Working With Humans

What if AI isn’t changing your culture... just turning up the volume?

What if the biggest challenge facing your business isn't competition, but accidental unfairness built into your systems?

Matt Phelan sits down with Madalena Carey, founder of Happiness Business School, to explore a serious question: Why are over 90% of her clients reporting anxiety and burnout linked directly to the labour they do?This isn’t a chat about faking a smile. Madalena explains the real science that drives the Happiness Business School philosophy. True positive psychology isn't about ignoring negative emotions. It’s about understanding them. We discuss how your brain is wired for risk and why you must remove the organisational roadblocks to truly "optimise" the lives of your people.It’s simple elegance: Happiness is a performance metric. Madalena shares data from major scientific studies that prove the link: when your people feel good, they are consistently more creative, energetic, and committed.Curious how one person’s journey inspired a movement to humanise the workplace through data?Listen in to learn how to change your perspective when you can’t change the toxic culture itself.

The unconventional power of digital detox In a world of constant notifications and "always on" culture, what if the most strategic thing you can do for your business is to turn everything off?

In a world full of unknowns, what if we could finally light up a map of global workplace happiness?

What if the secret to your organisation's success is hidden in a childhood dream?

In a world of 'hustle culture' and burnout, what if the secret to elite performance isn't grinding harder, but recovering smarter?

This week, we're joined by Mark Dean, a brilliant brain and mind scientist on a mission to end mental ill-health in the workplace. We dive into the fascinating science behind benevolence—not just as a moral virtue, but as a strategic business driver.Mark shares his powerful insights on how we can use our brains to achieve happiness, even when facing challenges. He introduces the "bus principle" and the power of pausing, teaching us how to watch our thoughts without being controlled by them. He also reveals a stark data point: while most people think sunshine makes us happier, office workers are often unhappier on sunny days, as they yearn to be outside.Crucially, Mark provides a look into the brain during acts of benevolence. He shares research showing that giving kindness increases our serotonin and dopamine levels, while lowering stress hormones. The latest World Happiness Report confirms this, showing that benevolent acts are 10% higher globally since the pandemic.Are you ready to understand

This week, we're with Andrew MacAskill, who's on a mission to end career-based misery. He reveals a stark truth: Europe has the lowest engagement scores globally, yet the fewest people looking for a new role. We discuss the cost of this "stuck" workforce—lost productivity and apathy. Andrew highlights the "Moral Factors" (meaning, impact, leadership, ethics, security) that drive people's career choices. We also explore the critical need for companies to "de-risk the move" for candidates, particularly at non-senior levels, to empower them to leave unhappy jobs. Ready to confront these brutal facts and unlock your team's true potential?

What if the biggest drain on your business isn't competition, but your calendar?

This week, with Tony Latter, we reveal vital new data: cultural assessment scores are down 6% globally in the last year. Happiness and engagement are both falling. Trust is eroding, driven by a shocking 10% drop in employees feeling listened to.We'll unpack the critical distinction of "we listened, we did" to rebuild trust. Plus, get an exclusive preview of our Global Workplace Happiness Report 2026, filling a massive market gap by focusing specifically on workplace happiness globally.Ready to tackle this global challenge head-on and leverage data to truly empower your people?

In a world obsessed with data, what if HR's true superpower isn't crunching numbers, but something far more intuitive and impactful?This week, we're with the brilliant Toby, who just delivered a powerful message at our annual conference. For too long, HR has been told to "be more data-driven." But Toby challenges this notion head-on, arguing that our unique ability to feel the pulse of the organisation – to hear what others miss – is our undeniable strategic advantage.We discuss the subtle but crucial shift from blindly following metrics to leveraging the "data with soul." Toby shares a powerful anecdote from a Chief People Officer who valued gut feel over spreadsheets in detecting cultural shifts. He highlights the dangers of data-driven assumptions, referencing an AI that recommended not hiring women of a certain age due to maternity leave patterns. This isn't just about ethics; it's about making decisions that truly benefit all your people.Crucially, Toby reveals the Gartner CFO playbook stat: 10% remember

This week, we're joined by the brilliant Anaïs Nebel, an expert passionate about cultivating confidence as a true performance driver. Forget confidence as just a buzzword for younger generations on TikTok; Anaïs brings the evidence for its tangible impact directly into the boardroom. We dive into a critical, yet often unasked, question: How many of your people walk into work, or even meetings, not feeling truly enough? Anaïs reveals a powerful statistic: One in two people feel more self-doubt than self-love. Imagine the transformation if that changed. This episode offers practical, evidence-based steps to unlock this potential. We explore the "I Know It" list – a simple yet profound exercise that helps individuals discover their core selves beyond external validation. It’s about building a "bank of proof" that anything is possible. Anaïs shares powerful insights on how self-awareness tackles internal conflict and why organisations need to listen to the "loud" voices of younge

We’ve seen disengagement as a simple lack of productivity. But what if it’s a profound, internal psychological experience? In this conversation, Matt Phelan talks with Dr. Siobhan Renshaw, an organisational psychologist. Her research redefines disengagement, revealing it as an emotionally charged response to perceived vulnerability, deeply linked to identity and survival.Discover her "aha moment": disengagement is internal, not always visible, and can even be a positive coping mechanism. It protects individuals, preventing more drastic actions like leaving.We explore the critical role of managers. While they don't cause disengagement, they significantly influence the conditions that lead to it. To truly support your people, leaders must adopt a nuanced view and invest in managers, fostering self-awareness and human connection.This isn't just theory. It's about transforming your approach to employee wellbeing and unlocking genuine performance. Curious? Tune in!

What if the most powerful metric for your business, and indeed society, isn't what you think?This week, we're honoured to host Professor Jan-Emmanuel De Neve – a leading authority in economics and behavioural science from the University of Oxford. As the driving force behind Oxford's Wellbeing Research Centre and a key figure in the World Happiness Report, Jan brings unparalleled expertise to the table. He’s the kind of mind that makes you see the universe differently, but through the lens of human well-being.We dive into the evidence. From a major BT study, we show how employee happiness isn't just nice, it drives 12% higher sales, even 20-25% on complex tasks. This translates directly to your bottom line and stock performance.But it’s bigger than business. Jan unveils the global push beyond GDP, advocating for a single, powerful metric for national well-being. Imagine leaders competing on national happiness, not just economics.This is a crucial listen for HR leaders. Discover the data, the science, and the

What if the metrics we're obsessing over in business are fundamentally flawed? What if true progress lies in something far more nuanced than just the bottom line?We had a truly fascinating conversation that stretched from the digital foundations of government to the radical pursuit of happiness in a nation's DNA.Our guest is the brilliant Tiffany St. James, Chief Commercial Officer at Vitalis Capital. We were wowed by Tiffany's deep understanding of measuring impact beyond simple economic growth. We delve into Vitalis Capital's work, their frameworks rooted in global institutions, and their focus on creating genuine socioeconomic development.Can we truly measure a nation's success by the well-being of its people? Is there a way to balance economic progress with genuine human flourishing? Tiffany offers compelling insights, drawing on her diverse experience and her direct engagement with these groundbreaking ideas.Ready to challenge your assumptions about what truly drives progress and pros

What ignites the spark in your team? How do you balance commercial needs with the well-being of your people? In this episode, Zoe Rumford, a seasoned Chief People Officer, shares her wisdom on cultivating a culture of clarity, kindness, and unstoppable passion.Explore: Zoe's journey from advisory roles to leading global teams.Discover: Practical tips for context-switching and staying commercially minded without sacrificing your people.Learn: How to frame the "why" to fuel your team's drive and help them reach their full potential.Reflect: On the importance of empathy, honest feedback, and creating a workplace where everyone feels seen and heard.Curious about how to unlock your people's potential? Let's go...

Can Lawyers Be Happy?The insightful Chris Morse joins us to dissect the wellbeing of legal professionals. High pressure, long hours – can happiness thrive? And crucially, what's the business impact if it doesn't?Forget fluffy notions. We're talking tangible results. Happy people = boosted productivity, sharper innovation, and stronger retention. The data backs it up, across all sectors, including the demanding legal field.So, how do you measure and improve happiness, even in high-stakes environments like law? That's what Chris and I are unpacking. Evidence-based insights to move beyond guesswork.Ready to see how a focus on wellbeing – for everyone – directly fuels your bottom line?Intrigued by the happy lawyer paradox? Tune in now.

Ever felt that spark of pure happiness, that feeling you wish you could bottle? This week on the Happiness Index Podcast, Matt chats with the brilliant Andrea Callender, Inclusion & Diversity Director at Alexander McQueen, about chasing and recreating those very moments.What if happiness isn't just fleeting? What if understanding those peak experiences could unlock a more engaged and thriving workforce? Andrea shares a truly insightful moment that sparked a profound thought: happiness often resides in the simple act of being present with people you care about.Could focusing on these human connections be the key to a happier, more productive organisation? Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that might just shift how you think about happiness at work.Curious about the happiness levels of your people? Let's explore how understanding their experiences can drive real performance.Happy to help,The Team at The Happiness Index - Let's make work happier!

La Fosse CPO Hannah Thompson joins Matt Phelan on the Happiness Index Podcast!They explore the power of curiosity in HR, the vital link between employee experience and business success, and the unique impact of employee ownership. Get actionable insights on fostering employee voice, building trust, and levelling up your HR career.