25 | Steel-Toed Boots for Burnout: A Conversation on Psychological Safety in the Workplace with Sean Kennedy

When we talk about safety at work, we usually think hard hats and handrails — but what about the safety to speak up, struggle, or be honest about your mental health? In this episode, Jess sits down with Sean Kennedy to unpack what psychological safety really means. Sean shares his own mental health journey and how stigma shaped his leadership perspective, while Jess explores how organizations can move beyond surface-level wellness to build cultures where people actually feel safe — not just physically, but emotionally too. Chapters (00:00:02) - Unlock Your People: Psychological Safety(00:00:57) - Seth Mind on Mental Health(00:05:47) - Psychological Safety in the Workplace(00:12:18) - Wellbeing and the Lead(00:19:34) - Mental Well-being in the Workforce(00:23:53) - Philip Glass on Workplace Psychosocial Issues(00:25:55) - How to Coach Someone Who's a Jerk(00:30:32) - How to Give Feedback on a Problem(00:33:11) - Just Ask Jess