Why Workplace Wellness Needs a New Approach with Emma Tekstra

“We have been sold this idea that a good job is one that has good pay and good benefits. But what if the benefits we’ve all been chasing aren’t actually making us healthier?”

In this episode of Business is Human, Rebecca Fleetwood Hession sits down with Emma Tekstra, corporate benefits expert turned wellness advocate, to share why it’s time to rethink the way companies invest in employee well-being. Emma shares how a wellness-first approach to benefits can create healthier, happier, and more engaged employees—without just pouring money into traditional insurance plans.

They explore the broken system of corporate health benefits, why financial security isn’t the same as well-being, and how businesses can foster true human flourishing by prioritizing mental, physical, and social health in the workplace.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why traditional benefits may be doing more harm than good
• How companies can create a culture of real well-being
• What human flourishing looks like in today’s workforce

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro

(02:10) Rethinking the definition of workplace benefits

(06:45) Why wellness programs fail—and how to fix them

(10:22) Human flourishing vs. corporate well-being

(15:37) The hidden costs of a sick workforce

(22:04) How employers can support holistic health

(28:19) Why purpose and connection matter in well-being

(34:42) Practical steps to shift to a wellness-first model

Connect with Emma:

Website: https://emmatekstra.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/talk2emma/

Substack: https://substack.com/@emmatekstra
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmatekstra/

Connect with Rebecca:

https://www.rebeccafleetwoodhession.com/