What if AI isn’t changing your culture... just turning up the volume? 🤯
This week, the "AI Uncle" himself, Dan Södergren, returns for a record third time to unpack the Fifth Industrial Revolution — and why your mindset matters more than your tech stack.
Dan’s message is clear: AI amplifies the leadership culture you already have. If it’s strong, you’ll thrive faster. If it’s flawed, you’ll fail faster.
Drawing on data from Europe’s largest HR leadership survey, Dan shares the three biggest challenges facing leaders right now:
💻 The Shadow AI problem – Over half of companies have no AI policy, so employees are quietly using unsecured systems. A huge risk for trust, security, and retention.
📉 The training crisis – Only 7% of HR leaders feel confident making data-led decisions. Without AI skills, your people are 35% more likely to leave.
🧠 The leadership paradox – Leading “superhuman” teams powered by AI demands new levels of emotional intelligence, agility, and data-driven thinking.
But this isn’t a doom story — it’s an opportunity. Dan explains why curiosity and the ability to “vibe code” are now the real hard skills. And he reminds us: AI won’t replace you — but someone using AI might.
If you want to understand how to lead through this revolution — and keep your people happy, human, and ahead — this is the one to listen to.
What if the biggest challenge facing your business isn't competition, but accidental unfairness built into your systems? 🤯
This week, we're joined by Bertille, a diversity, equity, and inclusion practitioner, to tackle the most complex and important questions of our time: equity in the workplace and the ethical challenge of AI.
Bertille simplifies "equity" to a powerful concept: fairness and equal outcome. She argues that real change is achieved not through visible, temporary programs, but by embedding equity into systems and processes. This often un-glamorous work ensures everything is measurable, objective, and fair.
We dive into the pressing issue of AI and bias in recruitment. Bertille warns that models trained on historical data risk reinforcing systemic inequities. She stresses that the keys to responsible AI use are transparency about how models are trained and understanding what and why you are using them.
Ready to learn how to future-proof your organisation by building fairness and ethical guardrails around your people processes?
Matt Phelan sits down with Madalena Carey, founder of Happiness Business School, to explore a serious question: Why are over 90% of her clients reporting anxiety and burnout linked directly to the labour they do?
This isn’t a chat about faking a smile. Madalena explains the real science that drives the Happiness Business School philosophy. True positive psychology isn't about ignoring negative emotions. It’s about understanding them. We discuss how your brain is wired for risk and why you must remove the organisational roadblocks to truly "optimise" the lives of your people.
It’s simple elegance: Happiness is a performance metric. Madalena shares data from major scientific studies that prove the link: when your people feel good, they are consistently more creative, energetic, and committed.
Curious how one person’s journey inspired a movement to humanise the workplace through data?
Listen in to learn how to change your perspective when you can’t change the toxic culture itself.
The unconventional power of digital detox
In a world of constant notifications and "always on" culture, what if the most strategic thing you can do for your business is to turn everything off? 🤯
This week, we're with Riina Gröhn, Chief People Officer at LIWLIG Group, who shares the story behind her company's unconventional all-employee event called Unplugged to Re-Connect. They took everything normal for a corporate event—laptops, slides, and even phones—and put it all away.
Riina shares the surprising reality of orchestrating an event for over 300 seasoned event professionals, and how they handled everything from waking people up without alarms to creating a phone park for their devices. She reveals the remarkable outcomes, including a 53% increase in employees considering a change to their daily digital habits and a newfound sense of togetherness.
Are you ready to learn how a digital detox can improve your company culture and drive long-term business performance?
In a world full of unknowns, what if we could finally light up a map of global workplace happiness? 🌍
This week, our brand manager Joe takes over as host to grill our co-founder Matt about a groundbreaking new project: the Global Workplace Happiness Report.
For over a decade, The Happiness Index has been gathering data, and now, thanks to new technology, we're ready to create the first-ever global picture of workplace happiness.
This isn't about "toxic positivity" or telling people they should be happy. This is about understanding a subject that we know drives performance and great business outcomes. The goal is simple: reconnect companies and their people so that work is fulfilling and businesses perform better.
We discuss the vision, the daunting technical and logistical challenges, and the incredible global partnerships with companies like Google that are making it all possible.
Ready to be part of the most ambitious workplace happiness study ever? Your voice is needed to make this project a success.
What if the secret to your organisation's success is hidden in a childhood dream? 🤯
This week, we share a truly unique and fascinating story about a young beetle named John—a Liverpool native who just wanted to be happy. This talk uses John’s journey to prove that happiness is not a soft skill; it’s a non-negotiable strategic metric.
We reveal how John’s daughter, Jude, uses world-class research to expose the science of well-being, showing him exactly why his adult life went wrong. This talk introduces the Fab Four drivers of human happiness, straight from our data, proving that fundamentals like Safety, Acknowledgement, Freedom, and Relationships directly impact your business.
(Keep your ears open! See how many cheeky Beatles references you can spot in the story.)
Ready to understand the human science behind peak performance? Tune in to decode the evidence.
In a world of 'hustle culture' and burnout, what if the secret to elite performance isn't grinding harder, but recovering smarter? 🤯
We're joined by James Hewitt, a human performance scientist and former professional athlete. He's here to challenge everything we think we know about productivity and wellbeing.
This isn't about working more. It's about a groundbreaking approach called Regenerative Performance. James unpacks why our traditional, extractive models of work are failing and why a leader’s personal wellbeing is the number one predictor of their organisation's wellbeing. He also reveals how something as simple as a three-to-four-day break can be as effective as a month-long vacation for recovery.
We explore the science behind chronotype bias, the surprising truth about coffee's effect on our brains, and how to use a "regenerative mindset" to thrive under pressure. From sleep to nutrition and even fitness, James provides the playbook for a working life that builds you up instead of burning you out.
Are you ready to stop running on empty and transform your approach to work and life?
This week, we're joined by Mark Dean, a brilliant brain and mind scientist on a mission to end mental ill-health in the workplace. We dive into the fascinating science behind benevolence—not just as a moral virtue, but as a strategic business driver.
Mark shares his powerful insights on how we can use our brains to achieve happiness, even when facing challenges. He introduces the "bus principle" and the power of pausing, teaching us how to watch our thoughts without being controlled by them. He also reveals a stark data point: while most people think sunshine makes us happier, office workers are often unhappier on sunny days, as they yearn to be outside.
Crucially, Mark provides a look into the brain during acts of benevolence. He shares research showing that giving kindness increases our serotonin and dopamine levels, while lowering stress hormones. The latest World Happiness Report confirms this, showing that benevolent acts are 10% higher globally since the pandemic.
Are you ready to understand your brain better, cultivate kindness, and use the science of benevolence to not only improve your well-being but also transform your workplace culture and performance?
This week, we're with Andrew MacAskill, who's on a mission to end career-based misery.
He reveals a stark truth: Europe has the lowest engagement scores globally, yet the fewest people looking for a new role. We discuss the cost of this "stuck" workforce—lost productivity and apathy. Andrew highlights the "Moral Factors" (meaning, impact, leadership, ethics, security) that drive people's career choices.
We also explore the critical need for companies to "de-risk the move" for candidates, particularly at non-senior levels, to empower them to leave unhappy jobs.
Ready to confront these brutal facts and unlock your team's true potential?
What if the biggest drain on your business isn't competition, but your calendar? 🤯
We're with the brilliant Dr. Carrie Goucher, who reveals why our meeting culture is a relic of the industrial era.
Dr. Goucher introduces a powerful new term: 'collabureaucracy'—the needless collaboration and bureaucracy that bogs us down.
The numbers are stark: most people spend 40-50% of their time in meetings, and 50% of that time is completely wasted.
The cost is more than just time; it's missed milestones, poor decisions, and a workforce that is more likely to quit. Bad meetings emotionally exhaust your people, increase burnout, and leave valuable talent untapped.
But this isn't a problem without a solution. Dr. Goucher presents a new playbook: a movement to create space for deep work and candour, and to reclaim productivity.
Ready to liberate your workforce and make your organisation unstoppable?
This week, with Tony Latter, we reveal vital new data: cultural assessment scores are down 6% globally in the last year. Happiness and engagement are both falling. Trust is eroding, driven by a shocking 10% drop in employees feeling listened to.
We'll unpack the critical distinction of "we listened, we did" to rebuild trust. Plus, get an exclusive preview of our Global Workplace Happiness Report 2026, filling a massive market gap by focusing specifically on workplace happiness globally.
Ready to tackle this global challenge head-on and leverage data to truly empower your people?
In a world obsessed with data, what if HR's true superpower isn't crunching numbers, but something far more intuitive and impactful?
This week, we're with the brilliant Toby, who just delivered a powerful message at our annual conference. For too long, HR has been told to "be more data-driven." But Toby challenges this notion head-on, arguing that our unique ability to feel the pulse of the organisation – to hear what others miss – is our undeniable strategic advantage.
We discuss the subtle but crucial shift from blindly following metrics to leveraging the "data with soul." Toby shares a powerful anecdote from a Chief People Officer who valued gut feel over spreadsheets in detecting cultural shifts. He highlights the dangers of data-driven assumptions, referencing an AI that recommended not hiring women of a certain age due to maternity leave patterns. This isn't just about ethics; it's about making decisions that truly benefit all your people.
Crucially, Toby reveals the Gartner CFO playbook stat: 10% remember a pure statistic, 25% remember it with an image, but a staggering 75% remember it when it's combined with an image and an impactful story. This is HR's sweet spot: bringing human stories to life alongside data, fostering empathy, and directly linking people insights to business outcomes.
Are you ready to redefine HR's strategic role, move beyond just numbers, and leverage your inherent ability to truly understand your people and drive core business performance?
Join us to uncover HR's Human Superpower.
This week, we're joined by the brilliant Anaïs Nebel, an expert passionate about cultivating confidence as a true performance driver. Forget confidence as just a buzzword for younger generations on TikTok; Anaïs brings the evidence for its tangible impact directly into the boardroom.
We dive into a critical, yet often unasked, question: How many of your people walk into work, or even meetings, not feeling truly enough? Anaïs reveals a powerful statistic: One in two people feel more self-doubt than self-love. Imagine the transformation if that changed.
This episode offers practical, evidence-based steps to unlock this potential. We explore the "I Know It" list – a simple yet profound exercise that helps individuals discover their core selves beyond external validation. It’s about building a "bank of proof" that anything is possible.
Anaïs shares powerful insights on how self-awareness tackles internal conflict and why organisations need to listen to the "loud" voices of younger generations on this topic for retention. Ultimately, cultivating confidence in your people isn't just "nice to have"; it's your competitive edge.
Are you ready to truly empower your workforce, boost innovation, enhance connection, and transform your culture?
Join us to discover how cultivating confidence can be your ultimate performance driver.
We’ve seen disengagement as a simple lack of productivity. But what if it’s a profound, internal psychological experience?
In this conversation, Matt Phelan talks with Dr. Siobhan Renshaw, an organisational psychologist. Her research redefines disengagement, revealing it as an emotionally charged response to perceived vulnerability, deeply linked to identity and survival.
Discover her "aha moment": disengagement is internal, not always visible, and can even be a positive coping mechanism. It protects individuals, preventing more drastic actions like leaving.
We explore the critical role of managers. While they don't cause disengagement, they significantly influence the conditions that lead to it. To truly support your people, leaders must adopt a nuanced view and invest in managers, fostering self-awareness and human connection.
This isn't just theory. It's about transforming your approach to employee wellbeing and unlocking genuine performance. Curious? Tune in!
What if the most powerful metric for your business, and indeed society, isn't what you think?
This week, we're honoured to host Professor Jan-Emmanuel De Neve – a leading authority in economics and behavioural science from the University of Oxford. As the driving force behind Oxford's Wellbeing Research Centre and a key figure in the World Happiness Report, Jan brings unparalleled expertise to the table.
He’s the kind of mind that makes you see the universe differently, but through the lens of human well-being.
We dive into the evidence. From a major BT study, we show how employee happiness isn't just nice, it drives 12% higher sales, even 20-25% on complex tasks. This translates directly to your bottom line and stock performance.
But it’s bigger than business. Jan unveils the global push beyond GDP, advocating for a single, powerful metric for national well-being. Imagine leaders competing on national happiness, not just economics.
This is a crucial listen for HR leaders. Discover the data, the science, and the sheer power of prioritising your people. This is The Business and Societal Imperative of Happiness.
Ready to unlock this advantage? Tune in now.
What if the metrics we're obsessing over in business are fundamentally flawed? What if true progress lies in something far more nuanced than just the bottom line?
We had a truly fascinating conversation that stretched from the digital foundations of government to the radical pursuit of happiness in a nation's DNA.
Our guest is the brilliant Tiffany St. James, Chief Commercial Officer at Vitalis Capital. We were wowed by Tiffany's deep understanding of measuring impact beyond simple economic growth. We delve into Vitalis Capital's work, their frameworks rooted in global institutions, and their focus on creating genuine socioeconomic development.
Can we truly measure a nation's success by the well-being of its people? Is there a way to balance economic progress with genuine human flourishing?
Tiffany offers compelling insights, drawing on her diverse experience and her direct engagement with these groundbreaking ideas.
Ready to challenge your assumptions about what truly drives progress and prosperity?
Join us as we go Beyond GDP.
What ignites the spark in your team? How do you balance commercial needs with the well-being of your people?
In this episode, Zoe Rumford, a seasoned Chief People Officer, shares her wisdom on cultivating a culture of clarity, kindness, and unstoppable passion.
Curious about how to unlock your people's potential? Let's go...
Can Lawyers Be Happy?
The insightful Chris Morse joins us to dissect the wellbeing of legal professionals. High pressure, long hours – can happiness thrive? And crucially, what's the business impact if it doesn't?
Forget fluffy notions. We're talking tangible results. Happy people = boosted productivity, sharper innovation, and stronger retention. The data backs it up, across all sectors, including the demanding legal field.
So, how do you measure and improve happiness, even in high-stakes environments like law? That's what Chris and I are unpacking. Evidence-based insights to move beyond guesswork.
Ready to see how a focus on wellbeing – for everyone – directly fuels your bottom line?
Intrigued by the happy lawyer paradox? Tune in now.
Ever felt that spark of pure happiness, that feeling you wish you could bottle? This week on the Happiness Index Podcast, Matt chats with the brilliant Andrea Callender, Inclusion & Diversity Director at Alexander McQueen, about chasing and recreating those very moments.
What if happiness isn't just fleeting? What if understanding those peak experiences could unlock a more engaged and thriving workforce? Andrea shares a truly insightful moment that sparked a profound thought: happiness often resides in the simple act of being present with people you care about.
Could focusing on these human connections be the key to a happier, more productive organisation? Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that might just shift how you think about happiness at work.
Curious about the happiness levels of your people? Let's explore how understanding their experiences can drive real performance.
Happy to help,
The Team at The Happiness Index - Let's make work happier!
La Fosse CPO Hannah Thompson joins Matt Phelan on the Happiness Index Podcast!
They explore the power of curiosity in HR, the vital link between employee experience and business success, and the unique impact of employee ownership.
Get actionable insights on fostering employee voice, building trust, and levelling up your HR career.