Heart & Graft

Heart & Graft

Bring your whole self to work—because being human is your greatest asset. Heart and Graft is the podcast for people who care about people and want to bring humanity into their workplace. In each episode, we dive into the ups and downs of life at work, from giving authentic feedback and facing imposter syndrome to riding the waves of change. Perfect for L&D, HR, and coaching professionals, as well as managers, leaders, and anyone passionate about creating workplaces where people can truly be themselves. Through interviews, deep dives, and conversations, we'll help your workplace become not just more productive, but more personal. Tune in to join a tribe of people who embrace every quirk, strength, and flaw; and thrive - all by being unapologetically human at work.

Episodes

March 11, 2026 34 mins

Uncover the realities of unpaid carers juggling jobs and family care in this heartfelt Heart and Graft episode with advocate Charlie Beswick. Hear her journey raising son Harry, born with a rare condition, and her push for workplaces to see carers' resilience, empathy, and loyalty as assets—not burdens. Essential listening for HR leader...

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When life (or germ season) blows up your beautifully crafted plans, how do you pivot without losing your sanity or your sense of self? In this solo episode of Heart and Graft, Nicky turns a last‑minute cancellation into an honest exploration of what it really feels like when Plan A falls apart – and how SCAMPER can help you find your wa...

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Public sector veteran and coach Sarah Clein joins Nicky to unpack the "death by a thousand cuts" slide into burnout—fueled by workload surges, boundary bleed, and midlife squeezes like menopause and family stress. Drawing from her own cliff-edge exhaustion and book The Midlife Trenches, Sarah shares how to say "no," tune into somatic si...

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Have you ever snapped at a colleague like a grumpy teen—or noticed how your behavour changes when work pressures ramp up? In this Heart & Graft episode, Nicky cracks open two theories from Transactional Analysis (TA) with stories from her TA101 epiphany to her Dad's paint critique.

 

Why listen:

  • Get to grips with the inner parent, adult and child in you.
  • Make more conscious decisions about when and why to operate from diff...
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In this episode of Heart & Graft, Nicky is back in the virtual coffee shop with Mia Shepherd of Neupauer Training and Joel Fielder of Switchplane to talk about productivity without turning into a robot. They discuss why endless to-do lists and self-sabotage leave people feeling busy but unfulfilled, and how reframing productivity ar...

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In this episode of Heart and Graft, Nicky explores whether virtual and hybrid teams can ever feel as kind, connected and compassionate as working in the same room. Drawing on conversations with digital learning specialist and mindfulness teacher Alison Potter, and coach Sara Knight, the episode unpacks the benefits of online work, the t...

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Imposter feelings are not a personal flaw, they are often the price of caring deeply and learning. In this episode of Heart and Graft, Nicky explores why so many thoughtful, conscientious professionals secretly feel like frauds and what leaders and teams can do to turn down the volume on that inner critic. We explore the origins of Imposter Phenomenon, and how some organisations are helping to combat it. 

 

Why listen:

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Ready to hit the fast lane to better workplace communication? In this solo episode, Nicky takes you on a playful journey across the Social Styles landscape. Through a vivid road-trip story, discover why understanding—and flexing—your style is the key to thriving teams and smoother days at work. Whether you’re a Driver, Amiable, Analytic...

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This special bonus episode for World Kindness Day explores the transformative power of kindness at work with Georgina Klovig Skelton, Director of Kindness at o3e, a Brighton-based team-building company. From creative corporate events centred on charity—the bike builds, care packs, and adapted sports gear—to everyday gestures like making tea and checking in on colleagues, Georgina’s stories illuminate how kindness fosters real conne...

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This episode of Heart & Graft delves deep into neurodivergence in the workplace, featuring a candid conversation with autism consultant Laura Crowley, who shares her personal journey and over 25 years of professional experience. Together, we unpack some of the myths around autism, discuss practical low-cost adjustments for neurodive...

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alt titles: The good, the awkward and the the specific, Praise Addicts Anonymous, 

 

Ever wondered why workplace praise feels so awkward to receive, even though we crave it? Join Nicky in this candid café-style conversation with Joel Fielder and Mia Shepherd as they unpack the complex psychology of positive feedback at work.​ They discu...

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In this episode of Heart and Graft, the very human experience of coping with organizational change takes center stage. Change is inevitable in the workplace, yet it brings a complex roller coaster of emotions—from shock and denial to acceptance and problem-solving. Join your host Nicky McCrudden as she unpacks the emotional journey of h...

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In this episode of Heart and Graft, host Nicky McCrudden teams up with AI thought-leader and project management expert Emanuela Giangregorio to examine what being truly human at work means as AI becomes our new team member. From project status reports to mentorship moments, discover how collaboration between people and algorithms can fr...

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Join host Nicky McCrudden for a solo exploration of empathy in the workplace on Heart and Graft. Through moving personal stories and the latest scientific insights, Nicky unpacks the good, the bad, and the risky sides of empathy—including how caring deeply can drive connection, but also lead to burnout or bias. The episode offers practi...

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Join host Nicky McCrudden and psychologist-trainer Damian Fearns for a candid exploration of difficult conversations at work in this episode of "Heart and Graft". Drawing on decades of coaching and organisational psychology experience, Damian unpacks why these talks are so often avoided and shares concrete tips for addressing—and recovering from—challenging feedback exchanges.

Why Listen?

  • Discover relatable advice for giving a...
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Explore the hidden dynamics of digital incivility in workplace communication as host Nicky McCrudden interviews occupational psychology PhD researcher Marc Fullman. In this episode of Heart and Graft, listeners gain a clear, research-based understanding of what incivility online looks like in the workplace—whether through curt e-mails, ambiguous Teams messages, or overlooked pleasantries—and why even low-level rudeness can erode we...

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Discover what truly makes a team compassionate in this solo episode of Heart and Graft with host Nicky McCrudden. Drawing from a standout study by Jacobus Lilius et al., Nicky explores seven simple, actionable everyday practices that set exceptional teams apart—spanning recognition, candid conversations, playful rituals, and collective support. Whether designing training, nurturing workplace wellbeing, or simply striving to be a ki...

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September 10, 2025 8 mins

Join host Nicky McCrudden for the introductory episode of Heart and Graft, a new podcast celebrating humanity at work. With warmth and honesty, Nicky shares her own journey—from childhood aspirations and a career in training to her current research on compassion in organisations. This episode sets the tone for a series that promises rea...

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