This Thanksgiving, we’re feeling all the feelings: grateful, tired, over-caffeinated… and very, very thankful for YOU. 💎
In this cozy holiday episode, Jess and Claude slow down to reflect on what they’re grateful for at work, in their personal lives, and in each other. They unpack the difference between genuine appreciation and toxic positivity (yes, including the infamous “thank you for your leadership” for everything), share behind-the-scenes wins from the Work Besties Who Podcast journey, and tell stories of work trauma that turned into deep friendship and a growing community.
You’ll also hear how Jess uses affirmations to stay grounded, how Claude’s daily rituals and swimming became moving meditation, and why they both agree their friendship is… the stuffing. (Main character energy only.)
Whether you’re driving to family dinner, hiding before the office potluck, or taking a much-needed solo walk, this one’s a warm hug for you and your inner work bestie.
In this episode, we talk about:
- What real gratitude at work looks like (and what it definitely doesn’t)
- The difference between appreciation and toxic positivity
- How shared work trauma can bond people into true work besties
- The behind-the-scenes support that kept the podcast going during a hard season
- Why taking vacation and actual breaks changes everything
- Jess’s affirmation practice vs. Claude’s daily rituals and “moving meditation”
- Comparing their friendship to a Thanksgiving dish (spoiler: stuffing is the star)
- A lightning round of chaotic Thanksgiving questions and heartfelt gratitude
Key Takeaways:
- Gratitude at work can foster genuine, trusting relationships.
- Toxic positivity (“thank you for your leadership” for everything) eventually erodes trust.
- Take 10 seconds to tell a coworker why you appreciate them — it matters.
- Many growth moments come from challenging or even painful work experiences.
- Audience engagement and community feedback have grown significantly this year.
- Time off and vacations are essential for mental health and perspective.
- Affirmations and daily rituals can ground you before the chaos of the day.
- Friendship can feel like a Thanksgiving dish: layered, comforting, and a little chaotic.
- Support from friends, colleagues, and fellow creators is invaluable on any journey.
Chapters:
- 00:00 – Thanksgiving Reflections and Gratitude
- 04:25 – Work Besties: The Importance of Appreciation
- 07:52 – Moments of Growth and Perspective Shifts
- 12:01 – Behind the Scenes Wins and Community Engagement
- 16:36 – Finding Gratitude in Personal Lives
- 21:14 – Fun Thanksgiving Questions and Celebrations
You can watch the full episode on Youtube
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Please rate, comment and provide suggestions for upcoming episodes
Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Jess (00:00):
Hi work besties, it's Thanksgiving and we're feeling
all the feels.
Grateful, tired,overcaffeinated.
But today we're slowing down totalk about what we're thankful
for at work, at life, and ineach other.
Claude (00:15):
Yay, and yes, we each brought a surprise question for
the other.
No prep, just feelings.
It's going to be interesting.
I'm scared.
I am too.
Hi, I'm Claude.
And I'm Jess.
Jess (00:28):
We are corporate employees by day.
Let's kick off with a momentthis year that you felt
genuinely appreciated at work.
So I'm going to start by sayingI personally want to
congratulate the two of us.
We did something this year.
I think we mastered it, infact.
Something that I know is takingme years to accomplish in other
(00:50):
working relationships and otherfriendships.
And that is finding the rightbalance and the right way to
give gratitude toward eachother.
And I think the way that we doit is so genuine to how we both
want to be accepting ofgratitude and appreciating it
and recognizing it.
And it doesn't ever feelforced.
(01:11):
Yeah.
It doesn't ever feel like youdon't really mean it or it's not
true.
I'm very proud of us for that.
I am too.
Well, good.
Claude (01:20):
So then let's talk about some other things.
Well, I kind of took thesection like how to be thankful
for our 9 to 5.
Jess (01:29):
Oh worse, the work bestie.
Got it.
Claude (01:32):
But I I wanted to for the 9 to 5 also, I wanted to say
something about myth, the mythof toxic positivity versus
gaining appreciation.
Okay.
I think that is very important.
I mean, when you want to showgratitude, feel it.
Okay.
It's so important.
You and I experienced in our 9to 5 someone that was saying
(01:58):
thank you for your leadership.
For anything, even going to thebathroom, thank you for your
late leadership.
So I think that is so importantbecause at the end you don't
feel it, you don't trust itanymore.
So when you appreciatesomething, it really has to be
genuine, yeah.
Jess (02:16):
I think you hit on two really very poignant comments
there that are very applicableto an episode about being
thankful, one of which is workbesties in general, which we
didn't even incorporate or thinkabout that.
Claude (02:29):
Because it's a giver, I know.
It's a giver.
Jess (02:32):
I mean, at this point, it's like you know But it's
true.
And the thing that usually andsadly bonds individuals that the
work environment to become workbesties is work trauma.
Working with some type of toxicenvironment, positive toxic
element or work trauma ingeneral.
So you're hitting upon thingsthat totally resonate with us
(02:53):
and how we became such a strongpartnership, but I'm sure
resonate with many of you outthere too.
Claude (02:58):
So hold on, what does it mean that we are grateful for
toxicity?
Jess (03:02):
What's my thing is that we're rising above it.
Claude (03:11):
Which, if you think about it, that was what three
years, three, four years ago.
It was quite a while ago.
And we are still friends,right?
And now there's no-podcast now.
And we have a podcast, yeah.
With multiple people listening.
Jess (03:24):
Yeah.
Grateful for that one.
Yes, totally.
Um, and we have a section foryou all coming up.
But maybe what we do for thisis we suggest to our lovely work
bestie community, and weappreciate you all so much that
this is the time.
It's Thanksgiving.
We we think about family andfriends, and our work besties
are kind of both family andfriends.
So think about that oneco-worker you're grateful for.
(03:47):
And maybe it isn't your workbestie, but somebody you've
become somewhat close with, andjust take that five, 10 seconds
to tell them why.
Maybe even buy them a coffee umor a lunch and just say a card.
Old fashioned way.
What are they gonna do?
Snail nail it with a pigeon.
With a pigeon.
Yes, so find your way,authentic way to show that
(04:10):
appreciation.
Let's shift now to discussingwhat we're thankful for in the
Work Bestie Who podcast journey.
So, Claude, how have thingschanged for you when it comes to
our audience and our community?
Claude (04:25):
So, our community increased, right?
We have a lot more peoplefollowing us, a lot more
socials, uh, platforms were alot of yeah, a lot more
platforms.
Gratitude to you on that onebecause you're really the master
behind gratitude.
Yes, thank you.
Um, and also like reallyengaging with them, like a lot
(04:50):
of them answering to all the theposts and really seeing how
like this, yeah, this communitygrowing.
And I I'm really genuinelygrateful for it.
Jess (05:05):
So, this year we're actually getting a lot more
engagement on there as far aspeople actually responding with
certain questions and um thingsto think about for us to add
into our podcast, and a lotmore.
Oh, we liked this, we wanted tosee more of that.
That's significantly increasedthis year versus for this year
(05:26):
versus last year, and also Ihave to say, being able to get
more guests on our podcast.
Claude (05:33):
It's been a lot we start to have this community growing,
and one guest is going to say,Hey, you should speak to so and
so, and that I think it's fun.
And also, we've been going morenetworking and going to a lot
more uh conferences and events,so that's cool.
(05:55):
Yeah.
Now, about you.
What's a smallbehind-the-scenes screen?
There's been a lot.
Jess (06:02):
I feel like there's a lot of things that you and I have
done behind the scenes thatdidn't always quite make it into
any of our podcasts themselvesor in any of our socials.
In fact, I think that'ssomething we've been thinking
about.
How do we show ourselves morefor season three?
So more to come on that.
But I would say the one elementthat comes to mind, or the one
(06:23):
very specific example I have ofa behind the scene that did not
get a lot of credit for, andthese people all leaned in, was
during that time frame when youwere away on vacation and I was
leading everything.
It was only about three, threeand a half weeks or whatever,
but it felt like a year.
And I was really struggling.
(06:43):
And at one point, I reached outto two different content
creators that we had alreadypreviously collaborated with,
and one that is just a friend ofmine, and asked for support on
a quick thing, and they alljumped.
They all were like, We're herefor you, we'll figure it out.
And the amount of support andwhat they provided back.
(07:04):
I mean, I just want to say,give a shout out to all of them,
to Corporate NX, that um NotYour Average Coward, and my
friend Jackie.
The three of them all providedcontent to me, worked with me on
things, and their version ofwhat they were in on it was so
small, and I feel really bad Ishould have done a bigger deal
with it.
They were all so gracious, sokind, and they all checked in
(07:27):
with me after that for like thenext two weeks.
Like, are you okay?
How are things going?
I mean, I haven't even met twoof them live.
Claude (07:34):
Yeah.
Jess (07:35):
And for them to lean in on that, it's just I'm very
grateful for that for sure.
And we'll always be gratefulfor those for those two.
Claude (07:42):
To this point, those three people.
To this point, I'm grateful foryou, to you, that I was able to
take three weeks' vacationbecause I needed it.
I was so burned out.
Not that I'm not saying youwere out, but burned out on me.
I was totally burned out, andtaking those vacations really
(08:03):
made a world of difference.
A world of difference.
You came back a completely newperson.
You were so calm and positiveabout everything.
How long was did it take?
One week?
It lasted for like three weeks.
Three weeks, exactly.
Yes, it lasted once.
Yeah, yeah.
It definitely goes to show youtake your vacation.
(08:24):
Exactly.
So that was I'm very gratefulbecause I know last year was
hard.
Jess (08:29):
Well, I'm glad I'm glad you got to do it.
I don't regret taking in theleap and helping you with that.
I did learn that I do need moresupport when that happens.
So thank you.
Claude (08:40):
I will put the boss in advance.
Cool.
So now discussing findinggratitude in our personal lives
because it's a lot work besties,but we do have also personal
lives.
Jess (08:55):
Do we?
Claude (08:56):
I would think so.
So, what is uh one thing you'regonna do?
Jess (09:00):
I mean, obviously, you I'm very grateful for you.
Claude (09:04):
I am asking you because now you're I'm part of your
personal.
Jess (09:08):
You are part of my personal life.
It's nice to network of supportfrom work from our our joint
venture and also as friendship,and as friend, yeah, and um
she's like I made it.
Um and I am grateful for it'sbeen a stressful year across all
of those.
Oh yet you've been Iraq andyou've been there, we've had our
ups and downs, but we figure itout.
(09:30):
That's relationship.
I know, I know, but not all,not everyone's around along for
the journey, and you've alwaysbeen there, so I appreciate
that.
And then I do have one otherthing, too.
But obviously, I love you.
That's like the top.
But I knew this question wascoming up, so I I also provided
one other one that I felt the uhwork bestie community could
relate a little bit more tobecause I'm not giving you up.
(09:51):
They're not allowed to have youas the work bestie.
So the one that I'm exclusive.
We're exclusive.
We might have a ceremony.
We should have a ceremony.
That would be so funny.
Oh, work bestie.
No kidding.
That was so funny.
Um, all right, so anyway, theone that I'm giving as a shout
out for the work bestiecommunity to think about doing
is one of our earlier episodes.
(10:12):
And she's giggling because sheknows I do it and she does it.
Affirmations.
I very much believe in them.
I get up that extra five, tenminutes.
Sometimes I uh this last couplemonths have not been the best
about doing it, but I used toget up a good 30 minutes and
write my affirmations.
Now it's about five, tenminutes, and I try and do them
in the morning and I try and dothem at night, and I really feel
(10:33):
like it just it grounds you, itmakes you think about what's
truly important in your life.
First, all of the chaos ofeverything else that's coming at
you, schedules, emails, allthat stuff.
It gives you that five, tenminutes with your cup of coffee
to not think about anythingelse, like you and what your
affirmation is.
And for me, it's really givenme a pause there.
Claude (10:57):
That's awesome.
Jess (10:58):
So now I know you don't do affirmations, Claude.
But I still wanted to ask youdo you have a daily ritual or
small joy that grounds you in asimilar way?
Claude (11:10):
So obviously, our when we send our memes for me, that
is something, it's a ritual thatI love.
And that when I don't get one,I'm like, I don't like it.
But then also is my daily callswith my friend when it's like
going to work and coming backfrom work.
It's just like being able tochit-chat is like one thing
(11:33):
where it helps you decompress,it helps decompress before going
to our life at home, and I haveto say it just came to me.
But that was just in the summerwas my swimming.
Oh yeah, that I really liked.
Like I was swimming an hour andit was like kind of meditating
because I could hear my breath.
Jess (11:54):
Um, I really enjoyed that.
It's funny because member usedto make fun of me for saying
that's why I ran.
Because it is uh it just getsyou into your moment.
The the one you would never doit, but that's your same thing.
Claude (12:08):
I would not never do it, but yeah, but exactly like I
can swim, I cannot run.
So yeah, I I really that wasone thing that didn't do last
year.
Okay.
Wait.
What?
Jess (12:20):
Not smoking! Oh my god! But that's that is not
necessarily a daily ritual forsmall joy, though, is it?
That's gratitude.
That's gratitude, but it's nota daily ritual over small joy
that goes.
That's fine.
And now it's not necessarily athing, it's you're you just
don't smoke.
Exactly.
So proud.
All right.
We should go into our workbestie exchange and ask each
(12:43):
other questions.
So explain what we're doing.
So what we decided when we cameup with this episode was that
we would have kind of anassessment of parts of what we
are happy or grateful, and thenwe were going to ask each other
questions without pre-sharingthem.
So this round, I have not seenher questions, she has not seen
(13:05):
mine, and we have to in themoment respond to that.
Mine is Celia.
Are you going first or do youwant me to go first?
Go first.
Okay, I'm gonna go first.
So, Claude, Jesus, if ourfriendship was a Thanksgiving
dish, what would it be and why?
Claude (13:20):
Okay, let me tell you my now.
If your work bestie was aThanksgiving side dish, what
would it be?
And no pressure, but this iseverything about your
friendship.
Jess (13:31):
Mine isn't a side dish though, so you could be the main
chorus.
You could have main characterenergy on mine.
Yours is a side hustle.
What is going on?
What?
What do you mean the sidehustle?
I because yours is it's a sidedish.
Claude (13:43):
Why a side dish, yeah.
Jess (13:44):
Well, I gave you, you could you could say you were the
turkey.
You could be main characterenergy.
Claude (13:48):
Yeah, I could be the turkey, but it would not be the
main.
Jess (13:51):
We it's our relationship.
Alright, so then you should havean answer because I came up
with that answer for for myself.
What's your answer?
So, what's the question again?
Okay.
It is if our friendship was aThanksgiving day, what would it
be and why?
And then I have a little funnything.
Please don't say cranberrysauce.
No.
Because we don't know that's alittle extra.
Stuffed.
Claude (14:12):
So we are main characters.
We are main character and thenme white stuff.
You tell me why you tell me.
So stuffed, it's because, andof course, it's the French
stuff.
French stuffing, right?
Not so it is the one that hasthe ground beef, the ground
pork, the cognac, the sourcream, okay.
(14:32):
Yeah, the chestnut.
So, what it means is that it'slike a melting pot.
So, we are the main.
Jess (14:41):
What don't laugh.
No, I'm laughing because I saidwe're the stuffing.
Do we work together too much?
Claude (14:49):
What is happening here?
So it's the same thing becausewe all our years come with this
beautiful thing.
Jess (14:56):
Because I said, Essentially, we're slightly
chaotic.
Yeah.
Because your stuffing's alwayslike a medley of different
things, as you are now veryintricately explaining.
I didn't know all that was inthere.
So and I've made stuff.
That's the French one.
Okay.
I kind of make that one.
Yeah, you're gonna have to giveme that one.
All right, and I said, and wemake everything better.
Like turkey's kind of like itshould be stuffing in it.
(15:16):
And you're like, oh my god,it's so good.
Now it's good.
Claude (15:19):
Are you white or dark meat?
I kind of like both.
I like a little bit of both.
But if but if I'm forced, ifyou're forced to choose, I'm
dark.
So we are complimented.
There we go, we can eat theturkey together.
That is we'll just fight overthe stomach.
That is so funny.
Jess (15:36):
Oh, that's already moment this year.
Proud or happy?
Either you can define proud inany way you want to.
Claude (15:46):
I loved our water.
Oh, yes.
I I really loved it.
Jess (15:51):
Well, we also have a we also have a third person that we
should thank for that one.
Yes.
So big thanks to it.
Well, not just one, to thewhole family.
Claude (15:59):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I I loved like even likedriving together and just a
mutual.
Jess (16:05):
This time I drove, just call out.
I'm a better driver and I'm nota great driver.
You're scary.
You're very scary.
I don't know what happened atthe time.
Claude (16:14):
But no, it was fun, right?
It was a lot of fun.
Jess (16:19):
You said this before we started recording.
You were like, you know whatI'm most proud of is when we
went on the road trip.
Claude (16:25):
Yeah, when the road trip, and then when we went to
that event, yeah, and seeingthat the event was fantastic,
the event was amazing.
And for me, that event reallyshowed that we were in the right
path.
Jess (16:39):
Yeah.
We're in a community of greatpeople.
Yeah.
Claude (16:43):
And also We were a little we were on the path that
we meant to be on and that we'redoing well.
Exactly.
Because my complex of impostersyndrome going to that event
showed that we're doing this,we're doing that.
So really showing that we arein the path, in the right path.
And we're we're continuing.
Season two and we have the samequestion.
(17:04):
It's coming.
And we have the same question.
That's so funny.
So now is the lightning roundround.
So turkey or takeout?
Turkey.
Turkey.
Yeah.
Who's more likely to burn thepie?
You or I?
Me.
Definitely me.
Yes.
Jess (17:24):
Definitely me.
Oh, for sure.
I'm not a baker.
I will a hundred percent.
Claude (17:30):
What's your work best?
What's your holiday survivaldrink of choice?
Anything with alcohol in it?
What's yours?
Mine, I found a way now when Ihost, I do a batch content.
Oh, tell me more.
So I do cognac or rum.
Okay.
I used to work for alcoholbeverage company.
(17:54):
Then the simple syrup infusedwith ginger, ginger tea, and
then cranberry, cranberry juice.
And then I put some.
Oh! Also sometimes I put someuh it's a big mix, it's like the
stuffing.
Then I put also sometimes theapple cider.
Sounds like jungle juice.
(18:14):
Oh, it's so good.
And then I put some uh cinnamonstick.
Jess (18:18):
How long in advance do you make this?
Claude (18:20):
So I make it in the morning for later on.
But I cook the the apple thing,right?
The apple cider with cinnamonsticks, with any stars.
Yeah.
And then I put that, and then Iput some slices of oranges,
apples in there.
Oh nice.
Jess (18:40):
That sounds delicious.
Let us know when we can havesome.
Maybe we can bring we can do anepisode where we're drinking.
Claude (18:46):
Yeah.
Jess (18:47):
With our work best after hour.
I know.
Claude (18:50):
Yeah.
I drink some.
Alright.
Yeah.
Or we can do a little one whereI put the recipe and we we
register.
Oh.
We do a little uh live orwhatever when I do the cocktail
and we drink it.
Jess (19:03):
I I'm game.
Alright.
Alright.
Alright, next one.
Who's sending an I'm thankfulfor you text after two glasses
of wine?
I would suggest.
The more alcohol, the more themore uh sappy, I guess.
Claude (19:20):
What's the most chaotic thing?
Sappy, but also sometimesyou're festive festive.
Tasty.
Alright.
Fair.
Either.
Jess (19:28):
You never know when you're gonna get from it.
It's like a box of chocolate.
No comment.
What's the most chaotic thingyour work bestie could bring to
Thanksgiving dinner?
For you?
I don't I feel like you wereanything you would bring would
be amazing.
I don't think it would bechaotic.
But the coward chaos sometimesis good.
Well my bad chaos.
I'd bring like, I don't know,the chaotic thing?
(19:53):
I don't know.
I don't know.
I'm gonna skip that.
Who's showing up late with thebest dessert?
Yes.
I'm late, but not with the bestdessert.
Claude (20:05):
I'm not saying you're going to cook it.
Jess (20:07):
Bake it.
Bake it.
I'm a cook, not a baker.
Well, for events like that, I'mon time.
I like very good.
So none of us.
Alright, so neither of us.
Uh I'm thankful for my workbestie because Radio Silence.
Claude (20:23):
For my work bestie because she's supportive.
I can vent.
I trust her.
And she's the she really leadsthis whole journey we are on.
For the work bestie journey.
Jess (20:37):
Yeah.
Well, you okay.
I am thankful for you becauseyou keep me grounded because I
get very chaotic, apparently.
You are very supportive, you'rea good ear to listen.
Like you never judge, never.
And I've given you a lot, youcould.
Um and you've always been theone to help like calm me down
when things are getting a littlea little overwhelming.
I think you've been my rockconsistently, whether that
(21:00):
overwhelming is requesty oranything.
So thank you.
That's awesome.
Alright, that concludes ourspeed round.
So a lot of gratitude for allof you, too.
So wherever you're listeningfrom, maybe in the car, on your
way to that family dinner.
Claude (21:20):
Or hiding from your co-workers because you know,
before the office five luck.
Jess (21:28):
We hope you take a moment to be grateful for the people
who make your days lighter.
Your work besties, your realbesties, and especially
yourself.
Oh yeah, good one.
So happy Thanksgiving, besties.
We are so beyond thankful forall of you.
So thankfully.
Have a good one.
Bye.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Remember, whether you'reswapping snacks in the break
(21:51):
room, rescuing each other fromendless meetings, or just
sending that perfectly timedmeme.
Having a work bestie is likehaving your own personal hype
squad.
Claude (22:02):
So keep lifting each other up, laughing through the
chaos, and of course, thriving.
Until next time, stay positive,stay productive, and don't
forget to keep supporting eachother.
Jess (22:15):
Work besties!
Hi work besties, it's Thanksgiving and we're feeling
all the feels.
Grateful, tired,overcaffeinated.
But today we're slowing down totalk about what we're thankful
for at work, at life, and ineach other.
Claude (00:15):
Yay, and yes, we each brought a surprise question for
the other.
No prep, just feelings.
It's going to be interesting.
I'm scared.
I am too.
Hi, I'm Claude.
And I'm Jess.
Jess (00:28):
We are corporate employees by day.
Let's kick off with a momentthis year that you felt
genuinely appreciated at work.
So I'm going to start by sayingI personally want to
congratulate the two of us.
We did something this year.
I think we mastered it, infact.
Something that I know is takingme years to accomplish in other
(00:50):
working relationships and otherfriendships.
And that is finding the rightbalance and the right way to
give gratitude toward eachother.
And I think the way that we doit is so genuine to how we both
want to be accepting ofgratitude and appreciating it
and recognizing it.
And it doesn't ever feelforced.
(01:11):
Yeah.
It doesn't ever feel like youdon't really mean it or it's not
true.
I'm very proud of us for that.
I am too.
Well, good.
Claude (01:20):
So then let's talk about some other things.
Well, I kind of took thesection like how to be thankful
for our 9 to 5.
Jess (01:29):
Oh worse, the work bestie.
Got it.
Claude (01:32):
But I I wanted to for the 9 to 5 also, I wanted to say
something about myth, the mythof toxic positivity versus
gaining appreciation.
Okay.
I think that is very important.
I mean, when you want to showgratitude, feel it.
Okay.
It's so important.
You and I experienced in our 9to 5 someone that was saying
(01:58):
thank you for your leadership.
For anything, even going to thebathroom, thank you for your
late leadership.
So I think that is so importantbecause at the end you don't
feel it, you don't trust itanymore.
So when you appreciatesomething, it really has to be
genuine, yeah.
Jess (02:16):
I think you hit on two really very poignant comments
there that are very applicableto an episode about being
thankful, one of which is workbesties in general, which we
didn't even incorporate or thinkabout that.
Claude (02:29):
Because it's a giver, I know.
It's a giver.
Jess (02:32):
I mean, at this point, it's like you know But it's
true.
And the thing that usually andsadly bonds individuals that the
work environment to become workbesties is work trauma.
Working with some type of toxicenvironment, positive toxic
element or work trauma ingeneral.
So you're hitting upon thingsthat totally resonate with us
(02:53):
and how we became such a strongpartnership, but I'm sure
resonate with many of you outthere too.
Claude (02:58):
So hold on, what does it mean that we are grateful for
toxicity?
Jess (03:02):
What's my thing is that we're rising above it.
Claude (03:11):
Which, if you think about it, that was what three
years, three, four years ago.
It was quite a while ago.
And we are still friends,right?
And now there's no-podcast now.
And we have a podcast, yeah.
With multiple people listening.
Jess (03:24):
Yeah.
Grateful for that one.
Yes, totally.
Um, and we have a section foryou all coming up.
But maybe what we do for thisis we suggest to our lovely work
bestie community, and weappreciate you all so much that
this is the time.
It's Thanksgiving.
We we think about family andfriends, and our work besties
are kind of both family andfriends.
So think about that oneco-worker you're grateful for.
(03:47):
And maybe it isn't your workbestie, but somebody you've
become somewhat close with, andjust take that five, 10 seconds
to tell them why.
Maybe even buy them a coffee umor a lunch and just say a card.
Old fashioned way.
What are they gonna do?
Snail nail it with a pigeon.
With a pigeon.
Yes, so find your way,authentic way to show that
(04:10):
appreciation.
Let's shift now to discussingwhat we're thankful for in the
Work Bestie Who podcast journey.
So, Claude, how have thingschanged for you when it comes to
our audience and our community?
Claude (04:25):
So, our community increased, right?
We have a lot more peoplefollowing us, a lot more
socials, uh, platforms were alot of yeah, a lot more
platforms.
Gratitude to you on that onebecause you're really the master
behind gratitude.
Yes, thank you.
Um, and also like reallyengaging with them, like a lot
(04:50):
of them answering to all the theposts and really seeing how
like this, yeah, this communitygrowing.
And I I'm really genuinelygrateful for it.
Jess (05:05):
So, this year we're actually getting a lot more
engagement on there as far aspeople actually responding with
certain questions and um thingsto think about for us to add
into our podcast, and a lotmore.
Oh, we liked this, we wanted tosee more of that.
That's significantly increasedthis year versus for this year
(05:26):
versus last year, and also Ihave to say, being able to get
more guests on our podcast.
Claude (05:33):
It's been a lot we start to have this community growing,
and one guest is going to say,Hey, you should speak to so and
so, and that I think it's fun.
And also, we've been going morenetworking and going to a lot
more uh conferences and events,so that's cool.
(05:55):
Yeah.
Now, about you.
What's a smallbehind-the-scenes screen?
There's been a lot.
Jess (06:02):
I feel like there's a lot of things that you and I have
done behind the scenes thatdidn't always quite make it into
any of our podcasts themselvesor in any of our socials.
In fact, I think that'ssomething we've been thinking
about.
How do we show ourselves morefor season three?
So more to come on that.
But I would say the one elementthat comes to mind, or the one
(06:23):
very specific example I have ofa behind the scene that did not
get a lot of credit for, andthese people all leaned in, was
during that time frame when youwere away on vacation and I was
leading everything.
It was only about three, threeand a half weeks or whatever,
but it felt like a year.
And I was really struggling.
(06:43):
And at one point, I reached outto two different content
creators that we had alreadypreviously collaborated with,
and one that is just a friend ofmine, and asked for support on
a quick thing, and they alljumped.
They all were like, We're herefor you, we'll figure it out.
And the amount of support andwhat they provided back.
(07:04):
I mean, I just want to say,give a shout out to all of them,
to Corporate NX, that um NotYour Average Coward, and my
friend Jackie.
The three of them all providedcontent to me, worked with me on
things, and their version ofwhat they were in on it was so
small, and I feel really bad Ishould have done a bigger deal
with it.
They were all so gracious, sokind, and they all checked in
(07:27):
with me after that for like thenext two weeks.
Like, are you okay?
How are things going?
I mean, I haven't even met twoof them live.
Claude (07:34):
Yeah.
Jess (07:35):
And for them to lean in on that, it's just I'm very
grateful for that for sure.
And we'll always be gratefulfor those for those two.
Claude (07:42):
To this point, those three people.
To this point, I'm grateful foryou, to you, that I was able to
take three weeks' vacationbecause I needed it.
I was so burned out.
Not that I'm not saying youwere out, but burned out on me.
I was totally burned out, andtaking those vacations really
(08:03):
made a world of difference.
A world of difference.
You came back a completely newperson.
You were so calm and positiveabout everything.
How long was did it take?
One week?
It lasted for like three weeks.
Three weeks, exactly.
Yes, it lasted once.
Yeah, yeah.
It definitely goes to show youtake your vacation.
(08:24):
Exactly.
So that was I'm very gratefulbecause I know last year was
hard.
Jess (08:29):
Well, I'm glad I'm glad you got to do it.
I don't regret taking in theleap and helping you with that.
I did learn that I do need moresupport when that happens.
So thank you.
Claude (08:40):
I will put the boss in advance.
Cool.
So now discussing findinggratitude in our personal lives
because it's a lot work besties,but we do have also personal
lives.
Jess (08:55):
Do we?
Claude (08:56):
I would think so.
So, what is uh one thing you'regonna do?
Jess (09:00):
I mean, obviously, you I'm very grateful for you.
Claude (09:04):
I am asking you because now you're I'm part of your
personal.
Jess (09:08):
You are part of my personal life.
It's nice to network of supportfrom work from our our joint
venture and also as friendship,and as friend, yeah, and um
she's like I made it.
Um and I am grateful for it'sbeen a stressful year across all
of those.
Oh yet you've been Iraq andyou've been there, we've had our
ups and downs, but we figure itout.
(09:30):
That's relationship.
I know, I know, but not all,not everyone's around along for
the journey, and you've alwaysbeen there, so I appreciate
that.
And then I do have one otherthing, too.
But obviously, I love you.
That's like the top.
But I knew this question wascoming up, so I I also provided
one other one that I felt the uhwork bestie community could
relate a little bit more tobecause I'm not giving you up.
(09:51):
They're not allowed to have youas the work bestie.
So the one that I'm exclusive.
We're exclusive.
We might have a ceremony.
We should have a ceremony.
That would be so funny.
Oh, work bestie.
No kidding.
That was so funny.
Um, all right, so anyway, theone that I'm giving as a shout
out for the work bestiecommunity to think about doing
is one of our earlier episodes.
(10:12):
And she's giggling because sheknows I do it and she does it.
Affirmations.
I very much believe in them.
I get up that extra five, tenminutes.
Sometimes I uh this last couplemonths have not been the best
about doing it, but I used toget up a good 30 minutes and
write my affirmations.
Now it's about five, tenminutes, and I try and do them
in the morning and I try and dothem at night, and I really feel
(10:33):
like it just it grounds you, itmakes you think about what's
truly important in your life.
First, all of the chaos ofeverything else that's coming at
you, schedules, emails, allthat stuff.
It gives you that five, tenminutes with your cup of coffee
to not think about anythingelse, like you and what your
affirmation is.
And for me, it's really givenme a pause there.
Claude (10:57):
That's awesome.
Jess (10:58):
So now I know you don't do affirmations, Claude.
But I still wanted to ask youdo you have a daily ritual or
small joy that grounds you in asimilar way?
Claude (11:10):
So obviously, our when we send our memes for me, that
is something, it's a ritual thatI love.
And that when I don't get one,I'm like, I don't like it.
But then also is my daily callswith my friend when it's like
going to work and coming backfrom work.
It's just like being able tochit-chat is like one thing
(11:33):
where it helps you decompress,it helps decompress before going
to our life at home, and I haveto say it just came to me.
But that was just in the summerwas my swimming.
Oh yeah, that I really liked.
Like I was swimming an hour andit was like kind of meditating
because I could hear my breath.
Jess (11:54):
Um, I really enjoyed that.
It's funny because member usedto make fun of me for saying
that's why I ran.
Because it is uh it just getsyou into your moment.
The the one you would never doit, but that's your same thing.
Claude (12:08):
I would not never do it, but yeah, but exactly like I
can swim, I cannot run.
So yeah, I I really that wasone thing that didn't do last
year.
Okay.
Wait.
What?
Jess (12:20):
Not smoking! Oh my god! But that's that is not
necessarily a daily ritual forsmall joy, though, is it?
That's gratitude.
That's gratitude, but it's nota daily ritual over small joy
that goes.
That's fine.
And now it's not necessarily athing, it's you're you just
don't smoke.
Exactly.
So proud.
All right.
We should go into our workbestie exchange and ask each
(12:43):
other questions.
So explain what we're doing.
So what we decided when we cameup with this episode was that
we would have kind of anassessment of parts of what we
are happy or grateful, and thenwe were going to ask each other
questions without pre-sharingthem.
So this round, I have not seenher questions, she has not seen
(13:05):
mine, and we have to in themoment respond to that.
Mine is Celia.
Are you going first or do youwant me to go first?
Go first.
Okay, I'm gonna go first.
So, Claude, Jesus, if ourfriendship was a Thanksgiving
dish, what would it be and why?
Claude (13:20):
Okay, let me tell you my now.
If your work bestie was aThanksgiving side dish, what
would it be?
And no pressure, but this iseverything about your
friendship.
Jess (13:31):
Mine isn't a side dish though, so you could be the main
chorus.
You could have main characterenergy on mine.
Yours is a side hustle.
What is going on?
What?
What do you mean the sidehustle?
I because yours is it's a sidedish.
Claude (13:43):
Why a side dish, yeah.
Jess (13:44):
Well, I gave you, you could you could say you were the
turkey.
You could be main characterenergy.
Claude (13:48):
Yeah, I could be the turkey, but it would not be the
main.
Jess (13:51):
We it's our relationship.
Alright, so then you should havean answer because I came up
with that answer for for myself.
What's your answer?
So, what's the question again?
Okay.
It is if our friendship was aThanksgiving day, what would it
be and why?
And then I have a little funnything.
Please don't say cranberrysauce.
No.
Because we don't know that's alittle extra.
Stuffed.
Claude (14:12):
So we are main characters.
We are main character and thenme white stuff.
You tell me why you tell me.
So stuffed, it's because, andof course, it's the French
stuff.
French stuffing, right?
Not so it is the one that hasthe ground beef, the ground
pork, the cognac, the sourcream, okay.
(14:32):
Yeah, the chestnut.
So, what it means is that it'slike a melting pot.
So, we are the main.
Jess (14:41):
What don't laugh.
No, I'm laughing because I saidwe're the stuffing.
Do we work together too much?
Claude (14:49):
What is happening here?
So it's the same thing becausewe all our years come with this
beautiful thing.
Jess (14:56):
Because I said, Essentially, we're slightly
chaotic.
Yeah.
Because your stuffing's alwayslike a medley of different
things, as you are now veryintricately explaining.
I didn't know all that was inthere.
So and I've made stuff.
That's the French one.
Okay.
I kind of make that one.
Yeah, you're gonna have to giveme that one.
All right, and I said, and wemake everything better.
Like turkey's kind of like itshould be stuffing in it.
(15:16):
And you're like, oh my god,it's so good.
Now it's good.
Claude (15:19):
Are you white or dark meat?
I kind of like both.
I like a little bit of both.
But if but if I'm forced, ifyou're forced to choose, I'm
dark.
So we are complimented.
There we go, we can eat theturkey together.
That is we'll just fight overthe stomach.
That is so funny.
Jess (15:36):
Oh, that's already moment this year.
Proud or happy?
Either you can define proud inany way you want to.
Claude (15:46):
I loved our water.
Oh, yes.
I I really loved it.
Jess (15:51):
Well, we also have a we also have a third person that we
should thank for that one.
Yes.
So big thanks to it.
Well, not just one, to thewhole family.
Claude (15:59):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I I loved like even likedriving together and just a
mutual.
Jess (16:05):
This time I drove, just call out.
I'm a better driver and I'm nota great driver.
You're scary.
You're very scary.
I don't know what happened atthe time.
Claude (16:14):
But no, it was fun, right?
It was a lot of fun.
Jess (16:19):
You said this before we started recording.
You were like, you know whatI'm most proud of is when we
went on the road trip.
Claude (16:25):
Yeah, when the road trip, and then when we went to
that event, yeah, and seeingthat the event was fantastic,
the event was amazing.
And for me, that event reallyshowed that we were in the right
path.
Jess (16:39):
Yeah.
We're in a community of greatpeople.
Yeah.
Claude (16:43):
And also We were a little we were on the path that
we meant to be on and that we'redoing well.
Exactly.
Because my complex of impostersyndrome going to that event
showed that we're doing this,we're doing that.
So really showing that we arein the path, in the right path.
And we're we're continuing.
Season two and we have the samequestion.
(17:04):
It's coming.
And we have the same question.
That's so funny.
So now is the lightning roundround.
So turkey or takeout?
Turkey.
Turkey.
Yeah.
Who's more likely to burn thepie?
You or I?
Me.
Definitely me.
Yes.
Jess (17:24):
Definitely me.
Oh, for sure.
I'm not a baker.
I will a hundred percent.
Claude (17:30):
What's your work best?
What's your holiday survivaldrink of choice?
Anything with alcohol in it?
What's yours?
Mine, I found a way now when Ihost, I do a batch content.
Oh, tell me more.
So I do cognac or rum.
Okay.
I used to work for alcoholbeverage company.
(17:54):
Then the simple syrup infusedwith ginger, ginger tea, and
then cranberry, cranberry juice.
And then I put some.
Oh! Also sometimes I put someuh it's a big mix, it's like the
stuffing.
Then I put also sometimes theapple cider.
Sounds like jungle juice.
(18:14):
Oh, it's so good.
And then I put some uh cinnamonstick.
Jess (18:18):
How long in advance do you make this?
Claude (18:20):
So I make it in the morning for later on.
But I cook the the apple thing,right?
The apple cider with cinnamonsticks, with any stars.
Yeah.
And then I put that, and then Iput some slices of oranges,
apples in there.
Oh nice.
Jess (18:40):
That sounds delicious.
Let us know when we can havesome.
Maybe we can bring we can do anepisode where we're drinking.
Claude (18:46):
Yeah.
Jess (18:47):
With our work best after hour.
I know.
Claude (18:50):
Yeah.
I drink some.
Alright.
Yeah.
Or we can do a little one whereI put the recipe and we we
register.
Oh.
We do a little uh live orwhatever when I do the cocktail
and we drink it.
Jess (19:03):
I I'm game.
Alright.
Alright.
Alright, next one.
Who's sending an I'm thankfulfor you text after two glasses
of wine?
I would suggest.
The more alcohol, the more themore uh sappy, I guess.
Claude (19:20):
What's the most chaotic thing?
Sappy, but also sometimesyou're festive festive.
Tasty.
Alright.
Fair.
Either.
Jess (19:28):
You never know when you're gonna get from it.
It's like a box of chocolate.
No comment.
What's the most chaotic thingyour work bestie could bring to
Thanksgiving dinner?
For you?
I don't I feel like you wereanything you would bring would
be amazing.
I don't think it would bechaotic.
But the coward chaos sometimesis good.
Well my bad chaos.
I'd bring like, I don't know,the chaotic thing?
(19:53):
I don't know.
I don't know.
I'm gonna skip that.
Who's showing up late with thebest dessert?
Yes.
I'm late, but not with the bestdessert.
Claude (20:05):
I'm not saying you're going to cook it.
Jess (20:07):
Bake it.
Bake it.
I'm a cook, not a baker.
Well, for events like that, I'mon time.
I like very good.
So none of us.
Alright, so neither of us.
Uh I'm thankful for my workbestie because Radio Silence.
Claude (20:23):
For my work bestie because she's supportive.
I can vent.
I trust her.
And she's the she really leadsthis whole journey we are on.
For the work bestie journey.
Jess (20:37):
Yeah.
Well, you okay.
I am thankful for you becauseyou keep me grounded because I
get very chaotic, apparently.
You are very supportive, you'rea good ear to listen.
Like you never judge, never.
And I've given you a lot, youcould.
Um and you've always been theone to help like calm me down
when things are getting a littlea little overwhelming.
I think you've been my rockconsistently, whether that
(21:00):
overwhelming is requesty oranything.
So thank you.
That's awesome.
Alright, that concludes ourspeed round.
So a lot of gratitude for allof you, too.
So wherever you're listeningfrom, maybe in the car, on your
way to that family dinner.
Claude (21:20):
Or hiding from your co-workers because you know,
before the office five luck.
Jess (21:28):
We hope you take a moment to be grateful for the people
who make your days lighter.
Your work besties, your realbesties, and especially
yourself.
Oh yeah, good one.
So happy Thanksgiving, besties.
We are so beyond thankful forall of you.
So thankfully.
Have a good one.
Bye.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Remember, whether you'reswapping snacks in the break
(21:51):
room, rescuing each other fromendless meetings, or just
sending that perfectly timedmeme.
Having a work bestie is likehaving your own personal hype
squad.
Claude (22:02):
So keep lifting each other up, laughing through the
chaos, and of course, thriving.
Until next time, stay positive,stay productive, and don't
forget to keep supporting eachother.
Jess (22:15):
Work besties!
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