The Human Risk Podcast

By: Human Risk
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  • Summary

  • People are often described as the largest asset in most organisations. They are also the biggest single cause of risk. This podcast explores the topic of 'human risk', or "the risk of people doing things they shouldn't or not doing things they should", and examines how behavioural science can help us mitigate it. It also looks at 'human reward', or "how to get the most out of people". When we manage human risk, we often stifle human reward. Equally, when we unleash human reward, we often inadvertently increase human risk.
    Copyright Human Risk
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Science Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • Giles Oakley on The Art & Science of Tea

    Giles Oakley on The Art & Science of Tea
    Feb 15 2025
    What does tea have to do with human behaviour? A lot more than you might think. On this epusoed, I'm exploring one of the world's most popular drinks and what we can learn from it.

    Summary
    My guest is Giles Oakley, a professional tea taster, entrepreneur, and long-time friend. Giles began his career at Tetley before co-founding Two Spoons Tea, a company dedicated to celebrating tea as the hero crop it is.

    Over the course of our conversation, Giles introduces me—and you—to the rich history and intricate science behind tea. From its origins in Camellia sinensis to the skill of blending, he reveals why tea is far more complex than we often think.

    Giles takes us behind the scenes of tea tasting and blending, offering fascinating insights into how colour, flavour, and texture are meticulously evaluated. We even do a live tea tasting during the episode!

    Along the way, Giles shares incredible stories, from the history of tea pillows to the traditions of tea production in Kenya and Darjeeling. His passion for elevating tea is contagious, and it shines through in the ethos of his company.Whether you’re a casual tea drinker or a full-on enthusiast, this episode has something for you.

    Learn about the art of crafting consistent tea blends, the delicate balance of tradition and innovation, and the personal philosophy that drives Giles’ business. And of course, don’t forget to grab a cup of your favourite brew while you listen—it’s the perfect pairing.

    Guest Biography
    Giles Oakley is a professional tea taster and co-founder of Two Spoons Tea, a company devoted to celebrating tea as a hero crop.

    After starting his career at Tetley in 1998, Giles spent over 20 years in the tea industry, travelling the world and mastering the art of tea tasting and blending. With expertise honed in places like Kenya, India, and Malawi, Giles eventually decided to step away from corporate life and create his own tea brand.

    Two Spoons Tea focuses on high-quality, ethically sourced blends that honour the social and cultural importance of tea. Giles and his business partner Mark, are committed to using their tea-tasting expertise to provide customers with exceptional, sustainably sourced products.

    Their ethos revolves around making tea fun, accessible, and memorable while maintaining the highest standards of quality.

    AI Generated Timestamped Summary
    [00:00:00] Introduction to tea as a topic and Giles Oakley as the guest

    [00:01:00] Giles’ journey into the tea trade and the importance of tea in daily life

    [00:03:00] Tea’s global impact and its complex journey from bush to cup

    [00:06:00] How blending creates consistency in tea flavours

    [00:08:00] The art and science of tea tasting, including blindfolded tastings

    [00:11:00] Why tea is an underrated hero crop and its social significance

    [00:19:00] Starting Two Spoons Tea and building a company ethos

    [00:23:00] The difference between tea bags and tea pillows

    [00:27:00] Balancing tradition and innovation in the tea industry

    [00:32:00] Tea as a personal and cultural experience

    [00:43:00] Myths about tea, including caffeine content and hydration benefits

    [00:46:00] Ethical Tea Partnership and ensuring supply chain integrity

    [00:48:00] Giles’ most memorable cups of tea

    Links

    Two Spoons Tea website

    Two Spoons Tea Instagram

    Ethical Tea Partnership

    Camellia sinensis plant

    Episodes of the show featuring Professor Charles Spence on Sensory Perception and Sensehacking
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    49 mins
  • Pav Gill on Whistleblowing that works

    Pav Gill on Whistleblowing that works
    Feb 1 2025
    How do we create systems that encourage whistleblowing without incentivizing malicious reporting? Should we reward whistleblowers financially? Why is closure important, both for whistleblowers and the organisations they are whistleblowing on? Episode SummaryOn this episode, I speak with Pav Gill, the whistleblower behind the Wirecard scandal and former General Counsel for Wirecard’s Asia Pacific operations. But this conversation isn’t about Wirecard. Instead, we explore the broader dynamics of whistleblowing—beyond high-profile scandals—focusing on the personal and organizational challenges of speaking up. Pav shares insights into what happens after a whistleblower comes forward, why some struggle to move on while others thrive, and how organizations can encourage reporting without creating perverse incentives. We discuss the psychological toll of whistleblowing, the role of incentives in encouraging disclosures, and the importance of closure—not just for individuals but for entire organizations. Pav also introduces the Confide Platform, his end-to-end whistleblowing platform designed to improve the process for both whistleblowers and companies. With experience as both a whistleblower and a compliance professional, he offers a unique perspective on making whistleblowing work for all stakeholders. Whether you work in compliance, risk, legal, or HR or are simply interested in ethical business practices, this episode will provide fresh insights into a complex topic. Guest BiographyPav Gill is the founder and CEO of The Confide Platform, a whistleblowing tool that streamlines the reporting and management of corporate misconduct. He gained prominence as the whistleblower behind the Wirecard scandal, exposing a multi-billion-dollar fraud that ultimately led to the company’s collapse. At the time, Pav was General Counsel for Wirecard’s Asia Pacific operations. His decision to speak out was instrumental in bringing the case to light. Beyond his whistleblowing experience, Pav is a legal and compliance expert with deep knowledge of corporate governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance. Before founding the Confide Platform, he held leadership roles, providing legal and strategic counsel in high-stakes corporate environments. His insights into whistleblowing—shaped by both personal experience and professional expertise—make him a leading voice on ethical corporate behaviour and whistleblower protections. 📌 Pav on LinkedIn: Pav Gill 📌 The Confide Platform: confideplatform.com AI-Generated Timestamped Summary00:00:00 - Introduction to Whistleblowing Beyond Wirecard (2 min)Christian introduces the episode, explaining that this discussion moves beyond the Wirecard scandal to explore the deeper dynamics of whistleblowing. The conversation examines the challenges of speaking up, the psychological toll, and how to encourage ethical disclosures while avoiding perverse incentives. 00:02:42 - Pav Gill’s Journey After Wirecard (4 min)Pav shares what he has been working on since exposing Wirecard, including founding Confide, an end-to-end whistleblowing platform. He explains why most reporting systems fail to address both the logistical and psychological aspects of whistleblowing. 00:06:25 - Why Whistleblowing Is More Than Just a Hotline (7 min)Christian and Pav discuss why many organizations see whistleblowing as a simple logistical issue—install a hotline, job done. Pav explains why it’s much more complex, requiring cultural shifts, psychological support, and credible processes that give employees confidence to report misconduct. 00:13:14 - The Fine Line Between Whistleblowing and Malicious Reporting (6 min)Pav challenges the traditional narrative of whistleblowers as heroes versus corporations as villains. He highlights real cases where people use reporting mechanisms for leverage rather than ethical reasons and explores how organizations can differentiate between genuine concerns and bad-faith claims. 00:19:30 - The Role of Incentives in Whistleblowing (5 min)We examine the controversial topic of financial rewards for whistleblowers. Pav advocates for rewarding genuine whistleblowers who suffer retaliation but warns against systems that create "honeypots" encouraging opportunistic reporting. The discussion highlights global inconsistencies in whistleblower reward schemes. 00:24:40 - Why Recognition Matters Beyond Financial Rewards (6 min)Pav emphasizes that whistleblowers need more than just monetary compensation—they need recognition. He discusses how official acknowledgments, career support, and public appreciation can make a difference in how society perceives those who speak up. 00:30:00 - The Stigma of Being a Whistleblower and Career Consequences (7 min)We discuss why many whistleblowers struggle to find jobs post-disclosure. Pav suggests that companies should rethink how they view whistleblowers, treating them as valuable truth-tellers rather than ...
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Dr Hemma Lomax on The Edge of Possibility

    Dr Hemma Lomax on The Edge of Possibility
    Jan 25 2025
    What is the edge of possibility and how can storytelling help us to find it? My guest isn't a storyteller — she's a lawyer, working in compliance — but she's got some fascinating insights to share about how it can help us to effect change. Or, in her words, to find the edge of our possibility.

    I've been wanting to get Dr Hemma Lomax on the show for some time, and I'm delighted that in this episode, I've managed to make that happen.

    Summary
    In a wide-ranging discussion, Hemma shares her unique journey from the UK courtroom to the forefront of corporate compliance in our latest episode.

    Her career has been marked by a commitment to understanding human behavior and using storytelling as a tool for transformation. We delve into her insights on curiosity as a driving force in compliance, the importance of breaking into influential spaces, and how her new podcast, "Unless," seeks to inspire action through stories of operationalizing good intentions.

    Our discussion spans the intricate dynamics of rule enforcement and the empowering role of embracing curiosity.

    Hemma gives her perspective on the hero's journey, not just in personal development but also within the professional landscape and parenting. We explore the transition from being a hero to becoming a guide, both as a parent and leader, highlighting the importance of fostering environments where others can thrive independently.

    Finally, we reflect on the legacy one leaves and the pursuit of growth and learning. From encouraging independent thought in compliance to inspiring connections over traditional teachings, Hemma provides a compelling narrative on how wisdom and critical thinking can reshape structures. Join us as we challenge conventional boundaries, celebrate the limitless journey of human potential, and examine the art of building a podcast audience through meaningful connections and continuous self-improvement.

    Guest Biography
    Dr Hemma R. Lomax is a passionate ethics and compliance professional focused on effective risk management at scale and coaching for compliance.

    She was formerly the VP of integrity, governance risk and compliance and associate general counsel at Zendesk, where she leads the global ethics and compliance function. Prior to Zendesk, she served as a senior corporate counsel in the integrity and compliance team at Snap Inc. and as a director in the global ethics and compliance management team at the Walt Disney Co.

    Hemma also served for just over a decade prosecuting financial fraud and corruption with the SEC. Hemma is also a British-trained barrister and has previously worked as parliamentary counsel for the UK government and as an adviser at the United Nations for the government of Guyana.

    Hemma is a strong advocate for integrity at work, active bystandership and DEI, and she has a PhD in human rights and the role of law in war.

    AI-Generated Timestamp Summary
    (00:02) Introduction to Hemma

    (06:09) Exploring Boundaries Through Storytelling

    (15:39) Empowering Self Through Archetypes

    (18:58) Guiding Through Leadership and Parenting

    (23:13) Inspiring Connections, Not Teaching

    (26:28) Encouraging Independent Thought Through Compliance

    (35:48) Challenging Boundaries With Radical Curiosity

    (47:30) Living Your Legacy Through Stories

    (50:53) Exploring Legacy Milestones Through Storytelling

    (55:10) Embracing Human Potential and Self-Improvement


    Links
    Hemma     on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemmarlomax/

    Unless podcast 🎧 👉 https://www.corporatecomplianceinsights.com/hemma-lomax-unless-podcast/

    The Dr Seuss story of the Lorax containing the quote that inspired Unless https://dep.wv.gov/WWE/Programs/nonptsource/Documents/TheLorax.pdf

    Great Women in Compliance     podcast 🎧 👉 https://www.corporatecomplianceinsights.com/great-women-in-compliance/

    Andrew Cordle - https://andrewcordle.com/

    Tony Robbins - https://www.tonyrobbins.com/

    David Goggins - https://davidgoggins.com/
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    1 hr and 3 mins

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