Beste The Water Cooler podcaster (2024)

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Podcast: Wrapping Middleburg, Previewing SCAD Savannah Film Festival, Impacts on Oscar

5d ago

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Mark Johnson returns to wrap our coverage of the Middleburg Film Festival and to talk about changes to our Oscar predictions following festival screenings. Then, Megan previews her coverage of the SCAD Savannah Film Festival. We close our podcast, as always, with the Flash Forward to the media we’re most anticipating in the upcoming week. We’re dee…

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How is Menopause Impacting your Leadership? – Tammy Gee 1:04:13

10d ago1:04:13

1:04:13

I love Tammy's phrase about wellbeing running through the veins of an organisation. When you achieve that, you are equipped to deal with any conversation that arises. And all because you start by putting people first. That means being vulnerable and stepping into their space to learn about what someone else is experiencing and what they need. 18th …

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Why We Make Bad Decisions at Work: Insights from Dan Ariely 42:39

25d ago42:39

42:39

Ever wonder why people make decisions at work that just don’t make sense? On this episode of Peace at the Watercooler, I’m joined by Dan Ariely, world-renowned professor of psychology and behavioural economics and bestselling author of Predictably Irrational. Dan has spent years researching how and why we make irrational choices, and today, he’s he…

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Podcast: Reviewing Big Titles Out of Middleburg Film Festival’s First Two Days

8d ago

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Mark Johnson makes his Contending at the Water Cooler podcast debut in a conversation with Joey and Clarence about the first two days of the Middleburg Film Festival. In conversation are Blitz, The Brutalist, The Piano Lesson, Memoir of a Snail, September 5, and Emilia Pérez. It’s always a great time at Middleburg! Join us next year! Check back ear…

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Podcast: Previewing This Weekend’s Middleburg Film Festival 38:38

12d ago38:38

38:38

This week, Megan takes a break to prepare for her coverage of the upcoming SCAD Savannah Film Festival, leaving Joey and Clarence to preview their coverage of this weekend’s Middleburg Film Festival. Check back at The Contending over the weekend for the latest in our coverage. We close our podcast, as always, with the Flash Forward to the media we’…

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Podcast: ‘Anora’ Writer-Director Sean Baker On Ani’s Potential Happy Ending 15:00

13d ago15:00

15:00

Writer-director Sean Baker broke onto the filmmaking scene in 2000 with his debut feature Four Letter Words, but it was his one-two punch of universally acclaimed films Tangerine and The Florida Project that caused critics and audiences to stand at attention. When Oscar called for Willem Dafoe’s Supporting Actor nomination for The Florida Project, …

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Podcast: ‘Nobody Wants This’? More Like EVERYBODY Wants This!

19d ago

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Are you a fan of romantic comedies? Do we need more of them on television? For this week’s episode, Megan and Joey (where’d you go, Clarence?!) sit down at the Water Cooler to gab about the majesty and the delight of Erin Foster’s hit comedy series, Nobody Wants This. Megan swoons over Adam Brody and Joey makes a Mrs. Maisel connection (who is shoc…

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Happiness for Better Business Results – Isabel Odlin 43:53

24d ago43:53

43:53

"We not only need to work happy, we need to work at being happy." I love that quote by Shawn Achor. So how are you working at that? The Alliance of Independent Agencies have teamed up with Google to host an event that is dedicated to culture and high performance. They recognise that leaders are navigating a rapid pace of change; the way people work…

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Podcast: Going Deep Into ‘The Substance,’ ‘Megalopolis,’ and More

27d ago

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This week, we’re breaking down our complicated reactions to two wildly different films and a television show. All three of us have seen Demi Moore in The Substance, so it’s finally time to break down those wild plot twists and turns. And that ending… Then, Joey and Clarence bring Megan up to speed on the horror… the horror… of Francis Ford Coppola’…

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Podcast: Bathing In the Best Actress Bloodbath With Staff Writer Frank J. Avella

1M ago

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Joey recently dove into the 2025 Oscars Best Actress race, which he called “Another Best Actress Bloodbath.” He brings that analysis to Contending at the Water Cooler along with a first time guest to the podcast: The Contending staff writer Frank J. Avella. We all dive into the bloodbath, figure out who are the nomination locks, and who lives on th…

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Leading Beyond the Numbers – Susan Ní Chríodáin 58:13

1M ago58:13

58:13

This was a first and it was hilarious (just watch the outtake next week!). Susan Ní Chríodáin and I got to record this episode of the podcast outside in the beautiful gardens at Lady Margaret Hall at the University of Oxford, courtesy of Andrew Dickinson. After some shenanigans we got to dive into her recently-published book, Leading Beyond the Num…

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Podcast: Team Contending Gathers To Review / Argue About the 76th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards

1M ago

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As is the tradition at the Water Cooler, Team Contending gathers in full (minus Frank J. Avella) to break down the winners, the losers, and the overall production of last night’s 76th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. Instead of the media we’re most anticipating, we put series and performances in our Emmy Time Capsule to open this time next year! We’re…

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Podcast: What Do the Creative Arts Emmys Tell Us About Next Weekend’s Primetime Emmy Awards?

2M ago

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This weekend’s Creative Arts Emmy Awards saw FX’s Shōgun receive a record number of wins for a series in a single year. So does that mean the series will dominate the Drama categories on Sunday night’s Primetime Emmy ceremony? Does Hacks‘ shut-out this past weekend mean it will receive similar treatment at the hands of The Bear? We talk about all o…

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Active Leadership to Build Future Ready Organisations – Gregg Brown 1:02:58

2M ago1:02:58

1:02:58

Gregg Brown doesn't hold back!! We took a different approach on this episode of the podcast. Instead of the where-the-conversation-goes-nobody-knows conversation I usually have with guests, Gregg and I discussed a number of statements. ⚠️ Everyone wants to know what the future of work is. ⚠️ Disruption is necessary for work to evolve. ⚠️ Taking act…

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Podcast: Recapping the Telluride Film Festival, Previewing the Toronto International Film Festival

2M ago

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It’s only Joey and Clarence at the Water Cooler this week as Megan’s taking the weekend off. Clarence reviews his experience at this year’s fantastic Telluride Film Festival. Joey launches from there to preview his upcoming travel to the Toronto International Film Festival. What movies overlap? What new movies will Joey cover for The Contending at …

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Podcast: ‘Blink Twice!’ It’s a New Dawn, A New Day, A New Website, and We’re Feelin’ Fantasy Oscar

2M ago

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Welcome to The Contending’s Contending at the Water Cooler podcast! Hopefully, if everything goes well, you’re able to subscribe, download, and listen to our latest podcast. If not, then no worries! We will figure it all out. This week, Clarence, Megan, and Joey bring their annual tradition of the Fantasy Oscar pool to The Contending. […] The post …

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Developing an agile workforce for the future – Rachel Steele 58:21

3M ago58:21

58:21

Purpose-driven businesses have become much more the norm in terms of what people seek. Companies know that to attract employees they need to provide opportunities that are meaningful and engaging. However, retaining your workforce over time is a different challenge. In this episode of the podcast, Rachel Steele of Huddle joins me to discuss how to …

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Talent: The Other 8 Boxes – Duncan Targett 56:22

4M ago56:22

56:22

Are you looking to develop tomorrow's leaders to be able to take the business into a different place from where it is today? Or, are you looking for future leaders who most closely resemble those in leadership positions now? That's a great question that Duncan Targett, my guest on this episode of the podcast, asks when we discuss talent. And who ca…

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Trading Places: Is This Room Free? Leadership Labs – Lisa & Gemma Ellison join Martin Drake 59:33

4M ago59:33

59:33

Martin Drake ripped up the rule book and invited the "dynamic duo" that is Gemma Ellison and myself onto his podcast, Is This Room Free? We're not HR. But we are all about people. In particular, we're focused on enabling people to be and experience their best self. And enabling them to develop in a way that provides most value to the organisation. …

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Masculinity for Mental Fitness – Daniel Glyde 57:54

5M ago57:54

57:54

Man up. Does that phrase make you squirm or is it acceptable to you? We've all been brought up with a set of beliefs and thoughts about how we should behave. But that puts pressure on people to show up in a certain way. It may no longer be considered acceptable or helpful. And it may mean we're covering up what's really going on. So, what about per…

1
Let Men Drive The Mental Health Bus – Nick O’Neill 57:31

5M ago57:31

57:31

Nick O'Neill of Oriel Chambers outlines a modern approach for mental health in a traditional industry that is the legal sector. He explains that law is known for being a male dominated culture, attracting alpha characters. And that presents a challenge for addressing a very human need, particularly when you consider that many men of the generation …

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Compassionate Leadership (a better approach for mental health?) 24:06

5M ago24:06

24:06

I'm talking about compassionate leadership because it is mental health awareness week. How are those linked, I hear some of you ponder? Well, as those of you who know me well, I'm not really about initiatives or individual-level intervention without thinking about the wider context. You wouldn't put a flourishing seedling in a dark room without wat…

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The Shirtless Diver Levels up Wellbeing – Jamie Humphrey, ReechUs 59:50

6M ago59:50

59:50

➡️ Sick notes are on they way out, according to Sunak. What does that mean for people needing support to get themselves into a place where they feel ok enough to re-engage with work? ➡️ Employees are more aware of their rights and expect more in terms of 'care', with access to services that aren't about making them 'better' but about enhancing thei…

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Vulnerability, Purpose & the Power of Adversity – Phil Holdcroft 59:12

6M ago59:12

59:12

From dodging bullets to becoming an executive senior leader of Defence, Phil Holdcroft knows a thing or two about leadership and teamwork. Phil is a decorated combat pilot with a 20-year military career that culminated in designing and delivering the senior leadership programme at the UK Defence Academy. Drawing on life-lessons and experience, he c…

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Getting it right for this generation to empower the next – James Elliott, the Sarena Clinic 1:01:14

7M ago1:01:14

1:01:14

Two psychotherapists in conversation... This episode of the podcast is an interesting one. James Elliott, of the Sarena Clinic, explains what needs to be done now to shape a healthier workforce for the future. And it's simple stuff. We need to equip employees with the knowledge and tools to empower themselves and their children to experience meanin…

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Sleep: The Hidden Key to Team Working & High Performance – Dr Jill McGarry 57:13

8M ago57:13

57:13

Luckily for us, Dr Jill McGarry is "a geek!"... her words, not mine! The good news about that is she has a real love for actionable solutions to improve sleep. 💤 And who doesn't need a bit of that in their lives? 😴 In this episode of the podcast we hear, very clearly, why we need to banish beliefs such as... "YOU SNOOZE, YOU LOSE!" And we get to gr…

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SELF HARM: Dispelling myths & shaping solutions (in YOUR company) 58:19

8M ago58:19

58:19

What is self-harm? Possibly not something you associate with yourself. And not a behaviour that you attribute to your colleagues, friends or family members. But the reality could be very different and that is why this episode of the podcast and the free resource is so important. Self-harm is not uncommon and therefore you need to know about it. Yaj…

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Do Soft Skills Need a Rebrand? with Andrew Bardsley 59:39

9M ago59:39

59:39

My LinkedIn post in January that asked the question, 'Do soft skills need a rebrand?' attracted over 40 comments. Clearly people are interested in this topic. So it seemed only natural to continue the conversation with someone who shared his view on that post, Andrew Bardsley, Founder of JackHR. As someone who focuses on helping tech companies stan…

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Designing Tomorrow’s Workplace with Rob Day 50:45

9M ago50:45

50:45

Do you know... 🏢 What your office is for? ✅ Which elements to consider when designing workplace where people actively want to spend time? 🌍 What global research tells us about how we can help people do their best work in the many places that work happens? 😊 How to cultivate a joyful workplace environment? 💭 The link between physical workplaces and …

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Cultivating Workplace Harmony with Kim Scott: Lessons in Radical Candor 37:38

9M ago37:38

37:38

In this episode of "Peace at the Water Cooler," we delve into the transformative concept of "Radical Candor" with renowned author, Kim Scott. Join us as Kim shares valuable insights drawn from her experiences at Google, Apple, Qaltrics, Dropbox, and Twitter, providing practical wisdom on leadership, feedback, and fostering a healthy workplace cultu…

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Leaders Tell Us: A Unique Approach to Development 1:00:08

10M ago1:00:08

1:00:08

The people who need the most development and most time are leaders, but they are precisely the people who don't invest in themselves. Are you one of them? That's why Gemma Ellison of Heart Leadership and I created Labs. Leanne Ledger, Senior Brand Strategist and Partner at Emperor, and Sarah Cockroft, Manager at OceanWise Ltd join Gemma and I in th…

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Future Ready by Experimentation – with Gemma Ellison 1:05:15

11M ago1:05:15

1:05:15

Did you know... Only 46% of employees trust their manager to do what is right, dropping to 32% for senior leaders? 72% leaders report they feel used up at the end of the day, an increase of 12% from 2020? Fewer than half of leaders find their jobs purposeful. Yet, leaders with a strong sense of purpose are 9 times more likely to feel engaged? Only …

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ADDICTION Unveiling the Shadows: Understanding the Complexity and Providing Support 52:26

11M ago52:26

52:26

Is your organisation fuelling addiction? Do you understand the causes and triggers that can lead to someone engaging with addictive behaviour? Do you know the behaviours that might constitute addiction, or that could manifest into addiction? Richie Paxton of the EPIC Restart Foundation has lived experience. He joins Amantha King and I to share a he…

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Removing the Cape: Listening. Supporting. Stronger. With Stewart Codling, Chief Inspector, Thames Valley Police 1:02:37

11M ago1:02:37

1:02:37

A Chief Inspector is not necessarily the first person who springs to mind as the driving force for self-care, better mental health and launching a podcast! But Stewart Codling of Thames Valley Police is modelling exactly how leaders can embrace the challenge of changing expectations by doing things differently. Stewart joins me on my podcast to exp…

1
Managers… Just Managing? with Sarah Cockroft 1:04:24

11M ago1:04:24

1:04:24

Bad managers are causing one in three staff to walk*. Luckily for OceanWise, Sarah Cockcroft isn't one of these managers. She is only two weeks into her role there, but she is going in with her eyes wide open to what is needed of her. Sarah has the benefit of hindsight. She is not new to management and that is why I invited her to join me to discus…

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The Art of Reinvention with Courtney Hobbs 1:04:57

12M ago1:04:57

1:04:57

What are you growing? 🪴 Is the PH level in your environment producing what you want? And what have you grown into? Are you in the right soil? Have you become what you WANT to be? What you NEED to be? I was inspired when I heard Courtney Hobbs share his experience during a session where we both presented for macmillan cancer earlier this year. Today…

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DEPRESSION & ANXIETY: Effective strategies for nurturing the black dog 1:05:43

12M ago1:05:43

1:05:43

Did you know that in Q3 of 2022-23, antidepressants were the most prescribed class of drug? More and more people are struggling with anxiety and depression, yet we conveniently turn a blind eye. It's easier to assume that employers are not responsible. However, when we consider the significant role work plays in mental health, whether that's adding…

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Outstanding End-to-End Employee Experience with Mike Mair 1:09:26

12M ago1:09:26

1:09:26

I love talking with people about exceptional employee experience, and Mike Mair is one of those people who knows a thing or two about it. He is passionate about helping people grow and develop. This conversation is a step-by-step exploration of EX throughout the employee lifecycle. It follows a road map that includes: 📌Recruitment 📌Onboarding 📌Trai…

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Situational Leadership with Chris Chamberlain 1:02:25

1y ago1:02:25

1:02:25

From being told he wouldn’t get anywhere in life, to becoming Operations Manager at Guernsey Mind, Chris Chamberlain likes to challenge expectations! In this episode of the podcast, we delve into shaping yourself as an intentional leader, and the style of situational leadership. We consider the balance between being authentic and changing our style…

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Men: Developing Allies – with Seb Randle 52:12

1y ago52:12

52:12

Allyship. Seb Randle and I discuss what makes this an important topic... FOR MEN. Women are great at promoting women, but without men onboard, we hit a glass ceiling. But it's not 'all about the women at the expense of men'. We need to get beyond stereotypes and look at a more inclusive approach that benefits everyone. We discuss the all important …

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Chief People Officer: In the Spotlight – with Olivia Sharp 1:01:50

1y ago1:01:50

1:01:50

Olivia Sharp, Partner in HR Practice at Eton Bridge Partners, has produced the Chief People Officer Pathway Report, a comprehensive set of findings based on research into the CPO role. She joined me on the podcast to discuss the outcomes and how we apply that to the world of HR and the future of work. We discuss terminology and how HR titles can be…

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Lengthy Workplace Investigations: the good, the bad & the ugly 17:40

1y ago17:40

17:40

In this episode, I chat with employment lawyer and Executive Director of Source Workplace, Sean Melbourne. Having been in the industry for over 20 years, Sean brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to our conversation. We discuss the pros and cons of lengthy workplace investigations, including the optimal timeframe, hidden costs and challenges a…

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Failure to Succeed: A Leader’s View – with Mike Brennan 1:01:49

1y ago1:01:49

1:01:49

Do you have a 'JOB'? According to Mike's dad, job stands for 'Just Over Broke'. Not very inspiring, energising or engaging if you want to live a meaningful, fulfilled life. As an entrepreneur, Michael Brennan is anything but that. In this honest and self-aware conversation, Mike shares his challenges, what he has learnt, and in his view, what leadi…

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Addressing Avoidable Employee Harm – with Andrew Cooper & Dr Adrian Neal 1:01:00

1y ago1:01:00

1:01:00

Avoidable employee harm. What springs to mind when you hear that term? I think it sums up brilliantly the damage that processes can have on organisations and individuals when they fail to focus enough on humans at the heart of them. And let's be honest, many processes have been shaped historically, or exist simply because that's what was put in pla…

1
Wellness Washing: Are you guilty? With Kathy Heath of Healthy Minds Club 50:59

1y ago50:59

50:59

Kathy Heath of the Healthy Minds Club, a personalised health and wellbeing platform that connects users with experts, products and services to achieve better wellbeing and lifestyle goals, joins me today. As one of the 'experts' at the club, I was excited to be talking with Kathy about proactive approaches to wellbeing in this episode of the podcas…

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Leaving a Toxic Workplace on Your Own Terms with Jessica Childress. 29:19

1y ago29:19

29:19

In this episode, I chat with attorney Jessica Childress, founder of a boutique employment law firm based in Washington, D.C. An advocate of civil rights, especially in the workplace, Jessica is passionate about empowering employees to know where they stand when it comes to psychological safety. We discuss her forthcoming book and e-course, “Peace: …

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A PRiME Approach to Sustainability Mindset – Dr Karen Cripps 1:00:50

1+ y ago1:00:50

1:00:50

PRIME used to conjure up thoughts about the drink that appears to have become a fad (and that my son gets super excited about the prospect of seeing on a supermarket shelf) 🤦🏻‍♀️. But then I met Dr Karen Cripps, Senior Lecturer in Leadership at Oxford Brookes University. Karen informed me about PRiME, an acronym for 'principles for responsible mana…

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Humanising Capitalism to Shape Culture – Theran Knighton-Fitt, mygrow 1:00:55

1+ y ago1:00:55

1:00:55

Are you a popcorn fan? You might rethink your love of it after hearing about Theran's experience. Role-modelling taking a sick day did not go as planned! Aside from dealing with his popcorn damage, Theran Knighton-Fitt of mygrow is on a mission. He is challenging the notion of culture as a means to an end when humans are turned into resources. Inst…

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“A Legal Perspective on Putting the Human Factor Back Into Business” – Roy Magara 1:00:40

1+ y ago1:00:40

1:00:40

The multi-award-winning, author and very awesome Roy Magara provides a legal perspective on putting the human factor back into business. It was great being able to pick up the conversation from those that we had during the pandemic when we facilitated a number of webinars together. Why is it that so many legal cases continue to be brought to Roy's …

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How Are You Today? – Rob Stephenson, FormScore 1:01:12

1+ y ago1:01:12

1:01:12

Being ready for the future of work requires action. Now. Research clearly identifies that Individual performance has a causal relationship with wellbeing. So it doesn't take a psychologist to tell you that companies need to invest in getting wellbeing right. But just what makes the biggest difference? And where do we begin? Start simple is my appro…

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