Work in Progress: What No One Tells You About Work

Feeling fried at work? Struggling to keep up with emails, updates, and that never-ending to-do list? This week, we’re talking about the real reason you feel behind—it’s not your work ethic, it’s your lack of automation.

CJ and Larone get honest about burnout, brain fog, and the underrated power of a good email template. From Pomodoro timers to AI summaries, we’re sharing the small tools and mindset shifts that are helping us rec...

Feeling uneasy at work? Wondering if it’s time to move on—or ride it out?

In this episode of Work in Progress, CJ and Larone break down how to recognize the signs that your job (or your entire industry) might be in trouble, and how to pivot strategically before you’re forced to.

From hiring freezes and corporate “efficiency” talk to LinkedIn presence and documenting your wins, this episode is full of real talk, practical tips, a...

Why does taking time off feel like a career risk?In this episode of Work in Progress, CJ and Larone unpack the unspoken guilt around taking PTO in hustle-heavy work cultures. From burnout masked as dedication to the myth of being “indispensable,” we explore what’s really behind that vacation dread.

You’ll hear real talk on:

• Navigating time off without spiraling
• How to prep your team for your absence (without guilt)
• Building wor...

Working hard isn’t enough. If you want to grow, you need to manage up — strategically.

In this episode of Work in Progress, CJ and Larone unpack the real mechanics of career advancement; the visibility, the relationships, and the power moves no one teaches you. Promotions aren’t about pure merit. They’re about being seen, staying top of mind, and building the right alliances.

We cover:

• How managing up helps your boss advo...

Ever feel like you’re doing everything right at work — hitting deadlines, going above and beyond — but somehow, it’s the louder, more visible people who get the promotions? You’re not imagining it.

Promotions aren’t about pure merit, they’re about visibility, strategy, and knowing how to manage the unspoken rules. In this episode of Work in Progress, CJ and Larone break down the real mechanics of career growth: from how bias shapes...

Referring someone for a job sounds simple, until your name ends up tied to their performance. In this episode of Work in Progress, Larone and Courtney get into the messy middle of job referrals: when to say yes, when to say no, and how to protect your reputation without burning bridges. Whether it’s a close friend or a former colleague, navigating referrals is a leadership skill — not just a favor.

💬 If you’ve ever wondered:

✔️ ...

We’ve all heard the phrase “bring your whole self to work,” but what does that actually mean? And more importantly, how do you do it without oversharing, making things awkward, or feeling like you’re playing a corporate version of Survivor?

In this episode of Cohesive Tangent, Larone and Courtney dig into the balancing act of workplace authenticity. They explore how to navigate self-expression while keeping your professionalism inta...

LinkedIn: love it, hate it, or just quietly lurk? In this episode of Work in Progress, Larone and Courtney get real about how to make LinkedIn actually work for you, without turning into a “thought leader” parody.

From building real relationships to creating content that doesn’t make you cringe, we’re breaking down what it takes to stand out on the platform in 2025.

💬 If you’ve ever thought:

✔ “Do I really need to post on LinkedIn t...

In this episode of Cohesive Tangent, Courtney Jennings-Hope and Larone Ellison dive into the twists and turns of mentorship. They break down the difference between mentors and peer relationships, how to actually use these connections for career advancement, and why the best advice often comes from unexpected places. From personal growth to professional development, they explore how to navigate mentorship with intention, align with ...

Ever feel like your career growth is stuck on autopilot? Waiting for your manager or company to chart your next step? Spoiler alert: That’s not their job, it’s yours.

In this episode of Cohesive Tangent, we’re unpacking the hard truth: Your career is your responsibility. We explore:

The Generational Shift – Why older generations saw career growth as a company-led path, while Millennials and Gen Z are redefining loyalty th...

The rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs is making headlines, but what does it mean for the workplace and the people in it?

In this episode of Cohesive Tangent, Courtney and Larone unpack the true purpose of DEI. What it is, what it isn't, and why it matters. They dive into how these changes affect employees across the board, with a special focus on veterans and other vulnerable groups who often benefit fr...

Ghost Jobs and the Emotional Rollercoaster of Job Hunting

Ever feel like you’re applying to jobs that might as well be ghost stories? Us too.

In this episode of Cohesive Tangent, we’re talking about ghost jobs—those frustrating postings that never seem to lead anywhere. Larone dives into how it feels to keep hitting a wall, Courtney shares why networking can be your secret weapon, and together, we explore what it’s like to naviga...