Play is not a distraction from work - it helps people think clearly, connect with others and adapt when things feel high pressure.

Welcome to Under the Rug at Work, where we shine light on the things that are normally swept under the rug. On this episode, our Founder and Chief Courage Officer, Nicole Turnbull ‪at Neon Shed‬, chats about why play is necessary at work, especially in a world where pressure, technology and burnout are shaping how we live and work.

She is joined by Dara Simkin, Australia’s leading voice in play at work and founder of ‪Culture Hero and Tané Hunter, a system scientist, science communicator and co-founder of ‪Future Crunch. Together they wrote Full Stack Human, a book about how we stay human in high-pressure workplaces and fast-changing times.

Nicole, Dara and Tané talk about why so many workers feel constantly overloaded, how high-stakes workplace cultures drain people’s energy and why play is often misunderstood as frivolous when it actually supports learning, creativity and connection. They also discuss why burnout is often treated as an individual problem rather than a systems issue, and what leaders can do to create environments where workers have the capacity to think, contribute and adapt.

In this episode, we cover:

💠 Why constant pressure at work is driving burnout

💠 How play supports creativity, learning and connection

💠 The difference between serious and diversionary play

💠 Why capacity, permission and psychological safety matter at work

You can subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube, and share this episode with someone who’s feeling stretched at work or trying to create a more human workplace.

Connect with Dara Simkin & Tané Hunter 👇

LinkedIn - Dara Simkin

Website - Culture Hero

LinkedIn - Tané Hunter

Website - Future Crunch

➡️ ⁠Purchase their book Full Stack Human

When workers don’t feel safe to speak up, problems don’t disappear - they escalate.

Welcome to Under the Rug at Work, where we shine light on the things that are normally swept under the rug. On this episode, our Founder and Chief Courage Officer, Nicole Turnbull, chats with David Morgan about when speaking up feels unsafe, and what happens next.

David is the Managing Director, Whistleblower Technology Solutions for Veremark. With more than 20 years’ experience in policing, corporate investigations and professional services across the UK and Australia, David specialises in whistleblowing frameworks, corporate misconduct and investigation processes. He has seen firsthand what happens when concerns are ignored, shut down or brushed aside - and what organisations can do differently.

In this conversation, Nicole and David discuss the real reasons workers hesitate to speak up, and how leadership, culture and systems can either build trust or break it in the first 48 hours. They unpack why speaking up is rarely the first step, why workers stay silent even when something feels wrong, the role of leadership in building psychological safety, and how third-party reporting channels can protect both workers and organisational reputation.

This episode is a practical and honest look at what it takes to move from a policy on paper to a culture where people feel safe to raise concerns.

You can subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube, and share this episode with someone who’s ready to create a workplace where speaking up is safe, supported and taken seriously.

Connect with David:

Website

LinkedIn

Hard conversations shape culture, safety and performance, yet most of us avoid them until the damage is done.

Welcome to Under the Rug at Work, where we shine light on the things that are normally swept under the rug. On this episode, our Founder and Chief Courage Officer, Nicole Turnbull chats with Amy Jacobson about why we avoid hard conversations, what emotional intelligence really looks like at work and how leaders can navigate change without forcing people to “just get on board”.

Amy Jacobson is an emotional intelligence specialist who challenges and disrupts mindsets in people to own their shit, take control and be unstoppable. With 19+ years in the corporate world, especially in insurance, Amy brings a practical lens to the internal interactions that make or break teams, particularly during change. She’s also the author of two books and supports organisations with AI implementation and major workplace transitions.

In this conversation, Nicole and Amy explore what an emotionally intelligent workplace looks and feels like, why emotional intelligence is a choice not a badge, and how rapid change rewires the mind. They also look at why we avoid hard conversations and what helps us tackle them constructively.

You can subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube, and share this episode with someone who’s avoiding a conversation they know needs to happen.

Connect with Amy:

Instagram

LinkedIn

Website

YouTube

Amy's Books

Stigma keeps people silent and unsafe at work. This episode looks at why it’s a cop out and what needs to change.

Welcome to Under the Rug at Work, where we shine light on the things that are normally swept under the rug. On this episode, our Founder and Chief Courage Officer, Nicole Turnbull, chats with former New South Wales Police detective and director of Mentality Plus, Craig Semple.

Craig shares his powerful story of life in the police force, living with post-traumatic stress, burnout and depression, and how he turned a breakdown into a breakthrough. He now uses that experience to help workplaces understand what real mental health awareness and culture look like.

In this conversation, Craig and Nicole talk about how stigma and workplace culture stop people from speaking up, the early warning signs Craig missed and now recognises, and how masking at work can hide serious struggles. They also discuss what leaders can do differently to build understanding and real empathy in their teams.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who’s serious about breaking stigma and building workplaces where people feel safe to speak up.

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube, and share this episode with someone who’s ready to be part of that change.

Connect with Craig:

Facebook

LinkedIn

www.mentalityplus.com.au

Book: The Cop Who Fell to Earth

Talking is not the same as connecting. If leaders don’t learn the difference, psychological safety falls through the cracks.

Welcome to Under the Rug at Work, where we shine light on the things that are normally swept under the rug. I’m your host, Nicole Turnbull, and today I’m chatting with Mitch Wallis about real conversations and why connection is the core leadership capability we all need.

Mitch Wallis is a psychology thought leader with a master’s degree in clinical psychology, and founder of Real Conversations. After several years working at Microsoft, he now works with organisations around the world through keynotes and programs that build connection, strengthen leadership and boost psychological safety at work.

In this conversation, we unpack the difference between talking and truly connecting, explore the five leadership blind spots that can block psychological safety, and discuss what it means to “sit in the mud” and stay calm when others aren’t. Mitch also shares simple, practical tools to help leaders shift from fixing to listening and build real connection at work.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who’s feeling stuck having the hard chats at work or unsure how to support someone who isn’t OK.

Don’t forget to subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube, and share this episode with someone who’s ready to lead with connection, not just conversation.

Connect with Mitch:

www.mitchwallis.com

Linkedin.com/in/mitchwallis

Instagram.com/mitch.wallis

Real Conversations Book

When your inner critic takes the wheel, it can derail your confidence, cloud your decisions and fuel burnout. It shapes how we think, lead and show up at work, often without us even realising it.

Welcome to Under the Rug at Work, where we shine light on the things that are normally swept under the rug. On this episode, our Founder and Chief Courage Officer, Nicole Turnbull, chats with Mark Jones about what happens when your inner critic wins and how to rewrite the script.

Mark is a motivational speaker, mindset strategist, journalist and author who helps leaders overcome self-doubt by rewriting the stories they tell themselves. His latest book, The Story Code, shares how leaders can use storytelling to build resilience and influence.

What we cover:

- How the inner critic and limiting beliefs hold us back

- Why self-talk is the hidden pillar of self-care

- Simple tools to challenge and reframe your inner voice

- The link between mindset, burnout and psychological safety at work

Mark also shares his personal story of burnout - a turning point that inspired his book The Story Code and how storytelling techniques can transform how you lead, connect and care for yourself and others. We explore the unspoken pressures that drive burnout, why open conversations about mental health matter, and how leaders can help create safer, more human workplaces.

Don’t forget to subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube, and share this episode with someone who’s ready to quiet their inner critic and lead with courage.

Connect with Mark Jones 👇

www.markjones.au

www.linkedin.com/in/markhjonesimpact

The Story Code Book

Pushing through might look productive, but it’s draining our energy and fuelling burnout. It’s a habit so many of us fall into, thinking it proves our dedication, yet it’s one of the biggest barriers to sustainable performance and wellbeing.

Welcome to Under the Rug at Work, where we shine light on the things that are normally swept under the rug. I’m your host, Nicole Turnbull, and today I’m chatting with Lizzie Williamson about why powering through is burning us out and what to do instead.

Lizzie Williamson is a best-selling author, TEDx speaker and the “excuse buster from Down Under”. Drawing on her own rock-bottom moment and years of workplace education, Lizzie helps teams close the gap between knowing and doing with small, sustainable actions that reset energy and build a healthier workday.

In this episode, we talk about why powering through often leads to burnout and how small, intentional breaks can make a big difference. Lizzie shares how simple two-minute pit stops can boost energy, sharpen focus and spark creativity, along with easy shifts any worker or leader can make to build healthier, more sustainable workdays.

This is a must-listen episode for anyone who’s feeling stretched thin, running on empty, or looking for practical ways to bring more energy and wellbeing into their day.

Don’t forget to subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube, and share this episode with someone who’s ready to swap burnout for balance.

Connect with Lizzie 👇

⁠Instagram⁠

⁠LinkedIn⁠

⁠Website⁠

⁠YouTube⁠

⁠Lizzie's Book⁠

Inclusion is meant to bring people in, yet too often it leaves the very people it’s designed to support feeling invisible. This conversation looks at why that happens and what leaders can do differently.

Welcome to Under the Rug at Work, where we shine light on the things that are normally swept under the rug. I’m your host, Nicole Turnbull, and today I’m chatting with Cameron Carr about when inclusion leaves you out. Cameron is a retired Paralympian, speaker, and Director of Perception Performance. Drawing on his sporting career in wheelchair rugby and his transition into corporate life, he shares what real inclusion looks like day to day and how it connects to performance.

Cameron Carr is a former national wheelchair rugby player who represented Australia for more than a decade. After sport he entered the corporate world, including a graduate role with Anglo American at 41. Now as Director of Perception Performance, he helps leaders create environments where all workers can perform at their best.

This conversation looks at why performative diversity and inclusion (D&I) erodes trust and creates psychosocial risk, and how inclusion should be a genuine leadership mindset reflected in daily actions. Nicole and Cameron talk about the danger of labels, the importance of relationships, and what it takes to design inclusion programs that are meaningful, supported and measurable. They also discuss how inclusion links to safety, creativity and performance – and how to move beyond checkbox diversity to create lasting change.

If this conversation resonates, please subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube, and share this episode with someone who’s ready to make inclusion real in their workplace.

Connect with Cameron 👇

perceptionperformance.com.au

[email protected]

LinkedIn

Narcissistic leadership leaves a trail of hidden costs - to people, culture and performance. This episode explores what it looks like, how it harms, and how leaders can choose courage over control.

Welcome to Under the Rug at Work, where we shine light on the things that are normally swept under the rug. I’m your host, Nicole Turnbull, and today I’m chatting with Jane Phipps about the cost of narcissistic leadership.

Jane Phipps is a heart-centred leader, resilience advocate and former COO turned consultant. A single mum who carved her path through male-dominated industries, workplace bullying and corporate politics, she wrote The Heart-Centered Leader to open the conversation and help others lead with trust, empathy and respect.

We unpack how narcissistic and command-and-control behaviours show up at work, the toll they take on people and culture, and the hidden price leaders rarely count - disengagement, turnover and lost innovation.

Jane shares the personal impact of toxicity including hypervigilance, anxiety and physical symptoms, and the slow steps that helped her recover with therapy, community and practical self-care.

We also explore what heart-centred leadership looks like in practice - respect, trust, transparency, vulnerability and genuineness - and how to build fear-free teams where workers can think independently, challenge with facts and collaborate for purpose, not ego.

If this conversation resonates, please subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube, and share this episode with someone who’s ready to lead with more heart and less fear.

Connect with Jane 👇

🔹Website

🔹Instagram

🔹LinkedIn

🔹Amazon

Alcohol is often woven into workplace culture, from casual drinks after hours to formal events and celebrations. While it can feel like a way to connect or unwind, the reality is that regular drinking has hidden impacts on safety, wellbeing and performance at work. By looking more closely at how alcohol shows up in our workplaces, we can start to create safer, healthier and more supportive environments for everyone.

Welcome to Under the Rug at Work, where we shine light on the things that are normally swept under the rug. I’m your host, Nicole Turnbull and today I’m chatting with Sarah Connelly about alcohol, safety and work.

Sarah Connelly is a grey area drinking and lifestyle coach, speaker and educator. She helps professionals and organisations rethink their relationship with alcohol so they can lift wellbeing, safety and performance in the workplace. Drawing on her own story and client results, Sarah makes a complex topic practical, relatable and stigma-free.

In our conversation, Sarah explains how alcohol undermines impulse control, emotional regulation and clear thinking, and how this filters into safety, productivity and culture. We discuss why many high-performing workers may actually be operating well below their best, and how alcohol can act as an invisible hazard underpinning conflict, absenteeism and poor wellbeing.

We also explore what organisations can do differently. From reducing alcohol-centred functions and offering genuine alcohol-free alternatives, to supporting staff with challenges and educating leaders to model non-drinking as a positive choice, there are practical steps that can create healthier workplaces. Sarah also highlights the strong links between drinking, anxiety and women’s health in perimenopause, and why rethinking alcohol is both a personal and organisational priority.

This episode is a powerful reminder that there is no downside to creating space for workers to thrive without alcohol.

Don’t forget to subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube, and share this episode with someone who’s ready to rethink the role of alcohol in their workplace.

Want to learn more or get in touch with Sarah?

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

YouTube