Well Workplaces

We welcome Full Stack Human co-authors, Dara Simkin and Tané Hunter to speak about why growing burnout and overwhelm are systems problems, not personal resilience failures. They explain how Stone Age brains are overloaded by Godlike tech - constant notifications, meetings and targeted media - keeping people in fight-or-flight and reducing creativity and judgment. Dara argues that optimisation and...

The “mental load” is something many people carry, but actually struggle to name. It’s the invisible work of planning, organising, anticipating and worrying that sits behind everything we do, both at work and at home. And while it affects everyone, it’s not experienced equally. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Leah Ruppanner, Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne, Director of the Fu...

What  actually  makes a workplace ‘healthy’?  In this episode, Tom sits down with Sasha D’Arcy (Medibank) to go inside the Healthiest Workplace Index — and what the data is revealing about work right now.  In this episode:  What the Healthiest Workplace Index measures and why Medibank built it  The biggest drivers of workplace health (and what’s getting in the way)  The critical role of leaders in...

In this episode, Ruth Kent shares insightful strategies on managing stress, improving sleep hygiene and cultivating self-compassion for leaders, managers and employees navigating high-pressure workplaces. Learn practical tips and frameworks to foster resilience and mental health at work. Main topics: The rising stress patterns in workplaces pre- and post-pandemic The bi-directional relationship be...

In this episode, we explore how social health influences workplace wellbeing and productivity. Dr Ali Walker shares actionable frameworks to foster genuine connection, reduce loneliness and enhance psychosocial safety at work - critical components for healthy, high-performing teams. Key Topics: The four levels of social health: belonging to self, one-on-one, group and collective community The four...

Mark Jones shares his inspiring journey from a health crisis to becoming a champion of mental fitness through The Story Code framework. Key Topics: Mark’s personal health awakening in 2019 after a panic attack during a routine shopping trip to Bunnings The impact of internal stories, limiting beliefs and the inner critic on mental health and performance The narrative therapy approach: rewriting yo...

Welcoming back, Hussein Hamka, performance coach and author. This conversation looks at a familiar challenge for many leaders and teams right now: Work feeling busy, reactive and fragmented. Huss shares a practical way to cut through that noise. His approach centres on clarity, energy and simple behavioural systems that help people perform well without burning out. A key idea he returns to is that...

In today's episode, we welcome Aron Mercer, a researcher and practitioner focused on neurodiversity at work whose doctoral research examines lived experiences of autistic, dyslexic, and ADHD employees and how disclosure and workplace culture affect belonging, wellbeing and performance. Aron explains neurodiversity as a strengths-based concept coined by Judy Singer, notes it affects an estimate...

In this episode, Poppy Griffiths, director and founder of UnlimitU High Performance Coaching, shares her extensive experience and expertise in helping people, leaders and teams achieve sustainable high performance. Poppy discusses the importance of aligning passion with boundaries, the impact of the Performance Fit System ( Purpose Fit, Mind Fit, Body Fit and Relationship Fit ) and the cultural ha...

In this episode, Tom Bosna speaks with Tracy Hall, author, keynote speaker and senior marketing executive, in a powerful conversation about trust, deception and resilience. Tracy shares her experience as the final victim of one of Australia’s most notorious con artists, Hamish McLaren. She reflects on how the truth unfolded, the emotional and financial impact of the scam and the psychology that si...

This conversation delves into the challenges and insights surrounding shift work, highlighting the importance of employee wellbeing, the role of technology in workforce management and the emerging trend of poly employment. Emma Seymour, the CFO of Deputy, shares valuable insights from the Shift Pulse Report, emphasising the need for clarity, control and support for shift workers. The discussion al...

In this conversation, Tom Bosna and Dr Paula Conroy discuss the significance of preventative health, particularly in the context of general practice and workplace health. Paula shares her journey to becoming a GP and emphasises the importance of preventive health checks in reducing chronic diseases. They explore the role of leadership in promoting health within organisations and the need for a cul...

In this episode of Well Workplaces, host Tom Bosna speaks with Dr. Michelle McQuaid about her 2025 Workplace Report from the Change Lab, which highlights the phenomenon of 'quiet cracking' - a hidden crisis where workers seem to cope, but are silently struggling with financial and emotional strain. The discussion covers the prevalence of quiet cracking, especially among young workers, its causes,...

In this episode of the Well Workplaces Podcast, Tom Bosna speaks with David Koczkar, CEO of Medibank , about mental fitness, leadership and Medibank's commitment to mental health. David shares his journey and thoughts on the distinction between mental health and mental fitness, as well as personal strategies to manage stress and maintain resilience. He also discusses the importance of creating...

In this episode, Melissa Reader, the founder and CEO of Violet, discusses reimagining support for families navigating the final stages of life. Melissa shares her personal journey, which inspired her to create Violet, a platform that aids over 30,000 families through this challenging phase. They cover important topics such as the 'sandwich generation', the often-overlooked burden on caregi...

In this conversation, Tom Bosna and Florence Potter explore the dynamics of generational interactions in the workplace, focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the presence of multiple generations, particularly Gen Z and Millennials. They discuss stereotypes, communication styles and the importance of understanding life stages rather than just age. The conversation emphasi...

In this episode of the Well Workplaces Podcast, host Tom Bosna reflects on the major themes from Season 10. The discussion revisits key insights from various experts on topics including women's health, workplace design, financial wellbeing, chronic pain, and mindfulness in an AI-driven world. Key lessons emphasise creating supportive environments for women's health, purposeful workplace de...

In this conversation, Tom Bosna sits down with Cherie Mylordis, a work futurist, to explore the shifting dynamics of the modern workplace. Together, they unpack the expectations of Gen Z, the transformative idea of 'conscious unbossing' and the urgent need for organisations to evolve. Cherie shares her decades of experience helping leaders and teams navigate change, emphasising the importa...

In this conversation, Tom Bosna and Dr Natalie Flatt explore the evolving dynamics between Gen Z and Millennials in the workplace, particularly focusing on mental health and wellbeing. They discuss the unique challenges faced by these generations, including rising mental health claims and the need for psychological safety. The conversation emphasises the importance of leadership in creating suppor...

In this episode of the Well Workplaces Podcast, Tom Bosna speaks with Dr. Andrew Wilson, the Chief Medical Officer at Medibank, who has over 30 years of experience in healthcare. The discussion focuses on ADHD and its implications for working adults. Dr. Andrew Wilson explains the common signs of ADHD in the workplace, the benefits of proper diagnosis and the importance of a holistic approach to t...

In this conversation, Tom Bosna and Lisa Saunders delve into the complexities of perimenopause and menopause, discussing the hormonal changes women experience and the impact on their lives, particularly in the workplace. They explore the various symptoms associated with perimenopause, the importance of understanding these changes, and how both women and men can navigate this life stage with empath...

In this eposide, Dr. Raghav Murali-Ganesh, CEO of Osara Health discusses the challenges faced by cancer patients and the innovative solutions his company provides. He emphasises the importance of holistic care, including exercise, nutrition, and emotional support, in improving patient outcomes. Dr Raghav shares insights from his journey in medicine to technology, the role of human connection in he...

In this conversation, Tom chats with Karen Eley, CEO and Founder of Women Talking Finance. They discuss the concept of financial wellbeing, exploring its definition, importance and the psychological aspects that influence our relationship with money. They dive into personal money memories, common financial behaviours and the role of financial wellbeing in the workplace. Karen emphasises the need f...

In this conversation, Tom and Melissa discuss the importance of workplace engagement and the role of office design in fostering a productive environment. They explore employee engagement statistics in Australia, the implications of return-to-office mandates and the evolution of office spaces post-pandemic. Melissa shares insights on placemaking, measuring success in workplace strategy, and navigat...

In this conversation, Tom Bosna and Neala Fulia discuss the complexities of chronic pain, particularly focusing on fibromyalgia and the innovative approach of MoreGoodDays. Nel shares her journey from management consulting to founding MoreGoodDays, emphasising the need for accessible, evidence-based solutions for chronic pain management. The discussion covers the importance of understanding pain a...