Can We Have a Word? – Détails, épisodes et analyse

In this episode of “Can We Have a Word?” podcast, Dr. Jo Burrell joins host Tobba Vigfúsdóttir for a thoughtful exploration of workplace wellbeing, centered on the mental health of HR professionals.

Jo brings over two decades of clinical experience and is co-founder of Ultimate Resilience, a company focused on evidence-based resilience and burnout prevention at work.

During the discussion, Jo shares insights from the UK’s largest survey into HR mental health, talks about her motivations, and discusses practical approaches to supporting those who are supporting everyone else in the organization.

Key topics discussed in the episode include:

• Jo Burrell’s shift from NHS clinician to workplace mental health advocate, and what drove the change.

• Why HR professionals’ wellbeing is often overlooked in research, policy, and internal support structures.

• Alarming findings from The Age of Mental Wellbeing Report, revealing high burnout and low support.

• How organizational support (or lack of it) directly affects HR wellbeing, retention, and performance outcomes.

• The growing emotional demands of HR roles, without matching increases in resources or recognition.

• Supervision as a tool to support HR resilience, offering confidential space to process emotional strain.

• Balancing personal boundaries with systemic change, and the role of leadership and professional bodies.

• Practical steps HR professionals can take to protect their wellbeing and normalize open conversations.

Dr. Jo Burrell’s work highlights a hidden crisis and a clear opportunity. HR professionals are often the backbone of organisational wellbeing, but their own needs have gone unacknowledged for too long. Recognition, structured support, and open conversation are vital steps for organisations that want to retain and empower this key workforce.

Listen to the full Kara Connect episode with Dr. Jo Burrell for more on building resilience in HR.

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jo-burrell-04901a96/

Website: https://www.ultimateresilience.co.uk/ 

Report: https://www.ultimateresilience.co.uk/hr-mental-wellbeing-report  

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.

In this episode, host Tobba Vigfúsdóttir is joined by Kristín Einarsdóttir Scobie, Chief Clinical Officer at Kara Connect. Together, they explore how individuals can be supported through their most challenging moments and why it’s essential for organisations to be prepared before a crisis unfolds.

Kristín brings to the table broad expertise in occupational therapy, public health, sociology, and workplace crisis management. Day to day, she helps organizations across Europe respond to sudden traumatic workplace events - everything from the loss of a colleague to violent incidents or personal tragedies affecting individual employees.

Together, Tobba and Kristín unpack the realities of handling traumatic events in the workplace, ranging from sudden deaths and accidents to personal hardships affecting a single employee.

Kristín explains what constitutes a critical incident, how organizations can respond with compassion and structure, and what long-term support looks like for employees and HR managers alike.

Key topics discussed in the episode include:

• Defining “critical incidents” in the workplace and why preparation is essential.

• Common scenarios HR teams face - from workplace accidents to personal losses.

• The immediate and ongoing support Kara Connect offers organisations in crisis.

• How psychological first aid and trauma-informed care are delivered after incidents.

• The importance of not trying to “fix” things alone - what HR managers really need during a crisis.

• Why normalization and empathy are key to helping employees process trauma.

• Typical mistakes companies make and what’s often overlooked in crisis planning.

• The value of continuity: what long-term support for affected teams and individuals looks like.

This episode offers both a compassionate and practical lens on workplace wellbeing during times of crisis, and is especially valuable for HR professionals, managers, and those interested in organizational health.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristineinarsdottir/ 

Company website: https://karaconnect.com/about-us 

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.

In today’s episode, Tobba Vigfusdottir is joined by Fiona Mullan, Chief People Officer at Bloom and Wild and member of the Kara Connect board.

With a career spanning HR leadership roles at Bloom and Wild, Facebook (Meta), and Accenture, Fiona shares her experience in shaping workplace culture and promoting employee wellbeing.

The conversation explores today’s changing workplace landscape, discussing the dual priorities of connection and flexibility, how AI is reshaping work, and practical insights on scaling organizations, supporting wellbeing, and building trust across diverse teams.

Episode Highlights

• Fiona’s top priorities as Chief People Officer at Bloom and Wild, including the opportunities and challenges of AI, balancing connection and flexibility, and enabling change within the people team.

• The impact of AI on workplace dynamics and how Bloom and Wild encourages employees to experiment with new tools for operational efficiency and job satisfaction.

• Fiona’s approach to adapting to fast-changing technology despite a non-technical background, and the importance of HR partnering with IT.

• Lessons learned from scaling organizations, managing through rapid growth or integration, and why “hiring more people and working harder” isn’t the solution.

• Insights on handling cross-cultural dynamics, particularly Fiona’s experience with HR work in China and the importance of building trust and followership.

• Strategies for fostering workplace wellbeing at Bloom and Wild, from promoting belonging and flexibility to formal supports like mental health first aid and accessible counselling.

• Why investing in people managers is crucial for employee wellbeing and creating safe, supportive environments at work.

• Practical tips for new HR managers on building culture and wellbeing: engaging champions, providing quality support, and manager education.

• The growing need for HR professionals to be comfortable with data and analytics to measure the impact of people initiatives.

Fiona’s approach to people strategy at Bloom and Wild combines curiosity about change with a steady commitment to practical wellbeing. Her advice: take the unknowns in stride, invest in people managers, and co-create a culture that balances connection with flexibility. With the right support, workplaces can help employees not just adapt to change, but genuinely thrive.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/fiona-mullan-1911356 

Company website: www.bloomandwild.com 

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.

In today's episode, Tobba Vigfusdottir is joined by Rachel Murray, Director of People and Brand at ORS, an Irish multidisciplinary building consultancy recognised for its strong culture and commitment to employee wellbeing.

Rachel has played a key part in maintaining the company’s people-first focus through significant growth and multiple acquisitions. Her unique role spans both marketing and employee experience, giving her a distinctive perspective on aligning brand and culture in the workplace.

Rachel shares insights on sustaining a great workforce, embedding well-being into everyday work, and what it really takes to integrate diverse teams while staying true to core values. The conversation explores the practical challenges and the opportunities of scaling a values-led company.

Episode Highlights

• Rachel’s top priorities: maintaining culture, recruitment & retention challenges, and scaling the brand during rapid growth.

• Integrating acquisitions: respecting legacy cultures and aligning new teams without “one size fits all” approaches.

• Practical approaches to wellbeing: employee-driven initiatives, the role of wellbeing committees, and leveraging platforms like Kara Connect.

• Onboarding and embedding culture for new joiners – balancing information and support without overload.

• Listening as the foundation: surveys, one-to-one conversations, and the “You Asked, We Actioned” initiative for building trust.

• The evolving role of HR: moving from compliance to a strategic, people-and-culture focus.

• Rachel’s personal wellbeing practices and the importance of role modelling self-care.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rachel-murray-ors

Company website: www.ors.ie 

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.

In today's episode, Tobba Vigfusdottir is joined by Brian Samson, Head of Health Promotion at ESB, Ireland’s leading energy company. Host Tobba Vigfusdottir sits down with Brian to explore his unique journey from IT into the field of workplace health and wellbeing, and how he’s helping to create open, supportive environments across a complex and diverse organisation. 

Brian shares his experience developing proactive health and wellbeing programmes for a workforce of nearly 10,000 employees. The conversation covers approaches to addressing both mental and physical health at work, the challenges of supporting varied roles across multiple sites, and the value of direct employee input. Brian also reflects on leveraging technology for wellbeing and balancing the use of data with real stories.

In this episode:

• Brian’s career shift from IT to workplace wellbeing, and what drew him to the field
• The structure of health promotion and support at ESB, and why a balance of proactive and reactive approaches is essential
• Building meaningful wellbeing initiatives by listening to employees’ needs
• The importance of visible leadership support in wellbeing programmes
• Navigating challenges of hybrid work, including isolation and disconnection
• Using employee champions to scale wellbeing efforts within large organisations
• Common pitfalls in organisational mental health strategies, including over-reliance on external EAP providers
• The evolving role of technology in supporting workplace wellbeing
• Personal strategies for managing stress, including silence and breathwork

Whether you’re just starting out with workplace wellbeing or looking to revitalise your current approach, this episode offers thoughtful perspectives and practical ideas for supporting mental health and fostering a culture of care.

Brian on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/brianjsamson 

Website: www.esb.ie 

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.

Something a little different for you in today's episode...

Tobba was recently a guest on the A Better HR Business podcast, and the host Ben Geoghegan has kindly allowed us to share their conversation with you here on the Kara Connect podcast.

In this interview, Tobba and Ben discuss:

• The role leadership plays in creating a mentally healthy workplace culture.

• What Kara Connect does and how it helps organisations improve workplace wellbeing.

• The main or most common mental health and wellbeing challenges in workplaces today.

• Ineffective ways companies try to address these challenges.

• Approaches that actually work when it comes to supporting mental health and creating healthier workplaces.

• What has worked well in terms of business growth and getting the word out about Kara Connect.

• And much more.

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.

In today's episode, Tobba Vigfusdottir is joined by Brian Crooke, a dedicated wellbeing educator, consultant, and speaker who has been making a significant impact on workplace mental health and wellbeing in Ireland and beyond.  

Brian is the Founder of The Work Well Institute, the Course Director and lecturer for the Postgraduate Certificate in Workplace Wellness at Portal, Trinity College Dublin, and the Founder of Workplace Wellbeing Ireland.

As host of the Work Well Podcast, Brian empowers organizations with the tools and strategies to sustainably improve workplace wellbeing. 

In this episode, Brian shares his journey from a tech industry management consultant to a wellbeing advocate. He discusses the challenges and progress in implementing workplace wellbeing initiatives and offers practical advice for organizations aiming to embed a culture of health into their core.

Topics Discussed:

• Brian's transition from the tech industry to workplace wellbeing and his initial challenges

• The evolution of workplace wellbeing awareness over the past decade

• The importance of a structured approach to implementing wellbeing initiatives

• Insights on merging wellbeing with health and safety regulations

• Common mistakes companies make when implementing wellbeing programs

• The role of technology and digitalization in workplace wellbeing

• Case studies: Successful implementation of wellbeing programs in Irish organizations

• Advice for new graduates entering the workforce with a focus on lifelong learning

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.

In today's episode, Host Tobba Vigfusdottir is joined by Mary Cullen, the founder and managing director of Insight HR, a leading HR consultancy and outsourcing firm based in Ireland.

With over two decades of experience across industries, Mary is known for helping organizations navigate complex people challenges while keeping employee wellbeing front and centre.

Mary is also the host of The HR Room Podcast and webinar series, where she regularly shares insights on everything from compliance to culture - always with a focus on supporting HR professionals and leaders to build healthier, more resilient workplaces.

During the episode, Mary shares her passion for fostering employee well-being and discusses the evolution of workplace culture over the years. The conversation covers a range of topics, from the changing landscape of HR management to the role of data in communicating with the C-suite. Mary also emphasizes the importance of proactive strategies and sound management training in dealing with workplace conflicts, especially in increasingly diverse work environments.

Key topics discussed in the episode include:

• The evolution of workplace well-being and its integration into HR strategies

• The growing complexity of HR roles and responsibilities in Ireland and across Europe

• The significance of aligning HR strategies with business goals and the challenges of communicating achievements to the C-suite

• The impact of management style on workplace harmony and the importance of diversity

• Examples of effective training techniques that lead to improved understanding and behaviour within teams

• The potential stigma surrounding mental health discussions in the workplace, especially among senior leaders

• The pressing issue of work-life balance and the influence of overworking on employee health

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how fostering open dialogue, providing smarter support, and employing fresh ideas can enhance workplace well-being and productivity.

Whether you're an HR manager, team leader, or anyone interested in improving your workplace environment, this episode offers practical advice and thoughtful insights.

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 episode 1 of "Can We Have a Word?" - the podcast from Kara Connect (hosted by CEO Tobba Vigfusdottir) - where we believe that better conversations create better workplaces.

In this episode, Tobba explains how she will be talking with HR leaders and other people managers to explore how open dialogue, smarter support, and fresh ideas can improve workplace wellbeing and bring out the best in people.

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 now at www.KaraConnect.com.

In this episode, Tobba sits down with Vivienne Horkan, an award-winning wellbeing leader and experienced HR professional, currently managing the Garda National Wellbeing Office.

Vivienne shares insights from her extensive work in developing employee wellbeing, inclusion, and engagement strategies in the challenging environment of the Irish police force, An Garda Síochána.

The conversation covers the creation and evolution of Garda’s health and wellbeing strategy, the launch of impactful initiatives like the KOPS app (Keeping Our People Supported App) and menopause guidance, and the important role of openness and trust in fostering a supportive workplace culture.

Vivienne also discusses the practicalities of measuring wellbeing programs, navigating challenges such as management buy-in and cultural stigma, and the growing relevance of technology in workplace health initiatives. She offers experienced advice for HR managers starting out in wellbeing initiatives, reflections on generational shifts in attitudes toward mental health, and her own approaches to staying balanced.

Topics Discussed:

• Vivienne’s role at the Garda National Wellbeing Office and the mission behind the Keeping Our People Supported (KOPS) app (00:50)

• Building a wellbeing strategy through health needs assessments and staff surveys (03:35)

• The importance of data and measurement in assessing program effectiveness (05:12)

• Training mental health first aid facilitators and addressing mental health stigma (07:41)

• Key advice for HR managers starting their own wellbeing initiatives (00:09:25)

• Common mistakes and challenges in implementing workplace wellbeing programs (12:56)

• The power of internal champions and creating a culture of openness (14:21)

• Launching the menopause guidance document and supporting diverse staff needs (19:29)

• Evolving strategy and addressing emerging themes such as the impact of social media and digital health tools (22:22)

• Generational differences in attitudes towards mental health support (24:30)

• Vivienne’s personal wellbeing practices, including the role of nature and positivity (25:51)

Listen to the full episode for thoughtful insights on creating a resilient, supportive work environment, and practical steps to start your own wellbeing journey.

Links:

Website: https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/health-and-wellbeing/garda-national-wellbeing-office/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivienne-horkan-mcipd-93215b6/

Podcast: KaraConnect.com/podcast

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.