We’re busting myths about how the brain works with guest Annie Murphy Paul, author of The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain. Annie shares her research into how “context sensitive” our brain actually is and why our environment matters so much when it comes to how we think and work. Plus, she shares how we need to rethink the way we create groupiness (a real scientific term) at work in the hybrid era. 

Annie is an acclaimed science writer who's also had work in The New York Times Magazine and Scientific American, among other publications.Her TED talk about how we learn before we're even born has been viewed nearly 3 million times. But in this episode, we’re talking about thinking and learning as grown ups at work. 

Following our conversation with Annie, we’re joined by Steelcase workplace researchers Patricia Kammer and Patricia Wang to connect Annie’s scientific study of the brain with the workplace today and work they’ve done this year to study hybrid workers. 

Additional resources:
Annie Murphy Paul’s work and book The Extended Mind (https://anniemurphypaul.com/)
Annie’s TED Talk, What We Learn Before We Are Born (https://www.ted.com/talks/annie_murphy_paul_what_we_learn_before_we_re_born?language=en) 
Hybrid worker research https://www.steelcase.com/NewHybridNeeds
Get the latest workplace design, insights and research: www.steelcase.com/subscribe
Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Produced by Rebecca Charbauski. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison and Emily Cowdrey. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks. Editing and sound mixing by SoundPost Studios.

Groupiness at Work with Annie Murphy Paul (S1:E3)

Who doesn’t want to be happier at work? Jenn Lim has dedicated her life to bringing more joy into the workplace.

Jenn is founder and author of Beyond Happiness. She is also CEO of Delivering Happiness which is a company she founded with Tony Hsieh, the late CEO of Zappos. In her book, she shares her “Greenhouse Model” for the workplace – it’s an idea she says leads to growth, purpose and business success. 

After our conversation with Jenn, hear from Cherie Johnson – director of global design at Steelcase about how design can help us create happier places at work. 

Additional resources: 
- Be part of our community at steelcase.com/subscribe.  Get the latest workplace design, insights and research sent to your inbox. 
- You can find transcripts at www.steelcase.com/podcasts (Read today’s transcript)
- Learn more about Jenn Lim and her book Beyond Happiness at https://jennlim.com/
- Learn more about Jenn’s company Delivering Happiness at https://www.deliveringhappiness.com/

Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Produced by Rebecca Charbauski. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison and Emily Cowdrey. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks. Editing and sound mixing by SoundPost Studios.

Be Happier at Work with Jenn Lim (S2:E4)

When the pandemic sent everyone home, many teachers and students struggled. And according to Anya Kamenetz, one of the biggest reasons is because learning is a social event. This episode of Work Better, we’re focused on the work happening in our classrooms. We’ll talk about how online and hybrid learning are impacting kids and teachers. Plus, share some inspiring success stories. 

Anya speaks, writes, and thinks about how children learn, grow and thrive on a changing planet. She covered education for many years including for NPR, where she co-created the podcast Life Kit: Parenting. Her newest book is The Stolen Year: How Covid Changed Children’s Lives, And Where We Go Now. Before the pandemic, she wrote the book DIY U: Edupunks, Edupreneurs and the Coming Transformation of Higher Education. She also is currently an advisor to the Aspen Institute and a Co:Generate fellow working on a new initiative to end climate silence in children’s media.

Stick around after we hear from Anya because Andrew Kim, director of global research at Steelcase, will join us. Andrew will share why the physical environment makes such a difference to how we learn.

Additional resources: 
- Be part of our community at steelcase.com/subscribe.  Get the latest workplace design, insights and research sent to your inbox. 
- You can find transcripts at www.steelcase.com/podcasts (Read today’s transcript)
- Learn more about Anya Kamenetz and her book The Stolen Year: http://www.anyakamenetz.net/

Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Produced by Rebecca Charbauski. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison and Emily Cowdrey. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks. Editing and sound mixing by SoundPost Studios.

Learning Is a Social Event with Anya Kamenetz (S2:E6)

Gen Z is on the cusp of being nearly 30% of the workforce. Today we’re talking about the power and possibility of the youngest generation at work. This is not a conversation about what’s right and what’s wrong with Gen Z. It’s about understanding – so we can all work better together.

We are joined by Dr. Jean Twenge. Jean has spent her entire academic career – 30 years – studying generational differences. She is professor of psychology at San Diego State University and has authored more than 180 scientific publications and books. Her most recent book which just came out is called “generations.” In many ways, this book is her magnum opus.  Its analysis is derived from 21 huge datasets that go back to the 1940s and are as recent as this year, spanning some 38 million people. Jean is also the author of iGen and Generation Me. 

After we hear from Jean, we’ll be joined by Keith Bujak who is a researcher at Steelcase and recently led work on Gen Z in the workplace. 

Additional resources: 
- Be part of our community at steelcase.com/subscribe.  Get the latest workplace design, insights and research sent to your inbox. 
- You can find transcripts at www.steelcase.com/podcasts (Read today’s transcript)
- Learn more about Dr. Jean Twenge and her books: http://www.jeantwenge.com/

Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Produced by Rebecca Charbauski. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison and Emily Cowdrey. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks. Editing and sound mixing by SoundPost Studios.

Gen Z: Power + Possibility with Jean Twenge  (S2:E7)

Over the past 100 years, the office has been integral to how work gets done. It has shaped cities, cultures and how many of us, individually, behave. But the pandemic triggered a complete re-evaluation of the workplace. Jeremy Myerson says it’s time to relearn old habits and rituals and start thinking a little more like Walt Disney when we design offices in the future. 

Jeremy is a researcher, author and activist in workplace design and innovation. He is a director at WORKTECH Academy. If you aren’t familiar with WORKTECH, it is a global, online knowledge platform and member network that explores the future of work and workplace. He is a Visiting Fellow at the University of Oxford and Professor Emeritus in design at the Royal College of Art. He’s also published several books on workplace design including his latest, “Unworking: The Reinvention of the Modern Office.” 

When we think about the impact the workplace has on people, we have to consider how to create better experiences for workers. Modern office design has to integrate hybrid work spaces, biophilia, social spaces, and contemplation spaces to improve workplace experiences and productivity. As a collector of knowledge, Jeremy shares four specific new ways to think about designing offices for experiences in today’s era. 

Additional resources: 
Learn more about WORKTECH Academy https://www.worktechacademy.com/
Read Unworking: The Reinvention of the Modern Office 
Read insights about how to create more inclusive workplaces www.steelcase.com/WBmagazine
Get the latest workplace design, insights and research: www.steelcase.com/subscribe

Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Produced by Rebecca Charbauski. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison and Emily Cowdrey. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks. Editing and sound mixing by SoundPost Studios.

Designing the New Workplace Experience with Jeremy Myerson (S3:E2)

Many MBA students are taught that businesses should be created to fill a market gap. Poonam Bir Kasturi, founder of the home composting company the Daily Dump, believes in the power of business as a force for good. And she says the MBA-way is not the only way. A diversity of business models is important. She even calls her own style a little foolish.

The Daily Dump designs, makes and distributes beautiful home composting products in India. Daily Dump’s purpose is to reduce waste and reduce the pressure on public waste management systems. Poonam was a TED fellow at TED India. She received the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Schwab Foundation of the World Economic Forum and a Smart Cities India Award. 

Her outlook on business opens up a new way to think about work and the role our companies play in doing more for the wellbeing of people and our planet. 

Additional resources: 
Learn more about the Daily Dump at https://www.dailydump.org/
Read insights about how to create more inclusive workplaces www.steelcase.com/WBmagazine
Get the latest workplace design, insights and research: www.steelcase.com/subscribe

Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Produced by Rebecca Charbauski. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison and Emily Cowdrey. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks. Editing and sound mixing by SoundPost Studios.

Benefits of Foolishness at Work with Poonam Bir Kasturi (S3:E4)

Do you hate meetings? Those 30 or 60 minute blocks of time that chew up your day can be frustrating. Some companies have gone so far as to try eliminating meetings completely. But sometimes those meetings make a valuable impact on your work. So we’re asking: When do meetings do more harm than good? 
Benjamin Laker is a Professor of Leadership at Henley Business School and since the pandemic has led research around the effectiveness of meetings and meeting-free work days. 
Benjamin studies the societal impact of leadership and is the author of Too Proud to Lead and Closing the Service Gap. We talked to Benjamin about his research on meetings, the four-day work week and his ideas about how to reframe the way we think about the workplace when most meetings are now hybrid.

Additional resources: 
Learn more about Benjamin Laker’s research at Henley Business School https://www.henley.ac.uk/people/professor-benjamin-laker
Read Benjamin Laker’s articles in Forbes https://www.forbes.com/sites/benjaminlaker/?sh=69e287233352
Get Benjamin Laker’s most recent book Closing the Service Gap https://www.amazon.com/Closing-Service-Gap-customers-organisations/dp/1292444355
Read insights about how to create more inclusive workplaces www.steelcase.com/WBmagazine
Get the latest workplace design, insights and research: www.steelcase.com/subscribe
Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Produced by Rebecca Charbauski. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison and Emily Cowdrey. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks. Editing and sound mixing by SoundPost Studios.

How the Office Can Boost Energy with Benjamin Laker (S3:E6)

Have you ever been in a job that just sucks the joy out of your work? On the flip side, have you had a job that leaves you feeling energized and full of life? Or more likely — it’s a mix. The concept of joy and work can feel like an oxymoron sometimes — but does it have to? Adding joy into work is more important than ever because research shows the lack of joy is literally making people sick. 

Scott Sonenshein co-wrote Joy at Work: Organizing Your Professional Life alongside organization queen Marie Kondo. You may remember her from her Netflix show Sparking Joy. Scott is a Professor of Management at Rice University. He also wrote Stretch: Unlock the Power of Less -and Achieve More Than You Ever Imagined. 

During our conversation, Scott helps us apply lessons around joy to our work such as how we need to purge things from our lives that don’t spark joy. He explains why we need to tap into intrinsic motivators instead of free snacks or ping-pong tables. And he shares why leaders play a critical role creating joy at work.   

Additional resources: 
Learn more about Scott’s research and books at https://www.scottsonenshein.com/
Read insights about how to create spaces to build community at work www.steelcase.com/WBnew
Get the latest workplace design, insights and research: www.steelcase.com/subscribe

Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Produced by Rebecca Charbauski. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison and Emily Cowdrey. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks. Editing and sound mixing by SoundPost Studios.

Creating Joy at Work with Scott Sonenshein (S3:E9)

Look around you. Is there anything nearby that makes you smile? Our guest today argues there is a distinct connection between our surroundings, our wellbeing and our mental health. She even suggests there is time we can find joy in our physical environment even if we’re not feeling happy. 

Ingrid Fetell Lee  is the author of Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness, and the founder of the website The Aesthetics of Joy. She empowers people to find more joy in life and work through design. Her popular TED talk “Where Joy Hides and How to Find it” has been viewed more than 17 million times. 

During our conversation, Ingrid explains the difference between joy and happiness which includes why moments of joy are actually more attainable than you may think. She also helps us understand how even small changes to our workplace can make a significant difference in how we feel. 

Additional resources:
- Learn more about Ingrid Fetell Lee’s research and books at https://aestheticsofjoy.com/
- Enroll: Design a Home You Love with Ingrid Fetell Lee https://shop.aestheticsofjoy.com/products/design-a-home-you-love
- Ingrid Fetell Lee’s TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/ingrid_fetell_lee_where_joy_hides_and_how_to_find_it
- Read insights about how to design moments of joy at work www.steelcase.com/WBnew
- Get the latest workplace design, insights and research: www.steelcase.com/subscribe

Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Produced by Rebecca Charbauski. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison and Emily Cowdrey. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks. Editing and sound mixing by SoundPost Studios.

Sparking Joy at Work with Ingrid Fetell Lee (S4:E1)

Why do we work? It’s a simple enough question but the answer might surprise you. According to professor Barry Schwartz, it’s not just about a paycheck — which is what we’ve all been long led to believe. The fact is many people with good incomes are disengaged and unhappy at work. So what’s the problem? Barry’s research uncovers why people are unsatisfied and what factors can make us happier at work.

Barry Schwartz is an Emeritus Professor at Swarthmore and a Visiting Professor at the Haas School of Business, U.C. Berkeley. He’s the author of several books including Why We Work, The Paradox of Choice and Practical Wisdom. He has also given four TED TALKS - seen by more than 25 million people.

Barry’s research in his book Why We Work gets at the heart of why so many people are dissatisfied with their work today. He lays out a passionate argument about why the way society thinks about work is broken. And he has some ideas about what we can do differently to fix our approach to work and the workplace. 

Additional resources: 
Learn more about Barry Schwartz and his books Why We Work and The Paradox of Choice as well as others https://www.ted.com/speakers/barry_schwartz
Watch Barry Schwartz’s TED Talk on The Paradox of Choice: https://www.ted.com/talks/barry_schwartz_the_paradox_of_choice
Read insights about how to design moments of joy at work www.steelcase.com/WBnew
Get the latest workplace design, insights and research: www.steelcase.com/subscribe
Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Produced by Rebecca Charbauski. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison and Emily Cowdrey. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks. Editing and sound mixing by SoundPost Studios.

Is Our Attitude About Work Broken? with Barry Schwartz (S4:E2)

Spaces communicate a lot about how you are supposed to behave. In a library, everything about the lighting and the furniture tells you to be quiet and contemplative. Or a conference room indicates where to sit and where to look. 

Dr. Upali Nanda has done a lot of work around the intersection of architecture and neuroscience. And she’s figuring out how to create workplaces designed to make our brains healthier. 
We first caught up with Upali in New York where she presented her team’s work at the United Nations General Assembly's "Brain Capital Alliance" summit hosted in the Steelcase New York City WorkLife. She is Global Practice Director of Research and a Partner at HKS, and executive director of the Center for Advanced Design Research and Evaluation which is a non-profit founded by HKS. She also teaches at the University Michigan in the school of architecture and urban planning. 

She has extensive experience leading research projects in design practice, focusing on the impact of design on human health and perception. She was awarded the Women in Architecture Innovator Award and sits on the board of the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture. 

In this episode, learn about a living lab in Atlanta that’s creating a workplace designed for brain health and helping people learn how to make the most of it to create joy and happiness at work. 

Additional resources: 
Read Getting to a Brain Healthy Workplace to download the full report Upali Nanda talks about https://www.hksinc.com/how-we-think/reports/getting-to-a-brain-healthy-workplace/
Read insights about how to design moments of joy at work www.steelcase.com/WBnew
Get the latest workplace design, insights and research: www.steelcase.com/subscribe
Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Produced by Rebecca Charbauski. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison and Emily Cowdrey. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks. Editing and sound mixing by SoundPost Studios.

Creating a Brain Healthy Workplace with Upali Nanda (S4:E3)

Why is it some teams at work struggle and others seem to just click? Anita Woolley studies the science of teamwork and she’s sharing what research says about how to create great teams. And it’s not about having a lot of brainy people on your team. 
 
Associate Dean of Research and Professor of Organizational Behavior and Theory at Carnegie Mellon Anita Woolley holds a PhD in Organizational Behavior from Harvard and her research on teams has been published in several peer-reviewed journals. 

Her studies explore how teams problem-solve, collaborate and she’s developed an rich understanding of a concept called collective intelligence. Collective intelligence is the idea that when you put some people together, the team is able to do better work just because of the group. In this episode, learn what factors create great teams and why having women on teams appears to be an essential component of success. 

Additional resources: 
Learn more about Anita Woolley and her work on collective intelligence https://scholars.cmu.edu/418-anita-woolley
Read insights about how to design moments of joy at work www.steelcase.com/WBnew
Get the latest workplace design, insights and research: www.steelcase.com/subscribe

Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Produced by Rebecca Charbauski. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison and Emily Cowdrey. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks. Editing and sound mixing by SoundPost Studios.

Why You Need More Women on Teams with Anita Woolley (S4:E5)

We all know the workplace has to support a lot of diverse needs and it could probably do a much better job than it does today. But that can be really hard because there’s a gravitational pull toward sameness. It’s just easier to establish a pattern and stick to it. So how can we embrace how different our brains are when we are designing the workplace?

Elena Sabinson (she/they) is a neurodivergent researcher passionate about the role design can play to help all people flourish. She is an assistant professor of environmental design at the University of Colorado Boulder and received her PhD in human behavior and design from Cornell University. Elena was diagnosed later in life with autism and ADHD. 

Elena’s personal experience and research on neurodiversity along with their expertise in architecture and design gives us ideas for how the workplace can do more to support all of our different brains.

Additional resources: 

Learn more about Elena Sabinson’s work and research https://elenasabinson.com/
Read insights about how to design moments of joy at work www.steelcase.com/WBnew
Get the latest workplace design, insights and research: www.steelcase.com/subscribe

Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Produced by Rebecca Charbauski. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison and Emily Cowdrey. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks. Editing and sound mixing by SoundPost Studios.

Embracing How Different Our Brains Are with Elena Sabinson (S4:E6)

What’s so funny? Turns out humor at work is for more than just a good laugh. It can help us influence people and be more creative. Authors Naomi Bagdonas and Dr. Jennifer Aaker join the Work Better podcast to share how our brains change when we laugh, why humor isn’t just for extroverts and how more laughter can make a big impact on business.

Naomi Bagdonas is a Lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and an Executive Coach. She helps leaders be more creative, flexible and resilient in the face of change by facilitating interactive sessions for Fortune 100 companies and coaching executives and celebrities for appearances ranging from Saturday Night Live to the Today Show. Formally trained at the Upright Citizens Brigade theatre, Bagdonas performs at comedy venues and teaches improv in San Francisco’s county jail. 

Dr. Jennifer Aaker is the General Atlantic Professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a leading expert on how purpose and meaning shape individual choices and how technology can positively impact both human well-being and company growth. Her work has been widely published in leading scientific journals and featured in The Economist, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and Science. 

Together Naomi and Jennifer teach the wildly popular class “Humor: Serious Business,” the inspiration for the bestselling book “Humor, Seriously.”

Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Produced by Rebecca Charbauski. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison and Emily Cowdrey. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks. Editing and sound mixing by SoundPost Studios.

Why We Need More Humor at Work with Jennifer Aaker + Naomi Bagdonas (S4: E8)

You may think that if you don’t hear much from your employees, everything’s going pretty well. But that may not be the case. In fact, organizational psychologist Connie Noonan Hadley believes when employees don’t feel like they can speak up, that can spell trouble for businesses. In this edition of the Work Better podcast, Dr. Hadley identifies the root causes of this silence and offers actionable ideas on how leaders can help employees feel safe to speak up. Drawing on her extensive research and experience, she provides insights into fostering a culture of psychological safety and well-being in the workplace.

Dr. Hadley is the Founder and Chief Scientist of the Institute for Life at Work. Dr. Hadley is also a Research Associate Professor at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, where she conducts research and serves as Co-Director of the Human Resources Policy Institute (HRPI). In addition, Dr. Hadley serves as a regular consulting researcher at Microsoft on future-of-work projects and the Microsoft Work Trend Index. Dr. Hadley holds a PhD in organizational behavior as well as an MA in social psychology from Harvard University, an MBA in strategic and human resource management from The Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania), and a BA in psychology from Princeton University.

The Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Contributing producers are Katie Pace, Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison. Editing and sound mixing is by Sound Post studios. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks.

Make it Safe for Employees to Speak Up with Connie Noonan Hadley (S5: EP1)

Microsoft research shows 3 out of 4 global knowledge workers use AI in their jobs. But how are we preparing students for an AI-future at work? Educator, scholar and author José Antonio Bowen joins the Work Better podcast to talk about why becoming an ‘expert’ is so important  to maximize the benefits of AI – and avoid being replaced by it.

Bowen has held significant academic and administrative roles, including serving as the 11th President of Goucher College. Bowen began his teaching career at Stanford University in 1982 and has also been a dean at Southern Methodist University and Miami University. He is known for his innovative approaches to education, particularly in active learning and the use of technology in the classroom. Additionally, Bowen is a prolific jazz performer and composer.

The Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Contributing producers are Katie Pace, Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison. Editing and sound mixing is by Sound Post studios. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks.

Teaching AI-Ready Students With José Antonio Bowen (S5: EP2)

New research suggests you’ll barely have the attention span to finish reading this paragraph. We shift our attention faster and more often than ever before, impacting our work and health. So, what can we do to increase our attention? Slow down, set the audio speed to 1X, and listen to author Gloria Mark explain why this is happening and how small changes to our behavior and work environments can help -- on the latest edition of the Work Better podcast.

Gloria Mark is an American psychologist and Chancellor’s Professor of Informatics at the University of California, Irvine. She earned her PhD in psychology from Columbia University and has published over 200 scientific research articles. Her work primarily focuses on human-computer interaction, social computing, and the social impacts of digital media. Mark is the author of the 2023 book “Attention Span,” which explores how digital media affects our attention spans and offers strategies for improving focus and productivity.

The Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Contributing producers are Katie Pace, Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison. Editing and sound mixing is by Sound Post studios. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks. 


Our 47-Second Attention Span With Gloria Mark (S5: EP3)

What would make you feel less stressed at your office? Researcher Libby Sander joins the Work Better podcast to discuss her groundbreaking research on how work environments can impact your stress levels in the office. She’ll share the three most important things you need in the office now for better physical and mental wellbeing, and how adopting more beautiful spaces can encourage better collaboration, creativity and growth.

Dr. Libby Sander is an internationally renowned expert on the future of work and workplace design. She is an Assistant Professor of Organizational Behavior at Bond University and the founder of the Future of Work Project. Dr. Sander holds a PhD in Organizational Behavior, a Master’s in Human Resource Management, and degrees in Arts and Business. She has spoken at TEDx and contributes to the World Economic Forum. Her research has been featured in prominent publications like the Harvard Business Review and The Guardian.

The Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Contributing producers are Katie Pace, Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison. Editing and sound mixing is by Sound Post studios. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks. 


Why We Need More Awe at Work with Libby Sander (S4:EP4)

Mental and neurological disorders are costing world economies trillions of dollars every year – something physician and neuroscientist Dr. Harris Eyre calls a “decline in global brain capital.” In this edition of the Work Better podcast, Eyre talks about healthy brain practices and the steps we can take to address this global challenge.

Eyre is an Australian neuroscientist and entrepreneur known for his pioneering work in the brain economy, which focuses on enhancing brain health and skills to drive innovation. He is a Senior Fellow in Brain Health at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, where he leads the Neuro-Policy Program. Eyre’s career spans medicine, neuroscience, and economic strategy, with a commitment to promoting brain health on a global scale.

The Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Contributing producers are Katie Pace, Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison. Editing and sound mixing is by Sound Post studios. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks. 


Building Brain Capital With Harris Eyre (S5:EP5)

It’s no longer a question – AI is changing how we work, and it’s happening rapidly. A technical renaissance of sorts, AI is mainly driven by employees. But as Humanova founder Sean Gallagher tells us, leaders should act now – even if all the kinks haven’t been worked out – before their organizations are left behind.

Gallagher is the founder of Humanova and a leading expert on the future of work in Australia. He focuses on how technology, especially AI, transforms work and accelerates human capability. Dr. Gallagher led the Centre for the New Workforce at Swinburne University for six years and has conducted pioneering research on generative AI. He holds a PhD in chemistry and has been recognized for his contributions to academia and industry.

The Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Contributing producers are Katie Pace, Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison. Editing and sound mixing is by Sound Post studios. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks.

Onboarding Your AI Coworker With Sean Gallagher (S5:EP6)

Seven in 10 employees have experienced disruptive change in the past year. Gallup’s Ben Wigert joins the Work Better podcast to identify three challenging trends happening at work and why ‘people-first’ change is urgently needed. 

Wigert is the Lead Researcher for Gallup’s workplace management practice, specializing in human capital management and performance optimization. He holds a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and an MBA from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Dr. Wigert has authored numerous publications on performance management and employee engagement. He also leads a cross-functional team focused on evolving workplace strategies for the future.

The Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Contributing producers are Katie Pace, Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison. Editing and sound mixing is by Sound Post studios. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks. 


Battling Change Fatigue With Gallup’s Ben Wigert (S5:E7)

Why the Office Needs Social Infrastructure with Eric Klinenberg (S5:E8)

Many people say they feel ‘burned out’ at work, but how do they really know? How is ‘burnout defined? Or measured? And could other factors be at play? McKinsey researcher Jacqui Brassey joins the Work Better podcast to dive deeper into feeling ‘burned out’ and gives perspective on how our work can influence and even improve our holistic health in new ways.

Jacqui Brassey is a Senior Fellow and Director of Research Science at the McKinsey Health Institute, where she co-leads the Healthy Workforces initiative. With over 25 years of experience, she promotes mental health, wellbeing, agility, and resilience in organizations. Brassey is also a fellow researcher at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and an adjunct professor at IE University in Madrid. She holds multiple degrees, including a PhD in economics and business from Groningen University and a joint master's in affective neuroscience from Maastricht University and the University of Florence.

The Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Contributing producers are Katie Pace, Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison. Editing and sound mixing is by Sound Post studios. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks.

Burnout Isn’t What You Think It Is with special guest Jacqui Brassey (S5: Episode 9)

In an era where trust is increasingly scarce, redefining it within the workplace can be a cultural game-changer. On the Work Better podcast, host Chris Congdon and guest Minda Harts, a bestselling author and workplace consultant, explore innovative strategies to rebuild trust. Learn how to cultivate trust, even in remote work settings, and address trust issues with colleagues and managers.

Minda Harts is a bestselling author, workplace consultant, and sought-after keynote speaker known for her work on addressing workplace inequities and advocating for women of color. She is the founder of The Memo LLC and the author of "The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table," "Right Within," and "You Are More Than Magic." Harts is also recognized for her Seven Trust Languages® framework, which helps organizations build high-trust cultures.

The Work Better podcast is produced with assistance from Katie Pace, Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, Brandon Lacic, and Celeste Johnson. Erin Ellison and Emily Cowdrey provide creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez provide technical support. Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks publish digitally.


Building Trust that Builds Profit with Minda Harts (S6: Ep.1)

In today's demanding work environment, understanding the impact of languishing at work – and how to overcome it – is vital. On the Work Better podcast, host Chris Congdon and guest Corey Keyes, a renowned author and sociologist, delve into how languishing at work affects our lives and how fostering a sense of belonging, community, purpose and meaning can significantly enhance our mental health.

Corey Keyes is a bestselling author, sociologist, professor at Emory University, and a member of an advisory board for the World Happiness Forum. He has written several books, including Languishing: How to Feel Alive Again in a World That Wears Us Down. Keyes is a member of the Positive Psychology Network and has worked for the Center of Disease Control and Prevention. 

The Work Better podcast is produced with assistance from Katie Pace, Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, Brandon Lacic, and Celeste Johnson. Erin Ellison and Emily Cowdrey provide creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez provide technical support. Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks publish digitally.



How Languishing at Work Impacts Your Life with Corey Keyes (S6: Ep.2)

How do you bring back the “buzz” in our schools? Dan Behm, superintendent of Forest Hills Public Schools in Grand Rapids, Michigan, wanted to banish boring and reinvigorate students, teachers and staff at all levels. Steelcase’s Applied Research + Consulting team worked with his district to rethink curiosity, collaboration and communication.

Steelcase 360 Real Time

School District Rethinks Creativity + Collaboration

As 360 Magazine Editor Chris Congdon hosts a revealing conversation on how to build trust and the ongoing search for purpose at work, organizational psychologist Adam Grant shares why team building activities don’t work, why the corner office sends a bad signal and why procrastination can be a key ingredient to creativity.

Steelcase 360

Real Talk: How to Make Work Not Suck

As the classroom of tomorrow continues to paint a very different picture than what you see today, author, professor and visiting scholar, Jeff Selingo, shares his vision for the future of learning and how job and technology trends will make place more important than ever.

Trends for the Future of Education with Jeff Selingo

Ingrid Fetell Lee, author of Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness, says it’s a huge misconception that joy and work are separate. She shares her radical theory — that a few simple changes to the work environment can make a dramatic difference in how people feel and perform.

Steelcase 360 - What Workers Want

Why We Need Joy at Work

Welcome to Work Better, the podcast where we think about work and ways to make it better.

Four overarching macro shifts are fundamentally changing work and will continue to alter the landscape for years to come. Some of these shifts have been building for years, while others seem to have happened all at once. It’s the magnitude of the change, along with the pace, that is uncharted territory.  First, we’re living on screen. We’re spending more time collaborating on-screen than in-person. We have more meetings than ever and most people stay at their desk for video calls instead of going to a room to connect in person. No wonder people are feeling more lonely and isolated.

We’re in the middle of an AI supercycle – a period of dramatic growth and change. People are learning how to make AI their new co-workers. It’s changing jobs and the skills we need at a dizzying pace. Sometimes that pace can be overwhelming.  

Meanwhile, the number of companies setting serious carbon reduction targets jumped 102% in one year. There’s a whole new mindset about sustainability. New types of jobs are being created, roles are changing, and people need new skills—essentially a culture change. It’s all good, but it’s a lot.

Another big shift is mental health, which is on everyone’s minds. For employers it’s even more top of mind than physical health. Gen Z is coming into the workforce with higher levels of anxiety and people of all ages feel like their work-life balance is getting worse. 

With all the change around us, we need workplaces to be more like thriving communities.  Because communities are both places and relationships. We need places that help us build  connection, trust and a sense of shared purpose. By understanding how these shifts change behavior, we can create more resilient workplaces that build community and help people perform and feel better.

This season on Work Better, we’re sharing ideas about how work is changing and why we need community more than ever. Help us spread these ideas by sharing an episode with a friend or a colleague.

Work Better is brought to you by Steelcase, a global design and thought leader in the world of work. We help people do their best work by creating places that work better. Stay-up-to-date on design, insights and research to help people work better at steelcase.com/subscribe.

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