In the second part of this conversation with business consultant and former Group Managing Director of MullenLowe Salt, Nicky Young, we delve into the connection between mental health and the workplace. Lost productivity, challenges to talent retention and decreased levels of employee engagement are just some of the direct costs associated with an unhealthy work environment. Nicky explains why it’s not enough for companies to offer standalone solutions, like meditation and yoga classes, to combat this complex issue. She argues that building a healthy workforce requires emotionally-intelligent leaders who are able to identify and respond to the deeper structural concerns of their employees, which can often go unspoken. We also cover why making mental health a priority is especially important for leaders during times of uncertainty and economic hardship.

Important note: If you are struggling with a mental health issue and need immediate help, please reach out to your doctor or local health service.

Full show notes on Wake Up Shake Up webpage. 

• Nicky Young - LinkedIn
• Interview excerpt from In the Balance on BBC
• Nicky's talk at a Minds at Work event

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If you enjoy this podcast, we would greatly appreciate if you could take a moment to review the show and share with a friend who might enjoy.

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YOUR WAKE UP, SHAKE UP TEAM:

Aimée DuBrule, CultureRISE
Host and Producer

Website: https://culturerise.com/
Instagram: @culturerise
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimeedubrule/

Jenn MacLeod, Jenneve Digital
Media Production

Website: https://jenneve.com/
Twitter: @jennevedigital
Instagram: @Jenneve_Digital
Facebook: @JenneveDigital

Stress and burnout have reached near epidemic proportions in the workplace—and we can expect more to come in this new Covid economy. Yet many leaders, and employees, suffer in silence. Business consultant and former Group Managing Director of MullenLowe Salt, Nicky Young, wants this to change. In this two-part conversation, Nicky shares her personal experience with burnout; how this inspired her to become a mental health advocate; and why leaders need to make mental health a business priority. We discuss how the stigma of mental illness persists, as well as some of the early warning signs to watch out for in yourself, your loved ones, or friends and colleagues.

Important note: If you are struggling with a mental health issue and need immediate help, please reach out to your doctor or local health service.

Full show notes on Wake Up Shake Up webpage. 

• Nicky Young - LinkedIn
• Interview excerpt from In the Balance on BBC
• Nicky's talk at a Minds at Work event

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If you enjoy this podcast, we would greatly appreciate if you could take a moment to review the show and share with a friend who might enjoy.

For more bits of inspiration everyday, please sign up to receive our regular newsletter. You'll receive exclusive content and updates about the latest episodes of Wake Up, Shake Up.

YOUR WAKE UP, SHAKE UP TEAM:

Aimée DuBrule, CultureRISE
Host and Producer

Website: https://culturerise.com/
Instagram: @culturerise
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimeedubrule/

Jenn MacLeod, Jenneve Digital
Media Production

Website: https://jenneve.com/
Twitter: @jennevedigital
Instagram: @Jenneve_Digital
Facebook: @JenneveDigital

No matter where in the world you live, it’s hard to miss the tension out there these days. Shouting matches, name-calling and one-sided debates are the new norm. With all of this emotion fuelling the political arena, where does this leave us?

In this episode, we discuss what it takes to stay calm in the face of chaos. My guest, Ian Brown, is an award-winning photographer whose work focuses on the human condition. Long fascinated by the elusive American Dream, Ian set out to document what this notion means to Americans of all ages, races, identities, classes, religions, and ideologies.

Over the course of twelve years, Ian travelled more than eighty thousand miles in an old truck, visiting all fifty states and connecting with hundreds of individual Americans. As a Canadian investigating the fabric of America, Ian offers an intimate look at this divided country. His stunning portraits, and collection of hand-written stories from the Americans he met along the way, are showcased in his new book, “American Dreams”.

In our conversation, Ian shares what he learned about true diversity on his journey into the heart of America. He explains how listening is a key to bring us closer together, and why he remains hopeful for the future.

Full show notes on Wake Up Shake Up webpage. 

• American Dreams Project
• Website
• Instagram

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If you enjoy this podcast, we would greatly appreciate if you could take a moment to review the show and share with a friend who might enjoy.

For more bits of inspiration everyday, please sign up to receive our regular newsletter. You'll receive exclusive content and updates about the latest episodes of Wake Up, Shake Up.

YOUR WAKE UP, SHAKE UP TEAM:

Aimée DuBrule, CultureRISE
Host and Producer

Website: https://culturerise.com/
Instagram: @culturerise
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimeedubrule/

Jenn MacLeod, Jenneve Digital
Media Production

Website: https://jenneve.com/
Twitter: @jennevedigital
Instagram: @Jenneve_Digital
Facebook: @JenneveDigital

It’s hard to ignore the pace of technological disruption out there and, in particular, its impact on humanity. As a data scientist, Imai Jen-La Plante (@JLPlante) sits in the eye of the storm. Imai started her career in the classical sciences, earning a PhD in Physics from the University of Chicago. 

Prior to her foray into virtual data, she worked as a researcher at CERN with the team contributing to the discovery of the Higgs Boson particle. Today she is the Chief Innovation Officer at Berney Associés; Co-Founder of Explorers Lab; and Chair of the Board for the Internet Society Switzerland Chapter (ISOC).

Imai has the rare gift of being able to translate complex technological concepts into ideas we can all understand. In this episode we tackle them all. We discuss the good, bad and ugly of artificial intelligence; the erosion of consumer trust around social media and data privacy; how to recognise and break out of your online filter bubble; and the importance of building diversity into algorithms that determine so much of how we interact in a digitally-driven world.

Imai gives insider advice on how to approach the tech tools we use more consciously. Her unique perspective from both sides of the tech front, as a data scientist and a consumer, helps us better understand the questions we should be asking—and the potential of technology as a force for good.

Full show notes on Wake Up Shake Up webpage.

MORE ABOUT IMAI JEN-LA PLANTE

• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Website - Explorers Lab

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If you enjoy this podcast, we would greatly appreciate if you could take a moment to review the show and share with a friend who might enjoy.

For more bits of inspiration everyday, please sign up to receive our regular newsletter. You'll receive exclusive content and updates about the latest episodes of Wake Up, Shake Up.

YOUR WAKE UP, SHAKE UP TEAM:

Aimée DuBrule, CultureRISE
Host and Producer

Website: https://culturerise.com/
Instagram: @culturerise
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimeedubrule/

Jenn MacLeod, Jenneve Digital
Media Production

Website: https://jenneve.com/
Twitter: @jennevedigital
Instagram: @Jenneve_Digital
Facebook: @JenneveDigital

In Part 2 of our conversation with Lee Eldridge (@theathletetribe), he shares his insider tips on how to adjust your training priorities when resources are limited and turn unexpected obstacles into an advantage; the principles of a structured home-based workout to support your fitness goals; and the best way to ease back into your favourite sport or fitness routine after a pause.

Lee is an expert at guiding people to achieve peak performance and high levels of physical and mental resilience. As an accredited strength and conditioning coach, and founder of The Athlete Tribe, Coach Lee works with top professional athletes and business leaders, applying his smart, holistic training approach with an emphasis on sustaining performance over the long term. 

Lee believes that “Everyone’s an Athlete” and each one of us has the potential to achieve our optimal performance—whether on the field or in the boardroom—with the right structure, guidance, education and support.

MORE ABOUT LEE ELDRIDGE & THE ATHLETE TRIBE

• Website
• Instagram – Lee Eldridge
• Instagram – The Athlete Tribe
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• 14-Day Trial Athlete Lockdown Programme

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If you enjoy this podcast, we would greatly appreciate if you could take a moment to review the show and share with a friend who might enjoy.

For more bits of inspiration everyday, please sign up to receive our regular newsletter. You'll receive exclusive content and updates about the latest episodes of Wake Up, Shake Up.

YOUR WAKE UP, SHAKE UP TEAM:

Aimée DuBrule, CultureRISE
Host and Producer

Website: https://culturerise.com/
Instagram: @culturerise
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimeedubrule/

Jenn MacLeod, Jenneve Digital
Media Production

Website: https://jenneve.com/
Twitter: @jennevedigital
Instagram: @Jenneve_Digital
Facebook: @JenneveDigital

Lee Eldridge (@lee_eldridgesc) is an expert in guiding people to achieve peak performance and high levels of physical and mental resilience. As an accredited strength and conditioning coach, and founder of The Athlete Tribe, Coach Lee works with top professional athletes and business leaders, applying his smart, holistic training approach with an emphasis on sustaining performance over the long term. 

Lee believes that “Everyone’s an Athlete” and each one of us has the potential to achieve our optimal performance—whether on the field or in the boardroom—with the right structure, guidance, education and support. In this conversation, we discuss how resilience grows when we consistently show up; how to avoid common pitfalls that can lead to burnout; the critical importance of building recovery and sleep into your routine; and the role of mindset in how we experience success and failure.

MORE ABOUT LEE ELDRIDGE & THE ATHLETE TRIBE

• Website
• Instagram – Lee Eldridge
• Instagram – The Athlete Tribe
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• 14-Day Trial Athlete Lockdown Programme

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If you enjoy this podcast, we would greatly appreciate if you could take a moment to rate and review the show.

For more bits of inspiration everyday, please sign up to receive our regular newsletter. You'll receive exclusive content and updates about the latest episodes of Wake Up, Shake Up.

YOUR WAKE UP, SHAKE UP TEAM:

Aimée DuBrule, CultureRISE
Host and Producer

Website: https://culturerise.com/
Instagram: @culturerise
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimeedubrule/

Jenn MacLeod, Jenneve Digital
Media Production

Website: https://jenneve.com/
Twitter: @jennevedigital
Instagram: @Jenneve_Digital
Facebook: @JenneveDigital

In this 6-minute flow meditation, Mars guides us to face difficulty directly, in full acceptance, when things feel beyond our control. In doing so, we connect to a better sense of ease and flow, no matter what's happening in our lives. It's a perfect reboot to supplement your coffee break or take a pause after a particularly gruelling set of conference calls. This meditation is performed in a seated position, so it can be done anywhere you are. 

(Important note: This meditation should not be performed while driving or engaging in any activity that requires full concentration.)

MORE ABOUT MARS

• About Mars
• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• YouTube

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If you enjoy this podcast, we would greatly appreciate if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on iTunes.

For more bits of inspiration everyday, please sign up to receive our regular newsletter. You'll receive exclusive content and updates about the latest episodes of Wake Up, Shake Up.

YOUR WAKE UP, SHAKE UP TEAM:

Aimée DuBrule, CultureRISE
Host and Producer

Website: https://culturerise.com/
Instagram: @culturerise
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimeedubrule/

Jenn MacLeod, Jenneve Digital
Media Production

Website: https://jenneve.com/
Twitter: @jennevedigital
Instagram: @Jenneve_Digital
Facebook: @JenneveDigital

In this 20-minute yoga nidra (or sleep) meditation, Mars guides us to slow down our body and mind when it feels like everything is on overdrive. If you've never meditated before, this is a gentle way to ease into the practice and give yourself a reset. 

For this meditation, you'll want to find a quiet place where you can lie down without being disturbed. It's kind of like taking a nap. Only, instead of sleeping, you create space in your mind and body for a deeper rest. 

(Important note: This meditation should not be performed while driving or engaging in any activity that requires full concentration.)

MORE ABOUT MARS

• About Mars
• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• YouTube

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If you enjoy this podcast, we would greatly appreciate if you could take a moment to rate and review the show on iTunes.

For more bits of inspiration everyday, please sign up to receive our regular newsletter. You'll receive exclusive content and updates about the latest episodes of Wake Up, Shake Up.

YOUR WAKE UP, SHAKE UP TEAM:

Aimée DuBrule, CultureRISE
Host and Producer

Website: https://culturerise.com/
Instagram: @culturerise
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimeedubrule/

Jenn MacLeod, Jenneve Digital
Media Production

Website: https://jenneve.com/
Twitter: @jennevedigital
Instagram: @Jenneve_Digital
Facebook: @JenneveDigital

We’re here for these beautiful experiences, whether they’re good or bad. It’s what we learn from them and this process we’re going through…and to just enjoy the journey exactly how it is.” – Mars

This week we take a moment out to go a little easier on ourselves. We’ll be helped by Mars: a yoga teacher, massage therapist and founder of Mars Yoga and Wellness. Mars grew up in a small town, two hours from one of the most remote cities on earth. Her childhood dream to explore the world led her to the other side of the globe, working in London’s high-intensity finance sector. Living by the "work hard, play hard" rule, Mars was on the path to the top. Then, out of the blue, she was confronted with a situation that would sideline her carefully mapped out life plan.

Unsure what to do next, Mars turned inside for guidance—to her long-neglected inner voice—and found an answer that would change the course of her life. In this conversation, we talk about what to do when unexpected obstacles come your way, how tuning in to your deep inner voice can lead to a renewed sense of self, and what yoga taught Mars about dealing with uncertainty.

MORE ABOUT MARS

• About Mars
• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• YouTube

BONUS CONTENT: This week we will also share two guided meditations by Mars. The first is a 20-minute yoga nidra (sleep) meditation to slow down and ease into a restful state. For a quicker reboot, you can try her 6-minute grounding flow meditation.

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If you enjoy this podcast, we would greatly appreciate if you could take a moment to rate and review the show.

For more bits of inspiration everyday, please sign up to receive our regular newsletter. You'll receive exclusive content and updates about the latest episodes of Wake Up, Shake Up.

YOUR WAKE UP, SHAKE UP TEAM:

Aimée DuBrule, CultureRISE
Host and Producer

Website: https://culturerise.com/
Instagram: @culturerise
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimeedubrule/

Jenn MacLeod, Jenneve Digital
Media Production

Website: https://jenneve.com/
Twitter: @jennevedigital
Instagram: @Jenneve_Digital
Facebook: @JenneveDigital

Our life becomes more meaningful when we take the time to witness its beauty, and use that energy to create moments of beauty of our own." - Elisabeth Fransdonk

In this episode of Wake Up Shake Up, we’re taking a moment to look up and see. Literally: to see the beauty right in front of us, no matter what is happening in our lives. Our guest, Elisabeth Fransdonk, knows a thing or two about beauty. This photographer, visual storyteller and all-around superwoman is a force of nature. On the one hand, she's a no-nonsense businesswoman. While on the other, she is a vibrant creator with a gift for finding beauty. Beauty in her subjects, be it people, places, or even her favourite group of trees.

Elisabeth sees the light, even when life's obstacles get in the way. She is certainly no stranger to trials and tribulations. In our conversation she talks about adjusting to life in a new country after moving away from The Netherlands in her 20s. And the many changes that came with motherhood in her 30s. Followed by the ups and downs of building an independent business in her 40s.

When we recorded this conversation, Elisabeth had yet to discover another curveball that life would throw her way, in the form of breast cancer. Thankfully, she has since fully recovered and continues to brighten the world with her boundless enthusiasm. Elisabeth is a naturally curious person and a living example of the beauty to be found when you look up and see.

MORE ABOUT ELISABETH FRANSDONK

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Smartphone Storytelling Workshops

Special note: After we recorded this conversation, Elisabeth discovered that she had breast cancer. She discusses this experience, and her recovery, in this video series produced by the clinic where she was treated. 

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If you enjoy this podcast, we would greatly appreciate if you could take a moment to rate and review the show.

For more bits of inspiration everyday, please sign up to receive our regular newsletter. You'll receive exclusive content and updates about the latest episodes of Wake Up, Shake Up.

YOUR WAKE UP, SHAKE UP TEAM:

Aimée DuBrule, CultureRISE
Host and Producer

Website: https://culturerise.com/
Instagram: @culturerise
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimeedubrule/

Jenn MacLeod, Jenneve Digital
Media Production

Website: https://jenneve.com/
Twitter: @jennevedigital
Instagram: @Jenneve_Digital
Facebook: @JenneveDigital