Send us a text In this episode, we dive deep into the challenges of remote work, focusing on loneliness and team effectiveness. Jean Bays is the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at Neat, a global video technology company. With 28 years of experience in HR, Jean brings a wealth of knowledge in managing diverse, international teams. Jean shares i…

In this episode, Soren interviews independent game developer Zach Barth, best known for his puzzle games, including SpaceChem, Infinifactory, Shenzhen I/O, and Opus Magnum. They discuss why he never originally wanted to make money on his games, why puzzle games are terrible, and whether he has ever played Minecraft. This episode was recorded on Sep…

Send us a text In this inspiring episode of Happy at Work, we sit down with Nisha Kadaba, Director of Global Impact at PagerDuty. Nisha shares insights on building a culture of social impact within organizations, discussing PagerDuty's innovative approach to employee volunteerism and community engagement. From skills-based pro bono work to strategi…

Send us a text In this exciting episode, Laura and Tessa welcome special guests Jenna McLaughlin and Katie Bell from Korn Ferry to discuss the evolving landscape of women's leadership in professional sports. Key topics include: Unique challenges faced by women leaders in sports Strategies for preparing and supporting women executives The importance…

Send us a text On this episode, we speak with author and speaker Margie Warrell about developing the courage needed to take risks and break through barriers. Margie shares stories from her childhood on a rural farm in Australia and how those experiences taught her the importance of courage and embracing discomfort. She discusses tools for managing …

Above is an early screenshot of our combat system in the prototype for Free Tiya Bannet, which is coming along smoothly. The incredible UI art was just freshly finished by our artist, Wizbane, and oh my god I love it! Anyway, today I’m talking about our Impulse System, which is the core of the FF13-inspired combat system in Free Tiya Bannet. Talkin…

Send us a text This week on Happy at Work, Laura and Tessa sit down with Sally Loftis, founder of Loftis Partners and author of The Pay Equity Guide for Non-Profits. Sally shares insights from over 30 years working at the intersection of HR, organization development, and social justice. Sally discusses the importance of considering the full ecosyst…

Send us a text We've got another Gen Z panel for you! In this episode, Tessa and Michael chat with Amelia Haynes, Chloe Carr, and Emily Gianunzio to discuss their career paths, workplace culture experiences, and outlook on the future of work. Our panelists share insights into navigating early careers, priorities around purpose and growth, and myths…

In this episode, Soren interviews noted game investor Mitch Lasky, best known for his work as a venture capitalist at Benchmark, as the CEO of JAMDAT, and as an executive at Activision and Electronic Arts. They discuss how the industry’s business models have always affected design, why he was wrong about the Halloween pack ruining League of Legends…

Send us a text In this episode, Laura, Michael, and Tessa sit down with workplace science expert Dr. Carolyn Pritchett to discuss her fascinating career journey from studying rats to coaching humans. Carolyn shares key learnings from her research on stress mindsets and how our perceptions impact our physiology. Listeners will walk away with practic…

Send us a text Have you ever witnessed the metamorphosis of an aggressive and rigid leader into a collaborative partner who uplifts an entire organization? In this episode, we define authentic leadership with Peter Lynch, Chief People Officer at Cardinal Group Companies. We explore how embracing imperfections and courageously confronting deep-seate…

In this episode, Soren interviews noted game investor Mitch Lasky, best known for his work as a venture capitalist at Benchmark, as the CEO of JAMDAT, and as an executive at Activision and Electronic Arts. They discuss how the Doom shareware model was a preview of free-to-play, why a console transition led to EA buying Maxis, and how Jamdat pioneer…

In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game developer Jake Solomon, best known for the XCOM reboot and Midnight Suns. They discuss his first, failed attempt at XCOM, why 75% does not mean 75%, and how many copies of XCOM he sold at Power Gamer in Glen Burnie, MD. This episode was recorded on April 26, 2023.…

Send us a text This week Laura, Tessa and Michael dive deep into a thoughtful discussion about building a happier and more meaningful life through work with special guest Stephanie Harrison. Stephanie founded The New Happy, an educational platform focused on sharing a new philosophy of happiness based on positive psychology research. She shares her…

Send us a text In this episode, Michael and Tessa spoke with Andrea Kehoe, Director of Operations Administration at Kettering University. Andrea shifted from being a stay-at-home mom into a corporate role with Kettering University in Michigan nearly 7 years ago. She’s moved through a few different roles since 2017 and was supported by mentors and m…

Hey all. Today I wanted to talk about the SKILL GRID for my upcoming RPG, and talk about how it interacts with playable characters. I also give an update on some of the games I’m playing. Enjoy! The FFX “Sphere Grid”, an inspiration for our Skill Grid Don’t forget: you can support my work by going to www.patreon.com/keithburgun and becoming a patro…

Send us a text This episode features Jennifer Nurick, author of Heal Your Anxious Attachment. Jennifer shares her career journey studying various healing modalities in Australia, leading her to specialize in attachment theory and childhood trauma. She discusses how attachment patterns from childhood can show up in the workplace and offers insights …

Send us a text In this episode, host Tessa Misiaszek talks with Dr. Enya Doyle, an inclusion and anti-harassment consultant based in London, about her approach to DEI consulting work. Dr. Doyle holds a PhD in gender diversity from her research on barriers facing women in music. She discusses the importance of curiosity and decency in creating inclu…

Send us a text This week's episode features a science-packed conversation with David White, an expert in organizational culture and business transformation. David's career journey through various HR functions, including recruitment, change management, and talent management, has provided him with invaluable insights into the challenges of driving la…

Hello all and welcome to the first episode of the Bannet Bulletin! It’s still the Clockwork Game Design Podcast feed, but for awhile I’m going to do a series of shorter podcast episodes that talk about what is going on and what I’m thinking about with the RPG I’m making. This episode is an overview – what is this new game? What’s important? When ca…

Send us a text In this episode, Michael and Laura learn from Dr. Fiona Crichton, who shares her fascinating career journey and insights into improving individual and organizational well-being. Fiona began her career as a litigator in Auckland, New Zealand, in the 1990s. While she enjoyed the work, the legal field at that time lacked a focus on work…

Send us a text In this special episode, Laura, Tessa, and Michael discuss Tessa's groundbreaking research on how menopause impacts women in the workplace. Tessa shares surprising statistics from an extensive global survey conducted by Korn Ferry Institute and Vira Health that reveal the lack of awareness and support around this issue. Laura also sh…

Send us a text To stay connected and continue the conversation, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. And don't forget to check out our previous episodes for more tips and strategies to boost your workplace happiness. You can find them on your favorite podcast platform or on our website. If you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions for fut…

Send us a text This episode features Colette Stallbaumer, General Manager, Microsoft 365 & Future of Work at Microsoft. Colette shares her career journey from growing up on a farm in Nebraska to leading conversations around the future of work at Microsoft. Some of the top takeaways from the discussion include: - Microsoft research shows that AI too…

Send us a text This episode features Antronette Simmons, an HR Business Partner at Seattle City Light. Antronette shares her career journey and discusses the impactful work she is doing to support employees. During the episode, Antronette talks about how her passion for helping people led her to a career in human resources. She shares her experienc…

Send us a text In this episode of The Happy at Work Podcast, Laura, Michael, and Tessa speak with Margaret Cheng, author of Giving Good Feedback. Margaret shares her career journey from English Literature to HR and how her experiences shaped her perspective on why feedback is so essential yet challenging. She discusses how feedback culture can impa…

Send us a text In this episode, Tessa and Michael sat down with Jim Fielding - author of the best-selling book ‘All Pride, No Ego: An Executive’s Guide to Living Authentically’. Jim shared the 10 leadership lessons covered in his book and how he led globally recognized brands over his career while staying true to himself and his values. He also dis…

Send us a text In this special edition of Happy at Work, Laura, Tess, and Michael reflect on their learnings from 2023. They discuss the enriching experiences of the podcast, the importance of meaningful conversations, and the challenges of maintaining connection in the remote work era. Additionally, they touch on the impact of rushing versus savor…

Send us a text In this episode, Laura and Tessa were joined by the incredible Diana Cutaia, founder of Coaching Peace Consulting. Diana takes us through her career evolution, sharing insights from her experiences in education, corporate roles, and her impactful work in promoting physical activity and sport. Diana introduces the idea of "manufacture…

In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game developer Jake Solomon, best known for the XCOM reboot and Midnight Suns. They discuss how much money he had to give back to Accenture, how to animate multiple units at the same time, and why Sid suddenly started golfing so much. This episode was recorded on April 25, 2023.…

Hey all! Today I have a new episode where I’m going to be talking about two things. First, I’m going to report on a bunch of RPGs that I’ve been playing or trying out, and give my takes. I say more about each game on the podcast, so make sure to check that out. Here are some quick bullet points, though! What I’ve been playing SCARLET NEXUS – Extrem…

Send us a text In today's conversation, Laura chats with Erica Keswin, who shares her wealth of experience as a management consultant, executive recruiter, and author. Erica is a workplace strategist with 25+ years of experience as a consultant, speaker, and bestselling author. She transforms everyday routines into 'workplace magic', emphasizing th…

Send us a text In this episode, Laura and Tessa spoke with Kelly Mackin, co-founder of Motives Met. Kelly shared her inspiring journey and the personal experiences that led her to focus on well-being in the workplace. As the discussion unfolds, Kelly addresses the shift toward companies recognizing well-being as a right, not a privilege. She explor…

Send us a text In this episode, Laura discussed the ever-evolving work landscape with Brian Elliott. The future of work is here, changing how we think about our careers, workplace dynamics, and personal fulfillment. Laura and Brian explore the impact of the future of work on both individuals and organizations, from the transformative shifts in the …

Send us a text In this episode, Michael and Tessa are joined by the distinguished Cam Caldwell, PhD, an expert in leadership, ethics, trust, and passion in the workplace. Dr. Caldwell shares his insights on various aspects of leadership and its profound impact on employee engagement and organizational success. He delves into the significance of tru…

In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game developer Trent Kusters, co-founder of League of Geeks, best known for the strategy game Armello. They discuss why Armello has so much output randomness, whether they fudge the odds, and how to turn off a Game-as-a- Service. This episode was recorded on September 8, 2023.…

Send us a text Welcome back to another episode of the Happy at Work Podcast with your hosts Laura, Tessa, and Michael. In today's insightful conversation, we are joined by Phil Lewis, the founder of Corporate Punk, a company dedicated to reshaping organizational cultures and fostering happiness at work. Phil shares his incredible journey from marke…

Send us a text In this engaging episode, Laura sat down with Kevin Williams, Founder and CEO of Career Skills Invest, to explore his journey of personal and professional growth. Kevin takes us through his career, which spans diverse roles, from the Navy to corporate finance, investment banking, coaching, executive education, and more. Plus, learn h…

In this episode, Soren interviews veteran game developer Trent Kusters, co-founder of League of Geeks, best known for the strategy game Armello. They discuss how he faked his way into games journalism, how to sneak risky ideas past licensors, and how to make games feel big. This episode was recorded on September 8, 2023.…