The EAP Counsellor

Lou Lugsdin, The Team Approach
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  • Mental Health

The EAP Counsellor Where workplace wellbeing gets real. Hosted by Lou Lugsdin — Workplace Wellbeing Architect, counsellor, coach, and lover of all things “let’s-not-burn-out-today” — this podcast dives into the messy, human, wildly important world of mentally healthy workplaces. Lou brings her signature 4-Pillar approach to life with straight-talking insights, practical strategies, and honest conversations that help leaders and employees lift their wellbeing game without the fluff. If you’re a business owner, manager, or workmate who wants less chaos, more clarity, and a workplace culture that doesn’t accidentally fry people… you’re in the right place. With 50+ bite-sized episodes already waiting for you, you’ll learn how to build healthier workplaces, healthier habits, and healthier humans — one episode at a time. Hit play and let’s create workplaces people actually want to show up to.

  1. 4d ago

    Episode 56 - Capacity, Not Capability: Matrescence and the Return to Work with Renee Barnes

    Capacity, Not Capability: Matrescence and the Return to Work with Renee Barnes Becoming a parent can reshape your identity, values, relationships and what you need from work. Yet most workplaces have no language for it. In this episode of The EAP Counsellor, Lou Lugsdin talks with Renee Barnes, People and Culture leader and founder of The FOUND Program, about matrescence and why it matters at work. Renee speaks openly about her own story: a career disrupted during pregnancy, the shock and grief of early motherhood, and the moment she learned there was a name for what she was going through. She explains why so many working-parent challenges are about capacity, not capability. She also offers practical ways leaders and parents can have better conversations about the return to work. In this episode Why returning mothers can seem changed, and why many don’t feel safe saying what’s hard What matrescence is, where the term comes from, and why it can happen again with each child The physical, emotional and cognitive changes nobody prepares you for, and the grief that can come with them How brain changes in pregnancy help mothers adapt to their new role, rather than meaning they’ve lost ability Why parents often don’t know what flexibility to ask for, and why early support matters Letting go of the “Superwoman” ideal: time is finite, so lead with your values The three stages of FOUND: understanding matrescence, rebuilding around values and support, and returning to work well Why manager education is just as important as supporting parents Quickfire: early motherhood in one word, the biggest myth about working mums, and what keeps Renee regulated (coaching and her garden) Key takeaway for leaders: You don’t need all the answers. Ask parents what they need, early and often. With parents making up around 40% of Australia’s workforce, getting this right matters. Connect with Renee Website: www.thefoundprogram.com Email: hello@thefoundprogram.com Instagram: @found_learningmotherhood LinkedIn: Renee Barnes (MAHRI)

  2. Mar 25

    Leading Without the Mask: Real Talk on Modern Leadership with Donna Morrison from Mentor My Success

    What happens when leaders stop performing… and start leading as real humans? In this episode of The EAP Counsellor Podcast, Lou sits down with Donna Morrison — Strategic Leadership Development Expert and founder of Mentor My Success — for a powerful, no-filter conversation about what leadership actually looks like beneath the surface. This isn’t about polished personas or corporate scripts. It’s about what’s really going on for leaders right now — the pressure, the burnout, the disconnect — and what needs to change. Donna shares her unique perspective shaped by both decades of leadership experience and her lived experience, bringing a deeply human lens to how we lead, work, and support others. Together, they explore: Why traditional leadership models are no longer working What “modern leadership” actually requires (and it’s not more KPIs) The importance of neurodiversity and inclusive workplaces What a healthy leader really looks like in real life Practical ways leaders can show up with more clarity, compassion, and impact If you’ve ever felt like leadership requires you to wear a mask — this conversation will feel like a breath of fresh air. Because the future of leadership isn’t about having it all together… It’s about having the courage to lead without the mask. To learn more about Donna, and to connect with her - go to her website - www.mentormysuccess.com

  3. Mar 3

    Preventing Burnout Before It Begins

    Guest Spotlight - Sally Phelan, founder of Lightworks Coaching Episode 53 - Preventing Burnout Before It Begins In today's podcast I’m joined by someone who truly understands what it takes to thrive at work — not just perform, but feel well while doing it. My guest is Sally Phelan, founder of Lightworks Coaching. Sally brings more than 25 years of experience as a senior executive in global fashion retail, where she led high-performing teams in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. Today, she combines that real-world leadership expertise with coaching, neurodiversity support, and evidence-based mindset practices to help individuals and organisations create meaningful, lasting change. In this conversation, we’re exploring what a proactive, preventative approach to workplace wellbeing looks like in practice — and how initiatives like the Team Approach EAP Program can support people to stay well, connected, and performing at their best. To find out more about Sally, and her coaching, courses and programs, and/or to  connect with her, you can find her on the following platforms -  Instagram : @lightworks_coaching LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-phelan-5814b615/ Web : Https://lightworkscoaching.com.au Email: sally@lightworkscoaching.com.au

  4. 06/30/2025

    Episode 52: Grief Talks: The Conversations We All Need

    Today on the podcast I'm joined by Katrina Shaw - grief educator, counsellor, and the founder of Grief Talks. Katrina is passionate about making conversations around grief more compassionate, accessible, and real, whether that's in workplaces, schools, or communities. Katrina Shaw is determined to showcase that talking about the ‘hard stuff’ doesn’t have to be a scary or sombre experience. Her passion and advocacy as a grief specialist in particular, is shaped by much of her own life with the death of her mum as a teen and more recently navigating infertility, recurrent miscarriage and motherhood. With a diploma of counselling, she gently blends storytelling and evidence-informed strategies to ensure audiences leave with tangible and effective tools for their own belt.  Starting as the first appointed ambassador for Child Bereavement UK back in 2015, Katrina naturally progressed to become founder of Grief Talks Education and is regularly termed the ‘grief-girl’ for her community contributions and awareness efforts. From working with primary school aged children to sharing knowledge with business leaders and their teams, her ability to break down barriers and adapt to a variety of audiences allows her to create spaces of vulnerability, connection and most of all, hope.

  5. 06/25/2025

    Burnout, Boundaries & Behaviour: A Psychologist's Take on Healthy Workplaces

    Welcome to Episode number 51 of The EAP Counsellor Podcast. Today I'm thrilled to be joined by Lynsey Byrom, a Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years of experience supporting people and workplaces to build healthier lives and cultures. Lynsey has worked across defense, law, finance, health, and corporate sectors, and offers everything from one-on-one therapy to large scale psychoeducational workshops and seminars. She's deeply passionate about helping people live rich, full, and meaningful lives while navigating stress, pain, and pressure - and she has a beautiful way of making mental health practical, human, and workplace-relevant. Lynsey is based in Geelong, Victoria, and can be contacted via her website - www.lynseybyrom.com.au

  6. 06/02/2025

    Episode #50: Why Mental Health First Aid Belongs in Every Workplace

    Welcome back to another episode of theeapcounsellor – the podcast that explores real conversations around workplace wellbeing, leadership, and support that works. Today’s episode is a special one – we're joining the celebration of 25 years of Mental Health First Aid by exploring the “Why” behind it all. Why people choose to become Mental Health First Aiders, why it’s more than just a course, and why it’s essential in Australian workplaces right now. I’m joined by the brilliant Leah Veenhuizen, a Registered Nurse and qualified Mental Health First Aid facilitator who brings over 15 years of healthcare experience and a deep commitment to breaking down stigma. Leah also hosts the community radio show Just a Thought, where she continues to create safe spaces for mental health conversations. In this episode, Leah shares her own "why", what makes MHFA different, and how workplaces can step up to support their people in meaningful ways.  To find out more and get in touch with Leah Veenhuizen - Go to her website - https://www.leahv.com.au/

  7. 05/20/2025

    Episode 49 - Digital Boundaries & Better Wellbeing: A conversation with Tom Clark from Ctrl Your Scroll

    Tom is the founder of Ctrl Your Scroll, a company and movement dedicated to helping people build healthier digital habits, improve their wellbeing, and feel good about logging off. This is a MUST-LISTEN podcast episode. Listen to Tom's personal realisation that his digital habits were impacting his wellbeing and how he turned his own experience into something powerful that now supports others in workplaces, schools and clubs. Tom is open, honest, full of research and information, and loves to give practical tips to learn how to CTRL YOUR SCROLL. To find out more and get in contact with Tom - go to his website - www.ctrlyourscroll.com.au

  8. 03/23/2025

    Episode 48 - The Backbone of Wellness: A Conversation with Dr Mick Rowe

    Dr Mick Rowe is a Chiropractor and Founder of Grove Chiropractic in Ocean Grove, Victoria. Mick has a passion for holistic, natural healthcare, that acknowledges the body's inbuilt cleverness. Dr Mick's own introduction to Chiropractic Care was a sore back. Mick injured himself playing tennis as a teenager and couldn't play the sport he loved. Coincidentally his tennis coach was also a Chiropractor, who he saw following his injury, and who helped him get back on the court! A few memorable things stood out to Dr Mick from his first visit as a client of Chiropractic Care. His chiropractor assessed his body holistically. He wasn't solely concerned with treating his symptoms, but addressing the underlying cause of his back pain to prevent it! He was introduced to the very obvious, but previously unquestioned truth, that his body was clever and could heal itself! It is with pleasure that I introduce Dr Mick to The EAP Counsellor podcast. He is inspiring to listen too, a fabulous Chiropractor, and a genuinely great person! To get in touch with Dr Mick go to his website - www.grovechiro.com.au

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About

The EAP Counsellor Where workplace wellbeing gets real. Hosted by Lou Lugsdin — Workplace Wellbeing Architect, counsellor, coach, and lover of all things “let’s-not-burn-out-today” — this podcast dives into the messy, human, wildly important world of mentally healthy workplaces. Lou brings her signature 4-Pillar approach to life with straight-talking insights, practical strategies, and honest conversations that help leaders and employees lift their wellbeing game without the fluff. If you’re a business owner, manager, or workmate who wants less chaos, more clarity, and a workplace culture that doesn’t accidentally fry people… you’re in the right place. With 50+ bite-sized episodes already waiting for you, you’ll learn how to build healthier workplaces, healthier habits, and healthier humans — one episode at a time. Hit play and let’s create workplaces people actually want to show up to.

Information

  • Creator
    Lou Lugsdin, The Team Approach
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    The EAP Counsellor