The People Success Circle
The People Success Circle is your source of strategies for creating thriving workplaces and careers.
Join me bi-weekly for thoughtful conversations on how to drive business growth, enhance employee engagement, and achieve personal and organizational success.
With over 28 years of experience as an HR leader, I’ve seen firsthand that when companies prioritize people, profits follow. Yet, we’re facing a crisis in employee engagement and well-being.
Each Wednesday, this podcast we’ll explore how businesses can turn the tide, fostering environments where employees feel valued, confident, and inspired to contribute their best.
But this isn’t just for business leaders—The People Success Circle also serves individuals seeking more fulfilling, rewarding careers. Whether you’re looking to land your dream job or thrive in your current role, we’ll dive into proven strategies for professional growth and career satisfaction.
From building confidence to aligning your work with your values, get ready to unlock full potential!
Visit www.limerockcareerco.com to learn more, and listen every Wednesday to transform your business and career.
The People Success Circle
PTSD At Work
In this episode of The People Success Circle, Mindy sits down with Mandi Pratt—a resilience speaker, trauma-informed advocate, and podcaster—for an honest conversation about mental health at work and what happens when trauma follows someone into the workplace.
Mandi shares parts of her personal story and explains how PTSD in the workplace (including complex PTSD) can show up in ways leaders don’t always recognize—difficulty focusing, trouble making decisions, heightened anxiety, and working in survival mode. Because these experiences are often invisible, employees may be labeled as “disengaged” or “underperforming” when they’re actually navigating workplace stress and trauma behind the scenes.
Together, Mindy and Mandi unpack what trauma-informed leadership can look like in real life—especially for managers and HR professionals who want to build psychological safety at work without prying or forcing disclosure. They discuss the importance of wellbeing check-ins, how to approach conversations with compassion, and why employees may not speak up even when support is available.
You’ll also hear practical strategies for supporting employees with PTSD, including how HR can implement safety planning when needed, how to use workplace resources like Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), and how leaders can reduce stigma by normalizing mental health support and accommodations.
If you’re a leader, HR professional, or employee trying to navigate a difficult season, this episode offers a grounded and compassionate look at how trauma impacts job performance—and what it takes to create a truly supportive work environment.
In this episode, we cover:
- What workplace PTSD awareness looks like—and why trauma is often missed at work
- Common PTSD symptoms at work (focus issues, decision fatigue, anxiety, panic, survival mode)
- Recognizing trauma responses at work vs assuming it’s “just performance”
- How leaders can build emotional safety in the workplace through consistent wellbeing check-ins
- What to say when you notice a change in behavior (without forcing disclosure)
- Why employees often don’t ask for help, even when they need it
- Practical examples of employee mental health support, including EAP resources
- How HR can support safety planning and create a more trauma-informed workplace
- Leadership behaviors that can unintentionally cause harm (pressure, control, judgment)
- The mindset shift that creates healing-centered workplaces: acknowledgement + compassion + consistency
- How to help reduce stigma and support mental health accommodations at work when appropriate
Resources Mentioned:
- Website: https://mandipratt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenawareandprepared/
- Podcast: Aware and Prepared
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandipratt/
- Take Mandi’s Intuition Quiz: Curious how well you’re trusting your intuition—at work and in life? Take Mandi’s intuition quiz to assess how you respond to internal signals and where you may be overriding your instincts.
People Success Playbook: https://limerockconsulting.myflodesk.com/peoplesuccessplaybook
Company Website: www.limerockcareerco.com
Speaking Website: www.mindyeast.com