Happy Space Podcast with Clare Kumar

Heather Hansen, accent bias and linguistic inclusion expert discusses how English speakers can address their own accent bias and how non-native speakers can communicate more effectively in work environments. In this episode, Heather Hansen, Accent Bias and Linguistic Inclusion Expert shares her experiences with accent bias in three different continents and how cultural attitudes vary across the wo...

Author of the Canary Code, Ludmila Praslova discusses how moral injury can cause autistic burnout, and how dignity plays a part in setting boundaries in neurodiverse workplaces. Ludmila Praslova, the author of The Canary Code, discusses the common misconceptions about autism, the importance of recognizing female and high-functioning presentations of autism, and the challenges faced by those seekin...

Melanie Deziel, keynote speaker, branded content creator, and autistic self-advocate shares her creative insights on how she navigated her late self-diagnosis journey as an autistic adult and what advice she has for others going through their own self-discovery. In this episode of the Happy Space Podcast, Melanie Diezel, keynote speaker and highly creative autistic self-advocate explores her journ...

Judy Singer, sociologist and pioneer of the neurodiversity movement discusses the role of language around neurodiverse populations, her views on autism, whether HSP’s fit into the neurodivergent ecosystem, and her feelings about the use of the term “woman” when considering transgendered individuals. Judy Singer, sociologist and pioneer of the neurodiversity movement, discusses her views on the com...

Company culture expert, Chris Dyer discusses his experimental approach to creating environments for better work culture, the pitfalls of AI, and suggests dumping the “one on one.” In this episode of the Happy Space Podcast, company culture expert and author, Chris Dyer talks about different ways leaders can think about company culture and shares his experimental approach in creating better work en...

Author and empathy advocate, Maria Ross busts myths about empathy and clearly defines what it is so that it can be effectively harnessed. In this episode of the Happy Space podcast, Maria Ross, an author and empathy advocate, shares her life-changing experience of surviving a medical trauma, highlighting the role of empathy in her recovery and its influence on her work. Maria discusses her books '...

We need to weld DEI into the business, embedding DEI in every relevant aspect that we can. When you think about welding something into the business, it's an incredibly powerful word because you think of welding as kind of these two pieces, the merging or fusion of these two pieces coming together. You’re listening to episode 41 of the Happy Space podcast. Today we’re exploring keeping DEI initiati...

The other thing that I keep harping on is that remote work doesn't need to mean that it's lonely work. We confuse remote work with isolation a lot because we equate remote work with working from home. Again, because the pandemic forced remote work to be synonymous with working from home. But post-pandemic, there are countless ways to work remotely. You are listening to episode 40 of the Happy Spac...

Rick Brennan, author of “The Atypical Leader”, and champion for the undiagnosed neurodivergent professional shares the secrets of his success in the corporate world, why it’s important to have neurodiversity in the workplace, and how investing in human connection can build your foundation as a leader. Rick Brennan, author of 'The Atypical Leader', shares his journey from being someone unaware of h...

Global Workplace Analytics’ Kate Lister shares her insights on the growth of remote work, the challenges leaders face with the abstract nature of managing virtual teams, and why using data-driven research is important instead of relying on gut-based decision-making at work. You're listening to episode 38 of the Happy Space Podcast. Today I speak with Kate Lister, founder of Global Workplace Analyt...

MillerKnoll’s Ryan Anderson shares his research and talks about the benefits of respite spaces, place attachment, recognizing your own belonging cues at work, and how being intentional about usable designs makes for the most beautiful workspaces. You're listening to Episode 37 of the Happy Space Podcast. Today, I speak with MillerKnoll’s Global Research lead, Ryan Anderson, about opportunities for...

In this solo show, Clare digs into the reasons behind the current tension between leaders and employees. She suggests that it is solvable and offers practical ways to do so. You’re listening to episode 36 of the Happy Space Podcast, and today it’s me Clare Kumar. We’re going to be talking about “solving the stalemate,” looking closely at the tension between leadership and employees. I’ve got some...

Exploring the concept of I D E A in workplaces, that exclusion has a cost, and how one small change can make a world of difference and bring us closer to more inclusive businesses with IDEA Thought Leader, Michael Bach.  You’re listening to episode 35 of the Happy Space Podcast. Today we’re exploring the idea that I D E A is a business imperative with thought leader and fellow word nerd, Mich...

Exploring how to change the way we think about business and work to respect both people and the planet, with workplace expert and award-winning author Lisa Whited. With the planet on fire and burnout an epidemic, we need to do things differently. Yet, until we reach the tipping point for social change, if only 8% of people can be counted on to do the “right thing”, what can we do to close the gap?...

We have a declared global intent to be more inclusive of those with disabilities as expressed in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Despite being created in 2006 and with 183 countries on board, there is much work to do. Furthering this work is my guest today, Denis Boudreau. Find out how Denis connected his own feelings of being marginalized as a young boy to empathy an...

If we want our world to be more inclusive, we need to pay close attention to accessibility - the ease with which individuals can participate - at work, at home, and in daily life. Disability consultant Marj Aunos shares her highly relevant personal and professional lived experience. We explore what compelled Marj to dedicate her life to supporting adults with intellectual disabilities at a tender...

Dan is the best-selling author of four books: “Lead. Care. Win.”, “Open to Think”, “The Purpose Effect”, and “Flat Army”. A renowned speaker, Dan has presented at four different TED events and also writes for Forbes and Harvard Business Review. Dan is an adjunct professor at the University of Victoria, Gustavson School of Business and has garnered more than 20 industry awards over his career. He i...

Stephen Shedletsky is a Leadership Speaker, Author, and Coach. He has spent years helping leaders make it safe and worth it for people to speak up. Inspired by the work of Simon Sinek, Shed became the fourth person to join his team where for more than a decade, he contributed as Chief of Staff and Head of Brand Experience, Training & Development, and headed a global team of speakers and facili...

Having had to leave numerous experiences because of sensory overwhelm, I was immediately drawn to the work of Google’s The NEU Project which shares rich resources evolved from Google’s Experience Institute.  After learning about the Google Experience Institute (Xi) and The NEU Project, I knew I had to speak with the Strategic Lead of Global Event Solutions for Google, Megan Henshall. Hear wha...

Exploring a seemingly old-fashioned and often overlooked key ingredient necessary for workforce inclusion, organizational psychologist Gena Cox reminds us that the way we make people feel matters. As a highly sensitive person able to quickly assess whether respect is present in interactions… or not, Gena encourages leaders to make compassionate action the norm. She shares the 3 C’s every leader ne...

In this thought-provoking episode you’ll hear from neurodiversity advocate Theo Smith. We dive into his experiences with the education system, the shift in messaging around neurodivergence, and the importance of language in fostering inclusivity. Don't miss this enlightening conversation on caring for neuroatypical individuals and creating thriving neuro-inclusive work environments. Theo Smith is...

Lighting affects our performance and with lighting technology's dramatic advancements in the past few years, we all need to better understand it. It is cheaper to create long-lasting light now but could this mean too much of a good thing? I invited Craig Bowler of Home Depot Canada to shed light (I couldn't resist) on this topic. Craig is in charge of purchasing lighting and through weekly in-stor...

Productivity catalyst, highly sensitive executive coach, and international speaker Clare Kumar examines the intersection of productivity and inclusivity – paying attention to both being and doing. She inspires individuals to design for well-being and cultivate sustainable performance while avoiding exhaustion and burnout. Clare encourages leaders to design inclusive performance to invite the riche...

We’ve seen a dramatic rise in people working from home through the pandemic, but what about our digital nomads and remote workers, and others who wish to explore our world while they work. For organizations that wish to draw from a global talent pool and benefit from the diversity that it inherently brings, you’ll want to stay on the right side of the the law…especially as they are evolving. Joini...

Robbie has been recognized as a networking expert by NPR, Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Inc, and as an expert in virtual event design by JDC Events. His three books that have collectively received over 600 5-star reviews - a couple of them being mine, and I wouldn’t be surprised if his fourth is about how to effectively launch a book, or the bigger topic of how to effectively engage your fa...