What if your drug-testing program actually kept more people safe and employed? In this conversation, Dave Argus (Director of Operations, Karas & Karas Glass) shows how his team turned testing into early detection + a bridge to care, and why structured multiple-chance agreements outperform zero-tolerance for real-world safety and retention. In Dave’s words, “We don’t give up on them after they make a mistake — we get them more support.” You’ll hear how workers in recovery proactively request testing to catch slips before they “go over the waterfall,” and how clear guardrails, peer allies, and treatment partners make recovery part of safety, not separate from it. For more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/72

What happens when critical safety and mental health information is only in English? Imagine stepping onto a job site where you can’t fully understand your supervisor’s instructions, can’t ask questions without fear of embarrassment, and can’t connect with your coworkers because the language barrier feels like a brick wall. For many Spanish-speaking workers in high-risk industries like construction, this is reality. And the stakes impact mental health, safety, and survival.In the U.S. construction industry—and many other high-risk sectors—Spanish is often the first language for a large part of the workforce. Yet too often, training, safety manuals, and mental health resources are only available in English. The result? A growing number of workers face avoidable risks of injury, fatality, and even suicide. for more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/71

In our brain-based economy, where innovation and human connection drive success, psychological safety is no longer a “nice to have”—it’s mission-critical.This episode of Headspace for the Workplace features Dr. Charlie Cartwright, a nationally recognized leadership strategist and culture whisperer. We explore how workplace leaders can create environments where trust runs deep, communication flows freely, and people feel safe to show up fully, especially when things get hard.We unpack why psychological safety is the foundation of mental well-being at work, and the unexpected “four-letter word” that can transform your leadership approach. for more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/70

We don’t always recognize how trauma shows up at work. Sometimes it is hiding in the shadows. The quiet withdrawal. The anger that simmers just below the surface. The exhaustion that no amount of sleep can fix.In this moving and honest episode, Eli Embleton shares his story of how a life-threatening trauma in his family sent him down a path of depression, rage, and emotional disconnection. Work became his survival strategy, a place to avoid the pain, to push through, to appear “fine.” But under the surface, he believed he was a burden.What saved him wasn’t just time or treatment; it was connection. Through storytelling, community, and purposeful work, Eli learned the art of what he calls “muscular vulnerability” -- the ability to share pain with strength. Today, as Dream Manager at Zachry Construction, Eli walks alongside others with similar stories, helping people reach instead of retreat.In this podcast, we discuss:

• What are the signs of unresolved trauma showing up at work?
• How can workplace leaders support employees with trauma histories?

If you’re a workplace leader, this episode is a guide to understanding trauma not as a personal weakness, but as a human experience that deserves compassion and care.
For more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/69

In this powerful episode of Headspace for the Workplace, Adam Nemer, former CFO and Operations Executive at Kaiser Permanente, shares how a personal collapse became a catalyst for healing, connection, and leadership transformation. Adam takes us through the moment he decided to “go first” by publicly sharing his struggles with undiagnosed depression and anxiety. That choice set a cultural shift in motion across his entire organization.for more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/68

Listen now to this important episode with Suzi Craig, Vice President of Workplace Mental Health at Mental Health America (MHA), as we explore what really moves the needle in employee well-being. for more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/67

In this episode we tackle…·      What is workplace postvention, and why does it matter after a suicide loss?·      How is a suicide postvention protocol different from a workplace crisis response plan?·      How can organizations prepare for the emotional impact of suicide in the workplace?·      What are the key components of an effective workplace postvention plan?·      Why are most workplaces unprepared for suicide bereavement?·      How does Alison Clements’ evidence-based model improve postvention responses in high-risk industries?·      What are the long-term impacts of suicide exposure on staff, and how can leaders support recovery?·      How do you tailor postvention toolkits to fit different workplace contexts?·      What are the first steps to create a workplace suicide postvention policy?·      How can postvention strategies help prevent future suicides at work? for more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/66

If you've ever been told to “suck it up,” “walk it off,” or “leave it at the door,” congratulations! You’ve had a front-row seat to emotional shutdown culture. One that’s usually recognized, reinforced, and modeled by top leadership. In this conversation, I talk with counselor and wilderness enthusiast Russell Peterson about how emotional avoidance, particularly in male-dominated, tough-it-out industries, stems not from weakness but from survival systems that overfunction. The good news? We can learn to steer fear productively... and finally ditch the myth that showing emotion makes us fragile.We unpack how to help leaders become culture shapers, not emotional bottlenecks. for more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/2025/5/27/65

Join Jorgen Gullestrup with guest speaker Justin Geange, as they discuss work-related suicide. Hosted by the IASP Suicide and the Workplace Special Interest Group. Justin Geange is a survivor of a work-related suicide attempt who has since dedicated his life to supporting others. Now a Field Officer with the charity MATES in Construction, Justin shares his powerful story – exploring the circumstances surrounding his attempt, the lessons he’s learned, and how he’s using that experience to help hundreds of fellow workers. For more information on this episode go to  https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/a-lived-experience-perspective-a-construction-workers-story-of-work-related-suicide-and-survival

In this episode of Headspace for the Workplace, Dr. Sally Spencer Thomas chats with Michael Wright, a first responder and chaplain, about the importance of recognizing mental health challenges in the workplace. Listen in to discover how Michael's experiences as a paramedic inform his approach to mental health advocacy and why tuning into that "something ain't right" feeling can lead to meaningful intervention. They explore the concept of SAR disease and how leaning into compassionate curiosity can transform how we support our colleagues. Perfect for employers, leaders, and anyone eager to create a psychologically safe work environment. for more information on this episode gor to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/compassionate-curiosity-how-sar-disease-can-transform-workplace-wellbeing-with-michael-wright-ep-63