Treating Trauma with AI Plus AWOL Coworker

Can AI help heal trauma—and what does that mean for the workplace? In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky welcomes Omer Golan, serial entrepreneur and founder of MyWhatIf, a nonprofit using AI to transform trauma care.  Omer’s remarkable journey—from surviving a life-altering event to building cutting-edge solutions for mental health—is as inspiring as it is thought-provoking. And yes, you’ll also hear the unforgettable story about a mobster landlord dropping a quarter-million dollars in cash on his office couch. Maya and Omer also dive into workplace realities, including burnout, vulnerability in leadership, and finding stability in high-pressure environments. Let’s dive in! Key Takeaways How MyWhatIf uses technology to offer judgment-free trauma care and reignite hope. The importance of managing workplace expectations and providing employees with decompression time. Why authentic, empathetic leadership fosters stronger, more cohesive teams. Embracing open communication to build inclusive workplace dynamics. Tips for managing emotional outbursts and staying resilient under pressure. Finding stability amid frequent leadership changes and volatile environments. In This Episode: [00:00] Omer Golan's introduction [01:28] AI and mental health support [02:52] The role of AI in therapy [05:12] AI as a non-judgmental tool for mental health [06:45] How AI helps rewrite personal stories [10:30] The concept of the "hope switch" and AI's role in reactivating it [15:20] Omer Golan's personal trauma story and recovery [20:45] The non-profit AI foundation and its mission [26:29] Omer Golan's reflection on unrealistic workplace expectations [30:15] Burnout and its connection to trauma [35:50] The importance of vulnerability in leadership [40:10] How AI can reduce burnout in the workplace [45:30] The importance of focusing on unique human skills in the age of AI Notable Quotes [05:12] "AI is kind of like therapy in the sense that it mirrors back to you everything that you're putting into it." — Omer Golan [06:45] "With AI, there's no judgment. There's no need to build trust. You trust it. It's there, it doesn't judge, it offers an ear so to speak, and it helps you rewrite your story in a way that a human could never help." — Omer Golan [30:15] "Burnout definitely leads to trauma... You need to really dig deep inside of you and make sure that you don't get people to burn out. Otherwise, you might win a battle, but you're not going to win the war." — Omer Golan [35:50] "Vulnerability is like a muscle... If you practice and you just put yourself out there in a smart way, it helps build a culture of openness and sharing." — Omer Golan [40:10] "AI can reduce burnout... If you think about AI as a tool that helps you, you can create automations for all your repetitive tasks, and now you're free to focus on meaningful things that are way more human." — Omer Golan [45:30] "People should focus on their soft skills, on what makes them unique and human... If there's something that I can add as a person that makes it unique, that makes it me, that AI cannot possibly provide, I should really focus on that." — Omer Golan Resources and Links Omer Golan MyWhatif LinkedIn Maya Kadar Kovalsky Website LinkedIn Workplace Weirdness Email: [email protected] SpeakPipe Website Instagram Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as professional, legal, or workplace-specific advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their individual situations.