Sustainable Human

What’s holding leaders back from embracing brain health at work?In this episode, Linda Jarnhamn sits down with Patricia Earhart Lewis for a role-reversal conversation exploring a major shift, from traditional people and sustainability frameworks to a sharper focus on brain capital and brain health.While awareness is growing, Linda highlights a critical tension: leaders are both fascinated by and fearful of change. Many recognise the need for new ways of working, yet struggle to move away from deeply embedded habits.From challenging outdated norms to translating neuroscience into practical interventions, this episode explores the real barriers and opportunities facing organisations today.Key Topics DiscussedThe awareness – action gap: Why leaders understand brain health matters, but hesitate to implement meaningful change Fundamental workplace redesign: Moving from extrinsic motivation and outdated work patterns to intrinsic, brain-aligned performance models From science to practice: Challenges and opportunities in translating neuroscience research into real-world organisational interventionsPowered by flow²thrive

''So.. with all technologies there are pros and cons. I think we’ve gone way too far into the camp of saying ''some of this data is too dangerous'' versus ''let's utilise some of the data to actually improve the lives of everyone''In this episode host Linda Jarnhamn talks to Anders Rodenberg, Founder & CEO of Denominator, a global leader in social and human capital data. Anders makes the persuasive case that data isn’t just about numbers, it’s about people and the measurable impact they have on business performance, investment decisions, and sustainable value creation. Together they explore questions around:How human capital data can help investors and HR leaders alikeWhy we are more accepting of AI making mistakes than our human colleaguesWhy everyone should track the work around IISB and TISFDPowered by flow²thrive

''Until our robot overlords take over, it’s really humans who are creating value within organizations. So those humans will be more effective at creating value for your clients and even better team members when we understand the underlying need for human connection, for trust, and for psychological safety.''Host Linda Jarnhamn talks to Paul Zak, Professor, Speaker, Co-Founder, Immersion Neuroscience about the role of trust in human performance.Together they explore questions around e.g.Trust as the lubricant of human performanceIn group and out group biasThe importance of having a 3.00 am friendPowered by flow²thrive

''The issue is, you're not taking breaks, you're just switching tasks. You're trying to multitask, or you're just trying to distract yourself. But, you know, I think that that is a symptom of our modern productivity-focused world, that it has set us up for failure"Host Linda Jarnhamn talks to Nikolas Williams, head of Research at Emotiv about measuring brain health and performance through neurotechnology. Together they explore questions around e.g.:The meaning of cognitive load, stress and performanceThe power and potential of using EEG in corporate settingsEthical and legal aspects of collecting personal brain dataPowered by flow²thrive

''If we're successful with all the longevity research, you will close the gap between years of good health and death. You'll live a great life with very minimal chronic conditions. So that's kind of like the holy grail, I think, for a lot of researchers now, reducing multimorbidity, achieving really good and long healthy life expectancy, and to die a quick death from a very good life, which sounds pretty good to me"Host Linda Jarnhamn talks to Tina Woods, Social Entrepreneur and System Architect in Healthy Longevity, about the role of the exposome and how to get older, healthier.Together they explore questions around e.g.:Chronological vs biological age and technologies to measure the latterIntrinsic vs extrinsic exposome and their impact on health and longevityThe Wild West of the supplements and ''healthy foods'' marketPowered by flow²thrive

''A few years ago, wellbeing in the workplace was seen as a nice to have. Now it's become a must have. We are recognizing that the healthy workforce is not just beneficial for employees. It also reinforces their reputation, long-term resilience, overall success. In other words, it's also good for business''Host Linda Jarnhamn talks to Ömer Döne, Global Head of Workplace at Sanofi about the journey of corporate wellbeing and the role of workplace design in embedding a culture of wellbeingTogether they explore questions around e.g.:The built environment as a trigger for cultural transformation Why people stay away from using recharge roomsCollaborative, co-construction focused approaches to wellbeing designPowered by flow²thrive

''Leaders in organisations, I think, are fearful to measure the wellbeing of their people. And by the way, there are now plenty of measures out there — and they are fearful because they kind of intuitively know that the results are not gonna be good. I really do believe that organizations today have a hugely negative impact on the overall health and wellbeing of their people”Host Linda Jarnhamn holds a conversation filled with energy with Geoff McDonald, global advocate and leading voice for mental health in the workplace. From the transformative power of purpose to navigating mental wellbeing at work and thriving in the emerging brain economy, Geoff shares deeply personal experiences and professional insights that both inspire and inform. Together they explore questions around:The positive power and perils of purposeHow fear and lack of capability is holding progress backThe power of strong collaborative alliancesPowered by flow²thrive

''When you tell people that we can make people’s lives better, there’s some segments of society and decision makers where that doesn’t move the needle for them. What moves the needle for them is the economic consequences. So for us, Brainomics is a little overlay. I call it the 1% overlay on the flourishing or thriving story about better brain health and better brain performance. We can show there’s no conflict. People can flourish and your organization can do better economically''Host Linda Jarnhamn talks to Andrew Nevin and Stephen White, from the Center for Brain Health and dig deep into Brainomics - the economic imperative behind Brain Health.Together they explore questions around:Why measuring brain health is key for both individuals and organisationsHow changing a few small habits can result in a 25% productivity increase How to optimise neural capacity for brain health and performancePowered by flow²thrive

''Just because you're diverse doesn't mean that your workforce is well and that they perform well, right?  That's completely true, to work well together, to feel you're part of something bigger, to feel connected, to feel respected, feel trust, and to feel secure. All of this, that you talk about now, the vulnerability to be able to create, to be connected, to feel empowered and lifted by your fellow work colleagues. This is completely lost in translation''. Our host Linda Jarnhamn talks to Tove Ahlström, Sustainability Expert and EU Climate Pact Ambassador, about the role of Human Sustainability in the broader sustainability agenda. Together they explore questions around:The impact of CSRD and ESRS on organisation transformationRegulation and reporting as drivers for sustainable investmentsMore data, better insights, or simply more complexity...?Powered by flow²thrive

''Ultimately our work, hopefully, is beginning to educate corporate leaders that corporate culture matters, and it matters not just because you're going to attract and retain better talent. It matters because it's going to drive performance in the equity markets. If you're measuring and optimizing the right things, it can actually drive the ultimate metric that we still care most about in the capital markets, equity value creation''Our host Linda Jarnhamn talks to Bart Houlahan, Partner at Irrational Capital about the factors behind and link between human capital and equity performance. Together they explore questions around:Human capital as the most misunderstood asset in most businessesThe link between human capital and equity value creationWhy the investor community still might need some convincingPowered by flow²thrive

''Our financial system has failed us on so many fronts. Why do we have the scale of the climate change challenge?Why do we have the health challenge that we are facing?In order to finance innovation we need to innovate the financial system. Money is not always going where it is most needed. There is a lot of hoarding mentality. There is, as you say, a lot of short-termism. The risk return metrics are built around a rather flawed economic system. Metrics used are actually outdated''.Our host Linda Jarnhamn talks to Shiva Dustdar, Director Head & Dean of the EIB Institute. Together they will explore questions around:The concept of the Brain Economy and its connection to the broader economic and health challenges we faceThe need to rethink financial structures to foster innovation and address global Brain Health challengesThe importance of systemic investing and the role of diverse perspectives in solving complex issuesPowered by flow²thrive

''So I said to Dan (Ariely), look, if people are the most important asset, do you think there’s a chance that we could measure the connection between employees and their employer? And if that connection was predictive, and this is predictive of performance, do you think we could make it investable? And by predictive and by measuring what we were talking about was the ultimate measure of performance, could it have impact on a public company’s future equity value? Its stock price.”Listen to the 17th episode of the Sustainable Human Podcast to get the full story of how the Human Capital Factor® was born. Our host Linda Jarnhamn talks to David van Adelsberg Co-founder and CEO of Irrational Capital. Together they will explore questions around:The link between human capital and company share price performanceExtrinsic and intrinsic factors and their link to equity valueAttention paid to this topic by investor and HR communitiesPowered by flow²thrive

“The way that we think about this in economics is around the notion of externality. That’s one of the long-standing concepts in the discipline of economics and finance, and this is still one of the most important issues that we deal with today. Externalities relates to ''what do my actions generate for others''? This could be positive or it could be negative.''In this 16th episode of the Sustainable Human Podcast, our host Linda Jarnhamn talks to Juan Palacios, an assistant professor at Maastricht University School of Business and Economics and currently a visiting assistant Professor at the MIT Center for Real Estate. Together they will explore questions around:Changing investor attitudes with regards to human sustainabilityPricing of externalities for the cost of capital (and brain capital)Why average buildings are struggling (both with tenants and valuations)Powered by flow²thrive

''We tend to think of health as a risk, which it is, but what about thinking about health as an asset? Then it will become our duty to also understand that we have an opportunity to account for everything that provides an opportunity to a business, not just the risk''. In this fourth episode of the Sustainable Human Podcast, our host Linda Jarnhamn and Elizabeth Bachrad, Head of Programme Strategy at Business for Health in the UK go broad and deep into the topic by discussingThe need to reprioritise health as an investment issueHow to rethink investors' role in building more resilient financial systemsESHG: the role of health within ESGPowered by flow²thrive

“A lot of people think that sport is a nice analogy. It’s really an outstanding analogy. World-class athletes have natural breaks in their schedule. Corporate athletes don’t. I mean, look at the HR data on executives taking vacations. They don’t do it. And if they do, they keep working. So there’s no downtime. And then when you do have downtime, what are you doing with that downtime?''In this 15th episode of the Sustainable Human Podcast, our host Linda Jarnhamn talks to Jack Groppel, a world-renowned expert in human performance, co-founder of the Human Performance Institute, and a pioneer in applying the science of sports training to the business world. Together they will explore questions around:The birth of the Corporate Athlete and energy managementThe importance of understanding the concept of periodisationSustainable human performance as a business imperativePowered by flow²thrive

''From an ESG perspective, we're looking at the environment, we're looking at social aspects, and we've got increased level of reporting requirements and regulations that have come in. But we've sort of forgotten about the most critical part that sits at the core of every organisation - that's the human being''.In this 14th episode of the Sustainable Human Podcast, the host Linda Jarnhamn is interviewed by Patricia Erhardt-Lewis a seasoned executive coach and organisational development professional. Together they will explore questions around:The importance of the Human elements in ESG The definition and interpretation of Human SustainabilityFactors impacting brain health and performance potential...and a lot more plus a few giggles.Powered by flow²thrive

''What may hurt somebody, or what somebody may find unacceptable, might not even bother me. We’re all very subjective in that way. But I think coming from a neuroscience point of view, it's the damage that we know that it (bullying) does to the brain. However it manifests itself, however people experience it and whether they call it out or they don’t, there is really serious damage that’s actually going. It’s not like you hurt your leg and you can see that it’s sore. When our brain is damaged, nobody else really sees it.''In this 13th episode of the Sustainable Human Podcast, our host Linda Jarnhamn talks to Soraya Shaw, Applied Organisational Neuroscientist and MD of BrainShaw a Brain Potential & Coaching Consultancy. Together they will explore questions around:A neuroscientific perspective on the impact of bullyingThe impact of bullying on business productivity and performanceThe potential cultural context of mental resiliencePowered by flow²thrive

''Are we making enough progress when it comes to the social elements of sustainability? I don't think we are because we're overly stressed, we're burnt out, we're anxious, we don't spend enough time in nature, with our families, with ourselves really. And from an economic point of view, I also think we're far from where we'd like to be. I think we only get greedier''In this 12th episode of the Sustainable Human Podcast, our host Linda Jarnhamn talks to Julion Gallagher, sustainability professional currently pursuing a Doctorate in the fields of behavioural economics and environmental policy at University College Dublin. Together they will explore questions around:Human sustainability challenges - is progress too slow? Disclosure and penalties, or vision and impact-based triggers for change?Why going through pain might be necessary to experience the positive?Powered by flow²thrive

''From an investor's perspective, it's hard to identify intangible benefits from the financial statements. So, when we talk about human sustainability, we need to be clear, because investors pay more attention to actual numbers than whatever term we put those numbers under. The key challenge for evaluation is that we sometimes have to rely on economic theories to turn intangible benefits (such as a more productive human brain, or overall satisfaction of employees), into a dollar amount so that investor communities can easily understand''.In this 11th episode of the Sustainable Human Podcast, our host Linda Jarnhamn talks to Minjia Yang,  the Vice President & Head of Sustainable Finance at the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). Together they will explore questions around:What's top of mind for investors with regards to human sustainability?Are sustainability regulations key drivers of investor behaviour?Green bonds, social bonds and is there a market also for human bonds?Powered by flow²thrive

''Air quality is periodically horrible. Periodically, when needed to be good, it's horrible. When the office is empty, it's pretty good. When you put people in a meeting room, close the door and ask them to start thinking about problems and investments, that's when air quality starts getting really bad. That's when it starts affecting their cognitive skills. So, the air quality, when it needs to be good, it's bad''In this tenth episode of the Sustainable Human Podcast, our host Linda Jarnhamn talks to Mazen Jamal,  an expert on indoor and outdoor air quality for corporate performance. Together they will explore questions around:The business case for measuring air qualityWhy the air in the office tends to be of poor quality when we need it the mostCO₂ as a key indicator of cognitive performance potentialPowered by flow²thrive

''You need to realize that if you're 40 years old and if you want to live to be 80, thinking, you know, I'll eat healthy when I turn 60, 70, let me live my life now. It doesn't work like that. One of the biggest risk factors for developing dementia later in life is how you lived your life in your midlife. So we have to realize that actually we have to make those changes right now.''In this ninth episode of the Sustainable Human Podcast, our host Linda Jarnhamn talks to Burcin Ikiz,   a neuroscientist who focuses on how environmental and lifestyle factors can affect brain health. Together they will explore questions around:Human behaviour, the environment and human health - how it's all connectedWhat happens to the brain and our cognition when exposed to air pollution How our brains are wired towards a focus on the ''now'', avoiding the futurePowered by flow²thrive

''Businesses that take a people first approach, do better when it comes to attracting and retaining talent. They perform better financially. They're more resilient. They bounce back faster. Their people are healthier... So I think many executives that I speak to intuitively understand this, but I also think that they are completely disoriented. That's almost generous to say that. I think that they are mystified by how to measure their performance when it comes to social sustainability''.In this eighth episode of the Sustainable Human Podcast, our host Linda Jarnhamn talks to Rachel Hodgdon, from the International Well Building Institute about human sustainability from the perspective of the built environment, exploring questions around:Could your office be limiting your full potential? Are current regulations enough to drive meaningful change?How can changes in our physical workspaces positively influence corporate culture?Powered by flow²thrive

''As a leader, you have the ability to write your company's brain story for the first time. That's your job as a leader. You need to have a compelling vision that makes sense to as many of your employees as possible. So write your brain story for your company. Talk about mental health, talk about neurodiversity, talk about dementia issues, to boosting creativity... and develop a framework - because you can do that now''.To find out how, listen to this seventh episode of the Sustainable Human Podcast, where our host Linda Jarnhamn talks to Harris Eyre, from the Brain Capital Alliance and the Rice University Baker Institute for Public Policy  to build on the previous episode's topic of brain health and brain capital:Why brain capital should be top of mind for business leadersHow to solve the ''big brain challenges'' we're currently not getting a handle onEnvironmental determinants and their impact on brain healthPowered by flow²thrive

''I do think that right now, the way that the balance sheet works, humans are seen as an expense and not an asset, technically. Until that changes, and there is a movement to change that, that's what it will be seen as: an investment in a human is an expense, not an asset. There's got to be a mind shift''In this sixth episode of the Sustainable Human Podcast, our host Linda Jarnhamn and Kelly O'Brien, Lead for The Business Collaborative for Brain Health and Vice President of Prevention at USAgainstAlzheimer's, go wide and deep when they explore the topic of brain health and dig into aspects such as:The difference between mental health and brain healthWhy brain health should be top of mind on the business agendaHow to use brain capital as an economic imperativePowered by flow²thrive

"There is a huge gap in knowledge. If you work as an HR Director or a Sustainability Director, you need to know what it is. You need to understand Social Sustainability. And not only understand. I have never met a Sustainability Director that doesn't care about the planet. But I have met a lot of people working in important roles in companies that actually don't understand, or care about humans. Many don't know what we need to feel good, to be well. We're lacking a lot of knowledge about humans..."In this fifth episode of the Sustainable Human Podcast, our host Linda Jarnhamn and Tina Lindh, Founder of Equity Places will dig deep into the topic of diversity & inclusion and its role in social, human sustainability, and innovation.Powered by flow²thrive

''Are we capturing the correct metrics? Are we even capturing metrics that matter? How are we leveraging those metrics? How are we interpreting those metrics and are we having honest conversations around what those metrics might show - even though it can be awkward and tough? And then how do we use that to make a difference? Both for the employees and for the organisation''?In this third episode of the Sustainable Human Podcast, our host Linda Jarnhamn and Justin Buckthorp from 360 Health & Performance dig deep into the topic of autonomic balance and HRV as a measure of human sustainability and explore topics and questions such as: - The mental health ''20/80'' or ''above and below the neck'' rule - Employee engagement vs autonomic balance- HRV as a measure of employee risk and potentialPowered by flow²thrive

''We need to be really clear about how an organisation measures human capital and assesses the capabilities overall. As investors become more and more demanding about seeing a more comprehensive overview of ESG, organisations will need to look across HR, ESG, finance and investor relations to take a more integrated approach''. In this second episode of the Sustainable Human Podcast, our host Linda Jarnhamn and Kathleen McGrail, the Managing Director of WSP’s Advisory Services in the Middle East take a broad view, reflect on implications for markets with less regulation and explore topics and questions such as: Is Human Sustainability getting the right focus and attention?Will the new reporting regulations lead to more transparent and meaningful data? Talk vs practice. Where are companies on their ESG transformation journeys? The new war for ESG talent: are companies ready with the right skills and competencies?Powered by flow²thrive

''Human sustainability takes on a lot of different layers… it’s about making sure that the human element of us has a positive impact on the world, that what we do, doesn’t take away from future generations'' In this first episode of the Sustainable Human Podcast, our host Linda Jarnhamn and Tauni Lanier, Director of the BDO ESG Hub in the UK take a broad view of the topic of  human sustainability and start exploring the Human Side of ESG covering topics such as  - What's the difference between Human vs Social Capital?- Where are companies on the disclosure vs transformation journey?- Do we need a ''Net Zero for Human Sustainability''?Powered by flow²thrive

A first, short introductory episode of the "Sustainable Human Podcast". A podcast dedicated to the H in the S in ESG. A podcast for leaders who are committed to changing the way organisations approach, measure and report on human sustainability, within and outside of ESG regulations and standards. Hosted by Linda Jarnhamn, founder of flow2thrive, this episode provides an introduction to the podcast and upcoming episodes.Powered by flow²thrive