Headspace for the Workplace with Dr. Sally
Headspace for the Workplace – A Podcast on How to Cultivate a Vibrant and Psychologically Safe and Healthy Workforce with your host Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas In our brain-based economy, we depend on fully engaged, mentally healthy teams. Organizations that have figured this out not only have a competitive advantage, they are awesome places to work. Take a listen to the lessons learned and actionable take-aways to promote mental health and wellbeing and support people through tough times – at work.
Episodes
July 1, 2025 • 36 mins
Listen now to this important episode with Suzi Craig, Vice President of Workplace Mental Health at Mental Health America (MHA), as we explore what really moves the needle in employee well-being. for more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/67
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June 17, 2025 • 20 mins
In this episode we tackle…· What is workplace postvention, and why does it matter after a suicide loss?· How is a suicide postvention protocol different from a workplace crisis response plan?· How can organizations prepare for the emotional impact of suicide in the workplace?· What are the key components of an effective workplace postvention plan?· Why are most workplaces unprepared for suicide bereavement?...
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If you've ever been told to “suck it up,” “walk it off,” or “leave it at the door,” congratulations! You’ve had a front-row seat to emotional shutdown culture. One that’s usually recognized, reinforced, and modeled by top leadership. In this conversation, I talk with counselor and wilderness enthusiast Russell Peterson about how emotional avoidance, particularly in male-dominated, tough-it-out industries, stems not from weakness bu...
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Join Jorgen Gullestrup with guest speaker Justin Geange, as they discuss work-related suicide. Hosted by the IASP Suicide and the Workplace Special Interest Group. Justin Geange is a survivor of a work-related suicide attempt who has since dedicated his life to supporting others. Now a Field Officer with the charity MATES in Construction, Justin shares his powerful story – exploring the circumstances surrounding his attempt, the le...
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In this episode of Headspace for the Workplace, Dr. Sally Spencer Thomas chats with Michael Wright, a first responder and chaplain, about the importance of recognizing mental health challenges in the workplace. Listen in to discover how Michael's experiences as a paramedic inform his approach to mental health advocacy and why tuning into that "something ain't right" feeling can lead to meaningful intervention. They explore the conc...
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Discover actionable strategies for overdose prevention in the workplace in this episode of Headspace for the Workplace with Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas and guest Kristina Ewing. Learn how creative benefit planning and easy Narcan implementation can save lives and improve workplace well-being. Tune in for insights on addressing opioid addiction, mental health, and reducing stigma. For more information on this episode go to https://www....
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Dr. Sally Spencer Thomas interviews Dr. Simon Hatcher from the University of Ottawa about crucial insights from police suicide research and its applications to other high-risk industries. Learn about professional identity threats, effective ways to support struggling colleagues, and strategies for overcoming psychological barriers in workplace mental health conversations. For more information on this episode go to https://www.sal...
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The Role of EAPs in Creating Psychogically Safe Workplaces with The President of CCA John Levy EP 60
February 4, 2025 • 18 mins
Learn how to maximize your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) beyond basic benefits with John Levy from CCA. Discover strategies for turning your EAP into a strategic workplace partner to improve organizational culture, performance, and employee wellbeing. For mre information on this epid=sode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/the-role-of-eaps-in-creating-psychologically-safe-workplaces-with-the-president-of-cca-joh...
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This week I am joined by Katie Huey, an expert in leadership and organizational development, whose personal journey through loss has fueled her passion for advocating compassionate workplaces. Together, we discuss the profound impact of complicated and disenfranchised grief on individuals and the workplace.For more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/from-the-shadows-into-the-light-suppor...
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I had the privilege of hosting Army Veteran John Cornelius, who shed light on the critical connection between firearm safety and suicide prevention. With alarming statistics—such as 82% of young people who die by firearm suicide accessing weapons from friends or family—John emphasized the importance of responsible firearm storage in creating safer homes. Drawing from his work with the Firearm Suicide Prevention Grant and personal e...
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December 31, 2024 • 21 mins
Welcome to a special year-end episode of Headspace for the Workplace, where we take a moment to reflect on the past year, celebrate milestones, and plan for an even more impactful 2025. As we close out 2024, we honor a deeply personal milestone: twenty years since the suicide death of my precious brother, Carson. His memory continues to guide my mission to foster transformative change in workplace mental health and suicide preventi...
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December 10, 2024 • 23 mins
I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Dr. Pierluigi Mancini, a stalwart in promoting mental health awareness for the Spanish-speaking workforce. As we delved into the intricacies of mental health care and its accessibility, it became strikingly clear that we must move beyond mere translation and token gestures. Instead, we need a comprehensive strategy that acknowledges and integrates cultural and linguistic diversity. Dr. Ma...
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My favorite takeaway from the episode was about why managing difficult emotions isn't a sign of weakness; it’s a strategic weapon. This is crucial for leaders who often feel the pressure and weight of expectations. Morra nailed it when she said that many leaders would rather admit to cheating on their taxes than confess to feeling anxious! It's time we shift that mindset and embrace anxiety as a part of leadership. We might just fi...
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November 19, 2024 • 19 mins
I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Tim De Goey all the way from the Sunshine Coast of Australia, and, wow, did we dive deep into an important topic—workplace postvention. If you’re scratching your head on what that is, think of it as the action plan for when your workplace is rocked by a suicide, whether it’s a coworker, a family member, or even a retiree. We’re not talking about sweeping it under the rug; it’s about faci...
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November 12, 2024 • 21 mins
"Whether you are the CEO, the supervisor, or just your co-worker, we need everyone to be comfortable in having that conversation."
Where do we start and what do we do after a suicide has impacted our community?
This week we have Barb Smith here to discuss Workplace Postvention. If you're not familiar with workplace postvention, trust me, you're not alone. Most workplaces are unprepared for the aftermath of a suicide, and this episode...
Where do we start and what do we do after a suicide has impacted our community?
This week we have Barb Smith here to discuss Workplace Postvention. If you're not familiar with workplace postvention, trust me, you're not alone. Most workplaces are unprepared for the aftermath of a suicide, and this episode...
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October 29, 2024 • 26 mins
Today, we review cultural empathy and building common unity in our workplaces, focused specifically on first responders. My amazing guest, Assistant Chief Manny Almaguer from the Denver Fire Department, brings so much wisdom and personal experience to the table. From his 25 years of service to his transformative work in mental health advocacy. For more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/l...
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October 15, 2024 • 15 mins
Do you know why employees stay at companies? Turns out, it's not all about the money! I had the pleasure of chatting with the incredibly vibrant Shannon Mekeel. Together, we unpacked the critical role of empathy and humanistic management practices in retaining top talent. If you want a workplace where your team thrives, you definitely don't want to miss this episode. For more information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspen...
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October 8, 2024 • 18 mins
The conversation today is an often-overlooked topic of financial resilience and recovery, discussing how money problems can profoundly impact our mental health with Rue Stewart. This isn't just an issue that some of us face; financial stress touches many, and it’s high time we discuss ways to cultivate financial wellness in the workplace. For mor information on this episode go to https://www.sallyspencerthomas.com/headspace/ep51/n...
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October 1, 2024 • 17 mins
I had the pleasure to sit down with Keith Binkley, who brings a wealth of insight about the misconceptions between performance and worth. We cover why we often equate our achievements with love and self-value. He candidly discusses how big life transitions can shake our very foundation and the vital need for support during these times. If you've ever felt like your worth is tied to what you do, you won't want to miss this conversat...
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September 17, 2024 • 10 mins
Dr. Sally here this week with a solo episode! I want to discuss something that has been increasingly important to me, and that is the roles that workplaces play in mental health promotion and suicide prevention. So often, we make the mistake of thinking that if we simply direct our troubled colleagues to counselors, we’ve done our part. But the reality is far more complex. A workplace can be a profound contributor to an employee’s ...
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