In this episode of The Workplace Therapy Podcast, host Scott Arrieta sits down with John Wichmann, CEO of Gather Sciences and architect of the Balanced Hybrid framework, to unpack what it really takes to make hybrid work work—not just for employees, but for the business.As more companies push for full-time return to office, John makes a compelling case for why an optimized hybrid model might actually be the strategic advantage most leaders are missing. Together, Scott and John explore the four pillars of a balanced hybrid strategy—People, Patterns, Place, and Purpose—and discuss why many hybrid implementations fail due to lack of intentionality, consistency, and accountability.John shares data-backed insights, real-world stories, and strategic takeaways for leaders who want to avoid arbitrary policies and instead build a hybrid culture that boosts productivity, supports onboarding and mentorship, and helps attract top talent in a shifting labor market. Whether you're hybrid, remote, or in-office, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone designing the future of work.

In this powerful episode of The Workplace Therapy Podcast, Scott Arrieta, CEO of Unity & Company is joined by Dr. Ur Barzel — a leading expert in organizational change, high reliability organizations (HROs), and systems thinking.

Together, they explore how organizations in high-risk industries like healthcare, aviation, and the military achieve low error rates not by eliminating human mistakes, but by building environments that promote psychological safety, systemic learning, and continuous improvement.

Through real-world examples — including the case of nurse RaDonda Vaught, tragic system failures in amusement parks, and the evolution of aviation safety protocols — Dr. Barzel illustrates why blame cultures fail and how leaders can cultivate just cultures that truly fix root causes.

Whether you’re leading a hospital, a startup, or a Fortune 500 company, the lessons in this conversation are clear:

• Blame doesn’t fix broken systems.

• Fear kills innovation and transparency.

• Leadership begins with creating environments where people can speak up safely — and learn together.

If you're ready to move beyond surface-level fixes and lead lasting change, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

In this timely and compassionate episode of The Workplace Therapy Podcast, Scott Arrieta and co-host Dr. Sarah Gould sit down with Anna Pinkerton, a world-renowned trauma specialist and founder of Kindness Informed Leadership. With over 30 years of clinical experience, Anna brings deep insight into the psychological toll of chronic stress, burnout, and trauma in leadership—and how kindness isn’t a weakness but a revolutionary act of resilience.

Together, they explore:

• How untreated trauma shows up in leadership

• The signs of chronic stress and early-stage burnout

• Why traditional productivity-driven cultures are breaking people

• The false dichotomy between kindness and accountability

• Practical frameworks for healing and supporting ourselves and our teams

• The power of vulnerability, presence, and emotional regulation in high-stakes environments

Anna’s message is clear: Kindness is not about being nice—it’s about being brave, present, and connected. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in leadership who wants to build a culture that sustains people, not just profits.