The Optimized Workplace

Are you passionate about nurturing an inclusive and supportive workplace? You might be missing this one crucial factor. 

In our latest episode of The Optimized Workplace, we speak with Ebony Travis Tichenor, a trailblazer in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

With 26 solid years in corporate America being a Black Hispanic woman, Ebony shares her unique perspective on integrating holistic well-being into DEI strategies and the critical role of authenticity and continuous advocacy in fostering inclusive workplaces.

She also talks about how diverse perspectives can drive innovation, the challenges in promoting DEI, and offers practical advice for anyone looking to champion DEI in the workplace.

Don’t miss out on this one!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Ebony Travis Tichenor (00:58)

Ebony’s personal journey in DEI (02:00)

Advocacy and the importance of persistence (04:55)

Learning and understanding who you are (07:10)

The need for diverse perspectives (09:51)

Challenges in promoting DEI (13:29)

Practical advice for supporting DEI (15:54)

Ebony’s personal well-being practices (17:23)

Episode wrap-up (19:21)

Additional Resources:

Connect with Fran on LinkedIn: Connect with Fran

Follow our LinkedIn page: Aerobodies

Learn more about WellTeamCulture here: Create a cohesive-healthy work culture 

Visit our website here: Aerobodies

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Follow Ebony on LinkedIn: Ebony Travis Tichenor, MBA, PHR | LinkedIn

Check her out on Instagram: @ebonytravis

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The Optimized Workplace is a podcast with the goal of providing new and unique ways for you to help your organization thrive while providing an exceptional experience for your employees and nourishing their well-being.

–

Ready to optimize your workplace and create a culture of well-being for your team?

👉 Book a complimentary 30-minute call with Fran: Optimize My Workplace

Be sure to follow us so you never miss an episode!

The demand for labeling buildings and workplaces as healthy and safe has skyrocketed to billions of square feet of office space–and it happens for a good reason.

As people spend 90% of their lives in a built environment, it is just right to consider how these environments could either benefit or harm their health. This week’s guest is here to shed light on this topic.

Joining me in our latest episode is none other than Dr. Esther Sternberg, a pioneer in the field of integrative medicine and author of Well at Work.

With her extensive background in mind-body science and environmental impacts on health, Dr. Sternberg shares her insights on the critical role of workplace design in enhancing employee well-being and productivity.

She discusses the rising demand for healthy buildings and workplaces post-COVID, highlighting the importance of personalized workspaces that meet individual needs.

We also talk about some strategies for creating healthier work environments, the financial benefits of this initiative, and more.

Curious to know the impact of workplace design?

Tune in now for more!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Dr. Esther Sternberg (00:59)

Importance of well-designed workspaces (03:24)

Rising demand for healthy buildings post-COVID (09:46)

How to start personalizing workspaces for individual needs (14:14)

Strategies for creating resilient work environments (20:48)

Episode wrap-up (23:55)

Additional Resources:

Connect with Fran on LinkedIn: Connect with Fran

Follow our LinkedIn page: Aerobodies

Learn more about WellTeamCulture here: Create a cohesive-healthy work culture 

Visit our website here: Aerobodies

–

Grab a copy of Dr. Sternberg’s book: Well at Work: Creating Wellbeing in Any Workspace

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The Optimized Workplace is a podcast with the goal of providing new and unique ways for you to help your organization thrive while providing an exceptional experience for your employees and nourishing their well-being.

–

Ready to optimize your workplace and create a culture of well-being for your team?

👉 Book a complimentary 30-minute call with Fran: Optimize My Workplace

Be sure to follow us so you never miss an episode!

How does the built environment affect employees' health and well-being?

Extensive research has been conducted on this topic, and it turns out that built environments impact our well-being more than we might think.

In fact, where we sit and who we sit next to have a much more significant impact on our health and well-being, even more so than genetics and access to healthcare. And our guest is here to prove that.

Today, we’re joined by Rachel Hodgdon, the president and CEO of the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), who has dedicated her career to integrating sustainability with human health in building designs.

Having previously contributed to the US Green Building Council and founded the Center for Green Schools, Rachel sheds light on the immense influence of our built environment on our health.

She discusses how IWBI’s certification process allows buildings to be rated on their health-promoting features and their impact. 

Additionally, she emphasizes the need to design spaces that are inclusive to all employees, including those often overlooked in typical corporate wellness plans.

Are you ready to optimize your workplace?

Let’s get started!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Rachel Hodgdon and her work at IWBI (00:54)

What do WELL Certified and WELL Build mean? (03:43)

The impact of WELL Certification (06:32)

Addressing inclusivity in workplace wellness (10:41)

Engaging employees across the board in well-being programs (18:01)

Challenges employers face with getting employees to return to work (20:57)

Biggest misconception about workplace optimization (27:20)

How Rachel embraces personal well-being for 2024 (34:29)

Episode wrap-up (37:07)

Additional Resources:

Connect with Fran on LinkedIn: Connect with Fran

Follow our LinkedIn page: Aerobodies

Learn more about WellTeamCulture here: Create a cohesive-healthy work culture 

Visit our website here: Aerobodies

–

Follow Rachel on LinkedIn: Rachel Hodgdon | LinkedIn

Follow Rachel on Twitter: Rachel_Hodgdon | Twitter

Check out the International WELL Building Institute: International WELL Building Institute (wellcertified.com)

–

The Optimized Workplace is a podcast with the goal of providing new and unique ways for you to help your organization thrive while providing an exceptional experience for your employees and nourishing their well-being.

–

Ready to optimize your workplace and create a culture of well-being for your team?

👉 Book a complimentary 30-minute call with Fran: Optimize My Workplace

Be sure to follow us so you never miss an episode!

Do you ever find yourself trapped in the endless cycle of busyness, feeling like you have nowhere to go? You’re not alone. Many of us wear our busyness like a badge of honor–the busier you are, the better, we’re led to believe.

However, recent studies show that this state of constant busyness actually sabotages human potential. Working more hours doesn’t equate to productivity. Most of the time, busyness leads to burnout. And our guest understands this all too well, having even written a book about it.

Joining us today is Peggy Sullivan, a corporate performance expert and the author of Beyond Busyness: How to Achieve More by Doing Less. Peggy is on a mission to challenge the glorification of busyness, sharing her three-step busy-busting method to achieve peak performance, self-care, and happiness without compromising one for the other.

We’ll explore Peggy’s busy-busting methods, including strategies like the power of subtraction in our daily tasks and the joy and necessity of creating happiness rituals. 

So, are you ready to challenge the busyness culture and win back your time, energy, and life?

Tune in to uncover the secret to a less busy and more fulfilling life!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

The price tag we have to pay for busyness (02:12)

Step 1 of the busy-busting method (06:12)

Step 2 of the busy-busting method (07:48)

Step 3 of the busy-busting method (11:19)

Why you should reevaluate your priorities daily (16:33)

Peggy’s personal well-being focus for 2024 (20:45)

Episode wrap-up (22:35)

Additional Resources:

Connect with Fran on LinkedIn: Connect with Fran

Follow our LinkedIn page: Aerobodies

Learn more about WellTeamCulture here: Create a cohesive-healthy work culture 

Visit our website here: Aerobodies

–

Follow Peggy on LinkedIn: Peggy Sullivan | LinkedIn

Grab a copy of her book: Beyond Busyness: How to Achieve More By Doing Less

Check out her website for more information: Peggy Sullivan: Keynote Speaker, Author, Researcher & Wellbeing Expert 

–

The Optimized Workplace is a podcast with the goal of providing new and unique ways for you to help your organization thrive while providing an exceptional experience for your employees and nourishing their well-being.

–

Ready to optimize your workplace and create a culture of well-being for your team?

👉 Book a complimentary 30-minute call with Fran: Optimize My Workplace

Be sure to follow us so you never miss an episode!

Do you feel isolated and disconnected from your team due to the COVID-19 remote work setup? 

In this week’s episode, we explore the transformative power of technology in building collaborative and engaging workplaces with Joey Cooper, the founder and CEO of ConnectSuites.

With a rich background in technology and community building, Joey shares her journey in developing ConnectSuites, a platform that redefines property and community engagement in commercial real estate.

Joey discusses how ConnectSuites bridges the gap between physical and digital workspaces, the crucial role of technology in fostering a culture of collaboration and well-being, the latest trends in employee engagement, and much more.

Ready to transform your workplace into a thriving community?

Let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Joey Cooper and her works at ConnectSuites (01:56)

The impact of COVID-19 on workplace culture (03:50)

The why and how behind ConnectSuites (08:32)

Fostering a community using technology (12:31)

Notable trends in employee engagement and values (15:02)

Prioritizing well-being and work-life balance (20:36)

Episode wrap-up (24:41)

Additional Resources:

Connect with Fran on LinkedIn: Connect with Fran

Follow our LinkedIn page: Aerobodies

Learn more about WellTeamCulture here: Create a cohesive-healthy work culture 

Visit our website here: Aerobodies

–

Follow Joey Cooper on Linked: Joey Cooper | LinkedIn

Check out ConnectSuites for more information: ConnectSuites Website

–

The Optimized Workplace is a podcast with the goal of providing new and unique ways for you to help your organization thrive while providing an exceptional experience for your employees and nourishing their well-being.

–

Ready to optimize your workplace and create a culture of well-being for your team?

👉 Book a complimentary 30-minute call with Fran: Optimize My Workplace

Be sure to follow us so you never miss an episode!

The United States is on the brink of a significant population shift driven by aging baby boomers, changing birth rates, and immigration patterns. But is the American workforce ready for this transition?

Join me in this week’s episode as I interview Dr. Patty Delgado, an experienced industrial-organizational (I/O) psychologist and the founder and CEO of The Bridgify Group.

Dr. Patty is also a co-founder of El Puente Institute™, which focuses on supporting organizations in effective recruitment and retention strategies to better prepare for the future workforce.

Today, Dr. Patty offers valuable insights into using research to reshape today’s workplaces and foster cultural competence at both organizational and individual levels.

We also discuss the importance of clear communication, translating data into actionable strategies, and the evolving dynamics of the Latino workforce and its impact on the future job market.

Don’t miss out on this insightful conversation!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Dr. Patty Delgado and her role as a business psychologist (00:55)

What the research has shown about the return to work initiative (05:40)

Bridging research with practice for organizational strategies (10:22)

How to utilize assessments for deeper employee engagement (17:32)

Advancing the Latino community and the workforce (20:32)

How Dr. Patty and her team translate data into actionable insights (24:11)

Dr. Patty’s focus on well-being in 2024 (26:17)

Episode wrap-up (27:40)

Additional Resources:

Connect with Fran on LinkedIn: Connect with Fran

Follow our LinkedIn page: Aerobodies

Learn more about WellTeamCulture here: Create a cohesive-healthy work culture 

Visit our website here: Aerobodies

–

Follow Dr. Patty Delgado on LinkedIn: Dr. Patty Delgado | LinkedIn

Visit The Bridgify Group for more information: The Bridgify Group - Strategic Advisors & Researchers

–

The Optimized Workplace is a podcast with the goal of providing new and unique ways for you to help your organization thrive while providing an exceptional experience for your employees and nourishing their well-being.

–

Ready to optimize your workplace and create a culture of well-being for your team?

👉 Book a complimentary 30-minute call with Fran: Optimize My Workplace

Be sure to follow us so you never miss an episode!

Are you struggling to navigate today’s modern workplace? 

Join us on this episode of The Optimized Workplace as we dive into the transformative power of diversity and inclusion with Sally Helgesen, renowned leadership coach and diversity expert. 

Today, Sally shares invaluable insights on how embracing diversity isn't just a goal but a necessity for any organization looking to thrive. From redefining leadership excellence to addressing the wealth gap, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to create a more inclusive and successful workplace. 

Don't miss out on this one!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

What’s keeping Sally up at night (02:56)

The importance of inclusion for organizational success (08:11)

Addressing the wealth gap and board responsibilities (12:30)

Challenges with hiring women in senior leadership roles (16:07)

The value of asking for what you deserve (20:35) 

Sally’s books and upcoming projects (23:41)

Final thoughts (25:13)

Additional Resources:

Connect with Fran on LinkedIn: Connect with Fran

Follow our LinkedIn page: Aerobodies

Learn more about WellTeamCulture here: Create a cohesive-healthy work culture 

Visit our website here: Aerobodies

–

Follow Sally on LinkedIn: Sally Helgesen | LinkedIn

Check out Sally’s website for more information: Sally Helgesen

–

The Optimized Workplace is a podcast with the goal of providing new and unique ways for you to help your organization thrive while providing an exceptional experience for your employees and nourishing their well-being.

–

Ready to optimize your workplace and create a culture of well-being for your team?

👉 Book a complimentary 30-minute call with Fran: Optimize My Workplace

Be sure to follow us so you never miss an episode!

Are your team members not fully engaged with each other at work? It’s a common challenge in any workplace, but the solution might be less conventional than you might think. (Hint: It’s not team building.)

In this week’s episode, I have the pleasure of sitting down with Alexandra Suchman, CEO and co-founder of Barometer XP. Barometer XP is a company that leverages games to spark insightful conversations among team members and leaders, fostering better communication and collaboration toward shared goals.

Today, Alexandra shares Barometer XP’s innovative approach of utilizing games to transform company culture and enhance team effectiveness.

Learn how gaming addresses workplace communication issues, the science behind selecting the right games for training and professional development, and much more.

Whether you’re managing a remote team or looking to enhance employee engagement, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Tune in now!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

Alex’s journey to gaming in workplaces (02:24)

Surprising insights from gaming tools (06:14)

Application of gaming experience to team development (10:21)

Addressing workplace communication issues through gaming (12:40)

The connection between employee experience and gaming impact (15:08)

How gaming helps high-potential employees develop further (17:34)

The art of game facilitation (20:52)

Game facilitation for remote teams (24:12)

Alex’s personal approach to well-being in 2024 (26:05)

Additional Resources:

Connect with Fran on LinkedIn: Connect with Fran

Follow our LinkedIn page: Aerobodies

Learn more about WellTeamCulture here: Create a cohesive-healthy work culture 

Visit our website here: Aerobodies

–

Follow Alexandra on LinkedIn: Alexandra Suchman

Check out Alexandra on Instagram: AlexBXPTeams

Visit Barometer XP for more information: Barometer XP Homepage

–

The Optimized Workplace is a podcast with the goal of providing new and unique ways for you to help your organization thrive while providing an exceptional experience for your employees and nourishing their well-being.

–

Ready to optimize your workplace and create a culture of well-being for your team?

👉 Book a complimentary 30-minute call with Fran: Optimize My Workplace

Be sure to follow us so you never miss an episode!

How should leaders in a hybrid work environment approach training and development for themselves and their employees?

In this week’s episode, we are joined by author, speaker, and leadership expert Tara Powers. Her programs have earned her the prestigious Top 10 Leadership 500 award by HR.com and a bronze award from Brandon Hall for Best Results from a Leadership Program.

Today, Tara shares her insights on the shifts she sees in today’s workplace environment and some of her groundbreaking strategies for fostering trust and connection amidst the change. She also discusses the role of AI and technological advancements in transforming training and learning experiences and how they impact the future of work.

Let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Tara Powers and her work on virtual teams (00:57)

Most compelling shifts in today’s workplace environment (03:25)

The role of AI and technology in transforming corporate learning & training (10:53)

Importance of experiential learning and in-person interactions (15:04)

The value of expanding on the concept of learning experience environments (19:17)

The most important thing when facilitating or coaching (23:08)

What’s keeping Tara busy this year? (23:56)

Tara’s personal approach to well-being in 2024 (25:14)

Additional Resources:

Connect with Fran on LinkedIn: Connect with Fran

Follow our LinkedIn page: Aerobodies

Learn more about WellTeamCulture here: Create a cohesive-healthy work culture 

Visit our website here: Aerobodies

–

Follow Tara on LinkedIn: Tara Powers

Check out Powers Resource Center for more information: Powers Resource Center 

–

The Optimized Workplace is a podcast with the goal of providing new and unique ways for you to help your organization thrive while providing an exceptional experience for your employees and nourishing their well-being.

–

Ready to optimize your workplace and create a culture of well-being for your team?

👉 Book a complimentary 30-minute call with Fran: Optimize My Workplace

Be sure to follow us so you never miss an episode!

How crucial are today’s transportation infrastructures and innovations in shaping the future of work?

In this week’s episode of The Optimized Workplace, I’m excited to have Greer Johnson Gillis on the show. Greer is the senior vice president and chief infrastructure and development officer for the Jacksonville Transportation Authority or JTA. 

JTA is an independent state agency with over 700 employees that designs and constructs bridges, highways, and various mass transit services.

Today, Greer and I will explore the intersection of sustainable urban transportation and healthy workplaces–how innovation and transit impact today’s workforce, how autonomous vehicles can shape the future of transportation and work commutes, plus so much more.

Let’s jump right in!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

Meet Greer Johnson Gillis (00:56)

Greer’s new year outlook and goals (03:40)

The importance of team retreats (06:27) 

What does resiliency and sustainability look like for Greer? (10:58)

How innovation and transit impact people who are returning to work (17:56)

Autonomous vehicles as the future of urban transportation (25:28)

Greer’s personal approach to well-being in 2024 (27:56)

Episode wrap-up (30:07)

Additional Resources:

Connect with Fran on LinkedIn: Connect with Fran

Follow our LinkedIn page: Aerobodies

Learn more about WellTeamCulture here: Create a cohesive-healthy work culture 

Visit our website here: Aerobodies

–

Follow Greer on LinkedIn: Connect with Greer

Visit Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) for more information: JTA

–

The Optimized Workplace is a podcast with the goal of providing new and unique ways for you to help your organization thrive while providing an exceptional experience for your employees and nourishing their well-being.

–

Ready to optimize your workplace and create a culture of well-being for your team?

👉 Book a complimentary 30-minute call with Fran: Optimize My Workplace

Be sure to follow us so you never miss an episode!