Surfing Corporate
The Surfing Corporate Podcast tackles the highs and lows of corporate life with a humorous and relatable point of view. Hosted by Aileen Merciel and Glenda Pacanins, former media executives who have experienced first-hand what really goes on behind fancy corporate doors, this podcast aims to entertain as well as provide practical advice to employees who are currently navigating turbulent corporate waters.
Episodes
November 20, 2024 • 50 mins
Aileen and Glenda dive into the complexities of power in the workplace with Harvard Professor Julie Battilana, co-author of Power, for All: How it Really Works and Why It’s Everyone’s Business and founder of the Social Innovation and Change Initiative at Harvard Kennedy School.Together, they explore how power shapes behavior, influences decision-making, and impacts relationships with colleagues. From understanding power dynamics to...
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October 30, 2024 • 42 mins
This Halloween, we’re turning the spotlight on the spookiest stories of all—the ones that happen at work. Join us as we dive into horrific embarrassing moments that people have experienced in the office, from group chats gone terribly wrong to falling face first in front of your new boss, and the story of coworker gift that scarred lives forever.
We’ve gathered the most cringeworthy corporate confessions that will have you laughin...
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October 23, 2024 • 54 mins
In this week’s episode of Surfing Corporate, we tackle the often-overlooked topic of ageism in the workplace with special guest Maureen Wiley Clough, host of the It Gets Late Early podcast and newsletter. Together, we discuss shocking research, including how tech workers over 40 are 26% less likely to be hired than their younger peers, and why women experience ageism at nearly double the rate of men. More importantly, we provide ac...
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October 16, 2024 • 37 mins
Aileen and Glenda challenge the traditional view of categorizing bosses as either good or bad, focusing instead on those who embody both traits. Leaders who can be inspiring and brilliant, but also mean and volatile. Join us as we explore the psychology behind these unpredictable corporate characters. We talk about what it’s like to work for leaders like Elon Musk, and Steve Jobs’, and we share our own experience working for a Jeky...
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October 9, 2024 • 54 mins
Whether by choice or necessity, career pivots are becoming more common as industries shift, layoffs are rampant, and personal values evolve. Aileen and Glenda break down the key drivers behind career changes, and offer insights into navigating the challenges and opportunities that come with starting over.
The episode features a candid interview with Daniela Chaparro, a former high-powered marketing executive who left her corporate ...
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October 2, 2024 • 27 mins
Aileen and Glenda discuss the challenges and implications of political discussions in the workplace, especially during an election season. They explore the impact of political polarization on work dynamics and relationships, and they offer strategies for managing tricky political interactions effectively while maintaining professionalism and respect in the workplace.
00:00 Navigating Political Conversations at Work
05:05 The Impa...
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September 25, 2024 • 28 mins
In the second part of our interview, we discuss Amazon's promotion process—often described as a 'black box'—and we explore how the company treats men and women differently. We also discuss the pivotal moments that led Kristi to quit drinking alcohol, a decision that became a turning point in her life. Finally, we uncover the powerful reasons behind her choice to walk away from the world’s largest company, despite the staggering fin...
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September 18, 2024 • 52 mins
Ever wondered what it's really like to work at Amazon? In the first episode of our two-part season premiere, we sit down with Kristi Coulter, former Amazon executive and author of Exit Interview: The Life and Death of My Ambitious Career. Kristi pulls back the curtain on the high-pressure, high-stakes culture inside one of the world's most influential companies. From the notorious Jeff Bezos question mark emails to the iconic six-p...
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April 24, 2024 • 36 mins
Frenemies are a slithery and dangerous corporate species that can be found in all types of workplaces, in every industry, country, continent, or planet. Frenemies are people who pretend to be your friend, but they’re also in some ways an enemy or rival. They can be charming and very likable one minute, and then stab you in the back with a recently sharpened machete the next (ouch).
A recent study found that interactions with frenem...
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March 13, 2024 • 24 mins
We discuss our latest updates (we go full LinkedIn-style bragging about our recent 2024 Ambie Nomination), we talk about our new podcast partners, and we dive deep into what studies says about work recognition, and how this practice can substantially employee behavior and employer brands.
For more info about The Ambies, click here.
Check out the other awesome shows of the Airwave Podcast Network!
Episode Sources:
The Importance...
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We dive into the riveting journey of Peggy Northrop, a true publishing powerhouse, as she unravels the invaluable lessons acquired over 30 years in the corporate arena. From navigating the cut-throat publishing landscape in the 90s to earning her "Corporate Ph.D." under the mentorship of Vogue Magazine's Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour, Peggy swiftly ascended to the coveted role of Editor-in-Chief at prestigious publications like Rea...
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November 15, 2023 • 30 mins
A recent study at a major company found that women there were 14% LESS likely to be promoted than their male counterparts every year. Researchers found that a major factor was the fact that women were consistently judged as having lower leadership potential than men. But why and more importantly, is that finding widespread across industries?
During this episode, we dive into this topic and learn more about why this happens, and how...
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As more and more companies are mandating return-to-office policies to their employees (many of whom deem those mandates as unnecessary and counterproductive), workplace culture takes on more importance for employees and management alike. So, how can you balance the needs of both employees and employers?
If you ask @Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at Vayner Media, employers need to step up their game and create work cultures that...
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August 23, 2023 • 8 mins
https://bmc.link/surfingcorporate Aileen and Glenda catch up on their summer vacation adventures, share updates on season 4, and somehow end up discussing the Barbie movie.
Support Surfing Corporate!
"Friendly reminder" that our pod is completely self-funded (and it takes A LOT of work). If you like what we do, please consider making a donation by clicking here. It would mean SO MUCH to us to be able to keep making this show.
Learn...
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June 14, 2023 • 40 mins
We look back at the best moments of the season and also discuss hot new topics, like the current female-driven movement on social media that is making the case for women to write emails more like men (more assertive, less apologetic). We also unpack the new corporate buzzword that is giving us hives: ProcrastiWorking.
FRIENDLY REMINDER! Surfing Corporate is completely self-funded, and it takes a lot of work! If you like what we do,...
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May 24, 2023 • 37 mins
According to the Better Business Bureau, approximately 14 million people encounter job scams annually in the U.S. alone! 😱😱In 2022, CNBC reported that Americans lost $68 million to this deceitful practice. With the rise of remote job opportunities, scammers have unlocked a whole new level of potential victims.
In this episode, we tackle the very current issue of job scams, and we talk about "ghost posts" (positions that companies...
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For this week’s episode, we have a treat for our Spanish-speaking fans, since Aileen and Glenda interview our fan favorite guest, Susana Sala Bosch, but this time, 100% in her native Spanish. She’s as insightful, honest and funny as ever, and now, en español!
Estamos felices de compartir nuestro primer episodio especial de Surfing Corporate. En este episodio, conversamos con Susana Sala Bosch, una ejecutiva senior con una amplia ex...
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April 26, 2023 • 36 mins
We all know that Executive Assistants perform key administrative tasks, but the scope of their role goes WAY beyond what appears on their job description. They are psychologists, secret service agents, strategists, magicians, cheerleaders and general advisors. They also have a special “chaos radar” that allows them to detect and get ahead of any potential issue before it becomes a massive mess.
Their duties vary from buying multi-m...
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April 19, 2023 • 42 mins
In movies and TV shows, women in the workplace are often pitted against each other to ramp up the drama and tension among characters. Think Meryl Streep’s fabulous “Miranda Priestley” in The Devil Wears Prada. But does is this kind of “Queen Bee” behavior true in real life? Or more of an exaggeration? And f it is true, why would women sabotage other women in the workplace?
During this episode, Aileen and Glenda delve into the contr...
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April 12, 2023 • 48 mins
Did you know that the average employee spends nearly 2.5 hours per day in drama? Yup, we spend 150 minutes a day gossiping, tattling, withholding buy-in, and resisting change. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way. Imagine having the right tools to leave the drama ––AKA emotional waste –– behind, and instead spend your time and energy on your actual work and wellbeing.
This is the goal of Cy Wakeman, a therapist acci...
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