Wellbeing Talk Podcast

#MentalHealth #WorkplaceWellbeing #LeadershipWhere does employer responsibility end when it comes to mental health?As governments invest record levels into mental health services and organisations continue expanding workplace wellbeing initiatives, expectations around leaders have never been higher.But where should responsibility begin and where should it end?In this episode of Wellbeing Talk, I'm joined by Mark Rowland, current CEO of the Mental Health Foundation, to explore the future of workplace mental health, leadership and prevention.Together we discuss:- Why preventing poor mental health is more effective than relying on wellbeing initiatives alone.- Where the balance lies between employer and personal responsibility.- How AI can enhance mental health support without replacing meaningful human relationships.- The principles that will continue to shape mentally healthy workplaces for generations to come.Along the way, Mark also reflects on losing his brother to suicide, how running became part of his recovery, and the lessons he's learned after more than a decade leading one of the UK's oldest mental health charities.⏱️ Chapters=======================================================0:00 - Intro1:36 - How Losing His Brother Changed Mark Rowland's View of Mental Health4:18 - Looking Back: What Changed After Losing His Brother?6:43 - Can Running and Exercise Improve Mental Health?11:37 - What Changed Mark Rowland's Mind About Mental Health?16:00 - Which Workplace Wellbeing Trends Concern Mark Rowland?19:46 - Three Evidence-Based Ways to Improve Mental Health at Work26:20 - Will the UK's New Mental Health Strategy Change Workplace Support?32:35 - Are We Expecting Too Much From Leaders on Mental Health?37:10 - Have We Stopped Talking About Personal Responsibility?39:51 - Where Does Employer Responsibility End?42:06 - Leadership, Employee Wellbeing and the Social Contract44:40 - Why Leaders Struggle to Set Healthy Boundaries48:12 - How Could AI Improve Mental Health Support?54:00 - What Are the Risks of AI Replacing Human Support?56:57 - AI, Social Media and Young People's Mental Health58:45 - Is Mark Rowland Optimistic About the Future of Mental Health?1:01:00 - Which Mental Health Principles Will Still Matter in 100 Years?1:02:50 - Mark Rowland's Most Important Lesson After 10 Years as CEO1:04:11 - Outro=======================================================🔔 If you’re interested in how to have more compassionate and constructive conversations about mental health - both in and outside of the workplace, don’t forget to subscribe to the @letsgowellbeing YouTube channel.

#workplacewellbeing #employeeengagement #happinessatworkMany employees feel they have to suppress or hide their emotions at work in order to be seen as professional - yet research increasingly suggests that emotions play a critical role in how people connect, perform and make decisions.Despite growing investment in employee engagement and workplace wellbeing initiatives, many organisations still struggle to understand what employees are actually experiencing day-to-day.So what does happiness at work really look like and how is it different from employee engagement?In this episode of Wellbeing Talk, I’m joined by Matt Phelan, public speaker, author of The Happiness Index: Why Today’s Employee Emotions Equal Tomorrow’s Business Success, and co-founder of The Happiness Index.Drawing on data gathered from more than two million employees across over 100 countries, Matt shares insights into the emotional drivers of workplace performance, why leaders often misunderstand engagement, and how understanding emotions can help organisations build healthier cultures.This episode will be particularly useful for leaders, managers and HR professionals looking to better understand employee engagement, workplace wellbeing and performance.Together we explore common misconceptions about workplace happiness, why traditional engagement metrics can sometimes give a false sense of security, and what leaders and managers can do to create environments where people feel safe, supported and able to perform at their best.=======================================================⏱️ Chapters0:00 The Happiness Myth at Work - Intro1:30 Why Workplace Wellbeing Gets Ignored2:30 The Role of Emotions at Work6:35 Why Leaders Should Measure Workplace Culture10:17 The Problem with Rational Workplace Metrics14:30 The 8 Drivers of Workplace Happiness18:15 Finding Meaning in Work22:37 The Most Misunderstood Happiness Drivers26:55 Global Workplace Happiness Trends30:08 Happiness vs Engagement at Work32:33 Why Engagement Scores Can Be Misleading35:00 Why Workplace Wellbeing Still Struggles38:19 How Emotional Data Predicts Performance42:10 The Most Neglected Human Need at Work44:20 One Thing Managers Can Do Today54:20 Global Workplace Happiness Data Insights56:35 What Organisations Should Stop Ignoring59:38 What Most Affects Employee Happiness1:00:48 The Biggest Workplace Happiness Myth1:01:07 Outro=======================================================🔔 If you’re interested in how to have more compassionate and constructive conversations about mental health - both in and outside of the workplace, don’t forget to subscribe to the @letsgowellbeing YouTube channel.

#eatingdisorders #eatingdisorderawareness #mentalhealth Most people only access eating disorder support at crisis point — in this episode, we explore how community can change that.Early intervention and accessible eating disorder support can make a significant difference to long-term recovery outcomes.How can community help with eating disorders and what does meaningful support really look like in practice?In this episode of Wellbeing Talk, I’m joined by Vanessa Longley, CEO of Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity - for a conversation about eating disorder prevention, early intervention, recovery, and the role community plays during Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2026 (EDAW 2026).Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions and often deeply isolating experiences — yet recovery does not happen alone.Together, we explore common misconceptions about eating disorders, why early support matters, the vital role of families and carers alongside how workplaces, online communities and healthcare systems can better respond to those affected.=======================================================⏱️ Chapters0:00 Intro - Can Community Help Eating Disorders? | Vanessa Longley01:44 Why Vanessa Longley Joined Beat & Common Misunderstandings About Eating Disorders04:21 The Biggest Challenges in Preventing Eating Disorders Today07:59 Emotional Moments That Show Why Eating Disorder Support Matters11:58 New Research in Eating Disorders That Gives Hope14:35 What Beat’s Data Reveals About Unmet Eating Disorder Support in the UK17:43 What People Really Say When They First Reach Out for Help20:13 Supporting Parents & Carers in Eating Disorder Recovery23:49 Beat’s 2025–2030 Strategy Explained — Changing the Story on Eating Disorders26:30 Calories on Menus: What the Evidence Says About Eating Disorders28:25 Why Early Help Matters & What Stops People Getting Support Sooner31:00 Social Media, Online Communities & Eating Disorder Recovery37:28 New NHS Eating Disorder Guidance for Children & Young People — What’s Changed?43:30 How the NHS and Charities Like Beat Can Work Better Together47:30 Inequality in Eating Disorder Care — Geography, Identity & Stigma52:08 The Role of Employers in Supporting Eating Disorders at Work54:35 Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2026 — Why Community Matters57:05 How to Support Someone with an Eating Disorder (Practical Advice)58:25 The Future of Eating Disorder Support by 203059:30 A Message for Anyone Struggling or Supporting a Loved One01:01:07 Outro=======================================================If you or someone you know is affected by an eating disorder, confidential support is available viaBeat: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.ukBeat Eating Disorders Helpline: 0808 801 0677 (UK)=======================================================🔔 If you’re interested in how to have more compassionate and constructive conversations about mental health - both in and outside of the workplace, don’t forget to subscribe to the @letsgowellbeing YouTube channel.

How does relationship health really impact our wellbeing, performance and working lives?In this episode, I’m joined by Verity Glasgow, Chief Executive of OnePlusOne, to explore why the quality of our relationships is one of the strongest predictors of long-term health and happiness and why relationship health is still overlooked in most workplaces.Drawing on over 50 years of relationship science, Verity explains how concepts like relationship health and social fitness affect productivity, leadership, and employee wellbeing, especially during major life events such as separation, conflict at home, or increased caring responsibilities.We discuss:- How relationship health impacts performance at work- What leaders often misunderstand about employees under relational stress- Why social fitness matters just as much as physical and mental health- What good workplace support looks like during life events like separation- How organisations can build a healthier, more human culture at work=======================================================⏱️ Chapters0:00 Intro2:04 Verity Glasgow’s Journey Into Relationship Health Leadership3:38 The Moment That Shaped Verity’s Approach to Relationship Support6:13 What Is OnePlusOne? Mission, Impact & Relationship Science7:04 Why Relationship Support Is in High Demand Today11:44 What Is Social Fitness? Building Relationship Skills for Life & Work14:17 What the 85-Year Harvard Study Reveals About Relationships17:27 Divorce & Separation: What People Get Wrong About Parents27:24 The Biggest Gaps in Support for Separating Families28:58 Why OnePlusOne Created the Separating Better App33:19 How Separating Better Changes Communication & Emotional Readiness37:57 Surprising Results From the Separating Better Evaluation41:52 What’s Next for the Separating Better App?44:45 Relational Leadership: Supporting Employees Through Divorce47:04 Compassion vs Performance: What Leaders Get Wrong49:17 How Organisations Can Build a Culture of Relationship Health55:01 How Verity Glasgow Protects Her Own Relationship Health58:51 The Future of Relationship Health in the UK1:00:30 One Relationship Insight Every Leader & Parent Should Know1:02:12 Outro=======================================================🔗 Learn more:OnePlusOne supports individuals, families and organisations to build stronger relationships and develop the skills needed to navigate conflict in healthier ways.

Music is one of the most common ways people manage their emotions - yet it’s rarely treated as a serious wellbeing tool at work.In this episode, I’m joined by Rob Stephenson, a public speaker, social entrepreneur and mental health campaigner to explore how music can support mental health, reduce stigma and help create more psychologically safe workplaces.=======================================================⏱️ Chapters0:00 Intro01:54 Why Rob Shared His Mental Health Story05:53 What Intentional Wellbeing Looks Like07:47 Rob’s Lowest Point With Depression11:23 Why Mental Health Stigma Persists16:34 The Deeper Question Behind Rob’s Mission23:35 Values Driving Activism and Creativity24:54 Common Misconceptions About Mental Health Work27:24 Lessons From Giving 1,000 Mental Health Talks28:56 A Key Lesson From Rob’s TEDx Talk33:16 Vulnerability at Work: Risk or Strength?37:09 Managing the “Vulnerability Hangover”46:00 Why the InsideOut LeaderBoard Was Created49:42 What Courageous Leaders Taught Rob53:14 How Leaders Can Start Mental Health Conversations58:25 Harmonising the Mind: Music and Wellbeing01:02:48 Powerful Moments From Music Workshops01:07:05 How Music Shaped Rob’s Bipolar Journey01:10:17 The Science That Changed How Rob Listens01:13:22 What Rob Hopes Readers Take From His Book01:14:54 The Future of Mental Health at Work01:17:33 Outro=======================================================

Should Mental Health First Aid be mandatory in every workplace?In this episode of Wellbeing Talk, I sat down with with Sarah McIntosh, Chief Executive of @MentalHealthFirstAidEngland (MHFA) England, about the future of workplace wellbeing, prevention, and the growing impact of MHFA across the UK.Since 2007, MHFA England has trained more than 1.1 million people across 20,000 + organisations to build inclusive, mentally healthy cultures. Yet only 29% of employers currently train managers to support mental health, contributing to a £212 billion annual loss in productivity and economic inactivity. Sarah shares how MHFA England’s Mandate the Change campaign, new Workplace MHFA Standards, and the first-ever MHFAider Day aim to close this gap - equipping people with the skills, confidence, and structure to offer help before crisis hits.We discuss:Why MHFA England believes Mental Health First Aid should be as standard as physical first aidThe rise of prevention-focused workplace wellbeingThe role of employers in creating mentally healthy, productive teamsInsights from The MHFAider Effect report and the voices behind the movementSarah McIntosh’s personal journey as a leader driving culture change Watch, learn, and join the conversation about how we can make mental health support the norm, not a privilege.=============================⏱️ Chapter Markers:0:00 Intro03:18 Sarah McIntosh on what first inspired her to work in mental health07:57 How Sarah McIntosh’s personal wellbeing journey shapes her leadership at MHFA England09:53 Biggest misconceptions about Mental Health First Aid explained14:54 How the CEO of MHFA England practices self-care and balance16:45 Why the 2019 attempt to include mental health in first-aid law failed – and what’s different now20:41 Inside MHFA England’s decision to create national Workplace MHFA Standards23:31 Which MHFA Standards will make the biggest difference for employers?25:41 Advice for organisations that support MHFA but haven’t embedded it yet29:24 Beyond cost: The real barriers employers face to implementing MHFA32:08 The Keep Britain Working Review – why prevention is key to keeping people in work35:10 How MHFA fits into a preventative approach to workplace wellbeing40:12 What MHFAider Day means for Sarah McIntosh and the wider MHFA community42:50 Key findings and trends from The MHFAider Effect report43:29 Powerful MHFAider stories that show the impact of mental health first aid49:17 Why MHFAiders’ voices matter in shaping national mental health policy52:50 Sarah McIntosh’s hopes for the future of MHFAider Day and the movement54:17 What gives Sarah McIntosh hope about the future of workplace mental health55:00 One action every employer can take to improve mental health at work56:52 Outro=============================🔔 If you’re interested in how to have more compassionate and constructive conversations about mental health - both in and outside of the workplace, don’t forget to subscribe to the @letsgowellbeing YouTube channel.

How does menopause affect mental health at work and what can employers do to better support employees?In this episode of Wellbeing Talk, I sat down with Deborah Garlick, founder and CEO of Henpicked Menopause in the Workplace to discuss how menopause impacts women’s mental health, confidence, and performance at work. Deborah shares her own experience, explores cultural stigma, and explains how organisations can build menopause-friendly policies that boost engagement, retention, and wellbeing.🎙️ We cover:Deborah’s personal story and the origins of HenpickedWhy conversations about menopause at work still carry stigmaInsights from The M Factor and World Menopause DayThe psychological symptoms that most affect confidence and mental healthHow to make the business case for menopause supportWhat leaders need to know about legislation, the Equality Act, and menopause discriminationPractical ways to engage employees and create supportive culture=============================⏱️ Chapter Markers:00:00 Intro01:30 Deborah Garlick: Her Journey and Why She Founded Henpicked09:48 The M Factor - Shredding the Silence on Menopause at Work and Cultural Change17:00 World Menopause Day - Key Themes and Global Progress22:49 How to Boost Employee Engagement Around Menopause Initiatives27:45 Menopause and Mental Health - Confidence, Brain Fog & Real Stories33:30 The Business Case for Investing in Menopause Support and Employee Wellbeing36:09 Menopause Legislation & Leadership - Equality Act, Discrimination and Best Practice41:11 Outro=============================🔔 Subscribe for more awareness days, interviews, research from the world of mental health in the workplace @letsgowellbeing

What makes a workplace mental health strategy truly effective and how do you measure its impact?In this episode of Wellbeing Talk, I’m joined by Chris Cummings, CEO of Wellbeing at Work World, to explore the future of workplace wellbeing. Since 2014, Chris and his team have been brining together senior leaders from over 113 countries across global summits and round tables, helping organisations embed wellbeing as a strategic priority.We discuss:* What authentic leadership for employee wellbeing looks like* How to move beyond perks and tick-box exercises to structural change* The most meaningful ways to measure workplace wellbeing and prove ROI* Why culture and psychological safety are non-negotiable foundations* The role of managers, hybrid working, AI, and ESG in shaping the future of wellbeingIf you’re a leader, HR professional, or wellbeing advocate, this conversation offers practical insights and inspiration to help you build a healthier, more resilient workplace.#WorkplaceWellbeing #MentalHealthAtWork #Leadership #FutureOfWork #Wellbeingtalk=============================⏱️ Chapter Markers:0:00 Intro – Workplace Mental Health & Wellbeing Strategy1:44 Chris Cummings’ Background & Mission11:13 Authentic Leadership in Employee Wellbeing14:15 Embedding Mental Health Into Business Strategy22:11 Moving Beyond Tick-Box Wellbeing Initiatives27:54 Measuring the Impact of Workplace Wellbeing32:44 Cultural Foundations of a Successful Wellbeing Strategy34:52 How Managers Can Lead Inclusion & Build Confidence39:56 Practical Steps to Boost Psychological Safety at Work43:18 Closing the Leadership Perception Gap in Wellbeing51:18 AI, ESG & Hybrid Work: The Future of Workplace Wellbeing56:03 Hope for the Future of Work & Employee Wellbeing57:43 Outro=============================🔔 If you’re interested in how to have more compassionate and constructive conversations about mental health - both in and outside of the workplace, don’t forget to subscribe to the @letsgowellbeing YouTube channel.

In this episode of the Wellbeing Talk Podcast, I’m joined by Simon Blake, CEO of Stonewall, to explore the powerful connection between inclusion and mental health in the workplace.We discuss:* How inclusive environments impact LGBTQ+ employees’ mental health* Practical data and policies that move senior leaders to act* Supporting LGBTQ+ employees when public discourse turns hostile* Low‑cost, high‑impact actions employers can implement nowFounded in 1989, Stonewall has been instrumental in advancing LGBTQ+ rights—from repealing Section 28 and equalising the age of consent, to lifting the ban on military service. Today, their mission remains clear: ensuring everyone, everywhere enjoys equal rights.Learn more about Stonewall’s Proud Employers programme:Discover how organisations can advance their inclusion journey through Stonewall’s Proud Employers programme—a leading initiative that helps employers build workplaces where LGBTQ+ staff and allies can thrive.Stonewall’s Proud Employers initiative supports organisations in building inclusive workplaces, offering access to expert resources, peer networks, consultancy, benchmarking, and accreditation. As Simon Blake puts it, inclusion is not just a moral imperative—it’s good business too.https://www.stonewall.org.uk/inclusive-workplaces/proud-employers =============================⏱️ Chapter Markers:0:00 Intro01:27 Simon’s Background 11:38 Parallels between MHFA and Stonewall17:07 How do Inclusive Environments Affect mental Health21:38 Workplace Policies That Support LGBTQ+ Mental Health27:24 Culture Shifts That Improve Mental Health at Work30:50 Trust and Transparency in Workplace Wellbeing34:52 How Managers can Lead on Inclusion with Confidence37:22 What Should Organisations Do When Public Discourse Turns Hostile? 41:47 What Legal Shifts Are Needed for Inclusive Workplaces?43:16 How Do Overlapping Identities Impact Mental Health? 45:19 What Data Most Influences Senior Leaders on Inclusion?47:32 Low-Cost Actions that Improve LGBTQ+ Mental Health at Work?49:28 What’s the Future of LGBTQ+ Wellbeing at Work?50:48 Outro=============================🔔 If you’re interested in how to have more compassionate and constructive conversations about mental health - both in and outside of the workplace, don’t forget to subscribe to the @letsgowellbeing YouTube channel.

When emotional pain is acute and resources are scarce, people can be left feeling like there's no way out. Every 90 minutes, someone dies by suicide in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
The impact reaches families, healthcare and legal systems, emergency services and the workplace. In fact, It’s estimated that up to 135 people are affected by every single suicide, at a cost of nearly £10 billion each year. So what can business leaders do to ensure people get the support they need before they reach crisis point?
And how can organisations use lived experience to make conversations about suicide and self-harm at work more open, more human, and more accessible?
To help us answer these questions, I’m joined by Julie Bentley, CEO of  @samaritans  An organisation that, with around 22,000 volunteers across nearly 200 branches, spends over 1 million hours a year responding to calls for help.
They are dedicated to providing a safe space in uncertain times and to achieving a vision that less people die by suicide.