Episode Summary
In this episode of the Madison Advisory AI Podcast, Amanda Verner Thompson sits down with Kristin Tugman, an industrial-organizational psychologist and disability workforce expert, to unpack why disability is not simply a benefit or a claim—but a core workforce system.
Kristin explains how disability, healthcare costs, productivity, and psychological safety are deeply interconnected, and why many organizations miss the biggest opportunity for impact: the “middle bucket” of employees who could return to work successfully with the right support.
The conversation explores preventative mental health care, early warning signals like unscheduled absence, and how leaders can create psychologically safe environments that protect both people and performance—without losing the human touch.
Key Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 – Disability as a Workforce System
04:57 – Disability, Healthcare, and Productivity
13:57 – Preventative Mental Health Care
18:38 – The “Middle Bucket” of Employees
25:19 – Return-to-Work Interventions
30:57 – Psychological Safety in Practice
38:51 – Technology, Trust, and Disability
45:23 – Leadership Lessons
50:26 – Looking Ahead
About the Guest
Kristin Tugman Kristin Tugman is an industrial-organizational psychologist and founder of Tugman Consulting, with more than two decades of experience across disability insurance, workforce strategy, and organizational psychology, Kristin has worked with carriers, brokers, and employers to improve disability outcomes, reduce absence, and strengthen return-to-work programs. Her work blends research, behavioral science, and operational execution, with a strong focus on psychological safety and sustainable workforce performance.
Learn More
About the Host
Amanda Verner Thompson is the founder of Madison Advisory AI. She advises leaders at the intersection of strategy, judgment, and technology — helping organizations navigate complexity without losing the human systems that ultimately drive value.
Learn More
Keywords
disability, workforce strategy, healthcare costs, psychological safety, employee wellbeing, leadership, mental health, return to work, preventative care, organizational culture
