Work Unscripted
<p>Work Unscripted with Marlo Lyons offers a candid exploration into the realities of career advancement and leadership. Hosted by Marlo Lyons, executive career coach and former HR exec, this podcast brings unfiltered insights on work, leadership, and finding your path. Episodes feature in-depth discussions with industry leaders who share real stories and practical tools, and honest insights from Marlo. Work Unscripted is your guide to thriving in the professional world. </p>
Episodes
What Leaders Carry: The Emotional Labor of Leadership No One Talks About
Your boss may know things about the future of your job long before you do. A reorganization. A budget cut. A project ending. Even layoffs. And still, they have to walk into meetings, look everyone in the eye, and act completely normal.In this Cracking the Code episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons explores the emotional labor and the hidden cost of leadership: the invisible work leaders do to ma
Executive Search Secrets: How Boards, Recruiters, and Decision-Makers Choose Leaders with Neill Marshall and Kurt Mosley
In executive search, by the time a senior leadership role is posted, the conversation may already be well underway.Search firms are building lists. Boards are asking who they trust. Decision-makers are comparing reputations. And leaders are being discussed in rooms they may not even know they’re in.In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons sits down with executive search leaders with Neill M
Cracking the Code: Try This Leadership Experiment: Only Ask Questions for 30 Days
Most leaders are trained to have answers. But the best leaders know when to ask questions instead. What would happen if, for the next 30 days, you stopped giving answers and only asked questions? In this Cracking the Code episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons challenges leaders to try a simple but uncomfortable leadership experiment: stop fixing, stop directing, stop jumping in with the answer,
How Introverts Can Network Without Feeling Fake, Forced, or Drained with Stephanie Thoma
Networking can feel awkward, transactional, and exhausting, especially if you’re an introvert. So how do introverts network without feeling fake, forced or drained? In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons talks with speaker, coach, and author Stephanie Thoma about how introverts can build real professional relationships, speak up with more confidence, and create career visibility without l
Cracking the Code: Boss Doesn’t Have Your Back - How to Protect Your Career
What do you do when your boss clearly doesn’t have your back? Maybe they talk badly about you to others. Maybe they develop your peers but not you. Maybe decisions are being made about your career in rooms you’re not invited to. Or maybe it’s not subtle at all and you know exactly where you stand.In this Cracking the Code episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons breaks down what to do when your bos
How to Reinvent Yourself After a Crisis: Resilience, Fear, and Starting Over with Tammy Levent
What do you do when everything falls apart? Your marriage, your finances, your business, your sense of self? In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons sits down with travel entrepreneur Tammy Levent for one of the most honest, raw, and inspiring conversations about resilience, reinvention, and starting over without letting fear lead.Tammy has built a $100M travel empire, pioneered destinati
Cracking the Code: How Perfectionism Kills Innovation (And What Kids Can Teach Leaders About It)
Kids in the summer understand something most adults at work have forgotten: curiosity creates momentum.They try things. Change the rules. Build, fail, pivot, and try again. Meanwhile, adults overthink, over-polish, and wait until everything is “perfect” before speaking up or taking action. And that perfectionism? It may look professional, but it often kills innovation.In this Cracking the Code epi
Stop Networking. Start Connecting: How to Build Real Relationships at Work with Cassandra Thompson
Work moves fast. We optimize for speed, efficiency, tools, and output, but somehow, a lot of people feel more disconnected than ever. In this episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons sits down with workplace connection expert Cassandra Thompson to talk about why genuine relationships are the key to employee engagement, trust and career growth.This conversation goes way beyond surface-level net
Cracking the Code: Can Work Friends Sabotage Your Career?
Can a work friendship quietly become a career liability? When workplace friendships collide with power, what once felt like casual conversation can quickly become complicated…and costly In this Cracking the Code episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons breaks down the hidden career risks of workplace friendships, especially when one person gets promoted and suddenly becomes the boss.In this episode
How to Stop Chasing External Validation and Start Choosing Fulfillment with Trixi Tschiedel Menhardt
What if the next promotion, the bigger paycheck, or the better title still doesn’t make you happy? If success feels empty, you may be caught in achievement addiction – the cycle of chasing external milestones, titles, and validation that never actually delivers lasting fulfillment. In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons sits down with executive and life coach Trixi Tschiedel Menhardt to
Cracking the Code: Stop Saying “Why” and “Should” for Better Workplace Communication
Two small words you use every day may be quietly damaging your workplace relationships: why and should.In leadership conversations, feedback moments, and everyday team communication, these common words often land differently than intended, triggering defensiveness, shame and disconnection instead of clarity and collaboration."Why did you do that?" can sound like an interrogation. "Y
Trust in the Workplace: How It Breaks, Why It Fails, and How to Rebuild It with Drs. Dennis & Michelle Reina
Most workplace conflict isn’t about strategy, performance, or communication. It’s about broken trust. In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons sits down with researchers and authors Michelle and Dennis Reina who have spent 30+ years studying how trust is built, broken, and rebuilt in organizations.Michelle and Dennis break down the three essential dimensions of trust: character, communicati
Cracking the Code: How to Build Emotional Resilience and Stop Spiraling Under Stress
Building emotional resilience starts with one mindset shift and it works even in the middle of chaos. What’s your first thought when something goes wrong? Do you ask, “Why is this happening to me?” Or… something more empowering? In this Cracking the Code episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons breaks down one of the most powerful mindset shifts you can make to build emotional resilience, self-trus
Why You’re Stuck in Money Stress (And How to Shift Your Energy, Standards, and Results) with Wendy Sterling
Let’s talk about money. It’s the thing we all think about… but rarely talk about honestly. In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons sits down with career and life coach Wendy Sterling to unpack the deeper forces shaping how we earn, spend, and experience wealth, way beyond budgets, strategies, and spreadsheets.Because here’s the truth: most high-achieving professionals aren’t stuck because
Cracking the Code: “You Lack Executive Presence”? Here’s What That Actually Means and What to Do
“Executive presence.” It’s the feedback everyone gets and no one can clearly define. In this Cracking the Code mini episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons breaks down what executive presence actually means, why so much of the feedback around it is vague, biased, and frustrating and what behavioral science says you can actually do about it.Marlo challenges the traditional narrative and reframes ex
Crushing It… But Exhausted? How to Break the Burnout Cycle with Margo Boster
You can be successful… and still be completely exhausted. In fact, for many high-achieving leaders, that’s exactly what’s happening. As we head into Q2, the pace picks up, the pressure builds, and for a lot of professionals, stress, burnout, and reactivity start to feel like the norm.In this episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons sits down with coach Margo Boster to talk about what it really
Cracking the Code: Why Feedback Doesn’t Stick (and How to Create Real Change at Work)
Ever gotten feedback that worked… for about three days? In this Cracking the Code mini episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons breaks down why most workplace feedback doesn’t lead to lasting change and what actually does.Drawing on behavioral science and real workplace dynamics, Marlo unpacks why feedback often fades fast and inevitably triggers defensiveness, confusion, or short-term compliance i
Career Advancement Strategies: Think Like a CEO, Not an Employee with Casey Webster
Too many people are doing their jobs and doing them well… and wondering why it’s not enough. In a workplace shaped by layoffs, stalled hiring, burnout, and limited development opportunities, simply “doing your job well” is no longer a strategy for career growth. In this episode of Work Unscripted, executive coach Marlo Lyons sits down with HR executive and gamification expert Casey Webster to expl
Cracking the Code: Before you Quit Your Job: How to Find Career Clarity and Alignment
Feeling stuck in your career? Thinking about quitting your job? Telling yourself you want more…but not sure what that actually means? In this Cracking the Code episode of Work Unscripted, executive coach Marlo Lyons challenges the story you tell yourself: What you want isn’t always what you need.You may think you want: A new jobA promotionMore moneyLess stressMore autonomyBut what you actually nee
What If Leadership Isn’t About Influence? Rethinking Leadership with Dr. Jacob Kashiwagi
What if leadership isn’t about influence at all? In this episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons sits down with researcher and leadership expert Dr. Jacob Kashiwagi to explore a radically different leadership philosophy: “no influence leadership.”Instead of persuading, motivating, or trying to change people, Dr. Kashiwagi argues that great leaders focus on something much simpler and much hard
Cracking the Code: I Got Promoted, Now What? How to Succeed in Your New Leadership Role
Congratulations, you’ve been promoted! New title. Bigger paycheck. Maybe even that LinkedIn “I got promoted” announcement. Now what?In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons cracks the code on what really happens after a promotion and why the fastest way to fail in your new role is to keep doing your old job. Because a promotion isn’t a reward. It’s a reset.Whether you’re early in your caree
Why Self-Selling Is a Leadership Skill (And How to Master It) with Chardét Ryel
If the phrase “sell yourself” makes you cringe… this episode is for you. In this episode, executive coach Marlo Lyons sits down with visibility strategist Chardét Ryel to unpack a skill most professionals avoid but desperately need: authentic self-promotion.Whether you’re pursuing a promotion, navigating a job search, building a business, or stepping into greater leadership visibility, you are pit
Cracking the Code: What Your Boss Really Means – How to Handle Confusing Workplace Feedback
Have you ever received feedback at work that made you question your entire career?In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons cracks the code on five cryptic feedback phrases that derail high performers and shows you exactly how to translate them into actionable career growth.This is your guide to:Developing emotional intelligence and empathy in the workplaceTurning vague performance review co
How to Land a Board Seat: Naomi Kent on The Mindset, Strategy, and Long Game Most Executives Miss
Board seats aren’t reserved for a lucky few, but they are reserved for leaders who understand the game.In this episode of Work Unscripted, executive coach Marlo Lyons sits down with board career expert and co-author Naomi Kent to unpack their new book, Wanted: A Board Career, and break down what it really takes to build a meaningful, strategic board portfolio.This is not a job search. And treating
Cracking the Code: From Executive to Strategic Leader to Board Member
Most executives think they’re one promotion away from the C-suite and C-suite leaders think they're one step away from a board seat.They’re not. They’re one mindset shift away and most never make it. In reality, moving up the corporate ladder into the C-suite or onto a board requires an entirely different way of thinking.In this Cracking the Code mini episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons b
Stuck in Middle Management? How to Level Up, Get Promoted, and Lead at the Next Level with Kristen Johnson
What needs to change for you to level up as a leader, and why do so many high performers get stuck right before promotion? In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons sits down with executive coach Kristen Johnson.Kristen has worked with middle management inside some of the world’s most recognizable organizations—including PayPal, Google, Amazon, Sephora, Chase, and Cisco—giving her a rare, in
Cracking the Code: The Power of Vulnerability at Work (and How It Builds Trust)
What if the very thing you’re hiding at work is actually the key to becoming a stronger, more trusted leader?In this Cracking the Code mini-episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons breaks down how to show vulnerability and credibility at the same time that builds authority and influence. Because vulnerability in leadership doesn’t mean oversharing, emotional dumping, or losing control. It means lea
Toxic Workplace or Hostile Work Environment? Employment Lawyer Explains What Is Actually Illegal with Nestor Barrero
Is your job actually a hostile work environment, or do you just have a terrible boss? In this eye-opening episode, employment law expert Nestor Barrero joins Marlo Lyons to break down the real legal differences between discrimination, harassment, bullying, and a simply toxic workplace.If you’ve ever wondered whether what you’re experiencing at work is illegal, retaliation, or just deeply unhealthy
Performance Reviews Gone Wrong: What To Do When Feedback Is Cryptic or Unclear
Ever received feedback with no examples, no clarity, and no idea what to do next?Welcome to Part II of Marlo Lyons’ performance review series, where we break down one of the most frustrating workplace experiences: vague, cryptic, or confusing feedback.In this solo episode, Marlo shares a deeply personal story of receiving unclear feedback that left her spiraling, second-guessing herself, and tryin
Stop the Rat Race: Burnout Recovery, Mindset Shifts, and Small Daily Changes That Transform Everything with Carolina Bakker
Are you exhausted from running full-speed on the corporate treadmill? Feeling burned out, overwhelmed, or stuck in the never-ending rat race? You’re not alone, and 2026 can be the year everything changes.In this powerful episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons sits down with coach and burnout expert Carolina Bakker to explore how high-achieving professionals can finally break free from chronic str
Before You Set Your 2026 Goals… Ask This One Life-Changing Question
What if 2026 brought you everything you’ve been chasing— the job, the title, the money, the house, the partner — and you still didn’t feel fulfilled?In this solo episode, executive coach and author Marlo Lyons breaks down one of the most powerful (and overlooked) tools for personal development, career clarity, and long-term fulfillment: living in alignment with your core values.You’ll learn:Why ac
How to Turn Self-Doubt into Self-Compassion with Elaine Belson
If you’re a high-achieving woman who struggles with overthinking, people-pleasing, emotional triggers, or that relentless inner critic…this episode is for you. This week on Work Unscripted, Marlo sits down with therapist and former Army officer Elaine Belson to talk about the psychology behind the inner critic, or as Elaine calls it, the inner bully.Together, they unpack the six habits that fuel s
Boundaries Are Not Barriers: How to Protect Your Time and Energy This Holiday Season
Feeling stretched thin this holiday season? You’re not alone.In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons shares practical, guilt-free strategies for setting healthy boundaries at work and home, especially when the lines between the two start to blur. From turning off notifications and communicating expectations clearly, to defining what “urgent” really means, Marlo helps you reclaim your time,
It’s Time to Redefine Success: Ruchika Malhotra on Ending Burnout, Finding Fulfilment and How to “Uncompete”
What if success didn’t have to be a competition?In this episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons sits down with Ruchika Malhotra, global inclusion strategist and author of the upcoming book Uncompete (Penguin Random House, releasing November 4). Together, they explore how the culture of competition in corporate life fuels burnout, bias, and exclusion, and learn how redefining success can help
Performance Reviews, Part 1: When Feedback Feels Like Judgment
What happens when your performance review praises your results, but tears down your identity?In this raw and vulnerable solo episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons shares the real words from one of her own annual performance reviews— like “over-driving,” “over-reacting,” and “the Marlo show.” As a neurodivergent professional, Marlo unpacks how judgmental feedback lands, why it stings, and wh
How to Thrive as a Highly Sensitive Person at Work: Managing Burnout, Feedback, and Mental Health with Heather Dominick
Are you or someone on your team a highly sensitive person (HSP)? You’re not alone. Roughly 20% of the population is born with this trait, meaning their nervous system processes stimuli more deeply than others. In this eye-opening episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons sits down with Heather Dominick, founder of the Highly Sensitive Leadership training program, to unpack what it really means
5 Things No One Tells You About Your Job (But You Need to Know to Get Ahead in Your Career)
Most workplace advice skips the real truths: the things your manager won’t tell you, but that make or break your career. In this solo episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons reveals the five unspoken rules that separate people who get stuck from those who move up fast.You’ll learn why making your boss look good is essential, how stakeholder alignment protects your reputation, and why bringing
Gen Z in the Workplace: Mental Health, Adaptability, and What Managers Need to Know with Dr. Andrea Mata
Gen Z is entering the workforce in record numbers and managers everywhere are feeling the impact. Studies show that 60% of businesses have already fired Gen Z employees within months of hiring them, citing poor communication, lack of initiative, and struggles adapting to corporate life. But what’s really behind this trend, and what can we do about it?In this episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo
5 Job Search Hacks for a Brutal Market: Actionable Tips You Need Now
Looking for a job in today’s market can feel overwhelming. Endless applications, ghosting, and tough competition leave many professionals stuck. That’s why career coach Marlo Lyons created this episode: to give you five practical, no-fluff job search hacks that actually work in a brutal market.You’ll learn how to structure your search like a job, avoid the mistakes that sabotage your applications
How Recruiters Really Work: Insider Tips to Accelerate Your Job Search with Kristen Fife
Is your job search stalled, or are you wondering why recruiters aren't responding to your resume? In this episode, host Marlo Lyons talks to veteran recruiter Kristen Fife, author of "The Recruiter's Playbook," who shares insider secrets about how recruiters operate and what they're really looking for in candidates.Learn why recruiters only spend six seconds scanning your
How to Get Noticed and Promoted at Work: 5 Mistakes You’re Making (and How to Fix Them)
We’re halfway through the year and performance reviews are right around the corner. If you’re aiming for a promotion in the next performance cycle, you can’t afford to wait. The time to take control of your career is now. In this episode, host Marlo Lyons shares exactly how to get noticed and promoted at work, cutting through the noise of corporate life to reveal what truly drives advancement.If y
Mastering Feedback Conversations: How Managers Can Build Trust, Improve Performance, and Boost Employee Engagement with Joan Hibdon
Are your feedback conversations empowering your team or creating tension? In this episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons talks with Joan Hibdon, author of "The Leader’s Guide to Mastering Feedback," about why most managers struggle to deliver effective feedback and how to transform criticism from destructive to constructive.You'll find out why 65% of employees crave more frequ
Midyear Career Reset: 5 Powerful Strategies to Refocus Your Goals, Reclaim Your Time, and Realign for Success
Ever wondered what truly separates the professionals who get ahead from those who just get by? It’s midyear and in this solo episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons brings some unspoken truths that can transform your career trajectory and help you stand out in any job. Don’t worry, this isn’t your typical HR training, this episode is your backstage pass to navigating corporate politics, build
The Power Pause: Redefining Motherhood, Career, and Ambition with Neha Ruch
For many, parenthood includes hitting pause on your career. But does it have to impact your professional identity? On this episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons sits down with Neha Ruch, author of The Power Pause, to explore how intentional career breaks for motherhood can redefine ambition, purpose, and professional fulfillment.Neha shares her own journey of stepping away from a thriving c
Fired and Misjudged: Why Getting Let Go Isn’t Always Your Fault (and How to Recover)
Ever judged someone negatively after they got fired, without knowing the real story? You're not alone. In this solo episode of Work Unscripted, former HR executive Marlo Lyons exposes the uncomfortable truth behind workplace firings and the harmful assumptions we make about those who've been let go.Marlo shares eye-opening stories from behind closed HR doors, highlighting the real reason
The Fulfillment Factor: Bernie Borges on Thriving at Work and Life
Are you chasing happiness, or are you truly fulfilled? In this episode, Marlo sits down with Bernie Borges, the Fulfillment Architect and host of the Midlife Fulfilled Podcast, to explore what it means to build a meaningful life—especially in midlife.Bernie reveals his powerful framework of five pillars: health, fitness, career, relationships, and legacy. You’ll discover why fulfillment is more en
Is Your Company a Cult?
Is your workplace truly supportive—or are you caught in something more manipulative than you realize?In this solo episode, Marlo Lyons breaks down the difference between a healthy company culture and a full-blown company cult. From love bombing new hires to rewarding blind loyalty over actual performance, Marlo unpacks the subtle emotional manipulation tactics that can trap even the most high-perf
Trust Your Gut: How to Harness Intuition for Life-Changing Decisions with Wendy Sterling
Have you ever had that subtle feeling urging you toward a decision, but brushed it off as fear or uncertainty? What if that feeling was your greatest ally, guiding you toward the life and success you’ve always wanted?In this empowering episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo sits down with Wendy Sterling—intuitive prosperity mentor, speaker, and bestselling author—to explore the transformative power of
The Corporate Climb to Financial Freedom: Make Your Career Work for You with Randy Thurman, CPA
Have you ever been broke? Like, really broke? Marlo Lyons has, and now she's positioned herself to retire comfortably in her 60s. In this special solo episode, featuring insightful conversation clips from financial expert Randy Thurman, Marlo shares her personal journey from financial crisis to freedom, along with practical strategies you can apply immediately.Randy Thurman, a CPA, Certified
Unscripted Insights: Expert Advice on Fulfillment, Jobs, Networking, and Working with Neurodivergence
Step into a special recap edition of Work Unscripted, where host Marlo Lyons revisits the most powerful insights and expert advice shared this past quarter. From learning how to choose genuine fulfillment with Amy Wong, unlocking insider job market strategies with Jane Turkewitz, mastering fearless networking despite social anxiety with Michaela Alexis, to decoding and harnessing the strengths of
Decoding ADHD: Strategies for Success in the Workplace with Diann Wingert
When it comes to navigating ADHD in the workplace, it’s time to think differently, in order to work differently. Marlo Lyons is joined by Diann Wingert, a former psychotherapist turned business coach, who shares her personal and professional journey with ADHD. Having received a late-life diagnosis herself, Diann understands the complexities of being neurodivergent in a corporate environment.Marlo
The Truth About HR: What You Need to Know
Think HR is just about onboarding and exit interviews? Think again. In this episode, Marlo Lyons is dismantling common misperceptions and offering clearer perspective on how HR impacts your career and workplace relations. With years of firsthand experience, Marlo explores the dual nature of HRBPs and debunks myths about their role in supporting employees versus advancing business objectives. Tune
No Fear Networking: Michaela Alexis on Building Relationships When Social Anxiety Holds You Back
Does networking feel like a chore, especially with social anxiety shadowing your every move? Join us on this episode of Work Unscripted as Marlo Lyons sits down with Michaela Alexis, author of ‘No Fear Networking: A Guide to Building Relationships for the Socially Anxious.’ Michaela shares her personal journey from battling agoraphobia to speaking on stages across the country, providing practical
Cracking the Code: Mastering Communication Styles at Work
It's true - sometimes people just don’t mesh. But in today’s episode, we’re diving into how communication styles can actually make or break workplace relationships. Marlo Lyons shares her personal journey with a challenging boss and how it transformed her approach to professional interactions. You'll learn the four main social styles—drivers, expressives, analyticals, and amiables—and ho
Unlocking the Job Market: Insider Tips with Recruiter Jane Turkewitz
Are you tired of the black hole of job applications, where you submit your resume and hear nothing back? Today, we're going to hear from an expert recruiter who's going to pull back the curtain on what's really happening on the other side. Jane Turkewitz, a seasoned executive recruiter and career coach, shares her unfiltered, expert advice on everything from crafting a standout resu
Resilience: The Secret Skill for Fighting Resistance and Adapting to Change
When life throws you a curveball, how do you respond? In this solo episode, Marlo Lyons explores resilience—the essential ingredient that empowers us to thrive amidst adversity. Whether facing natural disasters or personal challenges, mastering resilience is crucial not just for surviving but for truly thriving. Marlo shares practical strategies to build resilience, including methods to pause, ref
Living on Purpose: Choosing Fulfillment Over Default with Amy Wong
Tired of making New Year's resolutions that fizzle out? Join Marlo Lyons on the inaugural episode of Work Unscripted as she sits down with Amy Wong, author of "Living on Purpose." Start the New Year by stepping away from fleeting resolutions and discover the five deliberate choices that can guide you to true fulfillment. Amy challenges the autopilot mode of living that so many of us
Welcome to Work Unscripted!
Welcome to Work Unscripted. Join host Marlo Lyons as she draws on over two decades of experience to offer unfiltered, hard-hitting insights into navigating the professional world. Each episode delivers real stories from those who've dared to redefine success, alongside practical tools to elevate your career. Whether you’re stuck in a job rut or on the cusp of a major career transition, Marlo
Recommended
The Loop
Dubs Talk: A Golden State Warriors Podcast
A Life Engineered
پادکست بهزاد بلور | Behzad Bolour's Podcast
Beauty of Real Love
Brazo Wa Afrika Addictive Sessions
The Rabbit Hole: Conspiracy Theories
Detection Dispatch (Alex's Version)
Native Plants, Healthy Planet
The Conspiracy Podcast
Cult of Conspiracy
Dispatches from Reality
