The Human-Savvy Podcast

Liv Oginska & Emma McConnell•behumansavvy.com

In this podcast, leaders worldwide can learn how to develop their emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills and... "speak Human".

In each episode, Dr Liv Oginska - an international speaker, psychologist, veterinary surgeon and emotional intelligence expert - meets Dr Emma McConnell - a specialist in Equine Medicine, university lecturer, and entrepreneur - and they answer questions about the people-related leadership challenges that were sent to Human-Savvy from leaders around the globe.

Dr Liv shares practical advice on managing challenging team dynamics and showing up as charismatic, highly emotionally skilled leaders and managers. Dr Emma brings in the leader's perspective, asks deepening questions, and shares her experience of being a manager in both a large organisation and a start-up.

Listeners will learn how to bolster team performance and create trust, create sustainable careers, navigate conflicts between coworkers, manage incivility and so much more.

Tune in to get the support that you deserve and take your leadership skills to the next level!

Last refreshed: June 28th, 2025 at 4:04 AM

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Episodes

Season 2, Episode 3: "Fertility vs Responsibility - How to Navigate Personal Issues That Impact Work Performance"

Send us a text *TRIGGER WARNING* - in this episode, hosts discuss fertility issues Leadership often requires navigating the delicate balance between compassion and accountability, especially when personal challenges collide with professional responsibilities. At the heart of today's conversation lies a powerful question: how can leaders support employees through significant life events while still meeting critical business objectives? Dr Liv and Dr Emma dive deep into a real-world scenario where...

Jun 23, 2025•42 min•Season 2Ep. 3

Season 2, Episode 2: “Just ignore it!” - toxic positivity and what psychological safety ISN’T

Send us a text Ever had a manager who responds to every problem with "Just think positive!" or "Don't worry about it"? What might seem like cheerful leadership can actually be toxic positivity in disguise—and it's causing real damage in workplaces everywhere. In this eye-opening episode, Dr Liv and Dr Emma dive deep into a listener's struggle with a company leader who consistently shuts down discussions about workplace issues. While well-intentioned, this avoidance of negativity leaves team memb...

Jun 16, 2025•23 min•Season 2Ep. 2

Season 2, Episode 1: "Burnout, Boreout & Managing Negative Thoughts"

Send us a text What happens when the leader of a healthcare team begins to crumble under the weight of self-doubt? A nursing manager with ten staff members has written to us with a heart-wrenching confession: despite giving their all, they feel they're constantly letting down their team. Every facial expression, every sigh from staff feels like judgment—even though no one has actually said anything negative. This powerful episode explores the dangerous territory of assumption-based leadership, w...

Jun 09, 2025•41 min•Season 2Ep. 1

Episode 10 - The Special Guest: Dr Belinda Hopper

Send us a text Our special guest today is Dr. Belinda Hopper. She shares her leadership journey as the founding director of Animalius Veterinary Hospital in Western Australia, revealing how leadership requires balancing thriving and surviving while creating a workplace where staff can breathe, be seen, and feel valued. The Human-Savvy Team is deeply grateful for Belinda's openness, vulnerability, and energising spirit. She's a true role model of supportive and emotionally intelligent (human-savv...

Jun 02, 2025•47 min•Season 1Ep. 10

Episode 9 -"How can I successfully transition from being a colleague to leading the team?"

Send us a text Stepping from "one of the team" into a leadership position presents a unique challenge that can leave even the most competent professionals feeling frustrated and confused. In this episode, Dr Liv and Dr Emma explore this delicate transition through the experience of a newly promoted leader who finds himself trapped in an awkward middle ground – his colleagues who once treated him "like a little brother" now ignore his directives while simultaneously treating him as their conduit ...

May 26, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 9

Episode 8 - "The victims of one person’s self-criticism and how to protect everyone involved"

Send us a text Few leadership challenges are as demanding as balancing compassion for a struggling team member with the protection of overall team morale. This nuanced challenge takes centre stage as Dr Liv and Dr Emma explore the case of a practice owner grappling with how to support an experienced doctor who's returned from a two-year hiatus with shattered confidence . (click here to contact / learn more about Dr Liv Oginska >>> ) (click here to contact / learn more about Dr Emma McCo...

May 19, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 8

Episode 7 - "What makes people stay in a workplace?" - The "Triple S" of Employee Retention

Send us a text Have you ever wondered why one team struggles to keep their members while others thrive under very similar workplace conditions? This episode tackles a common leadership challenge: high turnover and disengagement . In this episode, Dr Liv and Dr Emma dive deep into the "Triple S Approach" – a powerful framework for understanding workplace satisfaction through three essential dimensions: Safe, Seen, and Stimulated. (click here to contact / learn more about Dr Liv Oginska >>&g...

May 12, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 7

Episode 6 - "The 3-minute De-Monstering Method for managing venting"

Send us a text Ever notice how one person's complaint can spread through your team like wildfire? You're not alone. Workplace venting is a natural human behaviour that serves important psychological functions, but when left unchecked, it can create an avalanche of negativity that drains everyone's energy. This episode provides a practical framework for transforming these potentially toxic interactions into productive problem-solving sessions. In this episode, Dr Liv and Dr Emma explore the scien...

May 05, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 6

Episode 5 - "How can I motivate my team to try something new?”

Send us a text We've all been there – returning from an inspiring conference bubbling with ideas, only to face blank stares and polite nods from our teams. One listener shares their frustration after introducing concepts like autonomy and micro job crafting to teammates who seemed completely uninterested. What causes this disconnect between our enthusiasm and our team's reception? In this episode, Dr Liv and Dr Emma discuss the leadership must-haves of building trust in a team and motivating peo...

Apr 28, 2025•40 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Episode 4 - “They told me that I’m too emotional to be a good leader.”

Send us a text What happens when a leader receives feedback that they're "too emotional" for their role? In this episode, Dr Liv and Dr Emma discuss the vital relationship between emotions and effective leadership . They unpack the painful experience of having your emotional responses questioned, especially when it comes from a male supervisor to a female leader. (click here to contact / learn more about Dr Liv Oginska >>> ) (click here to contact / learn more about Dr Emma McConnell &g...

Apr 21, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Episode 3 - “Is it the leader’s fault that everyone is leaving?”

Send us a text In this episode, Dr Liv and Dr Emma discuss a letter from a person who has a new manager in the organisation and there has been a vast change in the atmosphere. The new manager seems to negatively impact employee wellbeing and retention . This listener is concerned about the future of the team, as well as their own engagement and safety. (click here to contact / learn more about Dr Liv Oginska >>> ) (click here to contact / learn more about Dr Emma McConnell >>> ...

Apr 15, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Episode 2 - “I don’t feel comfortable with the way things are done here.”

Send us a text In this episode, Dr Liv and Dr Emma discuss a letter received from a medical professional who recently joined a new practice. They are concerned about the way their colleagues approach patient care, and they have recently become quite reactive to others, responding harshly and unpleasantly . (click here to contact / learn more about Dr Liv Oginska >>> ) (click here to contact / learn more about Dr Emma McConnell >>> ) In this episode, you will learn how to: disco...

Apr 07, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Welcome to The Human-Savvy Podcast

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Mar 31, 2025•1 min

Episode 1 - "You just can't make them happy!"

Send us a text In this episode, Dr Liv and Dr Emma help one of the listeners - a manager of a 20-person team - who struggles with one particular individual who seems always unhappy and generates a lot of negativity in the group. (click here to contact / learn more about Dr Liv Oginska >>> ) (click here to contact / learn more about Dr Emma McConnell >>> ) In this episode, you will learn how to: recognise what is and what isn't in your power as a leader prepare for the Discovery...

Mar 31, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 1

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