Finnish philosopher and psychologist Frank Martela, author of Stop Chasing Happiness joins hosts Henry and Maureen in today's episode, sharing insights on what makes life meaningful, why chasing happiness can backfire, and how the importance of autonomy, trust, and equality can foster meaning at work

Drawing on Finnish culture and education, Frank reveals practical ways leaders can create and cultivate meaning at work, through the value of connecting with others, and how a “militarist” mindset—seeking constant improvement—can boost well-being.

We also explore Finnish attitudes toward happiness, modesty, and resilience, offering you a fresh perspective on creating joyful, purposeful lives and workplaces.

Frank's 3 tips for a happy workplace:

1. Connect with yourself: reflect on who you are and what you enjoy
2. Connect and spend time with people you love
3. Do good for other people: find your way to make a meaningful contribution

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

1. Frank's book, Stop Chasing Happiness
2. Happy Workplace

Dr. Vernon Bainton, Chief Medical Officer at Havas Lynx and co-founder of the Health and Happiness Lab, shares his journey from medicine to healthcare innovation, focusing on patient-centred care and the importance of measuring happiness and well-being in both patients and staff.

Vernon shares insights on the limitations of traditional clinical metrics, the impact of the pandemic on workplace well-being, and practical strategies for fostering trust, purpose, and joy at work.

Today's conversation highlights the essential role of well-being in healthcare and organisational success.

Vernon's tips for a happy workplace:

1. Move beyond traditional job satisfaction (consider people's lives as a whole)
2. Change how you capture information and set goals
3. Foster trust and accountability (build a culture of trust)

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

1. Havas Lynx
2. Happy Workplace

Talent is everywhere; opportunity is not.

In this episode, Joe Seddon, founder and CEO of Zero Gravity, shares his journey from a single-parent household in West Yorkshire to launching an award-winning tech platform that supports over 15,000 talented students from low-income backgrounds, providing mentoring, coaching, and career pathways to help them gain entry into top UK universities and secure successful careers.

Joe is widely recognised as a leader in tech for social mobility, and has been named in the Forbes 30 under 30 list, and received a British Empire Medal for services to social mobility.

The conversation reveals the importance of having an authentic company culture, taking risks, and cultivating mission-driven leadership. Joe highlights, to your hosts, Henry and Maureen, Zero Gravity’s impact on social mobility, the power of mentoring, with Joe offering practical advice for building a happy and high-performing workplace.

[Guest's] tips for a happy workplace:

1. Measure what matters
2. Distil your culture into a culture deck and make this part of your onboarding process
3. Human beings are self-interested creatures: Incentivise and reward

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

1. Zero Gravity
2. Happy Workplace

In this episode, Alisa Sydow, Associate Professor at ESCP Business School, and Thinkers 50 Radar for 2025. Alisa shares her journey researching entrepreneurship in Africa, focusing on empowering female founders and local artisans in Kenya. She discusses the challenges of building authentic, culturally-rooted businesses and the importance of storytelling and branding for “Made in Kenya” products. Alisa also introduces her mentorship initiative, Numpy, supporting women entrepreneurs in the Global South. The conversation highlights the power of cultural pride, community, and authentic leadership in driving social impact through entrepreneurship.

Alisa's tips for a happy workplace:

1. Be authentic; embrace conflict
2. Diversity can bring surprise
3. Be open

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

• ESCP Business School
• Happy Workplace

DJ, from Happy, shares his wisdom with us today about the evolving role of AI in work and life in 2025.

Sharing insights on using AI as a “co-thinker” to boost creativity and critical thinking, you'll hear practical examples, from DJ, Maureen, and Henry, of AI effectiveness in the workplace, with examples, as we address data security, ethical use, and the importance of verifying the output of AI.

DJ highlights the balance between human skills and AI, the value of clear workplace AI policies, and how to explore AI with curiosity, creativity, and caution.

DJ's tips for a happy workplace:

• Have good AI policies (people are going to be using it)
• Encourage everyone in the organisation to use AI as a co-thinker (to upskill everyone)
• Have fun with AI

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Happy Workplace

What are you prepared to do, to get the thing you want?

Heather R. Younger, a TEDx speaker, author, and leadership expert, chats with our hosts, Henry and Maureen, discussing self-leadership and its vital role in effective leadership.

Heather shares her personal journey, including a pivotal realisation about prioritising her own well-being, and offers practical self-leadership habits. You'll hear how caring leadership can boost productivity and recounts a story of compassionate leadership during her layoff experience.

Our conversation covers overcoming imposter syndrome, building workplace trust, and fostering team bonds. Heather’s insights reveal that leading oneself with empathy and clarity is foundational to creating resilient, joyful workplaces.

Heather's tips for a happy workplace:

• Make sure that you have leaders taking care of themselves
• Make sure that you're listening in all the right ways
• Make sure that you promote 'team': accomplishments and productivity of teams

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Heather's book The Art of Caring Leadership
• Happy Workplace

Debby Penton is the CEO of Wildfire, a B2B PR consultancy recognised for its outstanding workplace culture and employee ownership.

In today's chat with Henry and Maureen, Debby shares insights on building a happy, inclusive, and high-performing team through autonomy, flexible work, and clear values.

Our discussion covers Wildfire’s creative campaigns, B-corp certification, apprenticeship programs, and commitment to employee well-being.

You'll hear personal stories and practical advice revealing how investing in people and a sense of purpose can drive business success.

Debby's tips for a happy workplace:

• Make sure people have some sense of control over their destiny
• Invest in people: training and development
• Help people feel they are a part of something (and leave for home on time!)

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Public Relations and Communications Association
• Happy Workplace

Today, Elaine Lin Hering, bestselling author and expert on speak-up cultures, joins Henry and Maureen for an insightful conversation on creating a happier workplace.

Elaine reveals insights from her global work on “unlearning silence” in workplaces, explaining how silence is often learned from childhood and reinforced by leadership and cultural norms.

Elaine also shares practical strategies for fostering genuine speak-up cultures and the importance of recognising systemic silencing, with actionable steps leaders can take to create more inclusive, human-centered, and joyful work environments.

In this conversation, you'll hear new ways, ideas, and opportunities to develop your leadership skills and approach.

Elaine's tips for a happy workplace:

• Acknowledge that people are human and let them be human
• Make the full range of emotions acceptable in the workplace
• Work is not everything - we all have lives outside of work
• Honour the gifts and skills in the workplace - there needs to be trust

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Happy Workplace