Heart & Graft

Nicky McCrudden
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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.  

  1. 2D AGO

    Heart and Graft (Episode 18) - Give an Inch, Gain a Mile: The Human Side of Carers in the Workplace

    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 leaders and anyone fostering human-focused teams.​ Why listen?​ Unlock carers' superpowers like pivoting, reading rooms, and crisis management that boost team morale. Understand how to be a great colleague to co-workers with caring responsibilities. The simple but valued things workplaces can do to help, and steps carers can take to get their needs met.   Learn more about Charlie's work via her website: Our Altered Life

    35 min

  2. FEB 25

    Heart and Graft (Episode 17) SCAMPER-ing through a pivot: When Plan A fails

    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 way to Plan B, C or Z. From delayed trains and missing projector cables, to those 4 p.m. “rug-pull” moments that leave you frozen one minute and flooded with 47 half-formed ideas the next. Along the way, Nicky introduces SCAMPER – a simple, seven‑prompt creativity tool – and shows how it can support human workplace pivots, whether you’re a manager, HR, coach, or just someone whose week has imploded. Why listen: Get a practical, easy-to-steal SCAMPER framework you can use for any “oh no, now what?” moment at work. Learn the “freeze, flood, friend” pattern and why borrowing someone else’s calm brain can be a game-changer. Hear real-life pivot stories that make creativity feel human, messy and totally doable (no perfection required). Reflect on how identity and values shape which pivots feel tiny and which feel seismic.

    22 min

  3. FEB 11

    Heart & Graft (Episode 16) - From Frazzled to Fabulous: Beating Midlife Burnout

    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 signals, and prioritise joy over endless rescuing.​ Why Listen? Gain actionable tips to reclaim personal vitality, support colleagues kindly, and foster human-centered workplaces.​ Hear real stories of jet-lagged denial, skipped medicals, and "Terminator" armor—plus antidotes like tiny "nos" and duck-feeding simplicity. Perfect for HR, L&D pros, coaches, and midlife leaders battling chronic stress; rediscover zest before it's "is this it?" Find out more about Sarah by visiting her website.

    34 min

  4. JAN 28

    Heart and Graft (Episode 15) - Taming Your Drivers and Dancing with Your Parent, Adult and Child

    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 different mindsets Demystify reactive behaviours to curb burnout and miscommunications Spot your dominant drivers under stress (we all have them!) and soften them for kinder self-reflection. Grab your 'special glasses'—because work's messy, but TA makes it human."

    26 min

  5. JAN 14

    Heart & Graft (Episode 14) - Perfectionism, Procrastination, and Productivity Potholes

    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 around value, boundaries and energy can change the way you work. From parenting and PhDs to software sprints and the “beanie hat of concentration”, this is a very human look at getting important work done without losing yourself.​ Why listen To rethink productivity from “How many tasks did I finish?” to “What progress did I make towards what really matters?”.​ To hear practical ideas like time boxing, 25‑minute sprints, planning, and visual “do not disturb” signals.​ To explore how impostor syndrome, perfectionism and emotional hijacks quietly derail your day – and what you can actually do about them.​ To learn how deadlines, accountability and tiny increments of progress can work with your personality instead of against it.​

    31 min

  6. 12/17/2025

    Heart & Graft (episode 13) - Reading the Room When There is No Room: Can Online Working Still Be Human

    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 three practical challenges, and the mindset shift that lets humanity “vibrate through” the screen.​ You will hear stories of online sessions that began as a “car crash” and evolved into confident, interactive spaces, research on teaching compassion virtually, and a powerful account of how being at home helped a client open up about burnout in ways they might never have done face to face. Nicky distils their insights into practical tips for anyone leading virtual teams or online sessions.​ Why listen To understand the real benefits and pitfalls of virtual working, beyond the usual productivity headlines.​ To hear evidence and lived experience on whether psychological safety and trust can genuinely flourish online.​ To learn concrete practices for making your virtual meetings and teams feel more human, compassionate and inclusive. As well as,​ ideas for handling Zoom fatigue, tech wobblies and emotional conversations when you are not in the same room.​ You can connect with Alison on LinkedIn and with Sara on LinkedIn or via her website.

    31 min

  7. 12/03/2025

    Heart & Graft (Episode 12) - Fraud Squad: When Good People Doubt Their Great Work

    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: To normalize imposter feelings.​ To collect playful but powerful practices (like “failure cakes”) you can adapt for your own workplace.​ To learn a simple mindset tool you can use yourself or when coaching others to challenge harsh self-talk.​

    27 min

  8. 11/19/2025

    Heart & Graft (Episode 11) - Fast Lanes and Friendly Detours - Communication Styles on the Road to Work

    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, Analytical, or Expressive (or just confused), tune in for insights, and tips on crossing the communication finish line together. Why Listen? Learn a memorable framework for understanding the different preferences we have when we communicate. Pick up practical strategies to adapt your style, build rapport, and cut down on workplace friction. Relatable analogies make theory stick. Be inspired by a fun "flex your style" challenge you can try this week.

    25 min
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About

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.  

Information

  • Creator
    Nicky McCrudden
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Heart & Graft