Your Work Friends

What 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 effectiven...

Well, 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 layo...

In 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-challenges
• Leveraging feminine le...

Well, 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...

Well, 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 ...

Most of Us Are Hiding Something at Work—And It's Exhausting

In 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 B...

Burnout 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...

Think 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,...

What'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 bei...

In 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 care...

In our latest episode of Your Work Friends, we dive into the art and science of crisis communications with expert Anne-Marie Squeo. From understanding what qualifies as a crisis to mastering the first 24 hours, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for leaders, teams, and anyone navigating turbulent times.

What you’ll learn:
✅ How to recognize and define a crisis
✅ Why the first 24 hours are critical—and what ...

Here's the work news we're covering this week. 

Nearly half of tech workers are job hunting in 2025 - but why? Join us as we dive into the shifting landscape of workplace benefits and what's really driving the Great Tech Migration. 

Plus, is this the end of corporate happy hours? We explore the US Surgeon General's new alcohol advisory and its impact on workplace culture. From Airbnb's rem...

What happens at the top impacts what happens at work.

With the 2024 election on the horizon, many are asking: how could a second Trump administration reshape the workplace? From labor policies to healthcare, DEI, immigration, and safety regulations—there’s a lot to consider, whether you’re leading teams or navigating your own career.

So, we called up a few friends to talk about it. Live.

Join us as we kick things off our So...

Join Mel and Francesca, your workplace insiders, as they break down the biggest workplace news affecting your career and wallet. 

This week: Major developments in overtime pay as Texas courts strike down new federal rules, shocking new data about the salary Americans say they need to feel successful ($270K!), and the latest research on paid family leave that could change your benefits. Plus, the childcare crisis hitting wo...

In a world obsessed with productivity, could play be your team's secret weapon?

Brandon Wetzstein has helped transform teams at major organizations by tapping into the power of strategic play. In this episode, he breaks down why traditional "serious" approaches often lead to mediocre solutions, and how structured play can break through conventional thinking to unlock breakthrough ideas.

Key Episode Highlights: 
[00...

AI Is Making 71% of Workers Less Productive: The Truth About Tech Burnout + Why You Need $1.6M to Retire

We're tackling tackle two major workplace challenges:

• AI & Burnout: We expose alarming new research that shows a massive disconnect between executives and workers when it comes to AI. While 96% of leaders are betting big on AI to boost productivity, 71% of employees report it's actually making them less productiv...

In this week's workplace headlines, dive into the groundbreaking 2024 McKinsey & Lean In Women in the Workplace report revealing young women face twice the ageism as their male peers. Learn why it will take 50 years to reach pay parity and discover the shocking real cost of return-to-office mandates - averaging $1,200 monthly per employee. Plus, explore why progressive companies are adding divorce support as their newest e...

In this episode of Your Work Friends, Francesca and Mel dive into the long-term impacts of corporate layoffs and the crucial role of trust in AI adoption. They discuss recent research revealing how layoffs can damage employee morale, engagement, and company recovery for up to 24 months. 

We also explore Fortune's findings on how top European companies are building trust to facilitate AI integration, highlighting the i...

Discover two major work trends that are reshaping the workplace: the shift away from managers and the growing importance of bonus-based pay. Learn why human capital is an investment, not an expense.

Two Game-Changing Work Trends:
👉 Explore two major work trends transforming corporate America: the decline of traditional managers and the rise of bonus-based pay. Find out what this means for your career.

We refe...