Your Work Friends | Fresh Insights on the Now and Next of Work

Send us Fan MailWork friends can feel like a bonus, something nice if it happens and irrelevant if it doesn’t. We don’t buy that, and the research doesn’t either. Today we dig into what workplace friendships actually do to performance and culture, using three years of data from KPMG that points to a clear conclusion: connection at work is not incidental, it’s central.We’re joined by Sandy Torchia, KPMG’s U.S. Vice Chair of Talent and Culture, to unpack what the numbers reveal about the employee experience. We talk about why employees with close friends at work show higher engagement, why they’re more likely to build skills, and how strong relationships can even connect to things leaders care about right now like trust in leadership and adoption of new tools including AI. We also explore how different kinds of work relationships affect wellbeing and resilience, especially when work is stressful or changing fast.If you manage people, this is a practical lens for building a healthier workplace culture without resorting to forced fun or awkward bonding. If you’re an individual contributor, it’s a reality check on why “keeping it strictly professional” can quietly limit your growth and support network. Listen, share it with a teammate, and if it resonates, subscribe and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s one thing that helped a real work friendship form for you?Check out KPMG's "Friends at Work Report" here: https://kpmg.com/us/en/media/news/friends-at-work-2026.htmlFollow Sandy Torchia here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandytorchia/Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailCalifornia's Warning Sign on AI Layoffs, Long-Term Unemployment & The Rise of Emotional SurveillanceThe headlines say the labor market is healthy.So why are so many people spending months—or even years—trying to find work?This week, we unpack the growing disconnect between what the numbers say and what people are actually experiencing.We start with the rise of long-term unemployment and why a low unemployment rate may be masking a much bigger problem beneath the surface. Then we look at California, where AI-related job disruption is becoming impossible to ignore, and ask whether it's a preview of what's coming for the rest of the country.Finally, we dive into one of the most unsettling workplace trends we've seen in a while: emotional surveillance. From sentiment analysis to facial scanning and AI-powered monitoring tools, employers now have more ways than ever to measure how workers think, feel, and behave. The question is: should they?In this episode:• Why long-term unemployment is rising• What California may be telling us about AI's impact on jobs• The growing skills mismatch in the labor market• The rise of emotional surveillance at work• Why the future of work may feel very different than the headlines suggestBecause sometimes the most important story isn't the one making the news—it's the one hiding underneath it.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailWhat the hell is happening at work right now?After a spring packed with HR, AI, leadership, and future-of-work conferences, we sat down with Adam DeRose (HR Brew) and David Rice (People Managing People) for an honest conversation about what they’re actually seeing inside organizations right now.And honestly? The vibes are weird.In this episode, we dig into:why work feels increasingly unstable and disconnectedthe growing trust gap between leaders and employeesAI adoption vs. actual transformationlayoffs being made on “promises that haven’t reconciled”burnout, disengagement, and survival mode at workwhy organizations keep layering new strategies onto systems that can’t support themthe tension between speed, pressure, and thoughtful leadershipwhat gives them hope (yes, there’s some hope)This isn’t a polished “AI will save us” conversation.It’s four people who spend their lives studying work, reporting on work, and redesigning work trying to make sense of a moment that feels increasingly uncertain for a lot of people.Come for the state of work.Stay for the existential crisis, plumber bots, and surprisingly deep thoughts about human greatness.Featuring:Adam DeRose, Senior Reporter at HR BrewDavid Rice, Executive Editor at People Managing PeopleNew episodes every Tuesday (sometimes Wednesday - hey, we're indie) from Your Work Friends.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailFrom cigarettes… to smoke-free.What does real organizational transformation actually take?In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Kaleen Love, U.S. Chief People and Culture Officer at Philip Morris International, to explore what it looks like to lead change inside one of the most complex business transformations happening in real time.As PMI works toward a smoke-free future by 2030, Kaleen shares a candid look at the human side of transformation. From power dynamics and passive resistance to burnout, culture, leadership, and AI, this conversation breaks down why change is never just about strategy. It’s about how people respond when identity, control, and the future all start shifting at once.We explore: Why resistance at work is often a signal, not a problem  How power dynamics shape employee behavior during change  Why traditional change management breaks down at scale  The difference between managing change and leading it  How organizations can build culture that actually supports transformation  Why human judgment matters even more in an AI-enabled workplace  The role of courage, energy management, and self-awareness in modern leadership A practical, thoughtful, and refreshingly honest conversation about what it really takes to move an organization from strategy to execution.About Dr. Kaleen Love:Dr. Kaleen Love (PhD) is a pioneering social scientist, organizational strategist, and the U.S. Chief People & Culture Officer at Philip Morris International (PMI). She joined PMI in 2021 to lead organizational strategy for 80,000 employees globally and took over her current role leading the PMI U.S. People & Culture team in 2023, supporting the company's mission of a smoke-free future.Prior to her tenure at PMI, Kaleen held various roles in the public and private sectors. For the first decade of her career, she worked primarily with NGOs and government institutions, focusing on gender equality, women’s empowerment and reproductive health.Kaleen transitioned to the private sector in 2008 as a consultant with McKinsey & Company, focusing on financial services clients. She later joined Capital One, where, as chief of staff to the president of the company’s retail and direct bank, she led the communication team and founded the bank’s first centralized customer insights, research and analytics function.Kaleen holds a master’s degree and a PhD in international development from the University of Oxford.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailAI: Magic or MissAI has officially become the corporate answer to everything.Need more productivity? AI.Need fewer people? AI.Need to sound innovative on an earnings call? Definitely AI.But underneath all the hype, a real question is starting to creep in:Is this actually making work better — or are we just making bigger decisions on shakier logic?In this episode, we get into the gap between the promise of AI and what’s actually happening inside organizations right now: burnout, bad strategy, fuzzy thinking, and leaders making workforce bets before the evidence is really there.We talk about where AI is genuinely useful, where it’s being wildly overapplied, and why so many companies seem more focused on not falling behind than on solving a real problem.Because this tech could be magical.It could free people up for better thinking, better work, and better outcomes.But that’s not where a lot of organizations are headed.They’re chasing efficiency.They’re cutting before redesigning.And they’re mistaking motion for strategy.So: is AI a breakthrough?Or are we using it in ways that quietly make work worse?That’s the conversation.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when the thing that defined you ends?In this episode, we sit down with former NFL first-round draft pick Alex Molden to talk about reinvention, identity, and what it actually takes to build the next version of yourself.After spending eight years in the NFL, Alex had to face a question a lot of people are asking right now: who are you when the role, career, or identity you built your life around no longer fits? In this conversation, he opens up about the loss of identity that came after football, the moment a job interview forced him to confront it, and the framework he used to rebuild from there.We get into:Why career transitions can feel like identity collapseThe difference between what you do and who you areAlex’s framework for reinvention: alignment, assignment, adjustment, and assessmentHow to practice becoming the person you want to beWhat to do if you’re in the middle of a pivot, layoff, retirement, or major life changeIf you’re navigating a transition, questioning your next move, or trying to build a version of yourself that fits your life now, this one’s for you.Subscribe for more conversations on work, leadership, identity, and the future of how we live and work.About Alex Molden: Alex helps high-performers (especially athletes and leaders) master their transitions, elevate their influence, and lead with purpose. Whether on the field, in the boardroom, or at a retreat, he brings a proven playbook built from real experience, hard-won lessons, and intentional growth.✔️ Drafted #11 overall in the 1996 NFL Draft✔️ 8-year NFL veteran turned respected leadership consultant ✔️ 2x Author✔️ Creator of the "A4" framework✔️ Trusted by athletes, teams, and corporate leaders nationwidewww.alexmoldenspeaks.comDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailWe just got back from UNLEASH America with one big conclusion:The tech decision is over.The people decision is still up for grabs.In this episode, we break down what we heard from some of the biggest voices in AI, HR, leadership, and the future of work and where the conversation is getting very real, very fast.Because right now, companies are saying humans are the competitive advantage.At the exact same time, the market is rewarding cuts, automation, and cheaper labor.That contradiction is the story.We get into the three futures of work, why AI training is becoming obsolete almost as soon as it’s delivered, why psychological safety is suddenly a business survival issue, why middle managers are getting absolutely hammered, and why so many organizations are mistaking tool adoption for actual transformation.We also unpack the bigger questions underneath all of it:What work still belongs to humans?What happens when AI can generate the output?What skills actually matter now?And who is making these choices for everyone else?Inside the episode:the three possible futures of workwhy the AI and jobs conversation feels so chaoticinsights from Ethan Mollick, Amy Edmondson, Gary Bolles, and morewhy you can’t install your way through changehow culture debt is building inside organizationsthe pressure building on managers, employees, and leadersand 8 practical moves to respond right nowIf you work in HR, leadership, talent, strategy, learning, or you’re just trying to figure out what AI is actually doing to work, this episode is for you.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailProductive. Profitable. People Not Included?Companies are getting more productive and profitable — while quietly employing fewer people. This week we unpack the growing gap between AI productivity, disappearing jobs, and the uncomfortable question: if the work changes, what replaces the paycheck?Companies are getting more productive. Profits are rising.So why does it feel like workers are disappearing from the equation?This week on Your Work Friends, Francesca and Mel break down two signals shaping the future of work.First: hiring is slowing while AI takes on more tasks and even entire workflows. If jobs don’t keep pace with productivity, a bigger question emerges: how do people make money? That’s why ideas like Universal Basic Income are suddenly moving from academic theory into mainstream conversation.Then we look at a new Harvard Business Review article on why AI transformations are stalling. The problem isn’t the technology — it’s that companies aren’t redesigning the work around it. Tools are being deployed everywhere, but the structure of jobs and organizations hasn’t caught up.In this episode we explore:why productivity is rising while employment stallsthe growing conversation around UBI and post-work incomewhy AI adoption isn’t the same as AI transformationthe organizational redesign most companies are avoidingBecause the real question isn’t just what AI can do.It’s what happens to work — and paychecks — if it does.#FutureOfWork#AIAtWork#WorkplaceTransformation#Automation#Leadership#UniversalBasicIncome#EconomicSignalsDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailHR’s Biggest Moment Is Right Now. Who’s Going to Take It?AI isn’t just another HR tech tool.It’s becoming infrastructure.In this episode of Your Work Friends, Mel Plett and Francesca Ranieri sit down with Enrique Rubio, Founder & CEO of Hacking HR (a 2M+ global HR community), to unpack the biggest signals reshaping HR, People Operations, and leadership right now.The stakes?HR can either shape how work changes — or watch it get shaped for them.The Signals We’re TrackingAI is moving from tool → infrastructureThe cost-of-labor equation is getting colderCompanies are making decisions faster than humans can emotionally processAI can now mimic many “human” skills HR once relied onGovernance, regulation, and political shifts are accelerating uncertaintyThis isn’t theoretical. It’s happening now.What We CoverWhy “just be more human” isn’t a strategy in the age of AIThe capabilities that will define effective HR leaders in the next 3 yearsWhy HR must think beyond HR (finance, tech, operations fluency matters)What HR might look like by 2030 — and why it will likely be smaller, more strategic, and more orchestration-focusedWhy community is a competitive advantage — especially when most companies have only 1–2 HR leadersWhat HR should stop doing immediatelyA practical 12-month playbook for CHROs, People Ops leaders, and HR teamsIf HR doesn’t step into technology leadership, someone else will.New episodes drop every Tuesday.Subscribe, share, and if you want deeper frameworks, sign up for the newsletter at yourworkfriends.com.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailWomen aren’t dialing back ambition.They’re redesigning it.New research with the Harris Poll shows 86% of women say they’re more ambitious now than they were five years ago. The difference? They’re building careers that don’t look like the traditional ladder.This week, Trey Boynton from Chief joins us to unpack the rise of the multihyphenate leader — and what it means for individuals and organizations alike.We get into:• What the career ladder got wrong• Why side hustles are a flex, not a red flag• How community fuels ambition• How to support non-linear growth without burning out top talentBecause ambition isn’t the problem.The traditional career ladder is.If you’re designing what’s next — for yourself or your team — this one’s a must.Learn more about Chief and connect with Trey BoyntonDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailPersonal branding isn’t about LinkedIn clout—it’s about career clarity, visibility, and opportunity.In this episode of Your Work Friends, we’re joined by Gina Clementi, founder of Goodstory, to break down what a personal brand actually is—and why it’s becoming one of the most critical career assets in today’s job market.As layoffs rise, AI reshapes work, and careers become more fractional, being good at your job is no longer enough. You need to be known for something.In this conversation, we cover:What a personal brand really is (and common misconceptions about LinkedIn and “thought leadership”)The difference between competence, visibility, and being remembered when you’re not in the roomWhy professionals without a personal brand miss out on jobs, promotions, and opportunities they never even seeThe psychological cost of corporate “shape-shifting” and hiding behind company identityHow to build a personal brand while staying in a corporate rolePractical advice for introverts, skeptics, and people who hate posting on LinkedInWhy AI makes authenticity, judgment, and humanity your biggest differentiatorsHow networking, digital presence, and personal brand now matter more than resumes aloneWhat the future of careers, fractional work, and professional identity looks like heading toward 2030Whether you’re navigating a career transition, exploring consulting or fractional work, building leadership visibility, or trying to future-proof your career in an AI-driven economy, this episode will help you get clear on the story people tell about you—and how to own it.🎧 Listen now to learn how to build a personal brand that opens doors, attracts opportunity, and actually feels like you.About Gina Clementi: Gina Clementi is a global brand strategy and storytelling veteran who's built emotional and business impact for brands like Nike, Adidas and Micron. She helps individuals and business forge deeper consumer bonds through narrative driven creative, strategy and digital experiences.  Gina's LinkedInGoodstory About Unleash:REINVENTING HR.TOGETHER.MARCH 17 – 19, 2026CAESARS FORUM LAS VEGASDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailPeople are not okay.And if people aren’t okay—neither is your business.This week on Your Work Friends, we slow down and say the quiet part out loud.In just the last two weeks, we’ve watched:AI leaders at Davos predict massive workforce disruption—without clarity on what comes nextCareers become less predictable, five-year plans feel pointless, and the safety net quietly disappearHiring shift from polished resumes to proof of skills—mid-career, mid-gamePolitical and social instability spill directly into the workplace, whether leaders acknowledge it or notThe result? A workforce carrying more uncertainty, pressure, and distrust than ever before.In this episode, Francesca and Mel break down what all of this actually means for work—and what leaders, managers, and employees need to do now.We cover:Why “business as usual” is the riskiest move leaders can make in 2026How silence from leadership erodes trust faster than bad newsThe real human cost of AI, political instability, and chronic uncertainty at workWhat CEOs, managers, and employees can each do this week to make work more doableWhy your biggest business risk isn’t competition—it’s people capacityThis isn’t alarmism. It’s realism.And it’s a call to get congruent about what you stand for—because people will feel it either way.If you lead people, work with people, or are people (hi), this episode is for you.🎧 New episodes drop every Tuesday.📬 Sign up for our monthly, insight-driven newsletter at yourworkfriends.com📩 Reach us at [email protected] you don’t get great work from people who are barely holding it together—and a lot of people are barely holding it together right now.We Referenced: Above the Law: Trump Sues JP Morgan for ‘Nice Bank You Got There, Be A Shame If Something Happened To it”Business Insider: America’s new sink-or-swim era of work is hereCNN: Jamie Dimon is learning what happens when a CEO dares to defy TrumpThe Guardian: Minneapolis shooting: Tim Walz says ‘you know what you saw’ as the Obamas call out Trump and ICEGallup: Nurses continue to lead in honesty and ethics ratingsHRD: Five-year career plans a ‘little bit foolish’, says LinkedIn CEODisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailMost strategies don’t fail because leaders don’t know what to do—they fail because organizations can’t behave their way into it.Pressure doesn’t break culture.It exposes it.Most organizations don’t fail because leaders lack strategy or intelligence. They fail because, under pressure, the behaviors required to execute quietly collapse—long before the numbers move.In this episode of Your Work Friends, we break down the five observable behaviors that predict whether a company will scale, stall, or slowly undermine its own execution. These aren’t values or vibes. They’re early warning signals that show up in how decisions get made, how truth travels, and how work actually gets done.Drawing from decades of experience inside complex organizations—and a clear-eyed look at what went wrong at Boeing—we unpack how pressure consistently fractures culture along the same fault lines:Politics: when decisions depend on who, not whatFairness: whether the system actually plays straightPsychological safety: whether truth shows up earlyCollaboration: whether work moves forward or in circlesAdaptability: whether the organization can change before it’s forced toWe also share a simple five-question diagnostic leaders can use this week to spot where drag, risk, and breakdown are already forming—while there’s still time to act.If you lead a team, function, or organization—and you’re feeling the pressure—this episode will help you see what’s really happening beneath the surface, and what to do about it.#Leadership #CultureUnderPressure #Execution #ExecutiveLeadership#StrategyExecution #OrganizationalDesign #ChangeLeadership#DecisionMaking #FutureOfWorkDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailFrom AI-reshaping careers to widening talent gaps, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of labor “stuckness.” We analyze the fastest-growing jobs, high-pay trade shortages, teen gap-year programs, and the quiet end of happy hour.Here’s the deal—2026 isn’t a boom year.It’s not a crash either.It’s a labor lockdown.In this episode of Your Work Friends, we break down the biggest signals shaping the U.S. job market right now—and why so many people feel stuck, cautious, and quietly uneasy about what’s next.We cover:The 2026 labor outlook and why “stuckness” is the defining theme (low hiring, low firing, high anxiety)The 25 fastest-growing jobs in the U.S.—and what they reveal about AI, power, and who’s getting left behindA gap year program promising six-figure salaries for teens (and the uncomfortable truth about access, privilege, and judgment)Ford’s $160K mechanic problem—and why the headline hides the real barriers to trade workAnd yes… the death of happy hour 🍸 (what we’re losing, what we’re gaining, and why Tito’s isn’t a culture strategy)We also get real about:The growing two-tier workforce (AI insiders vs. everyone else)Why proof of work can quietly become proof of privilegeWhere the real bright spots are in a shaky, uneven economyAnd how leaders, employees, and independents should be thinking differently about talent, pay, and pathways in 2026This one’s part analysis, part side-eye, part “someone needed to say it.”If you’re feeling stuck, watching the job market with concern, or trying to lead without losing trust—this episode is for you.🎙️ Hosted by Mel Plett and Francesca Ranieri🎵 Music by Pink Zebra🔗 Find more at yourworkfriends.comReferences: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)KPMG 2026 Labor Economic InsightsSHRM 2026 Talent Acquisition ForecastThe Upwork Research Institute: 2026 Strategic Workforce PlanningLinkedIn: Jobs on the Rise 2026 - the 25 Fastest Growing Roles in the U.S. Business Insider: A gap year program is lining up six-figure startup salaries for teensThe Death of Happy Hour The $160,000 Mechanic Job That Ford Can’t FillDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailSmart people don’t automatically make a smart team.In this episode of Your Work Friends, we talk with Dr. Anita Woolley, professor at Carnegie Mellon University and one of the world’s leading researchers on collective intelligence, about what actually drives team performance—and what most leaders get wrong.Anita breaks down why high-performing teams aren’t about talent density, charisma, or motivation, but about coordination, goal clarity, and participation—most of which is decided before the work begins. We discuss how team intelligence (team IQ) can be measured, why equal participation predicts better outcomes, and how leaders unintentionally undermine collaboration in meetings.We also explore what collective intelligence looks like in remote and hybrid teams, including how to reduce meeting overload, improve asynchronous collaboration, and avoid proximity bias.Then we go into the future: AI agents as teammates. Anita explains why AI doesn’t improve teams by default, the critical difference between AI as production technology vs. coordination technology, and how AI could strengthen collective memory, psychological safety, and cross-team collaboration—if leaders use it intentionally.If you lead, manage, or work on teams in an AI-shaped workplace, this episode is essential listening.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailWhy are we still treating wealth-building at work like a VIP perk?Senior executives have long enjoyed equity as part of their compensation.  But what happens when everyone gets a piece of the upside?This week, we sit down with Anna-Lisa Miller, Executive Director of Ownership Works, a nonprofit partnering with companies and investors to expand broad-based employee ownership - creating real financial stability for workers and driving stronger business performance for employers.📈 Here’s the wild part:Shared ownership isn’t a feel-good perk. It’s delivering life-changing payouts —helping employees pay off debt, buy homes, build generational wealth, and finally get out from under the daily squeeze that 1 in 4 American workers are living in.In this conversation, we get into:How equity for all employees actually works (it’s simpler than you think)Why private equity has become an unlikely accelerant of inclusive wealth-buildingThe cultural shift that happens when workers feel, think, and act like ownersWhat CEOs gain when they stop treating employees as a cost and start treating them as partnersWhy empathy + transparency are becoming future-of-work leadership superpowersThis movement is already proving what many of us believe:When companies win, workers should too.And Anna-Lisa? She’s a powerhouse — and the daughter of a badass immigrant mom who built the American dream the hard way. This work is deeply personal.Listen in to hear how shared ownership could redefine what’s possible for millions of workers - and for the companies bold enough to lead the way.About Anna-LisaAnna-Lisa Miller is the founding Executive Director of Ownership Works. She is responsible for the organization’s strategy, key partnerships, growth, and overall impact. With a career deeply rooted in expanding shared ownership, advancing racial equity, and driving systemic change, Anna-Lisa is a recognized leader in the nonprofit sector. She brings extensive experience in building organizations, designing impactful programs, and forging partnerships that deliver lasting social and economic benefits to communities. More about Ownership Works: SiteVideos Anna-Lisa references:Ownership Works – ISC Employees Share in Big Payout, Showcasing the Power of Ownership Ownership Works - CHI Case Study Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail“With AI you can delegate a bunch of the work, but you cannot delegate the accountability.”This week on Your Work Friends, we sit down with Zapier’s Chief People & AI Transformation Officer Brandon Sammut to break down how Zapier hit 97% AI adoption without traditional L&D, why they declared an internal “Code Red,” and how culture—not tools—is the real engine of AI transformation.We get into Zapier’s AI fluency rubric for new hires, their “clear the lane” discipline that freed HR to actually innovate, and the role of AI Automation Engineers reshaping how teams work. If you’re stuck in pilot purgatory, wrestling with tool sprawl, or trying to get your leaders hands-on with AI, this episode gives you the moves.What you’ll learn:Why Zapier called “Code Red” on AI earlyThe habits behind their 97% adoption rateHow transparency + psychological safety supercharge experimentsThe AI fluency bar every new hire must meetOne golden rule: delegate work, not accountabilityIf you’re a CHRO, CPO, or operator trying to make AI real inside your org—not just a slide—this one’s your playbook.About Brandon SammutChief People & AI Transformation Officer at Zapier, leading the organization’s AI adoption, AI fluency standards, and automation strategy. Follow him on LinkedIn for playbooks and real-world experiments:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-sammut-8147b76#YourWorkFriends #Zapier #AIAtWork #AITransformation #FutureOfWork #HRLeaders #PeopleStrategy #TalentStrategy #Automation #GenerativeAI #Leadership #WorkplaceCultureDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailHere’s the deal—AI promises a lot.Efficiency, productivity, transformation. Every week, something new.But work also runs on things like trust, connection, and human relationships. So the real question isn’t just how fast we adopt AI—it’s how we balance ambition with reality, timelines, people, and humanity.In this episode, we sit down with Wendy Miller, Chief HR Officer for North America at McKinsey & Company, to talk about what balancing AI ambition and reality actually looks like on the ground. Wendy gets candid about the chaos, the learning curves, and what it really takes for leaders and teams to adapt without losing their footing—or their people.We dig into the rewiring of organizations, the blind spots most execs miss, and why the real edge in the AI era isn’t speed—it’s humanity.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why “go smaller, but go fast” might be the smartest AI adoption strategy yetThe cost of chasing speed before impact—and how to avoid itHow to upskill, experiment, and play without losing controlThe new role of HR as the human side of digital transformationWhy trust and authenticity are still your best performance toolsWhat a “learner’s mindset” really looks like in practiceHow to reinvest AI’s efficiency gains back into better leadership, better work, and better cultureFind Wendy on LinkedIn Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailHere’s the deal—fear isn’t the villain. Left alone, it just drives. In this episode, we sit down with Harvard Business School professor and Thinkers50 honoree Ranjay Gulati, author of How to Be Bold: The Surprising Science of Everyday Courage  to talk about acting through fear—at work, in leadership, and in a world that feels permanently uncertain. We get into why uncertainty hijacks the brain, what separates risk from true unknowns, and how everyday people “hack” fear with rituals, reframes, and the right support squad. For leaders, we get real about absorbing ambiguity, setting a confident narrative (without turning into a motivational poster), and why courage—not conformity—is becoming a competitive advantage.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why uncertainty (not danger) triggers fear—and how to build a rapport with itThe freeze → flight → fight reality, and practical “fear hacks” that actually helpThe four kinds of support that make courageous action possible (resources, info, moral, feedback)How to reframe your team’s story to build self-efficacy without the cringeWhat bold leadership looks like in down markets (plus the 9% who invest and win)Why outcomes don’t always prove courage wrong—and how to “give luck a chance”The culture shift from fear/anger to purpose/impact—and why courage is the new currencyFind Ranjay: On LinkedInHis Website Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailFirst: AI is now sliding into your performance reviews.Forbes says it’s here to “remove bias” and “automate feedback.”We say… careful what you outsource. Because when algorithms start coaching humans, you risk losing the part that actually makes feedback work — connection, trust, and care.Then: OpenAI’s Sam Altman claimed that if AI wipes out your job, maybe it wasn’t real work to begin with.Uh, scuzi? We unpack the arrogance behind that take, the history of who decides what “real work” even means, and the danger of rewriting value just because it doesn’t fit into a founder’s business model.This episode hits the intersection of tech, humanity, and meaning — because it’s not just about AI.It’s about what makes work worth doing.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailEver felt like you’re on your own at work—even in a “great culture”?That’s because culture isn’t the same as community.One happens whether you shape it or not. The other takes intention, safety, and a shared purpose.In this episode of Your Work Friends, we sit down with DeMario Bell—community strategist, speaker, and founder of Gatherful, who’s spent over a decade building communities across higher ed, startups, and global enterprise, including leading Culture Amp’s 100,000+ member HR community.We talk about:The difference between a workplace and a true communityWhy family is inherited but community is chosenHow psychological safety is the real test of cultureCommon mistakes leaders make when “building community”The role of vulnerability, trust, and micro-moments in belongingWhy the future of work is “more human, more diverse, and more fluid”If you’ve ever wondered how to build connection that lasts—without forcing fake “family” vibes—this conversation will make you rethink what healthy community really looks like at work.More about DeMario:  Gatherful Consulting Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailThis week on Your Work Friends, we break down three headlines every professional should know:Career Catfishing: Monster’s 2025 report found 4 in 5 U.S. employees say they were misled about their job. We unpack what’s driving the trust crisis between workers and employers—and what good hiring should look like now.Open Enrollment 2026: Get ready for the biggest jump in healthcare costs in 15 years. We explain why premiums are spiking, how to protect your paycheck, and what to ask HR before you pick your plan.AI Actress Tilly Norwood: The entertainment industry just debuted its first fully AI-generated actress—and the actors’ union is calling it theft. We discuss why this moment matters for every industry that runs on creativity, identity, and human expression.If you work in corporate America, HR, or leadership, this episode gives you the clarity and context to get ahead of what’s coming.👉 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailEver felt like your hard work wasn’t enough?That’s because the biggest career breaks don’t always come from effort alone—they come from the people who open doors for you.In this episode of Your Work Friends, we sit down with, Carnegie Mellon Professor,  organizational psychologist and author Rosalind Chow to unpack the power of sponsorship. Not mentorship (that’s important too), but sponsorship—the behind-the-scenes advocacy that shapes reputations, gets your name in the room, and changes who gets ahead.We talk about:The simple one-liner that explains mentorship vs. sponsorshipWhy Rosalyn calls sharing someone else’s win good gossipThe four ways sponsorship actually works—create, confirm, prevent, and protectHow women and people of color are often “sponsored differently”Practical moves anyone can make this week to sponsor someone elseIf you want to understand how influence really works at work—and how to use it to build fairer, smarter teams—this conversation is a must-listen.Connect with Rosalind: Her website Her LinkedInHer book, "The Doors You Can Open: A New Way to Network, Build Trust, and Use Your Influence to Create a More Inclusive Workplace"Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailNew Week, New Headlines: your fast-track through the now + next of work.This week we’re covering three stories shaping how you work, earn, and lead:42,000 US manufacturing jobs lost. Since April, durable goods have shed tens of thousands of jobs—what tariffs, automation, and uncertainty really mean for the economy.72-hour work weeks exploding. Silicon Valley is doubling down on extreme hours while Europe, New Zeland (even NVIDIA) tests the 4-day week. What each bet reveals about strategy and speed vs. resilience.Immigration raids threatening America’s skill base. Crackdowns at Hyundai’s EV plant show how politics collide with workforce realities—and why US innovation depends on global expertise.👉 If you want to stay ahead of the forces reshaping work—from jobs to hours to immigration—this one’s for you.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailNew Week, New Headlines: Burnout turns deadly at Microsoft, the U.S. job market flatlines, “job huggers” cling to stability, and Salesforce cuts while Google opens 20,000 apprenticeships. What it all means for how you work, earn, and lead.This week we’re covering four stories shaping how you work, earn, and lead:Dying at Work. A Microsoft employee died on campus at 35. What it reveals about the way we normalize overwork, and the guardrails leaders should be setting now.The job market flatlines. August added only 22,000 jobs. Why Wall Street cheered, what it means if you’re working or searching, and how to protect yourself in a cooling market.From hopping to hugging. Quitting is at its lowest since 2018. Why employees are clinging to stability, why leaders shouldn’t confuse it with loyalty, and what to do instead.AI cuts vs. access wins. Salesforce shed 4,000 jobs while Google announced 20,000 paid apprenticeships with no degree required. What that says about the real future of work.👉 If you want to stay ahead of the forces reshaping work—from burnout to layoffs to new pathways in—you’ll want this week’s headlines in your feed.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailNew Week, New Headlines: your fast-track through the now + next of work.This week we’re covering four stories shaping how you work, earn, and lead:Your rights at work just changed. From overtime pay to union protections, the federal floor is gone—and what that means depends on where you live and who you work for.Women are missing from IPOs. 88% of companies going public this summer had one or no women on their boards, and 93% had one or none in the C-suite. What that signals for equity and wealth building.Canva just made overnight millionaires. The design platform’s employee share sale proves there’s another way to spread the wealth—and why every employee should pay attention to equity.WTF, OpenAI. Big bonuses, but only for some. What they could have done differently, and why it matters in an AI talent war.👉 If you want to stay ahead of the forces reshaping work—from politics to IPOs to AI—this one’s for you.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailThe future of HR isn’t just about people, it’s about how business, technology, and strategy come together.In this episode of Your Work Friends, we sit down with JP Elliott, host of The Future of HR Podcast and creator of the Next Gen HR Accelerator, to talk about how HR is evolving inside the world’s biggest companies. JP has partnered with leaders at Amazon, American Express, Verizon, and more, and he brings a clear perspective on what it takes to build HR functions that win.We cover:Why the best HR leaders think like business leaders firstThe rise of AI in HR—and why bolting it on isn’t enoughThe case for splitting HR into compliance vs. business enablementHow companies like Moderna and ServiceNow are building AI-first HR functionsThe biggest mistake organizations make when it comes to HR strategy and executionThe advice every CHRO stepping into the role needs right nowIf you’re serious about the future of work, HR transformation, or building HR as a true business driver, this episode will push your thinking forward.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailOxford professor Karthik Ramanna joins us to unpack how to lead with humility and temperance in the age of outrage—so you can build trust, lower the temperature, and keep your team thriving in polarized times.Outrage is everywhere—at work, online, even in our group chats. So how do you lead when everyone’s on edge? In this episode, we sit down with Oxford professor and Age of Outrage author Karthik Ramanna to talk about the leadership trait almost no one is talking about (but everyone needs): temperance.We get into:Why outrage is spiking in workplaces and beyondHow trust is built (and destroyed) in polarized timesThe underrated power of humility in leadershipWhen to speak up vs. when to step backWhy small promises + big delivery beats bold hype every timeWhether you’re running a Fortune 500 or a team of five, this conversation will give you the tools to keep your cool, earn trust, and lead well—without losing yourself in the noise.About Karthik RamannaAbout The Age of Outrage Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailThis week, we’re breaking down three headlines that could reshape the American workplace:📉 The job market cool-down continues, with new JOLTS data showing longer unemployment durations and more people dropping out of the job hunt altogether.⚖️ The Modern Worker Employment Act could redefine what it means to be an “employee”—and put traditional full-time roles at risk.✝️ A new Trump-era memo gives federal workers the green light to evangelize at work. Is this the start of a new wave of religious expression in corporate spaces?From layoffs to labor laws to religion in the breakroom—we’ve got thoughts. If you care about where work is headed, this one's for you.#JobMarket2025 #Layoffs #ModernWorkerAct #GigEconomy #WorkplaceReligion #EmploymentLaw #FutureOfWork #HRNews #LaborMarket #YourWorkFriends #WorkplaceTrendsDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIs your brain still working even when you're not? You're not alone—and it's probably costing you more than you think.In this episode of Your Work Friends, we sit down with Dr. Malissa Clark—organizational psychologist and author of Never Not Working—to unpack how hustle culture, job insecurity, and digital overload are making it harder than ever to truly disconnect.We talk through the 4 types of workaholism, the science behind why your body never gets to rest, and what recovery can actually look like (especially if mindfulness makes you want to scream). Whether you’re leading a team or just trying to survive the triple-peak workday, this is your permission slip to stop running on fumes.🔍 What we cover:How to know if you’re a workaholic (even if you love your job)Why overwork often looks like ambitionThe physiological toll of being “always on”Why managers—not Slack—are the real culture shapersRecovery strategies that go beyond deep breathing🎧 Featuring: Dr. Malissa Clark, Director of the Healthy Work Lab and Associate Professor at the University of GeorgiaConnect with Malissa hereDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailWhat if we stopped designing jobs like checklists—and started designing them like products employees want to buy?In this episode of Your Work Friends, we talk with Dart Lindsley, CEO and co-founder of 11 Fold, the creator of Multi-Sided Management and he's the host of the Work for Humans podcast, Dart breaks down why it’s time to stop treating employees like “inputs” and start treating them like customers—with all the same thoughtfulness, strategy, and design we use in product development.We explore:Why the “job description” is the most broken tool in HRHow to redesign work so it actually meets people’s needsWhat leaders get wrong about performance and retentionHow managers can become designers—and what that looks like in practiceIf you're a manager, HR leader, or ambitious professional who wants to shape the future of work—not just survive it—this episode is a must-listen.🔗 Connect with Dart Lindsley: 11fold.com and the Work For Humans Podcast 💬 Join our community: yourworkfriends.comDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailThis week on Your Work Friends, we’re diving into two hot topics shaking up the future of work.  1️⃣ The surprising new jobs AI is creating and why your taste and creativity might be the most valuable skills you bring to the table.First, we explore 22 new jobs AI is expected to create — and why your taste (yes, your vibe, your style, your point of view) could become your biggest career asset in an AI-driven world. We’re talking about AI auditors, world designers, and why creativity is about to pay off big.2️⃣Why some companies are getting rid of HR altogether — and whether that’s a smart move or a big mistake.Then, should HR go away? We break down why some CEOs are scrapping HR entirely, what that really means, and why splitting HR into two teams (compliance vs. people) might actually save your workplace.We cover:✔️ What happens when companies ditch HR✔️ The growing split between compliance and people strategy✔️ How AI is transforming job markets✔️ New roles like AI auditors, world builders, and taste makers✔️ How to future-proof your career in an AI-driven workplaceIf you’re a corporate leader, manager, or just trying to stay ahead in your career, this one’s for you.Should HR evolve or die? And are you ready for the new AI-powered workplace?We jammed about: AI Might Take Your Job. Here are 22 New Ones it Could Give You. Bolt has eliminated HR#FutureOfWork #HumanResources #WorkplaceTrends #AIJobs #CareerGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #PeopleStrategy #CorporateLife #EmployeeExperience #WorkplaceCultureDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailAI isn't replacing leaders.But it is revealing what kind of leader you really are.In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Jacqueline Carter—author, of "More Human"  researcher, and senior partner at  Potential Project—to unpack what it actually means to be a more human leader in the age of AI.We dive into:✅ The 3 skills every modern leader needs (and why only 16% are ready)✅ How AI can amplify—not replace—your awareness, wisdom, and compassion✅ The surprising ways tech is quietly eroding trust, connection, and decision-making✅ What leaders can actually do to stay in the driver’s seat✅ And why people still crave messy, imperfect humans over perfect algorithmsWhether you're in HR or leading a function, this episode is your practical guide to leading with humanity and harnessing technology—before the culture gets away from you.🔗 Bonus: Jacqueline drops a chilling story about a deepfake scam that almost cost one exec millions. Yes, really.Tune in if you want to build future-ready leadership that your team actually trusts.About Jacqueline: Jacqueline is a Senior Partner and Director of North America at Potential Project.  She is a leadership development and corporate culture expert who helps global companies create a more human world of work.Jacqueline is co-author of the most recent book, More Human: How the Power of AI Can Transform the Way You Lead (Harvard Business Review Press, 2025), Compassionate Leadership: How to Do Hard Things in a Human Way (Harvard Business Review, 2022).  She also co-authored The Mind of the Leader: How to Lead Yourself, Your People, and Your Organization for Extraordinary Results (Harvard Business Review, 2018) and One Second Ahead: Enhance Your Performance at Work with Mindfulness(Palgrave Macmillian, 2015).  Jacqueline is known as an inspiring, dynamic and energizing speaker with a focus on highly engaging, creative, and impactful experiences. In addition, she writes for leading publications such as Harvard Business Review, Forbes, American Management Association, Leader to Leader, Fast Company, and Business Insider.  #FutureOfWork #LeadershipDevelopment #AILeadership #HumanSkills #CorporateCulture #PeopleFirst #HRLeadership #ManagerLife #WorkplaceWellbeing #ConsciousLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadWithCompassion #YourWorkFriendsDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailThe truth about creating workplace culture that actually drives results (not just good vibes)We sat down with Joan Burke, legendary CHRO and board member and founder of the CPO Forum, who built the iconic "work of your life" culture at DocuSign, Marketo, and Responsys. This conversation reveals exactly how to create cultures where people do their best work - and why it's MORE critical now than ever.Joan doesn't just talk theory. She gives you the actual playbook for building workplace cultures that survive economic downturns, retain top talent, and drive real business results.Here's what we're diving into: ⏰ 8:15 Why "work of your life" became DocuSign's secret weapon for talent retention ⏰ 15:30 The business case for investing in people during tough economic times ⏰ 22:45 How to operationalize culture (it's not just posters on walls) ⏰ 28:20 Why 75% of your development budget should go to managers, not individual contributors ⏰ 35:10 The pandemic stress test: How great cultures actually get stronger during crisis ⏰ 48:15 Building your "work of your life" when your company doesn't prioritize culture🔥 REAL TALK YOU CAN USE TODAY:The exact questions to ask in interviews to spot authentic vs. fake cultureHow to build networks and find your tribe when you're stuck in a bad situationCEO buy-in tactics that actually work (with specific scripts) People-first cultures outperform, especially when times get tough. Here's the playbook to get there.About Joan Burke: Joan is Board Member and Advisor, Former Chief People Officer at DocuSign, Marketo, Responsys who ran business while creating environments where people could do the work of their lives. She  is now lifting up the next generation of CPOs and CHROs as the co-founder of The CPO Forum. #WorkplaceCulture #Leadership #HR #TalentRetention #EmployeeEngagement #CHRO #ManagementDevelopment #CompanyCulture #WorkplaceStrategy #PeopleFirst #EmployeeExperience #OrganizationalDevelopment #TalentStrategy #WorkLifeBalance #CareerDevelopment #PodcastInterview #YourWorkFriendsDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailThe uncomfortable truth about your job security that no one's talking about : Employment is dead. We sat down with Deborah Perry Piscione, Josh Drean, authors of "Employment is Dead:How Disruptive Technologies Are Revolutionizing the Way We Work," and founders of the Work 3 Institute. This conversation kinda blew our minds. They break down why traditional 9-to-5 employment is literally dying  and how to thrive in what's coming next.This isn't doom and gloom. It's about seeing the massive opportunity in the biggest work transformation in 150 years.Here's what we're diving into:⏰ 5:30 Why the industrial age work model is officially dead⏰ 12:45 Why AI is moving so fast they give their book 5 months of relevance⏰ 18:20 How teenage Roblox developers make $65K and ditch traditional jobs⏰ 25:15 Gig Economy 3.0: DAOs and why Switzerland is living in the future⏰ 32:40 When money goes away: Village economies and bartering⏰ 38:50 Building multiple revenue streams and being "incredibly entrepreneurial" NOW🔥 REAL TALK YOU CAN USE TODAY:Why 50% of entry-level jobs will disappear in 1-5 yearsHow to build skills alongside AI instead of competing against itMaking revenue streams work together (the Uber driver cookie example)Join us as we explore why "wake the hell up" isn't just good advice - it's survival.About Our Guests: Deborah Perry Piscione, Globally recognized innovation thought leader, New York Times bestselling author, and serial entrepreneur who's built six companies and worked on Capitol Hill.Josh Drean, Co-founder and Director of Employee Experience at Work Three Institute, featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and The Economist for his insights on the future of work.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailWell friends, we're getting deep today - and we mean DEEP.Ever feel like you're just going through the motions at work? Like you could disappear tomorrow and nobody would really notice? Yeah, we've all been there. This episode might just change how you show up everywhere.We sat down with Zach Mercurio, researcher and author of "The Power of Mattering," and honestly? This conversation hit us right in the feelings. Zach breaks down why 30% of people feel invisible at work (despite being in meetings ALL DAY), and more importantly - what we can actually do about it.This episode is about more than workplace recognition. It’s about creating a culture where people feel they truly count. Whether you manage others, or just want to show up with more meaning, this conversation will change the way you work, lead, and connect. After all, being "seen" isn't a nice-to-have, it's everything.Here's what we're diving into:⏰ 3:45 The Mattering Crisis: Why we're lonelier than ever despite being more "connected" than ever (spoiler: it's not about having more people around you)⏰ 12:20 Transactional vs. Transformational: How our emoji responses and hurried interactions are literally making us worse at being human⏰ 18:35 The NASA Example: How they got 300,000 people (including janitors) to feel essential to putting a man on the moon⏰ 25:10 The NAN Framework: Notice, Affirm, Need - three simple practices that separate great leaders from everyone else⏰ 35:45 "Bosses Are Done Being Nice": Why the pendulum swing back to command-and-control is doomed to fail (and what to do instead)⏰ 42:30 Going First: What to do when your boss operates transactionally (hint: someone has to make the first move)🔥 REAL TALK YOU CAN USE TODAY:The one question to ask your team that will change everything: "When do you feel like you matter to me?"Why "hurry and care can't coexist" - and what this means for your leadershipThe notebook trick that transformed a distribution center (seriously, it's so simple)How to spot the difference between belonging, inclusion, and actually matteringJoin us as we explore why the "squishy stuff" isn't optional anymore - it's actually what drives everything else in organizations. Because work is hard enough without feeling invisible while you're doing it.About Zach: Zach Mercurio researcher, author, and speaker specializing in purposeful leadership, mattering, meaningful work, and positive organizational psychology.He is the author or  “The Invisible Leader: Transform Your Life, Work, and Organization with the Power of Authentic Purpose” and “The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance,”  released by Harvard Business Review Press in 2025.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we hang out with Lareina Yee, senior partner at McKinsey and absolute powerhouse who's helping crack the code on women's career advancement. As co-founder of the Women in the Workplace Study and co-author of "The Broken Rung," Lareina breaks down the shocking truth about the earliest career barrier holding women back (hint: it starts way earlier than most of us realize).We get REAL about why that first promotion is such a make-or-break moment (would you believe for every 100 men promoted, only 81 women get the same opportunity?), why building the right kind of network matters more than just working hard, and how motherhood might actually be your secret career superpower if you play it right. The best part? This isn't just theoretical talk – Lareina shares actual tactical moves that could help achieve gender parity in one generation instead of waiting 150+ years.Listen for:The eye-opening truth about the "broken rung" and why fixing it could slash the gender parity timeline from 150 years to just 10Why you absolutely need to grab some "experience capital" (especially P&L roles) if you want serious career advancementHow to build a powerful sponsorship network even if you're totally not the networking typeReal strategies for turning parenthood into a career boost instead of a career killerThe critical difference between being mentored (which most women have plenty of) and being sponsored (which most women desperately lack)Practical moves to jump career hurdles no matter where you are on your journeyEpisode Highlights ⏰ 5:20 The Broken Rung Reality Check: Where the gender gap actually begins (and it's not where you think) ⏰ 11:45 Experience Capital 101: The business skills that literally determine half your lifetime earnings ⏰ 15:30 Sponsorship vs. Mentorship: Why one coffee chat buddy isn't the same as someone opening actual doors for you ⏰ 22:30 Motherhood Game Plan: Tactical moves to avoid the "motherhood penalty" and maybe even get ahead ⏰ 27:15 Career Pep Talk: Why you're never "off track" – just taking a more interesting route to successWhether you're just starting out, drowning in the "messy middle," or eyeing that corner office, this conversation gives you an actual playbook for breaking through career barriers at any stage. This isn't just for women either – it's essential listening for anyone who wants to create more equitable workplaces or navigate their own career path more strategically.About Lareina Yee: Lareina Yee is a senior partner at McKinsey who advises companies on growth, technology, and transformation. She co-founded the Women in the Workplace Study with Lean In.org, chairs McKinsey's Technology Council, and hosts the podcast "At the Edge." She's also a mom of three and serves on the San Francisco Ballet board – basically, she knows a thing or two about navigating complex career paths!Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailWe're breaking down two massive workplace crises the US can't ignore. We dive deep into the Wall Street Journal's shocking exposé on 110-hour workweeks pushing bankers to hospitalization and burnout, while examining the devastating impact of tariffs that threaten the very existence of America's small business backbone.Listen for:The brutal reality of 110-hour workweeks and how they're becoming normalized across industriesWhy small businesses that make up 99.9% of American companies are facing extinction from 145% tariffsHow tariffs are already creating job losses that will ripple through the entire economyThe shocking story of the "morale pizza party" that turned into a demand for even more workWhy container shipments are down 35-50% at major ports and what that means for your jobSimple actions you can take to protect yourself from toxic work expectationsHow to support small businesses in your community before they disappearEpisode Highlights ⏰ 4:15 Work Crisis: How 110-hour workweeks led to hospitalizations at a major financial firm and what it reveals about toxic leadership ⏰ 10:30 Small Business Reality Check: Why these companies employ half of America and what happens when they can't survive ⏰ 15:45 The Tariff Tsunami: Real examples of businesses facing impossible choices between raising prices or closing down ⏰ 20:20 Employment Domino Effect: How every four shipping containers equals one American job (and they're disappearing fast) ⏰ 25:30 Survival Guide: Practical steps for protecting your work boundaries and supporting local businessesJoin us for the real, unfiltered story behind the work headlines affecting all of us right now.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we hang out with David Rice, Executive Editor at People Managing People, and we're getting real about what it feels like to be a manager. Now. We got REAL about why managers are in total crisis mode these days. David doesn't hold back on why management has become basically "an experience akin to being sabotaged" (his exact words. And, we agree). We tackle the mind-blowing stat that 82% of managers get zero formal training, why Gen Z is saying "thanks but no thanks" to management roles, and why human connection might be your superpower in an AI-heavy workplace. Plus, why building your community both inside and outside work might save your sanity as a squeezed middle manager.Whether you're currently juggling direct reports or trying to figure out how to work with your own manager, this convo gives you actual strategies that won't make your eyes glaze over.Listen for:Why becoming a manager is like being "sabotaged" (seriously, this metaphor about pet training will make you laugh AND cry)How to survive being caught in the corporate sandwich between demanding execs and your stressed teamThe community-building approach that might save you from managerial isolationWhy your human skills matter way more than your technical chops in tomorrow's management worldEasy ways to build trust with team members from different generationsThe shift from obsessing over butts-in-seats to actually measuring meaningful outcomesWhether you're drowning as a middle manager or thinking about taking the leadership plunge, this episode gives you real talk for surviving today's workplace chaos.Episode Highlights ⏰ 5:20 The Manager Squeeze: David gets brutally honest about why managers are getting "dumped on every which way" right now ⏰ 11:45 Find Your People: Why you need your community both inside and outside work to survive as a manager ⏰ 15:30 Just Be Real: Why transparency is your lifeline when "everybody's terrified that a layoff is coming" ⏰ 22:30 Forget Your Title: Why you should care about "things that matter" not just your fancy LinkedIn headline ⏰ 27:15 Human > AI: Why connecting with people will make you irreplaceable when AI is doing all the technical stuffAbout David Rice: David is the Executive Editor of People Managing People - Practical guidance for leaders inspiring change. He's also the Host of the People Managing People PodcastDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we sit down with John Winsor, Executive Fellow at Harvard Business School’s Digital, Design, and Data (D³) Institute, Open Assembly Founder and Author of many books including Open Talent: Leveraging a Global Workforce to Solve Your Biggest Challenges,We dug into how the open talent revolution is transforming how we work. John unpacks why both companies and workers are shifting to portfolio careers, and reveals why "we own employees" is a dying concept being replaced by "I'm gonna make it so sexy and attractive that I'm gonna attract you into it." Adopting an abundance mindset can unlock new career growth.Whether you are managing teams or building your own path, this conversation offers real strategies to thrive in the new world of work.Listen for:Why talent hoarding is killing innovation and career growthHow to shift from scarcity to abundance mindset in your careerThe three key pillars of the Open Talent model that drive successWhy the future belongs to optimists with portfolio careersSimple ways to start "moonlighting" while keeping your day jobThe leadership shift from controlling talent to attracting itWhether you're feeling stuck in a corporate role or managing teams, this episode gives you real tools to thrive in the new world of work where projects replace permanent positions.Episode Highlights ⏰ 4:30 Open Talent Defined: John explains the system that's replacing traditional employment and why it works for both companies and individuals ⏰ 10:15 The Abundance Mindset: Why scarcity thinking is killing innovation and how abundance creates better outcomes for everyone ⏰ 15:40 "We Don't Own Employees": The shocking origin story of why controlling talent is a failed approach ⏰ 22:50 Internal Talent Marketplace: How smart companies are ending talent hoarding and unlocking innovation ⏰ 29:10 Start Now: John's practical advice for testing portfolio work while still employed (hint: "just go try some shit!")About John: John Winsor is a globally recognized leader in the future of work, open talent, and AI-driven workforce strategies. Recently appointed as an Executive Fellow at Harvard Business School’s Digital, Design, and Data (D³) Institute, he focuses on the evolving intersection of work, technology, and talent. As the founder of Open Assembly, he has been instrumental in pioneering the adoption of open talent and freelancing models. His best-selling book, Open Talent: Leveraging a Global Workforce to Solve Your Biggest Challenges, cements his influence in shaping modern workforce strategies. When he’s not shaping the future of work, he enjoys cycling, climbing, and surfing.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailWhat makes great leaders different—and how do you measure it? In this episode, we sit down with former DocuSign CEO Dan Springer to unpack the Ego Equation: (Skills ÷ Ego) ^ Work = Success. Dan shares leadership lessons from decades in tech, including how ego almost derailed his career and what changed after a layoff turned into a leadership awakening.Listen for:The Ego Equation and how to assess your leadership effectivenessHow Dan’s leadership style evolved from ego-first to impact-drivenWhy using “we” instead of “I” boosts credibility and career growthA fresh approach to performance reviews that actually motivatesSigns your ego might be sabotaging your leadership successThe mindset shift that helped Dan lead through IPOs and layoffsWhether you're a new manager or seasoned exec, this episode delivers real talk and actionable strategies to lead with humility, clarity, and purpose.Join us as we break down Dan's ego insights into strategies you can use right now—because leadership is chaotic enough without having to figure it all out alone!Episode Highlights⏰ 3:45 The Ego Equation: Dan's brilliant formula for measuring your leadership effectiveness and why a score of 16 is actually pretty damn good⏰ 9:30 Leadership Origin Story: How Dan transformed from self-described "prodigious ego" guy to discovering the power of putting the organization first⏰ 14:20 The Layoff That Changed Everything: The shocking moment when laid-off employees checked in on HIM that completely transformed Dan's leadership philosophy⏰ 19:45 We Not Me: Why saying "we" instead of "I" gives you unlimited bragging rights (and actually works better for your career)⏰ 23:10 Performance Reviews Reimagined: The counterintuitive approach Dan used at Responsys that flipped traditional performance management on its headAbout Dan Springer: Dan Springer is the CEO of Iron Clad and former CEO of DocuSign and a seasoned tech leader with decades of experience scaling some of the biggest names in SaaS. Before DocuSign, he was Chairman and CEO of Responsys, which he successfully led to a $1.6 billion acquisition by Oracle. He’s also held leadership roles at Modem Media, Telleo, NextCard, and began his career at McKinsey. He’s led billion-dollar exits, built high-growth teams, and knows first hand how ego can make—or break—great leadership. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailWell, the work news just doesn't stop friends. Here's what's brewing. Incivility is costing companies billions, tariffs are threatening half a million jobs, and that perfect candidate you just interviewed? They might be an AI deep fake!In this episode, workplace experts (us, Francesca & Mel - hello!) break down:⏰ 2:15 Workplace Incivility: The $766 BILLION problem spiraling out of control as RTO mandates and layoffs create the perfect storm of toxicity⏰ 8:20 Tariff Tsunami: How new policies could push unemployment to 4.7% and why your job search might now take 3-9 months⏰ 14:30 AI Imposters: The shocking prediction that 1 in 4 job applicants could soon be deep fakes (not a typo)⏰ 19:45 Gender Bias Bombshell: Google searches reveal we're still asking if "women can be CEOs" in 2025 (seriously?!) (Francesca apologizes for the amount of profanity in this segment) (but, she feels it was warranted). ⏰ 23:10 Women Leaders Win: How female-led companies are quietly outperforming during market volatility🔥 CAREER ADVICE YOU CAN USE TODAY:The LinkedIn job search hack that lets you see postings from THE LAST HOURWhy economic downturns could be your career's best friend (if you know how to pivot)The financial runway you need to prepare TODAY for a tougher job marketHow to network your way to safety when the job market gets shakyWhy checking in on your burned-out manager might be your smartest career moveJoin us we try to make sense out of the work headlines into strategies you can use right now—because work is chaotic enough without having to figure it all out alone!Thanks for listening! Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we're talking with Dr. Margie Warrell who shares game-changing strategies for women navigating corporate America's evolving landscape. As DEI initiatives face unprecedented scrutiny, Warrell reveals how women can cultivate unshakable confidence without constantly proving their worth.Discover actionable insights on:Building "courage muscles" through daily micro-challengesLeveraging feminine leadership strengths in high-stakes environmentsIdentifying and challenging limiting beliefs that keep you playing smallCreating psychological safety in your team, even when organizational culture resistsStanding firm in male-dominated spaces without compromising authenticityWith 25+ years of executive coaching experience and six bestselling books, Dr. Warrell provides a masterclass in leadership resilience. She shares her personal journey balancing motherhood to four children with a thriving global career, offering practical wisdom for anyone ready to close their own "courage gap."Perfect for professional women, allies, and leaders committed to workplace equality who want to thrive rather than just survive in today's corporate environment. Transform how you show up at work with Warrell's unforgettable advice: "Do not wait until you feel brave to do the brave thing."About Dr. Margie Warrell A global authority on courageous leadership, Margie has spent over 25 years helping individuals and organizations—from NASA and Marriot to Google and Deloitte —lead more boldly.A bestselling author of The Courage Gap and five other books, Margie has advised Fortune 500 leaders, Congressional Chiefs on Capitol Hill, entrepreneurs and rising changemakers worldwide. She’s a former Senior Partner in Korn Ferry’s Board, Executive Consulting and CEO Institute and, a trusted voice in Forbes, and, for podcast fans, she hosts her own Live Brave Podcast.#WomenInLeadership #CareerDevelopment #CorporateCulture #WorkplaceEquality #FemaleEmpowerment #LeadershipSkills #ProfessionalGrowth #ConfidenceBuilding #ExecutivePresence #CourageInBusinessDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailWell, AI isn't just making waves—it's creating tsunamis! AI agents are here, and they're nothing like the ChatGPT you've been using. Meanwhile, employee engagement has hit rock bottom, and Harvard is making a $200K promise that could change higher education forever.In this episode, workplace experts (us, Mel & Francesca) break down:⏰ 3:15 AI agents: Clippy on meth? How these digital assistants could save you an entire workday (and maybe get us to a 4-day workweek!)⏰ 9:42 Engagement crisis: Only 30% of employees feel connected to their company's mission (yikes!) and it's costing the global economy $8.8 TRILLION⏰ 17:30 Harvard's big move: Free tuition for families making under $200K—game-changer or PR stunt?⏰ 21:15 Pour one out for Forever 21: The retail giant that got us through our 20s files for bankruptcy🔥 CAREER ADVICE YOU CAN USE TODAY:Why you should embrace AI agents now (before your colleagues do)The simple thing managers can do to boost engagement when everyone's burned outHow to prepare for the coming talent war in 2030What Harvard's tuition change means for accessing elite educationCONNECT WITH US: Website: https://yourworkfriends.com and on the socials.kijqi3kgV3TDP3ccWW6U#AIAgents #EmployeeEngagement #WorkplaceTrends #HarvardTuition #4DayWorkweekDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailWell, daylight savings time isn't the only thing that doesn't have us sleeping. Kidding!Record-breaking CEO departures are sending shockwaves through the business world. Meanwhile, half of young professionals feel unprepared for their careers. What's really happening in today's workplace?In this episode, workplace experts (us, Mel & Francesca) l break down:⏰ 3:12 Why 56% of young workers feel unprepared for their careers ⏰ 7:35 The skills gap nobody's talking about ⏰ 12:20 Will the job market get worse? 5 key indicators to watch ⏰ 18:40 Would you work in VR? Surprising survey results ⏰ 22:15 Why CEOs are getting fired at record rates (222 in January alone!)🔥 CAREER ADVICE YOU CAN USE TODAY:Why you should start networking in your sophomore year of collegeThe soft skills employers actually care about more than technical experienceHow to prepare for economic uncertainty in the job marketWhy you should NEVER wait until senior year to set up LinkedInSubscribe for new workplace insights every Tuesdays! Your Work Friends brings you the latest business news and career strategies with authenticity and expert analysis.CONNECT WITH US: Website: https://yourworkfriends.com and on the socials. #careeradvice #jobmarket #businessnews #CEOturnover #workplacetrends #careercoaching #graduateadvice #networking #economicuncertaintyDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailMost of Us Are Hiding Something at Work—And It's ExhaustingIn today's workplace, most of us are hiding something—whether it's aspects of our identity, personal struggles, or even our true ambitions. But at what cost? In this live episode, we dive deep into belonging, unhiding, and workplace authenticity with Ruth Rathblott, TEDx speaker and bestselling author, and Dr. Beth Kaplan, researcher and author of Braving the Workplace.We explore:- Why people hide at work and the emotional and professional toll it takes- The difference between belonging and fitting in (hint: they’re not the same!)- How leaders and organizations can create psychologically safe workplaces- Tactical strategies for employees to bring their best selves to work—without risking career growth- The future of leadership in a post-DEI corporate worldIf you're navigating corporate politics, career growth, and the tension between authenticity and professionalism, this episode is a must-listen.Ruth Rothblatt is a TEDx speaker, executive coach, consultant, and bestselling author of three books including "Learning to Unhide and Embrace Connection" and "Unhide and Seek: Live Your Best Life. Do Your Best Work." Recently featured in TIME magazine, Ruth is acknowledged for her expertise in unlocking individual and team potential. Drawing from her personal journey of hiding her limb difference for 25 years, she has developed frameworks to help others embrace their whole selves at work.Dr. Beth Kaplan is the author of "Braving the Workplace," recognized as a must-read by the Next Big Idea Club. As a researcher, writer, and thought leader, she has worked with prestigious organizations including Salesforce, University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown University, and the Carnegie Foundation. Dr. Kaplan is currently developing a groundbreaking belonging tool with the University of Pennsylvania to measure belonging and propensity to thrive in workplace environments. Her research redefines belonging as "the innate desire to be part of something larger than ourselves without sacrificing who we are."#BelongingAtWork #Unhiding #CorporateCulture #PsychologicalSafety #CareerAdvice #WorkplaceLeadershipDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailBurnout is at an all-time high. Engagement is at an all-time low. And work? Well, it’s not working for a lot of us.In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Moss, workplace culture expert and author of Why Are We Here?, to talk about why so many of us feel unfulfilled at work—and what leaders actually need to do to fix it. We bust the biggest myths about workplace wellbeing, talk about why hope (yes, hope) is a leadership strategy, and dig into why Gen Z is side-eyeing corporate life.If you’ve ever thought, “Is this really all there is?”—you’re not alone. Let’s rethink work, together.🔊 Hit play to learn:✔️ Why toxic productivity is still running rampant✔️ What companies are getting so wrong about engagement✔️ How small changes (think: 20 minutes or less) can transform your work culture🎧 Listen now and let’s make work suck less.About Jennifer Moss: Jennifer Moss is an international speaker, award-winning journalist and author, workplace culture strategist, and cofounder of the Work Better Institute, a global workforce policy think tank. She is a nationally syndicated radio columnist and writes for Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Fortune. As a workplace expert, Jennifer is regularly invited by global media outlets to share her research and insights.With a client roster of over 150 organizations, including 50+ Fortune 500 companies, her inspiring and informative keynote presentations influence sectors from technology to healthcare, where she is trusted with the employees, leaders, and customers of our incredible partners. As a nationally syndicated radio columnist and a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review, CNN, TIME, and The Wall Street Journal, her insights are shaping the Future of Work and she received rave reviews for her happiness keynotes and public speaking on burnout in the workplace.#WorkCulture #Burnout #FutureOfWork #EmployeeEngagement #CorporateLife #JenniferMoss #WhyAreWeHere #WorkLifeBalance #ToxicProductivity #WorkSucksButItDoesntHaveToDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailThink the economy is run by tech bros and Wall Street suits? Think again. Women now control 85% of consumer spending and 60% of America's personal wealth, making them the most powerful economic force in the market. In this eye-opening episode, we dive into Bank of America's latest report on the "She Economy" and explore how women are outpacing men in income growth, business ownership, and market influence. Plus, we tackle the urgent battle over DEI initiatives in corporate America and reveal how women's collective purchasing power could be the key to preserving workplace equity.Key topics:The trillion-dollar female economy and why it mattersWhy 40% of working women now out-earn their husbandsHow women are driving economic growth across all sectorsThe latest on DEI rollbacks at major corporationsStrategic ways to use your economic power for positive changeWhich major companies are standing firm on DEI (and which aren't)Whether you're a corporate leader, entrepreneur, or professional woman, this episode reveals the true scope of female economic power and how to leverage it. Join us for an empowering discussion about women's rising influence in the global economy and what it means for the future of business.#WomenInBusiness #SheEconomy #DEI #WomenLeaders #BusinessStrategy #CorporateAmerica #WomenEntrepreneurs #EconomicPower #WomenInLeadership #BusinessPodcastDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailWhat's actually happening with AI in the workplace, and how can you stay ahead of the curve? In this can't-miss episode, we're joined by two powerhouse experts: Carol Scott, Senior Director at Microsoft and founder of The Action Imperative, and Teresa Fesinstine, founder of People Power AI and former Fortune 500 HR executive. They cut through the noise to reveal what's really changing in 2025, which jobs are being transformed (not just replaced), and how to position yourself for success in an AI-enhanced workplace.From practical tips on getting started with AI tools to inspiring insights about the future of work, this episode delivers actionable advice for everyone – whether you're a tech novice or an AI enthusiast. Our guests share candid perspectives on everything from performance reviews and employee engagement to the surprising ways AI is reshaping creative industries.Key Topics:The biggest myths about AI in the workplaceHow AI is actually changing jobs (not just eliminating them)Essential skills for staying relevant in an AI-driven workplacePractical ways to start using AI tools todayThe unexpected benefits of AI for non-technical professionalsReal predictions for workplace changes in 2025Featured Guests: Carol Scott - Senior Director at Microsoft, founder of The Action Imperative Teresa Fesinstine - Founder of People Power AI, CUNY Professor, 25-year HR executivePerfect for: Professionals at any level looking to understand and adapt to AI in the workplace, team leaders wanting to guide their teams through AI adoption, and anyone curious about how AI will shape the future of work.#FutureOfWork #ArtificialIntelligence #CareerDevelopment #AI #WorkTrendsDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

Send us Fan MailIn this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Michael Horn (Co-founder of the Clayton Christensen Institute, Harvard Graduate School of Education) and Bob Moesta (Founder of Rewired Group, Kellogg School of Management) to discuss their groundbreaking book "Job Moves" and revolutionize how you think about career transitions.Discover why the traditional job search process is broken and learn how to take control of your career path by "hiring" your next job. Our guests break down the four primary career quests that drive job changes, debunk the myth of "getting lucky" in job searches, and reveal why money isn't the real motivator behind career decisions.Key topics include:Understanding the four career quests and identifying yoursWhy job descriptions are "made up" and how to navigate beyond themThe truth about career progression vs. genuine progressHow to leverage your network effectively in job searchesPractical strategies for energy management in your careerThe future of work and AI's impact on career transitionsWhether you're actively job hunting, feeling stuck in your current role, or planning your next career move, this conversation provides actionable insights for navigating the modern job market with intention and purpose.Featuring career development experts Michael Horn and Bob Moesta, this episode is essential listening for professionals ready to take control of their career trajectory in 2024 and beyond.#CareerDevelopment #JobSearch #CareerTransition #CareerAdvice #ProfessionalDevelopment #JobMoves #CareerGrowth #Leadership #FutureOfWork #CareerCoachingDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening!  Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]