Are you feeling overwhelmed by busyness and constant demands at work? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien tackles the all-too-common issue of being perpetually busy: Why it happens, the impact it has on our personal and professional lives, and most importantly, what actionable steps we can take to reclaim our time and energy. Aoife openly shares her own struggles with busyness, explores the cultural and psychological drivers behind it, and offers practical fra...
Jul 04, 2025•25 min
How can you build stronger human connections at work and lift your team out of the awkward zone? In this thought-provoking episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O’Brien is joined by Jen Marr, author, researcher, and expert on supportive workplace cultures. They explore the essential human skills that leaders need in today’s rapidly changing, tech-driven world. Drawing from her rich personal and professional journey, Jen shares insights from her books "Showing Up" and "Lifting Up," delvin...
Jun 27, 2025•43 min
Are you unintentionally holding your team back? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien dives deep into her newly developed framework for understanding leadership blind spots through eight distinctive Leadership Archetypes. Drawing from years of leadership research and firsthand experience, Aoife explores how values alignment, needs satisfaction, and individual strengths impact team performance and engagement. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or new to managing te...
Jun 20, 2025•13 min
Are your workplace connections making your team thrive, or driving disengagement? In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O’Brien welcomes Dr. Zach Mercurio back for a powerful conversation on the workplace “mattering deficit” and how creating a true sense of significance can transform teams. Drawing on the latest research, including worrying trends of record-low employee engagement and the global loneliness epidemic, Zach reveals why transactional digital interactions and a lack o...
Jun 13, 2025•51 min
How can you get the most from one-to-one meetings at work? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien, career and culture strategist for busy global leaders, dives deep into the secret to running effective, meaningful one-to-one meetings. Drawing on her own experiences, both positive and negative, Aoife explores why so many one-to-ones fall flat and how this underutilised tool can drive productivity, engagement, retention, and trust within your team. Aoife offers act...
Jun 06, 2025•13 min
How can you discover resilience at work, and improve how your organisation can build it effectively? In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien sits down with Dr. Marie-Helene Pelletier, psychologist, executive coach, and author, to explore the concept of resilience in the workplace. Marie-Helene shares her unique journey, blending psychology and business, and reveals why resilience, not just mental health, resonates so powerfully with high-performing leaders and teams. I...
May 30, 2025•46 min
How can you manage your career strategically? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O’Brien introduces the “Know, Show, Grow” framework, an actionable approach to managing your career strategically. Drawing on her wealth of experience as a career and culture strategist, Aoife breaks down the essential steps to understanding your values, strengths, needs, and how to showcase your achievements with confidence. She also shares an exciting update on her new AI Career Compan...
May 23, 2025•16 min
Do you want to understand how drivers and personal differences can help resolve conflict at work? In this engaging episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I sat down with Jason P Carroll to explore how understanding psychometrics can revolutionise team dynamics and enhance leadership effectiveness. Jason, a tech entrepreneur and founder of ActiveIndex, delves into his own personal journey from the tech industry to psychometrics and the profound impact of self-awareness on leadership and team coh...
May 16, 2025•39 min
Do you struggle to give feedback without feeling uncomfortable or worrying you'll offend someone? In this solo episode, Aoife O'Brien delves into the all-too-common challenges around giving effective feedback in the workplace. Drawing from personal experience, audience insights, and research, she looks at why feedback can feel daunting, why it's crucial for growth, and, most importantly, how to deliver feedback that actually drives positive change. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: Why so many p...
May 09, 2025•17 min
Do you want to se ek out purpose at work so you can find true happiness? In the latest episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I sat down with Rumana Shaikh, a senior customer success manager at HubSpot. With a rich background spanning statistical analysis, entrepreneurial ventures, and tech-driven roles, Rumana shared her fascinating career journey and delved into how intuition and a quest for learning have guided her professional path. She discussed the significance of challenging yourself, th...
May 02, 2025•39 min
Are there limitations to the wellbeing at work ideology? In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I take a deep dive into the concept of wellbeing in the workplace, challenging the idea that it’s merely a box-ticking exercise. I discuss the Happier at Work framework, which forms the foundation of my upcoming book, and explore how this comprehensive approach can be applied to truly enhance workplace wellbeing. I explore the common misconceptions surrounding wellbeing initiatives, emphasisi...
Apr 25, 2025•18 min
Are you missing those behind-the-scenes insights that used to drop each week? Wondering where the Happier at Work® bonus episodes have disappeared to? In this short solo episode, Aoife shares an exciting update about how to access the exclusive bonus episodes going forward—and why they’ve moved to a private podcast feed . You’ll learn what to expect when you sign up, how the bonus content deepens your experience of the main episodes, and exactly how to access it in less than 30 seconds. Whether ...
Apr 23, 2025•5 min
Do you want to transform your workplace for greater productivity and wellbeing? In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I sat down with Brandon Laws, Vice President of Marketing and Product at Xenium HR. We delve into the changing landscape of the HR profession and how businesses can adapt to the evolving needs of their employees. Brandon shares his journey from operations to leadership at Xenium, highlighting the importance of transforming workplaces to support both business goals and e...
Apr 18, 2025•44 min
How can you leverage AI use to enhance personal and professional life? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I delve into the transformative impact of AI in my own business and personal life. Drawing on a year's experience with AI, particularly the paid version of ChatGPT, I share practical insights and tips on how AI can streamline content creation, adjust tone in professional communication, and provide technical solutions. By exploring real-life examples, I illustrate how AI can...
Apr 11, 2025•17 min
How can you foster a more inclusive and innovative workplace in a polarised world? In the latest episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Bhushan Sethi, a partner at PwC and an adjunct professor at NYU Stern, returns to the podcast. He shares his expert insights on the evolution of workplace trends and challenges, particularly focusing on navigating polarisation, DEI rollbacks, and the impact of AI in the workplace. Bhushan discusses the persistent uncertainties in today's work environment, highl...
Apr 04, 2025•41 min
This is a synopsis of the key points from my conversation with Kelly McDonald. The main points include: The advantages of marketing and selling to people "not like you." How an inclusive workplace culture can lead to greater business success. The relationship between employee happiness and organisational culture. Exploring how diverse thinking drives innovation and business growth. Strategies for cultivating a culture where failure is embraced as a learning opportunity. This episode will help yo...
Mar 31, 2025•11 min
Do you want to embrace a growth mindset and curate more diverse perspectives at work? In the latest episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I spoke to Kelly McDonald, a seasoned speaker, author, and consultant. With over two decades of experience, Kelly dives deep into the importance of diverse thinking and a growth mindset in fostering a thriving workplace culture. She shares her journey from a corporate professional favour to becoming a recognised authority on leadership, marketing, and cultur...
Mar 28, 2025•49 min
This is a synopsis of the key points from my conversation with Matt Shenker, all about managing expectations versus reality when it comes to workplace behaviour and wellbeing. The main points include: The importance of restructuring workplaces to meet the human needs of connection and purpose. Understanding the six intrinsic human drives and how they relate to workplace wellbeing. The concept of an implementation gap in workplaces, not a knowledge gap. The role of leaders in connecting company m...
Mar 24, 2025•10 min
How can you identify and meet your employees’ needs and improve wellbeing? In this enlightening episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I engage in a deep conversation with Matt Shenker, a therapist, behaviour scientist, and innovative leader in workplace transformation. Matt shares his personal journey from struggling with addiction to using behaviour science to revolutionise workplace systems. He delves into how modern workplaces are out of sync with human needs and discusses practical strateg...
Mar 21, 2025•43 min
What is the drama triangle and how can you get out of it at work? In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I dive deep into the psychological concept of the drama triangle, developed in the 1960s. Often unrecognisable at first glance, these unconscious patterns involve the roles of the victim, the persecutor, and the rescuer. I discuss how these dynamics can impact workplace culture, relationships, and overall career progression, and provide insights into recognising these roles and ...
Mar 14, 2025•12 min
This is a synopsis of the key points from my conversation with Alida Miranda-Wolf. The main points include: The significance of gradual and systemic DEIB change to prevent organisational pushback. Alida's journey from isolation in venture capital to founding a DEIB transformation firm. The cultural conflict aversion in the U.S. and its impact on professional development. The need for effective communication and hard conversations to support employee growth. Strategies to rebrand and reframe DEIB...
Mar 10, 2025•11 min
How can you balance leadership and having difficult conversations about inclusivity? In the latest episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Alida Miranda-Wolff, a trailblazing figure in venture capital and a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). Alida shared her unique journey—from feeling isolated as one of the few women and Latino leaders in Chicago's venture capital scene to founding Ethos, a firm dedicated to transformi...
Mar 07, 2025•42 min
This is a synopsis of the key points from my conversation with Matt Poepsel. The main points include: Embracing complementary styles within organisations to handle complex projects effectively. Recognising and managing workplace friction, both internally and externally, to maintain organisational harmony. Understanding demographic shifts, such as talent shortages, and their impact on organisational dynamics. Overcoming fears and entrenched practices to prioritise stakeholder welfare and drive tr...
Mar 03, 2025•9 min
How can you effectively manage different working styles to enhance teamwork and productivity? In the latest episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I had a thought-provoking discussion with Matt Poepsell, known as the "godfather of talent optimisation" at the Predictive Index. We delve into the intricate dynamics of workplace styles and the necessity of embracing differences to tackle complex challenges. Matt shares insights from his vast experience, exploring how addressing intrapersonal confli...
Feb 28, 2025•40 min
Do you feel confident negotiating your salary? In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I dive into the taboo subject of salary negotiations, sharing both my personal experiences and practical tips to help you navigate these complex conversations. I emphasise that happiness at work isn't solely about money, it’s about the importance of feeling fairly compensated. I am transparent in this episode about my own successes and failures in salary negotiation, and I want to inspire you to approa...
Feb 21, 2025•16 min
This is a synopsis of the key points from my conversation with Leadership expert and author Sile Walsh. The main points include: Understanding inclusion from an organisational perspective and clarifying common misconceptions. Challenges and cultural considerations in applying DEI principles across different geographical contexts. The importance of actionable practice over knowledge in diversity and inclusion training. Workplace boundaries and the significance of balancing personal and organisati...
Feb 17, 2025•12 min
How can mental health conversations reshape your workplace? In the latest episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I had an insightful conversation with Sile Walsh, a leadership expert and author, to discuss her exploration of inclusive leadership and its impact on organisational success. Based in Dublin and active across Europe, Sile brings a wealth of experience in leadership and organisational development, with her new book shedding light on this crucial subject. Her transformative approach to...
Feb 14, 2025•48 min
This is a synopsis of the key points from my conversation with Melissa Doman. The main points: Importance of seeking mental health support proactively, similar to regular medical checkups. Understanding and managing triggers in the workplace through effective communication. Courage in engaging difficult conversations to improve cognitive and emotional connections. Shifting from awareness to actionable steps in mental health discussions. The role of leaders in connecting employees to appropriate ...
Feb 10, 2025•12 min
How can mental health conversations reshape your workplace? In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I sat down with Melissa Doman, an organisational psychologist and former clinical mental health therapist, to delve into the intricacies of mental health in the workplace. Melissa brings her expert insights on how mental health support, recognising emotional triggers, and engaging in courageous conversations can lead to happier and more productive work environments. From addressing generat...
Feb 07, 2025•46 min
Are you aware of the early warning signs of burnout in yourself and your team? In this week’s solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, I delve into the pervasive issue of burnout in the workplace. With staggering statistics highlighting the financial impact of burnout on businesses globally, I explore its definition, dimensions, and the profound effects it has on both individuals and organisations. I share some personal insights and experiences to shed light on how burnout sneaks up and what...
Jan 31, 2025•16 min
