In this episode of the Joyful Mate™ podcast, Anthony Hartcher speaks with Katriina Tahka about her journey from law to creating fulfilling workplace cultures. They discuss the importance of engagement, belonging, and the collective responsibility of happiness in the workplace. Katriina shares insights on how to stay connected to one's purpose, navigate workplace challenges, and the significance of meaningful conversations. The conversation emphasizes the need for authenticity, long-term thinking, and the role of curiosity and learning in achieving holistic fulfillment.

Takeaways

• Katriina's journey reflects the importance of mentorship.
• Work should be fulfilling and connected to personal values.
• Engagement in the workplace leads to higher contentment.
• Understanding your 'why' is crucial for job satisfaction.
• Peaks and troughs in work life are normal and expected.
• Collective happiness impacts workplace culture.
• Finding the right fit in company culture is essential.
• Visibility and voice are critical for employee satisfaction.
• Normalizing career aspirations can empower employees.
• Long-term thinking is necessary for sustainable workplace relationships.

Katriina Tähkä - Short Bio

Katriina Tähkä is the CEO of A Human Agency (A-HA) and Managing Director of Cultivate Sponsorship. With a background in employment law and over 20 years of experience in diversity and inclusion, talent management, and leadership, Katriina is a visionary workplace change-maker and leadership advocate. She is dedicated to creating inclusive, respectful, and empowering work environments that unlock the full potential of individuals and teams.

Katriina's innovative approaches have guided global and local organizations to achieve meaningful cultural transformation. She is passionate about improving the human experience at work and helping organizations evolve to foster environments where everyone feels valued and can thrive. Katriina's work at Cultivate Sponsorship focuses on building strategic relationships between senior leaders and diverse talent, promoting gender equality and inclusion.

Connect with Katriina:

• Cultivate Sponsorship

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Katrina's Journey

03:17 From Law to Workplace Culture

06:29 The Importance of Engagement and Fulfillment

09:13 Staying Connected to Your 'Why'

11:59 Navigating Peaks and Troughs in Work Life

14:58 The Role of Culture in Workplace Belonging

17:52 Visibility and Voice in the Workplace

23:36 The Pitfalls of Short-Term Thinking

26:08 The Importance of Meaningful Conversations

27:33 Gender Dynamics in Career Advancement

29:59 Challenging Leadership Stereotypes

31:35 The Risk of Conformity in Leadership

33:29 Creating a Sense of Belonging

34:50 The Balance Between Transactional and Relational Work

38:27 Engagement and Performance in the Workplace

40:25 Holistic Fulfillment and Connection to Nature

44:36 Concluding Thoughts on Connection and Potential

In this masterclass, Anthony Hartcher explores the themes of happiness, fulfillment, and self-awareness. He discusses the importance of understanding personal struggles, the impact of information overload, and the necessity of setting boundaries. The conversation emphasizes the significance of connection with nature and the role of self-awareness in personal growth. Hartcher provides practical steps for enhancing self-awareness and navigating relationships, ultimately guiding listeners towards a journey of oneness with the universe.

Takeaways

• Happiness is a daily practice that requires intention.
• Self-awareness is key to understanding personal struggles.
• Connection with nature enhances mental clarity and energy.
• Setting boundaries is essential for personal growth.
• Information overload can lead to feelings of overwhelm.
• Identifying personal values helps prioritize actions.
• Conscious decision-making leads to more fulfilling relationships.
• Saying no can be beneficial for both parties involved.
• Life is unpredictable; focus on what you can control.
• Embrace your authentic self to foster deeper connections.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Happiness Workshop 2025

02:41 Identifying the Problem of Fulfillment

05:50 Understanding Perception and Reality

09:45 The Cycle of Overwhelm and Struggle

14:18 Breaking the Cycle of Immediate Gratification

15:18 Defining Self and Establishing Boundaries

17:08 Connecting with Nature for Energy

22:31 Defining What Energizes You

30:41 Exploring Personal Interests and Values

34:51 Understanding Priorities and Discretionary Spending

39:18 The Importance of Saying No

44:31 Creating Boundaries for Personal Growth

49:37 Mindful Decision Making and Conscious Living

55:03 Connecting with Self and Others

In this episode of the Joyful Mate™ podcast, Anthony Hartcher reconnects with Faye Lawand to discuss her journey through burnout and the importance of understanding chronic stress. Faye shares her personal experiences with burnout, the effects it has on the nervous system, and how to recognize the signs of chronic stress. They explore the steps to break the cycle of stress, including supporting the nervous system, overcoming inner turmoil, and eliminating chronic stress. Faye emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for one's own healing and the potential for transformation in a short period of time.

Takeaways

• Faye's journey began with personal experiences of burnout.
• Burnout manifests as fatigue and emotional dysregulation.
• The nervous system is wired for survival and thriving.
• Chronic stress can lead to physical and emotional symptoms.
• Recognizing signs of chronic stress is crucial for recovery.
• Taking responsibility is key to personal transformation.
• Supporting the nervous system is foundational for healing.
• Overcoming inner turmoil requires subconscious work.
• Eliminating chronic stress is essential for well-being.
• Transformation can happen in three months or less.

Bio for Faye Lawand:

Faye Lawand is a renowned stress management expert and wellness coach with over 16 years of experience in helping individuals overcome burnout and achieve a balanced life. After experiencing three burnouts herself, Faye dedicated her life to understanding the mind-body connection and developing effective, evidence-based strategies for stress management. She has created a step-by-step blueprint that has helped hundreds of clients move from overwhelm to feeling like themselves again in just three months.

Faye's approach focuses on supporting the nervous system, overcoming inner turmoil, and eliminating chronic stress. She is passionate about empowering others to live happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives without relying on medication or prolonged therapy.

You can connect with Faye via email at faye@fayelawand.com or follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram at @fayelawand. Her website, fayelawand.com, is currently under renewal but will soon offer more resources and information.

Chapters

00:00 Reconnecting After Four Years

01:49 Faye's Journey to Wellness

04:22 Understanding Burnout and Stress

09:16 Recognizing Chronic Stress Symptoms

15:36 Breaking the Cycle of Overwhelm

29:50 Steps to Overcome Chronic Stress