Happy Space Podcast with Clare Kumar

Jan Doering, Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto explores the complex relationship between sound, behavior, and social conflict, unpacking the social, cultural, and neurological dimensions of sound, and discussing how we can move toward a more considerate coexistence in our shared environments.

Sound that delights one person can deeply distress another. Clare and Jan explore how our appreciation of sound is deeply subjective and why this gap often turns into tension in urban life. Through examples from everyday environments, they discuss how noise reflects culture, how it can become a form of power and resistance, and why some people respond to it with frustration or even aggression.

The conversation challenges policymakers, urban planners, and designers to take sound seriously as an issue of well-being issue and accessibility, highlighting how neurological safety and collective responsibility can help create more peaceful and inclusive soundscapes.

Clare and Jan also reflect on the deeper psychological and emotional layers behind how we relate to sound, revealing that finding peace in a noisy world might start with changing how we listen.

Jan Doering is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto. His research explores social control and conflict in urban neighborhoods, as well as how individuals experience and respond to discrimination. He has received research funding from the National Science Foundation, the Fulbright Commission, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Councils.

His first book, “Us Versus Them: Race, Crime, and Gentrification in Chicago Neighborhoods” (Oxford University Press, 2020), examines the dynamics of community conflict and identity during the era of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown.

Key Takeaways

• Hearing is a sense we cannot turn off, making sound a constant, shared experience.
• Noise is not just about volume - there are more elements to consider 
• Urban “vibrancy” often comes at the expense of rest and recovery, highlighting a policy blind spot.
• Municipalities, designers, and leaders can promote neurological safety by designing environments that support well-being and reduce sensory stress.

CHAPTERS

03:00 Introduction

06:05 Tension Around Noise

09:10 Defining Noise and Perception

12:16 Reframing Noise Experiences

18:05 Joy in Noise: Machines and Gender

22:18 Noise and Cultural Responsibility

29:08 Government and Policy Failures

36:50 Consequences of Noise Stress

45:50 Allergic to Peace?

51:31 Sadism, Pleasure, and Noise-Making Behavior

58:45 Emotional vs. Intellectual Arguments for Quiet

01:04:40 Density, Well-being, and Cultural Vision

01:08:00 Creative Solutions and Happy Spaces

Sources

Dr. Ernesto Morales discusses evidence-based research for accessible airports and airplanes, emphasizing co-design, sensory needs, and the need for accountability in aviation accessibility.

In episode 61 of the Happy Space Podcast, I spoke with Dr. Ernesto Morales, Full Professor at Université Laval, about two federally funded projects on accessible aviation in Canada. One focuses on airport accessibility, while the other addresses aircraft lavatories. Ernesto shares how involving 72 participants with diverse disabilities through walking interviews and mockups helped surface nuanced barriers and identify improvements. We also discuss the challenges of coordination between stakeholders, the need for sensory-friendly spaces, and the importance of dignity in travel. Ernesto stresses the value of co-design and inclusive research methods, calling for regulatory clarity and deeper accountability in delivering equitable air travel experiences.

Ernesto Morales studied architecture and finished a Masters’ Degree in Industrial Design in Mexico City. He obtained a grant from the Government of Mexico to study his Ph.D. in Design at the Faculté de l’aménagement, of the University of Montreal. He did his first post doc in “Environmental Gerontology” at the Research Centre from the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal and a second post-doc at the Research Centre for Innovation in Health Care at Utrecht, the Netherlands on “Healing Environments”. He is Full Professor at the School of Rehabilitation Sciences of the Faculty of Medicine at the Universté Laval and he is a Researcher at the Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale in Quebec City. He is also a member of the Quebec government's Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Safety of Buildings for Persons with Disabilities. His research interests fall into the following areas: Inclusive design and adaptation of the physical environment. Design solutions to improve the quality of life of people with permanent or temporary disabilities (either cognitive, motor or sensory) in terms of objects, home spaces or urban design. Working and care environments in health institutions (acute and long-term care) and accessibility in emergency situations.

CHAPTERS

[00:00] Meeting Ernesto Morales and Project Overview

[02:00] Walking Interviews at Airports

[04:00] Designing Solutions Collaboratively

[06:00] Challenges in Airport Coordination

[08:00] Public and Private Reporting

[09:00] Ernesto’s Personal Motivation

[11:00] Co-Design as a Core Practice

[13:00] From Heritage Sites to Airports

[14:00] Merging Qualitative and Quantitative Data

[16:00] Why Canada is Leading in Accessibility

[18:00] Federal and Ministry Involvement

[20:00] Autism, Sensory Input, and Airport Design

[23:00] Stress at Security Checkpoints

[26:00] Benefits of Hidden Disability Lanyards

[28:00] Advertising and Sensory Overload

[30:00] Sensory Zones, Not Just Rooms

[33:00] Washroom Accessibility and Service Dogs

[36:00] Dignity in Air Travel

[38:00] Future Reports and Timelines

[39:00] Centralizing Responsibility for Accessibility

[41:00] Systemic Change Through Procurement and Training

LINKS

Ivan Berazhny, Senior lecturer at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences and accessibility advocate, shares how INCLAVI, an EU-funded initiative, equips aviation professionals with certified training to better support diverse travellers across the full journey.

In this episode of the Happy Space Podcast, host Clare Kumar speaks with Ivan Berazhny, Senior lecturer at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, about INCLAVI, an EU-funded initiative to improve accessibility in aviation and tourism. Ivan shares the development of a free, multi-module training curriculum designed to educate industry professionals on best practices for supporting travellers with disabilities. Built through a wide consortium of partners, the program covers the full travel journey, from planning to post-arrival, and includes accredited modules with formal certification. During the conversation, they explore the importance of language in accessibility, the value of humility in learning, and the potential to apply this framework across industries.

Ivan Berazhny is a senior lecturer at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (Finland), where Ivan has been developing and leading research projects and courses on topics including leadership, entrepreneurship, aviation business environment, corporate social responsibility and others.

Prior background includes studies of international economic relations, communication, and vocational pedagogy. Ivan also holds several professional certifications in aviation and hospitality industries.

In Haaga-Helia, Ivan has been engaged actively in curriculum development, export of education, RDI cooperation with industry partners, internationalisation, and other activities. Particularly, Ivan is committed to advocate inclusive society for people with disabilities.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Introduction and Welcome

02:15 – Origins of the INCLAVI Project

05:45 – Building a Practical, Multi-Stakeholder Curriculum

10:10 – Implementation and Early Impact

14:05 – Language, Translation, and Accessibility

17:30 – Clarifying Terms: Accessibility vs. Inclusion

21:00 – Beyond Labels: Focusing on Needs

24:40 – Expanding Awareness Through Storytelling

27:50 – Encouraging Curiosity in Accessibility

30:25 – Ivan’s Happy Space

LINKS

Leadership expert Jason Lauritsen tackles the question of whether we really need check-in meetings addressing barriers like discomfort, skill gaps, and the drive for workplace efficiency. Don’t miss the four key steps for effective check-ins.

In this episode of the Happy Space Podcast, Clare speaks with leadership expert Jason Lauritsen about the role of check-in meetings. They explore why regular, intentional conversations between leaders and team members matter—not just for accountability, but for connection and well-being. Too often check-in meetings are discarded in the belief they are not serving real value. But it is perhaps because they are not being well implemented. Jason offers an easy-to-implement process for delivering check-ins that make a difference, making them more comfortable and worthwhile. The episode invites leaders to slow down, get curious, and prioritize relationships as the foundation for more human and productive work environments.

A dynamic keynote speaker, Jason Lauritsen is a true thought leader in the world of work and employee engagement dedicated to revolutionizing the way we Lead With Relationship™.

He fearlessly challenges traditional norms to reshape the employee experience by consistently placing authentic human connection at the heart of leadership.

Jason is the author of two books, Unlocking High Performance and Social Gravity. His thought leadership has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Talent Management magazine, HR Executive magazine, and SHRM publications.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Intro: The Power of Conversation

03:30 – What’s Driving Interest in Check-Ins?

07:50 – Relationship Building is the Work

11:45 – The Four Steps of an Effective Check-In

18:10 – Frequency & Flexibility: What Works Best?

24:00 – Making Space for Connection in Hustle Culture

28:40 – The Role of Comfort in Performance

34:15 – Relearning How to Connect Post-Pandemic

40:00 – Final Thoughts & How to Connect with Jason

LINKS

IMAGE CREDITS (see images on Youtube video)

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