Off the top of your head podcast - Ep 11: Adah Parris

Ep 11: Adah Parris

04/01/20 • 45 min

Simon Blake OBE returns for a second series of Just About Coping.
This series we're looking look at a new campaign by MHFA England; My Whole Self. To create mentally healthy workplaces, people need to feel safe to be their ‘whole self’ at work. So how can we create workforces, wherever that may be, where everyone has the freedom to do this? To find out, Simon has gathered leaders from across the worlds of business, sport, and more...
This week's guest is workplace culture strategist Adah Parris. Adah describes herself as a futurist, storyteller and artist. Having worked with the likes of Google, the EU Council and the BFI to transform their workplace culture, she was a perfect guest to explore the themes of bringing your whole self to work. Simon and Adah chatted about;

Being human and the idea of 'human blockchains'
Shifting personas depending on the context you are in
Applying the ten principles of Burning Man to everyday life
Burnouts - how to see them coming and stop yourself running out of steam

And much, much more!
As always, we'd love to know what you think. If you could take a moment to rate and review wherever you get your podcasts we would very much appreciate your feedback. You can do this on most platforms including:

Don't forget to get involved on social media using #JACPodcast and check out all the My Whole Self fun on our website.
More on Adah: adahparris.com/the-four-freedoms
The ten principles of Burning Man: burningman.org/culture/philosophical-center/10-principles
More on Simon: twitter.com/SimonablakeSimon Blake OBE is the Chief Executive of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England. His mission is to improve the mental health of the nation and help build an inclusive and society where attitudes and behaviours around mental health are normalised. Simon received an OBE in 2011, is Deputy Chair at Stonewall, and enjoys running, equestrian eventing, and walks with his dog.
More on #JACPodcast:
MHFA England: mhfaengland.org
Email: [email protected]
More on #MyWholeSelf: mhfaengland.org/my-whole-self/

Being human and the idea of 'human blockchains'
Shifting personas depending on the context you are in
Applying the ten principles of Burning Man to everyday life
Burnouts - how to see them coming and stop yourself running out of steam

Previous Episode

Ep 10: Nat Kilsby

Simon Blake OBE returns for a second series of Just About Coping.
This series we're looking look at a new campaign by MHFA England; My Whole Self. To create mentally healthy workplaces, people need to feel safe to be their ‘whole self’ at work. So how can we create workforces, wherever that may be, where everyone has the freedom to do this? To find out, Simon has gathered leaders from across the worlds of business, sport, and more...
Today we hear from Nat Kilsby, a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs with years of experience in financial engineering and technology. Nat is also gender-fluid, meaning sometimes they present male and sometimes they present female. After hearing Nat's moving story at our My Whole Self event at the House of Lords back in February, we had to get them on the podcast to hear more.
Simon and Nat chatted about;

Complex gender identity and the relationship with wellbeing
Feelings, and learning that they are not good or bad, they just are
Treating life as an experiment and how Nat helps empower people at work by embracing fluidity
The importance of pronouns and why Nat uses they, them and theirs

Nat embodies the essence of bringing your whole self to work and it was fascinating to hear how intrinsically their identity, performance at work, and happiness were linked.
As always, we'd love to know what you think. If you could take a moment to rate and review wherever you get your podcasts we would very much appreciate your feedback. You can do this on most platforms including:

Don't forget to get involved on social media using #JACPodcast and check out all the My Whole Self fun on our website.
More on Nat: goldmansachs.com/careers/blog/posts/letter-to-my-younger-self-nat-kilsby
More on Simon: twitter.com/SimonablakeSimon Blake OBE is the Chief Executive of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England. His mission is to improve the mental health of the nation and help build an inclusive and society where attitudes and behaviours around mental health are normalised. Simon received an OBE in 2011, is Deputy Chair at Stonewall, and enjoys running, equestrian eventing, and walks with his dog.
More on #JACPodcast:
MHFA England: mhfaengland.org
Email: [email protected]
More on #MyWholeSelf: mhfaengland.org/my-whole-self/

Next Episode

Ep 12: Mike Cherry

Simon Blake OBE returns for a second series of Just About Coping.
This series we're looking look at a new campaign by MHFA England; My Whole Self. To create mentally healthy workplaces, people need to feel safe to be their ‘whole self’ at work. So how can we create workforces, wherever that may be, where everyone has the freedom to do this? To find out, Simon has gathered leaders from across the worlds of business, sport, and more...
This week's guest is Mike Cherry OBE, who is Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). The FSB is a membership organisation which supports, connects and campaigns for the rights of small businesses, their owners, and the self-employed.
Mike is fiercely passionate about protecting SMEs and the self-employed, a community which many of our Instructor Members will be part of. Speaking in February, Simon and Mike chatted about:

The crucial role small businesses and the self-employed play in our economy
The impact that being a small business owner can have on our mental health and wellbeing, both positive and negative
Mike’s own experience of mental ill health and the effects on small businesses within his family

The FSB have since also published a number of materials to support small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic in a number of ways, which we thoroughly recommend you check out if you are part of an SME or self-employed.

As always, we'd love to know what you think. If you could take a moment to rate and review wherever you get your podcasts we would very much appreciate your feedback. You can do this on most platforms including:

Don't forget to get involved on social media using #JACPodcast and check out all the My Whole Self fun on our website.
More on Mike and the FSB: fsb.org.uk/campaign/it-s-okay-to-talk-about-mental-health
Coronavirus advice and guidance for small businesses and the self-employed: fsb.org.uk/campaign/covid19
FSB Care: fsb.org.uk/join-us/membership/fsb-care
More on Simon: twitter.com/SimonablakeSimon Blake OBE is the Chief Executive of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England. His mission is to improve the mental health of the nation and help build an inclusive and society where attitudes and behaviours around mental health are normalised. Simon received an OBE in 2011, is Deputy Chair at Stonewall, and enjoys running, equestrian eventing, and walks with his dog.
More on #JACPodcast:
MHFA England: mhfaengland.org
Email: [email protected]
More on #MyWholeSelf: mhfaengland.org/my-whole-self/

Off the top of your head podcast - Ep 11: Adah Parris

Transcript

spk_0: 0:04
I'm sorry, Blake, and this is just about coping. Firstly, a huge thank you to everybody who's joined in without hope. My whole self campaign and shared your fabulous. My whole selfies has been really encouraging to see so many of you embracing the message and showing a bit more about yourselves, how you'll stay connected and how you support each other. Remember this, um, useful tips about how to look after yourself and support your colleagues while you're worki