Work with Erika Ayers Badan

In this episode of WORK, Erika explores why generosity has become a lost art in today’s workplace—and why bringing it back can change everything. From the pitfalls of corporate “wellness weeks” to a failed launch that turned into one of her team’s most constructive conversations, she shows how giving time, feedback, and attention can transform culture. Along the way, E...

In this episode of WORK, Erika introduces Food52's new resident Test Kitchen creator Isabelle Jardin, who shares her love of cookbook clubs and entertaining. Erika's also joined by Helena Shannon, who shares how nine years of sobriety have fueled her clarity, confidence, and career growth—turning consciousness into a true workplace superpower. From remembering every name in the room to speaki...

In this episode of WORK, Erika dives into the real struggles of breaking the status quo at work and why it’s so hard to change what’s clearly broken. From finance frustrations to startup standoffs, this candid talk is for anyone trying to create real change within their organization.

Plus, we spotlight the return of Ty Haney to Outdoor Voices

In this episode of WORK, Erika unpacks the growing misuse of the word “burnout”—and why it’s becoming dangerously diluted. From Gen Z’s “rat people” rebellion in China to Elon Musk’s fiery back-to-office mandate, the episode explores the tension between hustle culture, gen...

In this insightful episode of WORK, Erika dives into the reality of managing in a rapidly evolving workplace. She shares personal insights on tackling anxiety, navigating tough delegation decisions, and how to inspire teams through meaningful accountability. Special guest Chelsea Burnside joins Erika to discuss first-time management challenges, creating authentic connections at work, and how soci...

In this episode of WORK, Erika sits down with Rishad Tobaccowala—futurist, author, and former Chief Growth Officer at Publicis Groupe—for a big-picture conversation about how work is evolving and what it really takes to stay relevant. From demographic shifts and declining populations to AI, Gen Z mindsets, and the rise of marketplaces and side hustle...

This week, Erika talks with Allen Warch, Vice President of Food and Fresh at Dollar General, about how the company is transforming itself from a discount retailer to a fresh food access point — tackling food insecurity, expanding into rural America, and making produce affordable. Plus, a little soccer talk and a look at how mission-driven culture scales.

Thanks so much for listening to WORK. If you haven’t yet, now is a...

In this episode of WORK, Erika dives into how personal style shapes professional presence with Jennifer Heinen, a leading fashion psychologist and creator of the Style‑Mind Shift. They explore how what you wear affects confidence, identity, and control in the workplace. Erika also breaks down the limits of AI note‑takers, and examines how New Balance rebranded a dad shoe into a cultural icon. It&...

Sharing an episode of the Superhero Leadership podcast, hosted by Marvel's former CEO and legendary turnaround expert, Peter Cuneo. Each week, Peter is joined by top performers from business, media, and beyond, leaders who have mastered the art of impact, resilience, and vision. Together, they explore Peter’s 32 leadership essentials, revealing what it really takes to rise, inspire, and lead with purpose. In this episode, the...

In this episode of WORK, Erika talks about the Labubu craze, ethics of A.I and also sits down with Jess Cervellon—fractional CMO, entrepreneur, and founder of She Innovates—about what it really takes to build a career on your own terms. They get into the realities of juggling multiple clients, the myths around networking, and why personal branding i...

In this episode of WORK, Erika talks to Bree McKeen, founder of Evelyn & Bobbie, about what it really takes to rebuild a product from scratch—and why the bra industry was overdue for a total reset. They get into the science behind better support, the lies women have been told about comfort, and what happens when you stop following the playbook and build your own. It’s a conversation about innovation, scale, and why ...

In this episode of WORK, Erika breaks down what it means to take over a business you didn’t start, and the difference between ownership, leadership, and cleanup. She gets into why the chief of staff role is one of the weirdest jobs, how companies get stuck in admin spirals, and why most meetings aren’t actually work. The episode also looks ahead at the jobs of the future, and what happens when AI starts managing our dig...

In this episode of WORK, Erika opens with a conversation on burnout, humor, and how survival sometimes looks like making fun of your own life. She talks about the pressure to build businesses like SKIMS, and why most companies don’t work that way. Caitlin Murray joins to talk about parenting, grief, and growing Big Time Adulting into a platform built on honesty and humor. Katie Lee shares her journey building a pizza business...

In this episode of WORK, Erika talks with Chef Tiara from The Pastry Box about building something from scratch—literally. They get into how burnout led to biscuits, what it means to create a business that actually feeds you, and why joy should be part of the plan. The episode also features a conversation with Sarah Tans on maternity, identity, and how to make work work after becoming a parent.

See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

In this episode of WORK, Erika talks about leadership, trust, and why the best teams don’t need babysitting. She unpacks what makes someone worth following, how Gen Alpha misunderstands the internet, and why being busy doesn’t mean being valuable. Plus: a conversation with Tejas Hullur on content, burnout, and storytelling—and a story from travel writer Anne Abel about changing your life at 72 and finally becoming...

In this episode of WORK, Erika sits down with Dustin Baker and Maya French, the co-founders of Happy Pop, to talk about what it really takes to build something from nothing—twice. They get into the chaos of launching a beverage brand, learning everything on the fly, and why community and confidence matter more than any investor pitch. It’s a story about resilience, reinvention, and making things that make people feel go...

In this episode of WORK, Erika talks about what it really means to show up prepared—at work, in your routines, and in your life. She breaks down generational differences in effort, the myth of phoning it in, and why some people make everything look easy. Plus, a conversation with sports broadcaster Megan Olivi about performance, pressure, and doing the work so thoroughly they’re glad you’re in the room.

See omnystu...

In this episode of WORK, Erika sits down with Trudy and Chloe—mother and daughter, creatives, and co-authors of The Artful Way to Plant-Based Cooking. They talk about starting over at 50, building a career from scratch, and working together without losing your mind. The conversation covers career reinvention, ceramics, content, modeling, menopause, and what it means to build a life that act...