Truth, Lies & Work is the UK's #1 Management Podcast.
Brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network, this award-winning podcast is where behavioural science meets workplace culture. Hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott, the show has reached #2 in the UK Business Podcast Charts and consistently ranks as a Top 10 trending business podcast globally.
With a unique blend of evidence-based insight and lived experience, Leanne and Al simplify the science of people and culture to help leaders attract, engage, and retain great talent.
Episodes drop twice a week. Tuesdays feature a global people and culture news round-up, a hot take from an emerging or established voice, and the world-famous Workplace Surgery—where Leanne answers real listener questions with practical advice. Thursdays dive deeper with expert guests from across the business and psychology worlds, sharing fresh perspectives and actionable strategies.
Whether you're scaling a startup or leading a large team, Truth, Lies & Work delivers the tools, thinking, and inspiration to build thriving, toxic-free workplaces that prioritise well-being and drive sustainable growth.
Also, the hosts are married—so expect unfiltered honesty, occasional banter, and a real-life lens on work and life.
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Truth, Lies & Work is the UK's #1 Management Podcast.
Brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network, this award-winning podcast is where behavioural science meets workplace culture. Hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott, the show has reached #2 in the UK Business Podcast Charts and consistently ranks as a Top 10 trending business podcast globally.
With a unique blend of evidence-based insight and lived experience, Leanne and Al simplify the science of people and culture to help leaders attract, engage, and retain great talent.
Episodes drop twice a week. Tuesdays feature a global people and culture news round-up, a hot take from an emerging or established voice, and the world-famous Workplace Surgery—where Leanne answers real listener questions with practical advice. Thursdays dive deeper with expert guests from across the business and psychology worlds, sharing fresh perspectives and actionable strategies.
Whether you're scaling a startup or leading a large team, Truth, Lies & Work delivers the tools, thinking, and inspiration to build thriving, toxic-free workplaces that prioritise well-being and drive sustainable growth.
Also, the hosts are married—so expect unfiltered honesty, occasional banter, and a real-life lens on work and life.
238. Mr Beast on hiring A-players, digital hangovers and risky workplace humour. PLUS! Are tall people really more successful?
Truth, Lies and Work
52 minutes
3 weeks ago
238. Mr Beast on hiring A-players, digital hangovers and risky workplace humour. PLUS! Are tall people really more successful?
Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning podcast where behavioral science meets workplace culture.
Hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott, bringing you the latest workplace stories that actually matter.
News Round Up
Digital Hangover - The New Workplace Epidemic
That feeling when you've been on your laptop all day, mindlessly scroll Instagram, and suddenly feel wired but weirdly drained? That's a digital hangover.
Psychologies Magazine article: https://pocketmags.com/us/psychologies-magazine/oct-25/articles/the-science-of-wellbeing-how-to-shake-off-a-digital-hangover?srsltid=AfmBOorVwGPxFvEpTNB5EZru-bMQUVahEMrR_Nk5KLVp4daxRgI7CV3W
Is Workplace Humour Too Risky?
New research from Peter McGraw, Adam Barsky, and Caleb Warren suggests workplace humour might be too risky to attempt.
Research article: https://phys.org/news/2025-09-funny.html
MrBeast's Vibe Check: Smart Hiring or Commitment Avoidance?
The world's biggest YouTuber has introduced 90-day trial periods for all new hires, complete with temporary housing and rental cars. The goal is testing whether someone can adapt to high-speed, high-stakes production work.
Business Insider article: https://www.businessinsider.com/why-mrbeast-vibe-checks-new-hires-2025-10
Truth or Lie?
Are Tall People Really More Successfully
The verdict: TRUE, but with massive caveats. Research shows height correlates with career success - each inch predicts about £600 more in annual earnings. Since 1900, the taller US presidential candidate has won 81% of elections. But height explains only 7% of earning variation, leaving 93% to actual skills, education, and other factors. The effect operates through perceptual bias (we see tall people as more leader-like), modest correlations with intelligence and health, and self-fulfilling prophecies from being treated like a leader from childhood.
Workplace Surgery
Real listener questions this week:
How do you build a reliable team when you're used to doing everything yourself without losing quality control?
What do you do when you have to let someone go even though they're trying their best and improving?
How do you keep great people when you can't compete on pay with bigger companies?
Mental Health Support
This episode discusses workplace stress, burnout, and the impact of digital overload on mental wellbeing. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health:
UK:
Samaritans: 116 123 (24/7 helpline) - https://www.samaritans.org/
Mind: 0300 123 3393 or text 86463 - https://www.mind.org.uk/
US:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (24/7) - https://988lifeline.org/
NAMI Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) - https://www.nami.org/
International:
Befrienders Worldwide: https://www.befrienders.org/ (directory of crisis helplines worldwide)
International Association for Suicide Prevention: https://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/ (global crisis center directory)
Connect with Your Hosts
Connect with Al on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott/
Connect with Leanne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanne
Join the discussion about this episode on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork/
Email: podcast@TruthLiesandWork.com
Follow us on Instagram: @truthlieswork
Chat with us on X: @truthlieswork
YouTube channel: @TruthLiesWork
Check us out on TikTok: @truthlieswork
Want a chat about your workplace culture? hi@TruthLiesandWork.com
Got feedback/questions/guest suggestions? Email podcast@TruthLiesandWork.com
Truth, Lies and Work
Truth, Lies & Work is the UK's #1 Management Podcast.
Brought to you by the HubSpot Podcast Network, this award-winning podcast is where behavioural science meets workplace culture. Hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott, the show has reached #2 in the UK Business Podcast Charts and consistently ranks as a Top 10 trending business podcast globally.
With a unique blend of evidence-based insight and lived experience, Leanne and Al simplify the science of people and culture to help leaders attract, engage, and retain great talent.
Episodes drop twice a week. Tuesdays feature a global people and culture news round-up, a hot take from an emerging or established voice, and the world-famous Workplace Surgery—where Leanne answers real listener questions with practical advice. Thursdays dive deeper with expert guests from across the business and psychology worlds, sharing fresh perspectives and actionable strategies.
Whether you're scaling a startup or leading a large team, Truth, Lies & Work delivers the tools, thinking, and inspiration to build thriving, toxic-free workplaces that prioritise well-being and drive sustainable growth.
Also, the hosts are married—so expect unfiltered honesty, occasional banter, and a real-life lens on work and life.
