Share
The Unmistakable Creative Podcast
Listener Favorites: Steven Van Cohen | How Workplace Loneliness Impacts Performance
In the latest episode of The Unmistakable Creative Podcast titled 'How Workplace Loneliness Impacts Performance', we sit down with Steven Van Cohen, public speaker, brand consultant, and co-author of 'Connectable'. As the world grappled with the sudden shift to remote work due to Covid-19, feelings of isolation and loneliness among employees surged, leading to a significant mental health challenge that affects both individuals and organizations.
Drawing from his book 'Connectable', Steven sheds light on the real and growing issue of workplace loneliness. He emphasizes that it's not just about the emotional toll but also the tangible impact on performance, engagement, and productivity. With over a decade of experience in addressing worker loneliness, Steven, alongside co-author Ryan Jenkins, has developed a methodology that pinpoints the causes of today's loneliness and offers solutions.
In this episode, listeners will gain insights into the role inclusion plays in combating loneliness, the importance of emotional intelligence in showing up for colleagues, and strategies to create environments of belonging, whether in-person or remote. Steven also introduces the four-step Less Loneliness Framework, a comprehensive approach to fostering connected, driven, and high-performing teams.
More episodes
View all episodes
The Science of Deliberate Practice with Anders Ericsson
48:10|Anders Ericsson, the pioneering researcher behind deliberate practice, explains the essential components of purposeful learning and skill development. He discusses how teachers help identify performance gaps, why measuring progress against clear benchmarks is crucial, and the difference between mindless repetition and intentional practice designed to push beyond your current best.Redefining Ambition: From Getting Ahead to Coming Alive
51:15|Amber Rae shares her mission to redefine ambition—shifting from fear-driven achievement to heart-led self-expression. She discusses her pivotal moment at 22 when she left a conventional tech job during the recession to pursue a more meaningful path, and shares tactics from her work as chief evangelist at startups.Brad Stulberg: Mastering Change With Rugged Flexibility
59:28|Brad Stulberg returns to discuss his book Master of Change and the concept of rugged flexibility—combining stability with adaptability to navigate life's transitions. He shares practical frameworks like the 4Ps for managing daily disruptions and Viktor Frankl's tragic optimism for embracing life's inevitable challenges without falling into toxic positivity or despair.Shawn Dove: The Midwifery of Leadership and Black Male Achievement
54:41|Shawn Dove, founder of the Campaign for Black Male Achievement, discusses how transformational leaders need support to birth their greatest work—using the metaphor of a doctor pulling his son from a breech delivery. The conversation explores race, media representation, economic mobility, and why those closest to problems hold the most innovative solutions.Ananta Ripa Ajmera: How Ayurveda Can Transform Your Daily Habits
55:50|Ananta Ripa Ajmera shares how ancient Ayurvedic wisdom can help break self-destructive patterns and build healthier daily habits. The conversation covers the three pillars of health—food, sleep, and sex—and practical morning rituals for connecting with natural rhythms.Bob Gower: How to Recognize Toxic Charisma Before It Destroys You
01:02:04|Bob Gower, a former member of the organization One Taste, dissects the mechanics of toxic charisma in personal development. He explains how cult-like leaders exploit emotional immaturity and our desire to be fixed, and shares practical ways to recognize manipulation before it leads to heartbreak and exploitation.April Rinne: Thriving Through Change After Losing Both Parents at 20
01:20:37|After losing both parents in a car accident at age 20, April Rinne developed a framework for navigating constant change that became her book Flux. She discusses the eight superpowers for thriving in uncertainty—including running slower, seeing what is invisible, and letting go of the future—drawing from her work as a futurist and her deeply personal experience with loss.Anna Lembke: Why Your Brain Mistakes Instagram for Heroin
01:01:52|Stanford addiction psychiatrist Anna Lembke explains the neuroscience of dopamine and why our brains respond to social media the same way they respond to drugs. Drawing from her book Dopamine Nation, she shares how a dopamine fast can reset reward pathways and why the solution requires both individual discipline and systemic change.Andy Molinsky: The Three Cs That Help You Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
39:14|Brandeis professor Andy Molinsky breaks down the psychology of why we avoid challenging situations and shares his research-backed framework for pushing past fear. He discusses conviction, customization, and clarity as the keys to taking leaps that feel impossible.