Mental Health Promotion

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Breaking the Mold -- How to Navigate Management and Mental Health in Male-Dominated Industries: Interview with Simon Tyler | Ep. 30

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Breaking the Mold -- How to Navigate Management and Mental Health in Male-Dominated Industries: Interview with Simon Tyler | Ep. 30

Join us as we explore the intersection of masculinity, mental health, and professional success in traditionally male-dominated industries. In this podcast, we delve into how leveraging strengths inherent in masculinity—such as collaboration, prioritizing safety, reciprocity, perseverance, problem-solving, courage, and honor—can contribute to creating healthier work environments and driving individual and organizational growth. From sharing stories of triumph to discussing practical strategies for promoting mental well-being, in this episode I interview Simon Tyler from Australia. He offers insights and inspiration for navigating challenges, fostering resilience, and unlocking the full potential of men’s mental well-being at work.

His two key takeaways:

  1. Management engagement through leveraging workplace strengths

  2. Mitigate psychosocial hazards related to job design

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Bridging the Gap -- Generational Perspectives on Mental Health at Work: Interview with Melissa Doman | Ep. 29

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Bridging the Gap -- Generational Perspectives on Mental Health at Work: Interview with Melissa Doman | Ep. 29

At the surface level, generational differences in mental health at work are apparent as each generation brings its unique set of values, experiences, and expectations to the workplace….

In this conversation, I speak with Melissa Doman who brings a fresh take on how organizations might bridge these gaps. Her two takeaways:

  1. Move toward each other.

  2. Explore differences to find agreement.

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It Starts with Us -- Leading the Way to Workplace Well-being: Interview with Newton Cheng | Episode 27

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It Starts with Us -- Leading the Way to Workplace Well-being: Interview with Newton Cheng | Episode 27

Sharing vulnerabilities as a leader in the context of culture change and mental health at work can include discussing challenges faced, lessons learned, or personal growth experiences. When you are transparent and authentic about the struggles you've faced as a leader and how you've navigated them, you can create a more relatable and trusting work environment….

In this episode, I model vulnerability by sharing my embarrassing anxiety-fueled outtakes as I was fairly star-struck by my guest Newton Cheng.

Newton is a family man, a world champion powerlifter, and the Director of Health + Performance at Google.
Learn why Newton doesn’t like the saying “Bring your whole self to work.”

Newton shares these two takeaways:

  1. Vulnerability can be built like a muscle; saying: "I don't know how to be vulnerable" is being vulnerable and

  2. Start with seeing the human first — treat everyone first as just another human in a certain context.

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Leading through the Shadows — Leadership, Depression and the Perfectionist’s Paradox: Interview with Dr. Margaret Rutherford | Ep. 26

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Leading through the Shadows — Leadership, Depression and the Perfectionist’s Paradox: Interview with Dr. Margaret Rutherford | Ep. 26

This episode covers the perfectionist's paradox in leadership.

In the relentless pursuit of perfection, leaders often find themselves entangled in a web of unattainable standards. The paradox of perfectionism, touted as a virtue, becomes a silent accomplice to the insidious clutches of depression. Unveiling the facade of flawless leadership, this podcast episode explores the hidden struggles beneath the polished exterior….

My guest today is Dr. Margaret Rutherford, a clinical psychologist and the author of “Perfectly Hidden Depression: How to Break Free from the Perfectionism That Masks Your Depression.” Her two actionable takeaways are:

  1. Reflect on the question, “Is your perfectionism constructive or destructive?”

  2. Get off the treadmill…

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Turning Pain into Purpose -- From Leadership Burnout to Mental Health Advocate: Interview with Justin Azbill | Ep. 24

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Turning Pain into Purpose -- From Leadership Burnout to Mental Health Advocate: Interview with Justin Azbill | Ep. 24

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports record increases in quit rates, emphasizing the urgency of addressing manager burnout.

…on one hand, stress and burnout among managers not only negatively impact organizational culture but also hinder their ability to foster employee engagement in a highly competitive labor market. On the other hand, the manager’s voice in the workplace mental health movement is essential to it’s success.

In this podcast, I interview Justin Azbill, the Director of National Environmental Health and Safety for Milwaukee Tool and we talk about his experiences with life-threatening burnout and how he turned that pain into the purpose of helping others. His two takeaways for addressing burnout:

  • Be proactive, not reactive.

  • Start and end on a positive note.

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Awareness to Action -- Getting a Quick Start on Building a Robust Workplace Mental Health Program: Interview with Steven Frost | Ep 18

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Awareness to Action -- Getting a Quick Start on Building a Robust Workplace Mental Health Program: Interview with Steven Frost | Ep 18

Raising awareness about mental health issues in the workplace is crucial, but it is not enough on its own. Taking action is equally important. Awareness alone does not create tangible changes or provide support for employees who are struggling. Workplace mental health program development should go beyond simply acknowledging the issue and actively work to implement strategies that promote mental well-being, reduce bias, and provide resources for support. By taking action, organizations can create a culture of care, where employees feel supported and empowered to seek help when needed. Action-oriented programs make a real difference in improving mental health outcomes and creating a healthier work environment for everyone involved.

In this interview I speak with workplace mental health advocate Steven Frost. Steven shares these three tips for a quick start to building a workplace mental health program are:

  1. Gain Leadership Buy-in: Messaging of unwavering support from key leaders empowers cultural shifts

  2. Develop a Diverse Team: Representative champion's voices must be heard. 

  3. Gather Resources: Upstream, midstream and downstream

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Your Money and Your Mind -- Enhance Well-being with Financial Fitness: Interview with Robert Khachatryan | Ep 16

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Your Money and Your Mind -- Enhance Well-being with Financial Fitness: Interview with Robert Khachatryan | Ep 16

According to the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, people with debt are three times more likely to experience suicidal intensity because of the debt. A study by Northwestern Mutual found that 44% of Americans states that financial worries were their #1 stressor, with about one in four stating like they felt depressed about money at least once a month.

Sometimes improving your mental health looks like going to a therapist; sometimes it looks like going to a financial mentor. What most people don’t realize is that many Employee Assistance Programs (“EAP”) have financial counseling services for this reason.

In this episode, I speak with Robert Khachatryan about financial wellness and its connection to mental health. He shares these take-aways:

  1. Provide the tools for financial preventative care.

  2. Create a financially safe space.

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Assess Your Stress -- Tactics to Increase Performance by Taming Tension: Interview with Dena Ali | Ep 15

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Assess Your Stress -- Tactics to Increase Performance by Taming Tension: Interview with Dena Ali | Ep 15

Is “stress” all bad?

No.

In fact if you didn’t have any stress in your life you would be bored — and may even feel a little purposeless. Humans need to be challenged mentally and physically. The good side of stress — or Eustress — is what helps us grow and even reach peak performance. It’s where we are thriving.

But sometimes our stress levels tip from Eustress to Distress. Unchecked distress can lead to other mental health challenges like exhaustion, burnout, and crises.

In this episode, I speak with Battalion Chief of the Raleigh Fire Department and founding member of North Carolina’s Peer Support Program, Dena Ali . We talk about the stress continuum and its impact on work performance, and how a powerful antidote for stress is something we often forget to do: PLAY!

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Climbing Out of Darkness -- What Depression Looks Like at Work: Interview with Mike Jacquart | Ep 14

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Climbing Out of Darkness -- What Depression Looks Like at Work: Interview with Mike Jacquart | Ep 14

Often when people experience depression it feels like being in a deep, dark hole.

At least I know that is what it felt like for me.

When I went through an episode of major depression in 2012, the world felt incredibly dark and cold. My mind was filled with dread and overwhelm. Inside I was telling myself that I was a failure and the everything I had worked for would soon completely fall apart. I lost about twenty pounds in a month because I stopped eating. I didn’t sleep night after night.

On the outside I soldiered on.

It took the loving concern of others around me for me to see it was okay to take care of myself. Sometimes depression at work looks like isolation and sadness. Sometimes it looks like distraction, low stress tolerance, anger or changes in appearance. Sometimes the impacts of depression on performance are obvious, and sometimes they are not.

That said, untreated depression is costly and disruptive at work. According to Forbes, half of depressed employees are untreated costing an estimated 200 million lost workdays each year costing upwards of $44 billion to employers. Often employees feel trapped between feeling very unwell and needing to continue to work. Many don’t feel like they have permission to take care of this part of their health or that if they do, many feel they will be punished for doing so.

In this episode, I speak with Mike Jacquart about his experiences living with depression. We cover his three take-aways from the point of view of someone with lived experience:

  1. Understand the impact of poor self-esteem and depression on work.

  2. Offer hope to those suffering in silence.

  3. Treatment works and transforms lives.

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SPECIAL EPISODE What You Need to Know about the National Guidelines for Workplace Suicide Prevention: Interview with Dr. Jodi Jacobson Frey | Ep 13

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SPECIAL EPISODE What You Need to Know about the National Guidelines for Workplace Suicide Prevention: Interview with Dr. Jodi Jacobson Frey | Ep 13

Most workplaces agree that having a mental health program of some kind is good for their workers, and in turn good for their mission; however, most don’t know what to do besides get the benefit of an Employee Assistance Program. In this special extended episode, I speak with my right hand woman Dr. Jodi Jacobson Frey. Jodi and I co-chair the Workplace Suicide Prevention and Postvention Committee and have collaborated for almost 15 years on how best to support workplaces in developing a robust worker well-being culture. In this episode, Jodi covers these three takeaways:

  1. Take a good organizational look in the mirror

  2. Don’t just check a box

  3. Back it up — bring your plans to life

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Connecting the Dots - Inclusion and Mental Health Culture Change at Work: Interview with Dan Lester | Ep 12

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Connecting the Dots - Inclusion and Mental Health Culture Change at Work: Interview with Dan Lester | Ep 12

In this episode, I speak with the Vice President of Field Culture and Inclusion at Clayco, Dan Lester. Dan is also a tireless mental health advocate. In our conversation, we start to connect these workplace challenges in meaningful ways and get comfortable being uncomfortable.

Three takeaways:

1.    Work to see ALL of the people around you. Even the ones that push you out of your comfort zone.

2.    Get in the game. Behave until you believe. 

3.    Don't forget about yourself. You are the answer to your problems. 

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Sparking Innovation in Workplace Well-Being - Lessons Learned from the Google Sponsored John E. Martin Mental Health Challenge: Interview with Michael Martin | Ep 11

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Sparking Innovation in Workplace Well-Being - Lessons Learned from the Google Sponsored John E. Martin Mental Health Challenge: Interview with Michael Martin | Ep 11

Impact entrepreneurship (aka “social entrepreneurship”) happens when we bring together the mission and heart of a charity model of change and the efficiencies and accountability of a business model. In “Corporate Social Responsibility” models, the main focus is often still profit, but in impact entrepreneurship the “profit” is sustainable impact for the common good.

In this episode, I chat with Michael Martin, Google’s APAC Energy, Infrastructure & Sustainability Data Center Portfolio Manager and the Founder - John E. Martin Fellowship & Mental Healthcare Challenge. Michael shares his lessons learned in sparking innovation in workplace mental health with national social enterprise-style innovation challenges among some of our brightest groups of students.

Here are his three tips:

1.    Vulnerability = courage.

2.    We don't fail, we learn.

3.    Catch people doing good things.

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Beyond Paychecks and Performance -- How Leaders Can Cultivate a Spirit-Infused Workplace: Interview with Robin Szeliga | Ep 9

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Beyond Paychecks and Performance -- How Leaders Can Cultivate a Spirit-Infused Workplace: Interview with Robin Szeliga | Ep 9

For many, fostering well-being at the workplace historically equated to fitness or weight loss challenges. More recently, many companies have been integrating emotional well-being into their benefits programs by augmenting their mental health support offerings. However, what is often left out of these conversations is the spiritual component of workplace well-being.

Some people may bristle at this notion, thinking all we mean is religiosity at work. Spirituality is related to religion for many, and for others it also means finding meaning, value and inspiration beyond ourselves. How spiritual experiences like these show up at work can really make a difference in one’s satisfaction and happiness.

When we have a “spirit-infused workplace” our souls are nurtured, we have a sense of purpose, and we want to better our society and the world we live in. In this interview I speak with long-time friend Robin Szeliga. Robin has been studying the role of consciousness and self-awareness in leadership and how a richer inner life landscape can help transform a workplace that holds deep meaning and connection for its workforce.

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The 6 "A"s of Advancing a Caring Culture at Work: Interview with Julius Rhodes | Ep 6

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The 6 "A"s of Advancing a Caring Culture at Work: Interview with Julius Rhodes | Ep 6

A when leaders are their authentic selves, they allow others to see more clearly their own self-identity. Isolating and concealing your true identity is exhausting – and wears on your well-being. When leaders are authentic and model their vulnerability through humility, they become more trustworthy. By building trust, they create psychologically safe teams.

In this podcast I speak with HR professional Julius Rhodes and how we can help drive a caring work culture.

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Employee Engagement & Workplace Mental Health: Interview with Joaquin Diaz | Ep 4

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Employee Engagement & Workplace Mental Health: Interview with Joaquin Diaz | Ep 4

Recruiting and retaining emerging talent is one of the biggest challenges facing employers today. Many try to sweeten the deal with higher salaries and impressive benefits, but one place that cannot be overlooked is the quality of mental health in a workplace. In this podcast, I interview Joaquin Diaz, the EHS Director for Skanska USA Building Inc. He shares their holistic approach to worker health and safety and the impact it has had on retention.

His top three tips for reducing resignation rates and cultivating workplace wellbeing:

  1. Change the conversation in your organization.

  2. Manage the flexibility needed to maintain a healthy workforce.

  3. Increase engagement about external and internal risk factors of mental health.

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Headspace for the Workplace -- Greetings from Dr. Sally | Ep 1

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Headspace for the Workplace -- Greetings from Dr. Sally | Ep 1

In our brain-based economy, we depend on fully engaged, mentally healthy teams. Organizations that have figured this out not only have a competitive advantage, they are awesome places to work. If you want to be able to recruit and retain emerging talent, this podcast will give you the tools that let them know their workplace cares about them.

Psychological safety goes beyond just a fear of making mistakes or suggesting new ideas — it’s really a deep feeling of trust. Psychologically safe environments are where people believe “you have my back” in all areas: when I am learning, when I feel different than others, and when I am having a very difficult time.

Psychologically safe and healthy workplaces actively seek to promote workers’ emotional health and prevent psychosocial hazards due to workplace factors.

Most people who die by suicide or overdose are of working age, making the workplace arguably the most cross cutting system for suicide prevention, addiction recovery and mental health promotion. And yet, workplaces are often underprepared and react rather than respond when faced with mental health emergencies.

Take a listen to the lessons learned and actionable take-aways to promote mental health and wellbeing and support people through tough times – at work.