Well Workplaces

Well Workplaces is a podcast designed to create genuine wellbeing conversations in the workplace, sharing expert knowledge in a practical way. This show will help you learn more about topics relating to personal and workplace health as Tom Bosna chats with passionate health and wellbeing leaders and industry innovators across the globe each fortnight.

Well Workplaces is a business podcast hosted by Tom Bosna, with 167 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Tom Bosna hosts Well Workplaces, a business show with 167 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #1

  Ep162 - Make Room for Connection at Work with Dr Michelle Lim

  Aug 2, 202627 minS13

  Host Josh Lambert steps in for Tom Bosna and is joined by Dr Michelle Lim, CEO and Scientific Chair of Ending Loneliness Together and author of The Lonely Generation . This Loneliness Awareness Week, Josh and Michelle explore why loneliness has become one of the biggest health and workplace challenges of our time. They unpack the difference between loneliness and social isolation, why meaningful connection matters, and the impact loneliness can have on our health, workplace culture, productivity and performance. Michelle shares practical ways leaders can create more connected workplaces through everyday moments, rather than relying on one-off initiatives. They also discuss the role of hybrid work, why some people are more at risk of feeling disconnected, and how emerging technologies like AI companions are changing the way we think about human connection. ~ M edibank Workplace Wellbeing supports hundreds of Australian workplaces each year through health and wellbeing services, including workplace health checks, skin cancer checks, mental health programs and tailored wellbeing workshops. Learn more about Medibank Workplace Wellbeing here: https://www.medibank.com.au/workplace-wellbeing/health-services/ ¬ 00:32 Why Loneliness Matters 03:47 Loneliness vs Social Isolation 08:24 The Health Impact of Loneliness 13:16 Building Social Connection at Work 18:42 Practical Tips for Leaders 25:11 Hybrid Work and Belonging 31:28 AI Companions and Human Connection 37:05 Small Moments That Matter 42:18 Loneliness Awareness Week ~ Resources Loneliness Awareness Week 3-9 August: https://lonelinessawarenessweek.com.au/ Ending Loneliness Together: https://www.endingloneliness.com.au/ Connect with Dr Michelle Lim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichellelim/ Dr Michelle Lim's new book, The Lonely Generation - Why Our Kids Are in Crisis – and How We Can Fix It: https://publishing.hardiegrant.com/en-au/books/the-lonely-generation-by-michelle-lim/9781923390294

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  Episode #10

  Ep161 - Staying Human at Work: Play, Capacity and AI with Dara Simkin and Tâne Hunter

  Jun 29, 202636 minS12

  We welcome Full Stack Human co-authors, Dara Simkin and Tané Hunter to speak about why growing burnout and overwhelm are systems problems, not personal resilience failures. They explain how Stone Age brains are overloaded by Godlike tech - constant notifications, meetings and targeted media - keeping people in fight-or-flight and reducing creativity and judgment. Dara argues that optimisation and “achievement syndrome” add pressure, while play is a biologically grounded mindset that supports connection, curiosity and sustainable performance. They share ways leaders can integrate play through permission, mental and physical space and simple prompts, plus “yes, and” communication to build psychological safety. Looking ahead, they emphasise protecting human capacity and leaning into uniquely human creativity and agency as AI expands. ~ 00:26 Burnout Is a Systems Issue 01:51 Why Work Feels Weird 03:45 Play as a Mindset 08:18 Stone Age Brains at Work 11:56 Achievement Syndrome and Hacking 14:07 Micro Moments of Play 18:05 Wobbling the Jelly 20:50 How Leaders Enable Play 24:37 Yes And Leadership 29:58 Future of Work Is Human~ Resources Website: https://www.culturehero.co/full-stack-human-book Book - Full Stack Human: https://www.amazon.com.au/Full-Stack-Human-Mindset-Technology/dp/1394346255 Connect with Dara Simkin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dara-simkin-culture-hero/ Connect with Tâne Hunter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanehunter/

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  Episode #9

  Ep160 - The Mental Load with Dr Leah Ruppanner

  May 31, 202651 minS12

  The “mental load” is something many people carry, but actually struggle to name. It’s the invisible work of planning, organising, anticipating and worrying that sits behind everything we do, both at work and at home. And while it affects everyone, it’s not experienced equally. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Leah Ruppanner, Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne, Director of the Future of Work Lab and author of her new book, "Drained". Leah’s research sits at the intersection of work design, gender equity and wellbeing - asking whether the way we work today is truly sustainable for people, families and organisations. Together, we unpack what the mental load really is, why it matters in today’s workplaces and what leaders can do to better recognise (and reduce!) the invisible demands placed on their people. In this episode, we cover: What the mental load actually is and why it’s often hard to see or measure The invisible labour behind keeping work and life running smoothly Why the mental load is unevenly distributed, particularly across gender The impact on wellbeing, energy and sustainable performance How current ways of working can amplify (or reduce) this load Practical ways leaders can better support their teams and design healthier work environments Why it matters: Mental load isn’t just a personal challenge, it’s a workplace issue. When the invisible effort behind work isn’t recognised, it can quietly drain energy, impact performance and contribute to burnout. Addressing it is key to building healthier, more sustainable and more equitable workplaces Resources Dr Leah Ruppanner: https://www.leahruppanner.com Book: Drained: Reduce Your Mental Load to Do Less and Be More: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/762972/drained-by-leah-ruppanner-phd/ Miss Perceived Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/missperceived/id1744434731 Connect with Dr Leah Ruppanner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-ruppanner-1657a417/

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  Episode #8

  Ep159 - Inside Medibank's Healthiest Workplace Index with Sasha D'Arcy

  May 11, 202642 minS12

  What actually makes a workplace ‘healthy’? In this episode, Tom sits down with Sasha D’Arcy (Medibank) to go inside the Healthiest Workplace Index — and what the data is revealing about work right now. In this episode: What the Healthiest Workplace Index measures and why Medibank built it The biggest drivers of workplace health (and what’s getting in the way) The critical role of leaders in shaping wellbeing What organisations are learning from experiments like the 4-day work week Why wellbeing works best when programs, leadership and job design align Key insight As Sasha puts it: You can’t solve workplace stress without understanding what’s driving it. The Index helps organisations move beyond surface-level metrics and focus on the factors that actually influence how people experience work. What stood out Health-oriented leadership behaviour has one of the strongest impacts on employee health has one of the strongest impacts on employee health Flexibility and initiatives like the 4-day work week only work when supported by how work is designed Recovery (not just productivity) is a critical and often a lever for wellbeing Connect with Sasha D’Arcy on LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/sasha-d-arcy-9004b6157 References Medibank Healthiest Workplace Index Research Partnership with Health at Work Research Unit at Macquarie University Medibank named Australia’s best place to work | AFR BOSS 2026 | Medibank Newsroom: https://www.medibank.com.au/livebetter/newsroom/post/medibank-named-australias-best-place-to-work-or-afr-boss-2026

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  Episode #7

  Ep158 - Sleep, Stress and Self-Compassion at Work with Ruth Kent

  Apr 27, 202639 minS12

  In this episode, Ruth Kent shares insightful strategies on managing stress, improving sleep hygiene and cultivating self-compassion for leaders, managers and employees navigating high-pressure workplaces. Learn practical tips and frameworks to foster resilience and mental health at work. Main topics: The rising stress patterns in workplaces pre- and post-pandemic The bi-directional relationship between sleep and stress Practical sleep hygiene tips for busy professionals The importance of self-awareness and self-compassion in leadership How mindfulness fosters better decision-making and emotional regulation Strategies for integrating behavioural change through long-term programs Connect with Ruth Sunrise Well: https://www.sunrisewell.com.au/ Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthkentsunrisewell/ Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to workplace wellbeing and mental health focus01:08 - Trends in stress levels in workplaces over recent years02:45 - The impact of social media and digitalization on stress03:15 - Stress reactivity and its effects on relationships and decision-making03:59 - Challenges faced by middle and upper management during stressful times04:32 - Sleep disruption and its effect on focus and regulation05:02 - The sleep-stress feedback loop and neural responses06:32 - The importance of deep sleep for emotional and cognitive health07:32 - Risks of sleep deprivation in organizational decision-making08:01 - Moving away from the "badge of honor" culture around sleep10:30 - Practical tips for improving sleep quality and routine11:44 - The significance of consistency in wake and sleep times12:30 - Managing light exposure for circadian rhythm regulation13:00 - The role of light and dark in sleep hygiene14:29 - Nutritional influences like caffeine, alcohol, and mealtime on sleep16:05 - Environmental factors such as room temperature17:11 - The influence of stress and self-critical tendencies on sleep17:57 - Self-compassion as a leadership and self-care skill20:55 - The difference between empathy and compassion, and the need for action22:28 - The components of self-compassion: mindfulness, common humanity, and kindness23:58 - The concept of fierce self-compassion and boundary setting25:28 - Using mindfulness and self-awareness to manage workplace conflicts26:44 - Strengthening relationships through self-compassion and boundaries27:20 - The role of mindfulness in leadership and decision-making28:26 - How mindfulness practices strengthen neural capacity for rational responses30:26 - Recognising and understanding thoughts during mindfulness31:24 - The importance of gentle self-awareness and compassion32:25 - Neuroscientific evidence of mindfulness effects on the brain33:50 - Practical experiences with mindfulness and leadership clarity34:50 - Tips for implementing sustained behavioral change programs36:30 - Starting small with mindfulness practice for lasting impact37:00 - Reinforcing habits through feedback and routine38:16 - The value of long-term programs integrating behaviour change39:14 - How organisations can develop lasting wellbeing strategies41:45 - Closing thoughts on integrating wellbeing into workplace culture

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