Today’s bonus episode explores a growing and often overlooked challenge in workplace, loneliness.

Despite being more digitally connected than ever, research shows that loneliness is rising — especially in hybrid and remote teams. Many of us experience fewer spontaneous interactions, fewer shared moments, and fewer opportunities to feel part of something bigger than ourselves.

But loneliness isn’t inevitable.

Some organisations are building community in powerful, intentional ways and today, we’re joined by two leaders doing exactly that.

First, we have Imran Anwar, CEO at Alt Labs / Flok, an organisation that has intentionally redesigned the workplace experience to nurture connection, creativity and shared meaning regardless of how or where people work.

And we’re also joined by Emily Chaytor, People Business Partner at Atom Bank, where much of the team works hybrid or fully remote. Atom has recently invested in new premises in Newcastle and continues to build a strong sense of community through social groups, wellbeing initiatives, and culture-led practices that bring people together even across distances.

Together, we’ll explore:

• Why loneliness is becoming more common
• How hybrid and remote work contribute (often unintentionally)
• What workplaces can do about it
• And what genuinely helps people feel connected, valued and part of something meaningful

Sponsored by OptiMe Wellbeing - https://optimewellbeing.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we’re exploring introversion and extroversion in leadership and teams.

A common perception is that introversion and extroversion are about shyness or confidence. However, research from the Five-Factor Model shows they’re really about how we gain and use energy. Introverts recharge in quieter, lower-stimulation environments, while extroverts draw energy from interaction and activity. Most people sit somewhere in between on a spectrum.

These differences shape how we lead, communicate and cope with pressure, and when workplaces misunderstand them, wellbeing and performance can suffer.

To explore this, I’m joined by two incredible guests:

Alfie Joey, whose career in broadcasting, comedy and coaching gives him a unique perspective on how personality influences communication, creativity and confidence.

Richard Lane, co-founder of durhamlane, who specialises in sales outsourcing and performance. He has worked extensively with a wide range of leaders to help them play to their strengths.

Sponsored by OptiMe Wellbeing - https://optimewellbeing.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Wellbeing Uprising, host Bethany Ainsley is joined by Steph Edusei, Chief Executive of St Oswald’s Hospice, and Jen Hallam, Managing Director of Gardiner Richardson, to explore how organisations can respond with empathy and compassion when employees experience bereavement, long-term ill health, or caring responsibilities.

Life doesn’t stop when we come to work, yet many employees still feel pressure to hide personal struggles or return to “normal” too soon. This conversation looks at how leaders and teams can create space for honesty, flexibility, and support when life inevitably interrupts work.

Together, they discuss what compassionate leadership really looks like, how culture can make or break a person’s ability to cope, and why empathy isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s essential for a healthy, sustainable workplace.

Connect with today’s guests:

Steph Edusei Chief Executive at St Oswald's Hospice: https://www.stoswaldsuk.org/who-we-are/being-accountable/hospice-management-team/

Jen Hallam, Managing Director at Gardiner Richardson: https://gardiner-richardson.com/#about

Sponsored by OptiMe - https://optimewellbeing.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.