The Human Risk Podcast

What if the problem isn’t that you’re not happy enough — but that you’re chasing the wrong kind of happiness altogether? Show Summary On this episode  I’m joined by Dr Mark Fabian , Associate Professor of Public Policy at the University of Warwick and author of Beyond Happy: How to Rethink Happiness and Find Fulfillment . Mark argues that our modern obsession with happiness often leads us astray,...

What makes an organisation toxic, and how can we spot the signs before it’s too late? What are the common traits that make seemingly unrelated organisations, ranging from the Catholic Church to corporations, do harm? On this episode, I’m joined once again by one of my favourite guests — Professor Benjamin van Rooij — for a deep dive into the hidden dangers of organisational life. Benjamin and his...

How can we prevent violence against women?  And what role do men who don't engage in violence, have to play? This episode tackles a serious, but important topic.  Violence against women affects millions worldwide, yet too often, the focus is placed on how women can protect themselves rather than addressing the behaviors and systems that enable violence in the first place. This isn’t a problem wome...

What does tea have to do with human behaviour? A lot more than you might think.  On this epusoed, I'm exploring one of the world's most popular drinks and what we can learn from it. Summary My guest is Giles Oakley , a professional tea taster, entrepreneur, and long-time friend. Giles began his career at Tetley before co-founding Two Spoons Tea, a company dedicated to celebrating tea as the hero c...

How do we create systems that encourage whistleblowing without incentivizing malicious reporting? Should we reward whistleblowers financially? Why is closure important, both for whistleblowers and the organisations they are whistleblowing on?   Episode Summary On this episode, I speak with  Pav Gill , the whistleblower behind the Wirecard scandal and former General Counsel for Wirecard’s Asia Paci...

What is the edge of possibility and how can storytelling help us to find it?  My guest isn't a storyteller — she's a lawyer, working in compliance — but she's got some fascinating insights to share about how it can help us to effect change.  Or, in her words, to find the edge of our possibility. I've been wanting to get Dr Hemma Lomax on the show for some time, and I'm delighted that in this episo...

How does a major global bank keep surviving crises; until it doesn't? Episode Summary On this episode, I’m joined by Duncan Mavin , author of Meltdown: Scandal, Sleaze, and the Collapse of Credit Suisse. Duncan’s book dives deep into the bank’s dramatic downfall, uncovering decades of mismanagement, scandals, and cultural clashes that eventually led to its collapse.  As someone with intersecting t...

What can we learn about a country from its favourite sport?  A lot. Particularly when that country has a history and culture like Germany.  Which is what I'm exploring on this episode. Even if you're not a football fan, this episode — in a year when Germany goes to the polls — will have something of interest. Episode Summary On this episode, I speak with Kit Holden , a British-German journalist an...

What role does experimentation play in making big life and creative decisions? What lessons can podcasters teach us about effective communication in business? Show Summary  To answer these questions, in this festive episode, I’m thrilled to welcome back two friends of the show, two of my favorite podcasters, Tim Houlihan and Kurt Nelson, co-hosts of the Behavioral Grooves podcast. Known for their...

What does a pink puppet called Connie have to do with ethics? More than you might think. On this episode, I'm speaking with a lawyer, whose innovative approach to getting employees to engage in ethics, involved turning to something we all know from our childhood, a puppet. Episode Summary That lawyer and my guest on this episode is Fraser Simpson, Associate General Counsel at the Wellcome Trust. ...

Can you distill a complex concept into a single sketch? Jono Hey can and on this episode, he joins me to talk about Sketchplanations —a project that explains the world, one sketch at a time. Summary I’ve been a long-time admirer of Jono’s work, which makes complex ideas accessible and engaging through simple, elegant sketches.   We discuss how he manages to turn abstract or intricate concepts into...

What makes communicating effectively such a critical skill in today’s world? On this episode, I dive into the fascinating world of communication with Amy Kean, a psychosociologist, educator, and the founder of Good Shout, a company redefining how we teach and communicate. Amy brings her unique blend of humour, honesty, and sharp insights to a conversation that will leave you thinking differently a...

How does one become a political cartoonist? And what lessons can we learn from their craft? Episode Summary In this episode, I sit down with legendary political cartoonist Steve Bell to explore the artistry and challenges behind his provocative work.   From his early struggles as a teacher to his meteoric rise as a satirical voice at The Guardian , Steve shares the experiences that shaped his uniq...

How do tiny changes in our surroundings create big impacts on our daily lives?  And what does that have to do with house flies? Episode Summary In this episode, I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Eva Van Den Broek and Tim Den Heijer to discuss their new book, The Housefly Effect, which explores the hidden ways behavioral science influences our daily decisions. We dive into fascinating examples of nudges,...

What if embracing randomness could unlock better decision-making in your work? In this episode, I welcome back Matt Ballantine , a returning guest known for his insightful and playful take on work and life.  This time, Matt dives into the concept of randomness and how it can be a strategic tool in navigating complex problems that defy traditional solutions. From engaging discussions on how randomn...

What would you do if someone you trusted turned out to be living a double life? Episode Summary On this episode, I speak with Anna Rowe , a brave and resilient advocate for victims of romance fraud. Anna shares her deeply personal story of being deceived by someone who led a double life, manipulating her emotions and trust for over a year. Her journey from victim to activist is one of courage and...

How can road trips and curiosity shape our perspectives on life? In this episode, I speak with Dr Holly Bell, a former professor, author, and spontaneous traveller.  Holly’s diverse background, which includes teaching economics, writing thrillers, and even working in corporate management at a Fortune 100 company, is rooted in her insatiable curiosity and love of reinvention. Together, we discuss h...

What role does creativity play in navigating an unpredictable world? On this episode, I sit down with Carissa Carter and Scott Doorley , both members of the  Stanford d.school  faculty. Together, they’ve co-authored Assembling Tomorrow , a fascinating exploration of how design influences the future, especially amidst the rapid rise of emerging technologies like AI and synthetic biology. We discuss...

How can we be better at influencing others? On this episode, I explore the world of influence with behavioural scientist Steve Martin. Steve has made a career out of studying the art and science of persuasion, and in this conversation, we dive deep into his latest book Influence at Work . Together, we unpack how influence is a key part of all aspects of life, including compliance.   We discuss why...

How can watching Disney movies, help create more inclusive environments?  The answer is in the word Enchantment. On this episode, I'm speaking to Chloé Valdary , the founder of an organisation called The Theory of Enchantment , to explore her unique approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) training.  If you're someone for whom DE&I conjures up negative thoughts, then you're goin...

How does moral polarization challenge even the most well-intentioned leaders? In this episode, I speak with  Morgan Hamel , who talks frankly about her journey from working in business ethics to launching her own ethical fashion business. In our conversation, Morgan reflects on the complex dynamics of running a business that sought to balance purpose and profit and how that vision was tested by th...

What do you think of when you hear the words Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) ? If it's something negative, then this is the episode for you; because I'm exploring how we can transform DE&I from something theoretical but impractical to something that can really work and have a positive impact for everyone. In other words, how we can de-polarize it? On this milestone 300th episode o...

How does neurodiversity impact creativity? On this episode, I explore the challenges of mental health and how it can be both a driver of astonishing creativity and the cause of significant pain. I believe that having conversations about mental health is crucial if we want to create an inclusive society and get the best out of everyone.  To discuss this topic, I’m joined by the incredibly talented...

What makes a digital workplace truly effective?  In this episode, I talk to Sharon O'Dea, co-founder of Lithos Partners, about the intricacies of navigating the digital workplace. Sharon brings her wealth of experience in digital communications and workplace strategies to the table, sharing insights on how organizations can leverage technology to enhance employee performance and mitigate human ris...

Introducing the Decision-Making Studio Podcast If you’re a regular listener to the show, you’ll know that it’s all about the risks of human decision-making.   I try to bring you guests who can help us to better understand them and what we can do to mitigate them.   One of those guests is Ben Cattaneo , the host of his own podcast, which was one of the inspirations for this show.  Ben’s show used t...