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In Episode 111, we kick off 2026 with a powerful conversation featuring Drs. Julian Barling and Simon Rego, co-authors of The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Workbook for Leaders. Together, they explore how evidence-based psychological strategies can help leaders manage stress, burnout, anxiety, and other mental health challenges that undermine leadership effectiveness. Key insights include: * Why mental health isn’t just personal—it’s professional, and how leaders’ emotional states shape organizational culture. * Practical, science-backed tools from therapy to improve resilience and decision-making. * How leaders can use this workbook to build skills privately, cost-effectively, and sustainably. * Why focusing on leaders’ well-being is critical for team performance and psychological safety. * The surprising gap in research on leaders’ mental health—and what needs to change. You can find Dr. Barling at https://julianbarling.com/ You can find Dr. Rego at https://www.simonrego.com/ You can purchase their book from the publisher here: https://www.newharbinger.com/9781648484773/the-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-workbook-for-leaders/?srsltid=AfmBOorV2FnZrax04gQ-Q-3ToPAaNfiQycuNWq890eHfcb5CrdTq5bNe This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthywork.substack.com

In Episode 110, we are joined by Dr. Gena Cox, IO psychologist, executive coach, and author of Leading Inclusion. We explore what it really takes to create workplaces where everyone thrives. Gina introduces her R-E-D-I framework (Respect, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) and explains why respect must come first to build trust and meaningful inclusion. You can find Dr. Cox on her website (https://genacox.com/) or LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/genacox/). You can buy Leading Inclusion here (https://genacox.com/product/leading-inclusion-book/). You can download 25 Ways and sign up for Dr. Cox’s email newsletter here (https://genacox.com/respectebo25ways/). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthywork.substack.com

In episode 109, we sit down with Drs. Ian Katz and Shelly Rauvola, co-editors of a groundbreaking special issue in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Together, we explore how current public policy changes in the United States are reshaping the world of work, from employee well-being and marginalized worker experiences to the future of I-O psychology education and research. Key takeaways include: * How policy changes impact HR practices, training, and organizational functioning * The chilling effect of political climates on academic freedom and research * Why behavioral scientists must engage in policy conversations * How I-O psychology can respond using existing theories and evidence-based practices * A call to action for researchers and practitioners to advocate for worker dignity and evidence-based decision-making This episode is essential listening for anyone invested in the future of work, science advocacy, and the role of IO psychology in shaping policy. Find the special issue here: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/industrial-and-organizational-psychology/issue/380836BA2B93123CE626AACDCB5DF7DA Find Ian Katz here: https://csh.depaul.edu/faculty-staff/faculty-a-z/Pages/psychology/ian-katz.aspx Find Shelly Rauvola here: https://csh.depaul.edu/faculty-staff/faculty-a-z/Pages/psychology/shelly-rauvola.aspx This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthywork.substack.com

In episode 108, we chat with Justin Weinhardt to explore his recent research on ADHD in the workplace. Drawing from a multi-day study of employees with ADHD, they unpack how daily symptom fluctuations impact engagement—and how job crafting can serve as a powerful, science-backed strategy for managing attention and motivation at work. Key insights include: * Why ADHD symptoms vary day-to-day and how that affects work performance * The surprising effectiveness of adding fun and variety to tasks * Why reducing workload isn’t always the best solution * How organizations can foster environments that support mental health disclosure * What all employees can learn from ADHD coping strategies Whether you’re a manager, researcher, or someone navigating ADHD at work, this episode offers practical tools and a fresh perspective on neurodiversity and workplace well-being. Check out the original paper here: https://link-springer-com.ezproxy2.library.colostate.edu/article/10.1007/s10869-025-10065-0 You can find Dr. Weinhardt here: https://profiles.ucalgary.ca/justin-weinhardt This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthywork.substack.com

In episode 107 we unpack the global and domestic landscape of workplace safety regulation. Drawing from a recent paper by Maureen Dollard and Rachael Potter, we explore how psychosocial risks (e.g., job stress, job insecurity, and AI disruption) are increasingly recognized as legitimate safety concerns. The conversation dives into: * How Australia enforces psychosocial safety standards * Why OSHA’s limited scope and resources hinder worker protection in the U.S. * The role of unions and the NLRB in safeguarding employee well-being * How collective action and expanded definitions of safety can reshape the future of work This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in occupational health psychology, labor policy, and the evolving definition of workplace safety. Read the paper here (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41542-025-00236-z) Find OSHA’s proposed regulation rollbacks, and leave public comments on them, here (https://www.osha.gov/deregulatory-rulemaking). Reminder, public comments are due November 1, 2025. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthywork.substack.com

In episode 106, we speak with Dr. Hana Johnson, Associate Professor at Washington State University, about her recent research on how disaster from pandemics to wildfires impact employees differently based on social class and identity. Learn how class salience intensifies feelings of devaluation, anxiety, and social withdrawal at work, and why organizations must rethink disaster response policies to support vulnerable workers. This episode explores the psychological toll of inequality, the role of identity in resilience, and what leaders can do to build more inclusive, disaster-ready workplaces. Find Dr. Johnson here: https://business.wsu.edu/directory/hana.johnson/ Find the paper here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10869-025-10064-1 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthywork.substack.com

In this episode 105 we chat with Drs. Katina Sawyer and Patricia Grabarek, co-authors of Leading for Wellness, to unpack what it means to be a “generator” versus an “extinguisher” in leadership. We explore how person-centered planning, authentic leadership, and microcultures can foster thriving teams—even in toxic organizations. Learn how real-world interviews shaped their framework, and get actionable insights on how to “fire your work self,” respect boundaries, and lead with empathy. Whether you're a frontline manager or a C-suite exec, this episode offers a roadmap to healthier, more human workplaces. You can find Workr Beeing here: https://workrbeeing.com/about/, or on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workrbeeing/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthywork.substack.com

In episode 104 we chat with Alyssa McGonagle, Associate Professor at UNC Charlotte and author of Chronic Health Conditions and Work: Proactive Strategies for Supporting Employees and Doing Well by Doing Good. We explore the intersection of chronic illness, disability, and employment. We cover key legal protections like the ADA, FMLA, and ACA, the challenges of disclosure and identity management, and the importance of inclusive organizational culture. Dr. McGonagle also introduces the vivid and relatable Spoon Theory and shares evidence-based interventions to make work better for everyone including people living with chronic health conditions. Whether you're an HR professional, manager, researcher, or someone living with a chronic condition, this episode offers actionable insights and compassionate strategies for creating healthier, more equitable workplaces. You can find Dr. McGonagle here (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-mcgonagle/) and here (https://orgscience.charlotte.edu/directory/alyssa-mcgonagle/). You can order her book here (https://global.oup.com/academic/product/chronic-health-conditions-and-work-9780197660638?cc=us&lang=en&), using the code AUFLY30 for a discount. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthywork.substack.com

In episode 103 we chat with Drs. Andrea Bazzoli and Ian Hughes to explore their recent publication in the Journal of Business and Psychology. The conversation dives deep into how financial stress fluctuates over time, why small monetary changes—not just big windfalls—can significantly impact employee well-being, and how the nonlinear nature of these relationships challenge traditional assumptions in workplace psychology. We discuss: * The surprising power of small financial fluctuations * Why lump-sum bonuses might not reduce stress as expected * How macroeconomic policies intersect with organizational behavior * Actionable strategies for managers to support financially stressed employees Whether you're an I-O psychologist, HR leader, or just curious about the psychology of money at work, this episode offers data-driven insights and practical takeaways for improving employee well-being. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthywork.substack.com

In Episode 102 we chat with Drs. Denise Vesper and Michael Zickar about a recent special collaborative piece they published in Occupational Health Science. In this powerful episode we dive deep into the evolving role of labor unions in promoting worker health and safety across the globe. Topics include: * The psychological impact of strikes and union activity * How unions address health and safety risks in high-hazard industries * The resurgence of organized labor in the U.S. (Starbucks, UAW, Volkswagen) * The intersection of IO psychology and labor movements * Policy gaps and the role of unions in climate change and mental health advocacy Whether you're an IO psychologist, HR professional, union member, or just curious about the future of work, this episode offers rich insights into how organized labor is adapting to global challenges—and why researchers should pay attention. 🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review to help more listeners discover Healthy Work! You can find the paper here: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=Z38glpIAAAAJ&sortby=pubdate&citation_for_view=Z38glpIAAAAJ:iH-uZ7U-co4C You can find Dr. Vesper here: https://www.uni-saarland.de/lehrstuhl/koenig/personen/denise-vesper-msc.html You can find Dr. Zickar here: https://www.bgsu.edu/arts-and-sciences/psychology/people/mzickar.html Keywords: labor unions, occupational health, worker safety, IO psychology, strikes, union research, workplace well-being, global labor movements, climate change, mental health, industrial-organizational psychology, union advocacy This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthywork.substack.com

In Episode 101 we chat with Mikaila Ortynsky , a PhD candidate at the University of Ottawa, to unpack her groundbreaking research on menstruation in the workplace. We explore how menstrual cycles impact task performance, emotional regulation, and organizational citizenship behaviors, and why most workplaces are still failing to provide even the most basic support. We challenges the default male workplace model and calls for inclusive, evidence-based change. You can find her paper here: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2026-24197-002 🎧 Subscribe, rate, and share to help us keep the conversation flowing. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthywork.substack.com

We made it to triple digits! In this celebratory episode, we reflect on how the field of occupational health psychology—and our own lives— have evolved over the past 100 episodes of Healthy Work—from burnout and sleep to leadership and labor policy. From burnout and bullying to policy and precarity, we’ve covered a lot. We talk about the shift from individual-level interventions (remember when mindfulness was 🔥?) to systemic, policy-driven change. We also look ahead to the next 100 episodes: AI, women’s health, gig work, and the future of workplace regulation. Plus, we celebrate with a Healthy Work trivia game—play along and see how well you know the pod. Thanks for being part of this journey. Whether you’ve been here since Episode 1 or just joined us, we’re so glad you’re part of the Healthy Work community. The Champagne Pop is from: OWI Popping Champagne.wav by TCduP66 -- https://freesound.org/s/655981/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 The Noise Maker is from: Party noise maker _ soundstack.wav new yeears eve, party, horn, party favor by soundstack -- https://freesound.org/s/203246/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthywork.substack.com

In a special Episode 99, we have a live-recorded interview with the Winners of the 2024-2025 Best Paper Award from Occupational Health Science. Drs. Leslie Hammer, Jennifer Dimoff, Cynthia D. Mohr, & Shalene J. Allen won for their paper “A Framework for Protecting and Promoting Employee Mental Health through Supervisor Supportive Behaviors.” We chat about strategies managers can use to prevent and respond to employee mental health issues. Read their paper here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41542-023-00171-x You can find them here: Leslie Hammer: https://www.ohsu.edu/people/leslie-b-hammer-phd Jennifer Dimoff: https://www.jenniferdimoff.com/ Cynthia Mohr: https://www.pdx.edu/profile/cynthia-mohr Shalene Allen: https://www.k-state.edu/psych/about/people/allen/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthywork.substack.com

In episode 98, we are joined by Dr. Alicia Grandey, co-author of the new book Emotionally Charged: How to Lead in the New World of Work. Together, we explored the realities of emotions, emotional labor, burnout, and how leaders can cultivate emotional intelligence to thrive in today’s demanding workplace. Dr. Grandey shared the core principles from her book, including: * Why emotional labor is essential in most modern jobs * How emotions are valuable sources of information, not distractions * The hidden costs of emotional suppression We also got to peak behind the scenes to see what it was like writing such a powerful book with a close friend. Whether you're a leader, employee, or anyone navigating emotional demands at work, this episode offers research-based strategies for sustainable well-being and authentic leadership. You can buy Emotionally Charged here, and use the code “ASPROMP8” for 30% off! You can find Dr. Grandey here, her lab here, and Dina Denham-Smith here. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/emotionally-charged-9780197750155?cc=us&lang=en& https://psych.la.psu.edu/people/aag6/ https://weld.la.psu.edu/ https://www.dinadsmith.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthywork.substack.com

In episode 97, I talk with Dr. Kimberly French about her recent study on how daily stressor pile-up impacts parents’ and adolescents’ health, sleep, and cortisol patterns. We discuss surprising findings from the Work, Family, and Health Network study — including that as stress piles up, sleep first gets shorter, but at extreme levels, both parents and teens actually start sleeping more. Dr. French explains how stress crosses over between parents and teens, what these patterns mean for family well-being, and how to think about stress pile-up in daily life. French, K. A., Smith, C. E., Lee, S., & Chen, Z. (2025). Can allostatic load cross over? Short-term work and nonwork stressor pile-up on parent and adolescent diurnal cortisol, physical symptoms, and sleep. Journal of Applied Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0001284 https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2026-12317-001 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthywork.substack.com