Happy Space Podcast with Clare Kumar

 Imagine you're not just shy, but actually debilitatingly paralyzed at the thought of interacting with other people. That's what Russell Norris describes when he talks about his journey with social anxiety. He's the author of “Red Face: How I Learned to Live With Social Anxiety” and my guest today. We go through a fascinating discussion to learn more about what his struggle was really like an...

Joe dropped by to share his wisdom about encouraging employee commitment. There is much tension between leaders and employees and Joe gives practical suggestions about what leaders can do to make their companies “destination organizations”.  We also explore the Employalty Scorecard and its critical ingredients for maximum engagement. I was specifically interested in the importance of flexibil...

After a dramatic exit from her corporate job, Nola Simon invites us to learn from the past as we design a more human-centric workscape. Touching on the importance of flexibility, Simon encourages building leadership skills to become more adept at managing a dispersed workforce. We examine the disconnect between leaders and employees, the need for clear and effective communication and examples of l...

From getting in trouble for talking too much in school to giving keynote speeches on stages all over the world, Peter Shankman has transformed what was once perceived as a challenge into one of his many strengths.  Here, we explore Peter’s version of an ADHD brain, the source of Peter’s drive and spirit, and what to make of a diagnosis. Peter also shares his love of order and secrets to stayi...

The way we work had not been significantly redesigned in over 200 years despite massive cultural shift and technical advances. The pandemic forced change upon us and now that we have tasted autonomy and proven productivity does not suffer, redesign is on the table. While many organizations are embracing flexibility, hybrid, and remote work as a hiring advantage, Lizzie Penny and Alex Hirst say tha...

A big question on the minds of organizations is how to rebuild culture and foster effective collaboration. Given that trust is an essential ingredient for a team to work at its best, it’s important to create opportunities to build that trust. Yet, it’s not easy to do. Enter Sally Page, co-founder of UK-based WorkTripp, a company she refers to as the “Airbnb” of team offsites. In this episode, we e...

Iconic management thought leader Tom Peters is intellectually irritated and still in search of excellence! Join us for episode 16 of the Happy Space Podcast for delightful commentary on the power of women and the end of the three-martini lunch. In our conversation, we explore several of these including Tom’s deep respect for humanity which he refers to as Extreme Humanism. We dive into sensitivity...

From hiding out at recess in a storm sewer pipe to co-authoring a book about the trait that drove him there, tune in as Andre Sólo shares his experience as a highly sensitive child through to who he is today, a man proud of his sensitive gifts. In their book, Andre, and his co-author Jenn Granneman, explore the continuum of sensitive experience as well as different types of sensitivity. I inquire...

You’re in for a treat with today’s episode featuring mindset coach, Paul Sheppard. Paul and I connected recently when I was interviewed on his podcast, Mindset Change. Realizing Paul has had his own journey with sensitivity and listening to a few of his podcast episodes, I knew I had to bring his energy and insights your way. Paul is trained in a long list of healing modalities such as hypnosis, N...

Hi! I’m back again with a solo episode to share more about the expansion of the podcast from exclusively being about highly sensitive people to designing inclusive performance. Have no fear, I’m not leaving highly sensitive people behind, in fact, fellow HSPs play a central role in upcoming episodes. In this episode, I touch on the tug-of-war that exists between leadership and employees when it co...

We have moved rapidly through a significant evolution in work culture and practice with significant challenges surfacing. As employees and leaders alike are suffering burnout, finding ways to manage overwhelm is a constant priority. Sensitivity is necessary.  Lisa and I explore why setting boundaries is so challenging, what to do about much needed connection, and why we need to look beyond wh...

Noise can be one of the biggest challenges for sensitive people causing us to startle, experience significant stress and lose our focus. I have lived this acutely hence my passion (and longer than usual preamble) to my discussion with Justin Zorn and Leigh Marz, the authors of Golden - The Power of Silence in a World Full of Noise . Leigh and Justin bring to life their examination of not only our...

As neurodiversity is becoming more respected in the corporate world, one of North America’s top ten banks, TD Bank Group, has taken steps to adjust its hiring processes, opening the door for talented candidates who were previously excluded. In this episode, I am speaking with Keith Isaac, the VP of Capital Markets, Risk Management for TD Bank Group, and the parent of a child with autism. Keith tal...

B.nourished was born out of Katie McDonald’s own experience in trying to keep up with the growing demands of her corporate career. Katie found herself spiralling in the wrong direction and knew she was seriously at risk. She abandoned her C-Suite corporate job and stepped into self-compassion. She started applying her knowledge of self-care, alternative health and plant-based nutrition.  For...

If you’ve listened to earlier episodes, you’ll know that I love to shine a light on successful fellow HSPs. I’m very happy to introduce you to Harold Taylor. If you’ve already met him, you'll know why. Harold and I recently chatted for another podcast I have been hosting for two years, the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professional’s (NAPO) show “Stand Out”. After 45 years as...

As the open-concept office proliferated, people took work away from the office to find quieter places where they could think. It's no surprise to me that millions of people have fallen in love with working from home. But, if we need to be in the office, shouldn't we have the option of neurologically safe spaces. You will have heard a lot about that with HoK design principals in episode 2. In this...

As a Highly Sensitive Person, we often live in a world that compromises our sensitivity. It is so necessary for us to have safe spaces, especially where will live and work. That's why I am so excited to speak to and introduce you to Professor of Neuroscience for Architecture, Andréa de Paiva. Master of Arts (Middlesex University, London), architect, and urban planner (University of São Paulo), And...

One might assume that all Highly Sensitive People are introverts. In fact, only 70% of HSPs have this personality type. Years ago, I took a test to find out where I was on the continuum and was found to be in the middle, with a small shift towards extroversion. For years I have confidently referred to myself as an ambivert. I figured the remaining 30% would be split between extroverts and ambivert...

One of my favorite things about creating the Happy Space Podcast has been meeting people who have figured out ways to be successful in integrating their HSP traits into their lives. Today, we speak about intuition with intuition expert and fellow HSP, Sunil Godse. After realizing the reason why businesses fail to create a trusted brand is that they ignore their intuition, Sunil developed a process...

When you go to a salon for services, do you feel like there is an expectation for conversation? If so, what if you are a person who does not enjoy idle chit-chat? Today, I will be speaking with Samantha Lacoste and James Ouellette who believe that everyone deserves a safe space. Even people who prefer quiet over talking. Samantha and James are co-owners of Samantha James Hair Design, a trendy hair...

Have you ever noticed the most amazing things happen when one is posed with a simple innocent question? That is how it started for Kay Sargent, a recognized expert on workplace design and strategy issues. She is an award-winning designer who has worked with several Fortune 500 companies to optimize their global real estate portfolios and create innovative work environments. Kay is currently a dire...

Thank you for joining me on my very first episode of Happy Space Podcast. I am SO GLAD you are here. My mission is to inspire a more inclusive world in which highly sensitive people (HSPs) thrive through both HSP empowerment and the invitation to design spaces, cultures, products, and services with sensitivity in mind. I invite you to listen as I speak about: 00:01:46 - Why I created this podcast...

A Happy Space is a place, culture, or experience that invites one’s richest contribution. Too often our environments are overwhelming and dare I say, toxic, inviting us to burn out or opt out, when in fact, we’ve been designed out. This is especially true for those blessed and challenged with a neurodivergent mind…thank you late-diagnosis of autism with a side order of ADHD. My life makes so much...