Advertise on podcast: Work Better

Researcher Leidy Klotz shares a simple but powerful idea: just noticing our surroundings (and choosing where we put ourselves) can boost how we feel and work. He explains how our spaces quietly shape three core needs: agency, competence and connection. When environments give people permission to adjust, move, or truly use a space, wellbeing rises. When they don’t, strain creeps in. Klotz also reveals why subtraction, not addition, is often the overlooked key to creating better places. Leidy Klotz is a professor, researcher and author who studies the intersection of design, engineering and human behavior. He’s best known for his work on how people make decisions about the built environment. Klotz teaches at the University of Virginia. The Work Better podcast is produced by Katie Pace, with assistance from Brandon Lacic. Erin Ellison provides creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Sean McManaman provides technical support. Areli Arellano publishes digitally.

Design can unintentionally create friction – or even harm – when it’s built from a narrow set of lived experiences. In this conversation, Omari Souza shares striking examples of how everyday artifacts fail people in ways most of us never see, from automatic faucets that “don’t always function adequately if you have darker skin tones” to bathroom experiences where women navigate 8 to 34 steps compared to men’s 3 to 5. Without frameworks to measure harm and understand out‑group experiences, designers risk reinforcing inequities. One answer is restorative design, which is a practice focused on healing past harms, restoring trust, and returning dignity to the people who interact with the things we create. Omari Souza is a designer, educator and author whose work challenges the field to confront how design can unintentionally create harm. His latest book, Design Against Racism, introduces the concept of restorative design – a framework that urges designers to move beyond “designing for” people and instead design with them to restore dignity, trust and equity in everyday experiences. The Work Better podcast is produced by Katie Pace, with assistance from Brandon Lacic. Erin Ellison provides creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Sean McManaman provides technical support. Areli Arellano publishes digitally.

“If you know, you know” culture isn’t just a meme; it’s a hidden system that determines who gets access, opportunity and advancement. Dr. Ella Washington breaks down the unspoken rules shaping today’s workplaces and how leaders can make expectations clearer and more equitable. It’s a conversation that reframes what inclusion really requires. Dr. Ella Washington is an organizational psychologist, professor and author whose work focuses on workplace culture, inclusion and the hidden norms that shape careers. She’s the author of Unspoken and a leading voice helping organizations make expectations visible and create more equitable paths to advancement. The Work Better podcast is produced by Katie Pace, with assistance from Brandon Lacic. Erin Ellison provides creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Sean McManaman and Jose Jimenez provide technical support. Areli Arellano publishes digitally.

It takes about 60 hours to make a friend, and work is one of the few places where that time naturally accumulates. In this episode, Dr. Tracy Brower reveals why those hours matter more than ever, sharing research on how connection reshapes the brain, reduces loneliness, and drives performance, creativity, and wellbeing. She also unpacks how hybrid work, place, and leadership can either accelerate or erode the relationships people need to thrive. Dr. Tracy Brower is a sociologist and workplace expert focused on the intersection of connection, culture, and the future of work. She is the author of The Secrets to Happiness at Work and Critical Connections, and her insights regularly appear in major media outlets. Tracy serves as Vice President of Workplace Insights at Steelcase, where she helps organizations create thriving, human‑centered workplaces. The Work Better podcast is produced by Katie Pace, with assistance from Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Erin Ellison provides creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Jose Jimenez and Sean McManaman provide technical support. Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks publish digitally.

Most organizations still haven’t cracked hybrid work — not in a way that truly supports performance, development, or culture. As Peter Cappelli and Ranya Nehmeh put it, “the issue is not whether the office is good or bad,” but that companies haven’t designed hybrid intentionally enough to make it work. Drawing on new research and their book In Praise of the Office, they unpack why culture is weakening, why relationships and learning are eroding, and how leaders can rebuild connection through clearer expectations, smarter design, and more intentional management. Peter Cappelli is a professor of management and director of the Center for Human Resources at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. A leading voice on work, talent, and organizational performance, he brings decades of research on how workplaces function and why management practices succeed or fail. Ranya Nehmeh is a senior HR strategist, author, and executive advisor focused on organizational culture, leadership, and the future of work. She helps global companies navigate complex people challenges with evidence‑based practices and practical frameworks. Together, they co-authored In Praise of the Office: The Limits to Hybrid and Remote Work. The Work Better podcast is produced by Katie Pace, with assistance from Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Erin Ellison provides creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez provide technical support. Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks publish digitally.

Dr. Laura Jana explains that the human abilities we develop earliest—curiosity, self‑management, empathy, adaptability, and creative thinking—are the same ones adults need to navigate today’s fast‑changing, AI‑shaped workplace. She draws on neuroscience and early‑childhood research to show how these capacities are built through environments and interactions, and why they’re becoming even more valuable than technical expertise. Her framework helps leaders see these so‑called “soft skills” as concrete, developable strengths that directly improve collaboration, innovation, and performance. Dr. Laura Jana is a pediatrician, early‑childhood expert, and author who has spent more than 25 years translating developmental science into practical guidance for educators, parents, and business leaders. Her work bridges neuroscience, early learning, and workforce development, showing how foundational human abilities—like curiosity, self‑regulation, empathy, and adaptability—shape success across the lifespan. The Work Better podcast is produced by Katie Pace, with assistance from Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Erin Ellison provides creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Jose Jimenez and Sean McManaman provide technical support. Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks publish digitally.

AI is advancing so quickly that schools are struggling to keep pace, and learning‑innovation researcher Mario Chiasson argues that this gap is reshaping what students actually need from education. Instead of focusing on memorization, he says the priority should shift toward critical thinking, reflection, and problem‑solving — the human skills that become more valuable as AI takes on routine knowledge work. That shift requires rethinking teacher preparation, redesigning learning environments, and helping students use AI in ways that strengthen their thinking rather than replace it. The big challenge ahead is aligning how students learn with how the world now works. Mario Chiasson is a Canadian researcher and thought leader focused on learning innovation, system transformation, and future‑ready skills. He serves as Director of Research, Innovations and Change Management for District scolaire francophone Sud and is an associate researcher at the Université de Moncton. The Work Better podcast is produced by Katie Pace, with assistance from Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Erin Ellison provides creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Sean McManaman and Jose Jimenez provide technical support. Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks publish digitally.

Ingrid Fetell Lee, author of Joyful, argues it’s possible to find joy in our physical environment even if we’re not feeling happy. She’s the founder of The Aesthetics of Joy, a website that empowers people to find more joy in life and work through design. Ingrid helps us understand how even small changes to our workplace can make a significant difference in how we feel.

Ninety percent of our day is spent feeling something, which makes it unrealistic to expect emotions to stay out of work. Ethan Kross explains that emotions are useful when kept in proportion, and the real opportunity is helping people shift – not suppress – them. Both personal strategies and the physical environment act as powerful emotional shifters, making space design an overlooked tool for supporting healthier emotional experiences. Ethan Kross is a psychologist, author and leading researcher on the science of emotion and self‑control. He is a professor of psychology and management at the University of Michigan, where he directs the Emotion & Self‑Control Laboratory, and he’s best known for his bestselling books Chatter and Shift. His work focuses on why we feel what we feel and how people can use practical tools to better regulate their emotions. The Work Better podcast is produced by Katie Pace, with assistance from Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Erin Ellison provides creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez provide technical support. Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks publish digitally.

Meetings offer one of the clearest windows into an organization — who speaks, how decisions are made, and whether people feel included all reveal the real state of culture and performance. Our latest research shows that when leaders pay attention to these everyday dynamics, culture shifts from something abstract to a measurable driver of alignment, fairness, and better work. Hear more on the Work Better podcast, where Khalil Smith, Vice President of Inclusion, Diversity, and Engagement at Akamai Technologies, unpacks the gap between what leaders think people need at work and what employees actually say they need.

Leadership matters because it shapes daily experience, and that consistency is built by small, cumulative actions – the lighting, the layout, the moments we create – that add up over time. Research shows people don’t leave jobs; they leave managers. So leaders who practice mentorship, notice moments, and make predictable, human‑centered choices keep teams engaged. Clint Pulver’s undercover work reminds us that practical, everyday gestures and thoughtfully designed workplaces are what make people say, “I love it here.” Clint Pulver is an Emmy Award–winning keynote speaker, bestselling author, and workforce expert best known as the “Undercover Millennial.” A Speaker Hall of Fame inductee and professional drummer, Pulver blends research‑driven insights with high‑energy storytelling and live performance, inspiring organizations to build workplaces people never want to leave. The Work Better podcast is produced by Katie Pace, with assistance from Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Erin Ellison provides creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez provide technical support. Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks publish digitally.

Recent McKinsey research describes today’s workplace as a “perma‑crisis,” demanding new levels of emotional stamina from leaders. In this Work Better episode, leadership expert Shannon Cohen explains why thriving now requires more than skill; it requires care, community, and the right “spotters” to support leaders as they take on heavier lifts. Shannon and host Chris Congdon explore the emotional cost of new opportunities, why victories carry weight, and how leaders can build resilience without burning out. Shannon Cohen is an award‑winning author, speaker, and leadership strategist known for her work in emotional intelligence, wellbeing, and leader sustainability. She is the founder of the Rockstar Woman Movement, a national community dedicated to empowering women leaders and changemakers. Through her writing, training, and keynote work, Shannon equips organizations and individuals with the tools to thrive in high‑pressure, high‑impact environments. The Work Better podcast is produced by Katie Pace, with assistance from Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Erin Ellison provides creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez provide technical support. Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks publish digitally.

Novel ideas often hinge on the right relationships. Research shows that if we lean on the wrong connections – or work alone when collaboration is needed – we can derail creativity before it ever takes off. On this episode of the Work Better podcast, Jill Perry‑Smith reveals why our weakest ties, those acquaintances we barely know, may be the strongest source of fresh perspectives and breakthrough innovation. Jill Perry Smith is a Professor of Organization & Management at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. She serves as Academic Director for the Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation and is recognized for her research on how social networks shape creativity and innovation. With a background in civil engineering and organizational behavior, she bridges technical problem‑solving with insights into human relationships and workplace design. The Work Better podcast is produced by Katie Pace, with assistance from Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Erin Ellison provides creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez provide technical support. Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks publish digitally.

Job postings that include the word “curiosity” have grown by 90% year over year. But curiosity isn’t just a personal trait -- it’s becoming a business imperative. As Stefaan van Hooydonk shared on the Steelcase Work Better podcast, organizations that embrace curiosity empower people to learn faster, foster psychological safety, and spark innovation. This episode explores how leaders can create space for curiosity and why it’s the key to building stronger cultures and better business results. Stefaan van Hooydonk is the founder of the Global Curiosity Institute and author of The Workplace Curiosity Manifesto. He is a seasoned former Chief Learning Officer for Fortune 200 companies, including Nokia, Philips, Cognizant, and Saudi Aramco. Today, he consults and speaks globally, helping leaders and organizations build cultures of curiosity to drive growth and innovation. The Work Better podcast is produced by Katie Pace, with assistance from Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Erin Ellison provides creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez provide technical support. Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks publish digitally.

We think we know what our coworkers want – but we’re often wrong. In this episode of Work Better, behavioral scientist Nick Epley reveals why we misread even those closest to us, and how asking deeper questions can unlock trust, connection, and better collaboration. Epley challenges us to rethink small talk, lean into hard conversations, and design spaces that make connection the default – not the exception. Nick Epley is a leading behavioral scientist known for his work on social cognition and human connection. He is the John Templeton Keller Distinguished Service Professor of Behavioral Science at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and Director of the Roman Family Center for Decision Research. His research explores how people perceive and misunderstand each other, with notable contributions to the understanding of egocentrism, miscommunication, and anthropomorphism. The Work Better podcast is produced by Katie Pace, with assistance from Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Erin Ellison provides creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez provide technical support. Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks publish digitally.