Dr. Laura welcomes Pamela Buchanan, the Founder of Quantum Sense, to the podcast to discuss the innovation of Soul Health and why it’s a missing component in today’s workplaces. Pam worked in corporate America, including at Nasdaq, for over forty years before investing over a decade of research into the concepts and framework for Soul Health. Pam defines what the soul is and how nourishing it is connected to workplace environments and individual well-being. A three-step program called Ground, Elevate, Evolve is one of the main focuses of Pam’s business, Quantum Sense. Pam asserts that people are not grounded in themselves and don’t know themselves at a deep level, a soul level. Part of reaching the soul is rooted in aesthetics - smell, touch, sound - and how these variables affect each individual differently. Pam’s research into how the sensory information in our environments calibrates with our nervous systems highlights aspects of neuroaesthetics and sound engineering, showcasing a system rooted in neuroscience more than religion. Pam and Dr. Laura explore the key trio of soul, mind, and body in their conversation and why neglecting the soul contributes to unhealthy workplaces. “You know, it has been more difficult than I thought to get business because I speak directly about the soul, and it's just not a common term that you see in business every day. And that's why I try to say no, it's a part of a person that they bring into work every day. You've tackled the physical; you wouldn't want an unhealthy workplace, so you give them tools to keep their physical presence healthy. Why wouldn't you give them tools to keep their soul presence healthy?” - Pamela BuchananAbout Pamela Buchanan:Pam Buchanan, the founder of Quantum Sense, stands at the intersection of corporate prowess and soulful innovation. With over 40 years of experience in corporate America, including pivotal roles at Nasdaq where she worked closely with tech titans like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, Pam brings extensive experience to the table. Her journey to Quantum Sense began with a profound assertion: that the modern world is missing a focus on a very vital contributor to success, Soul Health. This insight spurred over a decade of research culminating in her innovative concepts and frameworks. Pam's background uniquely positions her to understand the evolving corporate landscape and the benefit of putting an emphasis on a connection to the senses to drive Soul Health and holistic wellbeing at work. Pam has developed programs tailored for companies that are proven to enhance employee well-being, reduce anxiety, and boost creativity, ultimately fostering a more satisfying work-life balance. Covering topics from neuro-aesthetics to sound engineering, Pam explores how these can be used to benefit the soul from the outside in, through the gateway of the senses. As a podcast guest, Pam offers a unique perspective rooted in her corporate experience, deep understanding of Soul Health, and her commitment to ushering in a future where individuals thrive both personally and professionally with Soul Health valued as widely as physical health and mental health.Resources:Website: TheQuantumSense.comLinkedIn: Pam-Buchanan“Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us” by Susan Magsamen and Ivy RossLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Dr. Laura welcomes Jana Boyko, business coach and author of Bedside Business Plan and the upcoming Employee to Entrepreneur, to the podcast for a conversation on entrepreneurship and self confidence. Jana describes her journey from doing a BCom and working for a marketing firm to striking out on her own as an entrepreneur and the failures and successes she experienced on that path. Dr. Laura learns how Jana’s guided journals are designed to guide entrepreneurs through the steps of starting a business with a focus on understanding ourselves and our ideas. Jana chose the guided journal format for both Bedside Business Plan and Employee to Entrepreneur because of the enlightening experience she had when she put pen to paper and removed the barrier of the screen from her journaling. Dr. Laura and Jana discuss that what holds entrepreneurs, especially woman, back from business success isn’t necessarily a lack of business skills but a prevailing sense of self-doubt and fear of judgment. Businesses aren’t built in isolation but in connection, support, and learning from those who went before, and this episode highlights how Jana is laying a foundation for true understanding of the journey ahead, based on her own insights, for future entrepreneurs.“Make a list of 20 reasons why you are going to be a successful entrepreneur. Include your past, you know, achievements, personality traits, things people love about you, great feedback you've gotten in the past, and then reference that list every single day. Because I think especially when you're entering new territory as an entrepreneur, you feel so wobbly. I felt so wobbly when I when I became an entrepreneur, even though I had the business background. But it's really important to fortify yourself and to remember who you are in this experience, and to remember everything that you are bringing to entrepreneurship, so that when self-doubt does come up, when the fear does come up, you can really have this list that sort of replaces that fear, right?” - Jana BoykoAbout Jana Boyko:In the last decade, Jana has worked with over 100 brands and businesses from the very small to the very big. She’s the author of Bedside Business Plan, a guided journal for aspiring entrepreneurs, which has climbed to national success since launching with Indigo in 2022 and being named a Staff Pick in January 2023. Jana’s body of work is dedicated to helping people expand into their highest potential while building businesses in ways that are both sustainable and life-giving. She has been featured as an expert on CBC, Breakfast Television, and The Eyeopener in addition to delivering a number of important talks at organizations and institutions like Elate Cosmetics, the University of Calgary, and Royal Roads University.Jana’s second guided journal, Employee to Entrepreneur, is available for pre-order now.Resources:Website: BedsideBusinessPlan.comLinkedIn: JanaBoykoLinkedIn: Bedside-Business-PlanInstagram: @bedsidebusinessplanTiktok: @bedsidebusinessplanFacebook: BedsideBusinessPlanConfessions of a Female Founder with Meghan podcastLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Dr. Laura welcomes everyone to Season 6 of Where Work Meets Life™ in this introductory episode, which lets us in on what to expect from the podcast’s sixth season, why Dr. Laura does what she does, and what she plans to bring to the world going forward. Season 6 dovetails with the upcoming January 2026 release of her new book, “I Wish I’d Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating and Escaping a Toxic Boss”, and conversations with other experts in the realm of narcissism, bullying, and toxic workplaces will help underscore the importance of the subject.Where Work Meets Life™ is a labor of love for Dr. Laura, a place where she can share her knowledge and experience as a workplace culture expert, and address how workplaces and the humans who power them can thrive. Episodes featuring guests such as Michael Hingson, Laura Munson, Jeffrey Deskovic, Jia Rizvi, Pam Buchanan, and others will shine a light on such topics as the need for soul in the workplace, tips for career fulfillment, advocacy for the wrongfully convicted, and what makes great leadership. Dr. Laura continues to share important messages, explore how we can find wellness in work and in life, and shine a light on people who are changing the world. “I'm talking about being compassionate. We're all on this human adventure together, and we are in a world full of curveballs, and we need to be compassionate to what one another is dealing with. So I will continue to bridge the research with the real world and the challenges facing humans and organizations. And I'll bring a diversity of guests globally.” Dr. LauraAbout Dr. Laura:Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett is a work and career psychologist and thought leader on the evolution of work. She has always been fascinated by how work intersects with life and loves to use her expertise to improve organizations and help people thrive. Her passion for taking creative ideas and launching them into successful business strategies led her to start three counselling psychology practices (Calgary Career Counselling, Canada Career Counselling, and Synthesis Psychology), as well as six different business brands offering organizational assessment and consulting services.Dr. Laura is honoured to have been selected as a Woman of Distinction in Canada in 2014 and received a Canadian Woman of Inspiration Award as a Global Influencer in 2018. Her new book, I Wish I’d Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating and Escaping a Toxic Boss, releases in January 2026 and is available for pre-order on Amazon.Resources:“I Wish I’d Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating and Escaping a Toxic Boss” by Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett - pre-order available nowDr. Laura on LinkedInWhere Work Meets Life™ on YouTubeLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Dr. Laura welcomes Dr. Esther Sternberg, M.D., a Professor, Research Director, Speaker, and Author of the books Well at Work, Healing Spaces, and The Balance Within, to the podcast to talk about wellness at work and how workplace environments impact employees. Dr. Sternberg shares her career journey from her start in medical family practice through to becoming the Research Director at the Andrew Weil Center of Integrative Medicine. She and Dr. Laura talk about what factors impact health and overall wellness at work and how these can be improved.Dr. Sternberg delves into the insights in her book Well at Work and explains the seven domains of integrative health as defined by the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. Sleep, resilience, environment, movement, relationships, spirituality, and nutrition are the seven domains, and they include things like how quickly we bounce back from stress, how clean our air is, and access to nature. Dr. Laura and Dr. Sternberg examine how office design, environmental location, common spaces that encourage relationships, and even temperature all play a key role in our workplace health. The conversation sheds light on how work isn’t simply a place to invest time into productivity, but can positively or negatively impact our overall lives, and how redefining workplaces is a vital part of future discussions. “... if you're feeling too stressed or too activated, you want to do something that will tone down that stress response so you can perform at peak... If you're too stressed, you freeze, you're unable to focus. You're unable to do the job, the task at hand. So what helps you to move that stress response from the extreme danger zone back to performing at peak is places where you can go offline a little bit, where you can effectively meditate even though you're not sitting there with crossed legs in a lotus position in a yoga studio, although having spaces where some people can do that is is also beneficial. But a space, for example, [like] the gardens. To just walk in the gardens, to just take your brain off the computer for a while and focus on the green, on the plants.” - Dr. Esther SternbergAbout Dr. Esther Sternberg, M.D.:Dr. Esther Sternberg is internationally recognized for her discoveries in the science of the mind-body interaction in illness and healing, and the role of place in wellbeing. She is a pioneer and major force in collaborative initiatives on mind-body-stress-wellness and environment interrelationships. A dynamic speaker, she engages her audience with passion for her subject and compassion as a physician. Through stories, she provides listeners with many take-home tips to help them cope with stress and thrive, and to create wellbeing spaces wherever they work or live. Dr. Sternberg’s three popular, highly readable, informative, and scientifically based books are inspirations for lay persons and professionals alike, seeking answers to the complexities and 21st-century frontiers of stress, place, healing, and wellness. Her award-winning book, WELL at WORK: Creating Wellbeing in Any Workspace (Little, Brown Spark, 2023) was named a Top Ten Lifestyle Book for Fall 2023 by Publishers Weekly and received the OWL (Outstanding Works of Literature) Longlist Award. Her two previous science-for-the-lay public books, Healing Spaces: The Science of Place and Well-Being and The Balance Within: The Science Connecting Health and Emotions, are landmark in its field. Healing Spaces was recognized by the President of the American Institute of Architects as an inspiration for launching the AIA’s Design and Health Initiative and has inspired the implementation of healing spaces in hospitals across the country and around the world. Currently, Research Director, Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine and Founding Director of the University of Arizona Institute on Place, Wellbeing & Performance, she holds the Inaugural Andrew Weil Chair for Research in Integrative Medicine and is a Research Professor of Medicine with joint appointments as Professor in Psychology, Architecture, and Planning & Landscape Architecture, and in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness. As Senior Scientist and Section Chief, National Institutes of Health (1986-2012), she directed the NIH Integrative Neural Immune Program, Co-Chaired the NIH Intramural Program on Research on Women’s Health, and chaired a subcommittee of the NIH Central Tenure Committee. Dr. Sternberg has advised the World Health Organization; the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine; the International WELL Building Institute; the Royal Society, London; the Vatican, where she was presented to Pope Benedict XVI; and has briefed high-level U.S. Federal Government officials, including the Surgeon General, National Institutes of Health leadership, and the Department of Defence. Her two decades-long research with the U.S. General Services Administration, using wearable devices to track health and wellbeing in the built office environment, is informing healthy design standards and COVID re-entry across the federal government and the private sector.Among other honors, she moderated a panel with the Dalai Lama, was recognized by the National Library of Medicine as one of the women who “Changed the Face of Medicine,” served as a member and Chair of NLM’s Board of Regents, and received an Honorary Doctorate in Medicine from Trinity College, Dublin, on its 300th Anniversary. She has authored over 240 scholarly articles, edited 10 technical books on the topic of brain-immune connections and design and health, and writes a monthly blog for Psychology Today, it has garnered tens of thousands of readers on subjects including stress and illness, gratitude and wellness, and place and wellbeing. She co-created and hosted the PBS Television Special, The Science of Healing with Dr. Esther Sternberg, and is frequently interviewed in the lay press and media, including NPR, BBC, CBC radio; PBS, ABC, CBS 60 Minutes, Overtime television, the Washington Post, LA Times, U.S. News and World Report, Reader’s Digest, Prevention Magazine, The Oprah Magazine, and numerous podcasts, among others. She received her M.D. from McGill University, and trained in rheumatology at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Canada.Resources:Website: EstherSternberg.comBook: “Well at Work: Creating Wellbeing in any Workspace” by Esther M. Sternberg, MDInstagram: @dresternbergLinkedInLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Dr. Laura welcomes Kirkland Shave, co-founder of the Mountain Trek health reset retreat, back to Where Work Meets Life™ for an honest and open conversation about mindful health and steering clear of binge or bust thinking in our eating and social situations. Dr. Laura uses her own life after her experience at Mountain Trek to illustrate the kind of “falling off the wagon” thinking that we tend to catastrophize. Kirk showcases how Laura, and by extension, each one of us, can shift our thinking to offer ourselves more grace. Dr. Laura openly shares some of the nutritional and social choices she made that she views as falling off the health wagon and discusses with Kirk why one-off situations should not redirect our entire health focus into one of negativity. Kirk emphasizes self-compassion, a way of accepting the days when we can’t make the health choices we want to and simply allowing them to happen before getting back into our routine. Their conversation includes a vulnerable talk about alcohol and social drinking, the variety of non-alcoholic craft beer/cocktail options available, how to avoid instinctive self-judgment when we make an unhealthy choice, and ways to incorporate mindful health into events and travel. This episode offers a way forward after we’ve made a less-than-nutritious choice without the guilt that society demands we bear.“I think contextualizing our life in what we do the most matters the most, rather than the one-offs that we should be hard on ourselves about. Okay, so, in that week, that one meal and maybe there's another one at the conference that you didn't have much control over. Those two meals are not going to be a deal breaker or a derailment for your whole life, or make you give up [your] conscious focus on eating well. So I think it's really about us having a bit of grace for what comes up day to day in our lives that is unexpected. That was an unexpected occurrence that you didn't really have control over.” - Kirkland ShaveAbout Kirkland Shave:Kirkland Shave, founder and president of the world-renowned Mountain Trek program, now offers off-site interactive and eye-opening workshops — grounded in anthropological health science — to help professionals integrate lasting steps in reaching optimal wellness. With an inspiring, practical, and actionable message, Kirkland helps people see their own health through a fresh and practical lens.With half- and full-day interactive health workshops and keynote presentations — designed specifically for a corporate audience — held at your company’s headquarters, Kirkland’s life-changing interactive presentation can be tailored to meet a number of health issues: Fitness, Nutrition, De-Stressing, Sleep Hygiene, Physical and Digital Detoxification, Habit Formation, Mindfulness.His proven approach increases energy, productivity, and establishes long-lasting health habits. The program incorporates scientific anthropology blended with a distinctly mountain-centric approach to health. With 18 years’ experience as president and founder of Mountain Trek’s holistic health and vitality program, Kirkland brings more than 40 years of health-focused lifestyle expertise, with experience as a fitness instructor, lead hiking guide, wellness coach, Wilderness Park Manager, yoga instructor and meditation practitioner.Kirkland’s off-site workshops for executives and employees have been hosted by leading organizations, such as Google, Young Presidents Organization of Western Canada, Fortis Gas, the CEO Network, European Entrepreneurs Organization, and more. Contact Kirkland Shave and Mountain Trek:Website: MountainTrek.com Instagram: @mountaintrekFacebook: @mountaintrekInstagram: @mountaintrek LinkedIn: Mountain-Trek YouTube: YouTube.com/MountainTrek Kirkland Shave on LinkedInResources:Website: MountainTrek.comGuinness 0 non-alcoholic draughtPartake Brewing non–alcoholic beerLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Dr. Laura welcomes Dr. Joel Davis Brown. Chief Visionary Officer of Pneumos LLC, sought-after speaker, and author of “The Souls of Queer Folk: How Understanding LGBTQ+ Culture Can Transform Your Leadership Practice”, to Where Work Meets Life™ to talk about his journey, leadership, and what we can all learn from the queer community. Joel discusses how he worked to uncover what it means to be queer from an ethnographic standpoint, validating and understanding the community, in order to understand their leadership lessons. Joel and Dr. Laura explore the nine queer leadership principles from Joel’s book, including justice, verve, resilience, and interconnectedness, which are core leadership competencies everyone should embrace. Joel highlights the importance of gratitude, differentiating it from toxic positivity, the significance of coming out, how leaders must heal themselves to do transformational work, and how soulful leadership embodies the essence of an individual. The conversation illuminates the depths of experience in the queer community, the insights Joel has pulled from the community to write his book, and the power of interconnectedness and storytelling.“Leadership is a life book. It's not a business book. So leadership applies to how you lead yourself, how you interact and engage with your family, your spouse, your children, your community, and yes, with the world. And so in that space, I think there's an opportunity for people to learn and to benefit from the wisdom of the queer community, asking: how can I be better as an individual? How can I be a better version of myself? How can I have a better relationship with my family? How can I support my organization? And also, how can we create a better planet? So that's in essence what this book is about.” Dr. Joel Davis BrownAbout Dr. Joel Davis Brown Esq., Ed.D., CLC:Dr. Joel A. Davis Brown is the Chief Visionary Officer of Pneumos LLC, a management consulting company based in San Francisco, California, and Nairobi, Kenya, specializing in cultural intelligence, leadership development, organizational strategy and change management, and strategic storytelling. Joel is also the co-owner of MetaPrinciple, a training and certification company that coaches practitioners on sustaining systems work globally using a modern theory of change.Best known for his critical analysis, creativity, humor, and his ability to build consensus, Joel has partnered with Fortune 500 Companies, non-profit organizations, and government agencies to help them achieve sustained growth and organizational breakthroughs. He has worked with the City and County of San Francisco, Apple, Workday, UserTesting, the United Nations, Pivotal Enterprises, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, the American Civil Liberties Union, and many other Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and institutions of learning.Joel is a member of several professional communities, including SIETAR, SIETAR Europa, Young SIETAR, and the International Association of Cross-Cultural Management. Joel is also a certified facilitator with the Cultural Detective suite of intercultural tools. Since 2018, Joel has served as an adjunct professor at the IESEG Management school in Lille and Paris, France, where he teaches Masters courses on emotional intelligence, strategic storytelling, and story listening. Joel has also designed programs that focus on Ethics in Leadership, Cross-cultural Dialogue, LGBTQ Inclusion, and Men’s Leadership.Joel has his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law and his doctorate in educational leadership from Saint Mary’s College of California, which included domestic and international coursework in design thinking, global citizenship, innovation, and peace education. Joel has travelled to nearly 95+ countries, is conversational in Spanish, and has studied abroad in Costa Rica. Joel is also a nationally recognized spoken word artist in the United States. His award-winning and best-selling book, “The Souls of Queer Folk: How Understanding LGBTQ+ Culture Can Transform Your Leadership Practice,” was published in February 2023. Joel also curates and facilitates a Queer leadership forum, the Queer Leaders Lens, for aspiring and established LGBTQIA2S+ leaders all around the globe. Resources:Website: JoelDavisBrown.comWebsite: Pneumos.comBook: “The Souls of Queer Folk: How Understanding LGBTQ+ Culture Can Transform Your Leadership Practice” by Dr. Joel A Davis BrownLinkedIn: JoelAnthonyBrownInstagram: @JoelABrownPaulo FreireAnne FrankLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Dr. Laura welcomes Kirkland Shave, co-founder of the Mountain Trek health reset retreat, and Dr. Kelly Tremblay, neuroscientist and certified coach, to Where Work Meets Life™to explore the connection between holistic health, burnout prevention, and the mind-body connection. Kelly and Kirk discuss the prevalence of stress and burnout in today’s society and our lack of meaningful connection to nature and our own bodies and minds. Dr. Laura investigates these issues from a neurological perspective and a practical wellness approach with both Kelly and Kirk, learning what can be done to reset our healing.Forest bathing, flow trekking and sensory health practices that involve engaging with sound, scent, and visual natural experiences are all part of the conversation. Connecting with our senses and the reality of nature while separating ourselves from screens and demands can dramatically reduce stress and enhance brain function. While Kelly shares neuroscience research linking stress to actual structural brain changes, Kirk offers transformative stories from Mountain Trek, where guests can unplug from digital overload. Dr. Laura highlights the importance of understanding the causes of our burnout and how we can take control to heal our body and mind.“You've probably heard about it's Shinrin-yoku, a Japanese-researched way of being moment to moment, mindful of the sensorial information that's coming through our sense organs into the brain. And you're doing that in nature, and you're in a state of flow… where you're not thinking about other things. You're paying attention to what do I see? Or what do I see in motion in front of me? Or what do I hear out of this ear versus this ear? Or what do I smell as I go by the bark of this tree? Or which direction is the sun landing on my skin? These moment-to-moment awarenesses have been proven to lower the stress hormone cortisol. The Japanese researched this, and the main reason why they did this research is because in the 80s, as the tech industry took off in Japan, people were working 12-hour days already that we're working now, and the work burnout was through the roof.” - Kirkland ShaveAbout Kirkland Shave:Kirkland Shave, founder and president of the world-renowned Mountain Trek program, now offers off-site interactive and eye-opening workshops — grounded in anthropological health science — to help professionals integrate lasting steps in reaching optimal wellness. With an inspiring, practical, and actionable message, Kirkland helps people see their own health through a fresh and practical lens.With half- and full-day interactive health workshops and keynote presentations — designed specifically for a corporate audience — held at your company’s headquarters, Kirkland’s life-changing interactive presentation can be tailored to meet a number of health issues: Fitness, Nutrition, De-Stressing, Sleep Hygiene, Physical and Digital Detoxification, Habit Formation, Mindfulness.His proven approach increases energy, productivity, and establishes long-lasting health habits. The program incorporates scientific anthropology blended with a distinctly mountain-centric approach to health. With 18 years’ experience as president and founder of Mountain Trek’s holistic health and vitality program, Kirkland brings more than 40 years of health-focused lifestyle expertise, with experience as a fitness instructor, lead hiking guide, wellness coach, Wilderness Park Manager, yoga instructor and meditation practitioner.Kirkland’s off-site workshops for executives and employees have been hosted by leading organizations, such as Google, Young Presidents Organization of Western Canada, Fortis Gas, the CEO Network, European Entrepreneurs Organization, and more. Contact Kirkland Shave and Mountain Trek:Website: MountainTrek.com https://mountaintrek.com/Instagram: @mountaintrek https://www.instagram.com/mountaintrek/Facebook: @mountaintrek https://www.facebook.com/mountaintrekInstagram: @mountaintrek https://www.instagram.com/mountaintrekLinkedIn: Mountain-Trek https://www.linkedin.com/company/mountain-trek/YouTube: YouTube.com/MountainTrek https://www.youtube.com/mountaintrekKirkland Shave on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirkland-shave-66865b29/TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g499116-d223075-Reviews-Mountain_Trek_Fitness_Retreat_Health_Spa-Ainsworth_Hot_Springs_Kootenay_Rockies_British.htmlAbout Dr. Kelly Tremblay, MSc PhD CEC-ACC:Dr. Trembly is committed to making aging better by innovating in the areas of health, tech, and education through leadership, research, and advocacy.She is a consultant, neuroscientist and clinical audiologist who has worked in healthcare, tech, and higher education for 25+ years. As a tenured professor, Dr. Tremblay’s NIH-funded research shed light on how we can capitalize on the brain’s plasticity to promote perceptual and behavior changes well into our later years. Her work in the areas of communication neuroscience, person-centred care, and digital health technology has been recognized with invitations to serve on many committees at the National Institutes of Health, the American Federation for Aging Research’s National Scientific Advisory Council, Mitacs Canada, and the World Health Organization. She leads advocacy initiatives and serves on many boards, including the Hearing Loss Association of America, where she was a Board Trustee and Co-Founder and Chair of the Task Force for Accessible, Inclusive Employment.Because work and health are social determinants of quality of life and healthy aging, Dr. Tremblay also works with leaders in all sectors, as an ICF-certified executive coach, to promote healthy, accessible, multi-generational workplaces where people can flourish. She’s certified by the International Coaching Federation and a Fellow of the McLean Institute of Coaching (an affiliate of Harvard Medical School), who loves helping people rewire and inspire!Contact Dr. Kelly Tremblay: Website: DrKellyTremblay.com https://drkellytremblay.com/LinkedIn: Dr-Kelly_Tremblay https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kelly-tremblay Resources:Website: MountainTrek.com“Nature and human well-being: The olfactory pathway” Science Advances | May 2024 | Vol 10 Issue 20Parks Canada Health and WellnessShinrin-yoku“The Myth of Normal” by Gabor Mate“When Things Fall Apart” by Pema ChödrönLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Dr. Laura examines how we can find calm within the turbulent and tricky times we’re in today. With geopolitical unrest, economic uncertainty, layoffs, and heightened emotions swirling around our unpredictable current times, it can be difficult to believe that calm is possible. It is still possible, however challenging it may seem, and Dr. Laura illustrates this by stressing the beauty of living in the moment and searching for gratitude in order to ground ourselves within chaos.It isn’t a trite or contrived idea to suggest that actively searching for things to be grateful for can be a powerful catalyst for lifting our spirits. Constantly living in the past and focusing on regrets or projecting into the future with anxiety and worry does nothing to help ground us today. Dr. Laura shows how daily gratitude and finding ways to release our future fears are skills that give us the calm we need to continue navigating the stresses of life. As she reminds us, “There’s always hope”.“So, given all of this, we need to learn how to focus on what we can control and focus on the present day that is in our grasp. And the only thing that's guaranteed is right now, as life can change in a mere moment, but we have today to work with. And we need to understand what we can do to make the most of today, which will help us stay grounded and bring down our levels of anxiety and fear to a place of groundedness and calm, realizing that there is beauty in this day.” Dr. LauraAbout Dr. Laura:Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett is a work and career psychologist and thought leader on the evolution of work. She has always been fascinated by how work intersects with life and loves to use her expertise to improve organizations and help people thrive. Her passion for taking creative ideas and launching them into successful business strategies led her to start three counselling psychology practices (Calgary Career Counselling, Canada Career Counselling, and Synthesis Psychology), as well as six different business brands offering organizational assessment and consulting services.Dr. Laura is honoured to have been selected as a Woman of Distinction in Canada in 2014 and received a Canadian Woman of Inspiration Award as a Global Influencer in 2018.Resources:Dr. Laura on LinkedInWhere Work Meets Life™ on YouTubeLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Content Warning: talk of death by suicideDr. Laura welcomes Nick Jonsson, Certified Master Coach, keynote speaker, and author of the best-selling book “Executive Loneliness: The 5 Pathways to Overcoming Isolation, Stress, Anxiety, and Depression in the Modern Business World”, to the show to examine mental health, especially in leaders. Nick shares his personal story of loss of confidence, mental health challenges, and a spiral into addiction in a vulnerable illustration of how he learned the necessity of sharing and support to facilitate recovery. Sober and healthy today, Nick’s drive is to share his story so others can find the strength to break out of loneliness like he did. Nick and Dr. Laura dive deep into the truth about loneliness on an executive level, the prevalence of death by suicide among men, and why support groups are vital for a healthy life before we ever hit addiction. Nick is honest about how difficult it is to be vulnerable, but how life-changing it also proves to be. He shares stories from his coaching, his book, and the culture he currently nurtures in his company. His definition of spirituality is “accepting the things we are not in control of,” and he uses spirituality as a way to connect with people and continue to thrive in recovery and assist others to do the same.“I mean, it's uncomfortable to be vulnerable, but we can practice that. And I talk a lot about the vulnerability muscle, and that it's like going to the gym. We train our muscles. We need to do that with vulnerability as well. And it's about starting small. And I was fortunate that I had a drinking problem, because that brought me to the 12-step programs. And over the years, I've been to almost a thousand of these meetings. Perhaps the first 100, I needed the help. The rest of the 900 were for me to give back and help others. And that has kept me on this path of being vulnerable, sharing my challenges, and no matter what is on my mind, I will come in there and I will share what the challenge is and I will leave the meeting feeling better.” Nick JonssonAbout Nick Jonsson:Nick Jonsson's narrative is a compelling tale of success, adversity, and authentic triumph. Initially driven by societal expectations and a desire to meet external standards of success, Nick led major international firms before facing a period of profound adversity. He confronted personal and professional crises, including executive loneliness, addiction, and the loss of a close friend to suicide. This sparked a transformative journey. From these challenges, Nick emerged with a redefined purpose and a commitment to holistic success. He authored the best-selling book "Executive Loneliness: The 5 Pathways to Overcoming Isolation, Stress, Anxiety, and Depression in the Modern Business World," which draws on his personal struggles to guide others facing similar challenges. As a Certified Chief Master Coach (CCMC) and a Certified ICF Coach (ACTP), Nick Jonsson excels in executive coaching, empowering business leaders to enhance their effectiveness and become better leaders in their professional environments. Through life coaching, he helps individuals discover their purpose and craft their legacies, offering comprehensive guidance that addresses both personal aspirations and professional development. Celebrating six years of sobriety, Nick is also an accredited Sober Coach by the Sober Club in the UK, specializing in supporting grey zone drinkers to make transformative lifestyle changes. Furthermore, Nick founded a weekly men's group, creating a supportive space for men to connect, grow, and thrive. He is also the co-founder of EGN, the largest peer network for executives in Southeast Asia. His impact extends through his roles as a coach, speaker, and Ironman Top 2% World Age Group Athlete. His advocacy for mental health, physical wellness, and emotional well-being stems from his experiences and his commitment to helping others achieve holistic success. Today, Nick gives back to society not only through his advocacy but also as a fundraiser and volunteer for a suicide prevention agency. He is actively involved in coaching other business executives to overcome loneliness, addiction, and to find their life purpose and write their legacy. Nick's dedication to mental health advocacy was recognized when he was a finalist for the International Mental Health Campaigner of the Year at the InsideOut Awards in London, in 2021, and he won the Sabre PRovoke Award for Southeast Asia in the same year. Nick is an award-winning keynote speaker and workshop facilitator. He has been featured on over 100 international podcasts discussing his journey to assist others and has appeared in more than 30 newspapers and magazines, as well as on radio and TV. Happily married and with a son aged 15, Nick Jonsson stands as a testament to the power of resilience and the human spirit. His journey from societal-induced success through adversity to a life of authentic achievement offers inspiration and a roadmap for those seeking to find their own path to genuine fulfillment.Resources:Website: NickJonsson.comBook: “Executive Loneliness: The 5 Pathways to Overcoming Isolation, Stress, Anxiety & Depression in the Modern Business World” by Nick Jonsson“The Art and Science of Connection: Why Social Health is the Missing Key to Living Longer, Healthier, and Happier” by Kalsey KillamRich Roll podcastLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Dr. Laura welcomes Mike Horne PhD, author of The People Dividend and an executive and organization development coach, to the show to talk about his book and why he’s drawn to making people and organizations better versions of who and what they currently are. Mike began his career in labour management relations, which led him into the world of learning and development. Mike’s driving question has always been about how he could live out his humanistic values and help people. As he says “I’m not afraid to be called a helper.”Mike and Dr. Laura discuss organizational culture, remote and hybrid work, and the impact of helping professions. Mike describes his book, The People Dividend, as being about humanistic values as a way of creating engagement. The words he says are the most important are dignity, kindness, and respect. Dr. Laura learns how Mike guides people through growth, the impact his book is having, and how leaders can unlock the potential in people and find the best talent for the job.“I'm working on a very big project right now on Civility in an organization for a very large health care system. And I think it's just another way that we're talking about differences in the workplace. There's all kinds of backlash around diversity, equity and inclusion. It's very difficult for me to understand that, given that we have enough research that tells us that diverse teams understanding diverse customers helps you make money.” Mike Horne, Ph.D.About Mike Horne, Ph.D.:Mike Horne, Ph. D., is a highly experienced global corporate human resources and organization development leader, distinguished executive coach, best-selling author, and sought-after speaker. He is dedicated to empowering aspiring leaders, executives, and teams to navigate transitions, excel in new roles, and increase their effectiveness and influence. He hosts The People Dividend Podcast, which ranks in the top 10% of all podcasts globally.Previously, for nearly three decades, Dr. Horne held pivotal human resources and organization development roles, including the Head of Human Resources for Gilead Sciences’ Research Division, Global Leader of Talent and Development for Brocade, and Head of Organization Development for Genentech. Before these positions, he served 15 years in human resources leadership roles for Nortel Networks, Marriott International, Towers Watson, and NLRB. He is the chairperson for the graduate Human Resources and Leadership Studies programs at Golden Gate University in San Francisco.In November 2024, Dr. Horne released The People Dividend: Leadership Strategies for Unlocking Employee Potential, which outlines the “people dividend” philosophy and identifies key areas for investment, such as building trust, encouraging motivation, ensuring open communication, retaining employees, making better decisions, and enhancing the organization’s reputation. He is also the author of Integrity by Design: Working and Living Authentically, which calls readers to their higher purpose and to the aspiration to work and live authentically.Resources:Website: Mike-Horne.comLinkedInInstagramYoutubePodcast: The People Dividend Podcast“The People Dividend” by Mike HorneThe Immunity to Change method by Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey“The Science of Change” by Richard E. Boyatzis“supercommunicators” by Charles DuhiggLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Dr. Laura talks about spirituality and mental health in this episode, exploring the topics through the lens of the turbulent times we find ourselves in today. The uncertainty, volatility, and polarization in our modern times are creating a very real mental health crisis, especially in the areas of anxiety and depression. Dr. Laura defines these challenges and discusses how to address them through spirituality - a personal example of something that has worked for her.Spirituality is differentiated from religion in Dr. Laura’s discussion, highlighting spirituality as an inner connection to something greater in the universe. She identifies spirituality as a growth journey, something beyond the material world, and connecting to greater love, hope, and a sense of purpose can offer relief from the anxiety and depression that plague us. Dr. Laura’s message is one of finding ways through the trauma and rocky times we’re in to a place of spiritual hope, however that may be defined for each of us. “Spirituality is about your connection to the divine, your connection to the universe. Having a sense of purpose. Living with unconditional love rather than fear.” Dr. LauraAbout Dr. Laura:Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett is a work and career psychologist and thought leader on the evolution of work. She has always been fascinated by how work intersects with life and loves to use her expertise to improve organizations and help people thrive. Her passion for taking creative ideas and launching them into successful business strategies led her to start three counselling psychology practices (Calgary Career Counselling, Canada Career Counselling, and Synthesis Psychology), as well as six different business brands offering organizational assessment and consulting services.Dr. Laura is honoured to have been selected as a Woman of Distinction in Canada in 2014 and received a Canadian Woman of Inspiration Award as a Global Influencer in 2018.Resources:“The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment” by Eckhart Tolle“The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself” by Michael A. SingerDr. Laura on LinkedInWhere Work Meets Life™ on YouTubeLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Dr. Laura welcomes Saijal Patel, Founder and CEO of Saij Wealth Consulting, to a conversation about finance and financial literacy, especially in regards to women. Saijal promotes empowering women’s financial independence and security. She has over two decades of experience in the financial industry in both North America and Asia to draw upon. Saijal’s drive comes from seeing the unique challenges women face in managing personal finances and understanding how money works. Saijal and Dr. Laura address the stigma that surrounds talking about money and the belief that money causes problems. Saijal firmly believes it’s the values people hold that manifest through money and that money itself is neither good nor bad. She notes that financial education and wellness address voter literacy through empowerment and understanding of governments’ financial decisions, and also tackle one of the greatest sources of stress for people. Saijal and Dr. Laura examine what Saijal’s course offers, the lack of good money mentorship growing up, and how to view and visualize abundance in our lives.“I have found with women that I'm educating, that for some reason society has told them and they have bought into this belief that ‘I need to be confident. I need to have confidence before I jump in and learn these things’. And that's the difference [that] is stopping so many women from building the skills because it's not confidence that they need. They need competence. Right? Competence actually leads to confidence.” Saijal PatelAbout Saijal Patel:Saijal Patel is the Founder and CEO of Saij Wealth Consulting, a financial consultancy and education platform dedicated to empowering women's financial independence and security.With over two decades of experience in the financial industry across North America and Asia, she holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and has served in roles as a financial strategist and analyst.Saijal is the renowned creator and host of Strictly Money, Canada's sole national personal finance program. Formerly a business anchor and correspondent for Canada's Business News Network (BNN) and CNBC Asia, she provided insightful commentary and analysis on global economies, stock markets, and corporate news to millions of households worldwide. Her exceptional coverage earned her recognition as one of the most influential South Asian Women Executives in the Media and Entertainment Industry.Resources:Website: SaijElle.comInstagramLinkedIn21 Days of Abundance - Meditation Series by Deepak ChopraMunk Debates“Losing Cadence” and “Finding Sophie” by Laura LovettLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Dr. Laura welcomes Julie Ann Cairns to the podcast to talk about her book, The Abundance Code: How to Bust the Seven Money Myths for a Rich Life Now, and her passion for helping people see the importance of an abundant mindset. Julie Ann was trained in economics, has an MBA, and had 30+ years running seven and eight-figure businesses. But after an economic downturn and great financial loss, she had an epiphany that turned her life around. She shares her incredible story of how she found her true calling in helping others achieve success and find fulfillment in all areas of life. Julie Ann addresses the limiting beliefs people harbor about wealth and abundance. She has identified ways to crack those limiting beliefs and replace those thoughts with supportive ones, an abundance mindset instead of a scarcity one. Dr. Laura and Julie Ann talk about the subconscious versus conscious mind’s processing power, common myths around success and money, and the different therapies that can open people up to an abundance mindset. This episode highlights how our own beliefs can be holding us back from embracing the abundance available to us and addresses how to affect change that will drive success. “Money is so powerful. It's neither good nor bad. It's completely neutral. So that's why it's important to figure out [and] get yourself in alignment so that when you add the amplification power of money, it's of benefit to you and everyone around you.” Julie Ann CairnsAbout Julie Ann Cairns:Julie Ann Cairns is the author of the best-selling Hay House book The Abundance Code: How to Bust the 7 Money Myths for a Rich Life Now and the Director of the documentary of the same name - The Abundance Code - which hundreds of thousands of people have watched since its release, now available as a 3-part series on Gaia.com.Originally trained in Economics and having also gained an MBA, across her 30+ year career Julie Ann has run 6, 7 and 8 figure businesses. She has overseen the marketing for over $100 million in product sales. Her greatest passion is in helping people to see how vital an abundant mindset and supportive belief system are to achieving success and fulfillment in all areas of life. Julie Ann's mission is to provide practical tips and powerful mindset enhancement, so that you can live a mind-blowingly abundant life full of freedom, choice and joyful celebration.Resources:Book: The Abundance Code bookBlog: The Abundance CodeDocu-series: The Abundance CodeJulie Ann Cairns on InstagramDr. Wayne DyerLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Dr. Laura addresses perfectionism in this episode, looking into what perfectionism truly is and how it’s detrimental to our well-being. The pursuit of perfection slows us down and interferes with us being our best, most innovative selves. Few situations call for absolute perfection, Dr. Laura notes, and she examines how the single-minded drive to be perfect blocks our creativity and leads to burnout. One method for combating perfectionism is the 80/20 rule, which Dr. Laura explains is learning to be satisfied with getting a project to 80%, which is very good, and not spending the extra 20% to fight for perfection. Dr. Laura’s advice focuses on how to retrain ourselves from striving for perfection, how we can practice self-compassion, what practical steps we can take, and how to avoid letting perfectionism impact our relationships. She approaches the subject from a personal perspective, sharing her own journey through perfectionism and how she found success without being perfect.“I love this quote by Sheryl Sandberg in that done is better than perfect. And I agree, it's about execution. It's about getting things done and doing things well. But getting things done perfectly will lead you to not get things done, period.” Dr. LauraAbout Dr. Laura:Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett is a work and career psychologist and thought leader on the evolution of work. She has always been fascinated by how work intersects with life and loves to use her expertise to improve organizations and help people thrive. Her passion for taking creative ideas and launching them into successful business strategies led her to start three counselling psychology practices (Calgary Career Counselling, Canada Career Counselling, and Synthesis Psychology), as well as six different business brands offering organizational assessment and consulting services.Dr. Laura is honoured to have been selected as a Woman of Distinction in Canada in 2014 and received a Canadian Woman of Inspiration Award as a Global Influencer in 2018.Resources:Dr. Laura on LinkedInWhere Work Meets Life™ on YouTubeLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Content Warning: Talk of death by suicide and depressionDr. Laura welcomes Dr. John Ogrodniczuk, a Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the UBC Psychotherapy Program, about men’s mental health and HeadsUpGuys, the men’s mental health resource that he co-founded. Men account for 75 to 80% of deaths by suicide and it’s the need for resources to tend to this mental health crisis that Dr. John Ogrodniczuk and Dr. Laura discuss. Dr. Ogrodniczuk explains some of the reasons for the high rates of death by suicide among men and the lack of resources specifically targeting men. He and Dr. Laura explore what is needed to assist in dealing with the pressures of life and how that need is addressed by HeadsUpGuys. Featuring real-life stories of depression and how men across the globe have found help as well as self-checks. HeadsUpGuys.org is meeting the mental health needs of men globally as a free online resource, including a search engine for therapists. This episode sheds light on a mental health crisis that is not given enough attention and offers resources to deal with depression.“We have the world's largest collection of real guys sharing their stories of what it was like to be depressed and very importantly, what helped them recover. And so that is a really important thing because when you're experiencing something like depression or anxiety, it's a really isolating experience. You feel so alone. You feel people don't get you. They don't understand you. And thus there's no one to help you. So when there's a lot of other guys out there that have been through the same thing, that's in a way very comforting.” Dr. John OgrodniczukAbout Dr. John Ogrodniczuk:Dr. John Ogrodniczuk is a Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the UBC Psychotherapy Program, one of North America’s largest medically based psychotherapy training programs. His research program focuses on a variety of psychotherapies and patient populations, with a particular focus on personality disorders and men’s mental health. Dr. Ogrodniczuk has held several grants to support his research, which has led to over 300 scientific publications. In addition to his research, Dr. Ogrodniczuk is involved with teaching medical students and psychiatry residents, serves as a mental health consultant for various organizations, and maintains a psychotherapy practice. He is past President of the North American chapter of the International Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR), and a recipient of the Distinguished Research Career Award from SPR. Dr. Ogrodniczuk is the Founder of HeadsUpGuys, the world’s leading men’s mental health resource.Resources:Website: HeadsUpGuys.orgDr. John Ogrodniczuk on LinkedInHeadsUpGuys on LinkedInHeadsUpGuys on InstagramHeadsUpGuys on YouTubeHeadsUpGuys on FacebookThe EconomistLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Dr. Laura welcomes Hillary Rideout and Steve Brierley to Where Work Meets Life™ to talk about inspiring better humans and their new book on the subject. Hillary and Steve previously collaborated on “Being a Better Human Teenager” and that book and its reception led to their new follow-up book, “Inspiring Better Humans”. Dr. Laura explores why Steve and Hillary are drawn to inspiring young people, their thoughts on making a difference, and how having a purpose can change lives.Steve and Hillary work together in the Better Human Group, a project that fuelled their first book, and one of the discoveries they share is that a common factor among the profiled teenagers was very involved parents. They discuss how having a purpose and believing in the ability to offer something to the world positively impacts everyone, not just teenagers. The message in their books resonates with teens and parents alike and has inspired purposeful action in classrooms, which is part of the solution to combating mental illness in young people. Dr. Laura’s conversation with Steve and Hillary opens a window into the lives of extraordinary teens and caring parents and how any one of us can tap into our ability to change the world for the better.“These kids truly felt like they could have an impact on the world. And they did. And that was very motivating to the kids in the class who were reading the stories and then actually creating their own plan to do something similar” Hillary Rideout“To me, the message is very clear. And I think it is that when you do something to help somebody, you also help yourself. And for me, if we can get this message out to others, I think it would be just an incredible impact.” Steve BrierleyAbout Steve Brierley:Over the past 20 years, Steve has held progressive positions in corporate training, talent management and executive leadership development in corporate and post-secondary sectors.While working in California, Steve was the General Manager of a multi-national corporate training organization that focused on delivering IT skills and leadership development for Fortune 100 organizations and government agencies.After four years in the USA, Steve returned to Canada and joined SAIT’s corporate training department in the role of Corporate Learning Advisor, followed by the role of Director of Executive Education at the University of Alberta School of Business. He then joined the energy sector as Group Lead, Corporate Training & Talent Management at Encana Inc., followed by Director of Executive Development & Talent Management at Enbridge, Steve then joined Canadian Tire as Associate Vice President of Talent Management. In his last corporate role, Steve was Vice President of Leadership Assessment and Development at Gallagher. Currently, Steve teaches Leadership at SAIT in the BBA, BA and diploma programs. Also, he provides talent management and leadership consulting to corporations and non-profit organizations across Canada.As a lifelong learner, Steve obtained a Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University and is a Certified Executive Coach from the Royal Roads University graduate program and PCC accredited from the International Coach Federation. In his spare time, Steve enjoys writing and publishing books. He released his first book, Being a Better Human Being at Work in 2020, his second book Being a Better Human Teenager in 2021 and his third book, Inspiring Better Humans will be coming out in fall 2024. Steve seeks adventure on his motorcycle, on the slopes or in the mountains. Steve’s motto is Live on Purpose!Steve Brierley on LinkedInAbout Hillary Rideout:Hillary is a creative writer, designer, publisher, and website builder.As Partner in The Better Human Group - an organization making the world a better place through storytelling and community building - she is a published author and book publisher.As Founder of Inside Out Branding Inc., she thrives on uncovering the essence of individuals and businesses, identifying core values and unique narratives that reflect truth and value. Some call it branding, Hillary calls it pulling their insides out. As Creative Associate with ViTreo Group - a non-profit leadership and development agency - Hillary brings life and attention to the stories and missions that deserve to be told. Hillary also volunteers with BARC's Rescue - a Calgary-based dog rescue organization - lending her graphic design and communications expertise to get homeless dogs into loving, forever homes. She is a University of Calgary alumni and holds several talent management and leadership development certifications - education she employed for 20+ years as she created and managed learning and development programs for leaders in various organizations.Hillary lives near Calgary with her family, including her rescue dog, Roxy. She loves spending time at her family's cabin in the woods and finds joy in the simplest of things - music, quiet mornings, and dog walks.Hillary Rideout on LinkedInWebsite: InsideOutBranding.caResources:Website: BetterHumanGroup.comInstagram: Better Human Group Inc“Inspiring Better Humans” by Hillary Rideout & Steve Brierley“Being a Better Human Teenager” by Steve Brierley, Melissa From, Paul Lamoureux & Hillary Rideout“But She Looks Fine: From Illness to Activism” by Olivia GoodreauLivLyme FoundationHuberman Lab PodcastArmchair Expert PodcastLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Dr. Laura digs deeper into the subject of toxic bosses in this episode, discussing how to identify a potentially toxic boss before you start working for one. Toxic bosses are unfortunately prevalent, with a 2023 survey finding that 87% of professionals have had at least one toxic boss in their careers. But there are warning signs, and Dr. Laura lists some, highlighting what to look for and how to get the answers we need before joining a toxic workplace.One of the key ways to investigate a boss before working for them is through mutual connections, especially on LinkedIn. Dr. Laura explains the value of maintaining connections and how to broach the subject of a boss with former or current employees. She breaks down how to decipher the answers we receive, identifying the warning signs of a toxic boss. What is being said? What isn’t being said? There are things to look for in the interview, as well. The boss isn’t just interviewing us, we’re interviewing them! Dr. Laura names some warning behaviors that can be seen even in those initial conversations. Not every boss will be toxic and not every challenging workplace has a toxic boss leading it, but this episode gives sound insight into spotting the red flags of a toxic boss before we sign up to work with them. “Are people burnt out? Asking those questions can go a long way. And if you hear the answer is yes, it is a demanding place and people are exhausted and burnt out, that's somewhere that you don't want to be. That doesn't mean you don't want to be in a challenging, invigorating, busy workplace. And of course, there'll be periods where you're going to be working hard. But is it a constant strain? Is it under-resourced? And [are] people expected to be on call 24/7? [That] is a recipe for burnout.” Dr. LauraAbout Dr. Laura:Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett is a work and career psychologist and thought leader on the evolution of work. She has always been fascinated by how work intersects with life and loves to use her expertise to improve organizations and help people thrive. Her passion for taking creative ideas and launching them into successful business strategies led her to start three counselling psychology practices (Calgary Career Counselling, Canada Career Counselling, and Synthesis Psychology), as well as six different business brands offering organizational assessment and consulting services.Dr. Laura is honoured to have been selected as a Woman of Distinction in Canada in 2014 and received a Canadian Woman of Inspiration Award as a Global Influencer in 2018.Resources:Dr. Laura on LinkedInWhere Work Meets Life™ on YouTubeLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Dr. Laura welcomes Cecile Peterkin to the podcast to talk about imposter syndrome. Cecile is a chief transformation strategist and founder of the Leadership Coaching Centre, with 22 years of expertise as a confidence coach and mentor to her credit. Together, Cecile and Dr. Laura explore where imposter syndrome comes from and why it’s often more prevalent in girls and women. They explore building confidence and learning to assert yourself in situations where your instinct says to keep quiet. Cecile credits much of her inspiration and success to her late father, and she talks about how the way she was raised enforced her sense of having a voice that should be heard. Imposter syndrome, she says, is more common among women because they are conditioned and nurtured in ways that suggest domesticity and quietude. While this is changing with new generations, there is a lot that women, and anyone, can learn about holding space for themselves and demanding to be heard. Cecile and Dr. Laura explore confidence, how to build it, and why it’s so key to not just career success but to emotional well-being.“From my experience in a lot of these board meetings, men tend to talk over women because, again, women don't project themselves to be heard. … And I think, too, that some girls are raised not to be loud. … If a man is talking and you want to speak and you have something to say, there's no reason why you [can’t say], could you be quiet for a few minutes so I can be heard? Because to me, you get more respect that way than not saying anything…” Cecile PeterkinWatch this episode on Dr. Laura’s YouTube channelAbout Cecile Peterkin:Cecile Peterkin is the Founder & Chief Transformation Strategist at the Leadership Coaching Centre. She has over 22 years of expertise as a distinguished confidence coach & mentor, helping 1,000+ professionals & aspiring entrepreneurs to unleash their unique strengths, pivot with purpose & craft legacy careers.Her approach is deeply inspired by the life lessons from her father. His guiding principles of kindness & respect shaped Cecile’s holistic approach to leadership, where personal well-being & professional achievement converge, empowering others not just to succeed, but to redefine success on their own terms. She balances authority with compassion, cultivating a leadership style as human-centric as it is dynamic. This not only guides her interactions but shapes the empowering & inclusive environments she’s committed to creating.Cecile’s journey has equipped her with unique insights into resilience & self-belief. She offers practical wisdom & expert guidance to help navigate the complexities of personal & professional challenges to reach limitless potential. Known as a force of nature, she brings a determined, charismatic & energetic leadership style to everything she does, grounded in real-life wisdom & the virtues of grit & perseverance. Media-savvy, she is experienced in speaking on stage & virtually, sharing compelling business insights & life stories with global audiences.Resources:Website: LeadershipCoachingCentre.comCecile Peterkin on LinkedInEpisode 89 | The Great Disconnect: Inability to Listen and Its Impacts on Workplaces“Emotional GRIT: 8 Steps to Master Your Emotions, Transform Your Thoughts, & Change Your World” by Dr. Neeta F BhushanGen Z @ Work podcastLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Dr. Laura is joined by Pamela Barnum, a former undercover police officer and federal prosecutor who is also a keynote speaker, to talk about building trust in organizations. Pamela’s background in undercover work taught her how to build trust with difficult drug dealers, and her work as a prosecutor gave her further insight into building trust. As a body language expert and also a corporate negotiator, Pamela shares a lifetime of knowledge on the importance of trust and how to cultivate and maintain it. Pamela explains all her years of building trust in different careers as being able to read people and to show up in a way that’s trustworthy and charismatic. She discusses how trust is key to convincing people to buy into or accept whatever messaging is being presented and that it exists at the crossroads of confidence and empathy. She and Dr. Laura explore how leaders can instill a culture of trust in their organizations and talk about nonverbal cues and eye contact in cultural contexts. There is a sense of influence that goes along with cultivating trust, and Pamela’s experience helps convey the importance of modelling the behaviors we want to be returned to us. The lessons are profound and valuable in any setting. “You know, we want to be transparent, but sometimes there are things that the C-suite is telling the leadership team that can't be shared with everyone yet, or isn't really worked out all the way. So being transparent can be challenging, but I encourage people to be as transparent as possible with the information that they're permitted to share, and share it in a way that lands with people so that they understand, they know what's going to be happening, they know what the end goal is, and they have some steps to get there.” Pamela BarnumWatch this episode on Dr. Laura’s YouTube channelAbout Pamela Barnum:Imagine what it would be like to live as a different person with a different name, identity, and background. For months at a time, you’re living with a false identity, and your success depends on building trust and detecting deception with some of the most dangerous people imaginable. That’s precisely what Pamela Barnum did for years working undercover in the Drug Enforcement Section. She learned real-world techniques for building trust and interpreting body language.When Pamela graduated from law school, she left policing and accepted a position as a federal prosecuting attorney. She spent countless hours in the courtroom, perfecting her proficiency as a trust strategist and body language expert. Following a successful 20-year career in the criminal justice system, Pamela studied corporate negotiations in graduate school. Now, she shares her expertise with others, teaching them how to improve their communication skills to increase trust inside corporations, associations, and law enforcement agencies.As a nonverbal communication expert and trust strategist, Pamela delivers techniques once thought of as a “secret second language” that participants can begin using immediately. Take decades of experience, including working deep undercover in narcotics, followed by a rewarding legal career, and you get real-world strategies that help participants crack the code on trust and improve professional relationships using proven field-tested techniques.Pamela shares her experience, research, and expertise with humor, candor, and energy, blending actionable strategies with memorable stories. She is also a featured expert and contributor in print media, radio and television news programs in Canada and the United States. She has appeared in person in front of audiences ranging from 50 - 12,000 and on countless virtual stages.Resources:Website: PamelaBarnum.comPamela Barnum on LinkedInPamela Barnum on InstagramBuilding Bad information“Insight” by Tasha Eurich“Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Robert B. Cialdini, PhDMasterClassLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In honor of the 100th episode of Where Work Meets Life™, Dr. Laura is interviewed on her own podcast by veteran host, Dave Kelly. Dave has an extensive background in television and has around 28,000 interviews to his credit, including with Ellen Degeneres and former US president Barack Obama. Dave turns the spotlight to Dr. Laura to learn more about what podcasting means to her and why she continues to push for important, enlightening conversations. Dave Kelly finds out how Dr. Laura kept the momentum for Where Work Meets Life™ going in the early days and why she chooses to highlight certain topics through her episodes. Dr. Laura reflects on some of her favorite and most thought-provoking episodes, memorable guests, and why she enjoys learning and sharing through this medium. Dave and Dr. Laura enjoy a warm, open conversation that allows Dr. Laura to give us a glimpse into her goals, her upcoming book, and the lessons she’s taken to heart through the course of the first 100 episodes. Join this milestone episode to look back on the path Where Work Meets Life™ has taken so far and celebrate what is still to come.“I think that passion, it looks and feels different for different people. There's also a reality in the mix of I may be passionate about, you know, some obscure form of art, but I’m not able to support my family off of that. So I may find a career that's interesting and challenging, but my passion remains in that obscure form of art. And that's fine. I think the word passion can be a bit extreme for some people, and it can make them feel that if they don't have a passion, will they be unhappy in their career? And that's not it. But what I sure want for people is not to have the opposite of passion, which is feeling depleted and unfulfilled and it's soul-sucking and you dread Mondays.” Dr. LauraWatch this episode on Dr. Laura’s YouTube channelAbout Dave Kelly:Dave Kelly is an award-winning host, writer, and interviewer who creates intelligent and deeply human moments for events and keynote conversations around the world. He is the host of Dave Kelly Live - Canada’s own talk-variety show. From his beginnings as a TV Host, Dave has spent decades leading conversations with business and political leaders across North America and beyond, from Stanford School of Business in California to Amman, Jordan and everywhere in between. He has led conferences and run panels in categories as varied as health care, financial technology and artificial intelligence. He sat down for an hour-long in-depth conversation with Prime Minister Brian Mulroney in Montreal, Ellen Degeneres selected Dave as the moderator and interviewer for her multi-city tour across Canada, and he hosted a conversation with President Barack Obama in Calgary. Dave is the co-founder of Kelly Brothers Productions, an award-winning video and entertainment company.Resources:Dave Kelly website: DaveKellyHosting.comDave Kelly on LinkedInEpisode 17 | Episode 18 No Ego for Better Work and Lives, with Cy WakemanEpisode 39 Life’s Messy, Life Happy: Keys to ContentmentEpisode 40 Evolving Yourself to Live Happy in this Messy WorldEpisode 48 Unlikely Connections, Affirmations, and the Power to Make a DifferenceEpisode 58 From Sea to Space: The Quest to Help Humanity Survive and Thrive"Losing Cadence" and "Finding Sophie" by Laura Lovett“The Conscious Parent: Transforming Ourselves, Empowering Our Children” by Dr. Shefali TsabaryLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.