Can We Have a Word?

Welcome to another episode of Can We Have a Word?, where we explore how open dialogue, smarter support and fresh ideas can shape healthier, more resilient workplaces.

Our guest today is Martin Power, Employee Health and Wellbeing Manager at KP Snacks. With two decades’ experience in occupational health across local government, manufacturing, emergency services, and food production, Martin has played a pivotal role in creating environments where wellbeing, mental health and colleague engagement are regarded as business-critical for success.

In this episode, Martin discusses what drives his passion for workplace health, his journey from occupational health to broad wellbeing strategy, and the evolution of wellbeing cultures. We examine how line manager capability, communication strategies and inclusive support networks can help organisations create safe, supportive, high-performing teams.

Listeners will hear actionable examples of how to build a wellbeing culture that extends beyond compliance and truly supports a diverse workforce. Martin shares honest reflections on the challenges and opportunities of wellbeing leadership, the impact of mental health trends, and the realities of supporting a frontline operational workforce. HR leaders, people managers, and wellbeing professionals will gain practical ideas for empowering teams, engaging managers, and sustaining wellbeing momentum in the face of ongoing workplace change.

Discussion highlights:

How Martin’s personal and professional journey shaped his commitment to improving employee health and wellbeing

The shifting focus of employers towards prioritising wellbeing as a business imperative, not just an HR function

The critical role of line managers in driving employee wellbeing and job satisfaction

The prevalence and impact of mental health challenges at work, now matching traditional issues like musculoskeletal problems

Strategies for supporting a diverse, dispersed workforce—particularly in operational and manufacturing settings

The creation and impact of employee networks, such as those for men’s mental health, neurodiversity, and generational support

The importance of internal communications and ongoing signposting to wellbeing resources and benefits

The evolution of mental health first aiders into broader wellbeing champions, tailored to site-specific needs

The value of coaching managers to recognise burnout, support returns to work, and engage effectively with colleagues

Why it matters for organisations to create space for honest feedback, adapt their approaches, and acknowledge when the answer is “no”

Upcoming workplace wellbeing challenges, including supporting colleagues through menopause and addressing intergenerational issues

The importance of basic wellbeing foundations, such as sleep, and self-care for wellbeing leaders themselves

This episode offers practical, people-centred insights from someone who has helped shape award-winning wellbeing cultures. Martin’s experience provides a roadmap for organisations seeking to nurture trust, inclusion, and sustained wellbeing in a changing world.

For show notes and free bonus resources, visit www.KaraConnect.com/podcast.

About Kara Connect
Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better.

Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it.

Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.

Welcome to another episode of Kara Connect, where we explore how open dialogue and smarter support can create healthier workplaces.

Our guest today is Kate Fitzmaurice, Head of Internal Communication and Employee Engagement at Vodafone Ireland. With over 15 years’ experience in culture and communications, including roles at TikTok and HubSpot and leading mental health initiatives in Ireland, Kate brings a clear-eyed and practical perspective to workplace wellbeing - viewing it through the lens of communication and engagement.

This episode offers valuable lessons on building an effective, responsive wellbeing strategy in large organisations. Kate shares Vodafone’s journey of moving beyond traditional supports, simplifying access to care, and fostering trust around wellbeing solutions. Listeners will gain practical ideas on shaping culture, making wellbeing accessible, and embracing new technology while keeping people at the heart of every solution.

Discussion highlights:

Why clear internal communication is central to successful wellbeing initiatives

Lessons learned from piloting and scaling wellbeing platforms across different workplaces and cultures

The practical challenge of helping employees find and access support as simply as possible

How to reduce duplication and confusion around support offerings

Strategies to streamline partnerships and clarify mental health resources

The importance of feedback loops: involving even the “reluctant” employees to ensure genuine uptake and improvement

Removing barriers to access for frontline and non-desk colleagues through technology and visual guides

The distinct impact and user experience differences between Employee Assistance Programmes and new wellbeing platforms

Understanding engagement statistics and qualitative feedback as key indicators of what works—and what doesn’t

Navigating the challenge and opportunity of AI, digital transformation, and inclusivity in employee experiences

Kate’s reflections on trust, organisational culture, and practical steps for personal wellbeing

This episode is packed with actionable ideas for HR leaders, internal comms professionals, and anyone aiming to create a culture where wellbeing is accessible, trusted, and truly part of the employee experience.

For show notes and free bonus resources, visit www.KaraConnect.com/podcast.

About Kara Connect
Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better.

Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it.

Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.

Welcome to another episode of Kara Connect, where we explore how better conversations create better workplaces.

Our guest today is Francine Watson, executive coach, researcher, and expert in leadership and workplace wellbeing.

With a decade of experience at Barclays shaping global wellbeing strategy, and senior roles at KPMG and Mercer, Francine brings deep insights on the interplay between leadership, organisational culture, and employee health. Her current academic research focuses on trauma in the workplace, with practical recommendations for leaders aiming to truly support their people through challenging times.

In this episode, Francine shares how wellbeing has evolved from isolated initiatives to a core strategic priority, and why supporting managers with practical tools is more important than ever. Listeners will gain a nuanced understanding of workplace trauma, why traditional responses sometimes miss the mark, and what organisations can do to foster genuine psychological safety. The episode is filled with actionable takeaways for HR professionals, wellbeing officers, and anyone committed to building healthier, more resilient teams.

Discussion highlights:

Francine Watson’s journey from consulting and culture change to executive coaching and workplace trauma research

How crises such as the LIBOR scandal shaped her focus on leadership’s role in organisational wellbeing

Evidence-based links between wellbeing, engagement, and performance - and why data matters for buy-in

The importance of reframing wellbeing as a foundation for excellence, not just a support function

Examples of trauma exposure far beyond “emergency” professions, including customer service, journalism, and healthcare

Common pitfalls in organisational responses to trauma - including over-medicalising normal reactions and undervaluing peer support

Practical guidance for managers in supporting staff after traumatic events: listen, respond proportionally, and act with care

The “pause” approach for difficult conversations and why empathy and trust-building matter more than clinical expertise

Shifts in management expectations, with a new emphasis on relational capability alongside technical skills

The future of work with AI and bots: adapting skillsets, managing uncertainty, and retaining what is deeply human

Why sustainable wellbeing requires system-wide thinking - not just programmes, but everyday leadership and cultural practices

The central role of psychological safety in team health, and how to embed it at all levels of the organisation

This episode offers a thoughtful look at how workplaces can better prepare for the realities of employee trauma and wellbeing, moving beyond policy to everyday human interactions. Francine’s insights help us re-examine our assumptions and put practical, compassionate support at the heart of modern work.

For show notes and free bonus resources, visit www.KaraConnect.com/podcast.

About Kara Connect
Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better.

Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it.

Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.

Welcome to another episode of Kara Connect, where we explore how better conversations create better workplaces.

Our guest today is Angela Steel, organisational psychologist and founder of SuperWellness, a workplace wellbeing consultancy. Angela brings deep expertise in designing and implementing wellbeing strategies that move beyond superficial programmes, focusing instead on meaningful, sustainable change for teams and organisations alike.

In this episode, Angela offers practical insights into the realities of embedding wellbeing into workplace culture, what leaders and HR teams need to get right, and why one-off solutions rarely deliver lasting impact. We look at how leadership behaviours, strategic alignment, and evidence-based approaches can help build healthier, more supportive environments, especially in times of constant change.

This conversation is packed with actionable ideas for HR leaders, managers, and wellbeing professionals seeking to strengthen psychological safety and employee engagement. Angela shares honest reflections on common pitfalls, the limits of quick-fix wellbeing apps, and the importance of making implementation count.

Discussion highlights:

Angela’s journey from nutritionist to organisational psychologist and why she founded Super Wellness

The evolution from individual health initiatives to strategic, whole-organisation wellbeing approaches

Why leadership behaviours and decision-making are fundamental to wellbeing culture

The pressures and responsibilities faced by leaders - acknowledging their needs alongside their teams

The risk of scepticism when wellbeing initiatives don’t deliver, and how to reframe expectations

Pitfalls of “one-size-fits-all” wellbeing apps and why tailored solutions matter

The value of focus groups versus surveys in uncovering real workforce challenges and reducing survey fatigue

Practical steps for upskilling managers around psychological safety and embedding wellbeing strategies

Why lasting change requires clarity on objectives, patience with slow progress, and realistic KPIs

Insights on measuring wellbeing impact - including the complexities of using sickness absence and the promise (and limits) of AI for data aggregation

Navigating the stress of constant organisational change and the skill sets needed to guide teams through uncertainty

The importance of leaders and HR teams being clear on wellbeing goals to avoid “drowning in data”

Angela’s personal strategies for maintaining wellbeing, from nutrition to mindful rest, amidst the demands of work

For show notes and free bonus resources, visit www.KaraConnect.com/podcast.

About Kara Connect
Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better.

Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it.

Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.

Welcome to another episode of Kara Connect, where we explore how better conversations create better workplaces.

Our guest today is Dr. Susie Bennett, research fellow at the Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory, University of Glasgow. Susie’s work examines the complex social, cultural, and workplace forces that shape male suicide risk, and the practical steps organisations can take to support men’s mental health and recovery.

In this episode, Susie brings her experience from frontline research, sharing stories and evidence about why men remain disproportionately affected by suicide, the role of masculinity and culture, and how workplaces can create genuine psychological safety.

The conversation is candid and deeply informed, offering HR leaders and people managers a nuanced perspective on addressing male mental health in organisational settings.

Listeners will gain a practical understanding of the barriers preventing men from seeking support, actionable approaches for creating trust and authenticity in the workplace, and insight into how leadership and HR can foster environments where wellbeing is accessible and meaningful for all employees.

Discussion highlights:

The “symphony of sorrow”: complex interplay of risk factors behind male suicide

The three notes of pain: relationships with others, self-worth, and emotional regulation

How cultural norms of masculinity impact men’s ability to seek help and connect

Emotional suppression and loneliness among men in the workplace

The empathy gap: why male pain is often overlooked or misunderstood

The role of authenticity in workplace wellbeing - why superficial support undermines trust

Practical examples of community-led interventions and peer support

Barriers to accessing mental health care, including motivation, opportunity, and capability

The importance of tailored research: listening directly to men in the workplace

Excavating gender biases and why awareness is essential for HR professionals

Steps employers can take to build psychological safety and normalise open dialogue

Strategies for supporting men through crisis, from everyday regulation to crisis planning

The value of lived experience in opening up honest conversations

How meaningful connection and purpose anchor wellbeing strategies

This episode is packed with insights for HR leaders, people managers, and anyone committed to supporting male wellbeing at work. Susie’s reflections challenge us to move beyond assumptions, listen more deeply, and foster cultures that genuinely meet diverse needs.

For show notes and free bonus resources, visit www.KaraConnect.com/podcast.

About Kara Connect
Wellbeing at work begins with meeting your team’s needs on their terms. With Kara Connect's Wellbeing Hubs, your employees are free to choose from 3000+ expert practitioners to support their mental health and Wellbeing. Because when your employees feel better, your company does better.

Our mission is to make it easy for your employees to manage their wellbeing through direct access to best-in-class support. Whenever they need it.

Learn more at www.KaraConnect.com.