The JoyPowered Workspace Podcast

In this episode, JoDee and Susan discuss the upcoming anthology book, "Joy@Work: When Women Lead" with three of the authors - MeChelle Callen, Kerrie Weinzapfel, and our own JoDee Curtis.

Topics include:

• Eliminating "just" from your vocabulary
• Owning your superpowers
• Turning endings into positive steps forward

In this episode's listener question, we're asked how in-house recruiters can be better partners to the business....

This week we're rerunning a 2023 episode on a topic we often get suggestions about: different generations in the workplace!

In this episode, JoDee and Susan discuss generational diversity at work with coach/speaker Lindsay Boccardo.

Topics include:

• What's different with Gen Z compared to Millennials
• What employers are doing to continue to evolve with the needs of newer employees
• What organizations can do to retain more seasone...

In this episode, JoDee and Susan talk about mental health challenges in the workplace with Kourtney McCauliff.

Topics include:

• The statistics on mental health at work
• The business case for mental health
• Mental health-friendly cultures
• Recognizing and responding to mental health challenges in the workplace
• How to reduce the stigma and build awareness
• Mental Health First Aid training

In this episode's listener question, we...

In this episode, JoDee and Susan talk about using artificial intelligence in human resources with Josh Tanenbaum, Managing Parter at Rebalance Capital.

Topics include:

• How organizations are leveraging AI effectively in traditional HR functions
• What AI can replace in HR (and what it will never replace)
• Organizations leading the way in adapting to and integrating AI in HR
• Advice for advocating for higher usage of AI in HR at you...

In this episode, JoDee and Susan share their advice on employee relations.

Topics include:

• The benefits of strong employee relations
• Key skills for employee relations professionals
• The four foundational elements of employee relations
• Common employee relations issues and how the response should vary by industry and workforce
• How employers can protect themselves from retaliation allegations
• How to handle an employee saying they'...

In this episode, JoDee and Susan discuss the increasing emphasis on active and experiential learning methodologies with instructional designer Beth Haggenjos.

Topics include:

• Shifts in the landscape of education
• What experiential learning is and why it's crucial for organizations aiming to enhance their training programs
• What active learning entails and how it can be effectively implemented
• What makes eLearning effective and e...

In this episode, JoDee and Susan discuss employee loyalty with author and speaker Kathy Parry.

Topics include:

• Generational differences regarding workplace loyalty
• How to acknowledge and celebrate your team
• Building loyalty to increase retention
• Helping team members understand their purpose

In this episode's listener question, we're asked about promoting unity and collaboration in a politically charged environment. In th...

In this episode, JoDee and Susan discuss some interesting discrimination cases that have occurred throughout the US over the last year with employment attorney Gina Carrillo.

Topics include:

• Leibas vs. Dart, a case about ADA accommodations
• Muldrow vs. City of St. Louis, regarding adverse actions under Title VII
• Amos vs. Lampo Group, which deals with reverse religious discrimination
• Young vs. Colorado Department of Corrections,...

This week we're rerunning a 2023 episode on a topic we often get suggestions about: The Americans with Disabilities Act!

In this episode, JoDee and Susan discuss the ADA with experts Kim Dinwiddie and Jackie Gessner.

Topics include:

• ADA's purpose, what it covers, and who it applies to
• How to respond when leaders think it's unfair for an employee to have "special privileges"
• How the increased focus on mental health affects empl...

In this episode, JoDee and Susan discuss common and trending types of leaves and time off.

Topics include:

• Types of time off
• Being flexible with your time off benefits
• Understanding employee concerns around leave types

In this episode's listener question, we're asked about common FMLA trigger words or situations. In the news, Top Employers Institute released their World of Work Trends 2025 report highlighting five key wo...

In this episode, JoDee and Susan discuss bad bosses and their impact in the workplace.

Topics include:

• The statistics on bad bosses
• Types of bad bosses
• Our experiences with bad bosses
• The impacts of bad bosses
• What to do if you have a bad boss

In this episode's listener question, we're asked about HR and legal departments who approach employee complaints as self-motivated. In the news, SHRM recently released their Q4 202...

In this episode, JoDee and Susan discuss employees going on military leave.

Topics include:

• The laws around military leave
• How to cover an employee's workload while they're on military leave
• How organizations can prepare for an employee's military leave
• How to help employees transition back to civilian work
• Supporting employees whose family members have been deployed

In this episode's listener question, we're asked about...

In this episode, JoDee and Susan discuss employee assistance programs with Brittany Mattfeld Craig, managing director at Global Impact.

Topics include:

• What EAPs are
• The statistics on EAPs
• How modern workplaces support employees in need
• Employee Assistance Funds and why they're important
• How EAPs and EAFs fit into engagement and recruitment efforts
• How to measure the success of employee wellness offerings
• Tips for choosing a s...

In this episode, JoDee and Susan discuss creating a mindset of growth and development with Kerrie Weinzapfel.

Topics include:

• Saying "yes" to learning opportunities and adventures
• Encouraging and inspiring others to pursue growth
• Continuing to grow and learn, no matter our age
• Advice for listeners for their career and personal growth

In this episode's listener question, we're asked about advice for people who feel like l...

In this episode, JoDee and Susan discuss interviewing best practices.

Topics include:

• Top 10 interviewing techniques
• Our network's favorite interview questions
• Where we find joy in interviewing

In this episode's listener question, we're asked about how to get along with people in the workplace you don't like (or who don't like you). In the news, JAN's new "Situations and Solutions" Accommodations Finder enables employers...

In this episode, JoDee and Susan discuss upskilling and reskilling with Kourtney McCauliff from Purple Ink.

Topics include:

• The difference between upskilling and reskilling
• Why upskilling and reskilling are so important today
• How companies can assess which skills need to be developed
• How to implement upskilling and reskilling programs
• How to create a culture that embraces continuous learning
• The benefits of upskilling and reski...

In this episode, JoDee and Susan share their advice for successful meetings.

Topics include:

• 9 tips for effective meetings
• What a successful meeting agenda looks like
• How to approach meetings about topics that might involve strong feelings or emotions
• Building engagement with meeting participants
• What to do when a colleague never participates in meeting dialogue
• How to have more impact and less meetings
• How to feel empowered an...

In this episode, JoDee and Susan talk about the impact of domestic violence on the workplace with Dr. Cassie Mecklenburg, Executive Director for domestic abuse center Sheltering Wings.

Topics include:

• The statistics on domestic violence and work
• Why it's important to understand the impact of domestic violence on the workplace
• The two philosophies employers tend to gravitate to when thinking about domestic abuse
• How to start a c...

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In this episode, JoDee and Susan talk about how to recognize toxicity at work and what to do about it with consultant MeChelle Callen.

Topics include:

• Subtle signs that a workplace might be toxic
• MeChelle's own experiences with toxic workplaces
• How to reclaim your space and main...