Our guest today is Kristina Middleton, Group Head of Health and Wellbeing at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and an organisational psychology researcher.

Kristina joins us for a conversation with host Tobba Vigfusdottir, exploring what it really means to create workplaces where people feel valued and cared for, especially in high-pressure environments like healthcare. With experience leading wellbeing initiatives for a workforce of 17,000, Kristina brings both research-driven insights and practical strategies that move beyond theory and into everyday experience.

In this episode, we delve into flexible working, fairness, compassion fatigue, and the realities of supporting mental health in organisations facing constant demand and resource challenges. We discuss how open dialogue, supportive structures, and listening can build trust and make wellbeing accessible, even when time and resources are stretched.

You’ll hear Kristina’s grounded perspectives from both her academic work and her day-to-day role, offering ideas relevant for HR managers and people leaders across sectors.

They discuss:

Whether you're an HR professional, wellbeing lead, or people manager, this episode offers practical advice and fresh thinking for building healthier cultures, especially when the work is tough and resources are stretched.

For show notes and free bonus resources, visit www.KaraConnect.com/podcast.

Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better.

Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it.

Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.

Welcome back to Can We Have a Word?, the Kara Connect podcast. Our guest today is Nic Elliott, employment lawyer and partner at Actons Solicitors.

Nic brings a unique perspective to workplace culture and well-being, combining his expertise in employment law with insights from his experiences as a youth international hockey player and host of the HRD Talks podcast. We’re joined by Tobba Vigfusdottir, who leads the conversation and explores what is really changing in legal workplaces and the broader HR landscape.

In this episode, we dive into the evolving role of HR professionals, the impact of legal changes on workplace culture, and what leaders need to pay attention to in terms of employee well-being and inclusion. We also examine how organizations can proactively manage issues like neurodiversity and menopause, and why manager capability matters more than ever.

You’ll hear Nic’s real-world views on current employment law changes in the UK, challenges faced by HR teams, and practical steps organizations can take to build healthier, more sustainable workplaces.

We discuss:

Nic’s personal journey from psychology graduate to employment law specialist

Key changes in UK employment law, including day-one unfair dismissal rights and their impact on hiring and workplace uncertainty

The increasing responsibilities and pressures on HR professionals, and how organizations can support them

Trends in legal disputes related to neurodiversity and menopause, and what proactive employers are doing to reduce risk 

The importance of not just “checking the box” with policies, but living values through culture and manager behaviours 

How flexible working and hybrid models are shifting workplace culture, especially post-pandemic

The expectations of Gen Z talent and what consultancies and law firms must do to retain them 

Lessons from elite sport: how performance, resilience, and self-care translate to success in high-pressure professions 

Why manager training and upskilling is essential for supporting employee well-being and navigating change

Practical ideas about individual well-being and balance from Nic’s own career and personal life

Whether you’re a people leader or HR professional, this episode offers grounded perspectives and practical ideas to help you adapt and lead in today’s complex workforce.

For show notes and free bonus resources, visit www.KaraConnect.com/podcast.

Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better.

Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it.

Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.

Our guest today is Kirsty Baggs-Morgan, an international HR leader, executive coach, and author of The HR Confidence Playbook. With over 25 years of experience leading HR teams in financial services, technology, and private equity across the US, Europe, and Asia, Kirsty brings practical insights into the confidence challenges faced by HR professionals and business leaders alike.

In this conversation with host Tobba Vigfúsdóttir, we explore why confidence remains a critical issue in HR, how it shows up in daily work, and what leaders can do to help themselves and their teams build lasting credibility. Kirsty shares lessons from her own journey, discusses her 6 R's confidence framework, and breaks down actionable approaches for navigating difficult workplace dynamics.

We discuss:

The real reasons why HR leaders and managers struggle with confidence, including fear of failure, rejection, and being judged

Common misconceptions about what confidence looks like in the workplace

How imposter syndrome relates to leadership development and why it shows up for both men and women

Navigating difficult personalities and the impact this has on organizational culture and team effectiveness

Setting healthy boundaries with challenging colleagues, even at the executive level

The role of personal values and authenticity in rebuilding and sustaining confidence

Practical first steps for senior HR leaders who want to build more confidence at work

Applying the 6 R's Framework to address challenges beyond HR, for managers and individual contributors alike

Ideas for integrating wellbeing strategies into organization-wide initiatives, and overcoming executive resistance

How leaders can recognize when an environment is affecting their wellbeing - and what it takes to make a change

Kirsty also shares her personal routines for maintaining wellbeing and confidence outside of work, offering inspiration for anyone looking to recharge and show up at their best.

For show notes and free bonus resources, visit www.KaraConnect.com/podcast.

Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better.

Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it.

Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.

Our guest today is Andrew Stephenson, Group HR Director at Equiniti and a leader with deep expertise in developing customer-centric, tech-enabled people strategies across multi-sector organizations.

This conversation explores how Andrew and his team have transformed HR by leveraging digital tools and AI, while keeping workplace wellbeing front and centre.

Andrew shares his unconventional journey into HR, his foundational belief in making work better for people, and how Equiniti’s approach has dramatically improved engagement, retention, and wellbeing. Together with host Tobba Vigfúsdóttir, they explore practical examples of how technology can free up HR teams for more strategic work, as well as the real-world challenges and opportunities presented by change, remote work, and increasing commercial pressure.

Episode Highlights:

Why being “in the right place at the right time,” personal motivation, and a passion for improvement shaped his career.

How Equiniti aligns people strategy with overall business strategy by digitizing HR processes, making them faster and more efficient.

What HR chatbots can handle for managers, and how freeing up HR from “menial” work leads to meaningful impact.

How Equiniti uses predictive attrition models to anticipate turnover and streamline recruitment planning.

The benefits of real-time, high-response pulse surveys and AI-generated action plans for managers.

How the company combines questions on culture, values, DEI, wellbeing, and transformation in a single, adaptive survey platform.

From meeting structure changes to walking challenges, Andrew shares how simple tweaks and larger programs encourage both mental and physical health.

Tips on leveraging available data (even in small companies) to link wellbeing programs to real business outcomes like productivity and cost savings.

Why responding to feedback - whether actioned or not - builds trust, ownership, and repeat engagement.

How HR leaders can equip knowledge workers for new ways of working, including AI augmentation, skill-building, and pipeline management.

Andrew’s transparent approach to mental health, taking breaks, and leading by example in sharing his own wellbeing story.

If you’re looking for grounded, actionable ideas on blending technology, people, and wellbeing to build high-performing organizations, this episode is full of practical takeaways.

Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better.

Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it.

Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.

In this conversation, Sharon O’Connor, management consultant and workplace wellbeing specialist at Warn, joins Tobba Vigfúsdóttir for a nuanced discussion about the evolving nature of organisational culture and employee wellbeing.

Sharon shares her experience guiding organisations through change, emphasising curiosity, data-led approaches, and cultural authenticity as the foundation for lasting impact on wellbeing and performance.

The episode covers both practical and philosophical perspectives for HR managers and leaders seeking to cultivate supportive workplace environments.

Discussion highlights:

Defining a “real” workplace culture and its impact on wellbeing and performance (01:36)

The value of making culture the organisation's North Star during turbulent times (02:23)

How leadership understanding and buy-in set the stage for effective wellbeing initiatives (07:07)

Practical starting points for HR managers without consultant support; importance of data and structured reporting (07:47)

The challenge and importance of clarifying company values across global teams and cultures (10:24)

Collaborative strategies for ensuring cultural relevancy and flexibility in people programs worldwide (11:30)

How to address cultural or value misalignments within organisations (12:30)

The common barriers to uptake of workplace wellbeing programs - visibility, comfort, and cultural acceptance (14:35)

Building sustainable wellbeing strategies: integrating ongoing support, programs, and cross-functional collaboration (15:56)

Internal marketing and the need for consistent communication to embed wellbeing initiatives (17:43)

Measuring wellbeing using existing HR data, employee engagement surveys, and behavioural analysis (19:02)

The role of language and new cultural terms in normalising workplace stress and communication (21:39)

Sharon’s research with Novartis: the importance of storytelling and destigmatisation in mental health support uptake (25:02)

Key findings: relatability reduces stigma and increases program engagement, outweighing concerns about trust and anonymity (28:54)

Sharon’s personal wellbeing “toolbox” and reflections on the value of hobbies and free time (31:42)

Final advice: approaching workplace challenges with objectivity, curiosity, and a willingness to start (34:04)

For listeners interested in workplace wellbeing and organizational culture, this episode offers hands-on advice and thought-provoking perspectives.

Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better.

Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it.

Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.

In this episode, host Tobba Vigfusdottir is joined by Martin Gillick, Employee Wellbeing Manager at Bus Éireann, Ireland’s national bus company. Martin shares insights from his extensive experience supporting wellbeing in the workplace, particularly in high-pressure, male-dominated, and diverse environments. 

With a workforce of approximately 3,500 people (including 42 different nationalities) and more than 25 locations, workplace wellbeing at Bus Éireann is a balancing act, combining holistic strategy, honest communication, and cultural sensitivity.

Martin explains Bus Éireann’s approach to building a holistic wellbeing strategy, the importance of communication in driving engagement, and practical steps for supporting employee health, including return-to-work processes.

The conversation covers challenges such as stigma around mental health - especially for men and culturally diverse staff - measuring the impact of wellbeing programs, and how to make the case for investment in employee wellbeing.

In this episode:

This episode offers practical insights for HR, wellbeing leaders, and managers looking to embed meaningful support for health and wellbeing in their organisations.

Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better.

Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it.

Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.

In this episode, Tobba sits down with Fay Wallis, a career and executive coach with nearly a decade of experience helping HR professionals develop rewarding, sustainable careers.

Fay is the founder of Bright Sky Career Coaching, the host of the HR Coffee Time podcast (ranked in the top 2% of podcasts globally), and creator of the Essential HR Planner and the Inspiring HR Leadership Development Program.

In this conversation, Fay shares her unconventional journey from HR business partner to coach and how a single career development workshop transformed her purpose. She talks openly about experiences with burnout, workplace anxiety, and why she’s focused on empowering HR professionals to work smarter, not harder, while supporting wellbeing at work.

Fay and Tobba dig into the realities facing HR leaders, from overwhelming workloads to the challenge of setting boundaries, and share practical advice for anyone seeking greater fulfilment in their career.

Discussion highlights:

Fay’s background in HR, her shift to coaching, and the step-by-step growth of her business (01:14)

The pivotal moment of designing and delivering her first career management workshop - and its unexpected impact (03:13)

Most common themes HR leaders bring to coaching: lack of confidence, workplace relationships, and career transitions (09:23)

How burnout and anxiety shaped her approach to wellbeing and productivity (11:10)

The importance of learning to say no and setting boundaries in HR (15:29)

The wide-ranging responsibilities of HR professionals and the evolving scope of the HR role (15:38)

The most popular and helpful HR Coffee Time podcast episodes: confidence at work and competency-based interviews (20:43)

Advice for anyone considering reaching out for career support or coaching (25:28)

The value of peer support, planning, and taking small, daily steps for personal and professional wellbeing (30:50)

Practical signs of burnout and anxiety - and Fay’s strategies for managing wellbeing (33:18)

Listen to this episode for honest insights on sustainable success, practical workplace wellbeing, and how to navigate the demands of HR leadership.

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faywallis/

Website: https://brightskycareercoaching.co.uk/

Podcast:  https://brightskycareercoaching.co.uk/hr-coffee-time-podcast/

Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better.

Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it.

Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.

In this episode, Tobba sits down with Vivienne Horkan, an award-winning wellbeing leader and experienced HR professional, currently managing the Garda National Wellbeing Office.

Vivienne shares insights from her extensive work in developing employee wellbeing, inclusion, and engagement strategies in the challenging environment of the Irish police force, An Garda Síochána.

The conversation covers the creation and evolution of Garda’s health and wellbeing strategy, the launch of impactful initiatives like the KOPS app (Keeping Our People Supported App) and menopause guidance, and the important role of openness and trust in fostering a supportive workplace culture.

Vivienne also discusses the practicalities of measuring wellbeing programs, navigating challenges such as management buy-in and cultural stigma, and the growing relevance of technology in workplace health initiatives. She offers experienced advice for HR managers starting out in wellbeing initiatives, reflections on generational shifts in attitudes toward mental health, and her own approaches to staying balanced.

Topics Discussed:

Vivienne’s role at the Garda National Wellbeing Office and the mission behind the Keeping Our People Supported (KOPS) app (00:50)

Building a wellbeing strategy through health needs assessments and staff surveys (03:35)

The importance of data and measurement in assessing program effectiveness (05:12)

Training mental health first aid facilitators and addressing mental health stigma (07:41)

Key advice for HR managers starting their own wellbeing initiatives (00:09:25)

Common mistakes and challenges in implementing workplace wellbeing programs (12:56)

The power of internal champions and creating a culture of openness (14:21)

Launching the menopause guidance document and supporting diverse staff needs (19:29)

Evolving strategy and addressing emerging themes such as the impact of social media and digital health tools (22:22)

Generational differences in attitudes towards mental health support (24:30)

Vivienne’s personal wellbeing practices, including the role of nature and positivity (25:51)

Listen to the full episode for thoughtful insights on creating a resilient, supportive work environment, and practical steps to start your own wellbeing journey.

Links:

Website: https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/health-and-wellbeing/garda-national-wellbeing-office/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivienne-horkan-mcipd-93215b6/

Podcast: KaraConnect.com/podcast

Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better.

Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it.

Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.

In this episode, host Tobba Vigfúsdóttir is joined by Lorraine Hunt, an expert in AI automation for HR and the founder of the AI Automation Department.

Lorraine brings over thirty years of hands-on experience in HR and learning & development, with a focus on practical, people-first strategies to support a sustainable work environment. In a field flooded with admin and compliance, Lorraine has seen the workplace wellbeing benefits and the limits of AI up close.

Together, they dive into the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence in HR, exploring everything from creative opportunities for streamlining admin and freeing up HR teams to focus on people, to practical ways AI can enhance workplace wellbeing.

Key topics discussed in the episode include:

The challenges HR faces in organizing and leveraging data, especially in the context of privacy laws and new regulations like the EU AI Act.

Strategies for overcoming hesitation and fear around adopting AI in HR teams.

Use cases where AI can reduce administrative workload, freeing HR to be more strategic.

Real-world examples of AI supporting wellbeing, such as analysing absence data and prompting early intervention for burnout.

The importance of transparency, ethics, and maintaining a human touch alongside AI-driven solutions.

Approaches for anonymizing data and ensuring security while making the most of AI tools.

The evolving skillsets required in HR, the changing nature of recruitment, and how AI might upend traditional hiring processes.

Personal wellbeing strategies, including how Lorraine balances her enthusiasm for technology with activities that nurture her own health.

Whether you’re an HR professional eager to embrace AI, a manager looking for actionable wellbeing strategies, or simply curious about the future of work, this episode offers insights, inspiration, and some honest reflections on both the potential and pitfalls of bringing AI into the workplace.

Links:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lorrainehunt

Website: aiautomationdept.com

Podcast: KaraConnect.com/podcast

Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better.

Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it.

Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.

In this episode of “Can We Have a Word?” podcast, Dr. Jo Burrell joins host Tobba Vigfúsdóttir for a thoughtful exploration of workplace wellbeing, centered on the mental health of HR professionals.

Jo brings over two decades of clinical experience and is co-founder of Ultimate Resilience, a company focused on evidence-based resilience and burnout prevention at work.

During the discussion, Jo shares insights from the UK’s largest survey into HR mental health, talks about her motivations, and discusses practical approaches to supporting those who are supporting everyone else in the organization.

Key topics discussed in the episode include:

Jo Burrell’s shift from NHS clinician to workplace mental health advocate, and what drove the change.

Why HR professionals’ wellbeing is often overlooked in research, policy, and internal support structures.

Alarming findings from The Age of Mental Wellbeing Report, revealing high burnout and low support.

How organizational support (or lack of it) directly affects HR wellbeing, retention, and performance outcomes.

The growing emotional demands of HR roles, without matching increases in resources or recognition.

Supervision as a tool to support HR resilience, offering confidential space to process emotional strain.

Balancing personal boundaries with systemic change, and the role of leadership and professional bodies.

Practical steps HR professionals can take to protect their wellbeing and normalize open conversations.

Dr. Jo Burrell’s work highlights a hidden crisis and a clear opportunity. HR professionals are often the backbone of organisational wellbeing, but their own needs have gone unacknowledged for too long. Recognition, structured support, and open conversation are vital steps for organisations that want to retain and empower this key workforce.

Listen to the full Kara Connect episode with Dr. Jo Burrell for more on building resilience in HR.

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jo-burrell-04901a96/

Website: https://www.ultimateresilience.co.uk/ 

Report: https://www.ultimateresilience.co.uk/hr-mental-wellbeing-report  

Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better.

Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it.

Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.