Workday Playdate
Workday Playdate, hosted by Erin Diehl, is a top-ranked leadership podcast that helps HR professionals and people-first leaders bring more laughter and purpose to their workdays. Each episode offers research-backed strategies, improv-inspired tools, and candid conversations with leaders and authors. The podcast promises tangible takeaways and a few laughs, aiming to improve workplace culture and team development. Formerly known as the "improve it! Podcast," it is produced by improve it! and reaches thousands of culture-driven listeners.
Episodes
Episode 373: Take the Risk Before You Feel Ready with Erika Johnson
What if waiting to feel ready is actually holding your career back? For high achievers, it’s easy to think you need one more sign that you’re ready before making the big career move. But sometimes, the next step only becomes clear after you take it. In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin talks with Erika Johnson, Senior Vice President of Member Experience and Community at Chief, about
Episode 372: How Great Leaders Build Their Inner Circle with Shona Kamath
What actually makes a people strategy work? It’s not just having the right talent in the right seats. It’s building a workplace where people feel trusted, included, challenged, and connected to something bigger than their job description. For HR and people leaders, that can feel HUGE. You’re balancing employee engagement, leadership development, retention, performance, culture, and busin
Episode 371: Should I Quit My 9-to-5?
Should you quit your 9-to-5 and start a business or build your idea while you’re still employed? For aspiring entrepreneurs, that question can feel HUGE. You’re craving more freedom, creativity, or control, but leaving a stable paycheck can feel like jumping off a financial cliff. But what if you don’t have to choose between playing it safe and burning it all down? In this episode o
370: When High-Achieving Women Carry Too Much Alone with Meghan French Dunbar
For high-achieving women, that belief can run deep. We’re taught to be capable, composed, productive, and independent, and to keep going no matter what.
But what happens when “I can handle it” becomes burnout?
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Meghan French Dunbar joins Erin for a candid conversation about burnout, leadership, vulnerability, women at work, and what it really takes to build huma
369: The Leadership Skill Nobody Teaches: Stopping Before Burnout Hits with Brent Freeman
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with entrepreneur, speaker, and author Brent Freeman to unpack what happens when external success stops feeling like success. After building billion-dollar growth machines, Brent found himself burned out, disconnected, and asking a much bigger question: What if the life I’m building isn’t actually the life I want?
Brent shares how a “one-degree d
368: Are We All Having an AI Identity Crisis? With Cassandra Worthy
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin talks with Cassandra Worthy—founder and CEO of Change Enthusiasm Global — about the emotional side of AI-driven change, and why “just adapt” isn’t exactly a strategy. As AI reshapes jobs, workflows, teams, and professional identities, Cassandra explains why people are experiencing a very real sense of loss, or what she calls “AI grief.”
Cassandra breaks do
367: Five Curiosity Practices that Took My Leadership to the Next Level
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin shares the story of how one question—“How do people actually do this?”—helped her go from improv workshop facilitator with zero keynote bookings to speaking on stages at Amazon, LinkedIn, and major association conferences. Along the way, she discovered that curiosity is a career-building practice.
Erin breaks down the five curiosity practices she use
366: The Real Reason High Performers Burn Out Fast with Yana Carstens
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Yana Carstens, an integrative executive coach, to explore why high performers often burn out faster than anyone else—and why the solution isn’t always to simply lighten the workload. Yana makes the case that burnout is often a reflection of our internal operating system: the beliefs, identities, and patterns that shape how we respond to pres
365: 74% of Working Moms Are Running on Empty. Now What?
“There is enough for everyone. Enough time, enough opportunity, enough resources, enough love, enough patience.” -Tiffany Sauder
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Tiffany Sauder, founder of Life of And, for a conversation about working motherhood, burnout, ambition, and building a life that actually feels sustainable. Tiffany challenges the idea that women simply need to “do
364: How One Conversation Changed My Career
"Your next opportunity probably won't come from your resume. It'll come from a conversation." – Erin Diehl
In this solo episode of Workday Playdate, Erin shares the true story of how one cold email, one coffee meeting, and one unexpected dinner led to improve it!'s very first paying client. If networking has ever felt awkward, transactional, or downright exhausting, this episode will completely re
363: Why Your Nervous System Runs the Meeting with Lani Gonzales
"The goal isn't to collect more gold stars. It's to create a life that's achingly beautiful." – Lani Gonzales
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Lani Gonzales to explore why so many high achievers end up feeling exhausted, disconnected, and stuck chasing the next accomplishment. After leaving a successful legal career and walking more than 500 miles on the Camino de Santiago,
362: ADA at Work: What to Say in the Moment with Rachel Shaw
“The real failure of inclusion happens in the moments when someone hesitates.” – Rachel Shaw
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Rachel Shaw to explore what it really takes to build inclusive workplaces that work in real time. In a world full of well-intentioned initiatives, Rachel makes the case that true inclusion is ultimately a human skill.
If you've ever wondered how lead
361: The Unexpected Career Power of Improv with Nnamdi Ngwe
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Emmy Award-winning writer, actor, comedian, facilitator, and longtime improve it! family member Nnamdi Ngwe to explore why the most valuable career skills often come from the places you least expect. From playing college soccer to performing with The Second City, creating viral content, facilitating workshops for global organizations, and wi
360: Confidence Hacks for Speaking Up at Work
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin explores why speaking up at work has far less to do with competence and far more to do with confidence. If you've ever left a meeting thinking, "I should have said something," you're not alone—and you're probably more prepared than you think.
If you've ever had the perfect idea thirty seconds too late, watched someone else say what you were thinking, or st
359: The 5 Lessons: What a Month in Asia Taught Me About Thinking on Your Feet
“Sometimes you have to leave home to see home.”
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin takes listeners on a journey through Shanghai, Singapore, and Bali to unpack what a month abroad taught her about thinking on her feet and appreciating the life waiting back home.
What starts as an international travel adventure quickly becomes a masterclass in working parenthood, and the improv mindset requi
358: How Quick Coffee Chats Can Transform Work Culture with Rosalind Cohen
“Connection is the foundation of effective leadership.” -Dr. Rosalind Cohen
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Dr. Rosalind Cohen to explore why authentic human connection is the foundation of effective leadership. In a world filled with engagement surveys, Dr. Roz makes the case that what people truly want at work is something much simpler: to feel seen, valued, and like the
357: Tarot Cards and Hard Work Decisions with Phylicia McLeod
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Phylicia McLeod to explore why thinking on your feet has less to do with having the right answer and more to do with trusting yourself. As an improviser, facilitator, teacher, and performer with the The Second City National Touring Company, Phylicia has built a career around navigating uncertainty in real time.
If you've ever found yourself
356: Your Intuition Is Your Career Superpower
In this solo episode of Workday Playdate, Erin explores why your intuition might be the most underutilized leadership skill you have. In a world obsessed with data and overthinking, Erin makes the case for trusting the wisdom you've already earned through experience. If you've ever ignored a gut feeling only to say, "I knew it," two weeks later, this episode is for you.
Using cognitive science to
355: Think Fast Without Panicking at Work
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with John Ulrich and Olga Flores to explore how improvisation can help teams think faster without panicking. As leaders at Antunes, John and Olga have spent the last three years partnering with improve it! to build a culture of adaptability, communication, and creativity across their organization.
If you've ever wondered how to help your team res
354: The Improv Advantage in Leadership with Anne Libera
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Anne Libera to explore how improvisation can unlock stronger leadership. From flow states and vulnerability to humor and human behavior, Anne shares why improv is about discovering what's possible. If you've ever wanted to lead with more creativity, communicate with more confidence, or simply become more yourself at work, this episode is for
353: Turns Out Failing Is Kind of Fun? with Catharine Savage
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Catharine Savage to explore why failure might not be something to avoid after all. As an improviser, facilitator, educator, and performer, Catharine has spent years helping people discover that growth often lives on the other side of discomfort.If you've ever avoided taking a chance because you were afraid to fail, this conversation offers a
352: Burned Out and Overthinking? Try These Mindset Shifts
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin dives into the exhausting tango between burnout and overthinking, and why these two troublemakers love to keep us stuck in our heads. Erin shares tips for how to stop performing a one-person show in your life and work.Inside This Episode:The Scene Reset Framework: Learn Erin's five-step improv-inspired reset for moving from mental chaos to present-moment a
351: How to Challenge the Status Quo at Work Without Fear with Laurie Jadick
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Laurie Jadick to explore what it really takes to lead people through change in today's rapidly evolving workplace. With decades of experience in human resources, leadership development, and executive onboarding, Laurie shares why successful transformation is about people first.If you've ever struggled to help your team embrace new ways of wo
350: Fix Meetings With Focus, Flow, and Fewer Invites
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with workplace researcher, organizational psychologist, and meeting culture expert Rebecca Hinds to tackle one of the biggest drains on modern work: bad meetings. If you've ever stared at a packed calendar or wished collaboration felt more energizing, this conversation is packed with practical ideas to help you reclaim your time and redesign how
349: How Small Joys Get Me Through the Chaos with Meredith Stepien
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Meredith Stepien to explore how small moments of joy can become anchors during life's most chaotic seasons. Known for her work as a performer, writer, musician, improviser, and creative leader, Meredith shares why chasing massive life-changing moments isn't always the answer, and how cultivating sparks of delight can help us stay grounded.If
348: AI Anxiety at Work? Let’s Figure It Out Together
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin tackles AI anxiety and how to address it on your own and with your team at work. If you've ever wondered whether AI is coming for your job, felt overwhelmed by new technology, or weren't sure where to begin, this episode offers a practical, human-centered approach to navigating AI with confidence. Erin shares a simple framework to help leaders and teams em
347: Why Failure Looks Different as You Grow with Kelly Burlage
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Kelly Burlage, Chief Human Resources Officer at Lineage, to explore how our relationship with failure changes as we grow in our careers. From early-career mistakes that feel world-ending to high-stakes leadership decisions that impact entire organizations, Kelly shares why failure is something to learn from.If you've ever found yourself repl
346: Why Your Body Freaks First (and What Leaders Do Next) with Inna Segal
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with wellness expert, bestselling author, and intuitive healer Inna Segal to explore the powerful connection between emotional wellbeing and physical health. If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, burned out, or disconnected from yourself, this conversation offers practical tools to help you unlock your body's innate ability to heal.Inside This
345: New Mom Confidence During Uncertain Seasons with Rosie Moan
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Rosie Moan to talk about one of the most challenging combinations many women face: becoming a new mom while navigating uncertainty in work, identity, and life. If you've ever felt like you're simultaneously capable and completely overwhelmed, this conversation offers a refreshing reminder that confidence is about trusting yourself through th
344: Lead by Lifting Others (Not Your Title)
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin explores why the best leaders are the ones creating connection, recognition, and growth for the people around them. If you’ve ever wondered how to become a more impactful leader without forcing authority, this episode is your reminder that leadership is built in small moments of recognition.Inside This Episode:Why Titles Don’t Create Great Leaders: Employe
343: Why One-Off DEI Training Backfires with Lily Zheng
In this Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Lily Zheng to unpack why traditional DEI efforts keep falling flat. Lily and Erin discuss what leaders can do instead to create workplaces that are actually fair, inclusive, and built to last.If you’ve ever wondered why diversity trainings, performative culture initiatives, and “quick fix” belonging strategies rarely create real change, this episode is
342: Human-First Leadership That Actually Works
In this Workday Playdate, Erin explores what human-first leadership actually looks like in a workplace shaped by AI, uncertainty, and nonstop change.If you’ve ever wondered how to lead when technology is evolving faster than your team can adapt, this episode is your reminder that human skills are the future-proof skills.Inside This Episode:Human-First Leadership Isn’t Soft, It’s Strategic: Why lea
341: Leadership in the AI Era: What Leaders Still Miss with Steve Cadigan
In this Workday Playdate, Erin tackles leadership in the age of AI with talent expert, Steve Cadigan.If you’ve ever wondered, “Will AI replace leaders?” or felt the pressure to have all the answers in a rapidly changing workplace, this episode is your reality check. About the Guest:Steve Cadigan is a globally recognized talent strategist, keynote speaker, and former Chief HR Officer at LinkedIn. H
340: Stuck in Your Career? Let’s Get You What You Want
In this Workday Playdate, Erin tackles one of the most searched topics at work: feeling stuck in your career.If you’ve ever thought, “Is this it?” or felt trapped between comfort and craving something more, this episode gives you a simple, actionable framework to stop spiraling and start moving. Career growth is about small, intentional steps that change your trajectory.Inside This Episode:Feeling
339: Innovation Without the Corporate Headache with Rich Braden & Tessa Forshaw
In this Workday Playdate, Erin brings together innovation experts Rich Braden and Tessa Forshaw to challenge everything you thought you knew about creativity at work. This episode proves that innovation is not reserved for a select few, but something everyone can access through mindset, play, and small, intentional actions.If you’ve ever thought “I’m not the creative type,” this conversation will
338: Your Energy at Work > Your To-Do List
In this Workday Playdate, Erin flips the script on productivity culture and makes the case that your energy at work matters more than your to-do list. This episode is a wake-up call for high performers who’ve been measuring success in checkboxes instead of presence, connection, and impact.If you’ve been optimizing your calendar but still feeling off, this conversation will challenge how you define
337: Overachievers, Pause! Process Before You Push
In this Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Jane Chen to challenge the “always-on” mindset and invite overachievers into something radically different: pause, process, and thrive. Jane is a best-selling author, leadership coach, and social entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of Embrace Global.If you’ve been sprinting toward success at the cost of your well-being, this episode is your remin
336: It’s Not That Serious: Play More
In this Workday Playdate, Erin flips the script on hustle culture with a bold reminder: it’s not that serious. If you’ve been stuck in overthinking, overworking, or over-perfecting, this episode is your permission slip to loosen your grip and lead with more play.Inside This Episode:Play is Strategic: Why true play fuels creativity, innovation, and better problem-solving at work.The Cost of Taking
335: AI Tools: When HR Should Say Yes or Nope
In this Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with AI expert and trainer John Rood to tackle how to actually implement AI at work without breaking trust, compliance, or culture. If you’ve been overwhelmed by AI hype or unsure where to start, this episode gives you a clear, actionable path forward.Inside This Episode:AI at Work, the Reality Check: What organizations are actually doing with AI today and
334: Human Skills > AI: The Joy Advantage
In this Workday Playdate, Erin dives into a timely leadership truth: in a world obsessed with AI, your real competitive edge is your humanity. This episode unpacks why joy at work is fuel and how leaders who prioritize human connection, energy, and play are the ones building cultures that actually perform.If you’ve been wondering how to lead in an AI-driven workplace without losing the human spark
333: Is Your Unconscious Making You Sick? Here’s How to Heal with Dr. Moshe
In this Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with psychologist and author Dr. Moshe Frenkel to unpack a powerful truth many high-achieving leaders quietly wrestle with: the belief that their worth is conditional. Together, they explore how the emotional stories we form in childhood shape the way we show up at work, in relationships, and in leadership.Dr. Moshe shares a refreshing perspective on self-w
332: How to Build a Community that Builds You
In this Workday Playdate, Erin explores a leadership truth that’s impossible to ignore right now: leaders are more connected than ever and lonelier than ever. Erin shares practical frameworks and personal stories to help you cultivate authentic community that strengthens your leadership, boosts resilience, and fuels sustainable confidence.If leadership has felt isolating, this episode is your remi
331: Stop Dodging Hard Talks with Henna Pryor
In this Workday Playdate, Erin dives into the discomfort of “good awkward” with Henna Pryor. Henna is a workplace performance expert, keynote speaker, and author who helps teams build social fitness in a world that’s forgotten how to human. Together, they unpack why our social muscles have atrophied (thanks, tech + pandemic isolation) and how leaning into micro-discomfort can radically improve lea
330: How to Not Suck at Being a Boss
In this Workday Playdate episode, Erin delivers a no-fluff leadership reset in How to Not Suck at Being a Boss. Erin breaks down how reactive habits quietly erode trust (hello burnout and disengagement) and replaces them with a five-step framework rooted in emotional awareness and clear communication.Inside This Episode:Autopilot Leadership: Why reactionary management drains morale and how to inte
329: The Power of Being Yourself at Work with Claude Silver
In this Workday Playdate, Erin welcomes leadership trailblazer Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, for a conversation about authenticity, empathy, and emotional fluency at work. This episode is a heart-forward guide to showing up as your full self so you can build trust, spark creativity, and lead with courage in today’s complex workplace.Erin and Claude explore how emotional safety, vu
328: Showing Up as a Leader When the World Feels Heavy
In this Workday Playdate, Erin tackles a leadership reality many people leaders are quietly carrying: when the world feels heavy, your team feels it too. This episode is a grounded guide for showing up with intention, presence, and care without pretending you have all the answers.Erin explores how global events, constant information overload, and emotional fatigue are showing up inside our workpla
327: Emotional Intelligence for the Overwhelmed with Lori Woodley-Langendorff
In this Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Lori Woodley-Langendorff to unpack a leadership truth we don’t practice enough: emotional intelligence isn’t a “nice to have” — it’s essential. Lori is an acclaimed author, educator, and expert in social-emotional literacy (SEL) who co-founded the non-profit "All It Takes" with her daughter, actress Shailene Woodley. Drawing from Lori’s 30-ye
326: Teams Don’t Quit Leaders… They Quit This Mindset
In this Workday Playdate, Erin breaks down a truth some leaders don’t want to hear: teams don’t leave because of the work, they leave because of how they’re led. Erin introduces 5D leadership, a more human, intuitive, and emotionally intelligent approach that goes beyond deliverables.She contrasts traditional 3D leadership—where output rules and humans come second—with 5D leadership, where intenti
325: Rewire for High Performance: Science-Based Self-Healing with Carrie Drinkwine
In this Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Carrie Drinkwine to explore a radical (and deeply human) truth: real healing starts with feeling.Carrie shares her powerful journey through chronic illness, emotional reckoning, and life-threatening health challenges. She explains how regenerative practices helped her reconnect to her body, her intuition, and her vitality. Together, Erin and Carrie unp
324: Stop Setting Goals. Do This Instead.
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin explores a freeing idea that might just change how you approach your life and work: stop setting goals for the sake of setting goals and start setting intentions instead.Erin unpacks why traditional goal-setting often creates pressure, panic, and perpetual dissatisfaction. She shows how intention-setting brings us back to alignment, and introduces a simple
323: Why Imperfect Leaders Make the Biggest Difference with Neil Ghosh
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin welcomes Neil Ghosh—purpose-driven leader, social impact advocate, and author of Do More Good—to explore a relieving idea: you don’t need to be perfect to make a meaningful difference.Together, Erin and Neil unpack what purpose-driven leadership actually looks like in real life. They dig into why empathy is a practice, how imperfection builds trust and inn
322: Words Are Wands: Why Your Inner Dialogue Shapes What's About to Happen
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin unpacks a simple idea: your words are wands. AKA, the way you talk to yourself is actively shaping what happens next.Erin introduces the concept of “Words Are Wands,” exploring how inner dialogue influences confidence, creativity, opportunity, and action. Drawing from improv, neuroscience, and real-life moments, she breaks down why most of us are stuck in
321: Why Everyone’s Obsessed With Harvard’s #1 Leadership Class - And What You’ll Steal From It with Margaret Andrews
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin welcomes Margaret Andrews—Harvard professor, leadership expert, and architect behind Harvard’s #1 leadership course—to unpack why this class has everyone talking.Together, Erin and Margaret explore why the most effective leaders manage themselves first; how vision setting starts with exploring possibilities rather than forcing answers; and why play, creati
320: 5 Years Strong: The 10 Episodes You Loved Most
In this milestone episode of Workday Playdate, Erin celebrates five years of learning, laughter, pivots, and powerful conversations. From the early days as “Failed It!” to today’s “Workday Playdate,” Erin reflects on how staying open to evolution have shaped the show and the community behind it.This special anniversary episode spotlights the Top 10 listener-favorite episodes of all time. These con
319: Authenticity at Work: Building Resilient Teams with the REAL Model with Nathan Andres
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with well-being activist, global people leader, and resilience champion Nathan Andres. Together, they explore what it really takes to live and lead with authenticity. Known as “Nate the Great,” Nathan shares his personal journey toward purpose, presence, and proactive well-being. He introduces his powerful REAL Model for building resilience: Real
318: How to Talk to Your Boss About Burnout The Right Way
In today’s solo episode of Workday Playdate, Erin unpacks one of the most quietly dangerous—and completely universal—experiences at work: burnout. Specifically, how to talk to your boss about burnout the right way with confidence, clarity, and zero shame.Through her own personal burnout stories, Erin breaks down why speaking up is an act of leadership, how self-awareness accelerates support, and w
317: A Fighter Pilot Shares how to Flip Your Fears—The Tiny Moves that Build Big Confidence with Michelle "Mace" Curran
In today’s episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Michelle “Mace” Curran—a combat veteran, former fighter pilot, author, and only the second woman ever to fly Lead Solo for the Thunderbirds—to unpack how humor, perspective, and playfulness can transform the way we work and live.From high-stakes cockpit lessons to everyday team dynamics, Michelle shares why the stakes are usually not as h
316: Let’s Talk Feedback: How to Give It, Get It, and Grow From It
In today’s solo episode of Workday Playdate, Erin dives head-first into one of the most catalytic leadership levers we have at work (and honestly, in life): feedback—how to give it, how to get it, and how to grow from it.From improv-infused communication strategies to mindset shifts that build resilience, this episode breaks down why feedback is your greatest growth tool, how clarity accelerates t
315: Broke to Boss: The Mindset Shifts That Turn Struggles into Success with Nada Nasserdeen
In today’s episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with powerhouse communicator and leadership expert Nada Nasserdeen to unpack one of the most underrated success superpowers: effective communication.From self-confidence to emotional intelligence, this episode dives into how influence, mindset, and “soft skills” (or as Nada calls them, success skills) shape the way we show up at work and in li
314: Confidence Hacks: Be Memorable in Any Presentation
In today’s episode of Workday Playdate, Erin unpacks one of the most game-changing skills in work and life: confidence. Whether you’re pitching a new idea, speaking on stage, or leading a meeting, Erin shares how to turn every presentation into a moment that sticks.Through humor, improv-infused insights, and real-life stories, Erin reveals the secrets to building self-trust, authenticity, and audi
313: Put Down the To-Do List: The Power of Doing Nothing with Sabina Nawaz
In Episode 313 of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with global leadership coach Sabina Nawaz to unpack an idea that feels counterintuitive in a world obsessed with doing: the power of doing nothing.From radical presence to redefining productivity, this conversation explores how creating “blank space” can unlock creativity, clarity, and calm. Erin and Sabina dig into what it means to show up with e
312: Wanna Nail Your Keynote? Here’s How to Research Your Audience
In Episode 312 of Workday Playdate, Erin unpacks the not-so-secret sauce behind every unforgettable presentation: research. Whether you’re delivering a keynote, leading a team meeting, or pitching a new idea, understanding your audience is what turns a talk into a transformation.Erin walks you through her playbook for audience research — a repeatable process that helps you craft keynotes that actu
311: Leading Like You Give a Damn: Building Teams That Thrive with Paula Davis
In Episode 311 of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Paula Davis — former lawyer, author of Beating Burnout at Work, and founder of the Stress and Resilience Institute — to unpack why burnout isn’t an individual failure, it’s a team dynamic. Together, they explore how leaders can prevent burnout by fostering empathy, connection, and intrinsic motivation. Paula introduces her powerful concept of
310: Nervous While Presenting? How to Calm Nerves in the Moment
In this solo episode of Workday Playdate, Erin breaks down a five-step, improv-inspired framework to help you calm your nerves in real time whether you’re stepping on stage, leading a meeting, or speaking up in front of a room. From understanding how your amygdala triggers fight-or-flight to learning simple techniques that regulate your nervous system, Erin shares practical tools to transform perf
309: Closing the Tech Gap: How Women Can Lead in AI & Beyond with Lareina Yee
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Lareina Yee, Director at McKinsey Global Institute, to explore how women can thrive at the intersection of time management, technology, and radical empathy. From the promise of AI to the power of experience capital, Lareina shares data-driven insights and practical strategies for navigating the barriers women face in tech and beyond. Whether
308: Feeling Overwhelmed? Try My 10‑Minute Time Reset Hack
In this solo episode of Workday Playdate, Erin tackles one of today’s biggest workplace challenges: overwhelm. With 66% of employees reporting burnout, it’s clear we’re all carrying too much and running on empty. But here’s the good news: a reset doesn’t have to be complicated. Erin shares her simple, science-backed 10-Minute Time Reset Hack to help you recharge your energy, sharpen your focus, an
307: Stop People-Pleasing: Lead with Clarity and Confidence with Amy Green Smith
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Amy Green Smith—life coach, hypnotherapist, and boundary-setting powerhouse—to explore the fine line between being kind and being a doormat. If you’ve ever found yourself saying “yes” when every cell in your body was screaming “no,” this conversation is your wake-up call to stop people-pleasing and start leading with self-worth. Through ra
306: Time Batching for Baddies - More Focus, Less Burnout
In today's solo episode, Erin pulls back the curtain on how she went from chaotic multitasking to a calmer, more productive workday without adding more hours to her week. If your calendar feels like a game of Tetris you never signed up for, this episode is your permission slip to stop the scramble and start managing your time with intention. Through real-talk stories and proven strategies, Erin
305: Anti-Mattering Is a Thing (And Leaders Like You Can Help End It) with Zach Mercurio
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Dr. Zach Mercurio—researcher, author, and leading voice on meaningful work—to unpack a quiet crisis in today’s workplaces: anti-mattering. If you’ve ever felt invisible at work or noticed your team going through the motions, this episode will give you the language and tools to change that. Instead of brushing past the small moments, Dr. Me
304: How to Actually Enjoy Networking (Yes, It’s Possible)
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin shares her five-step play process that flips networking from “ugh” to actually fun. If the thought of walking into a room full of strangers makes you want to hide by the snack table, this is your permission slip to try networking a whole new way. Instead of dreading it, Erin shows you how to treat networking like an improv game: playful, curiosity-driven
303: Are We Settling Without Even Knowing It? Steffani LeFevour Spills the Truth and How to Break Free
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Steffani LeFevour—speaker, coach, and conscious creation educator—to unpack the surprisingly radical act of living on purpose. If you've ever felt like you're coasting through your days, stuck in default mode, or quietly settling in a career, relationship, or mindset that no longer fits, you’re not alone and you’re not stuck. This episode
302: Your New Networking Rule: Simple, Sticky & Stress-Free
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin tackles the career skill most of us dread but desperately need: networking. If you break into a cold sweat at the words “elevator pitch” or feel like networking is just performance in business casual, this one’s for you. Forget awkward small talk and robotic intros. Erin’s here to flip the script with her Simple, Sticky, Stress-Free Networking Rule that
301: Real Talk: How to Stop Guessing What Your Boss Wants and Start Managing Up with Confidence with Melody Wilding
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin gets real about one of the toughest career skills no one really teaches you: managing up with confidence. Because let’s be honest, trying to figure out what your boss actually wants can feel like decoding emoji hieroglyphics at 11 PM. Enter Melody Wilding: therapist-turned-career-coach, emotions researcher, and author of Managing Up. Named one of Insider
Workday Playdate Trailer
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Snack 24: How to Make Managing Up Feel Natural (Not Cringey)
In today’s snack-sized dose of Workday Playdate, Erin’s flipping the “fear your boss” script and serving up an improv-inspired reframe that’ll help you manage up with confidence, not chaos. Spoiler: It starts with a Slack message and ends with you owning your power. The Problem: You get a vague “Let’s chat” from your boss and spiral. Are you getting fired? Forgotten something? Turns out, you’re
300: You Found a Mentor - Now Here’s How to Keep the Relationship Thriving
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin tackles one of the trickiest parts of professional growth: keeping your mentor relationship alive and thriving. Finding a mentor is like landing the perfect avocado - rare, precious, and you don’t want it to spoil. This episode is packed with improv-inspired strategies to help you nurture that connection, create a two-way relationship, and turn “one coffee
Snack 23: How to Be a Mentee They’ll Want to Root For
In today’s snack-sized dose of Workday Playdate, Erin’s flipping the mentorship script and serving up a strategy that’ll make your mentor want to shout your name from the rooftops. Spoiler: It’s not about being the smartest in the room. It’s about showing up with intention. The Problem: We all say mentorship matters, but too often mentees treat it like a vending machine: insert question, get ans
299: Want to Nail Employee Engagement? Here’s What Actually Works (No Gimmicks Needed) with Dr. Angela Jackson
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin unpacks what employee engagement really looks like in today’s world with Dr. Angela Jackson, founder of Future Forward Strategies. Forget the ping pong tables and perk-loaded culture decks. This is about centering worker voice, listening with intention, and designing workplaces that actually work, for everyone. Whether you’re leading a team, managing up,
Snack 22: The Real Secret to Employee Engagement (Hint: It’s Not Ping-Pong or Pizza Parties)
In today’s snack-sized dose of Workday Playdate, Erin’s serving up a spicy truth: no amount of kombucha or karaoke can fix what’s really broken when it comes to employee engagement. The Problem: Only 33% of U.S. employees are engaged at work. And, spoiler alert: swag won’t save us. Connection is the missing link, not cold brew on tap. The Improv Hack to Try: The Scene Partner Swap Flip the s
298: Stop Waiting for a Mentor to Magically Appear—Start Here Instead
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin flips the mentorship script. No more waiting for a career fairy godparent to swoop in with the perfect job offer—this is about building real relationships that actually move the needle. Whether you're fresh out of school, mid-pivot, or just tired of one-sided networking coffee dates, Erin delivers a refreshingly practical (and improv-inspired) five-step
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