The TikTok-ification of Self-Care (And How to Fix It) with Dr. Pooja Lakshmin
The TikTok-ification of Self-Care (And How to Fix It) with Dr. Pooja LakshminIn this episode of The WorkWell Podcast™, Jen Fisher speaks with Dr. Pooja Lakshmin, psychiatrist, mental health advocate, and author of "Real Self Care." Together they unpack the commercialization of wellness and explore why so many women feel caught between achieving everything and finding time for authentic self-care. They navigate the complexities of caregiving, adult friendships, and finding hope in challenging times.Episode Highlights:The four principles of real self-care: boundaries, compassion, values, and powerWhy the "pause" is the true boundary - not simply saying noThe invisible burden of elder caregiving and why it's so difficult to discuss at workHow to maintain meaningful adult friendships when life gets overwhelmingUnderstanding hope as an active practice rather than wishful thinkingThe importance of finding small moments of joy and connection in daily lifeQuotable Moment:"Real self-care is an internal process. Boundaries, compassion, values, and power - those four internal principles, that's the work of real self-care. And then once you've done that, then you go to yoga, then you do your meditation. But if you're not using those internal principles and not doing that internal work first, then the external tools will be empty." - Dr. Pooja LakshminLyra Lens:In this edition, Dr. Kendall Browne, Clinical Psychologist and Director at Lyra Health, unpacks the concept of "the pause" that Dr. Lakshmin identified as crucial for boundary-setting. She explains that while pausing seems simple, implementing it proves challenging—especially for women who feel pressure to respond instantly. Dr. Browne offers practical strategies for habitualizing this pause and distinguishes between different boundary types: porous (saying yes too often), inflexible (saying no reflexively), and purposefully permeable (thoughtful decisions about when to engage).Resources:This episode of The WorkWell Podcast™ is made possible by Lyra Health, a premier global workforce mental health solution. Learn more at Lyrahealth.com/workwell.
--------
57:28
That Difficult Coworker is Just a Character in Your Success Story with Tessa West
That Difficult Coworker is Just a Character in Your Success Story with Tessa WestIn this episode of The WorkWell Podcast™, Jen Fisher speaks with Dr. Tessa West, Professor of Psychology at New York University and author of "Jerks at Work: Toxic Coworkers and What to Do About Them" and "Job Therapy: A Psychologist's Guide to Finding Your Most Fulfilling Job Yet." Her research reveals surprising patterns about difficult workplace relationships and career satisfaction.Episode Highlights:The five types of workplace jerks: Kiss Up/Kick Downers, Credit Stealers, Free Riders, Bulldozers, and GaslightersWhy gaslighters are the most psychologically damaging but also the rarest type of workplace jerkHow to strategically document and address problematic workplace behavior without making it personalWhy confronting office jerks alone is often the biggest mistake people makeThe surprising truth about "toxic rockstars" and whether you really have to put up with themThe five sources of career frustration: identity crisis, drifted apart, stretched too thin, runner-up, and underappreciated starWhy "follow your passion" is terrible career advice and what to focus on insteadHow to use the Working Week Audit to identify your true workplace stressorsA fresh perspective on work-life balance as psychological integration rather than time managementQuotable Moment:"We all are jerks. When we're tired, when we're stressed, when we're overwhelmed, we probably all got to know this person pretty well during the pandemic. Learn to identify what your inner jerk is and start looking for those red flags, and you'll be a better person for it." - Tessa WestLyra Lens:In this edition, Keren Wasserman, Senior Manager of Organizational Development at Lyra Health, explores how workplace jerks thrive by manipulating systems - and how understanding those systems is key to overcoming them. She highlights that when we take back our power through actions like building connections and amplifying other voices, "we not only shift the power dynamics, but also improve the quality of the work itself." Keren also connects Tessa's job-person fit framework with burnout research, offering a workplace version of the Serenity Prayer to help us recognize "our needs and what we can change about our environment.Resources:This episode of The WorkWell Podcast™ is made possible by Lyra Health, a premier global workforce mental health solution. Learn more at Lyrahealth.com/workwell.
--------
51:59
Stop Saying 'Hope is Not a Strategy' (Science Proves You Wrong) with Kathryn Goetzke
Stop Saying 'Hope Is Not a Strategy' (Science Proves You Wrong) with Kathryn GoetzkeContent Warning: This episode contains discussions of suicide and suicidal thoughts that may be triggering for some listeners. If you're experiencing thoughts of suicide, please know you're not alone - you can reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24/7 by calling or texting 988.In this episode of The WorkWell Podcast™, Jen Fisher opens with a powerful personal reflection on her own journey with hope, challenging the dismissive phrase "hope is not a strategy" and reframing hope as both a comfort and a challenge—not just something we feel, but something we do. She then speaks with Kathryn Goetzke, CEO and Chief Hope Officer of The Shine Hope Company, whose evidence-based work proves that hope is a measurable, teachable skill with profound implications for workplace wellbeing, productivity, and retention. Episode Highlights:How Kathryn's personal experiences with loss and recovery led to her mission of teaching hope as a skillThe SHINE Hope Framework: Stress skills, Happiness habits, Inspired actions, Nourishing networks, and Eliminating challengesWhy hopelessness is the single consistent predictor of suicide and a primary symptom of depressionEvidence that as hope increases, anxiety and depressive symptoms decreaseHow hope scores directly correlate with workplace engagement, productivity, and retentionThe business case for hope: 53% of parents miss a day of work each month due to their children's mental healthPractical ways leaders can model and foster hope in workplace settingsThe distinction between hope as a wish versus hope as an evidence-based strategyQuotable Moment:"Hope is a strategy. We've done the research to prove that the higher in hope your workforce is, the more likely they are to show up to work, be engaged, achieve goals, and overcome obstacles." - Kathryn Goetzke
--------
49:26
The Economy of Ease (& Why It's Making Us Miserable) with Caroline Chubb Calderon
The Economy of Ease (& Why It's Making Us Miserable) with Caroline Chubb CalderonIn this episode of The WorkWell Podcast, Jen Fisher speaks with Caroline Chubb Calderon, futurist, humanist, and founder and CEO of Hello Humanity, a company dedicated to reimagining humanity in the age of machines. Caroline works with leaders worldwide to create a future where technology enhances rather than diminishes our human experience. Episode Highlights:How to unlock human flourishing in the age of artificial intelligenceWhy our current economic model leads to mental health issues and disconnectionThe difference between an "economy of ease" and an "ecology of meaning"Why synthetic relationships through AI can never replace real human connectionThe dangers of deploying AI for mental health support versus clinical analysisHow courage and vulnerability are essential for transforming our systemsThe eight principles of life that can guide our relationship with technologyPractical steps organizations can take to prioritize human intelligence alongside AIQuotable Moments:"We've been creating a world of ease where we live in an economy where everything is driven to improving the ease of life. What would it look like to move from an ease economy to a regenerative and meaning ecology?" - Caroline Chubb Calderon Resources:Learn more about Caroline’s work at Hello HumanityWatch Caroline’s TEDx Talk This episode of The WorkWell Podcast™ is made possible by Lyra Health, a premier global workforce mental health solution. Learn more at Lyrahealth.com/workwell.
--------
1:07:56
'Come As You Are' at Work (Terms & Conditions Apply) with Farah Harris
Come As You Are' at Work (Terms & Conditions Apply) with Farah HarrisIn this episode of The WorkWell Podcast™, Jen Fisher speaks with Farah Harris, licensed psychotherapist, workplace wellbeing expert, and CEO of Working Well Daily. Her book "The Color of Emotional Intelligence" challenges us to rethink what authenticity and emotional intelligence really mean across different cultures and identities in the workplace. Episode Highlights: The hidden costs of "bringing your whole self to work" Why emotional intelligence looks different across cultures and backgrounds How our family dynamics shape our workplace emotional expressionThe real price of fitting into "professional" cultureWhat looks like "high EQ" might actually be a survival strategyWhy declaring "safe spaces" doesn't make them safeThe problem with one-size-fits-all approaches to emotional intelligenceHow power dynamics affect workplace authenticityThe importance of having "safe people" to process workplace experiences Quotable Moment: "If you can't take what you're learning outside of the four walls of the workplace, then is it truly applicable? Is it truly authentic?" - Farah Harris Lyra Lens: We're excited to introduce Lyra Lens, a new segment with our friends from Lyra Health. "The beauty of inclusion and diversity at work is shifting from 'why do you do it like that?' to 'what can I learn from someone who does it differently?'" Andrea Holman shares this and other insights in today's Lyra Lens segment, where she joins Jen Fisher to discuss cultural humility in the workplace. Resources: This episode of The WorkWell Podcast™ is made possible by Lyra Health, a premier global workforce mental health solution. Learn more at Lyrahealth.com/workwell.
The WorkWell Podcast™ is back and I am so excited about the inspiring guests we have lined up. Wellbeing at work is the issue of our time. This podcast is your lens into what the experts are seeing, thinking, and doing.
Hi, I am Jen Fisher, host, bestselling author and influential speaker in the corporate wellbeing movement and the first-ever Chief Wellbeing Officer in the professional services industry. On this show, I sit down with inspiring individuals for wide-ranging conversations on all things wellbeing at work. Wellbeing is the future of work. This podcast will help you as an individual, but also support you in being part of the movement for change in your own organizations and communities. Wellbeing can be the outcome of work well designed. And we all have a role to play in this critical transformation!
This podcast provides general information and discussions about health and wellness. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast. The podcast owner, producer and any sponsors are not liable for any health-related claims or decisions made based on the information presented or discussed.
South Africa