In this episode of Therapist Voices @ ReachLink, we speak with Wendy Wollner, Founder and CEO of Balancing Life’s Issues (BLI), about employee assistance programs, work-life balance, and the evolving role of workplace mental health support. With more than 25 years of experience in the EAP field, Wendy shares how personal life challenges shaped her mission to help individuals and organizations better navigate life’s complex issues.
We explore topics like workplace mental health, leadership communication, grief support, parenting challenges, and the role of education in helping employees navigate real-life situations. Wendy Wollner discusses how training programs, corporate education, and open conversations can help managers support their teams through difficult moments and build healthier workplace cultures.
Whether you're a therapist, HR professional, manager, or someone interested in workplace wellbeing, this episode offers valuable insights into leadership, emotional intelligence, and how organizations can better support employees navigating both personal and professional challenges.
Chapters
00:00 – Episode Introduction
00:20 – Meet Wendy Wollner
01:30 – The Story Behind Balancing Life’s Issues
04:00 – Early Work in the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Field
06:00 – Why Work-Life Balance Became Her Focus
08:00 – Personal Experiences That Shaped Her Career
10:30 – The Role of Workplace Education in Mental Health
13:00 – Helping Managers Support Employees Through Difficult Life Events
16:00 – Navigating Sensitive Workplace Conversations
19:00 – Authentic Leadership and Emotional Honesty
22:00 – The Importance of Continuous Learning for Professionals
25:00 – Leadership, Mentorship, and Personal Growth
28:00 – Balancing Professional Success With Personal Life
31:00 – Workplace Culture and Supporting Employee Wellbeing
34:00 – Lessons From Building a Company Around Life’s Challenges
37:00 – Final Thoughts + ReachLink Mission
Guest Bio
Wendy Wollner is the Founder and CEO of Balancing Life’s Issues (BLI), an organization specializing in corporate training, work-life balance, and employee assistance programs. With more than 25 years of experience in the EAP field, Wendy Wollner has dedicated her career to helping organizations support employees through life’s personal and professional challenges.
Links
Follow Wendy Wollner:
LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendywollner/
Website → https://balancinglifesissues.com
Connect with ReachLink:
Website → https://reachlink.com
LinkedIn → https://linkedin.com/company/reachlink
Learn more about therapist opportunities → https://reachlink.com/for-providers/
