Across The Pond Talk

Breaking the Stigma: Dismantling Mental Health Stigma in the Workplace

The landscape of leadership has shifted dramatically in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, with leaders being forced to adapt quickly to an increasingly complex and uncertain world. Mental health has taken center stage, as the global crisis brought to light the importance of well-being both for leaders and their teams.

Yet, despite this, mental health stigma remains a barrier, particularly within the professional and leadership circles, where vulnerability is often seen as a weakness.

Dr. Priscilla J. Murphy, a Registered Nurse, Mental Health Counselor and motivational speaker, has spent decades working to dismantle this stigma. Her mission is clear: to create safe spaces where leaders can prioritise their mental health without fear of judgment.

Dr. Murphy’s work has focused on breaking down barriers for diverse communities, empowering individuals to seek professional mental health services and manage their life transitions with confidence and…

Workplace Civility, DEI, and Career Progression: A New Touchpoint for Transformation

In today’s professional landscape, the conversation around workplace civility and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is more vital than ever. Both play crucial roles in shaping the environment in which professionals thrive, but they serve distinct yet complementary purposes.

Workplace civility is about creating respectful, considerate and professional interactions at every level. It’s the day-to-day kindness, politeness and thoughtfulness that builds a culture where individuals feel seen, valued and heard. However, while civility sets the foundation for positive relationships, it doesn't inherently address the deeper, systemic issues that can hold people back, especially within historically marginalised groups.

This is where DEI comes in.

DEI efforts focus on dismantling structural barriers, fostering diversity, ensuring equity and creating inclusive environments where all individuals can succeed and grow without bias or hindrance. It goes beyond just a friendly work environment, it challenges the systems that impact…

Prioritise Your Wellness in the Workplace and Business

As professional women, we often prioritise work and career growth, leaving our wellness on the backburner. However, Dr. Priscilla J. Murphy MS, MEd, BSN, RN, LPCMH, Founder and CEO of Nylex Educational & Counselling Services Inc. As well as being a distinguished expert in counselling, education and healthcare training the importance of mental health and wellness in our leadership journeys. For over two decades, she has worked tirelessly to promote mental health awareness, particularly within diverse populations, to combat the stigma that often accompanies seeking support.

Dr. Murphy’s career journey has spanned across nursing, mental health counseling and healthcare advocacy. Her focus has always been on providing holistic care, ensuring that individuals feel heard, supported, and empowered as they navigate life’s transitions.

Her transition into mental health counseling in 1999 was a pivotal moment, allowing her to leverage her nursing expertise and advocacy work to support…

The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t just disrupt education it exposed every crack in the system. From infrastructure gaps to digital exclusion, millions of students were left behind while teachers scrambled to adapt. And now, AI is being positioned as the solution to everything.  Personalised learning, automated grading, real-time feedback, but we must ask who is steering this transformation and what values are guiding it?

AI in education promises scale and efficiency, but without diverse leadership and inclusive design, it risks reproducing the same inequities that have always existed this time at lightning speed. Post-pandemic, learners and educators alike are seeking not just technology, but trust, connection and support.

In regions where many women still don’t have a bank account like Africa, India and parts of Latin America AI isn’t just enhancing banking, it’s leapfrogging it. These markets are embracing mobile-first solutions, decentralised finance and community-driven fintech to reach millions. Meanwhile, legacy institutions across the West remain mired in outdated infrastructure, regulatory gridlock and a culture of incrementalism that stifles progress.

While the Western banking system struggles with trust, bureaucracy and slowness, emerging markets are innovating out of necessity. For women in developed markets particularly women over 40 in leadership this creates a sharp pivot point. Do we maintain tradition or do we reimagine access, equity and value creation?

Design Your Leadership Intentions

A Personal Blueprint for Purpose, Power & Progress

You’re not just leading a team or a business, you’re leading a vision, a legacy and a future that demands clarity, courage and intention.

That’s why we’ve created a powerful new resource for the Across the Pond community inside SistaTalk:

"Design Your Leadership Intentions for 2025" –a FREE downloadable worksheet to help you align your goals, values and impact in the year ahead.

Leading with Confidence: Harnessing AI for Women in the Workplace and Business

Are you ready to redefine your leadership for the digital age?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t the future, it’s now. And the most powerful women in business aren’t just watching the shift, they’re leading it.

Join us for the next Across the Pond session "Leading With Confidence: Harnessing AI for Women in the Workplace and Business" A dynamic and forward-thinking webinar that will equip you to lead with clarity, purpose and cutting-edge strategy in an AI-driven world.

Whether you’re just starting your business or already leading a team this session will transform how you think about leadership, innovation and growth.