Shows
The Mental Health AdvantageCulture eats Strategy for Breakfast: A Conversation with PMI’s Chief People & Culture Officer, Kaleen LoveIn this episode of The Mental Health Advantage, Stephen Sokoler sits down with Kaleen Love, Chief People & Culture Officer for PMI U.S., to explore how culture can be engineered as rigorously as any transformation program.
With experience at Oxford, McKinsey, and Capital One, Kaleen unpacks how data, empathy, and storytelling combine to build a workplace where joy, belonging, and performance are possible — even in times of change.
Key Audience Takeaways:
Culture change must be treated like transformation: with structure, ownership, and milestones
Storytelling is essential to turn data into belief
Empathy and analytics are no...2025-07-2937 min
Lead the People#131: Why Being Proactive About Mental Health Changes Everything with Stephen SokolerIn this conversation, Stephen Sokoler unpacks the evolving definition of mental health and its impact on the modern workplace. As founder and CEO of Journey, Stephen challenges the outdated, reactive approach to mental well-being and calls for a proactive, daily integration of mental health practices into both our personal and professional lives.
He explores the mental cost of multitasking, the illusion of balance, and how burnout stems from environments that ignore the emotional lives of employees. From the stigma of older generations to the openness of today’s workforce, Stephen emphasizes how leadership can foster cultures of tr...2025-07-2428 minThe Mental Health AdvantageFrom Crisis to Culture: Reimagining Mental Health in the Workplace with Randy Martin, Ph.D.In this episode of The Mental Health Advantage, Stephen Sokoler sits down with Randy Martin, Ph.D., Clinical Director of the CopeNYP Employee Assistance Program at Weill Cornell Medicine, to explore how mental health has shifted from reactive crisis care to an essential part of organizational culture.
A contributor to The Mental Health Advantage book and a pioneer in both corporate and community mental health, Martin shares how the pandemic lifted stigma, why family systems matter, and how proactive EAP models can drive real organizational ROI.
If you're an HR or benefits leader rethinking your a...2025-06-2629 minThe Mental Health AdvantageReal Mental Health Strategy for High-Growth TeamsIn this episode of The Mental Health Advantage, Journey's founder Stephen Sokoler sits down with Amy Reichanadter, Chief People Officer at Databricks, to explore what it takes to embed meaningful mental health strategies inside one of the fastest-growing tech companies in the world.
With a background in clinical psychology and over 25 years of HR leadership experience, Amy shares how Databricks supports 8,000+ employees across dozens of global offices through intentional culture-building, psychological safety, and founder-driven leadership.
If you’ve ever wondered how to sustain wellbeing while scaling fast — this one’s for you.
Key Takeaw...2025-06-1724 minThe Mental Health AdvantageThe Global Evolution of Total Rewards & Employee Mental HealthIn this episode, Journey founder Stephen Sokoler sits down with Dominic Cole-Morgan, Group Reward Director at WPP, to explore how mental health and total rewards intersect on a global scale—and what companies can do to support employees across diverse cultures, systems, and needs.
With a background in psychology and a career spanning multinationals like Goldman Sachs, Prudential, and Scotiabank, Dominic shares a compelling perspective on the evolution of workplace mental health, why line managers matter more than meditation apps, and how global organizations can drive meaningful, measurable change.
Key Takeaways:
// How mental health benefits va...2025-05-1535 minThe Mental Health AdvantageLeading by Example: How HR Leaders Can Prioritize Mental Health & Drive ChangeIn this episode, Journey founder Stephen Sokoler sits down with Elisha Engelen, VP of Aon’s U.S. Health Transformation Team, to unpack how HR leaders can drive lasting change by prioritizing mental health — from the top down.
With a unique blend of clinical mental health expertise and corporate well-being strategy, Elisha offers a thoughtful perspective on how leadership behavior shapes culture, why systemic support matters, and what it takes to truly engage employees in mental health initiatives that stick.
Key Takeaways:
// Why leadership behavior is the #1 driver of workplace mental health adoption
...2025-05-0232 minThe Mental Health AdvantageThe Future of EAPs and Wellbeing ProgramsIn this episode, Journey founder Stephen Sokoler sits down with Erin Young, Director of Health, Equity & Wellbeing at WTW, to explore what the future of workplace mental health looks like — and how companies can start building toward it today.
With a background in clinical social work and years of experience guiding large employers on behavioral health strategy, Erin shares powerful insights on where current programs fall short and what’s needed to create inclusive, proactive mental health support that truly works.
Key Takeaways:
// The current state of mental health at work — and what’s changing...2025-04-1735 min
Venture EverywhereMental Wellness is a Journey: Stephen Sokoler with Matthew BrimerIn episode 68 of Venture Everywhere, Matthew Brimer, Co-Founder of ZZ Driggs, Special Address, General Assembly, Daybreaker, and Everywhere Ventures, chats with Stephen Sokoler, Founder and CEO of Journey, the leading mental health platform for modern workplaces. Stephen shares Journey’s transformation from a consumer meditation app to a comprehensive, proactive mental health solution trusted by global enterprises. Matt and Stephen also discuss the challenges of modern work-life balance and emphasize the importance of prioritizing mental health needs and normalizing emotional self-care in today’s fast-paced work environments.In this episode, you will hear:Journey’s focus on com...2025-04-1534 minThe Mental Health AdvantageShaping the Future of Workplace Mental Health: Insights from Mercer's Mental Health LeaderThis episode of "The Mental Health Advantage" explores how organizations can take a data-driven, proactive approach to mental health, embedding well-being into workplace culture beyond traditional reactive measures. Stephen Sokoler, founder and CEO of Journey, is joined by Dr. Wolfgang Seidi, Partner and Workplace Health Consulting Leader at Mercer.
Wolfgang has been a global thought leader in mental health, shaping strategies that integrate well-being into business performance. With experience across clinical psychology, insurance, and HR consulting, he has a unique perspective on how organizations can move beyond awareness to measurable impact.
2025-04-0935 minThe Mental Health AdvantageBeyond the Employee: How US Foods Supports Mental Health for Families and Loved OnesThis episode highlights how US Foods has extended mental health support beyond employees to include their families and loved ones, creating a more inclusive and proactive mental health culture. Stephen Sokoler is joined by Joe Toniolo, Senior Director of Health and Welfare Plans at US Foods, to discuss their innovative approach, the impact on employees, and lessons for other organizations.
2025-03-2025 minThe Mental Health AdvantageLeading with Heart: How Claude Silver is Redefining Workplace Mental Health at VaynerMediaIn this episode of The Mental Health Advantage, Stephen Sokoler, Founder & CEO of Journey, sits down with Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerMedia. As the first-ever Chief Heart Officer in the advertising industry, Claude has redefined what it means to build a people-first culture, focusing on empathy, inclusivity, and personal development.
Together, they discuss how organizations can create safe and inclusive workplaces, particularly for LGBTQ+ employees, different generations in the workforce, and high-pressure industries like advertising.
2025-03-1229 min
Fund/Build/ScaleWhat Journey’s Pivot from B2C to B2B Reveals About Enterprise SalesJourney founder and CEO Stephen Sokoler appeared on Fund/Build/Scale in June 2024 to talk about how his startup pivoted from B2C meditation services to a B2B mental health platform, along with what that shift revealed about selling to enterprise clients. He breaks down the challenges of high customer acquisition costs, the trade-offs of venture capital, and the key lessons founders should know before making a major business model shift.
RUNTIME 38:28
EPISODE BREAKDOWN
(2:20) Why Stephen decided to found Journey — identifying the need for accessible mental health solutions.
(5:07) “We probably had five or six d...2025-03-1238 minThe Mental Health AdvantageMindfulness at Scale: How Google’s gPause Program Supports Mental Health and Sustainable SuccessThis episode explores Google’s innovative gPause program, how it scales mindfulness to support mental health and resilience across a global workforce, and its lessons for organizations seeking sustainable success.
2025-03-0425 min
Coffee with ClosersHow Can Meditation Make Us Better Leaders
Discover why Stephen Sokoler chose to make mental health his mission and how meditation has transformed his leadership skills. In this video, Stephen share how meditation improved my ability to focus, control his thoughts, and manage stress effectively—essential traits for CEOs and leaders.
Meditation has not only enhanced Stephen's leadership but also made him a better listener. With higher awareness, self-awareness, and greater clarity, he can better understand his colleagues and make thoughtful decisions.
The effects of meditation on his leadership have been profound. From managing emotions to building trust and encouraging others, He have experienced benefits like im...2024-11-2839 min
Inside the C-SuiteFrom Snow Removal to the C-Suite: Stephen Sokoler’s Journey to LeadershipStephen Sokoler, founder and CEO of Journey, shares how proactive mental health practices and daily habit formation can lead to healthier, less stressful lives. From running snow removal businesses to leading Journey Meditation, Stephen dives into the challenges of mental health in the workplace, entrepreneurship, and the value of meditation for personal growth and well-being.In this episode, we look at proactive mental health, workplace wellness, behavior change, executive leadership, HR, entrepreneurship, and the importance of mindfulness. These themes shape how we understand and approach mental health in today’s rapidly evolving corporate and personal spaces....2024-09-1650 min
Scaling Up Business with Bill GallagherRevolutionizing Workplace Well-Being with Stephen SokolerAt various points in our lives, we’ve all misunderstood certain things about mental health—either our own or someone else’s. How can we—as business leaders—focus on growth while also being more proactive about mental health solutions so that we can live happier, healthier, less stressed lives? In this episode, Bill talks with an entrepreneur who is passionate about creating supportive communities and has extensive experience in building and scaling businesses globally. Today’s guest is Stephen Sokoler, Founder and CEO of Journey, a mental health solution for modern and high-perfo...2024-09-0448 min
The ShiftShapers PodcastEp#492 Transforming Workplace Mental Health: Stephen SokolerIn this episode of the ShiftShapers podcast, host David Saltzman welcomes Stephen Sokoler, founder and CEO of Journey, to discuss the importance of mental health care in the workplace. Stephen shares his personal journey, from entrepreneurial beginnings to discovering meditation and ultimately founding Journey in 2015. They delve into pressing mental health challenges including stigma, therapist shortages, and the inefficiency of traditional EAPs. Stephen outlines Journey's proactive and inclusive approach to mental health care, emphasizing the importance of early intervention, awareness, and cultural competency. Tune in to learn how Journey is making mental health care more accessible and effective, and...2024-06-0424 min
Digital Health HeavyweightsEpisode 26- Stephen Sokoler, Founder & CEO of JourneyNorm sits down with Stephen Sokoler, CEO of Journey, who shares his journey from founding Altrum Honors to starting Journey, a mental health solution. He discusses the unique approach of Journey in proactively engaging employees and meeting them where they are. Stephen emphasizes the importance of reducing stigma around mental health and training managers to support their teams. He also highlights the impact of live group therapy and peer support in addressing mental health challenges. Stephen shares customer success stories and case studies, as well as his learnings in building Journey. He provides advice for founders in the digital...2024-01-1539 min
Centered in the CityEpisode 173: Proactive Mental Health with Stephen SokolerToday on the podcast, I speak with Stephen Sokoler, the CEO of Journey, a leading preventative mental health solution company. Stephen shares with us his inspiration for starting Journey and why he is so passionate about making mental health care accessible. Stephen and I discuss why proactive mental health care is important as well as what gets in the way of some people making it a priority. Stephen emphasizes how we need a village to support us and how we can make small choices in life that nudge us towards making our mental health a priority. Listen to the...2023-10-1237 min
Portfolio Career Podcast with David NebinskiBuilding a Mental Health Startup with Stephen SokolerAre you looking to build a social impact focused company? Stephen Sokoler is a serial entrepreneur. While in Australia, Stephen stumbled across a book that opened his eyes to meditation. Soon after, he started Journey in 2015. In this Podcast Mixer episode, you will learn about company inflection points, the ups and downs of being a founder, and what Stephen and Journey are really excited about now. Excited for you to build and grow your Portfolio Career!As always, this episode with notes is available on my websiteConnect with Stephen on LinkedInConnect...2023-05-0433 min
Portfolio Career PodcastBuilding a Mental Health Startup with Stephen SokolerAre you looking to build a social impact focused company? Stephen Sokoler is a serial entrepreneur. While in Australia, Stephen stumbled across a book that opened his eyes to meditation. Soon after, he started Journey in 2015. In this Podcast Mixer episode, you will learn about company inflection points, the ups and downs of being a founder, and what Stephen and Journey are really excited about now. Excited for you to build and grow your Portfolio Career!As always, this episode with notes is available on my websiteConnect with Stephen on LinkedInConnect...2023-05-0433 minCoffee with ClosersHow To Grow Your Business Through Acquisition: Tips and Hacks From An ExpertThis week, I’m excited to have Stephen Sokoler join me for Coffee with Closers. Stephen is the Founder & CEO at Journey – a company helping organizations reduce turnover, combat burnout, and improve the mental and emotional well-being of their employees.
Stephen shares his experience on how to grow one’s business through acquisition and the pivotal decisions that come with it. He also talks about how to approach entrepreneurship and the importance of mental health in leadership and business.
This episode is a must-watch for entrepreneurs who want to take t...2023-05-0343 min
Worthy for Thirty: Where stories of leaders doing good while doing well are told!Ep. 21: Phil Schermer, Founder & CEO, Project Healthy Minds and Stephen Sokoler, Founder & CEO, JourneyHello Everyone -Mental health, and when it’s not optimal, in America is a pressing issue. While the topic may have felt it was living in the periphery pre-pandemic, it was magnified and worsened through the apex of lockdowns to our now ‘new normal’ where we are still either working / operating completely remotely or in a hybrid environment.Chronic ailments such as anxiety, and depression along with a whole slew of other mental health-related illness have profound impact on the individual sufferer, and within the context of business, can negatively affect productivity. “Employee...2023-03-2331 min
Worthy for Thirty: Where stories of leaders doing good while doing well are told!Ep. 18: Phil Schermer, Founder & CEO, Project Healthy Minds & Aria Finger, Chief of Staff, Reid HoffmanGood Morning Everyone -Mental health is a prevalent issue in the US which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Most Americans who experience mental health issue symptoms are less likely to identify what they’re going through and experiencing based on stigma and that is compounded with not knowing where to turn. Who can I speak to? What resources are available to me? Is this covered my insurance? Is my employer aware of mental health and its impact on my and the overall company’s productivity? Many of these questions and topi...2023-02-0332 min
Grow A Small Business PodcastIn 2015, started a company with a mission to help all people live happier, healthier, less stressful lives. Supporting a wide range of profit and non-profit organizations which includes Walgreens with their 250,000 employees. (Stephen Sokoler)In this episode, Troy interviews Stephen Sokoler, Founder and CEO of Journey based in New York, USA. Stephen spent years in the business sector, founding and running companies, which helped organizations celebrate and inspire their employees. He first found meditation through Buddhism and after years of personal practice, Stephen recognized that wellbeing needed to be shared with the world in a more approachable, accessible way. In 2015, he founded Journey. They support a wide range of profit and non-profit organizations ranging from Walgreens and their 250,000 employees to Blackstone to the Harlem Children's Zone, which is a charter school in...2023-01-2234 min
The Use Case by RecruitingDailyUse Case Podcast - Storytelling about Journey with Stephen SokolerWelcome to the Use Case Podcast, episode 233. Today we’ll be talking to Stephen from Journey about the use case or business case for why his customers choose Journey.Listen & Subscribe on your favorite platformApple | Spotify | Google | Amazon2022-07-2226 min
PCTY Talks: HR, People and CultureHow to Build Workforce Resilience with Stephen SokolerIn the face of an ever-changing landscape, employers are increasingly looking for ways to build resilience across their workforce. Employers can create a more adaptable and responsive workforce by investing in systems that focus on the individual, team, and organization. This investment is paying off in terms of employee retention; while the average turnover intent risk across industries is 45-55%, only 15% of our members report considering leaving their jobs. In a world where change is the only constant, employer investment in resilience will be vital to maintaining a competitive edge. Join host Shari Simpson and Stephen Sokoler as they...2022-07-0721 min
A SENSe of WellnessMeditation and Proactive Mental Health with Stephen SokolerIn the 6th episode of the podcast you will hear from Stephen Sokoler, CEO and Founder of Journey Meditation, which works on helping people lead healthier, happier lives. Stephen shares how he found his path to meditation far away from home and how it ultimately led him to start his own company. Susan and Stephen discuss effects of loneliness on our body and mind, how meditation has become more accepted now and what proactive mental health & self-care mean for Stephen. Hear about what helped Stephen with building a virtual team, keeping organization healthy & growing during the past y...2021-05-1730 min
Digital Mindfulness#135 Meditation And Meeting You Where You Are With Stephen SokolerCEO and founder of Journey Live, 'the Peloton of meditation apps', Stephen Sokoler joins the show to talk about the power of live communities, the importance of consistent meditation practice and how meditation apps will innovate in the future.2021-04-0530 min
EVERYTHING with ALI LEVINELet's Go On A JOURNEY! Meet Stephen the Founder & Ceo of Journey Meditation where Journey Believes Where You TRANSFORM Your Mind, You TRANSFORM Your LIFEHappy Monday loves! Today is such a good episode to kick off our week!Its SO important during these times to keep our Mind right & be Mentally healthy & Fit!!Today Ali sits down with Stephen Sokoler, the CEO of Journey Meditation to talk about his journey with meditation, why he created the space and app and his mission.Stephen shares as an entrepreneur his story as a businessman and how he found meditation and how it then transformed his life.Stephen tells us his own journey with meditation and how it changed his life! Even more so than losing 85 lbs...2020-09-2140 min
The Unapologetic EntrepreneurEp. 52: Corporate Yoga Tips with Journey Meditation Founder, Stephen SokolerHave you ever thought about working with businesses in your local area? If you have then you’ve probably wondered how to get connected with that business. In this episode, I’m joined by the Founder and CEO of Journey Meditation, Stephen Sokoler and he’s sharing all the tips on how to connect plugged into business. From using connections to how to know what words will help you connect, he’s sharing it all! Listen in and be sure to get the PDF with even more tips! Show notes available with all links mentioned here: https...2020-07-0645 min
Brandon Stover On LifeStephen Sokoler On Why Founders Need Meditation | Evolve 37Stephen has 10+ years of experience building successful businesses, including Altrum Honors which had $20 million in annual revenue and a 33% global market share. His most recent venture Journey Meditation was coined the “Peloton of Meditation'' by Tech Crunch, bringing a 5,000 year old practice to the modern age by building the world's largest, most supportive meditation community both online and off. This startup has rapidly grown it’s corporate programs in 20 major U.S. cities with clients such as Facebook, Disney, Nike and GitHub and launched Journey Live, the world’s only group meditation app with live instructors and real-time classes.F...2020-06-2346 min
StartUp Health NOW PodcastMeditation Together, Virtually: the App Helping Meditation Beginners During COVID-19At Journey Meditation, Stephen Sokoler is rooting the practice of meditation back in its origins – community. In this episode, StartUp Health's ventures team member Maxim Owen talks with Sokoler, Journey's founder & CEO, to learn about the startup's app, Journey LIVE. The app connects users with meditation instructors who lead group meditation classes that teach users how to become familiar with their thoughts and themselves, leading to greater calm, clarity, and peace of mind. And because peace of mind is something we all so desperately need during these turbulent times, Sokoler is offering the app for free throughout the duration of th...2020-04-0825 min
People at WorkMeditation should wake you up not calm you down says Stephen SokolerThis morning I settled into a comfortable seated position and, although I fully intended to meditate, instead I spent 10 minutes chasing tangled thoughts around inside my head. Sound familiar? I really hope I’m not alone in this struggle!
Waking up and focusing my mind is part of why I repeatedly try and improve my meditation practice. So, I was absolutely delighted when I had the opportunity to speak to Stephen Sokoler, and hear his ideas about igniting people instead of calming them down through meditation.
Stephen has a spe...2020-01-2031 min
The Tattooed BuddhaJourney Meditation: Stephen Sokoler Talks to Us about Bridging the Technology and Mindfulness GapSend us a textThe post Journey Meditation: Stephen Sokoler Talks to Us about Bridging the Technology and Mindfulness Gap appeared first on The Tattooed Buddha.Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Interested in being a guest on our podcast? Contact us at editor@thetattooedbuddha.com.2019-11-1129 min
Inspired Evolution with Amrit Sandhu 🙏🏻IE097 Stephen Sokoler: Journey Meditation Method: Live A Happier, Healthier, Less Stressed Life!Our guest for this week is Stephen Sokoler, the Founder & CEO of ‘Journey Meditation’.About StephenStephen Sokoler is a serial entrepreneur and he has started numerous businesses from scratch in a career that’s over 10 years long and counting. He’s had major success with taking products global with international expansion throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia.On his impressive entrepreneurial resume, you can find companies such as ‘Altrum Honors’, which he co-founded with a mission of helping organizations all over the world give recognition to and celebrate their employ...2019-11-0337 min
Hitting The Mark1 Year Anniversary SpecialThere are 782 minutes of combined insights and inspiring journeys we had to edit down to arrive at this 32-minute special, which hones in on 5 key areas:Brands challenging the normThe importance of people – Your tribe and your cultureInvestors' viewpoints on brand thinkingBrand DNA - your brand in one wordAnd to finish it off, not-to-be-missed brand advice from these successful entrepreneurs and investors that we needed to bring back up front and center.Show your support for Hitting The Mark, and if you have been listening and have not rated the show yet, please do so...2019-10-2531 min
Human Impact with Ed AndrewStephen Sokoler, founder and ceo Journey Meditation Stephen is the Founder & CEO of Journey Meditation, a company on a mission to help all people live happier, healthier, less stressed lives. Founded in 2015, Journey is building the world’s largest, most supportive meditation community, both online and off. The company recently released a first-of-its-kind meditation app, Journey LIVE, which offers users daily, live-streamed group meditations led by experienced and diverse teachers, along with a supportive and engaged community base. Journey also operates corporate programs with organizations ranging from Facebook, Disney, and Nike, to charter schools, hospitals, and non-profits. Stephen shares his entrepreneurial journey with...2019-10-1047 min
The VentureFizz PodcastEpisode 124: Stephen Sokoler - Founder and CEO of Journey MeditationWelcome to Episode 124 of The VentureFizz Podcast, the flagship podcast from the leading authority for jobs & careers in the tech industry.
For this episode of our podcast, I interviewed Stephen Sokoler, Founder and CEO of Journey Meditation.
I have to admit, I don’t have a history of meditating. Even though I understand the benefits and have seen the growth in terms of its increasing popularity, I just haven’t taken the leap yet. However, as you’ll hear from this podcast, I feel like it is time and like the analogy Stephen shares: it’s kind of like going to the g...2019-08-2138 min
Hitting The MarkJourney Meditation: Stephen Sokoler, Founder & CEOFabian talks with Stephen Sokoler, the founder and CEO of Journey Meditation. Stephen runs a company on a mission: to help all people live happier, healthier, less stressed lives. Founded in 2015, Journey is building the world's largest, most supportive meditation community both online and off. TechCrunch coined it 'the Peloton of meditation.' Journey also operates corporate programs with organizations ranging from Facebook, Disney, and Nike, to charter schools, hospitals, and non-profits. Take a breather and let your mind wander, away from the Donald Trump and Boris Johnson world on the outside, to start looking w...2019-08-0242 min
SoulFeed with Shannon AlgeoStephen Sokoler: Journey MeditationIs it possible to have a meditation journey that everyone can go on? Stephen Sokoler is changing the mindfulness game by making it simple for everyone! Our Guest: Stephen Sokoler is a serial entrepreneur who knows what it means to build something epic. As the Co-Founder & CEO of Altrum Honors, a company dedicated to helping organizations celebrate and inspire their employees, Stephen built the company into the industry leader with a 35% global market share. After selling Altrum in September 2014, he turned his focus to one of his personal passions, meditation. In M...2018-01-2251 min
Reconstructing Healthcare: Innovative Solutions For Employers To Lower Their Healthcare CostsStephen Sokoler | Journey MeditationTopics:
Meditation
Mindfulness
Alternative Wellness Program
Employee Productivity & Performance
In this episode, Michael introduces you to Stephen Sokoler, the Founder and CEO of Journey Meditation. Join us as we discuss how Journey Meditation offers a powerful wellness tool through simple approachable meditation practices that are taught to employees in a live or virtual setting.
Here’s a glance at what we discuss in this episode:
Stephen’s unique business background, and why he launched Journey Meditation
Defining mindfulness and meditation and how they are different
Unders...2017-10-2438 min
HALO Talks: Elevating WellnessStephen Skoler of Journey Meditation https://www.halotalks.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Stephen_Sokoler-_Podcast.mp3 2017-05-3118 min