The Work Flow Podcast

Ep. 49 - In this episode, Sam and Derek explore the delicate balance between confidence and aggression in the workplace. They discuss how to present oneself confidently without coming off as aggressive, emphasizing the importance of mindset, communication style, and appearance. The conversation is structured around four key dimensions of confidence: how you think, when you speak, how you speak, and how you look. Through pe...

Ep.48 - In this episode of The Workflow Podcast, Sam and Derek take on a tough truth: in today’s workplace, visibility often matters more than talent alone. They explore why too many high performers stay stuck — not because they lack skill, but because they lack visibility.

The conversation kicks off with a hot take on HR's real role in modern companies, then pivots into a powerful framework for professional growth: how...

In this episode of The Workflow Podcast, Sam and Derek delve into the transformative power of vocal presence. They explore how mastering the five Vocal Foundations of Great Communication—rate of speech, volume, pitch, tonality, and pausing—can elevate your interactions, both professionally and personally.

Drawing from expert insights and real-life experiences, they unpack why communication is the ultimate competitiv...

Ep. 46 -  Narcissists – The Signs, The Games, and The Tools to Deal With Them 

"Narcissists thrive on control and validation—but understanding their tactics is the first step to breaking free."

In this episode of The Workflow Podcast, Sam and Derek probe into the world of narcissism—what drives narcissistic behavior, how to recognize the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs, and how to protect yourself from manipulat...

Ep. 45 - In this episode of The Workflow Podcast, Sam and Derek break down the science of charisma—what makes someone compelling, influential, and effortlessly engaging. They explore the hidden cues that drive human connection, from body language to vocal inflection, and how mastering these small details can transform the way you communicate.

Using research-backed insights from Vanessa Van Edwards, they discuss warmth and c...

In this episode of The Workflow Podcast, Sam and Derek dive into one of the biggest struggles in professional life: time management. Whether you’re a maker who thrives on deep focus work or a manager whose day is packed with meetings, your calendar is the battlefield where productivity is won or lost.

They break down the Maker vs. Manager time dilemma—why meetings are often the enemy of creative work and how context swi...

Ep. 43 - In this episode of The Work Flow Podcast, Sam and Derek dive deep into the fascinating rise and fall of Ryan Salame, a tax accountant who found his place in the fast-paced world of crypto. This isn’t just about the headlines of the FTX scandal; it’s about the human side of Ryan’s story—his journey of connection, charisma, and the important lessons we can take from both his successes and his struggles. As a for...

Ep.42 - In this episode of The Workflow Podcast, Sam and Derek dive into the widespread topic of imposter syndrome, exploring its nuances and the role it plays in personal and professional growth. Drawing from their own experiences, they distinguish between fleeting imposter thoughts and chronic self-doubt, highlighting how these feelings, when managed constructively, can lead to greater self-awareness and resilience.

The h...

Episode 40: The Change Curve – Turning Challenges Into Growth

In this episode of The Workflow Podcast, Sam and Derek explore the emotional rollercoaster of navigating major changes in life and work. Using the framework of the Change Curve, they unpack how disruptive events affect our morale and competence—and how we can accelerate the journey back to growth.

The hosts share personal stories of professional setbacks, from...

Episode 39: Disrupt Yourself – How to Break Plateaus and Reignite Your Career

In this episode of The Workflow Podcast, Sam and Derek delve into the concept of career disruption as a tool for continuous growth. They explore the challenges and rewards of shifting roles, industries, and perspectives, sharing insights from their own career journeys.

Drawing from Whitney Johnson’s Disrupt Yourself, the hosts discuss how c...

Ep.39 - In this conversation, Derek and Sam reflect on their milestone year, discussing personal growth, the challenges of balancing parenthood with personal interests, and the importance of nurturing relationships. They share insights on goal setting, accountability, and the need for intentionality in their lives. The discussion emphasizes the significance of self-reflection and the strategies they plan to implement for t...

Episode 38: Framing for Focus – The Secret to Better Decisions and Aligned Teams

"Every great decision starts with asking the right question."

In this episode of The Workflow Podcast, Sam and Derek unravel the power of framing as the ultimate tool for clarity and alignment in the workplace. They dive deep into how defining a "threshold question" and leveraging visuals can transform unfocused meetings and comp...

Ep.37 - Should you work at a big company or a startup? With candid reflections and real-world insights, they explore the trade-offs between the structure and resources of large corporations and the agility and innovation of startups. From navigating office politics to balancing personal agency and burnout, this conversation covers the nuanced realities of both environments.

Drawing on their own career journeys, the hosts un...

Ep.36 - In this episode of The Workflow Podcast, Sam and Derek are all about figuring out how to influence and connect with folks at work. They get inspired by an interview with a CIA spy and dive into something they call the "R.I.C.E." framework, which stands for Reward, Ideology, Coercion, and Ego. This framework helps you understand what really motivates people, which can seriously change how you build relationships at ...

Ep.35 - In this episode of The Workflow Podcast, Sam and Derek reflect on the realities of navigating high-stakes professional environments, tackling burnout, and finding balance. They share their experiences of being in disorganized executive meetings, learning to manage energy, and overcoming imposter syndrome. The duo emphasizes the importance of building relationships—both in and out of the boardroom—while making space...

Ep.34

“The challenge is not to bring TOO MUCH personal stuff into the workplace.”

In this episode of The Workflow Podcast, Sam and Derek dive into the complexities of navigating workplace boundaries, from sharing personal details to building social connections at work. They discuss how to balance authenticity with professionalism, highlighting the importance of reading the room and testing social limits without making career...

Ep. 33 - “The audience is not there to JUDGE you. They are there to LEARN.”

In this episode, Nasheen, an expert public speaking coach, shares her journey from the corporate world to becoming a TEDx speaker and communication coach. Together, Sam and Nasheen explore the art of public speaking, both in-person and online, offering practical advice on how to connect with your audience, overcome fear, and make an impact in every ...

Ep.32 - High Agency is potentially the single most valuable personality trait for someone working in a tech and business. Being high agency means you're in the drivers seat, and you feel like you have control to bend the world to your will. How do you build high agency? What do high agency people do? How can you spot it in others? Sam and Derek share their perspectives and research on high agency.  

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Ep.31 - One of the most important skills that nobody tells you that you need: how to debate. Pushing back, disagreements or arguments are part of work. They can be productive, or destructive, depending on your approach. This episode we break down first principles for productive debate. 

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