Well Workplaces

In this episode, Tom Bosna speaks with Cherie Clonan, Founder and CEO of The Digital Picnic, about redefining ambition, sustainable performance and creating workplaces where people can thrive without burning out.Together they explore how our ideas of success change over time, why neuroinclusive workplace design benefits everyone and what leaders can do to better support different ways of working. Cherie also shares insights from her white paper, The Performance Paradox, challenging organisations to think differently about productivity, wellbeing and the future of work.~📍Medibank Workplace Wellbeing supports hundreds of Australian workplaces each year through health and wellbeing services, including workplace health checks, skin cancer checks, mental health programs and tailored wellbeing workshops. Learn more about Medibank Workplace Wellbeing here: https://www.medibank.com.au/workplace-wellbeing/health-services/¬Resources:The Digital Picnic: https://www.thedigitalpicnic.com/Connect with Cherie Clonan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherieclonan/The Performance Paradox White Paper: https://www.thedigitalpicnic.com.au/op/the-digital-picnic-the-performance-paradox-report/Podcast: The Climb with Cherie Clonanhttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-climb-with-cherie-clonan/id1882216601¬Chapters03:51 Founding The Digital Picnic06:08 Redefining Ambition & Success12:13 Inclusive Leadership & Work Design17:03 Neurodivergent Advocacy & Recruitment32:11 The Performance Paradox38:30 Unlearning & Personal Growth

In this episode, Tom Bosna speaks with Maria Ruberto, founder of Salutegenics and a resilience and neuroscience consultant, about the often-overlooked role relationships play in workplace wellbeing and performance. Together they unpack relational intelligence, how trust and real connection are built in the space between people and why understanding the body’s stress and safety responses can strengthen leadership, improve team dynamics, and support healthier ways of working.~📍Medibank Workplace Wellbeing supports hundreds of Australian workplaces each year through health and wellbeing services, including workplace health checks, skin cancer checks, mental health programs and tailored wellbeing workshops. Learn more about Medibank Workplace Wellbeing here: https://www.medibank.com.au/workplace-wellbeing/health-services/¬Resources:Salutegenics: https://www.salutegenics.com.au/Connect with Maria Ruberto on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaruberto/Paper | The Emotional Recession: ⁠https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1701703/full⁠Paper | Beyond positivity: A review of the functional outcomes of negative emotions at work: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41678250/¬Chapters00:00 Introduction to Relational Intelligence in the Workplace03:47 The Science of Belonging and Human Biology05:25 Why Connection Matters More Than Communication07:07 The Neurological Basis of Relational Space09:00 Challenges of Virtual Connection and Disconnection10:52 The Difference Between Communication and Genuine Connection12:14 Building Trust Through Relational Space15:01 The Role of Relational Leadership in Organizational Success15:54 Holding Space for Uncertainty and Ambiguity18:01 Biology Before Behavior: Managing Stress and Safety19:59 The Power of Silence and Reflection in Meetings22:04 The Concept of a Relationship Resume23:58 Developing Relational Capacity and Trust25:49 Relational Space as a Foundation for Growth29:49 Addressing Relationship Breakdowns and Conflict32:02 The Importance of Repair and Co-Regulation34:01 Practicing Pause and Reflection in Leadership36:00 Understanding Silence and Feedback in Teams38:08 Applying Relational Strategies for Better Outcomes40:00 Practical Tips for Enhancing Relational Intelligence

Host Josh Lambert steps in for Tom Bosna and is joined by Dr Michelle Lim, CEO and Scientific Chair of Ending Loneliness Together and author of The Lonely Generation.This Loneliness Awareness Week, Josh and Michelle explore why loneliness has become one of the biggest health and workplace challenges of our time. They unpack the difference between loneliness and social isolation, why meaningful connection matters, and the impact loneliness can have on our health, workplace culture, productivity and performance.Michelle shares practical ways leaders can create more connected workplaces through everyday moments, rather than relying on one-off initiatives. They also discuss the role of hybrid work, why some people are more at risk of feeling disconnected, and how emerging technologies like AI companions are changing the way we think about human connection.~📍Medibank Workplace Wellbeing supports hundreds of Australian workplaces each year through health and wellbeing services, including workplace health checks, skin cancer checks, mental health programs and tailored wellbeing workshops. Learn more about Medibank Workplace Wellbeing here: https://www.medibank.com.au/workplace-wellbeing/health-services/¬00:32 Why Loneliness Matters03:47 Loneliness vs Social Isolation08:24 The Health Impact of Loneliness13:16 Building Social Connection at Work18:42 Practical Tips for Leaders25:11 Hybrid Work and Belonging31:28 AI Companions and Human Connection37:05 Small Moments That Matter42:18 Loneliness Awareness Week~ResourcesLoneliness Awareness Week 3-9 August: https://lonelinessawarenessweek.com.au/Ending Loneliness Together: https://www.endingloneliness.com.au/Connect with Dr Michelle Lim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichellelim/Dr Michelle Lim's new book, The Lonely Generation - Why Our Kids Are in Crisis – and How We Can Fix It: https://publishing.hardiegrant.com/en-au/books/the-lonely-generation-by-michelle-lim/9781923390294

We welcome Full Stack Human co-authors, Dara Simkin and Tané Hunter to speak about why growing burnout and overwhelm are systems problems, not personal resilience failures. They explain how Stone Age brains are overloaded by Godlike tech - constant notifications, meetings and targeted media - keeping people in fight-or-flight and reducing creativity and judgment. Dara argues that optimisation and “achievement syndrome” add pressure, while play is a biologically grounded mindset that supports connection, curiosity and sustainable performance. They share ways leaders can integrate play through permission, mental and physical space and simple prompts, plus “yes, and” communication to build psychological safety. Looking ahead, they emphasise protecting human capacity and leaning into uniquely human creativity and agency as AI expands.~00:26 Burnout Is a Systems Issue01:51 Why Work Feels Weird03:45 Play as a Mindset08:18 Stone Age Brains at Work11:56 Achievement Syndrome and Hacking14:07 Micro Moments of Play18:05 Wobbling the Jelly20:50 How Leaders Enable Play24:37 Yes And Leadership29:58 Future of Work Is Human~ResourcesWebsite: https://www.culturehero.co/full-stack-human-bookBook - Full Stack Human: https://www.amazon.com.au/Full-Stack-Human-Mindset-Technology/dp/1394346255Connect with Dara Simkin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dara-simkin-culture-hero/Connect with Tâne Hunter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanehunter/

The “mental load” is something many people carry, but actually struggle to name. It’s the invisible work of planning, organising, anticipating and worrying that sits behind everything we do, both at work and at home. And while it affects everyone, it’s not experienced equally.In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Leah Ruppanner, Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne, Director of the Future of Work Lab and author of her new book, "Drained". Leah’s research sits at the intersection of work design, gender equity and wellbeing - asking whether the way we work today is truly sustainable for people, families and organisations. Together, we unpack what the mental load really is, why it matters in today’s workplaces and what leaders can do to better recognise (and reduce!) the invisible demands placed on their people.In this episode, we cover:What the mental load actually is and why it’s often hard to see or measureThe invisible labour behind keeping work and life running smoothlyWhy the mental load is unevenly distributed, particularly across genderThe impact on wellbeing, energy and sustainable performanceHow current ways of working can amplify (or reduce) this loadPractical ways leaders can better support their teams and design healthier work environmentsWhy it matters:Mental load isn’t just a personal challenge, it’s a workplace issue. When the invisible effort behind work isn’t recognised, it can quietly drain energy, impact performance and contribute to burnout. Addressing it is key to building healthier, more sustainable and more equitable workplacesResourcesDr Leah Ruppanner: https://www.leahruppanner.comBook: Drained: Reduce Your Mental Load to Do Less and Be More: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/762972/drained-by-leah-ruppanner-phd/Miss Perceived Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/missperceived/id1744434731Connect with Dr Leah Ruppanner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-ruppanner-1657a417/