The ScienceForWork Podcast

In this episode of the Science For Work podcast, Matt Lampe talks with Shonna Waters about the human experience of change in organizations. Shonna emphasizes the importance of addressing fundamental human needs—security, growth, and significance—during periods of change, and how psychological ergonomics can help align organizational goals with these needs. The conversation also explores the challenges of communication during change, the impact of altitude sickness on leaders' perceptions, and the significance of identity in navigating change. Shonna offers insights on building trust, managing performance dips, and fostering resilience by focusing on identity.

Links:
Shonna Waters on Substack: https://substack.com/@drshonnawaters
Shonna Waters on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shonna-waters/
ScienceForWork is an independent, non-profit foundation of evidence-based practitioners working to #MakeWorkBetter.
ScienceForWork.com

In this episode of the Science for Work podcast, Matt Lampe and Todd Kashdan discuss the importance of wellbeing in the workplace, emphasizing that authenticity is often misunderstood. They explore how managers can create environments that foster curiosity and engagement while navigating conflicts. Kashdan also highlights the role of AI in enhancing meaning and purpose at work, and the significance of cognitive flexibility. The episode concludes with practical advice on using personal life to heal from workplace challenges and the importance of curiosity as a tool for growth.
Links:
Todd Kashdan’s Substack: https://toddkashdan.substack.com/
Todd Kashdan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddkashdan/
ScienceForWork is an independent, non-profit foundation of evidence-based practitioners working to #MakeWorkBetter.
ScienceForWork.com

How does people analytics create real value in organizations?
In this episode of the ScienceForWork Podcast, host Matt Lampe is joined by Colby Kennedy-Nesbitt for a thoughtful conversation about how people analytics can move beyond reporting and measurement to support better decisions and action at work.
Drawing on evidence-based insights from I/O psychology and real-world practice, Colby shares a grounded perspective on how engagement data and analytics actually show up inside organizations, and where teams often struggle to translate insight into meaningful change.
Together, they explore:
Why engagement is better understood as a system rather than a single score

How and where analytics efforts tend to lose momentum between insight and action

How organizational context, including size and maturity, shapes effective people analytics

The role of communication and storytelling in helping leaders make sense of data without diluting the science

This episode is designed for leaders, HR partners, and practitioners who are interested in thoughtfully developing their use of people data over time, and in using evidence to support clearer sensemaking, stronger decisions, and more meaningful outcomes at work.

Resources:
Colby's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-kennedy-nesbitt-phd-0824b979/

ScienceForWork is an independent, non-profit foundation of evidence-based practitioners working to #MakeWorkBetter.
ScienceForWork.com

What is the real purpose of people analytics, and how do we move from interesting insights to existential impact?
In this episode of the ScienceForWork podcast, host Matt Lampe talks with Cole Napper, a leader in people analytics, about what it takes to recenter analytics around value and relevance. They discuss how the field can reconnect to business impact, what it means to build existential value, and how data, AI, and labor-market intelligence are reshaping the way organizations make decisions.
Together, they examine what happens when evidence becomes action and action creates learning, reflecting the mission of ScienceForWork: bridging research and practice to #MakeWorkBetter.
Resources
Cole's website: www.colenapper.com

Cole's Book: www.colenapper.com/book

Directionally Correct podcast: https://directionallycorrectnews.substack.com

ScienceForWork is an independent, non-profit foundation of evidence-based practitioners working to #MakeWorkBetter.
ScienceForWork.com

What if the biggest challenge with AI in the workplace isn’t the technology, but the uncertainty it creates about who we are and how we contribute?
In this episode of ScienceForWork, host Matt Lampe talks with organizational psychologists Josh Prasad and Neil Morelli about how AI is reshaping expectations across diverse organizations.
Beneath the pace of change, many are quietly wrestling with something deeper: the fear of falling behind or being replaced.
From role ambiguity and identity disruption to the pressure leaders feel to move before they’re ready, this conversation explores how people and systems are being asked to adapt before there is a shared understanding of what’s changing or why.
Resources:
LinkedIn (Josh): https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-prasad-phd/
LinkedIn (Neil): https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilmorelli/
https://www.workplacelabs.io/
Information & Waitlist for Josh & Neil's AI for Employee Listening Course: https://www.workplacelabs.io/courses/aiforemployeelistening

ScienceForWork is an independent, non-profit foundation of evidence-based practitioners working to #MakeWorkBetter.
ScienceForWork.com