Psych Health and Safety in Canada Podcast

Coming from a career in group fitness and personal training, Lydia Di Francesco shares how she has developed corporate wellness programs that help leaders learn the importance of 'doing' what they ask of employees and encouraging a shift in mindset from 'quick fixes' to adopting a healthy lifestyle.

As an expert in accommodation, Matthew Megson shares tips and strategies on how both employers and employees can work together when faced with a psychological reason for being away from work, to ensure appropriate supports are in place, and that a successful return to work happens with respect for the process.

With extensive experience in a variety of positions and a keen ability to understand both macro and micro level issues, Rohan Thompson shares how he has counselled leaders, individuals and couples on how to handle systemic racism, equity and racial trauma.

Ruthann Weeks, from www.harmonyintheworkplace.com. speaks about how to support abuse-free workplaces. She talks about how to help teams keep everyone psychologically safe, including neuro-divergent employees such as those on the autism spectrum, employees who experience domestic abuse, and employees dealing with organizational change. Trigger Warning – discussion about domestic abuse.

Elisabeth Cooke, CEO and co-founder of Dignii speaks about how inclusion and psychological safety are intertwined. She provides practical strategies and insight into how, even with the best of intentions, employers may be unaware of the ways they may be excluding some employees, and she invites all to join the conversation to learn to envelop inclusivity into every aspect of the company - from wor...

As a leading expert in workplace psychological health and safety in Canada, Dr. Merv Gilbert shares his experiences as a service provider, educator and leader to help shape practical interventions that improve workplace health and well-being.

With over 20 years’ experience in human resources and benefits administration, Steve Sproul shares stories and innovations in helping both employees and employers make the most of their health benefits.

From playbooks to playlists Leslie Bennett takes us on a personal and practical journey into how organizational leadership can develop a caring culture for their employees’ mental health.

Bringing a unique perspective as a post-graduate student, Emily Clark shares how her cohort can and will contribute to a more holistic approach to workplace wellness. Understanding the mind-body connection through her studies in kinesiology, Emily emphasizes that both mental and physical well-being impact performance.

Two-for-one in this episode where Co-Founding Partners of Leda HR Kristin Bower and Annika Lofstrand share their decades of experience in human resources. They share how they’ve adapted their approach to help leaders provide a psychologically safe and healthy workplace.

Suzy Clausen brings her unique perspective on workplace issues and emotions arising out of the current culture in the US. She believes we can work together to truly transform mental health in the workplace. Suzy discusses the need to develop workplace strategies and procedures that ensure employees have a sense of belonging and feel valued.

Through personal experiences and workplace examples, Victoria Grainger shares how she supports those who promote wellness in workplace. Her not-for-profit provides a community of practice for workplace health practitioners and employers who want to build healthy, high performing work cultures

Treena Reilkoff shares practical tips and strategies for leaders to increase awareness of and provide support for individuals who may have been exposed to trauma. This goes beyond first responders to any employees who have experienced trauma in their lives.

Laurie uses research to provide us with a clear understanding of workplace issues. She also shares relevant and helpful solutions that are evidence-based.

Elizabeth Eldridge shares her expertise in empowering employees. She encourages creativity and flexibility of both the employees and the organization to stimulate a happy and healthy workplace.

Dan Bilsker’s broad understanding of mental health shines a light on how to handle workplace stress/conflict to prevent traumatic reactions. He also shares strategies for employers and leaders to provide a psychologically safe work environment.

Kerri Brock discusses how she explores the mind-body connection through tactile activities to help clients discover what is keeping them ‘stuck’. She examines self-awareness as a personal trait as well as being useful in understanding others.

A lively and informative discussion with Maya Volpato covering everything from recognizing psychological risk factors to helpful strategies for leaders to develop authentic relationships with their team.

A very special episode with a person who inspired Guarding Minds at Work, Neighbour at Work and the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace. Dr. Martin Shain shares his extraordinary experiences spanning decades from both a social sciences and legal perspective surrounding the issues in workplace safety and mental health.

An honest and joyful exchange with Lana Bentley who reveals her personal approach to toggling between looking inward at thoughts and outward in communicating with others. Lana will help you better understand yourself and to develop richer, more meaningful relationships.

Understanding humans is a central message delivered in this impactful episode with Stéphane Grenier. From his start as a young leader in the Canadian Armed Forces through his account of experiencing his own ‘moral injury’, Stéphane shares how he developed a deep insight into how we can “be more human, less procedural” as workplace leaders. Sharing tools like the Continuum Model for mental health a...

Jooli Park asks the simple yet challenging questions that help her clients move toward developing a kinder and compassionate self-care awareness that will help them cultivate an environment of mutual trust and respect in the workplace. Sharing their own personal stories of ‘burn out’ both Jooli Park and Mary Ann Baynton weave their self-awareness discoveries into helpful tips and strategies that w...

Jonathon Paglia works in industries where it is essential to equally consider both physical and psychological safety due to the potential “life or death” consequences of impaired human performance. The people Jonathon supports work on teams in environments with a high potential risk of injury. Jonathon takes us through the policies, systems and checks in place that help mitigate these risks includ...

Blaine Donais weaves masterfully through the impact of the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (the Standard). From provincial and federal protective policies to redefining leadership competence and the approach to workplace conflict, Blaine explains how he has helped to simplify the implementation of the Standard by linking it to fairness.

Dr. Bill Howatt brings his enthusiasm, genuine appreciation of, and valuable insight into human behaviour in this discussion about the lessons learned during his various careers. He offers leadership strategies for creating a psychologically safe environment where everyone can feel comfortable to share their honest opinions with permission to feel and express their emotions.