The Better At Work podcast is your new best friend at work. It’s packed with honest, practical advice and science-backed techniques from a diverse range of guests to help you achieve betterness in your work, and life.
Better At Work is for everyone striving to be better and feel better. Whether you’re ready to take your career to new heights, or battling with the daily grind, your host Cathal Quinlan is here to help.
By drawing on insights from leading psychologists, neuroscientists and performance experts, and Cathal sharing his own successes and mistakes as a leader, the podcast delivers proven strategies, tools and science-backed techniques to help you achieve betterness in your working life, one day at a time, because when work is better, life is better.
Pet Shop Rabbits, Hope, and Big Career Moves | Q&A with Annette
Saison 4 · Épisode 27
jeudi 7 mai 2026 • Durée 31:18
Annette's back with three takeaways from last week's Jennifer Moss episode that genuinely changed how we think about hope at work. Plus a listener question from Paul, an Australian who's been working in Dublin for 7-8 years and is now moving the family home to Melbourne while weighing a career change.
In this Q&A:
- The Admiral McRaven "make your bed" reminder
- FOBO (fear of becoming obsolete) and the five-step Gallup framework for compassionate leadership in the AI era
- Why scheduling time for learning is the part most leaders skip
- "Hope is not a method" vs. "hope IS a strategy": Annette's full reframe
- The four-part hope framework: goals, pathways, personal agency, agency for others
- Paul's question: how do you survive an international move AND a career pivot at the same time?
- The both/and move that changes the maths on midlife career transitions
Annette tells the story of the Post-it she kept on her monitor at one of the toughest jobs of her career: "Hope is not a method." Years later, Jennifer Moss reframed it for her. Hope is a strategy when you build goals, pathways, and agency underneath it. Without those, it's just wishful thinking with better PR.
For Paul, and anyone considering a big move plus a big career shift at the same time, the advice is the both/and: contract while you network, build foundations while you research, and don't try to do all the big rocks at once.
Got a career dilemma? Send it in at betteratwork.com
NEXT WEEK: Wendy Smith on Both/And Thinking. You're going to love it.
Making your work life better, one conversation at a time.
We Can't Yoga Our Way Out of Bad Culture & The Newest Burnout Research | Jennifer Moss
Saison 4 · Épisode 26
jeudi 30 avril 2026 • Durée 54:56
Three years ago, Jennifer Moss came on Better at Work and gave us a line that stuck: we can't yoga our way out of a bad boss.
She's back. New book. Sharper take.
Jennifer is a burnout researcher and workplace culture strategist whose new book Why Are We Here? Creating a Work Culture Everybody Wants is her third on this space and one of the most useful Cathal has read this year.
In this conversation:
→ Why hope is collapsing at work, especially for under-25s (the World Happiness Report numbers are bleak)
→ Charles Snyder's hope theory and why agency is the piece most leaders miss
→ Why a compliant team isn't a loyal team, it's a team where hope is dying
→ The real cost of layoffs to the people who stay
→ Phobos and the 1 in 2 stat on AI anxiety from Microsoft's Work Trend Index
→ Why most micromanagers are frightened, not malicious
→ The 5-step compassionate leadership framework for AI transitions
→ Why "I'm an ally" framing has made diversity work fragile, and the reframe that fixes it
→ Optimal distinctiveness: fitting in and standing out at the same time
→ Three things leaders can do this week
Jennifer references Adam Grant, Lindsay McIntyre (formerly of Microsoft), Amy Gallo, Claudia Goldin, Robin Dunbar, and case studies from companies including Patagonia and Bright Horizons.
Find Jennifer at jennifer-moss.com and on LinkedIn.
Better at Work is hosted by Cathal Quinlan. New episodes every Thursday 7am.
If this one resonated, share it with someone on your team who needs it.
When Your Team Member Hates You + A Thank You Email That Went Viral | Listener Questions
Saison 4 · Épisode 16
jeudi 5 février 2026 • Durée 30:57
Q&A episode answering a tough leadership question from Emer, plus Annette's takeaways from Laura Gassner-Otting.
IN THIS EPISODE:
Thank You Email Goes Viral:
Cathal's email praising his daughter's teacher went around the whole school. Miss Smith said "You'd be surprised how little that happens." Why recognition matters more than we think.
Annette's Laura Takeaways:
- The Four Horsemen of Success (money, title, power, prestige) and why we chase them
- The Forces (Calling, Connection, Contribution, Control)
- "Refuse not to be happy now"
- Balance = being yourself everywhere
- Do Laura's quiz
Listener Question: New Leader, Difficult Team Member
Emer started a new leadership role. Most of her team is on board. But one woman has "taken a total dislike" to her. The woman ignores everything Emer says.
Annette's advice:
1. Work as team to agree on values/behaviors (clear is kind)
2. Get to know this person - seek to understand
3. Might be anxiety, trauma, nothing to do with you
4. Build connection and safety
Cathal's advice:
1. Start with YOU - is this about YOUR need for validation?
2. Imposter syndrome from previous org?
3. Ask open questions: "How are you finding it?" "Any concerns?"
4. Discuss ways of working
Why Following Your Passion is Bad Advice | Laura Gassner-Otting on Defining Your Own Success
jeudi 29 janvier 2026 • Durée 01:00:57
Laura Gassner-Otting (Wall Street Journal bestselling author) joins Cathal in the London studio to challenge everything we think we know about success.
This is Laura's UK/Ireland podcast debut, recorded at Christmas after a mulled wine with incredible energy.
IN THIS EPISODE:
The Four Horsemen of Success (and why they drive Laura batty):
1. "I'll be happy when..." - Life is short. Refuse to not be happy NOW.
2. Purpose - Your job doesn't need a white hat to have purpose.
3. Follow your passion - The "live, laugh, love" tattoo of career advice.
4. Balance - We need alignment, not balance. Code-switching is exhausting.
Need to Make vs Want to Make Numbers:
We all have two numbers. Need to make: bills, food, school. Want to make: Claridge's vs Holiday Inn, Rolls Royce vs Hyundai. In between are the sacrifices you'll make.
Caroline's Story:
Laura wanted to promote her to VP. Caroline said no thank you. She'd just had a baby and wanted to be present. Three years later, she got promoted. Still with the firm 10 years after Laura sold it.
Eleanor Roosevelt: "We would worry much less about what other people thought about us if we realised how seldom they did."
Whose Goal Is This?
We define success at 17-18 before our frontal lobe is fully formed. Laura dropped out of law school - it was her fourth grade teacher's goal, not hers. Give yourself grace to change.
Work-Life Alignment > Balance:
You're friends with coworkers on social media. It's already integrated. Stop separating work and life. Find alignment instead. Code-switching is exhausting.
Q&A: Work as a "Friend Factory" + Burnout Advice You Can Use Tomorrow
jeudi 22 janvier 2026 • Durée 27:55
Q&A episode with Annette's top takeaways from Russell Beck + critical advice for dealing with burnout at work.
IN THIS EPISODE:
Annette's 3 Takeaways from Russell Beck:
1. The Rise of Artist Engineers (STEM → STEAM)
Why creativity and art matter more than ever in the future of work. Drawing as a tool for thinking.
2. One Size Fits One
Managers need to understand how each person works best while balancing the team's needs.
3. Work as a Friend Factory
Why having friends at work isn't just nice—it's critical for engagement, retention, and culture.
Listener Question: Burnout at a Major Organisation
Ellie asked: How do I get out of a toxic workplace without destroying my career?
Cathal's advice:
- You need at least 2 months off to recover
- Consider consulting/contract work instead of another corporate role
- Get back to the work you love (not just management drama)
Annette's practical daily tactics:
- 10-minute morning meditation (Calm app)
- Mammalian dive reflex for grounding (2-min exercise)
- Schedule 20-min coffee with work friends
- Weekend self-care: massage, sauna, nature walks
- Career counseling or coaching
- Bill Cowan's career transition process
Key Insights:
Stop Worrying About AI. Start Worrying About THIS Instead | Future of Work 2030
Saison 4 · Épisode 14
jeudi 8 janvier 2026 • Durée 54:58
You won't lose your job to AI in 2026. You'll lose it to someone who knows how to use AI better.
Russell Beck (author of "The World of Work to 2030" - Leadership Book of the Year) breaks down what's changing in the workplace and how to stay ahead.
IN THIS EPISODE:
- Why AI collaboration beats AI competition
- How technology democratizes work by destroying skills, not jobs
- The 3 skill buckets for 2030: creativity, self-efficacy, leadership
- The JFK janitor who said "I'm helping put a man on the moon"
- Why your manager impacts your mental health as much as your partner
- Active listening: the skill most people aren't using
Russell's key insight: "I'm not worried about whether AI is thinking. I'm worried about whether humans are thinking."
Russell Beck has worked in 25 countries, was European Head of Talent at Yahoo, and now helps organisations future-proof their people strategies.
Book: "The World of Work to 2030" by Russell Beck
Website: imaginethinkdo.com
Submit your career question: betteratwork.net
Better at Work - Making work better, one conversation at a time.
Christmas Episode 2025: Help Annette Ban the Word 'Problematic' | Better at Work 2025 Wrap-Up
vendredi 12 décembre 2025 • Durée 18:26
Our final episode of 2025! Cathal and Annette wrap up the year with takeaways from last week's Smart Conflict episode - plus Annette has a hilarious problem: she can't stop saying the word "problematic."
In this Christmas special, we review key lessons from Alice Driscoll and Louise van Haast's brilliant conversation, thank our amazing community, and ask for your help with Annette's vocabulary crisis.
IN THIS EPISODE:
- Christmas catch-up with Cathal and Annette
- Why last week's Smart Conflict episode is perfect for family gatherings
- Annette's 3 takeaways from Smart Conflict
- The 5 R's framework: Reflection, Regulation, Readiness, Response, Repair
- Singles tennis to doubles tennis: Shifting from adversarial to collaborative
- Annette's "problematic" word problem - we need your help!
- Why "problematic" has become problematic
- Thank yous to the team: Phoebe, Harrison, Grace
- Thank yous to listeners: Angela Collins, David Monroe, Linda Menos, Jesse
- Preview: Russell Beck on World of Work to 2030 (first episode back January)
- Christmas wishes and 2026 excitement
ANNETTE'S 3 SMART CONFLICT TAKEAWAYS:
1. The 5 R's Framework - Reflection, Regulation, Readiness, Response, Repair. If you're short on time, focus on REPAIR.
2. Singles Tennis to Doubles Tennis - Move from adversarial (me vs you) to collaborative (us vs the problem together).
3. The Decision Tree - Should I have this hard conversation? The book has a decision tree that helps you work through it.
Smart Conflict: How to Have Hard Conversations at Work | Louise van Haast & Alice Driscoll
jeudi 4 décembre 2025 • Durée 50:35
Louise van Haast and Alice Driscoll, co-authors of Smart Conflict: How to Have Hard Conversations at Work, join Cathal in-studio for a masterclass in navigating workplace conflict.
This is our first in-studio episode with 4-camera setup - and it looks stunning.
If you've ever avoided a difficult conversation, taken feedback too personally, or struggled to speak up at work, this episode is for you.
IN THIS EPISODE:
- Where their passion for conflict work began
- How they met and decided to write a book together
- The two main conflict styles: harmony-seeking vs goal-focused
- "Get curious, not furious" - the principle that changes everything
- Alice's story: "Feedback isn't that I don't like you"
- Ripcord phrases to exit conversations gracefully
- Louise's lesson: "Just because you're good at it doesn't mean you enjoy it"
- The Conflict Style Quiz (both individual and team)
- Practical scripts for hard conversations
KEY INSIGHTS:
"Get curious, not furious. Whether you're someone who avoids conflict or someone who charges straight in, this principle applies. When you notice you're getting furious, pause and get curious instead." - Louise and Alice
"Every time I heard feedback, I was collapsing it into 'you're not good enough.' Then someone finally said: 'You know this feedback isn't that I don't like you, right?' It was a light bulb moment." - Alice Driscoll
"Just because you're really good at something doesn't mean you enjoy it. And just because other people think you should keep pursuing it doesn't mean you should have to." - Louise van Haast
Stuck in a Grad Program That Feels Too Narrow? Here's What to Do | Listener's Questions
Saison 4 · Épisode 10
jeudi 27 novembre 2025 • Durée 30:01
A listener on a graduate program asks: "I'm not learning what I expected. The role feels narrow. I want to be an entrepreneur. What should I do?"
Cathal and Annette tackle this question with practical advice that applies to ANYONE feeling stuck in a narrow role, not just graduates.
Plus: Cathal shares what it was like meeting Dermot Kennedy (and whether he lived up to expectations).
IN THIS EPISODE:
- Why large organisations are "friend factories"
- The 5 things to do when your role feels limiting
- How to use "easy" time for work-life balance
- Side hustles vs full-time entrepreneurship
- Getting involved in company-wide projects
- Why you won't know what you learned until later
- Meeting Dermot Kennedy: Did he live up to expectations?
- The Tig Notaro/Taylor Dayne story everyone should hear
ANNETTE'S 5 PIECES OF ADVICE:
When your job feels too narrow or not challenging enough:
1. Find your people - Your workplace is a "friend factory." Build friendships that create belonging and resilience.
2. Use the time wisely - If work is easy, use that space for work-life balance, volunteering, or building future skills.
3. Reflect deeply - Name exactly what frustrates you, then counter it with innovation projects or improvements.
4. Find mentors/coaches - Shadow people, join employee action groups, get guidance from those ahead of you.
How to Build Your Personal Brand (Even If You're Terrified) | Carlii Lyon
jeudi 20 novembre 2025 • Durée 01:11:39
Carlii Lyon helped me start this podcast 5 years ago. Today, she's sharing her journey from terrified first-timer to leading personal branding expert—and her new book "Courage to Be."
If you've ever felt too scared to put yourself out there, this conversation will change how you think about courage.
💡 KEY INSIGHTS:
"I was that person who was terrified. I was that person who thought she was going to throw up the first time she posted on social media. I was that person who stood in front of an audience for the first time and was shaking with sweat pouring down my body. I was that person who went on TV and cried before the interview and straight after the interview. The only way through it is through it."
"Courage really is about faking it till you make it. Of course you don't know what you're doing. Of course you're afraid. But courage is doing it anyway."
"Be impeccable with your words—not just with others, but with yourself. What you say to yourself, you'll make true."
"Add massive value to people you want to connect with—so much so that they can't ignore you."
📚 ABOUT CARLII:
Carlii Lyon is a personal branding expert, author of "Courage to Be," and the person who helped Cathal start Better at Work 5 years ago. She specialises in helping professionals build their influence and attract the right opportunities through authentic personal branding.
📚 RESOURCES:
🌐 Website: carliilyon.com (or carliilyon.com.au)
📖 Book: "Courage to Be: Build Your Influence and Attract the Right Opportunities"
🎙️ ABOUT BETTER AT WORK:
Making your work life better, one conversation at a time. New episodes every Thursday, with listener Q&A episodes bi-weekly.
Laura's therapy revelation: She felt loved transactionally (got grades = we love you). But did she feel seen? Could she have said "I don't want law school, I want to be an artist"?
Key Insights:
"I refuse to not be happy NOW. They retire and have heart attacks."
"Follow your passion is the live, laugh, love tattoo of career advice."
"I think we're not too busy. We're too busy doing things that don't matter to us."
"When you find alignment, you just move from one to the other pretty seamlessly."
ABOUT LAURA GASSNER-OTTING:
Author of "Limitless: How to Ignore Everybody, Carve Your Own Path" and "Wonderhell: Why Success Doesn't Feel Like It Should."
20 years as executive recruiter, sold her firm, now speaker/consultant. Regularly on Good Morning America.
Website: lauragassnerotting.com
Submit your career dilemma: betteratwork.net
Better at Work - Making work better, one conversation at a time.
Annette has banned herself from using the word "problematic" after realizing she says it constantly. She needs a replacement word that isn't "aligned" (already banned), isn't too rude, and works professionally.
Help Annette! What should she say instead?
RESOURCES:
Smart Conflict Book: How to Have Hard Conversations at Work
Authors: Alice Driscoll and Louise van Haast
Last Week's Episode: Smart Conflict with Alice and Louise
Website: betteratwork.net
Instagram: @betteratwork
ABOUT BETTER AT WORK:
Making your work life better, one conversation at a time. New episodes every Thursday.
We're back in January 2026 with Russell Beck discussing the World of Work to 2030.
Submit your career dilemma: betteratwork.net
Thank you for an incredible 2025! See you in January 2026.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Cathal, Annette, and the Better at Work team!
"I wasn't expecting to have this conversation. I need some time to reflect so I can give you a considered response." - Ripcord phrase for exiting conversations
ABOUT LOUISE VAN HAAST AND ALICE DRISCOLL:
Louise van Haast and Alice Driscoll are executive coaches, conflict specialists, and co-authors of Smart Conflict. They help leaders and teams navigate difficult conversations with confidence and skill.
Louise started her career in advertising where she witnessed high conflict and big egos. She became passionate about finding better ways to navigate workplace tension.
Alice grew up as the hyper-aware child analysing family dynamics. She went on to work in human rights NGOs where conflict was constant. Through painful self-awareness moments, she learned how to navigate difficult conversations effectively.
Together, they've created practical frameworks for handling workplace conflict without avoiding it or escalating it.
RESOURCES:
Book: Smart Conflict - How to Have Hard Conversations at Work
- Be proud you got the role - grad programs are incredibly competitive
KEY INSIGHTS:
"Your workplace is a friend factory. Spend time finding your people and making friends at work. Those friendships build belonging, purpose, and resilience when the day-to-day isn't energising you." - Annette
"You probably won't really know what you've learned from this time until the future comes and you go, 'I grew there, I learned about myself.'" - Annette
"Give it a year. You're already six months in. Talk to your manager, get involved in other projects, maybe do a side hustle on weekends." - Cathal
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