Redesigning Wellness

09/17/2021

We need breaks to reset our focus, calm our emotions, and restore our energy. But there are several threats standing in our way of taking them.

In this article, I write about the power of taking a break, why we don't take them, and how to take an inward look to see if we are standing in our own way.

Sometimes when we take a break, we may find that the solutions present themselves. – Catherine Pulsifer A while back I facilitated an online training and my slide deck just stopped working.

09/13/2021

Urgent things shout, important things whisper. Listen to the whispers. – Ken Groen

In our constant, fast-paced life, it's vital to get quiet and listen to the whispers. Here's a post I wrote on the importance of getting quiet and admitting my own struggles with creating that space in my life!

Urgent things shout, important things whisper. Listen to the whispers.

04/07/2021

Most of us avoid saying no at all costs, resulting in having too much of what we don’t want to do filling our schedules and no room for the things that are most important to us.

In this episode, host Jen Arnold explains her decision to take a break from the Redesigning Wellness Podcast, a few of the reasons behind her careful consideration, and offers a heartfelt thanks to longtime listeners who have accompanied her on this journey.

Listen here:

Host Jen Arnold began the Redesigning Wellness Podcast in 2016, fresh out of the corporate workforce and eager to learn and dissect the multitude of aspects affecting employee wellness. Back then, she had fewer clients, much more free time, and one fewer kid at home.  After a bit of soul searching ...

03/25/2021

In a society hyper focused on and doing more, it can be easy to bully yourself about being lazy and not accomplishing enough. guest, Dr. Devon Price, Professor at Loyola University Chicago and author of Laziness Does Not Exist believes that worth is not tied to productivity and that the perception around laziness is toxic.

In this episode, Devon discusses what they call the laziness lie, how mistrust from employers is damaging employees, and how organizations can change the perception around laziness. Lastly, Devon offers an excellent tangible tip for people who have a hard time saying no.

Listen here: http://bit.ly/DPrice1

03/23/2021

The -19 highlighted the shortcomings of many programs at the same time as 2020 prompted a closer look at and within organizations. Today’s guest, Rachael McCann, Senior Director at Willis Towers Watson, is blending the two discussions, helping businesses understand how to optimize their benefits offerings based on the diverse characteristics of their current and future workforce.

In this episode, Rachael explores some of the benefits trends she saw in response to COVID, highlighting mental health offerings and caregiving solutions. She shares a few guidelines for considering inclusion in benefits programs and the importance of understanding social determinants of health in relation to benefits inclusivity.

Lastly, Rachael offers tangible tips for both wellness professionals and organizations on considering inclusion and diversity in benefits offerings.

Listen here: http://bit.ly/RMcCann

03/11/2021

In the last decade, the industry has been on a steady rise. With 80% of large companies and 50% of small companies implementing wellness programs, wellness isn’t just a consideration for big businesses anymore. guest Nikki Reynolds, Wellness Specialist at ePlus, believes that can actually provide the best environment for wellness program success.

In this episode, Nikki explains her start with SMP, how she went about building a wellness program for a business of fewer than 50 employees and a few of her challenges and successes. She discusses pivoting through COVID, and lastly offers tangible tips to professionals making a pitch and small business owners unsure of buying into wellness.

Listen here: http://bit.ly/NReyolds

02/27/2021

The ability to understand and alter the power dynamic of a team is an essential skill for maximum effectiveness according to guest Lindy Greer, Associate Professor of Management and Organizations at University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.

In addition to her Associate Professorship, Lindy is the Faculty Director of the Sanger Leadership Center. Her expertise in leadership development has been published in leading outlets such as Forbes, the New York Times, and the Journal of Applied Psychology to name a few.

In this episode, Lindy takes a deep dive on the four keys to a positive leadership hierarchy. She explains the importance of creating areas of ownership for team members, building team structures that are flexible, and learning to reduce or increase the power distance between leaders and teams. Lastly, she offers a tangible tip to be intentional about your team’s hierarchy.

Listen here: http://bit.ly/LGreer1

02/18/2021

What would life be like if we dared to do something different?

We all know how hard it can be to step out of our comfort zones. Psychologists believe that we spend over 80% of our lives on autopilot. guest Ray Richards, CEO and Founder of Do Something Different, believes getting out of our comfort zones starts with a small step.

Ray Richards is also the host of the podcast Life Done Different.ly and creator of the FLEX app, having dedicated the last 30 years to exploring work, play, and behavioral flexibility.

In this episode, Ray explains the Do Something Different approach, including obstacles to getting out of your comfort zone and the downfall of the smart goals approach. He discusses how organizations can start to behave differently and how integrates into the movement. Finally, Ray leaves wellness professionals with a tangible tip on how to start shirking the status quo.

Listen here: http://bit.ly/RRichards

02/12/2021

Weight stigma is particularly prevalent in settings, with documented high levels of ‘anti-fat’ in healthcare providers, patients with receiving poorer care and having worse outcomes.

guest Dr. Lesley Williams is trying to change the narrative.

In this episode, Dr. Lesley explains the importance of independent healthcare, racism's effect on health including her personal experience, and how important it is to embrace curiosity in healthcare. She touches briefly on the importance of health equity, her adoption of the model and finally leaves listeners with a tangible tip to combat weight stigma culture.

Listen here: http://bit.ly/LWilliams1

02/05/2021

Though the general trend of and is increasing, fields like and promotion have experienced less growth in these areas than other industries. guest, Deanna Belleny, co-founder of the non-profit Diversify Dietetics, is spearheading change by providing support, mentoring, and barrier deconstruction with the goal of increasing the ethnic and in the field of nutrition.

In this episode, Deanna discusses the decision to start Diversify Dietetics, the lack of in the field and its impact on patients, and how white dieticians can expand their perspectives.

Lastly, Deanna explains the goal of Diversify Dietetics, the current programs and initiatives they’ve built, and leaves listeners with a tangible tip on where to start to be a part of the solution.

Listen here: http://bit.ly/DBelleny

01/29/2021

In April of 2020, as the forced the first major shutdowns in the US, rates in every state soared to a level not previously seen since data collection began in 1948. Among those affected were guests Chrissy Ball, Michelle Bartelt, and Scott Dinwiddie - highly skilled professionals with over 40 years of experience collectively (check out their full bios below).

In this episode, our panel of guests discuss the tumultuous experience of including processing the emotions, resisting the temptation to doubt yourself, and the lessons they’ve learned through this experience. They share plenty of advice for others experiencing job loss, as well as tangible tips for professionals tasked with letting employees go.

Listen here: http://bit.ly/JobLossPanel