February 3, 2026
Episode 173: Building a Culture of Psychological Safety at Work with Dr. Nathan Jones
What if emotions aren’t something to suppress, but something to understand – especially at work? Dane sits down with Dr. Nathan Jones, CEO and co-founder of MOOD.ai, to explore the future of psychological safety at work – and how data, design, and humanity can coexist.
Dr. Jones shares his personal journey and what led him to focus his life’s work on emotion, authenticity, and feeling truly seen and heard. He unpacks why so many workplaces still struggle with psychological safety, how suppressed emotions quietly impact performance and culture, and why traditional surveys often miss what’s really going on beneath the surface.
Dr. Jones explains how MOOD.ai approaches wellbeing differently, using intuitive mood zones, color, and real-time anonymous check-ins to help teams understand emotional patterns without sacrificing trust or privacy. From role clarity and workload management to emotional demand and workplace respect, this conversation connects the dots between human experience and business outcomes. Finally, Dane and Dr. Jones connect emotional awareness to real-world outcomes like customer experience, innovation, frontline resilience, and employability, especially for workers in high emotional labor roles.
If you’re a leader, HR professional, or anyone building a team, this episode offers a fresh, practical take on how understanding emotions can improve your workplace culture.
🔗 Connect with Dr. Nathan Jones and learn more about MOOD.ai
Building a Culture of Psychological Safety at Work with Dr. Nathan Jones
Guest Bio
Dr Nathan Jones is a keynote speaker and experimental psychologist shaping the future of emotional intelligence. His work offers practical wisdom on how we navigate our inner world, forge deeper connections, and make better decisions under pressure at work and beyond.With a PhD in Experimental Psychology from Adelaide University, Nathan’s work bridges science, leadership, and lived experience. He is best known for using intuitive cues such as colour, symbols, and music to help leaders navigate the full emotional spectrum. His doctoral research, The Colour of Emotion, proposed a novel, data-driven approach to emotional intelligence in the digital age.Across the past decade, Nathan has taken the stage at global events including SXSW, TEDx, the World Congress on Positive Psychology, and leading HR and leadership conferences. He has delivered keynotes and internal programs inside organisations such as Meta, WPP, Google, Southern Cross Austereo, and Flinders University, presenting to leaders across corporate, academic, and entrepreneurial contexts worldwide.
Key Takeaways
00:00 Introduction to the Future of Teamwork Podcast
01:55 Meet Dr. Nathan Jones: Emotional Intelligence Expert
02:45 Personal Journey: Emotions and Authenticity
04:33 Parenting and Emotional Awareness
06:29 The Importance of Emotional Hygiene in the Workplace
10:05 Innovative Tools for Measuring Psychological Safety
14:40 Privacy and Trust in Emotional Data
18:05 Practical Applications and Future Directions
24:01 Changing Organizational Behavior
24:51 Exploring Psychological Safety Zones
25:14 Adapting Global Frameworks
26:04 Role of Supervisors and Coworkers
26:17 Emotional Demand and Workplace Dynamics
27:15 Tools for Emotional Ease
31:10 AI and Emotional Intelligence
35:19 Burnout and Emotional Regulation
37:19 Future of Emotional Check-ins
38:12 Broader Applications and Future Prospects
44:09 Conclusion and Contact Information
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