Episode 75: You’re Closer Than You Think – Mental Wealth, Drift and Support

Host: Mary Asante

Guest: Mike Pagan

In this powerful Mental Health Awareness Week episode of HR Voices, Mary Asante welcomes back leadership speaker and Mental Wealth advocate Mike Pagan for a deeper conversation about isolation, drift, accountability and support.

Building on their hugely popular previous discussion on Mental Wealth (Episode 57), this episode explores what happens when capable people quietly become overwhelmed, disconnected or stuck — especially HR professionals, leaders and independent consultants who spend so much time supporting others.

Together, Mary and Mike discuss the emotional load many professionals carry, the hidden impact of hybrid and remote working, and why awareness alone is not enough without action and support.

In this episode, we discuss:

What “drift” looks like in practice

Why capable people can still become stuck

Isolation in leadership and remote working

The emotional pressure carried by HR professionals

Why asking for help is a strength, not a weakness

The difference between awareness and action