The Vibrant Workplace Podcast
by Craig Thompson
Hosted by Craig Thompson, this is the show where we explore how to build a better working world with leading employers & industry thought leaders.- Jobseekers wanting to work for elite companies should tune in for *evidenced* insights into life in the world’s best (following their completion of our Vibrant Workplace Accelerator)- Employers wanting their organisation to become a vibrant place to work (which attracts, engages & retains the most talented people) can learn howThis is the *exclusive* podcast for Vibrant Workplaces.For more info visit: vibranttalent.co.ukEnjoy tuning in!
Episodes
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160 Years of the Employers Federation | Michelle McGinley & Karen Moore | Ep.38: Vibrant Workplace Podcast
What does an employers' organisation founded 160 years ago look like in 2026? In this episode Craig is joined by Michelle McGinley, Managing Director of the Employers Federation, and Karen Moore, Head of Training, to explore an organisation with an extraordinary history – and a role that…
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The Inner Path of Leadership | Featuring David Maxwell | Ep.37: Vibrant Workplace Podcast
What if the biggest barrier to your organisation's growthis the mindset of its leaders? In this episode, Craig is joined by 2022 IoD Director of the Year for Leadership & Innovation, author of The Inner Path of Leadership and founder of SpinState – David Maxwell. Together they explore: Why so…
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Good Jobs, Better Business? | Featuring Mark McAllister | Ep.36: Vibrant Workplace Podcast
🎙 Good Jobs, Better Business? With Mark McAllister, Chief Executive of the Labour Relations Agency The upcoming Good Jobs Employment Rights Bill is set to introduce significant changes to the employment landscape in Northern Ireland. But how aware are employers of what’s coming? What is actually...
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Does It Pay to Pay Fairly? With Mary McManus
In this episode, Craig is joined by Mary McManus from Living Wage NI to explore the Real Living Wage through a commercial lens, not just a moral one. They discuss why fair pay has become such a challenging issue for employers, the real pressures facing SMEs, and whether paying the Real Living…
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The Factory of Opportunities - with Barry Taylor
In this episode, Craig is joined by Barry Taylor, Managing Director of MEGA, to explore why manufacturing in Northern Ireland is far more than the old “dirty factory” stereotype. Barry lifts the lid on a sector that is quietly driving innovation, providing long-term careers, and anchoring...
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Vibrant Workplace Spotlight: Kinecx Energy!
In this special episode Craig is joined by Niall Martindale (CEO) and Olga Pollock (HR Manager) as we explore life in the Verified Vibrant Workplace, Kinecx Energy! Kinecx took part in the Vibrant Workplace Accelerator and we found that their people had 18.2 times more positive than negative days...
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Legacies Not Layoffs - Featuring Karen Maguire
Craig Thompson chats with Karen Maguire, Chairperson of Employee Ownership Ireland, about the growing movement of Employee Ownership Trusts: How they work Why business owners are embracing them And what they mean for employees, company culture and the future of work
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The Self-Leadership Blueprint - Featuring Seamus Fox
In this episode, Craig Thompson engages in a deep conversation with renowned podcast, author, speaker and coach Seamus Fox about the importance of self-leadership, finding one's purpose, and the role of values in achieving fulfilment in life and work. Seamus shares his personal journey of...
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A Better Working World | Featuring Philip Brady | The Vibrant Workplace Podcast
In this episode of The Vibrant Workplace Podcast, Craig satdown with executive coach and speaker Philip Brady - and we went deep. We shared stories we don’t normally talk about. And from that place, we asked the bigger questions: What happens when we pretend employer branding is culture? Are…
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Vibrant Workplace Spotlight: Nuvolar Works!
In this special episode Craig is joined by Marc Vivas (CEO) and Markéta Bártová (HR Manager) as we explore life at a very special company – the very first company who ever took part in the Vibrant Workplace Accelerator, Nuvolar Works! Being prepared to try things is a hallmark of a leader – and...
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'The Science of Happiness' with Richard Clarke
Craig is joined by keynote speaker and expert on the topic of ‘The Science of Happiness’, Richard Clarke. Richard teaches happiness in the workplace: how to use the science of well-being to build better teams - teams that collaborate more effectively, innovate more, and stay together longer. In...
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Vibrant Workplace Spotlight: Kukoon!
This is a very special episode for two reasons - it's our first ever video episode and we're featuring another outstanding employer - the Verified Vibrant Workplace: Kukoon! Verified Vibrant Workplaces have successfully completed our Vibrant Workplace Accelerator and *proven* through our employee...
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Vibrant Workplace Spotlight: TruCorp!
This is a VERY special episode as it’s the FIRST TIME we’re able to bring the spotlight on a Verified Vibrant Workplace – today we feature the INCREDIBLE employer: TruCorp!! Verified Vibrant Workplaces have successfully completed our Vibrant Workplace Accelerator and *proven* through our employee...
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'Time' to Lead - with Paul Holbrook
Craig is joined by Chief Rebel and Founder of ‘Diary Detox’, Paul Holbrook. Having spent 20-years in the City of London within financial services technology, Paul got fed up seeing managers struggle to find time for the most important part of their role – their people. Paul founded Diary Detox…
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'Labour Relations' with Don Leeson
Craig is joined on the show by departing Chief Exec of the Labour Relations Agency, Don Leeson, to talk about: The career that led him to the LRA How the work of the agency has evolved How the world of work in general has evolved What the LRA's place is in the current world of work What Don would...
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'Ethical AI' with Jemma Simpson
Craig is joined by founder of DiverseTalent.ai Jemma Simpson to talk about: Diversity in recruitment and creating inclusive workplaces Using AI and new generation sourcing tools Ethical AI and why it’s important DiverseTalent's mission is to bring better transparency into the recruitment process...
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The 'Dark Arts' of Psychometrics - with William McKee
Craig is joined by business psychologist William McKee who in his own words is “Not so keen on all of the pseudoscience and daft ideas permeating the worlds of L&D, OD, HR and people development…” William has a particular distaste for the ‘dark arts’ of what he refers to as ‘phony psychometrics.’...
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'Timely Careers' with Laura Dowie
Craig is joined by Director of ‘Timely Careers’, Laura Dowie, for an enlightening conversation about the imperative need for flexible working arrangements, especially for women and parents. Laura is on a mission to heighten organisations' awareness of the impact of having a more dynamic and…
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'No More Sh*t Managers' with Jo Wright
Craig is joined on the show by Jo Wright, bestselling author of the book “NO MORE SH*T MANAGERS: Seven Steps to a Coaching Culture” and co-founder of Coaching Culture Ltd. Jo is a cultural change leader on a mission to inspire people to think differently through the power of coaching, and has...
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'Menopause Unmuted' with Karina Todd
Craig is joined on the show by menopause specialist, advocate and certified women’s wellbeing coach Karina Todd who has recently taken up the position of Director of Client Services for Ireland with ‘Over the Bloody Moon’ an award-winning menopause agency that partners with organisations to…
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‘Strategic HR’ with Steve Carpenter
Cultural assassins, Frankenstein structures, why HR leaders struggle for role models, the 4 ‘STEP’ approach which can deliver the strategic focus your HR department needs - all this and MUCH more as Craig is joined by Steve Carpenter on the show! Steve’s held roles such as People & Culture…
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2024 Recruitment Trends - with Ryan Calvert
Craig is joined by MCS Group’s Head of Human Resources, Sales, Marketing & Legal Recruitment – Ryan Calvert to discuss recruiting trends in 2024, what jobseekers are looking for in an employer and how organisations can stand out to attract the top talent.
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'Radical Candor' with CEO Jason Rosoff
Radical Candor is the outstanding book exploring Kim Scott’s management philosophy for ‘getting what you want by saying what you mean’. That might sound simple, but unclear communication, or critical feedback remaining unsaid, causes mayhem in most businesses every day of the year! Craig was…
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Using Mediation to Restore Team Harmony - with Scott Alexander
Mediation gets bad press, but does it actually have a role to play in helping to build a positive workplace culture? Craig was joined by Scott Alexander, certified member of the Mediator's Institute of Ireland and now founder of 'Mediation Plus' (having previously spent 16.5 years at Legal Island...
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Gavin Hendrie Talks Hiring Ex-Military
British Army veteran Gavin Hendrie, now COO of construction and procurement law specialists 'Quigg Golden', joins Craig on the show to talk about the value in an ex-military hire. In the episode Gavin: - Challenges some of the assumptions people have about those transitioning from a military...
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'Income Inequality' with Dimi Yar
Craig is joined by 'Mr VOSA' Dimi Yar, Founder of VOSA Income Inequality Solutions to discuss the holy grail of employee engagement, whether it's realistic under current business models, and what is really needed to bring together a workforce united and giving their all for shared success.
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Is a Four Day Week the Future of Work? With Charlotte Lockhart
Is a four day week the future of work? Craig sat down with founder of the Four Day Week Global, Charlotte Lockhart, to find out what they've been learning from their global pilots and studies. What is / isn't a four day week? Where does it work / not work? What are the learnings from the global...
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Workstyle: A Revolution for Wellbeing, Productivity & Society - with Lizzie Penny & Alex Hirst
Craig is joined by Sunday Times Business Best Selling Authors of 'Workstyle' Lizzie Penny & Alex Hirst. 'Workstyle' is billed as a revolution for wellbeing, productivity and society and is characterised by working where you want, when you want, asynchronously. Can that work in employment as well…
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What 16-Years in Tech Recruitment Has Taught Me - with Claude Loeffen
Craig is joined by Founder of Nederlia, the subscription based tech talent sourcers, and Co-Founder of talent acquisition conference hired!bcn, Claude Loeffen. Claude shares how tech recruitment has evolved since he first got involved, what he’s learnt along the way and his top tips for what...
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What Data KNOWS About Talent Strategy - with Jordi Arcas
Craig is joined by Jordi Arcas (CEO of Barcelona based TalentUp) who scrape data from all over the globe about tech recruitment to help companies drive effective recruitment and retention strategies. There's so much speculation about what people want from an employer, but a lot of it is agenda...
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The 4 People Metrics That Matter Most - with Jon Franko
In this episode Craig is joined by Jon Franko, Partner Founder of St Louis based industrial marketing agency ‘Gorilla 76’, who has a mission to create one of the best workplaces in the US. With an employee net promoter score that once sat between 10 - 15 but hit 89 this summer, Jon and the team...
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Starting the Company I Never Found - with Chris Stringer
Earlier this year 'That Recruitment Company' were one of the first to proactively choose to give employees a pay-rise to help with the cost of living crisis. This is "not something you need to thank me for" said Founder Chris Stringer, "it's due diligence that we as a business are looking after…
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How to Develop a Stellar Interview Experience - with Cara Quinn
In this episode Craig is joined by Interview & Career Coach, Cara Quinn. After a 20-year career in recruitment in which Cara’s greatest pleasure was facilitating the “win-win” of a happy manager finding the best talent for their role and a delighted candidate, taking the next leap in their career…
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Learnings From My Leadership Journey - with Paul Vallely
Kukoon Rugs has become the largest independent retailer of rugs in the U.K. and Ireland with founders Paul & Clare Vallely having been on an amazing journey since starting out in their dad’s shed just over 15 years ago selling rugs on eBay. Now they’re turning heads running a really vibrant...
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Back with a Bang! How Galgorm Collection Ramped Back Up After Lockdowns - With Laura Millar
Hospitality was never designed to close. March 2020 hit and suddenly Galgorm Collection had to learn how to shut down their operations and switch off overnight... In this episode Craig speaks with Group HR Manager Laura Millar about the challenges they've faced over the past couple of years and…
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From Wellbeing Champions to Wellbeing Managers, What a Difference a Pandemic Makes - With Dr Jonny Bloomfield
In this episode Craig chats with Dr Jonny Bloomfield from Support to Perform about an unexpected benefit from the pandemic as it has helped push the discussion around employee wellbeing to the forefront of every discussion.
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Engaging Remote Teams - with Markéta Bártová
Barcelona based Nuvolar Works are a true example of an organisation with a leadership team who really care about their people. During the pandemic they made the decision to offer their workforce the opportunity to work remotely forever, but also kept an office in the city for those who would…
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Our Experience Moving to a Four Day Week - with Michelle Murphy
The novel concept of working a four day week for the same pay has been in the media a lot in recent years - often talked about in theory rather than practicality. In our first episode Craig is joined by Michelle Murphy, Head of HR & Operations at JMK Solicitors & CRASH Services, as she shares…
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Vibrant Workplace Podcast Preview Episode
Hi folks, this is the preview episode for our upcoming series - The Vibrant Workplace Podcast! In it I'll share with you why I set the podcast up, and what I hope to achieve with it. I'll be inviting guests on to future episodes to share with us what they're doing to attract, retain and engage...
About this show
Hosted by Craig Thompson, this is the show where we explore how to build a better working world with leading employers & industry thought leaders.- Jobseekers wanting to work for elite companies should tune in for *evidenced* insights into life in the world’s best (following their completion of our Vibrant Workplace Accelerator)- Employers wanting their organisation to become a vibrant place to work (which attracts, engages & retains the most talented people) can learn howThis is the *exclusive* podcast for Vibrant Workplaces.For more info visit: vibranttalent.co.ukEnjoy tuning in!
Hosted by
Craig Thompson
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