Happy Space Podcast with Clare Kumar

Jan Doering, Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto explores the complex relationship between sound, behavior, and social conflict, unpacking the social, cultural, and neurological dimensions of sound, and discussing how we can move toward a more considerate coexistence in our shared environments.

Sound that delights one person can deeply distress another. Clare and Jan explore how our appreciation of sound is deeply subjective and why this gap often turns into tension in urban life. Through examples from everyday environments, they discuss how noise reflects culture, how it can become a form of power and resistance, and why some people respond to it with frustration or even aggression.

The conversation challenges policymakers, urban planners, and designers to take sound seriously as an issue of well-being issue and accessibility, highlighting how neurological safety and collective responsibility can help create more peaceful and inclusive soundscapes.

Clare and Jan also reflect on the deeper psychological and emotional layers behind how we relate to sound, revealing that finding peace in a noisy world might start with changing how we listen.

Jan Doering is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto. His research explores social control and conflict in urban neighborhoods, as well as how individuals experience and respond to discrimination. He has received research funding from the National Science Foundation, the Fulbright Commission, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Councils.

His first book, “Us Versus Them: Race, Crime, and Gentrification in Chicago Neighborhoods” (Oxford University Press, 2020), examines the dynamics of community conflict and identity during the era of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown.

Key Takeaways

• Hearing is a sense we cannot turn off, making sound a constant, shared experience.
• Noise is not just about volume - there are more elements to consider 
• Urban “vibrancy” often comes at the expense of rest and recovery, highlighting a policy blind spot.
• Municipalities, designers, and leaders can promote neurological safety by designing environments that support well-being and reduce sensory stress.

CHAPTERS

03:00 Introduction

06:05 Tension Around Noise

09:10 Defining Noise and Perception

12:16 Reframing Noise Experiences

18:05 Joy in Noise: Machines and Gender

22:18 Noise and Cultural Responsibility

29:08 Government and Policy Failures

36:50 Consequences of Noise Stress

45:50 Allergic to Peace?

51:31 Sadism, Pleasure, and Noise-Making Behavior

58:45 Emotional vs. Intellectual Arguments for Quiet

01:04:40 Density, Well-being, and Cultural Vision

01:08:00 Creative Solutions and Happy Spaces

Sources

• Clamor by Chris Berdik — https://www.chrisberdik.com
• Golden: The Power of Silence in a World Full of Noise by Justin Zorn & Leigh Marz — https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Power-Silence-World-Noise/dp/0063027607
• Just Think: The Challenges of the Disengaged Mind – Wilson, T.D. et al., Science (2014) — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4330241
• Epstein, M. J. (2020). Sound and noise: A listener's guide to everyday life. McGill-Queen's Press-MQUP. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51941863-sound-and-noise
• “The Traffic Mimes of Colombia” — Atlas Obscura, by Eric Grundhauser, published March 23, 2016 — https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/traffic-mimes-of-colombia

Want to help create better soundscapes? Download your FREE listener gift

Grab the “Sensory Preference Worksheet: Sound” to help create more hospitable soundscapes, where everyone can make their richest contributions.

The worksheet includes:

• a bit of background on sound 
• reflection on noise
• articulation of your idea soundscapes
• identification of your Sensitivity Action Style
• design considerations.

Ideal for designers or users of any space to gain insight into sound preferences as design parameters.

Take ten quiet minutes. Reflect. Notice. Articulate.

Use with your team, your clients, family or community.

Download the worksheet here and begin shaping soundscapes and cultures where everyone can thrive.

Images

Barcelona’s City Campaign: Clare Kumar

Connect with Guest

Website: Jan Doering - University of Toronto - https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/sociology/people/jan-doering

LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-doering-33a836/

Connect with Clare

Website - https://www.clarekumar.com

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarekumar/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/clarekumar/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/clarekumar

Museletter - https://clarekumar.kartra.com/page/MuseletterOptin

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About Clare

Clare Kumar explores the intersection of performance and inclusion in her mission to help stop the unintentional squandering of human potential. She collaborates with design, management, and user experience professionals to incorporate neuroinclusive design into spaces, cultures, and experiences ensuring that everyone has the chance to make their richest contribution. 

Clare encourages the creation of “neurological safety”, the conditions that invite us to “keep calm and carry on”. Every organization wants their customers and employees to be able to move forward with ease but without this level of safety, too often people are unintentionally designed out.

Clare continues to experience this. She brings not only her keen noticing but also her sense of social justice to advocate for greater inclusion.

Clare also serves as the Canadian Regional Director of the 🌻Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, bettering daily life for those with non-visible challenges.

Tune into the 🙂Happy Space® podcast for conversations with leading voices working towards a more hospitable world and subscribe to the museletter podcast for the latest in related news, media & events.

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Show Options

Believing that #ProductivityIsPersonal, the podcast is produced in a variety of formats so you can enjoy it in the medium you prefer:

Listen to the audio right here or on your fave podcast platform.

If you prefer to watch video, check out the episode on YouTube. And look for the Shorts playlist for clips. If you prefer to read, please see the transcript below.

Ready to learn more, or want to find out more about coaching with Clare or hiring her for your next engaging event? Contact Clare here.

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We’d love a review

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a heartfelt review as this will help other listeners discover the podcast.  Invite your colleagues, friends, and family to listen as well. Together we can design a more inclusive world with everyone designed in.

For the latest, follow Clare on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Because, as you know, everyone deserves a Happy Space. 😊

PRODUCTION  

• Production Assistant: Ana Quintero
• Song Credit: Cali by Wataboi  / wataboi  
• Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0 Music promoted by FDL Music  • Cali - Wataboi · [Copyright-free Music]

Dr. Ernesto Morales discusses evidence-based research for accessible airports and airplanes, emphasizing co-design, sensory needs, and the need for accountability in aviation accessibility.

In episode 61 of the Happy Space Podcast, I spoke with Dr. Ernesto Morales, Full Professor at Université Laval, about two federally funded projects on accessible aviation in Canada. One focuses on airport accessibility, while the other addresses aircraft lavatories. Ernesto shares how involving 72 participants with diverse disabilities through walking interviews and mockups helped surface nuanced barriers and identify improvements. We also discuss the challenges of coordination between stakeholders, the need for sensory-friendly spaces, and the importance of dignity in travel. Ernesto stresses the value of co-design and inclusive research methods, calling for regulatory clarity and deeper accountability in delivering equitable air travel experiences.

Ernesto Morales studied architecture and finished a Masters’ Degree in Industrial Design in Mexico City. He obtained a grant from the Government of Mexico to study his Ph.D. in Design at the Faculté de l’aménagement, of the University of Montreal. He did his first post doc in “Environmental Gerontology” at the Research Centre from the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal and a second post-doc at the Research Centre for Innovation in Health Care at Utrecht, the Netherlands on “Healing Environments”. He is Full Professor at the School of Rehabilitation Sciences of the Faculty of Medicine at the Universté Laval and he is a Researcher at the Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale in Quebec City. He is also a member of the Quebec government's Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Safety of Buildings for Persons with Disabilities. His research interests fall into the following areas: Inclusive design and adaptation of the physical environment. Design solutions to improve the quality of life of people with permanent or temporary disabilities (either cognitive, motor or sensory) in terms of objects, home spaces or urban design. Working and care environments in health institutions (acute and long-term care) and accessibility in emergency situations.

CHAPTERS

[00:00] Meeting Ernesto Morales and Project Overview

[02:00] Walking Interviews at Airports

[04:00] Designing Solutions Collaboratively

[06:00] Challenges in Airport Coordination

[08:00] Public and Private Reporting

[09:00] Ernesto’s Personal Motivation

[11:00] Co-Design as a Core Practice

[13:00] From Heritage Sites to Airports

[14:00] Merging Qualitative and Quantitative Data

[16:00] Why Canada is Leading in Accessibility

[18:00] Federal and Ministry Involvement

[20:00] Autism, Sensory Input, and Airport Design

[23:00] Stress at Security Checkpoints

[26:00] Benefits of Hidden Disability Lanyards

[28:00] Advertising and Sensory Overload

[30:00] Sensory Zones, Not Just Rooms

[33:00] Washroom Accessibility and Service Dogs

[36:00] Dignity in Air Travel

[38:00] Future Reports and Timelines

[39:00] Centralizing Responsibility for Accessibility

[41:00] Systemic Change Through Procurement and Training

LINKS

Rick Hansen Accessibility Certification

Accessibility Standards Canada

Airports 

Quebec City

Calgary Airport 

Ernesto’s Website

IMAGE CREDITS (see images on Youtube video)

LOGO - Hidden Disabilities Sunflower

Plane Mockup Photos - Ernesto Morales

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard Pictures - Clare Kumar

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Highly sensitive executive coach and productivity catalyst, Clare Kumar, explores the intersection of productivity and inclusivity exploring how we can invite the richest contribution from all through improvements in design and culture. She works bottom-up - coaching individuals in sidestepping burnout and cultivating sustainable performance, and top-down – working with leaders to design inclusive performance thereby inviting teams to reach their full potential. As a speaker, Clare mic-drops “thought balms” in keynotes and workshops, whether virtual or in-person. She invites connection through her online community committed to designing sustainable and inclusive performance, the Happy Space Pod. Why? Because everyone deserves a Happy Space.

Believing that productivity is personal, the podcast is produced in a variety of formats so you can enjoy it in the medium you prefer:

Listen to the audio right here or on your fave podcast platform.

If you prefer to watch video, check out the episode on YouTube. And look for the Shorts playlist for clips.

If you prefer to read, please see the transcript below.

Ready to learn more, or want to find out more about coaching with Clare or hiring her for your next engaging event? Contact Clare here.

😀😃😄😁😆

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a heartfelt review as this will help other listeners discover the podcast.  Please invite your colleagues, friends, and family to listen as well. Together we can design a more inclusive world where everyone can make their richest contribution.

Want to learn more about Clare and/or her guests?  Follow Clare on Instagram and Twitter. 

And don't forget, everyone (including YOU) deserves a Happy Space. 😊

CREDITS

Creator, Host - Clare Kumar

Show Producer - Rafael Dona

Song Credit: Cali by Wataboi  / wataboi

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Music promoted by FDL Music  • Cali - Wataboi · [Copyright-free Music]

Ivan Berazhny, Senior lecturer at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences and accessibility advocate, shares how INCLAVI, an EU-funded initiative, equips aviation professionals with certified training to better support diverse travellers across the full journey.

In this episode of the Happy Space Podcast, host Clare Kumar speaks with Ivan Berazhny, Senior lecturer at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, about INCLAVI, an EU-funded initiative to improve accessibility in aviation and tourism. Ivan shares the development of a free, multi-module training curriculum designed to educate industry professionals on best practices for supporting travellers with disabilities. Built through a wide consortium of partners, the program covers the full travel journey, from planning to post-arrival, and includes accredited modules with formal certification. During the conversation, they explore the importance of language in accessibility, the value of humility in learning, and the potential to apply this framework across industries.

Ivan Berazhny is a senior lecturer at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (Finland), where Ivan has been developing and leading research projects and courses on topics including leadership, entrepreneurship, aviation business environment, corporate social responsibility and others.

Prior background includes studies of international economic relations, communication, and vocational pedagogy. Ivan also holds several professional certifications in aviation and hospitality industries.

In Haaga-Helia, Ivan has been engaged actively in curriculum development, export of education, RDI cooperation with industry partners, internationalisation, and other activities. Particularly, Ivan is committed to advocate inclusive society for people with disabilities.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Introduction and Welcome

02:15 – Origins of the INCLAVI Project

05:45 – Building a Practical, Multi-Stakeholder Curriculum

10:10 – Implementation and Early Impact

14:05 – Language, Translation, and Accessibility

17:30 – Clarifying Terms: Accessibility vs. Inclusion

21:00 – Beyond Labels: Focusing on Needs

24:40 – Expanding Awareness Through Storytelling

27:50 – Encouraging Curiosity in Accessibility

30:25 – Ivan’s Happy Space

LINKS

For active links, visit www.clarekumar.com/podcast

IMAGE CREDITS (see images on Youtube video)

Mediterranean Sea Video - Canva

Horizon Video - Canva

Learn more about and follow Ivan:

Haaga-Helia University

INCLAVI (Inclusive aviation curriculum) 

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program

😀😃😄😁😆

Everyone deserves a Happy Space. It might sound frivolous, but what I’m talking about is creating environments for each person to be able to perform at their best. Too often, people are invited to burn out or opt out of spaces, cultures, or experiences that are at best uncomfortable and at worst, toxic. Inclusion is a design opportunity. I hope to shine a light on those craftive more inclusive spaces, cultures, and experiences, leading the way to a more hospitable world because everyone deserves a Happy Space.

Believing that productivity is personal, the podcast is produced in a variety of formats so you can enjoy it in the medium you prefer:

Listen to the audio right here or on your fave podcast platform.

If you prefer to watch video, check out the episode on YouTube. And look for the Shorts playlist for clips.

If you prefer to read, please see the transcript below.

Ready to learn more, or want to find out more about coaching with Clare or hiring her for your next engaging event? Contact Clare here.

😀😃😄😁😆

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a heartfelt review as this will help other listeners discover the podcast. Please invite your colleagues, friends, and family to listen as well. Together we can design a more inclusive world where everyone can make their richest contribution.

Want to learn more about Clare and/or her guests? Follow Clare on Instagram and Twitter.

And don't forget, everyone (including YOU) deserves a Happy Space. 😊

CREDITS

Creator, Host - Clare Kumar

Show Producer - Rafael Dona

Song Credit: Cali by Wataboi / wataboi

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0

Music promoted by FDL Music • Cali - Wataboi · [Copyright-free Music]

Leadership expert Jason Lauritsen tackles the question of whether we really need check-in meetings addressing barriers like discomfort, skill gaps, and the drive for workplace efficiency. Don’t miss the four key steps for effective check-ins.

In this episode of the Happy Space Podcast, Clare speaks with leadership expert Jason Lauritsen about the role of check-in meetings. They explore why regular, intentional conversations between leaders and team members matter—not just for accountability, but for connection and well-being. Too often check-in meetings are discarded in the belief they are not serving real value. But it is perhaps because they are not being well implemented. Jason offers an easy-to-implement process for delivering check-ins that make a difference, making them more comfortable and worthwhile. The episode invites leaders to slow down, get curious, and prioritize relationships as the foundation for more human and productive work environments.

A dynamic keynote speaker, Jason Lauritsen is a true thought leader in the world of work and employee engagement dedicated to revolutionizing the way we Lead With Relationship™.

He fearlessly challenges traditional norms to reshape the employee experience by consistently placing authentic human connection at the heart of leadership.

Jason is the author of two books, Unlocking High Performance and Social Gravity. His thought leadership has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Talent Management magazine, HR Executive magazine, and SHRM publications.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Intro: The Power of Conversation

03:30 – What’s Driving Interest in Check-Ins?

07:50 – Relationship Building is the Work

11:45 – The Four Steps of an Effective Check-In

18:10 – Frequency & Flexibility: What Works Best?

24:00 – Making Space for Connection in Hustle Culture

28:40 – The Role of Comfort in Performance

34:15 – Relearning How to Connect Post-Pandemic

40:00 – Final Thoughts & How to Connect with Jason

LINKS

IMAGE CREDITS (see images on Youtube video)

WorkHuman Logo - Wikipedia

Learn more about and follow Jason:

Linkedin

Youtube

Website

😀😃😄😁😆

Everyone deserves a Happy Space. It might sound frivolous, but what I’m talking about is creating environments for each person to be able to perform at their best. Too often, people are invited to burn out or opt out of spaces, cultures, or experiences that are at best uncomfortable and at worst, toxic. Inclusion is a design opportunity. I hope to shine a light on those craftive more inclusive spaces, cultures, and experiences, leading the way to a more hospitable world because everyone deserves a Happy Space.

Believing that productivity is personal, the podcast is produced in a variety of formats so you can enjoy it in the medium you prefer:

Listen to the audio right here or on your fave podcast platform.

If you prefer to watch video, check out the episode on YouTube. And look for the Shorts playlist for clips.

If you prefer to read, please see the transcript below.

Ready to learn more, or want to find out more about coaching with Clare or hiring her for your next engaging event? Contact Clare here.

😀😃😄😁😆

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a heartfelt review as this will help other listeners discover the podcast. Please invite your colleagues, friends, and family to listen as well. Together we can design a more inclusive world where everyone can make their richest contribution.

Want to learn more about Clare and/or her guests?  Follow Clare on Instagram and Twitter.

And don't forget, everyone (including YOU) deserves a Happy Space. 😊

CREDITS

Creator, Host - Clare Kumar

Show Producer - Rafael Dona

Song Credit: Cali by Wataboi  / wataboi  

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0

Music promoted by FDL Music  • Cali - Wataboi · [Copyright-free Music]

In this episode, Happy Space Podcast host, Clare Kumar, speaks with Kay Sargent, principal designer at HOK, about their latest release, Neuroinclusive Workplace Design. Clare and Kay discuss the need to move beyond universal design toward more inclusive, actionable strategies for creating workspaces that support diverse sensory and cognitive needs. The conversation explores the evolution of language around neurodiversity, the importance of continual learning, and the challenges of designing spaces that acknowledge human complexity. Kay emphasizes that thoughtful, inclusive design benefits everyone by removing barriers and enabling people to perform at their best.

BIO

With 35 years of experience, Kay is a recognized expert on workplace design and strategy. She is an award-winning designer who has worked with Fortune 500 companies to optimize their global real estate portfolios and create innovative work environments. As director of HOK’s WorkPlace team, a practice that supports organizations undertaking multiple projects in various locations, and a member of HOK’s Board of Directors, Kay is responsible for helping clients redefine how, when, and where their people work, working in tandem to support a holistic design approach that integrates an organization’s people, processes and technology.

Kay is considered an industry thought leader in the workplace. She has authored multiple white papers and articles on topics including well-being; the next-gen workforce; technologies’ impact on the workplace; space fusion and the rise of the human factor.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Sensory Processing and Cognitive Wellbeing

00:22 Guest Introduction: Kay Sargentfrom HOK

01:03 The Inspiration Behind Neuroinclusive Workplace Design

01:44 Practical Applications of Neuroinclusive Design

01:58 Exploring Sensory Sensitivity and Inclusive Design

02:32 The Importance of Intersectionality in Design

03:50 The Launch of NeuroinclusiveWorkplace Design

04:45 The Journey of Writing the Book

07:02 Challenges and Evolution in Workplace Design

08:40 Understanding Neurodiversity and Sensory Sensitivity

13:22 Inclusive Design vs. Universal Design

15:48 Embracing Complexity and Individual Needs

17:05 Real-World Impact of Inclusive Design

21:38 Simple Adjustments for Better Productivity

22:17 Personal Story: Managing ADHD

23:55 The Spoon Theory and Energy Management

24:40 The Impact of Sound and Environment

25:19 Six Modalities of Work

31:16 The Importance of Neurological Safety

33:11 Designing Inclusive Workspaces

40:02 Final Thoughts and Book Promotion

IMAGE CREDITS (see images in Youtube video)

Kay Sargent headshot - Kay Sargent

"Neuroinclusive Workplace Design" Book Cover - Wiley

Other Images and Graphics - Canva

Learn more about and follow Kay:

Instagram

Youtube

X

LinkedIn

Website

😀😃😄😁😆

Everyone deserves a Happy Space. It might sound frivolous, but what I’m talking about is creating environments for each person to be able to perform at their best. Too often, people are invited to burn out or opt out of spaces, cultures, or experiences that are at best uncomfortable and at worst, toxic. Inclusion is a design opportunity. I hope to shine a light on those craftive more inclusive spaces, cultures, and experiences, leading the way to a more hospitable world because everyone deserves a Happy Space.

Believing that productivity is personal, the podcast is produced in a variety of formats so you can enjoy it in the medium you prefer:

Listen to the audio right here or on your fave podcast platform.

If you prefer to watch video, check out the episode on YouTube. And look for the Shorts playlist for clips.

If you prefer to read, please see the transcript below.

Ready to learn more, or want to find out more about coaching with Clare or hiring her for your next engaging event? Contact Clare here.

😀😃😄😁😆

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a heartfelt review as this will help other listeners discover the podcast. Please invite your colleagues, friends, and family to listen as well. Together we can design a more inclusive world where everyone can make their richest contribution.

Want to learn more about Clare and/or her guests?  Follow Clare on Instagram and Twitter.

And don't forget, everyone (including YOU) deserves a Happy Space. 😊

CREDITS

Creator, Host - Clare Kumar

Show Producer - Rafael Dona

Song Credit: Cali by Wataboi  / wataboi  

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0Music promoted by FDL Music  • Cali - Wataboi · [Copyright-free Music]

In this curated selection from the Happy Space Podcast, I’m bringing back voices that challenge, inspire, and expand our thinking about designing for inclusion and accessibility. These encore episodes highlight conversations that continue to resonate—on neurodiversity, workplace design, and the small shifts that can make a big difference. Whether you’re tuning in for the first time or revisiting a favourite, I hope these episodes offer fresh insight into how thoughtful design can help everyone show up and perform at their best.

Having had to leave numerous experiences because of sensory overwhelm, I was immediately drawn to the work of Google’s The NEU Project which shares rich resources evolved from Google’s Experience Institute. 

After learning about the Google Experience Institute (Xi) and The NEU Project, I knew I had to speak with the Strategic Lead of Global Event Solutions for Google, Megan Henshall. Hear what brought Megan to do this important work, why it matters, and her simple advice to leaders who want to make a difference for their own teams. She’ll also let you in on the three futures she spends 60% of her time thinking about.

Megan (she/her) joined Google in April 2019 and serves as the Global Events Solutions, Strategic Lead. She partners across Google to understand how events drive business, build communities, and promote cultural continuity, informing strategy for a global team of amazing event professionals. She leads an internal/external innovation effort called the Google Experience Institute (Xi), focused on the future of human-centered, multi-modal experience design.

CHAPTERS

00:03:41   Megan's journey to this important work

00:06:01   Global Event Solutions - today and tomorrow

00:07:19   Pandemic effects on work culture

00:08:50   The pandemic boosted sensitivity

00:10:00   Sensitivity and neurodivergence may be evolutionary

00:13:10   The definition of neurodivergence

00:16:38   Neurodivergent people speaking up

00:18:57   Leadership resistance to being inclusive

00:21:00   Museum concept event

00:23:09  The Experience Institute (Xi) and The NEU Project

00:28:36   The error in fundamental attribution

00:30:24   The three futures

00:38:12   What a leader can do

LINKS

Episode 10 - Hiring for Neurodiversity - with Keith Isaac, TD Bank

Episode 15 – A Fresh Look at Sensitivity – with Andre Sólo

Episode 27 – The Undeniable Value of Neurodiversity – with Theo Smith

Google Experience Institute

Marcus Buckingham

Love + Work by Marcus Buckingham - Goodreads

Newton Cheng - Director of Health + Performance, Google 

Belonging by Geoffrey L. Cohen - Goodreads

IMEX America

IMAGE CREDITS (see images on Youtube video)

Megan and Otis - credit Megan Henshall

Happy Space Podcast ep 10 cover art - credit Clare Kumar

Love + Work book cover - credit Goodreads

Newton Cheng - credit LInkedIn

Clip of inside of Opryland Hotel - credit Clare Kumar

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - credit Clare Kumar

In this curated selection from the Happy Space Podcast, I’m bringing back voices that challenge, inspire, and expand our thinking about designing for inclusion and accessibility. These encore episodes highlight conversations that continue to resonate—on neurodiversity, workplace design, and the small shifts that can make a big difference. Whether you’re tuning in for the first time or revisiting a favourite, I hope these episodes offer fresh insight into how thoughtful design can help everyone show up and perform at their best.

MillerKnoll’s Ryan Anderson shares his research and talks about the benefits of respite spaces, place attachment, recognizing your own belonging cues at work, and how being intentional about usable designs makes for the most beautiful workspaces.

You're listening to Episode 37 of the Happy Space Podcast. Today, I speak with MillerKnoll’s Global Research lead, Ryan Anderson, about opportunities for organizations to create more inclusive workspaces that support sustainable performance.

Ryan Anderson, VP of Global Research and Insights at MillerKnoll, shares his research, deep passion, and appreciation for inclusive design. Ryan suggests that we must dramatically rethink our workspaces in order to better reflect our biological, mental, and emotional needs at work. Ryan talks about the current need for “spaces for everyone”, including those who identify as neurodivergent. In addition, he discusses place attachment, the human tendency to form connections with physical spaces, and the challenges and limited opportunities offered by the practice of hoteling. The discussion underscores Clare’s often made point that if you design for wellbeing performance will flow. 

Ryan Anderson serves as Vice President of Global Research and Insights at MillerKnoll, renowned workspace and furniture design company. Ryan’s team leads MillerKnoll’s research, shares insights publicly across the world, and provides workplace strategy and design services to MillerKnoll customers.

With nearly thirty years of industry experience, Ryan’s work has centered on how the places we inhabit can be better designed to support healthy, inclusive, and productive communities. Ryan hosts MillerKnoll’s “About Place” podcast on the future of the workplace and regularly speaks at public events about MillerKnoll’s historical and current research.

He is a member of the SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) Executive Network, an Executive Fellow at Woxsen University in Hyderabad India, and has been featured in a wide variety of publications such as The Wall Street Journal, NPR, the BBC, Fortune, Bloomberg, and beyond.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction 

05:49 The role of belonging cues in inclusive design

11:28 The business case for inclusive design

19:24 The future of workspace design and commercial real estate

22:55 Respite spaces in the workspace

26:34 The impact of diversity and culture on workspace design

28:49 Sustainable productivity

30:40 The role of leadership in promoting wellbeing and preventing burnout

35:08 Hotelling and depersonalization of office space

40:27 The importance of team-based workplace design

42:13 The need for empathy in the workplace

LINKS

Herman Miller 

MillerKnoll

Harkin Institute for Public Policy

Nigel Oseland

Bill Stumpf

Work Better Save the Planet - Lisa Whited

Dr. Greg Wells

IMAGE CREDITS

Ryan Anderson headshot - Ryan Anderson

MillerKnoll logo - MillerKnoll

Car Parked next to bike lanes - Clare Kumar

Nigel Oseland - UCL

Dr. Greg Wells - LinkedIn

Healthcare Recliner - HermanMiller

Harkin Institute of Public Policy - Harkin Institute

Bill Stumpf - MillerKnoll

Employees sitting on couches - MillerKnoll

Workspace with blue couch - MillerKnoll

MillerKnoll chairs - MillerKnoll

MillerKnoll Workspace with TV - MillerKnoll

Employees working at desks - Canva

Employees at front desk with indoor trees - Canva

Employees collaborating at table - Canva

Employee napping at work with blanket - Canva

Employee napping on couch - Canva

Employees napping on bean bags - Canva

Office space, panning out - Canva

Couple designing office - Canva

Employees working around desk - Canva

Designer with color samples - Canva

Employees working around a table with graphs - Canva

1800’s busy street - Canva

1800’s office - Canva

Learn more about Ryan Anderson:

LinkedIn

Website

😀😃😄😁😆

Highly sensitive executive coach and productivity catalyst, Clare Kumar, explores the intersection of productivity and inclusivity continually asking how can we invite the richest contribution from all. She coaches individuals in sidestepping burnout and cultivating sustainable performance, and inspires leaders to design inclusive performance thereby inviting teams to reach their full potential. As a speaker, Clare mic-drops “thought balms” in keynotes and workshops, whether virtual or in-person. She invites connection through her online community committed to designing sustainable and inclusive performance, the Happy Space Pod. Why? Because everyone deserves a Happy Space.

Believing that productivity is personal, the podcast is produced in a variety of formats so you can enjoy it in the medium you prefer:

Listen to the audio right here or on your fave podcast platform.

If you prefer to  watch video, check out the episode on YouTube.

If you prefer to read, please see the transcript below.

Ready to learn more, or want to find out more about coaching with Clare or hiring her for your next engaging event? Contact Clare here.

😀😃😄😁😆

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a heartfelt review as this will help other listeners discover the podcast.  Please invite your colleagues, friends, and family to listen as well. Together we can design a more inclusive world where everyone can make their richest contribution.

Want to learn more about Clare and/or her guests?  Follow Clare on Instagram and Twitter. 

And don't forget, everyone (including YOU) deserves a Happy Space. 😊

CREDITS

Audio and Video Editing by: Jaclyn Enchin

Production Assistant: Luis Rodriguez

Song Credit: Cali by Wataboi from Pixabay

In this curated selection from the Happy Space Podcast, I’m bringing back voices that challenge, inspire, and expand our thinking about designing for inclusion and accessibility. These encore episodes highlight conversations that continue to resonate—on neurodiversity, workplace design, and the small shifts that can make a big difference. Whether you’re tuning in for the first time or revisiting a favourite, I hope these episodes offer fresh insight into how thoughtful design can help everyone show up and perform at their best.

Exploring a seemingly old-fashioned and often overlooked key ingredient necessary for workforce inclusion, organizational psychologist Gena Cox reminds us that the way we make people feel matters. As a highly sensitive person able to quickly assess whether respect is present in interactions… or not, Gena encourages leaders to make compassionate action the norm. She shares the 3 C’s every leader needs to adopt and encourages everyone to get an “Inclusion MBA”.

Dr. Gena Cox is an Organizational Psychologist, Leadership Impact Strategist, Executive Coach, Speaker, and award-winning author. She is known for her nuanced, multi-disciplinary insights and honest-but-supportive style.

Gena spent decades working in and consulting to global companies, including the Fortune 500. Now, in her private practice, she works with leaders personally to optimize their impact and influence, and to build respect-first, inclusive organizations. 

Tune in to Gena’s insights for a more inclusive tomorrow.

CHAPTERS

00:00:00 Intro

00:03:38 Change you can feel

00:09:50 The key to inclusive leadership

00:11:58 Deciphering respect

00:16:57 Understanding culture

00:19:23 Gena's generosities

00:20:29 Response to DEI initiatives

00:25:13 The Global South has had enough

00:28:30 The Inclusion MBA

LINKS

Blog post - Four Step P.L.A.N. to Get Organized™

"Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman

Michael J Fox on CBS News

IMAGE CREDITS (see images on Youtube video)

George Floyd - credit Wiki Commons

Maya Angelou - credit Depositphotos

“Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman - credit Clare Kumar

Thai people smiling - credit Envato Elements

Japanese commuters not engaging with each other - credit Envato Elements

Michael J Fox - credit Wiki Commons

Lisa Whited - credit LinkedIn

“Work Better: Save The Planet” by Lisa Whited - credit Clare Kumar

Jamie Dimon - CEO JP Morgan Chase - credit LinkedIn

REDI “Respect to Lead” Model and eBook - credit Gena Cox

Learn more about and follow Gena:

Instagram

Youtube

Twitter

LinkedIn

Website

😀😃😄😁😆

Highly sensitive executive coach and productivity catalyst, Clare Kumar, explores the intersection of productivity and inclusivity continually asking how can we invite the richest contribution from all. She coaches individuals in sidestepping burnout and cultivating sustainable performance, and inspires leaders to design inclusive performance thereby inviting teams to reach their full potential. As a speaker, Clare mic-drops “thought balms” in keynotes and workshops, whether virtual or in-person. She invites connection through her online community committed to designing sustainable and inclusive performance, the Happy Space Pod. Why? Because everyone deserves a Happy Space.

Believing that productivity is personal, the podcast is produced in a variety of formats so you can enjoy it in the medium you prefer:

Listen to the audio right here or on your fave podcast platform.

If you prefer to  watch video, check out the episode on YouTube.

If you prefer to read, please see the transcript below.

Ready to learn more, or want to find out more about coaching with Clare or hiring her for your next engaging event? Contact Clare here.

😀😃😄😁😆

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a heartfelt review as this will help other listeners discover the podcast.  Please invite your colleagues, friends, and family to listen as well. Together we can design a more inclusive world where everyone can make their richest contribution.

Want to learn more about Clare and/or her guests?  Follow Clare on Instagram and Twitter. 

And don't forget, everyone (including YOU) deserves a Happy Space. 😊

CREDITS

Audio and Video Editing by: To Be Reel

Production Assistant: Luis Rodriguez

Song Credit: Cali by WatR. from Pixabay

In this curated selection from the Happy Space Podcast, I’m bringing back voices that challenge, inspire, and expand our thinking about designing for inclusion and accessibility. These encore episodes highlight conversations that continue to resonate—on neurodiversity, workplace design, and the small shifts that can make a big difference. Whether you’re tuning in for the first time or revisiting a favourite, I hope these episodes offer fresh insight into how thoughtful design can help everyone show up and perform at their best.

Author of the Canary Code, Ludmila Praslova discusses how moral injury can cause autistic burnout, and how dignity plays a part in setting boundaries in neurodiverse workplaces.

Ludmila Praslova, the author of The Canary Code, discusses the common misconceptions about autism, the importance of recognizing female and high-functioning presentations of autism, and the challenges faced by those seeking diagnosis and acceptance. This episode touches on authenticity, moral injury, and the need for accommodations at work. She also shares about her work on the concept of dignity and how it’s imperative to setting boundaries and better understanding social situations involving neurodivergent individuals. Finally, she talks about the implications of the DSM-V's categorizations, and practical advice for organizations to move forward in their DEI evolution. 

Ludmila N. Praslova Ph.D., SHRM-SCP is the author of “The Canary Code: A Guide to Neurodiversity, Dignity, and Intersectional Belonging at Work” (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, April 2024) and the member of the Thinkers50 Radar 2024 cohort of global management thinkers most likely to impact workplaces. 

She is a Professor of Graduate Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Accreditation Liaison Officer at Vanguard University of Southern California. 

With over 25 years of experience in developing talent-rich organizations, she is a global inclusive talent strategy expert with deep knowledge of global diversity and neurodiversity. 

Her current consulting is focused on creating organizational systems for inclusion and wellbeing and providing neuroinclusion training and support to organizations such as Amazon, Bank of America, and MIT. Dr. Praslova is also the editor of “Evidence-Based Organizational Practices for Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging and Equity” (Cambridge Scholars, 2023) and the special issue of the Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, “Disability inclusion in the workplace: From “accommodation” to inclusive organizational design.” 

She regularly writes for Fast Company, Harvard Business Review and Psychology Today, and is the first person to have published in Harvard Business Review from an autistic perspective.

CHAPTERS

7:00 Clare’s self-diagnosis of autism

8:15 Women and the misunderstanding of autism 

10:48 Autistic and neurodiverse traits

12:00 Masking and Ludmila’s journey with autism

17:47 Why there are so many autistic actors

19:50 How moral injury affects autistic burnout

21:58 The consequences of moral injury for neurodivergent individuals

24:11 Autistic burnout vs. regular burnout

28:20 What can leaders do to create a better work culture?

32:30 What is behind a leader’s need to control?

36:45 The need for more conscious social interactions in the workplace

39:10 Socializing and masking with autism

43:02 How to honor your own dignity

44:19 How dignity can help establish boundaries at work

46:12 How do we navigate the growing neurodivergent population?

48:53 Autistic people and how empathy is expressed

57:12 The medical model of diagnosis in autism

01:06:04 The Canary Code and where you can find it

LINKS

The Canary Code by Ludmila Praslova

Ep. 45 - Melanie Deziel - Unmasking - Late Autism Diagnosis in Women

Clinical Psychiatrist Jonathan Shay on Moral Injury

DSM-V Text Revision

Dora Raymaker

IMAGE CREDITS

The Canary Code by Ludmila Praslova - Penguin Books

Ep. 45 - Unmasking - Late Autism Diagnosis in Women

Dora Raymaker - LinkedIn

Dr. Jonathan Shay - LinkedIn

Other images and video - Canva

Learn more about and follow Ludmila:

Instagram

Twitter

LinkedIn

In this curated selection from the Happy Space Podcast, I’m bringing back voices that challenge, inspire, and expand our thinking about designing for inclusion and accessibility. These encore episodes highlight conversations that continue to resonate—on neurodiversity, workplace design, and the small shifts that can make a big difference. Whether you’re tuning in for the first time or revisiting a favourite, I hope these episodes offer fresh insight into how thoughtful design can help everyone show up and perform at their best.

Exploring how to change the way we think about business and work to respect both people and the planet, with workplace expert and award-winning author Lisa Whited.

With the planet on fire and burnout an epidemic, we need to do things differently. Yet, until we reach the tipping point for social change, if only 8% of people can be counted on to do the “right thing”, what can we do to close the gap?

Workplace expert Lisa Whited shares practical actions leaders can take to create more inclusive ways of working and treat resources with greater respect. With her holistic outlook on work, Lisa believes that when work is better, our world is better.

Lisa Whited is an award-winning author and workplace expert. Her book, “Work Better. Save the Planet”, is a guide for building employee engagement while positively impacting climate change. Lisa is also an advocate for improving work and the workplace for people with invisible disabilities. Being the granddaughter of a potato farmer and the daughter of an engineer informs her work ethic and love of solving problems.

CHAPTERS

00:03:31 Drawing hope

00:06:59 Patagonia and Conscious Capitalism

00:12:04 The circular economy

00:17:44 Fear of managing expectation and a path forward

00:21:13 Work Style Profile

00:24:07 The challenge of managing the abstract

00:28:18 Sprinkle rest and leisure throughout the day

00:35:00 Asoebi

LINKS

For active links, visit www.clarekumar.com/podcast

Episode 16 – Still in Search of Excellence – with Tom Peters

Episode 31 – Make Your Work-life Bloom – with Dan Pontefract

How to Achieve Sustainable Remote Work | The New Yorker by Cal Newport

DRiVE: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink

John Mackey

Raj Sisodia

Eileen Fisher, clothing brand

EILEEN FISHER Renew - lightly used clothing

Waste No More

Bundles, clothing brand

Community: The Structure of Belonging - Kindle edition by Block, Peter. Politics & Social Sciences Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Work Style Profile

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport

Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Bill Gifford and Peter Attia

IMAGE CREDITS

Lisa Whited Headshot - Lisa Whited

Lisa and Family wearing their Asoebi - Lisa Whited

DRiVE: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink - Goodreads

Girl eating pizza - Canva

Woman trying on clothes - Canva

Rotating earth graphic - Canva

Woman browsing used clothes - Canva

Teen browsing clothes on phone - Canva

Woman donating clothes - Canva

Person tossing bottle from car - Canva

Woman corporate leader - Canva

Group of young workers - Canva

Female leader interacting with group - Canva

Boy looking at phone - Canva

Woman looking at phone - Canva

Man sitting, isolated - Canva

Forest fire, aerial view - Canva

Melted polar ice caps - Canva

Learn more and follow Lisa on:

LinkedIn

Website

😀😃😄😁😆

Highly sensitive executive coach and productivity catalyst, Clare Kumar, explores the intersection of productivity and inclusivity continually asking how can we invite the richest contribution from all. She coaches individuals in sidestepping burnout and cultivating sustainable performance, and inspires leaders to design inclusive performance thereby inviting teams to reach their full potential. As a speaker, Clare mic-drops “thought balms” in keynotes and workshops, whether virtual or in-person. She invites connection through her online community committed to designing sustainable and inclusive performance, the Happy Space Pod. Why? Because everyone deserves a Happy Space.

Believing that productivity is personal, the podcast is produced in a variety of formats so you can enjoy it in the medium you prefer:

Listen to the audio right here or on your fave podcast platform.

If you prefer to watch video, check out the episode on YouTube.

If you prefer to read, please see the transcript below.

Ready to learn more, or want to find out more about coaching with Clare or hiring her for your next engaging event? Contact Clare here.

😀😃😄😁😆

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a heartfelt review as this will help other listeners discover the podcast. Please invite your colleagues, friends, and family to listen as well. Together we can design a more inclusive world where everyone can make their richest contribution.

Want to learn more about Clare and/or her guests? Follow Clare on Instagram and Twitter.

And don't forget, everyone (including YOU) deserves a Happy Space. 😊

CREDITS

Audio and Video Editing: Jaclyn Enchin

Production Assistant: Luis Rodriguez

Song Credit: Cali by WatR. from Pixabay