podcast 002: how mission-driven workplaces spark collective energy
In this episode, Deb sits down with Libby Baney—partner at Faegre Drinker, DC insider, and passionate champion of workplace wellbeing—to explore how cultivating deep connection at work isn’t just nice, it’s necessary.
“We sell our whole brain. When you buy a billable hour from me, you get the whole darn thing—because I come fully equipped to solve that job without the stress sponges sucking away my creative energy.”
This conversation dives into what it truly means to flourish at work, in relationships, and with ourselves—especially in moments of societal upheaval. From founding firm-wide mental health initiatives to hosting late-night Zoom calls that turn into soul-restoring conversations, Libby brings raw honesty and grounded wisdom about what it takes to lead with humanity in high-performance environments.
This episode is a must-listen for professionals navigating mission-driven work in intense systems, and for anyone craving more connection in the spaces where we spend most of our waking hours.
Key Highlights
Why one-on-one connection is essential in an era of burnout and surface-level communication
How high-stakes professionals can flourish when culture is designed for human connection
Real examples of workplace innovation, from mental health integration to collaborative team models
What it looks like to “unleash” creativity and problem-solving through intentional rapport
The business case for embedding mental health services directly inside law firm
About Our Guest
Libby Baney is a partner at Fakery Drinker law firm in Washington, D.C., where her leadership has helped transform the firm's approach to mental health and collaborative work. Her innovative approach, including bringing in-house mental health practitioners to the firm, earned them an American Lawyer Award. Libby describes herself as mission-driven, like many in the D.C. area who "don't come here to get rich—you come here to do good things." As a mother, newlywed, and advocate for human flourishing, Libby brings warmth and authenticity to everything she does, embodying the connection between personal wellbeing and professional excellence.
About The HX Collective:
The HX Collective exists to elevate the human experience—at work, in relationships, and with ourselves. Through thought-provoking conversations and actionable insight, we help leaders embrace the full spectrum of what it means to be human. Because flourishing isn’t the absence of struggle—it’s what happens when we move through it with intention.
