapid downsizing as the business shrank in response to the pandemic. And then, an equally rapid growth phase as normal operations resumed.   Liam shares his experience on the practicalities of managing the many wellbeing needs of a diverse, global organisation of around 10,000 employees through one of the most challenging periods imaginable. So fasten your seatbelts and stow your bags as we talk about leading wellbeing through turbulent times. Be a wellbeing leader. Join ROW

In this episode, we take a deep-dive on long Covid, hidden disabilities and chronic illnesses, and how workplaces can rethink work and be more supportive. Invisible or hidden disabilities are disabilities that are not immediately apparent. They are typically chronic illnesses that impact day-to-day living. As many as one in 10 of us could have one. They range from learning differences, deafness, autism, traumatic brain injury, bipolar disorder, diabetes, ADHD, fibromyalgia, arthritis, sleep disorders, and many more. With Long Covid increasing, wellbeing managers are going to need to understand and plan for this emerging issue. We're joined by UK-based disability advocate and author Ted Smith. Ted is the author of Hidden Disabilities and Conditions; Creating an Inclusive Workplace. Together, we discuss chronic illness management and how that impacts wellbeing in the workplace.   Be a wellbeing leader. Join ROW

In this episode, we’re delighted to be joined by Melissa Doman, US-based Organisational Psychologist, Former Clinical Mental Health Therapist, & Author of Yes, You Can Talk About Mental Health at Work (Here’s Why And How To Do It Really Well). Melissa has presented and consulted for organizations and Fortune 500 companies across industries and around the world, including clients such as Google, Dow Jones, Microsoft, and more. We look at why you should have mental health conversations, and critically, how to do so, as well as dive into some of the key objections you might face in encouraging line managers from having mental health conversations – everything from "I’m not a therapist" to "I don’t want to say the wrong thing".   Be a wellbeing leader. Join ROW  

In this episode, we are delighted to be joined by Chris Jones, Chief Safety and Wellbeing Officer at Ara Poutama, New Zealand’s Department of Corrections. Prior to his role in Corrections, Chris held roles at WorkSafe New Zealand (where he led the Strategy, Guidance and Standards, and Occupational Health teams), Network Rail (as Head of Occupational Health and Wellbeing Strategy) and Nuffield Health (as Head of Physiology). Through our discussion, we try to define what wellbeing actually is (and what it isn’t), how we can create the right systems and conditions that allow wellbeing to emerge, and how we can best attempt to quantify those factors in an effort to measure success. We also discuss the emergence of wellbeing as a profession, and opportunities to grow and shape it in the coming years.   Be a wellbeing leader. Join ROW

We’re delighted to be joined by Adele Saunders, Manager of Psychological Health and Wellbeing at St John. In this episode, we talk through the massive influence that managers and peers have in providing first-level mental health and psychosocial support, and insights from a workplace where things like psychological trauma and PTSD are real risks that need to be actively managed. Be a leader. Join ROW

Over the next little while, we’ll be exploring diversity and inclusion as part of our podcast series. This episode explores inclusive wellbeing from a Māori worldview. When it comes to workplace wellbeing, inclusivity is important. An inclusive, diverse workplace culture fosters a sense of belonging, safety, and purpose for employees, which in turn helps to increase wellbeing and productivity. It improves social connectedness and belonging; and reduces discrimination, prejudice, and harassment. It supports people to bring their whole selves to work. Joining us is Stacey Morrison (Te Arawa, Ngai Tahu), one of NZ’s most recognisable broadcasters across radio and TV. She and her husband Scotty Morrison co-wrote ‘Māori at Home’ to help other families use te reo in everyday settings, and Stacey’s first children’s book, ‘My First Words in Māori’, became a number-one bestseller. We’ll be exploring some of the cornerstones of wellbeing from this perspective, along with barriers and myths in the workplace and the actions workplaces can take to ensure wellbeing programs are truly inclusive.   Be a leader. Join ROW

Over the next little while, we’ll be exploring diversity and inclusion as part of our podcast series. This episode explores inclusive wellbeing from a sexual and gender identity perspective. When it comes to workplace wellbeing, inclusivity is important. An inclusive, diverse workplace culture fosters a sense of belonging, safety, and purpose for employees, which in turn helps to increase wellbeing and productivity. It improves social connectedness and belonging; and reduces discrimination, prejudice and harassment. It supports people to bring their whole self to work. Joining us is José Taiapa from Rainbow Tick. Rainbow Tick is about accepting and valuing people in the workplace, and embracing the diversity of sexual and gender identities. A supportive work environment that is accepting of peoples’ differences benefits everybody in your organisation. We’ll be exploring some of the cornerstones of wellbeing from this perspective, along with barriers and myths in the workplace and the actions workplaces can take to ensure wellbeing programs are truly inclusive. Be a leader. Join ROW

Addressing psychosocial risk factors is an important part of creating a robust wellbeing strategy.  It can be the difference between a wellbeing program that takes a bandaid approach and a wellbeing strategy that gets to the heart of workplace wellbeing issues.   So has the pandemic changed psychosocial risk factors, and what can organisations to do identify and mitigate these risks?   Joining us to explore this important topic is Professor Bevan Catley from Massey University. Drawing on the extensive New Zealand Barometer research and other new research works, Bevan takes us on a journey to better understand the topic and the top issues. He also provides tips for wellbeing managers to better support employees now and in the future.   Be a leader. Join ROW

In this episode, we're joined by mental health advocate Jimi Hunt to explore the concept of 'mental health literacy' and why language matters. While mental health awareness has improved over the years - there is still a gap between knowing about mental health and taking actions towards better mental health. We discuss how to obtain and maintain positive mental wellness, how to understand mental health problems and seek support, and how to decrease stigma in the workplace.   Our guest: Jimi Hunt Jimi is the co-founder of the charity Live More Awesome and is most well known for his work in reducing the stigma around mental health in a distinctly colourful way. He is a Guinness World Record holder, two times TEDx speaker, a regular panellist on morning radio/TV shows and has been the subject of a documentary and two feature episodes of a major US Network show highlighting his unique and highly successful exploits into raising awareness of mental health.   Be a leader. Join ROW

In this interview, we take a look at a workplace wellbeing case study.  Our guest is Nicky Primrose, Health, Safety & Wellbeing Business Partner at Mitre 10. Mitre 10 has been a part of New Zealand's home improvement culture since 1974. It is New Zealand-owned and operated, and is New Zealand's largest home improvement and garden retailer. As a co-operative spread from Kaitaia to Invercargill, Mitre 10 is committed to the wellbeing of its team of over 5,000 people. Of course, recent events with COVID-19 have meant the operations support team has needed to come up with new and innovative ways to support their people, manage risk and sustain the business. Nicky shares the Mitre 10 wellbeing journey, including insights, lessons learned, and what's ahead for the community-minded business.   Be a leader. Join ROW