EPISODE · Jun 16, 2026 · 24 MIN
Heart and Graft (Episode 23): How to Find More Joy in Your Work.
from Heart & Graft · host Nicky McCrudden
Joy at work isn’t about forced fun or pretending everything is perfect. It’s about the small, real things that make work feel worth doing: meaningful tasks, supportive relationships, trust, autonomy, and space to breathe. In this episode of Heart and Graft, we explore why joy matters, how it links to engagement and retention, and how job crafting can help people shape work in ways that fit their strengths and energy better. We also talk about the difference between genuine joy and forced fun, and how leaders can create the conditions where positive moments can happen naturally. If you care about wellbeing, engagement, or creating workplaces where people can be happy, this one is for you. Hear how joy at work shows up in everyday moments, not just big gestures. Explore why autonomy, meaning, and good relationships matter so much. Get practical ideas (job crafting) for making work feel more human and sustainable. You can find Sam Palmer on LinkedIn, or visit her website Midlife Makeover to subscribe to her newsletters. And if you’d like extra reflections and bonus content, don’t forget to join The Monthly Graft newsletter.
What this episode covers
Joy at work isn’t about forced fun or pretending everything is perfect. It’s about the small, real things that make work feel worth doing: meaningful tasks, supportive relationships, trust, autonomy, and space to breathe. In this episode of Heart and Graft, we explore why joy matters, how it links to engagement and retention, and how job crafting can help people shape work in ways that fit their strengths and energy better. We also talk about the difference between genuine joy and forced fun, and how leaders can create the conditions where positive moments can happen naturally. If you care about wellbeing, engagement, or creating workplaces where people can be happy, this one is for you. Hear how joy at work shows up in everyday moments, not just big gestures. Explore why autonomy, meaning, and good relationships matter so much. Get practical ideas (job crafting) for making work feel more human and sustainable. You can find Sam Palmer on LinkedIn, or visit her website Midlife Makeover to subscribe to her newsletters. And if you’d like extra reflections and bonus content, don’t forget to join The Monthly Graft newsletter.
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Heart and Graft (Episode 23): How to Find More Joy in Your Work.
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