About Civility Matters: Conversations on Rudeness, Respect and Workplace Culture
Civility Matters is a podcast about workplace civility, incivility, rudeness and the human side of leadership. Hosted by psychologist and speaker John O’Brien, the show features guests from business, healthcare, education, and public life who explore why rudeness happens, how it affects people and organizations, and what we can do to build more respectful workplaces and communities.
Each episode offers research-based insight and practical steps for leaders, HR professionals, and anyone working to reduce toxic behavior and strengthen trust. The show provides a regular reminder that how we treat each other at work isn’t a soft skill, but rather it is a strategic advantage.
Thanksgiving is Coming: How to Survive Political Talk With People You Love
Send us Fan Mail More than a third of Americans say they have lost a friend, family member, or partner over political differences. With the midterms days away and the holidays right behind them, how do we keep that from happening at our own tables? Host John O'Brien is joined by three experts who each bring a piece of the answer. Psychologist Tania Israel shares how to prepare for and carry on a conversation with someone who sees things differently. Psychologist Dana Ackley explains what happ...
18 Sept 2026
Civility Matters: How Leaders Create Psychological Safety
Send us Fan Mail Psychological safety, workplace culture, and empathy in leadership take center stage on this episode of Civility Matters. Host Dr. John O'Brien sits down with Karen Hall — known worldwide as the "Queen of Empathy" — a psychological safety keynote speaker, bestselling author, and leadership strategist who helps organizations build trust, engagement, and emotional intelligence at every level. Together they unpack what psychological safety actually means, the warning signs it's ...
14 Aug 2026
Presence Under Pressure: Reclaiming Charisma in an Uncivil Workplace
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Civility Matters, John O'Brien sits down with Eleni Kelakos to explore the powerful link between civility and charismatic presence. Eleni shares how treating others with respect actually amplifies a leader's charismatic presence which, in turn, reinforces civil behavior. This can create a positive feedback loop within workplace culture. The conversation also turns to the flip side: how rudeness and incivility quietly erode charisma, diminishing trust ...
10 Jul 2026
Toxic Tiredness, Culture Cracks & Stress Spillover — A Civility Matters Conversation with Dr. Mira Brancu
Send us Fan Mail Nearly 7 in 10 workers say they've experienced a toxic workplace. On this episode of Civility Matters, Dr. Mira Brancu — clinical psychologist and co-author of Millennials' Guide to Workplace Politics — joins us to unpack Toxic Tiredness, Culture Cracks, and Stress Spillover: how workplace incivility drives burnout, and what leaders can do to build healthier, more civil cultures. About Dr. Brancu: Dr. Mira Brancu is a former federal healthcare research executive, and ...
11 Jun 2026
Beyond Your Bubble: Dr. Tania Israel on Cognitive Bias, Political Division, and Workplace Civility
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Civility Matters podcast, psychologist Dr. Tania Israel, author of Beyond Your Bubble and Facing the Fracture, joins the conversation to explore the psychology behind political division and how cognitive bias keeps us locked in an "us versus them" mindset — in society and in the workplace. Dr. Israel breaks down how our brains are wired to create division, why cognitive biases are so difficult to overcome, and what we can do to bridge the gap across pol...
23 May 2026
Dr. Ann Bowers Evangelista On Civility and Leading Without Burning Out or Blowing Up
Send us Fan Mail Dr. Ann Bowers Evangelista joined for a conversation on civility, self-awareness, and sustainable leadership, drawing on her experience as an endurance athlete to offer a unique framework for navigating workplace challenges. She explores how the discipline, resilience, and pacing strategies that fuel athletic endurance can help leaders stay composed, prevent burnout, and build healthier workplace culture. What we covered: Why self-awareness is foundational to effective leader...
16 Apr 2026
Colt Briner on Purpose, Workplace Conflict, Toxic Culture, and Difficult Leadership
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Civility Matters, Colt Briner joins us for a discussion about purpose, workplace conflict, toxic culture, and the leadership behaviors that undermine trust and performance. Briner, author of “The Race to Relevance” and co-creator of the “Wayfinding” system, discusses how purpose helps people navigate work and life with greater clarity and alignment. We explore how rudeness, poor communication, and unhealthy power dynamics show up in teams and why addressing...
26 Mar 2026
Dr. Rob Fazio on Workplace Incivility, Toxic Workplace Culture, and Bullying
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Civility Matters, performance psychologist and author Dr. Rob Fazio explores how workplace incivility, bullying, and rudeness erode trust, performance, and well-being. We look at the psychology of power, control, and fear, and discuss why abusive leadership and so-called “tough” management often create a toxic workplace culture. We discuss how to recognize early warning signs of a toxic culture, the hidden costs of tolerating bullies, and the risks for both...
26 Mar 2026
Dr. Dana Ackley on Emotional Intelligence, Rudeness, and Workplace Conflict
Send us Fan Mail Civility Matters welcomes psychologist and emotional intelligence expert Dr. Dana Ackley for a conversation about rudeness, workplace conflict, and toxic polarization. Together, we explore how emotions shape reactions, fuel conflict, and can also be used to build empathy, better decisions, and braver conversations across differences. Dr. Ackley shares practical tools for recognizing triggers, managing impulses, and improving workplace communication in divided environments whe...
26 Mar 2026
Dr. Audrey Tang on Toxic Talk, Workplace Incivility, and Leadership and Respect
Send us Fan Mail Toxic Talk, Tired Teams features Dr. Audrey Tang and Dr. John O’Brien in a conversation about toxic talk, workplace incivility, and the ways unhealthy communication patterns damage workplace culture. They examine how gossip, emotional fatigue, and negative communication drain energy, weaken trust, and contribute to toxic workplace dynamics. This live session offers practical ideas for leaders, HR professionals, and business audiences who want to improve workplace communicatio...
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