PODCAST · business
A Word With Yourself
by Wren Insight Group
Welcome to A Word With Yourself, a Canadian/Irish podcast where we dive into the biggest topics shaping today’s workplaces. Hosted by Lesley Fennelly and Jennifer Mitchell from Wren Insight Group, we explore the real issues behind productivity, culture, and leadership as well as the odd pop culture topic. From toxic managers to hybrid work and everything in between, we offer fresh insights and practical advice to help you create a thriving workplace. Whether you're a leader or an employee, this podcast is your guide to understanding and improving how we work today. Timestamps 0.00 - 4.20: Intro and catch up 4:20 onward: Artificial Intelligence (AI) conversation
Episodes
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Do Degrees Still Matter? Rethinking What Makes a Great Hire
In this episode, we dig into the role of degrees in modern hiring—and whether they’re still relevant in a skills-based world. Lesley and Jennifer explore how requiring a degree for roles that don’t need them can limit talent, reinforce privilege, and quietly exclude great candidates. They also...
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Return of the Office: The Sequel No One Needed
In this episode, we look at the pros and cons of remote, hybrid, and full-time office work — and the economics that keep standardization so appealing to management. We discuss how control, proximity bias, and outdated ideas about productivity continue to shape corporate decision-making, and why a...
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Elevate Tech Conference, Repetitive Strain Injury, and the AI Bubble
After a packed week at Elevate Conference, Lesley and Jennie unpack everything from the rise of Canada-first tech talk to the overuse of “AI” as a buzzword. Plus, an unexpected repetitive strain injury, an emergency room detour, and a cultural deep dive into high-fives.
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I ChatGPT-ed It: ChatGPT, Google and the Future of Marketing
In this episode of A Word With Yourself, we explore how Large Language Models (LLMs) are reshaping the way people find information, make decisions, and engage with brands. As more of us turn to tools like ChatGPT for product research and recommendations, the traditional rules of SEO are being...
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Unfortunately, I Do Love… Doomscrolling, Fidgeting, and Expensive Lattes
In this episode of A Word With Yourself, we talk about the little rituals that get us through the day — even when they’re not exactly helpful. From the comfort of take-out coffee cups to scrolling ourselves into a hole, we unpack why certain habits feel productive even when they’re not. Plus: why...
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Ghosting in the Workplace: The Rise of Swipe Culture in Recruiting
Spooky season is here—and what better time to talk about ghosting? 👻 This week on A Word With Yourself, Jennifer Mitchell and Lesley Fennelly dive into ghosting in the workplace. From candidates and companies vanishing mid-process, to the dreaded Slack “hi,” to cold outreach that won’t quit, we...
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Return to Office (Again), Quiet Cracking, and Why Capitalism Is Tired
We’re back from summer break—and unfortunately, so are return-to-office mandates. In this episode, we talk about Ontario’s decision to drag public servants back to the office five days a week, the real reasons behind it (spoiler: it’s not productivity), and the ripple effects for equity, burnout,...
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CEO Scandals, The Streisand Effect, Office Romances, and Why Good PR Matters
A CEO and HR exec caught on a kiss cam—what could go wrong? We break down the viral scandal, the Streisand Effect in action, and why some company statements make things worse. Plus, we get into office romances, PR missteps, and the importance of knowing when not to speak. Oh, and Tipperary won…
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How to Say No: A Leadership Skill That Sets You Apart (and a Diet Coke Tangent)
Why is saying no so hard? And why does it matter for your career? In this episode of A Word With Yourself, we explore the power of setting boundaries at work, why saying no is a leadership skill that separates decision-makers from doers, and how to do it without damaging relationships. We’ll also...
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Notions, Undervalued Mid-Performers, Lazy Geniuses, and the Myth of Ambition
In this episode of A Word with Yourself, Lesley and Jennie explore why the most consistent and efficient people at work are often the least recognized. We talk about the mid performer—the dependable pro who doesn’t chase promotions—and the lazy genius who quietly finds faster, smarter ways to get...
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AI Took My Entry-Level Job, Return-to-Office Is Back, and the Hidden Cost of Efficiency
In this episode of A Word With Yourself, we unpack the shrinking world of entry-level jobs thanks to AI—and why that might be a bigger problem than it seems. We talk about the value of "grunt work," how junior roles are often where you learn the most, and what happens when the intern is ChatGPT.…
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Eurovision, Messaging Etiquette, Camera Culture, and the Art of Small Talk
From Slack and Teams etiquette to camera culture, we unpack the unspoken rules of modern work. This episode covers how to communicate clearly without creating extra work for others, why vague messages like “hi” can backfire, and the underrated impact of small talk. Plus, a few detours: Eurovision...
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Toronto with One T: What Irish Professionals Should Know Before They Arrive
In this episode of A Word With Yourself, we unpack the “one-size-fits-most” hybrid work model, how Irish professionals can adapt to Canada’s work culture, and why being modest might be your biggest job-hunting mistake. They share tips on how to network like a local, what to say in interviews, how...
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Canada’s Election and the Myth of Promoting the Best Performer
In this episode, we unpack the results of Canada’s recent federal election—why the Conservatives lost despite gaining seats, how strategic voting shaped the outcome, and the continued failure to reform the first-past-the-post system. We also explore why so many bad managers end up in leadership...
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When AI Thinks You're a Middle-Aged Man: Tech Blind Spots, Recruiting Gaps, and "New" Future Skills
AI is changing everything — but not without reflecting the same old biases we've spent decades trying to fix. In this episode, we unpack what happened when AI generated images of us (and why we all somehow looked like the same middle-aged man).We dive into how bias shows up in AI, the hidden…
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The Corporate Psychopath and Managing Up
Ever worked for someone who seemed charming to leadership but left a trail of misery behind them? In this episode of A Word With Yourself, we dig into the unsettling reality of the corporate psychopath—how they get ahead, why no one stops them, and what it feels like to work for one. Then we…
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Better Decisions at Work: A Practical Approach to Dealing with Bias
In this episode, we wrap up our series on cognitive biases and logical fallacies with a practical guide to spotting and sidestepping them at work. From the halo effect and groupthink to recency bias and moral licensing, we break down how these mental shortcuts sneak into meetings, hiring…
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The Halo Effect, Overconfidence, Recency Bias — and Poor Subway Etiquette
In this episode of A Word With Yourself, we unpack the halo effect, groupthink, recency bias, overconfidence—and why people still can’t figure out how to behave on the subway. From mistaking charisma for competence to promoting the wrong people and making questionable decisions just to keep the...
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Cognitive Biases—Salary Negotiations and First Impressions, Plus Getting Social Media Right
In this episode, we continue our discussion on cognitive biases and fallacies that influence our decision-making—often without us realizing it. Building on our previous conversation, we explore three more biases that subtly impact our workplace interactions, negotiations, and overall perceptions....
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Cognitive Bias and the Workplace: How Your Brain Tricks You Every Day (Ft. Dating Apps and Desire Paths)
From confirmation bias shaping hiring decisions to the bandwagon effect influencing workplace groupthink, this episode of A Word with Yourself is part 1 of our deep dive into biases and logical fallacies in the workplace and unpacks the sneaky ways our brains mess with us at work. We also take a...
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Workplace Red Flags Continued: Idea Stealing, Bossy Co-Workers & Poor Delegation
Ever had your idea ignored—only for your boss to use it as their own? Or worked in a place where everything is urgent or an emergency? In this episode of A Word with Yourself, we’re diving into more workplace red flags, from idea-stealing managers to poor delegation and unnecessary power plays....
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Workplace Red Flags: Loud Desk Calls, Gender Bias, and Main Character Energy
In this episode of A Word with Yourself, we uncover the top workplace red flags you might be missing—from loud desk calls to subtle gender biases in company materials. Discover how these seemingly small behaviors can signal bigger issues and learn actionable steps to address them. Don’t miss this...
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Leadership and Pop Culture: Lively, Baldoni, and Red Flags in Job Descriptions
In this episode, we unpack everything from political theatrics at the White House to the latest twists in celebrity lawsuits—and how media narratives shape public opinion. We also dive into misleading job descriptions, the hiring process, and why some roles ask for everything but the kitchen…
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Breaking Down Amazon's Return-to-Office Mandate
We take a deep dive into the communication from Amazon’s CEO announcing the company’s return-to-office mandate. Our discussion covers the strategic framing of the message, potential employee reactions, and the broader impact on company culture and operational efficiency.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to A Word With Yourself, a Canadian/Irish podcast where we dive into the biggest topics shaping today’s workplaces. Hosted by Lesley Fennelly and Jennifer Mitchell from Wren Insight Group, we explore the real issues behind productivity, culture, and leadership as well as the odd pop culture topic. From toxic managers to hybrid work and everything in between, we offer fresh insights and practical advice to help you create a thriving workplace. Whether you're a leader or an employee, this podcast is your guide to understanding and improving how we work today.
Timestamps
0.00 - 4.20: Intro and catch up
4:20 onward: Artificial Intelligence (AI) conversation
HOSTED BY
Wren Insight Group
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does A Word With Yourself have?
A Word With Yourself currently has 24 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is A Word With Yourself about?
Welcome to A Word With Yourself, a Canadian/Irish podcast where we dive into the biggest topics shaping today’s workplaces. Hosted by Lesley Fennelly and Jennifer Mitchell from Wren Insight Group, we explore the real issues behind productivity, culture, and leadership as well as the odd pop culture...
How often does A Word With Yourself release new episodes?
A Word With Yourself has 24 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to A Word With Yourself?
You can listen to A Word With Yourself on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts A Word With Yourself?
A Word With Yourself is created and hosted by Wren Insight Group.
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