Heart & Graft - The Podcast

We communicate constantly at work—but are we really connecting?

In this episode of Heart & Graft, Nicky McCrudden talks to former BBC presenter and communication specialist John Young about what journalism can teach us about becoming more human communicators. Together, they explore the power of storytelling, tone of voice, and authenticity. John shares practical insights from his years in newsrooms, including why human detail can make complex workplace messages meaningful, how pauses and imperfections can build trust, and why a direct conversation can sometimes achieve more than a long chain of emails. And Nicky reflects on the tension between sounding polished and sounding human.

Discover how storytelling can make complex, abstract or “boring” workplace messages more engaging.

Learn why authenticity does not necessarily mean polished, scripted or perfectly rehearsed communication.

Find practical ideas for building rapport in remote and hybrid teams.

Reconsider the relationship between professionalism, emotion and humanity at work.

Take away a simple challenge: prepare enough to feel confident, but leave room for the real person behind the words.

Before we dive into season two, Nicky takes a moment to reflect on what season one of Heart and Graft taught her, and what those lessons mean for the podcast going forward.

From the assumptions we make about ourselves, other people and what's “normal” at work, to the surprising power of small acts of care, this is a look back at some of the ideas and stories that stayed with her.

Nicky also explores why she's embracing simplicity, leaning further into the stories behind the research, and introducing a new reflective ending to future episodes.

Plus, there's a little challenge for you: invest five minutes, once a week, with a pen, a notebook and a cuppa, and ask yourself: What has happened lately that you want to remember, and why?

Look out for the first full episodes of season two, with more stories, more human stuff, and a little more breathing room between episodes.

In this episode of Heart and Graft, Nicky is sharing the ideas that shaped years of designing and delivering workplace learning. We often talk about training as if it’s the same thing as learning, but in reality, they’re not quite the same, and if we want learning to last, we need to create the right conditions for it to happen.

Drawing on her own experience as a trainer, facilitator and learner, Nicky explores what helps adults engage, remember, and apply new ideas at work. From relevance and repetition to curiosity, safety and a little bit of fun, this episode is all about the practical ingredients that make learning more likely to stick.

Hear why training and learning are not the same thing.

Learn the practical conditions that help adults feel safe enough to engage.

Discover why relevance, repetition and enjoyment matter so much in workplace learning.

Get ideas you can use if you train, facilitate, coach, or support learning at work.

Hear real stories from years of designing learning that people actually remembered and used.

Sign up to The Monthly Graft e-news community for additional content, including dealing with 'anticipatory grief' at work.

In this episode of Heart and Graft, Nicky explores the psychology of affirmations through the lens of motivational interviewing (MI). Drawing on neuroscience, workplace experience, and personal stories, this episode unpacks the difference between saying “thank you”, giving praise, and offering meaningful affirmations that build self-efficacy, and intrinsic motivation. Along the way, Nicky explores: why some feedback disappears into a “black hole”; how well-intentioned managers might being creating 'praise addicts', and how to use affirmations at work.

Sign up to The Monthly Graft e-news community for additional content, including dealing with 'anticipatory grief' at work.

Joy at work isn’t about forced fun or pretending everything is perfect. It’s about the small, real things that make work feel worth doing: meaningful tasks, supportive relationships, trust, autonomy, and space to breathe. In this episode of Heart and Graft, we explore why joy matters, how it links to engagement and retention, and how job crafting can help people shape work in ways that fit their strengths and energy better.

We also talk about the difference between genuine joy and forced fun, and how leaders can create the conditions where positive moments can happen naturally. If you care about wellbeing, engagement, or creating workplaces where people can be happy, this one is for you.

Hear how joy at work shows up in everyday moments, not just big gestures.

Explore why autonomy, meaning, and good relationships matter so much.

Get practical ideas (job crafting) for making work feel more human and sustainable.

You can find Sam Palmer on LinkedIn, or visit her website Midlife Makeover to subscribe to her newsletters. And if you’d like extra reflections and bonus content, don’t forget to join The Monthly Graft newsletter.

For years, menopause at work was reduced to stereotypes, awkward jokes, and whispered conversations. But what if we’ve been missing the real story? In this episode of Heart and Graft, Nicky sits down with menopause coach and educator Sam Palmer to explore what menopause can actually look like in working life.

Together, they unpack why so many women silently struggle at work and the small practical changes that can make a huge difference. This isn’t just a conversation for women experiencing menopause. It’s for managers, HR professionals, trainers, colleagues, partners, and anyone who wants to build more human workplaces.

Connect with Sam Palmer:

In this episode of Heart and Graft, Nicky talks with Mia Shepherd about workplace conflict: how it builds, how to reduce the chances of unpleasant conflict, and what to do when feelings boil over.

To understand why conflict at work is often about something deeper than the surface issue.

To hear practical ways to address tension before it escalates.

Explore how our background can led us to avoid conflict with colleagues

To explore how managers and facilitators can create space for honesty, repair, and better relationships at work.

Together, Nicky and Mia explore how conflict can be managed in more civil and useful ways, including practical techniques such as creating space to talk, using timed speaking, and helping people focus on shared goals. They also look at how unspoken conflict can quietly damage relationships and performance, and why it matters to give people the chance to put things right.

If you enjoy honest, reflective conversations about how to make workplaces more human, this episode is for you. And if you’d like extra reflections and bonus content, don’t forget to join The Monthly Graft newsletter.

In this episode of Heart and Graft, we explore one of the most human, and often hardest, experiences to navigate at work: grief. Nicky is joined by Hannah O’Hare, Chief Executive of Forest Holme Hospice, to discuss how bereavement shows up in the workplace, why people often struggle to talk about it, and what compassionate support can really look like.

Together they explore the emotional, physical and practical impact of grief, the pressure managers feel to “get it right”, and the small but meaningful changes organisations can make to support grieving colleagues better.

Why listen:

Learn what grief can look like at work, beyond sadness alone.

Hear practical advice on what to say — and what not to panic about saying.

Understand why some people want to talk, while others need quiet space and time.

Find out how leaders can make it easier for people to talk about loss and bereavement.

Discover low-cost, high-impact ways to make your workplace more bereavement friendly

Hear honest reflections from someone working daily with grief, loss and end-of-life care.

Sign up to The Monthly Graft e-news community for additional content, including dealing with 'anticipatory grief' at work.

Connect with Hannah on LinkedIn

Forest Holme Hospice Charity on YouTube

Uncover the nuances of workplace boundaries in Episode 20 of Heart and Graft, where Nicky, Mia, and Joel explore noticing when limits are crossed (for you or colleagues), why boundaries extend past work-life balance to policies, conversations, and power dynamics, and how they differ for leaders and team members. Gain clarity on this fuzzy topic through real stories and compassionate insights—ideal for HR, trainers, coaches, and anyone building human-focused workplaces.

Why listen?

Learn to recognize subtle boundary infringements, like discomfort in personal chats or clashing work styles, before resentment builds.

See boundaries as more than "no" to tasks

Understand leader-staff differences, like watching for team micro-expressions.

Get practical ways to address clashes, redirect conversations, and foster team norms.

Sign up to The Monthly Graft, the Heart and Graft newsletter for extra content and community updates.

Discover how Mark Crowter, MD of Galloway's Accountancy, builds thriving human cultures in a precision-driven profession. From jeans-wearing authenticity to embracing tough feedback, learn micro-moves that foster trust, growth, and retention amid rapid expansion.

Why Listen

Gain practical strategies for authentic leadership that prioritise people over processes, even in rule-bound industries.​

See how inviting challenge from teams leads to real policy changes.​

Understand scaling humanity through mergers by selecting "good folk" and embedding care in daily interactions.

Want more Heart & Graft? Starting in April 2026, the all new, Monthly Graft. A newsletter with a round-up of our heart moments, graft tactics AND special bonus content exclusively available to subscribers. Interested? Sign up now.