Well Workplaces

In today's episode, we welcome Aron Mercer, a researcher and practitioner focused on neurodiversity at work whose doctoral research examines lived experiences of autistic, dyslexic, and ADHD employees and how disclosure and workplace culture affect belonging, wellbeing and performance.

Aron explains neurodiversity as a strengths-based concept coined by Judy Singer, notes it affects an estimated 15–20% of people, and discusses differences in presentations for women and girls. He describes common workplace barriers including stigma, lack of manager confidence, masking, burnout and return-to-office tensions, and why disclosure is complex across the employee lifecycle.

The conversation highlights strengths (pattern recognition, integrity, creativity, crisis clarity, visual thinking), critiques overemphasis on “generalists,” and outlines practices like clear expectations, focus-friendly environments, inclusive assessments, normalisation, and better use of employee resource groups and universal design.

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Resources:

Connect with Aron Mercer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aron-mercer-0718197/

Xceptional Academy: https://xceptionalacademy.org.au/

Dr Judy Singer: https://provost.harvard.edu/people/judith-d-singer

In this episode, Poppy Griffiths, director and founder of UnlimitU High Performance Coaching, shares her extensive experience and expertise in helping people, leaders and teams achieve sustainable high performance.

Poppy discusses the importance of aligning passion with boundaries, the impact of the Performance Fit System (Purpose Fit, Mind Fit, Body Fit and Relationship Fit) and the cultural habits that prevent burnout while enhancing team performance.

She explains how leaders can create meaningful connections and celebrate progress to foster a healthy work environment.

This episode offers valuable insights for anyone looking to improve their personal and team performance while maintaining wellbeing.

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Resources:

Connect with Poppy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/poppy-griffiths-23b65b31/

UnlimitU High Performance Coaching: https://unlimitu.com.au/

In this episode, Tom Bosna speaks with Tracy Hall, author, keynote speaker and senior marketing executive, in a powerful conversation about trust, deception and resilience.

Tracy shares her experience as the final victim of one of Australia’s most notorious con artists, Hamish McLaren.

She reflects on how the truth unfolded, the emotional and financial impact of the scam and the psychology that sits behind why scams work. Tracy explores how scams are evolving alongside technology and AI, why capable professionals remain vulnerable and what it really takes to rebuild trust.

This episode highlights the growing need for stronger financial literacy, smarter compliance education and more human storytelling in organisations. It offers practical insights to help individuals and workplaces better recognise, prevent and respond to scams in an increasingly complex digital world.

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References:

Tracy Hall: https://tracyhall.com.au/

Who the Hell is Hamish Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ci/podcast/who-the-hell-is-hamish/id1451470931

Tracy's Book, The Last Victim: https://tracyhall.com.au/the-last-victim

This conversation delves into the challenges and insights surrounding shift work, highlighting the importance of employee wellbeing, the role of technology in workforce management and the emerging trend of poly employment.

Emma Seymour, the CFO of Deputy, shares valuable insights from the Shift Pulse Report, emphasising the need for clarity, control and support for shift workers. The discussion also touches on the future of work, the impact of AI and the specific challenges faced by industries like healthcare.

Key Takeaways

• Shift work is a critical aspect of the global workforce.

• The Shift Pulse Report reveals significant stress among shift workers.
• Lack of control over schedules is a major source of stress.
• Poly employment is becoming increasingly common among workers.

• Healthcare workers face unique challenges and high burnout rates.
• The future of work will likely involve more flexibility and technology integration.

Resources

Deputy: https://www.deputy.com/auShift Pulse Report: https://www.deputy.com/au/insights/shift-pulse-report-2025Connect with Emma Seymour on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-seymour-375131116/

In this conversation, Tom Bosna and Dr Paula Conroy discuss the significance of preventative health, particularly in the context of general practice and workplace health.

Paula shares her journey to becoming a GP and emphasises the importance of preventive health checks in reducing chronic diseases. They explore the role of leadership in promoting health within organisations and the need for a culture of prevention.

The discussion also touches on emerging trends in health technology and the future of screening practices.

Takeaways

• Workplaces have a duty to address psychosocial hazards.
• Embedding a culture of prevention is essential for organisations.
• Leaders play a vital role in promoting health and wellbeing.

• Emerging technologies are changing the landscape of health screening.

• Prevention is the most cost-effective way to maintain employee health.

Resources

Insight Health Advisory: https://insighthealthadvisory.com.au/

Connect with Dr Paula Conroy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-paula-conroy/

In this episode of Well Workplaces, host Tom Bosna speaks with Dr. Michelle McQuaid about her 2025 Workplace Report from the Change Lab, which highlights the phenomenon of 'quiet cracking' - a hidden crisis where workers seem to cope, but are silently struggling with financial and emotional strain.

The discussion covers the prevalence of quiet cracking, especially among young workers, its causes, and its impact as a precursor to burnout. Dr. McQuaid introduces the concept of workplace civility as a buffer against stress and discusses the role of technology and AI in workplaces.

She also presents the HEART Framework as a practical solution for leaders to manage change and improve workplace wellbeing. The conversation emphasises the need for emotionally and socially attuned communication to foster trust and better performance in organisations.

Resources:

https://www.michellemcquaid.com/co-creating-change/

https://www.michellemcquaid.com/

Previous Well Workplaces EpisodeEp.134 - Good Girl Conditioning in the Workplace with Dr Michelle McQuaid

In this episode of the Well Workplaces Podcast, Tom Bosna speaks with David Koczkar, CEO of Medibank, about mental fitness, leadership and Medibank's commitment to mental health. David shares his journey and thoughts on the distinction between mental health and mental fitness, as well as personal strategies to manage stress and maintain resilience.

He also discusses the importance of creating an open and supportive work environment and how Medibank is fostering a culture of wellbeing for its employees. Additionally, David highlights Medibank's initiatives, such as Family Roast, aimed at supporting mental health in the community.

Resources:
Family Roast: A tasty conversation | Medibank Family Roast for workplaces game.

https://www.medibank.com.au/

Well Workplaces Podcast

Connect with David Koczkar: https://au.linkedin.com/in/davidkoczkar

In this episode, Melissa Reader, the founder and CEO of Violet, discusses reimagining support for families navigating the final stages of life. Melissa shares her personal journey, which inspired her to create Violet, a platform that aids over 30,000 families through this challenging phase.

They cover important topics such as the 'sandwich generation', the often-overlooked burden on caregivers and the importance of planning and honest conversations about end-of-life care. Melissa also introduces the Care Compass, a practical tool designed to help caregivers navigate care preferences and decisions. The episode dives deep into societal challenges, workplace support for carers, and Melissa's vision for transformative, humane approaches to end-of-life care.

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Resources:

Violet: https://www.violet.org.au/

Violet's Care Compass: https://violetcares.com/

The CARE Index 2025: Australia's Care Readiness Report: https://www.violet.org.au/

Agehood Podcast: https://www.agehoodpodcast.com/

Connect with Melissa Reader: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-reader/

In this conversation, Tom Bosna and Florence Potter explore the dynamics of generational interactions in the workplace, focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the presence of multiple generations, particularly Gen Z and Millennials.

They discuss stereotypes, communication styles and the importance of understanding life stages rather than just age. The conversation emphasises the need for supportive environments, effective communication, and actionable strategies for leaders to bridge generational gaps and foster collaboration.

Takeaways

• Generational dynamics are crucial in understanding workplace interactions.
• Stereotypes about Gen Z being lazy are misleading; they prioritise efficiency.
• Life stages often matter more than generational labels in workplace dynamics.
• Millennials and Gen Z experience friction due to differing expectations.
• Communication styles vary widely and should be personalised.
• Flexibility in the workplace means different things to different generations.
• Job hopping rates among Gen Z are lower than previous generations.
• Understanding professionalism requires a discussion of definitions across generations.
• Mental health concerns are prevalent among younger workers.
• Creating supportive environments encourages open communication and collaboration.

ResourcesNo Umbrellas: https://www.noumbrellas.com.au/

Connect with Florence Potter on LinkedIn

In this episode of the Well Workplaces Podcast, host Tom Bosna reflects on the major themes from Season 10. The discussion revisits key insights from various experts on topics including women's health, workplace design, financial wellbeing, chronic pain, and mindfulness in an AI-driven world.

Key lessons emphasise creating supportive environments for women's health, purposeful workplace design, addressing financial and alcohol-related wellbeing, balancing technology and human connection in healthcare, and the importance of mindfulness for future work scenarios.

Resources

Listen to Season 10 here: https://www.medibank.com.au/better-health/workplace-health-business/well-workplaces/