From Awkward Office Party to Belonging at Work with Jana Boehmer

During the holidays, the office party can feel like one more box to check, not a place where people actually connect. Yet our sense of belonging at work has a real impact on health, energy, and performance, especially at the end of the year. In this episode of Friendship Matters, we talk with special guest Jana Boehmer from the Veterans Affairs Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation. Jana was tasked with bringing together a fully virtual team of seventy five people for a holiday celebration that was creative, inclusive, and genuinely meaningful. What she designed was so powerful that her colleagues are still talking about it. You will hear: How a virtual holiday party became a shared experience that reduced loneliness and strengthened trust Simple prompts and rituals that help people share their real lives without putting anyone on the spot Practical ways leaders can model care, curiosity, and transparency so that employees feel heard, not managed Ideas to include people who do not celebrate traditional holidays or who may be grieving or isolated Why work and life are never completely separate, and what healthy work life integration really looks like If you want your office holiday gathering to feel like more than awkward small talk, this conversation will give you concrete ideas to create connection, honor diverse stories, and build a workplace where people truly feel they belong.   Jana Boehmer serves in the Veterans Affairs Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation, where she leads initiatives that strengthen employee wellbeing, connection, and whole health. With experience across both corporate and federal environments, Jana specializes in designing inclusive, human centered programs that bring people together across distance, roles, and diverse backgrounds. Her work focuses on creating meaningful experiences that support employee engagement, psychological safety, and a culture of belonging throughout the VA's nationwide system. Connect with her on LinkedIn at Jana Boehmer MSM, RDN   ©Friendship Institute 2025   Friendship Matters™ is intended to help improve our Friendship IQ. While this generally signals an improvement in our overall wellbeing, this podcast is not intended in any way to offer specific counseling or medical advice. Please seek help from a trained professional.