Podcast Episode 3

In this episode of The Wellbeing Community Podcast, hosts Jason Dudley and Stephanie Huntington explore the emotional and psychological journey of building a business – without sacrificing personal wellbeing.

The discussion centers around their startup, The Wellbeing Community, which aims to improve workplace wellbeing and build a greater sense of community within organisations. Drawing from their backgrounds in counselling, youth work, and community development, Jason and Steph emphasise the importance of creating psychologically safe work environments that promote holistic wellbeing – not just for individuals, but for the workplace culture as a whole.

Key takeaways from the episode include:

• The Interplay Between Work and Personal Wellbeing: The hosts discuss how workplace environments can significantly influence overall life satisfaction, and how supporting employees systemically can lead to deeper, more sustainable change.
  
• Emotional Rollercoaster of Entrepreneurship: Both Jason and Steph candidly share the highs and lows of launching a business – from stress and anxiety to excitement and renewed purpose. They use metaphors like roller coasters and spinning teacup rides to describe how their emotional resilience is constantly tested.
  
• Meaning and Purpose as Anchors: The duo reflect on how having a strong sense of purpose keeps them going during tough times. Their goal is to create positive change in workplace culture and help others avoid the burnout and dissatisfaction they’ve witnessed through years of experience in the helping professions.
  
• Coping Strategies: They lean on each other for support, revisit basic self-care principles (like nutrition, sleep, and movement), and use humor to regulate stress and maintain perspective. Steph highlights the importance of “widening your window of tolerance,” while Jason talks about how understanding each other’s stress cues fosters mutual support.
  
• Role Models and Real-Life Inspiration: Jason shares the story of his friend Barry Gower, now a renowned special effects artist, as an example of perseverance and passion. Steph finds inspiration in her stepdad, a self-made business owner who started from scratch at 17.

The episode ends with an invitation for listeners to reflect on their own wellbeing while pursuing business goals. Can you build a business without breaking yourself? Jason and Steph believe it’s possible – with support, intention, and a strong foundation.