What's Happening at Work

Hosted by Joyce Odidison

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140

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Aug 2026

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About the show

What’s Happening at Work is a podcast for the professionals shaping today’s workplace from the inside. Hosted by Joyce Odidison, President of Interpersonal Wellness Services Inc. and a trusted workplace resilience expert with 29 years of experience, the show is moving to bringing together HR leaders, safety officers, senior leaders, training and development practitioners, people and culture professionals, DEI leaders, and workplace experts to talk about the real issues affecting work today. Each episode explores what these professionals are seeing inside organizations and how they are responding to burnout, conflict, workforce change, communication breakdowns, leadership pressure, psychological safety challenges, and the ongoing mental health strain affecting teams and workplaces. Joyce is known for creating conversations that help guests shine. With deep expertise in workplace resilience, conflict, leadership, and behavior change, she draws out the practical wisdom, real-world insight, and valuable nuggets her guests bring, making each episode relevant for both established leaders and those rising into greater influence. This is not a generic business podcast. It is a practical, insight-rich conversation space for the people helping organizations function better, support people better, and lead more effectively through change. If you care about what is really happening at work and what it takes to build healthier, stronger, more resilient workplaces, this podcast is for you. #WorkplaceWellness #ResilienceTraining #LeadershipDevelopment #ConflictResolution #BurnoutRecovery #TeamResilience #WomenInLeadership #LeadersOfColor #HighAchievers #WorkplaceCulture #ResilientLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #MentalHealthAtWork #StressManagement #ThrivingAtWork #PersonalGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #LifeReset #MarriageReset

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August 18, 2026Episode 14529 min

Why Modern Work Is Outpacing Human Capacity with Sue McKinley

send mail In this episode of What's Happening at Work, we dive into the hidden biological costs of workplace load with expert Sue McKinley. Discover why high performers are feeling overwhelmed and how to address chronic stress effectively. Sue McKinley is the founder of Wellness System Roadmap. She spent more than 20 years as a management and executive consultant, helping organizations navigate large-scale transformational change. Her work focused on systems, capacity, friction, transition, and what it takes to help people move from where they are to where they need to be. After her youngest son developed a serious chronic illness the medical system could not explain, Sue began applying the same systems logic she had used in organizational change to human health. That experience led her into a second career in systems health. Today, Sue helps leaders understand why workforce health challenges are systems problems first, and what it takes to change the conditions that contribute to burnout, chronic load, and depletion. Key takeaways: Understand the systemic issues causing workplace stress. Learn about the importance of recovery for high performance. Explore practical strategies to reduce load and increase capacity. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 The hidden costs of workplace load 01:25 Meet Sue McKinley 02:00 The impact of chronic stress 03:00 Sue's personal journey 04:00 Strategies for reducing workplace load 05:00 Importance of recovery 06:00 How organizations can support wellness What's your biggest challenge with workplace stress? Drop it in the comments! Subscribe for weekly insights on workplace wellness and resilience. #WorkplaceWellness #ChronicStress #Resilience Learn more about Sue McKinley and Wellness System Roadmap: https://wellnesssystemroadmap.com Connect with Sue on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-mckinley-lhp-cch-4642092/ Watch Sue on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WellnessSystemRoadmap Learn more about Joyce Odidison and WIS®RQ: https://www.interpersonalwellness.com Website: https://wellnesssystemroadmap.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-mckinley-lhp-cch-4642092/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WellnessSystemRoadmap TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wellnesssystemroadmap Support the show

August 11, 2026Episode 14432 min

The Gap Between Leadership Perception and Employee Reality with Joe Patneaude

send mail What happens when leaders believe they are communicating clearly, but employees are experiencing confusion, frustration, and disconnect? In this episode of What’s Happening at Work Podcast, Joyce Odidison speaks with Joe Patneaude, Leadership Advisor and Organizational Alignment Strategist with JP Coaching, about the gap between leadership perception and employee reality. Joe brings a 25-year career perspective spanning the mailroom to the C-suite. He helps leaders create alignment, strengthen communication, and build sustainable growth through people-first leadership and operational clarity. Together, Joyce and Joe explore leadership blind spots, communication gaps, operational clarity, trust, culture, and why workplace problems often exist long before leaders become aware of them. Joyce also shares her resilience depletion lens and explains why organizations need to measure, map, and build resilience before burnout, conflict, disengagement, and turnover take over. Joyce also talks about her upcoming book, Cracking the Code on Your Resilience, launching August 12th . The book explores the resilience anchors humans need to rebuild in order to retain human wisdom in the age of AI. Learn more about Joe Patneaude and JP Coaching: https://jpcoachingnow.com Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joepatneaude/ Watch JP Coaching on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JPCoachingNow Connect with the Host Learn more about Joyce Odidison Host: https://www.interpersonalwellness.com Interpersonal Wellness Services: https://www.interpersonalwellness.com Joyce Odidison: https://www.joyceodidison.com WIS®RQ / Resilience Platform: https://wisresilience.com Currency of Resilience Community: https://www.joyceodidison.com/community #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeEngagement Subscribe for more insights on leadership and workplace dynamics. Support the show

July 24, 2026Episode 14338 min

Future-Proof Leadership with | Joyce Odidison & Maren Perry

send mail Unlock the secrets of effective leadership in the AI age! In this episode of What's Happening at Work Podcast, we dive into the human side of leadership with Maren Perry, founder and CEO of Arden Coaching. Discover how leaders can navigate uncertainty, build resilience, and foster meaningful connections in their teams. Key takeaways: * The importance of communication during uncertain times. * How to align leadership development with business objectives. * Strategies for fostering a growth mindset in organizations. * The role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:30 Meet Maren Perry01:00 The human side of leadership02:00 Resilience in uncertainty03:00 Communication strategies for leaders04:00 Aligning training with business goals05:00 The importance of mindset in leadership06:00 Building trust and connection07:00 The impact of AI on leadership08:00 Final thoughts on leadership development What's your biggest challenge with leadership in today's fast-paced world? Drop it in the comments! Subscribe for weekly insights on leadership and resilience. #LeadershipDevelopment #Resilience #AI Connect with Maren: Website: https://www.ardencoaching.comMaren LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marenperry/Arden LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arden-coachingYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ArdencoachingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/arden.coaching/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ardencoaching/ The Currency of Resilience: * ◼️Be the first to hear about Joyce’s new book - https://www.joyceodidison.com/cracking-the-code-on-your-resilience◼️Book Joyce’s Compelling Keynote: https://www.joyceodidison.com/◼️Get coached by Joyce: https://www.joyceodidison.com/coaching * ◼️Get email updates: https://interpersonalwellness.com/newsletter/◼️Follow Joyce: https://www.joyceodidison.com/links * ◼️Purchase Joyce’s books here: https://www.joyceodidison.com/books Support the show

July 7, 2026Episode 14236 min

Why Workplace Performance Starts with Employee Experience with | Joyce Odidison and Paula Houlihan

send mail In this episode, Joyce Odidison speaks with keynote speaker, coach, and Choice Management® expert Paula Houlihan about the hidden pressure carried by high achievers and the choices that can either strengthen or quietly deplete resilience. After years of succeeding in a demanding corporate career, including negotiating multimillion-dollar litigation cases as a senior claims specialist, Paula received a life-changing medical diagnosis that forced her to reconsider the true cost of success. Today, she helps high performers, leaders, and organizations take the stress out of success without lowering their standards or losing their ambition. Paula and Joyce explore how automatic decision-making contributes to stress, burnout, declining energy, and unhealthy workplace patterns. They also discuss how leaders can become more intentional about their choices, respond to change with greater confidence, and create cultures where productivity and well-being can thrive together. In this conversation, you will discover: • Why high performers often ignore the earliest signs of resilience depletion • How everyday choices affect stress, energy, performance, and relationships • Why success and well-being should not be competing priorities • How Paula’s Choice Management® model supports clearer decisions • What leaders can do to build healthier, more resilient workplace cultures This episode is for HR leaders, executives, managers, team leaders, and high-performing professionals who want to achieve meaningful results without allowing chronic stress to become the price of success. Key takeaways: Understanding how stress impacts decision-making The importance of self-awareness in high performance Strategies to interrupt reactive patterns The role of organizational culture in burnout Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Meet Paula Houlihan 01:09 The high performing trap 02:09 Understanding decision fatigue 03:50 The impact of stress on choices 05:13 Strategies for high performers 07:35 The importance of sharing stories 09:21 Overcoming resistance in decision-making 11:49 The role of self-awareness 13:50 The impact of multitasking 15:38 The importance of boundaries 18:32 The nine dimensions of life 30:50 Final thoughts and advice What's your biggest challenge with maintaining resilience? Drop it in the comments! Subscribe for more insights on resilience and high performance. Connect with Paula here: Website: https://www.paulahoulihan.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulahoulihan/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PaulaHoulihan Media Page: https://paulahoulihan.com/meeting-professionals/ The Currency of Resilience: ◼️Be the first to hear about Joyce’s new book - https://www.joyceodidison.com/cracking-the-code-on-your-resilience ◼️Book Joyce’s Compelling Keynote: https://www.joyceodidison.com/ ◼️Get coached by Joyce: https://www.joyceodidison.com/coaching ◼️Get email updates: https://interpersonalwellness.com/newsletter/ ◼️Follow Joyce: https://www.joyceodidison.com/links ◼️Purchase Joyce’s books here: https://www.joyceodidison.com/books Sponsors: Interpersonal Wellness Services Inc - https://interpersonalwellness.com/ WISⓇRQ Resilience Intelligence Platform - https://interpersonalwellness.com/free-resilience-index/ The Conflict Clarity Course: Get up to 40% off Joyce’s Conflict Clarity Course https://wisresilience.interpersonalwellness.com/courses/conflict-clarity-course #Resilience #HighPerformance #MentalHealth Support the show

June 30, 2026Episode 14138 min

Episode#141 - Mastering Communication: From Struggle to Success with | Joyce Oddidison & John Antrim

send mail Master the art of calm in chaos. JOHN ANTRIM, a former hostage negotiator turned communication coach, shares how listening skills, like paraphrasing and body language, can transform tense moments into opportunities for connection and resolution. Whether in high-stakes negotiations or everyday conflicts, these tools are essential for leaders, parents, and professionals battling stress, impatience, and miscommunication. You'll discover how early life lessons in reading body language laid the foundation for high-stakes hostage negotiations, practical techniques for de-escalating tension: active listening, the rule of two, and intentional responding, the role of empathy and credibility in influencing others and building trust, and how to recognize and respond to warning signs of escalation through physical cues, strategies to adapt negotiation tactics in the digital age, improving clarity in emails and texts. In a world overwhelmed by noise and stress, these insights offer a pathway to calmer, more effective communication, saving relationships, boosting influence, and preventing conflict before it explodes. Perfect for managers, parents, team leads, or anyone seeking to lead with greater empathy and clarity in every conversation. John Antrim, a veteran police hostage negotiator and expert in conflict resolution, brings real-world experience and proven frameworks. His work emphasizes that listening, truly intentional listening, is the secret weapon for de-escalating and building trust. If you want to respond instead of react, influence without force, and turn tension into connection, this episode is your essential guide. Learn how a few simple shifts in communication can change your entire approach, whether at work, home, or in your community. Timestamps: 00:00 - How talking can resolve conflicts before escalation 02:01 - Learning communication skills from childhood experiences 03:05 - Applying police negotiation techniques to everyday life 04:45 - Managing emotions in large families and tense situations 05:56 - Tactics for disarming hostility through humor and understanding 09:23 - The key role of active listening beyond hostage situations 10:18 - Conflict resolution principles applicable to business and leadership 11:52 - The difference between hearing and active listening 12:19 - Paraphrasing and mirroring to build rapport and credibility 13:45 - Recognizing escalation signs: body language cues 14:16 - The impact of depleted resilience on communication and conflict 15:27 - Setting small, attainable goals to manage stress 16:43 - Responding versus reacting in conflict situations 21:21 - How deliberate pausing can prevent escalation 24:38 - Critical moments in crisis negotiation and the power of listening 26:26 - Using empathy to influence and de-escalate 27:09 - Signs of escalation and body language indicators 28:44 - De-escalation techniques when tension rises 30:15 - The importance of treating others with respect in every interaction 32:13 - Communicating effectively in the digital age to prevent misunderstandings 34:31 - Key takeaway: Listening and de-escalation as tools for influence Learn more about John Antrim: https://www.negotiatorsedge.com – John Antrim's official website for training and coaching LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/john-antrim-676084382 The Currency of Resilience: ◼️Be the first to hear about Joyce’s new book - https://www.joyceodidison.com/cracking-the-code-on-your-resilience ◼️Book Joyce’s Compelling Keynote: https://www.joyceodidison.com/ ◼️Get coached by Joyce: https://meetings-na3.hubspot.com/joyce-odidison ◼️Get email updates: https://interpersonalwellness.com/newsletter/ ◼️Follow Joyce: https://www.joyceodidison.com/links ◼️Purchase Joyce’s books here: https://www.joyceodidison.com/books Sponsors: Interpersonal Wellness Services Inc - https://interpersonalwellness.com/ WISⓇRQ Resilience Intelligence Platform - https://interpersonalwellness.com/free-resilience-index/ The Conflict Clarity Course: Get up to 40% off Joyce’s Conflict Clarity Course https://wisresilience.interpersonalwellness.com/courses/conflict-clarity-course Support the show

June 16, 2026Episode 14032 min

Episode#140 - Building good relationships in small businesses | Joyce Odidison & Joe Rockey

send mail "People don't leave jobs, they leave leaders." Leading business strategist JOE ROCKEY reveals the science of building elite work relationships, why the "Golden Rule" is failing your management style, and how to identify "Rust Out" before it destroys your team's productivity. Joe Rockey has built 29 businesses and is an expert in HR and leadership dynamics. He specializes in fixing the "engagement problem" by teaching leaders how to move beyond individual quotas to collective team success. In this episode of What's Happening at Work, Joe joins host Joyce Odidison (MCC) to discuss the shift from solopreneur to effective leader. They explain: ◼️ Why "treating people the way you want to be treated" is a management myth. ◼️ The "Rust Out" phenomenon: How to handle employees who have become disillusioned and toxic. ◼️ How to separate your personal identity from the business's relationship with its staff. ◼️ The secret to getting employees to "run through walls" for your vision. ◼️ Why the "F-words" (Family, Fears, Future) are essential to workplace communication. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro: Do People Leave Jobs or Leaders? 02:27 Meet Joe Rockey: The Man Who Built 29 Businesses 03:43 The Two Most Important Relationships in Any Business 05:34 Learning from the "Ugly Side": Joe’s Story with Bad Bosses 07:25 The Kindergarten Lie: Why the Golden Rule Doesn’t Work at Work 09:47 How to "Translate" Your Communication for Different Employees 11:00 Ending Individual Competition with Team-Based Incentives 12:52 The Solopreneur’s Trap: Moving from a "Job" to a Business 15:30 Why 75% of Employees Don't Feel Valued (And How to Fix It) 17:03 Tactical Tips: Using Virtual Backgrounds to Change the Conversation 19:55 The Remote Leadership Struggle: Connecting with a Global Team 20:07 Burned Out vs. Rusted Out: Identifying the Silent Team Killer 21:46 Paycheck vs. Purpose: What Really Motivates Your Staff? 25:14 Personal vs. Professional: Understanding the Business Identity 27:40 Corporate Stewardship: Being a Good Manager of Time and Money 29:22 Elite Business Cruises: Aligning Teams for Success Learn more about Joe Rockey: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joerockey/ Website - https://www.EliteBusinessCruises.com The Currency of Resilience: ◼️Be the first to hear about Joyce’s new book - https://www.joyceodidison.com/cracking-the-code-on-your-resilience ◼️Book Joyce’s Compelling Keynote: https://www.joyceodidison.com/ ◼️Get coached by Joyce: https://meetings-na3.hubspot.com/joyce-odidison ◼️Get email updates: https://interpersonalwellness.com/newsletter/ ◼️Follow Joyce: https://www.joyceodidison.com/links ◼️Purchase Joyce’s books here: https://www.joyceodidison.com/books Sponsors: Interpersonal Wellness Services Inc - https://interpersonalwellness.com/WISⓇRQ Resilience Intelligence Platform - https://interpersonalwellness.com/free-resilience-index/The Conflict Clarity Course: Get up to 40% off Joyce’s Conflict Clarity Course https://wisresilience.interpersonalwellness.com/courses/conflict-clarity-course Support the show

May 4, 202644 min

Episode#139 - The Antidote to Loneliness and Polarization at Work with Todd Levinson

send mail In a world of increasing loneliness, polarization, and social isolation, where does work fit in? Can our jobs be part of the solution? My guest today, Todd Levinson, believes the answer is a resounding yes. Todd is the Co-founder of MATR & Co-host of the Healing Race podcast, a platform designed to build strong, meaningful relationships. Drawing from his personal family history with the Holocaust, he shares why he is so passionate about creating connection and fighting the "dehumanization" that can happen in society and our workplaces. We discuss how technology like AI and social media can create disconnection and why building genuine human bonds is the key to our well-being and resilience. This is a conversation for anyone who believes work can and should be more human. In this episode, you will learn: ► The single strongest predictor of long-term health and happiness (it's not what you think). ► How building relationships is the antidote to scapegoating and "us vs. them" thinking. ► Why retreats provide a temporary high, but consistent daily practice creates real change. ✅ How to move from surface-level connectivity to deep, resilient connection. Connect with Todd Levinson: https://www.matr.today/companies LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/feed/toddlevinson #HumanConnection #Loneliness #WorkplaceRelationships #MentalHealth #Resilience #Community Support the show

January 27, 202645 min

Episode#138 - It's Lonely at the Top: A Guide for Overwhelmed Executives with Corinne Gavlinski

send mail As you ascend in your career, finding a trusted, objective confidant becomes nearly impossible. You're constantly navigating political landscapes, managing difficult peers, and making critical decisions in a state of executive function all day long, and it's leading to burnout. My guest, Corinne Gavlinski , has been in your shoes. As a former executive turned private talk partner for senior leaders, she understands this lonely reality. In this episode, she provides a strategic guide for navigating the C-suite. We discuss perspective-building, managing your team when you're stretched thin, and the crucial importance of having a thinking partner. This is an essential conversation for any senior leader who feels the weight of their role and is looking for practical strategies to lead with resilience. This strategic conversation covers: ► How to gain perspective when you're too "in it" and emotional. ► The danger of homogenizing your team members when you're stressed. ► Why your recovery from a mistake is more important than the mistake itself. ► The single most important job of a leader (Hint: It's not just about hitting targets). Connect with Corinne Gavlinski: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corinnegavlinski/ Website URL: http://thegavgroup.com #ExecutiveBurnout #LeadershipDevelopment #CSuite #ThinkingPartner #Resilience #WhatIsHappeningAtWork Support the show

January 20, 202632 min

Episode#137 - A Systems Approach to Leadership Resilience | with Tyler Clapp

send mail Effective leadership isn't a personal attribute; it's a system's failure or success. In this thought-provoking conversation, systems thinker and leadership coach Tyler Clapp joins me to explore the deeper structures that enable or hinder a leader's success. We discuss how a leader's discernment operating system, the way they recognize signals and form conclusions, is a system that can be upgraded. We connect this to my work on Resilience Anchors (self-esteem, purpose, values), and how these internal systems form the foundation of a leader's ability to pivot and adapt with confidence. If you're ready to move beyond surface-level leadership tips and understand the underlying mechanics of what makes a leader truly resilient and effective, this is the episode for you. Discover: ► The difference between a "personal failure" and a "systems failure" in leadership. ► How to build the "resilience anchors" needed to navigate ambiguity. ► The "put your oxygen mask on first" principle for leaders. ► A powerful story about how a simple change from a CEO shifted an entire company culture. ► The crucial link between a leader's internal resilience and their team's performance. Connect with Tyler Clapp: https://www.divedeepdevelopment.com 👇 Question for you: What is the ONE non-negotiable "Resilience Anchor" you use to keep your cool when everything else is shifting? Share your go-to practice in the comments! #SystemsThinking #Resilience #LeadershipMindset #EmotionalRegulation #OrganizationalCulture Support the show

January 13, 202651 min

Episode#136 - Leadership Resilience: A Strategic Protocol for Workplace Racial Conflict

send mail As a leader, do you freeze when racialized conflict or microaggressions occur on your team? This leadership paralysis, driven by fear of saying the wrong thing, is one of the biggest risks to psychological safety and employee retention. Good intentions don't prevent harm; prepared leadership does. In this essential session, I draw on my 28 years as a conflict analyst to provide a clear, repeatable protocol for navigating these complex situations. Stop defaulting to avoidance or "colorblind" leadership traps and start building real resilience. You will learn: ► The three common leadership traps (The Colorblind, The Eggshell, The Savior) and how to avoid them. ► The 4 Pillars of a Resilient Response: Recognize, Respond, Rebuild, and Reinforce. ► A step-by-step "Fire Response Protocol" to interrupt harm in the moment. ► Why silence is never neutral and how your employees interpret it. This is a must-watch for any leader, manager, or HR professional committed to creating a truly inclusive and psychologically safe workplace. #Leadership #WorkplaceConflict #DiversityandInclusion #PsychologicalSafety #HR Support the show