Today’s bonus episode explores a growing and often overlooked challenge in workplace, loneliness.

Despite being more digitally connected than ever, research shows that loneliness is rising — especially in hybrid and remote teams. Many of us experience fewer spontaneous interactions, fewer shared moments, and fewer opportunities to feel part of something bigger than ourselves.

But loneliness isn’t inevitable.

Some organisations are building community in powerful, intentional ways and today, we’re joined by two leaders doing exactly that.

First, we have Imran Anwar, CEO at Alt Labs / Flok, an organisation that has intentionally redesigned the workplace experience to nurture connection, creativity and shared meaning regardless of how or where people work.

And we’re also joined by Emily Chaytor, People Business Partner at Atom Bank, where much of the team works hybrid or fully remote. Atom has recently invested in new premises in Newcastle and continues to build a strong sense of community through social groups, wellbeing initiatives, and culture-led practices that bring people together even across distances.

Together, we’ll explore:

• Why loneliness is becoming more common
• How hybrid and remote work contribute (often unintentionally)
• What workplaces can do about it
• And what genuinely helps people feel connected, valued and part of something meaningful

Sponsored by OptiMe Wellbeing - https://optimewellbeing.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we’re exploring introversion and extroversion in leadership and teams.

A common perception is that introversion and extroversion are about shyness or confidence. However, research from the Five-Factor Model shows they’re really about how we gain and use energy. Introverts recharge in quieter, lower-stimulation environments, while extroverts draw energy from interaction and activity. Most people sit somewhere in between on a spectrum.

These differences shape how we lead, communicate and cope with pressure, and when workplaces misunderstand them, wellbeing and performance can suffer.

To explore this, I’m joined by two incredible guests:

Alfie Joey, whose career in broadcasting, comedy and coaching gives him a unique perspective on how personality influences communication, creativity and confidence.

Richard Lane, co-founder of durhamlane, who specialises in sales outsourcing and performance. He has worked extensively with a wide range of leaders to help them play to their strengths.

Sponsored by OptiMe Wellbeing - https://optimewellbeing.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Wellbeing Uprising, host Bethany Ainsley is joined by Steph Edusei, Chief Executive of St Oswald’s Hospice, and Jen Hallam, Managing Director of Gardiner Richardson, to explore how organisations can respond with empathy and compassion when employees experience bereavement, long-term ill health, or caring responsibilities.

Life doesn’t stop when we come to work, yet many employees still feel pressure to hide personal struggles or return to “normal” too soon. This conversation looks at how leaders and teams can create space for honesty, flexibility, and support when life inevitably interrupts work.

Together, they discuss what compassionate leadership really looks like, how culture can make or break a person’s ability to cope, and why empathy isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s essential for a healthy, sustainable workplace.

Connect with today’s guests:

Steph Edusei Chief Executive at St Oswald's Hospice: https://www.stoswaldsuk.org/who-we-are/being-accountable/hospice-management-team/

Jen Hallam, Managing Director at Gardiner Richardson: https://gardiner-richardson.com/#about

Sponsored by OptiMe - https://optimewellbeing.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Wellbeing Uprising, host Bethany Ainsley and her guests explore burnout, not just the clinical endpoint, but the grey zone so many leaders and teams inhabit: on the edge, recovering, or cycling back again.

Bethany is joined by Herb Kim, a long-time tech/events founder who’s never been formally diagnosed but believes he’s been regularly in a state of or on the edge of burnout; and James Katirai from NEL Fund Managers, an employee-owned investment firm, speaking about what companies can practically do to help people avoid burnout and perform sustainably.

From the fast-paced world of tech to the high-pressure demands of finance, they share honest insights into recognising the early signs of burnout, rebuilding balance, and creating workplace cultures where people can thrive.

Together, they explore:

How burnout creeps in.

Why it's often ignored.

What leaders can do to protect themselves and their teams.

Connect with today’s guests:

NEL: https://www.theworkplacesleepcoach.com/

Thinking Digital: https://thinkingdigital.co.uk/

TEDx Manchester: https://www.tedxmanchester.com/

TEDx Newcastle: https://www.tedxnewcastle.com/

TEDx Durham: https://tedxdurham.co.uk/

Sponsored by OptiMe - https://optimewellbeing.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Wellbeing Uprising, host Bethany Ainsley is joined by Dr Rachael Coates, a robotic colorectal surgeon (formerly in the NHS), MedTech founder and AI/automation consultant, and Nicole Ratcliffe, founder of The Workplace Sleep Coach, to explore how sleep, or the lack of it, is quietly impacting how we work, think, and lead.

Sleep is essential for energy, focus, performance, and long-term wellbeing. Yet with shift work, busy schedules, and blurred work-life boundaries, many professionals are running on empty. In this powerful conversation, Bethany and her guests delve into the personal and professional impact of sleep disruption, and ask what organisations can do to support healthier sleep habits.

Together, they explore:

• The impact of shift work and night shifts on sleep, diet, and safety
• Real-life risks of sleep deprivation, including driving fatigue after night shifts
• Cognitive and emotional effects of poor sleep in the workplace
• How AI and smarter systems could support better rest in the future
• What practical steps individuals and employers can take to build a sleep-supportive culture

Connect with today’s guests:

Nicole Ratcliffe: https://www.theworkplacesleepcoach.com/

Dr Rachael Coates: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rachael-coates-39934214b/

Sponsored by OptiMe - https://optimewellbeing.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Wellbeing Uprising, host Bethany Ainsley is joined by Dot Smith, CEO of Recovery Connections, and Helen Easton, Rachel Cawthorne, People Manager at PD Ports, to explore how can we better support addiction in the workplace.

Addiction takes many forms, from alcohol and drugs to gambling and digital dependencies, and it touches people in every sector and at every level. Yet despite its prevalence, it remains one of the most overlooked workplace wellbeing issues, hidden behind stigma, misunderstanding, and silence.

Together, they explore:

• The many forms addiction can take and how they show up in people’s lives and workplaces.
• The lived experiences that drive Recovery Connections’ work and why challenging misconceptions is vital.
• Why addiction is a workplace issue and the role employers must play in support.
• Practical steps organisations can take to become more recovery-friendly.
• How supporting employees through challenges like addiction can strengthen culture, trust, and retention.

Listen now on your favourite platform:

YouTube 🔗

Amazon 🔗

Spotify 🔗

Sponsored by OptiMe - https://optimewellbeing.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Wellbeing Uprising, host Bethany Ainsley is joined by Rosie Brighty, Founder of Divergent Consulting, and Helen Easton, Director of People and Culture at Darlington Building Society, to explore what neurodiversity really means in the workplace.

Despite the growing conversation around inclusion, neurodiversity is still widely misunderstood. From ADHD and autism to dyslexia and dyspraxia, many employees continue to face barriers that limit their potential, and organisations risk missing out on incredible talent. By openly sharing lived experiences, Rosie and Helen highlight how these conversations can challenge stereotypes, increase understanding, and create space for change.

Together, they discuss:

- What neurodiversity is and why clarity matters

- How sharing lived experience helps challenge stereotypes and misunderstanding

- The unique strengths neurodiverse colleagues bring to the workplace

- Practical steps employers can take to create supportive environments

- Why embracing neurodiversity isn’t just the right thing for people — it’s a strategic advantage for business

Listen now on your favourite platform:

YouTube 🔗 https://loom.ly/cS7K5s0

Amazon 🔗 https://loom.ly/kGq0btE

Spotify 🔗 https://loom.ly/Vh8G3f

Sponsored by OptiMe - https://optimewellbeing.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is technology freeing us from the 9–5... or trapping us in an always-on cycle we can’t escape?

In this episode of The Wellbeing Uprising, we're exploring how our relationship with technology is reshaping work, wellbeing, and the boundaries in between. As burnout continues to rise and conversations around work-life balance intensify, the question remains, are we evolving towards a healthier future, or slipping into constant connection?

Joining Bethany Ainsley for this timely discussion are two forward-thinking guests who are challenging traditional work models:

Vic Morgan – CEO of Venture Stream, bringing insight into sustainable business models and workplace innovation.

Alexander Bell – Entrepreneur and Tech Expert, offering a fresh perspective on the future of work and the impact of always-on culture.

Together, they unpack:

- How technology has shifted the boundaries between work and life

- The double-edged sword of remote working and hyper-connectivity

- What the rise of the four-day work week could mean for productivity and wellbeing

- The importance of intentional boundaries and leadership-led change

- Practical steps for creating a healthier, tech-enabled workplace culture

Whether you’re an employer, entrepreneur, or someone rethinking how and why you work. This is a must-listen conversation about reclaiming balance in a digital world.

Listen now on your favourite platform:

YouTube 🔗 https://loom.ly/cS7K5s0

Amazon 🔗 https://loom.ly/kGq0btE

Spotify 🔗 https://loom.ly/Vh8G3f

Sponsored by OptiMe - https://optimewellbeing.com/

#Burnout #FourDayWeek #TechBalance #Leadership #WorkplaceWellbeing #TheWellbeingUprising #BethanyAinsley #OptiMe

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