Better At Work with Cathal Quinlan

Carlii Lyon helped me start this podcast 5 years ago. Today, she's sharing her journey from terrified first-timer to leading personal branding expert—and her new book "Courage to Be." If you've ever felt too scared to put yourself out there, this conversation will change how you think about courage. 💡 KEY INSIGHTS: "I was that person who was terrified. I was that person who...

You asked, we answered. In this special listener Q&A episode, co-host Annette turns the tables and asks Cathal the questions we usually ask our guests. This is the story behind Better at Work: why it started, what we're building, and where we're going next.💡 KEY INSIGHTS:"People invest so much time in personal trainers to help them look better. We're like coaches to help you...

Taking a career break doesn't mean your career is over. In this episode, Julianne Miles—chartered psychologist, MBE recipient, and author of Return Journey—shares her proven 5-stage framework for returning to work after time away. Whether you've taken a break for childcare, caregiving, health reasons, or personal development, this conversation will help you navigate the transition with con...

A listener wrote in with a big question: “Where do I even begin with a career change?”In this episode, Cathal and Annette share practical advice on how to identify your unique talents, reconnect with your passions, and take small, meaningful steps toward work that matters. They also reflect on the lessons from Dr Zach Mercurio (Why Mattering Matters) — and preview next week’s guest, Julianne Miles...

Only 30% of people feel like someone at work cares for them as a person. The lowest it's ever been. Zach Mercurio refers to this as a mattering deficit. And you can't solve it with perks, programs, or engagement initiatives. You can only solve it through daily interactions where people feel genuinely cared for. In this conversation, Zach breaks down the difference between caring about people (from...

Annette and Cathal sit down to debrief last week's episode with Tasha Eurich—and it got real. Her research on why resilience is a limited resource, the concept of "grit-gaslighting," and the three biological needs we're all trying to meet completely shifted how we think about stress and burnout. In this Listener's Questions episode, we break down: → The moments from Tasha&#39...

Tasha Eurich spent 5 years studying resilience - interviewing hundreds of people, reviewing 1,300+ scientific articles, and analysing the 52 most cited resilience studies. What she discovered will change how you think about stress, burnout, and "powering through." In this episode, Tasha reveals why resilience practices help you survive but don't help you thrive, why "what doesn&...

Welcome to our first-ever  Listener Questions  episode on Better@Work! Hosts Cathal Quinlan and Annette Sloan are back for Season 4 with your new favourite format. Real workplace questions, real talk, and actionable advice. In this episode: Quick-fire get-to-know-you round with Cathal & Annette Helen Tupper’s top takeaways from last week’s launch episode The tough (and sometimes hilarious) car...

Today we welcome Helen Tupper, CEO of Amazing If and co-author of the No.1 Sunday Times Business Bestseller The Squiggly Career: Ditch the Ladder, Discover Opportunity, Design Your Career. Helen has built her career across leadership roles at Microsoft, Virgin, and BP, and today helps millions of people rethink what career success really means through her books, workshops, and the No. 1 Careers Po...

In episode 45, we welcome  Daisy Auger-Domínguez , a trailblazing executive dedicated to building vibrant and supportive cultures. Her new book “Burnt Out to Lit Up: How to Reignite the Joy of Leading People” offer practical strategies for overcoming burnout. With decades of experience driving transformation at Google and Disney, Daisy is known for innovative solutions to b...

In episode 44, we welcome workplace culture expert Colin D. Ellis, an award-winning keynote speaker and the best-selling author of  Culture Fix: How to Create a Great Place to Work  and  Detox your Culture: Deliver results, retain staff, and strengthen your organisation's reputation .  Colin and I discuss why a great organisational culture is so important - ensuring people can...

In episode 43, we welcome Sinead D'Arcy, an early talent & employer brand marketer who partners with organisations on their early talent strategy across the full 360 employee experience from attraction to selection, onboarding, ongoing development, retention & off-boarding. Sinéad does extensive work with people managers to help them understand how to unlock the superpowers of Gen Z...

In episode 42, we welcome behavioral scientist Mike Daniels, co-founder of the Behavioural Architects - a global insight, research and strategic consultancy organisation.  Mike and I discuss: The difference between  knowing  and  applying  behavioural psychology principles Why the first step to understand any problem is considering ‘System One Thinking' How to dial d...

In episode 41, we welcome behavioral scientist, psychologist, and futurist Aaron McEwan. Aaron discusses how the pandemic has fundamentally reshaped our relationship with work, marking a pivotal moment that underscores the importance of empathy and human-centered leadership within organisations.  Aaron and I discuss: The tension between organisational demands and the qualities of great human-...

In episode 40, we welcome back Amy Gallo, co-host of HBR's Women at Work podcast and the brilliant author of ‘ Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) ' to discuss conflict, communication and navigating challenging workplace dynamics.  Amy and I discuss: Why emotional regulation is so important and how to create space in challenging situations Establishing team ps...

In episode 39, we welcome Joanne Lipman, author of “Next: The Power of Reinvention in Life and Work”.  Joanne shares valuable insights into how to pursue a more fulfilling career and the importance of adaptability in the modern workplace, all backed by cutting-edge science and inspiring true stories. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will set you up to pursue your profess...

In episode 38, we welcome Dermot Crowley, one of Australia's leading productivity thought leaders. With over 25 years of experience, Dermot shares insights from his extensive background in productivity training and discusses the key theories behind his book  Smart Work. He emphasises the importance of combining practical productivity strategies with existing technology to enhance workplace ef...

In episode 37, we welcome Pia Lauritzen, philosopher, tech entrepreneur and writer on the power of questions and why it's key to embracing curiosity and engaging in deeper, more meaningful conversations. Pia and I discuss:   Why Pia believes only a few hold the power of questions in society and why it should be democratised  What her research has revealed about finding the right question...

In episode 36, we welcome Molly Tschang, Founder of Abella Consulting and Say It Skillfully Inc. Molly teaches people at all levels to communicate skillfully and authentically to be seen, heard and understood on their most important and challenging topics. Molly and I discuss: Why our willingness to speak up is a huge indicator of how safe and supported we are at work Molly shares her framework to...

In episode 35, we welcome Graham Allcott, an entrepreneur, author, speaker and podcaster whose latest book  KIND: The quiet power of kindness at work  is out now. What if someone told you the key to success was kindness? His new work focuses on why organisations with kinder and more human-centred cultures are ultimately more successful.  Graham and I discuss: Why the role of kindness in business i...

In episode 34, we have something a little bit different for you. We speak to Rebecca Moulynox, the General Manager of Great Place To Work Australia and New Zealand, and Con Mouzouris, CEO of Mantel Group. Great Place to Work is a global authority on workplace culture and gives leaders and organisation the recognition and tools to create a consistently and overwhelmingly positive employee experienc...

In episode 33, we welcome Jay Van Bavel, a professor of psychology and neural science at New York University and author of the acclaimed book, " The Power of Us: Harnessing Our Shared Identities to Improve Performance, Increase Cooperation, and Promote Social Harmony ”."  From neurons to social networks, Jay’s research examines how collective concerns—group identities, moral values, and political...

In episode 32, we chat with Dr. Marc Sniukas about making better strategies for all levels - from leadership to management, to challenges in our everyday lives! With over 20 years of experience, Marc has worked with global organizations like BMW, Deloitte, and McDonald's. He helps businesses create effective strategies for success, even in challenging times. Marc equips people with proven systems...

In episode 31, we chat with Nick Bloom, a renowned Stanford economist and leading expert on remote work. Nick’s research has delved into the trends and preferences of employees for over twenty years. He’s full of insights and tips on the value of hybrid working and how to make the commute to the office count. Whether your workplace is remote, in-person or a mix of both - this episode is for you! ...

In episode 30, we chat with Carol Kauffman about being the best version of yourself in the toughest moments at work and in life. Whether you’re making a split-second decision when your business is hit sideways or finding the ways to stay calm when someone shouts you down in a meeting, how can you be at your best in the most crucial moments? Carol Kauffman is an assistant professor at Harvard Medic...