Claim OwnershipThe Human-Savvy Podcast
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© 2025 The Human-Savvy Podcast
Description
In this podcast, leaders worldwide can learn how to develop their emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills and... "speak Human".
In each episode, Dr Liv Oginska - an international speaker, psychologist, veterinary surgeon and emotional intelligence expert - meets Dr Emma McConnell - a specialist in Equine Medicine, university lecturer, and entrepreneur - and they answer questions about the people-related leadership challenges that were sent to Human-Savvy from leaders around the globe.
Dr Liv shares practical advice on managing challenging team dynamics and showing up as charismatic, highly emotionally skilled leaders and managers. Dr Emma brings in the leader's perspective, asks deepening questions, and shares her experience of being a manager in both a large organisation and a start-up.
Listeners will learn how to bolster team performance and create trust, create sustainable careers, navigate conflicts between coworkers, manage incivility and so much more.
Tune in to get the support that you deserve and take your leadership skills to the next level!
30 Episodes
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Send us a text What if the most powerful thing a leader can say is “I don’t have it all figured out”? In this episode, Dr Liv Oginska sits down with an extraordinary leader, Nina Bosco. They unpack how vulnerability, clear rituals, and a progress-over-perfection mindset fuel real results across a diverse team. Nina leads veterinarians and corporate affairs professionals in a fast, high-stakes environment, yet her playbook is disarmingly human: distraction-free 1:1s, monthly growth ritua...
Send us a text In this Episode, Dr Liv and Dr Emma unpack five behavioural red flags that chip away at psychological safety and share practical ways leaders can spot patterns early, respond with compassion, and protect a culture of curiosity and learning. The clearest warning sign emerges: when leaders do nothing, culture decides for them. If you can see that something like that is happening in your team and you're thinking, "oh, I really don't know how to navigate it," please feel fre...
Send us a text In this special episode, you can listen to the audio from the newest leadership webinar published by Human-Savvy. “Building a Healthy Workplace Culture - Where to Start?” is the webinar where Dr Liv Oginska shares a practical roadmap for building a healthy, psychologically safe culture in teams using a simple five-part Culture Map. We cover red flags to watch for, the exact questions to ask your team, and how to turn answers into a focused plan you co-create. Find the webinar ...
Send us a text A listener writes in with a relatable issue: a colleague who double-checks everything, asks constant questions, and turns high-stakes work into a crawl. In this episode, Dr Liv and Dr Emma dig into the tension between psychological safety and performance. They also discuss how to give kind, clear feedback without harming psychological safety. Our hosts explore triggers, values, and practical scripts to turn frustration into better teamwork. • mapping when and why over-question...
Send us a text Want to see how a fast-moving company keeps its soul intact? We sit down with Eve, founder and CEO of MI:RNA Diagnostics, and Claudia, former COO and now advisor, for a candid tour of human leadership: how culture is built on daily choices, why conflict can be healthy, and what values look like when they’re more than wall art. From the first question, they make one principle clear—leaders set the example in every hallway chat, Slack thread, and roadmap decision. We dig into th...
Send us a text A letter from a head nurse in a rural hospital lands on the Human-Savvy Team's desk: the team has weathered a wave of departures, new hires are on the way, and major scheduling changes loom. Rather than offering platitudes, Dr Liv and Dr Emma roll up their sleeves and map a path from grief and rumour to clarity and momentum, focusing on psychological safety, structured debriefs, and practical onboarding that protects patient care and team morale. (click here to contact ...
Send us a text 🎙️ New Episode of the Human-Savvy Podcast is here! This time, I had the honour and joy of interviewing an old friend and a real Dragon Slayer 🐉 (Honestly, I’m BUZZING) Dr. Guy Sandelowsky MBA is a veterinarian, entrepreneur, and founder of Omni Pet | B Corp™. He is one of the most authentic people that I have ever met. Despite facing a plethora of challenges on his trail-blazing professional journey, Guy has always remained unapologetically himself. In thi...
Send us a text "There aren't enough hours in the day" takes on new meaning when you're expected to fulfill multiple full-time roles simultaneously. This episode unpacks a letter from a veterinary nurse who's also managing an entire practice while covering nursing shortages—a situation leaving her perpetually behind and completely overwhelmed. Our deep dive reveals a common workplace crisis occurring across healthcare and beyond: talented professionals drowning under impossible workloads with...
Send us a text We dive into a fascinating workplace dilemma from a professional struggling to connect with her email-only manager who avoids all face-to-face interaction. The disconnect creates uncertainty and confusion about their working relationship. In this episode, Dr Liv and Dr Emma discuss: • Different perspectives on why the manager might behave this way • How to approach difficult conversations from a place of curiosity • Navigating workplace gossip and complaining about managers • ...
Send us a text BONUS EPISODE - Module 5, Lesson 1 from the Human-Savvy Medicine Course (HSMC) >>> (click here to access the full course) IMPORTANT! This episode is accompanied by the visual materials that will help you enjoy 100% of the HSMC experience. Click here to access them >>> "Module 5 - Visual Materials" Feeling drained from caring too much? The problem might not be what you think. In this special bonus episode, we share a powerful excerpt from our Human-Savvy Medici...
Send us a text "What got me here isn’t what’s going to get me there. When leaders step into new roles, they need to stop and ask: what behaviours served me before, and which ones do I need to let go of or build now?" — Molly McAllister In this episode, Dr Liv had the honour of interviewing Dr Molly McAllister - Global Chief Medical Officer at Mars Veterinary Health. They discuss: 🧠How values impact your life and decisions 🧠The art of leadership and listening 🧠 Evolving as a Leader 🧠Creating...
Send us a text Communication breakdowns can feel insurmountable, especially when you're an enthusiastic extrovert leading a team of reserved, analytical thinkers. Our latest episode dives into this exact challenge, exploring how different communication styles can create friction despite everyone's best intentions. This conversation unpacks several powerful strategies for bridging the extrovert-introvert divide. Dr Liv and Dr Emma explore why extroverts often rush to share unfiltered ideas an...
Send us a text In this episode, Dr Liv and Dr Emma help a new leader tame a challenging business partnership with a person who resists change and has the attitude of "we've always done it this way." (click here to contact / learn more about Dr Liv Oginska >>> ) (click here to contact / learn more about Dr Emma McConnell >>> Immerse yourself in the following topics: • Understanding the four types of conflict: task, process, status, and relationship • Establishing equa...
Send us a text In this episode, we answer a letter from an introvert who stepped into a role created specifically to manage strong-willed, independent professionals, and our listener suddenly finds herself struggling with assertiveness and accountability. Through practical advice and actionable strategies, Dr Liv and Dr Emma explore how to bridge the expertise gap while still commanding respect. (click here to contact / learn more about Dr Liv Oginska >>> ) (click here to contact / ...
Send us a text Have you ever poured your heart and soul into leading your team, only to feel completely undervalued despite your best efforts? You're not alone. This episode tackles one of leadership's most painful paradoxes - when caring deeply for your team seems to make you more vulnerable to burnout and resentment. In this episode, Dr Liv and Dr Emma share a powerful coaching exercise centered around "Mrs. Paddington," a parable about a dedicated professional who eventually resigns after...
Send us a text What do you do when a colleague treats you as if you're invisible? In this deeply relatable episode, Dr Liv and Dr Emma unpack a listener's letter about workplace incivility that strikes a chord with anyone who's ever felt dismissed or ignored during meetings. This episode, the hosts: explore the passive-aggressive behaviour reveal the psychological underpinnings of workplace incivilitydiscover why most people who demonstrate these behaviours delivere prac...
Send us a text *TRIGGER WARNING* - in this episode, hosts discuss fertility issues Leadership often requires navigating the delicate balance between compassion and accountability, especially when personal challenges collide with professional responsibilities. At the heart of today's conversation lies a powerful question: how can leaders support employees through significant life events while still meeting critical business objectives? Dr Liv and Dr Emma dive deep into a real-world scen...
Send us a text Ever had a manager who responds to every problem with "Just think positive!" or "Don't worry about it"? What might seem like cheerful leadership can actually be toxic positivity in disguise—and it's causing real damage in workplaces everywhere. In this eye-opening episode, Dr Liv and Dr Emma dive deep into a listener's struggle with a company leader who consistently shuts down discussions about workplace issues. While well-intentioned, this avoidance of negativity leaves...
Send us a text What happens when the leader of a healthcare team begins to crumble under the weight of self-doubt? A nursing manager with ten staff members has written to us with a heart-wrenching confession: despite giving their all, they feel they're constantly letting down their team. Every facial expression, every sigh from staff feels like judgment—even though no one has actually said anything negative. This powerful episode explores the dangerous territory of assumption-based leadershi...
Send us a text Our special guest today is Dr. Belinda Hopper. She shares her leadership journey as the founding director of Animalius Veterinary Hospital in Western Australia, revealing how leadership requires balancing thriving and surviving while creating a workplace where staff can breathe, be seen, and feel valued. The Human-Savvy Team is deeply grateful for Belinda's openness, vulnerability, and energising spirit. She's a true role model of supportive and emotionally intellig...
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