Have you ever wondered why toxic workplace cultures are so widespread, even when no one sets out to create them?

In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien dives deep into the root causes and far-reaching impact of toxic work environments. Drawing insights directly from her upcoming book, Thriving Talent, Aoife unpacks how unintended toxicity takes hold in organisations, the subtle ways it spreads, and the critical role leaders play in either fostering or dismantling unhealthy cultures. She breaks down her Thriving Talent framework, examines the cost of ignored behaviors, and offers reflective questions to empower leaders to create workplaces where people truly thrive.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

1. How organisations fuel toxicity through the behaviours they reward, tolerate, or ignore.
2. The importance of reflecting on the behaviours that you allow tha contradict your values.
3. The consequences of a toxic workplace culture, including high-performing employees burning out or leaving, inconsistency and churn for clients, and mounting leader frustration.

Related Topics Covered:

Psychological Safety, Positive Workplace Culture, Autonomy at Work

Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:

1. Website
2. LinkedIn
3. YouTube

Related Episodes You’ll Love:

Episode 279: Trust & High Performance at Work

Episode 289: Leadership Choices that Define your Culture

About Happier at Work®

Happier at Work® is the podcast for business leaders who want to create meaningful, human-centric workplaces. Hosted by Aoife O’Brien, the show explores leadership, career clarity, imposter syndrome, workplace culture, and employee engagement — helping you and your team thrive.

If you enjoy podcasts like WorkLife with Adam Grant, The Happiness Lab, or Squiggly Careers, you’ll love Happier at Work®.

Editing by Amanda Fitzgerald.

Website: https://happieratwork.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappierAtWorkHQ

Mentioned in this episode:

Thriving Talent book

Book

Are you struggling with constant busyness and overwhelm at work?

In this week’s bonus episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien breaks down the practical strategies for overcoming stress and maximising impact at work, no matter your role or industry from her conversation with James Louttit, project management expert and author.

Drawing from personal experience and his extensive background leading teams, James reveals how shifting from an “effort over impact” mindset can supercharge both productivity and well-being. The conversation moves beyond conventional project management techniques, focusing on real-world, actionable steps you can implement right away to prioritise, delegate, and deliver value without burning out.

In James’ Episode, You’ll Discover:

1. Why busyness is the biggest obstacle to impactful work.
2. The importance of prioritisation.
3. The crucial role of transparent communication for leaders and teams when new priorities derail ongoing projects.
4. The value of creating space for deep thinking.

Related Topics Covered:

Purpose at Work, Productivity, Boundaries at Work

Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:

1. Website
2. LinkedIn
3. YouTube

Connect with James Louttit | Project management expert and author:

1. Book
2. LinkedIn

Related Episodes You’ll Love:

Episode 240: Meaningful Work Through Simplification with Lisa Bodell

About Happier at Work®

Happier at Work® is the podcast for business leaders who want to create meaningful, human-centric workplaces. Hosted by Aoife O’Brien, the show explores leadership, career clarity, imposter syndrome, workplace culture, and employee engagement — helping you and your team thrive.

If you enjoy podcasts like WorkLife with Adam Grant, The Happiness Lab, or Squiggly Careers, you’ll love Happier at Work®.

Join Aoife O’Brien for weekly insights on leadership, workplace culture, career clarity, imposter syndrome, and creating work that works for you.

Editing by Amanda Fitzgerald.

Website: https://happieratwork.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappierAtWorkHQ

Mentioned in this episode:

Thriving Talent book

Book

Are you struggling with constant busyness and overwhelm at work?

In the latest episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien sits down with project management expert and author James Louttit for a deep dive into practical strategies for overcoming stress and maximizing impact at work, no matter your role or industry. Drawing from personal experience and his extensive background leading teams, James reveals how shifting from an “effort over impact” mindset can supercharge both productivity and well-being. The conversation moves beyond conventional project management techniques, focusing on real-world, actionable steps you can implement right away to prioritise, delegate, and deliver value without burning out.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

1. Why busyness is the biggest obstacle to impactful work.
2. The importance of prioritisation.
3. The crucial role of transparent communication for leaders and teams when new priorities derail ongoing projects.
4. The value of creating space for deep thinking.

Related Topics Covered:

Purpose at Work, Productivity, Boundaries at Work

Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:

1. Website
2. LinkedIn
3. YouTube

Connect with James Louttit | Project management expert and author:

1. Book
2. LinkedIn

Related Episodes You’ll Love:

Episode 240: Meaningful Work Through Simplification with Lisa Bodell

About Happier at Work®

Happier at Work® is the podcast for business leaders who want to create meaningful, human-centric workplaces. Hosted by Aoife O’Brien, the show explores leadership, career clarity, imposter syndrome, workplace culture, and employee engagement — helping you and your team thrive.

If you enjoy podcasts like WorkLife with Adam Grant, The Happiness Lab, or Squiggly Careers, you’ll love Happier at Work®.

Join Aoife O’Brien for weekly insights on leadership, workplace culture, career clarity, imposter syndrome, and creating work that works for you.

Editing by Amanda Fitzgerald.

Website: https://happieratwork.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappierAtWorkHQ

Mentioned in this episode:

Thriving Talent book

Book

Applying for dozens, or even hundreds, of jobs and still not landing a role can be exhausting, especially when you have 15+ years’ experience and you’re making it to final-stage interviews but not getting the offer.

In this Listener Question episode, Aoife O’Brien answers a question from a mid-career professional navigating job search frustration in a tough market. If you’re getting interviews but not converting them into offers, this episode will help you tighten your positioning, clarify your value, and communicate what makes you the right hire for a senior role.

You’ll learn:

1. Why being a “good employee” isn’t enough to stand out at senior level
2. How to shift from quantity of applications to quality of positioning
3. What it means to communicate your value before you get hired (CV + interview)
4. Aoife’s “Working Style Genius” framework and how to identify what makes you unique
5. 3 powerful reflection questions to improve your interview confidence and clarity

If you’re searching for a senior job, preparing for a final interview, or trying to stand out in a competitive market, this episode will help you move from proving you’re capable to clearly showing the impact you create.

📩 Want your question answered on the podcast? Email [email protected] (you can remain anonymous).

Website: https://happieratwork.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappierAtWorkHQ

Are you a leader striving to create a truly positive workplace culture?

In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien dives deep into the real drivers behind workplace culture, moving far beyond value slides and engagement surveys to focus on what’s truly rewarded, tolerated, and repeated in the workplace, especially under pressure. Drawing from her upcoming book, “Thriving Talent,” Aoife shares actionable insights and her unique framework to help leaders design intentional, resilient cultures that bring out the best in people, even during challenging times. The discussion highlights common pitfalls, like unintentional leadership and mixed organisational signals, and offers a practical invitation: stop treating positive culture as the goal, and start seeing it as the outcome of deliberate leadership design.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

1. The foundations of the Thriving Talent Framework
2. How, as a leader, you can play an active role in designing and influencing workplace culture, not just experiencing it.
3. The importance of honest observation and open conversations, leading to more meaningful cultural insights than surveys alone.

Related Topics Covered:

Psychological Safety, Communication at Work, Leadership

Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:

1. Website
2. LinkedIn
3. YouTube

Related Episodes You’ll Love:

122: Cultivating a Mindset for Success with Brennan Jacoby

195: Workplace Culture Dynamics: Creating a Positive Work Environment with Caroline Collins

267: Creating a Positive Workplace

About Happier at Work®

Happier at Work® is the podcast for business leaders who want to create meaningful, human-centric workplaces. Hosted by Aoife O’Brien, the show explores leadership, career clarity, imposter syndrome, workplace culture, and employee engagement — helping you and your team thrive.

If you enjoy podcasts like WorkLife with Adam Grant, The Happiness Lab, or Squiggly Careers, you’ll love Happier at Work®.

Editing by Amanda Fitzgerald.

Website: https://happieratwork.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappierAtWorkHQ

Mentioned in this episode:

Thriving Talent book

Book

Are you struggling to get along with someone at work, no matter how hard you try?

In this, the first bonus episode of 2026, host Aoife O’Brien gives her key takeaways and insights from her conversation with Catherine Stothart, leadership coach and author. Drawing from her extensive experience in leadership development with global organisations and her books on communication and motivation, Catherine shared practical strategies grounded in psychology for understanding yourself, appreciating the perspectives of others, and improving workplace relationships.

In Catherine’s episode, You’ll Discover:

1. How self-awareness and understanding your own communication style can transform workplace relationships.
2. The “intention vs. impact” dynamic: why we judge others based on impact and ourselves based on intention, and how this fuels misunderstandings.
3. Tips for managers to support team members: regular check-ins, balancing autonomy, fostering connection, and using “do and review” conversations.
4. Practical steps for “getting on with anyone”.

Related Topics Covered:

Purpose at Work, Personality Types, Relationships at Work

Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:

1. Website
2. LinkedIn
3. YouTube

Connect with Catherine Stothart | Motivating Leadership Coach & Author of ‘How to Get On with Anyone’:

1. Bluesky
2. LinkedIn

Related Episodes You’ll Love:

1. Episode 174: The Role of Emotions in Workplace Dynmaics with Dr. Lola Gershfeld
2. Episode 176: Practical Tips for Positive Work Relationships with Aoife O’Brien

About Happier at Work®

Happier at Work® is the podcast for business leaders who want to create meaningful, human-centric workplaces. Hosted by Aoife O’Brien, the show explores leadership, career clarity, imposter syndrome, workplace culture, and employee engagement — helping you and your team thrive.

If you enjoy podcasts like WorkLife with Adam Grant, The Happiness Lab, or Squiggly Careers, you’ll love Happier at Work®.

Join Aoife O’Brien for weekly insights on leadership, workplace culture, career clarity, imposter syndrome, and creating work that works for you.

Website: https://happieratwork.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappierAtWorkHQ

Mentioned in this episode:

Thriving Talent book

Book

Are you struggling to get along with someone at work, no matter how hard you try?

In this inspiring episode of the Happier at Work podcast, host Aoife O'Brien speaks with leadership coach and author Catherine Stothart about the art and science of getting along with just about anyone. Drawing from her extensive experience in leadership development with global organisations and her books on communication and motivation, Catherine shares practical strategies grounded in psychology for understanding yourself, appreciating the perspectives of others, and improving workplace relationships.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

1. How self-awareness and understanding your own communication style can transform workplace relationships.
2. The “intention vs. impact” dynamic: why we judge others based on impact and ourselves based on intention, and how this fuels misunderstandings.
3. Tips for managers to support team members: regular check-ins, balancing autonomy, fostering connection, and using “do and review” conversations.
4. Practical steps for “getting on with anyone”.

Related Topics Covered:

Purpose at Work, Personality Types, Relationships at Work

Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:

1. Website
2. LinkedIn
3. YouTube

Connect with Catherine Stothart | Motivating Leadership Coach & Author of ‘How to Get On with Anyone’:

1. Bluesky
2. LinkedIn

Related Episodes You’ll Love:

1. Episode 174: The Role of Emotions in Workplace Dynmaics with Dr. Lola Gershfeld
2. Episode 176: Practical Tips for Positive Work Relationships with Aoife O’Brien

About Happier at Work®

Happier at Work® is the podcast for business leaders who want to create meaningful, human-centric workplaces. Hosted by Aoife O’Brien, the show explores leadership, career clarity, imposter syndrome, workplace culture, and employee engagement — helping you and your team thrive.

If you enjoy podcasts like WorkLife with Adam Grant, The Happiness Lab, or Squiggly Careers, you’ll love Happier at Work®.

Join Aoife O’Brien for weekly insights on leadership, workplace culture, career clarity, imposter syndrome, and creating work that works for you.

Website: https://happieratwork.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappierAtWorkHQ

Post Production by Amanda Fitzgerald.

Mentioned in this episode:

Thriving Talent book

Book

Are you running on fumes as the year comes to a close?

In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien gets real about end-of-year exhaustion, sharing her personal experiences and lessons learned after a hectic, relentless year without a truly restorative break. Drawing from her own journey juggling business demands and book writing, plus research for her upcoming book, Aoife O'Brien explores why so many of us struggle to press pause, and how cultural norms, productivity mindsets, and always-on tech contribute to burnout. She offers practical psychological insights and actionable advice for prioritising rest, recovery, and self-support so we can finish strong and start the new year feeling truly refreshed.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

1. The causes of end-of-year fatigue: Many people feel depleted as the year wraps up, often because they haven’t scheduled proper restorative breaks.
2. The pressure to stay busy: Social norms, the "Protestant work ethic," and hustle culture make it hard for us to take time off without guilt.
3. The importance of scheduling breaks first: Prioritising holiday time and support for your business ensures you can fully detach and recharge.
4. How to recognise when your body and mind are telling you to slow down, then take action before burnout hits.

Related Topics Covered:

Managing Workload, Workplace Wellbeing, Entrepreneurial Challenges

Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:

1. Website
2. LinkedIn
3. YouTube

Related Episodes You’ll Love:

122: Cultivating a Mindset for Success with Brennan Jacoby

249: Embracing Failure & A Growth Mindset with Kelly MacDonald

241: Exploring The Phases of Burnout with Aoife O’Brien

About Happier at Work®

Happier at Work® is the podcast for business leaders who want to create meaningful, human-centric workplaces. Hosted by Aoife O’Brien, the show explores leadership, career clarity, imposter syndrome, workplace culture, and employee engagement — helping you and your team thrive.

If you enjoy podcasts like WorkLife with Adam Grant, The Happiness Lab, or Squiggly Careers, you’ll love Happier at Work®.

Website: https://happieratwork.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappierAtWorkHQ

Mentioned in this episode:

Thriving Talent book

Book

What if we reimagined work as a product, something employees subscribe to, rather than simply a place they show up?

In this thought-provoking episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien sits down with Dart Lindsley, CEO and co-founder of 11fold and host of the Work for Humans podcast. Together, they explore the innovative concept of treating work as a product, challenging traditional management mindsets, and putting employees in the role of valued customers. Dart draws from decades of experience leading HR transformation at industry giants like Cisco and Google, explaining how “work as a product” unlocks more meaningful employee experiences and, ultimately, drives better business outcomes.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

1. Why “employees as customers” is not just a metaphor. Employees actively exchange value and have choices, demanding a product approach to work design.
2. The limits of treating employees as assets or inputs, and the powerful shift to seeing them as subscribers who daily choose their work.
3. How to recognise the difference between universal needs (like pay and fairness) and unique, individual motivators that require localized, team-based solutions.
4. How managers can transition from controllers of assets to designers and brokers of meaningful work experiences tailored to each team member.

Related Topics Covered:

Future of Work, Workplace Motivation & Drivers

Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:

1. Website
2. LinkedIn
3. YouTube

Connect with Dart Lindsley | CEO of 11fold and host of Work for Humans Podcast:

1. Website
2. LinkedIn
3. Podcast

Related Episodes You’ll Love:

1. Episode 184: A Framework for Building Happier Work Cultures with Aoife O’Brien
2. Episode 197: The Journey to Workplace Happiness with Rob Dubin
3. Episode 272: Beyond Happiness at Work with Dr. Mark Fabian

About Happier at Work®

Happier at Work® is the podcast for business leaders who want to create meaningful, human-centric workplaces. Hosted by Aoife O’Brien, the show explores leadership, career clarity, imposter syndrome, workplace culture, and employee engagement — helping you and your team thrive.

If you enjoy podcasts like WorkLife with Adam Grant, The Happiness Lab, or Squiggly Careers, you’ll love Happier at Work®.

Join Aoife O’Brien for weekly insights on leadership, workplace culture, career clarity, imposter syndrome, and creating work that works for you.

Website: https://happieratwork.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappierAtWorkHQ

Mentioned in this episode:

Thriving Talent book

Book

Are you stuck believing that people, or even you, can never change?

In this solo episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien dives deep into the powerful concepts of fixed and growth mindsets, drawing on her own experiences and insights from Carol Dweck’s influential book, Mindset. Aoife shares candid reflections on how her default fixed mindset affected her professional choices, how she projected those beliefs onto others, and the pivotal shift that came with adopting a growth mindset. Her journey explores why leaders need to understand how their beliefs shape individual, team, and organisational success.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

1. The difference between fixed and growth mindsets, and their real-life impact on career decisions and leadership.
2. How projecting a fixed mindset onto yourself or your team can limit growth, performance, and innovation.
3. The role of psychological safety in enabling learning, healthy challenge, and speaking up without fear.
4. Why leaders don’t need to have all the answers, and the value of adopting a coaching approach to empower others.

Related Topics Covered:

Psychological Safety, Thriving Talent Framework, Leadership

Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:

1. Website
2. LinkedIn
3. YouTube

Related Episodes You’ll Love:

122: Cultivating a Mindset for Success with Brennan Jacoby

249: Embracing Failure & A Growth Mindset with Kelly MacDonald

About Happier at Work®

Happier at Work® is the podcast for business leaders who want to create meaningful, human-centric workplaces. Hosted by Aoife O’Brien, the show explores leadership, career clarity, imposter syndrome, workplace culture, and employee engagement — helping you and your team thrive.

If you enjoy podcasts like WorkLife with Adam Grant, The Happiness Lab, or Squiggly Careers, you’ll love Happier at Work®.

Website: https://happieratwork.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappierAtWorkHQ

Mentioned in this episode:

Thriving Talent book

Book