by Penny Ward
Positiviq is a podcast for people navigating real transitions where demands are high, conditions are shifting, and clarity matters. Hosted by Penny Ward, it explores the human dynamics of change through positive psychology, behavioural science, and real-world experience. The focus is on staying steady, thinking clearly, and maintaining performance without defaulting to burnout.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
12/29/2025
Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.
April 6, 2026
<p>When change happens, we often focus on what’s shifting around us.</p><p>But the real story is in how we respond.</p><p>Not everyone moves through change in the same way.<br>Under pressure, patterns emerge in how we think, how we process, and how we try to stay steady when things feel uncertain.</p><p>This episode introduces five change styles - stabiliser, strategist, connector, experimenter, and integrator- and explores how strengths shape the way we respond when certainty disappears.</p><p>You’ll hear:</p><ul><li>how different change styles show up under pressure</li><li>why what looks like resistance is often protection</li><li>how strengths can both support and strain us in change</li><li>why capacity and not character can shape how we respond</li><li>what helps you work with your pattern, rather than against it.</li></ul><p>Drawing on positive psychology, behavioural science, and neuroscience, including strengths research (Martin Seligman, Alex Linley), broaden-and-build theory (Barbara Fredrickson), meaning and sense-making (Paul Wong), and how stress shapes thinking under pressure (Amy Arnsten, Kelly McGonigal), this episode offers a practical way to better understand yourself and others during change.</p><p>Because change isn’t just something we go through.</p><p>It’s something we move through in patterns.</p><p>And when you understand your pattern, you can work with it and better understand others as well.</p>
February 7, 2026
<p><strong>When change keeps stacking up, the system doesn’t just get busy, it saturates.</strong></p><p>We often talk about change fatigue, but rarely pause to name what’s really happening underneath it.</p><p>When capacity is exceeded, change starts to collide. Exhaustion sets in, the brain shifts into survival mode, and capable, committed people begin to struggle - not because they’re resistant, but because the load has become too much.</p><p>In this episode, Penny Ward explores why it’s often not the change itself that overwhelms us, but the cumulative load it creates - the thinking, emotional adjustment, decisions, uncertainty, and effort required to keep things together at work and in life.</p><p>You’ll hear:</p><ul><li><p>how healthy load tips into change saturation</p></li><li><p>why work and life changes collide and drain capacity</p></li><li><p>what happens in the brain and nervous system when load exceeds capacity</p></li><li><p>what actually helps reduce load, restore capacity, and make change possible again</p></li></ul><p>Because change doesn’t fail on intent.</p><p>It fails when the system runs out of capacity.</p><p>And if we want change to work at work and in life we have to design for human capacity, not just organisational ambition.</p><p></p>
January 31, 2026
<p>Change doesn’t just disrupt plans and processes; it disrupts people. </p><p>In this episode of Positiviq, Penny Ward explores emotional agility during times of change and why it’s essential for navigating uncertainty, sustaining resilience, and leading with steadiness through the messy middle. </p><p>Drawing on behavioural science, positive psychology, and the work popularised by Susan David, this episode unpacks why change amplifies emotional responses, what’s happening in the brain and body when certainty drops, and how emotions can spread through teams during times of disruption. </p><p>You’ll learn how emotional agility helps you work with emotions rather than being driven by them, for yourself, and as a leader, creating stability for others. </p><p>In this episode, you’ll explore: </p><ul><li><p>why change intensifies emotions and increases reactivity </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>how cognitive load and nervous system responses affect emotional regulation </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>the role of emotional contagion during uncertainty </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>why naming emotions restores clarity and steadiness </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>simple tools to build emotional awareness and regulation during change </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>how emotionally agile leadership creates trust, safety and adaptability </p></li></ul><ul><li><p>the Iceberg Model as a practical lens for understanding reactions beneath the surface </p></li></ul><p>This episode is for leaders, professionals, and anyone navigating sustained change who wants to respond with awareness rather than react on autopilot, and move through uncertainty with clarity, compassion and intention. </p><p><br /></p>
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
Positiviq is a podcast for people navigating real transitions where demands are high, conditions are shifting, and clarity matters.
Hosted by Penny Ward, it explores the human dynamics of change through positive psychology, behavioural science, and real-world experience. The focus is on staying steady, thinking clearly, and maintaining performance without defaulting to burnout.
This podcast updates daily.
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.