Most people think coaching is just advice with a fancier invoice. In this episode of Humanize the Workplace, Chuck Allen and Andrew Sheridan dismantle the biggest myths about coaching and mentoring, roast the corporate addiction to “advice culture,” and explore why listening is a lost art leaders think they’ve mastered—but haven’t.

From the awkward truth that your boss’s “mentoring” might just be storytelling in disguise, to the reason advice rarely works (hint: humans are allergic to other people’s ideas), this episode dives deep into:

• Why coaching is not consulting in yoga pants.

• How listening can make or break leadership.

• The dirty little secret about ROI (and why it’s nearly impossible to measure coaching in dollars).

• The stigma of coaching in organizations—and how to flip it from “you’re in trouble” to “we believe in you.”

• Real-world wins from companies like Google and IBM that bet big on coaching culture.

If you’ve ever wondered why your brilliant advice gets ignored—or if you secretly suspect you’re not as good a listener as you think—this one’s for you.

🎧 Tune in and discover why the most powerful thing you can give another human at work isn’t your ideas. It’s your silence.

For more insights and resources, visit https://mindfulbusinessalliance.com/humanize-the-workplace-podcast/

Stay safe, stay kind and stay human.

Andrew and Chuck drag design-thinking rebel Robert Bloom, Founder & Managing Partner @ Design Thinkers South Africa, into the ring to skewer soul-sucking corporate policies and show you how to flip the script. From VUCA chaos to Elon Musk’s rigid reign, learn why “thinking wrong” might be the only sane move left. Prepare for razor-sharp wit, ironic truth bombs, and a masterclass in human-first policies.

Inside this episode:

🪓 Slash & Rebuild: Transform “because we said so” policies into creativity launchpads

🎲 Gamify the Grind: Turn cost-cutting from misery to high-score hunting

⚖️ Artists + Engineers: Hire both without harvesting brain cells

🌪️ VUCA Unchained: Embrace volatility—ditch the spaghetti-coded controls

For more insights and resources, visit https://mindfulbusinessalliance.com/humanize-the-workplace-podcast/

Get in touch!

Chuck Allen - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-allen-0b7b508/

Andrew Sheridan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmsheridan

Mindful Business Alliance Website - https://mindfulbusinessalliance.com/

Stay safe, stay kind and stay human!

Delayed payments shouldn’t be a strategy—but for many corporations, 60- to 120-day terms have become standard practice. In this episode, Chuck & Andrew examine how “interest-free loans” from vendors distort cash flow, inflate prices, and erode trust across supply chains.

Key points you’ll hear:

• From 30 to 90+ days: how payment terms crept up and what it really costs both sides.

• “No P.O., No Dinero”: the administrative maze that slows down innovation and strains relationships.

• Financial ripple effects: debt, staffing risk, and price hikes vendors use to survive long cycles.

• Mindful business playbook: transparent negotiations, tiered pricing for prompt pay, and shared KPIs that align finance with values.

• Accountability in action: public watch-lists like the UK’s Good Business Pay initiative and why naming (not shaming) drives reform.

Whether you manage procurement, run a service firm, or simply care about sustainable business, this conversation delivers clear-eyed insights and actionable steps to ensure everyone—not just the balance sheet—wins.

Links & Resources

• GoodBusinessPay late-payment watch-list: https://goodbusinesspay.com

• Connect with Chuck & Andrew on LinkedIn

• Subscribe for weekly insights on building mindful, sustainable businesses

For more insights and resources, visit https://mindfulbusinessalliance.com/humanize-the-workplace-podcast/

Stay safe, stay kind, stay human—preferably within 30 days.

Chuck Allen and Andrew Sheridan explore the emotional complexity of difficult conversations with guest Lorrie Fair—former U.S. national soccer player and current Chief Program Director at the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project. Together, they dive into the science of defensiveness, the impact of childhood conditioning, and the small yet powerful practice of taking a mindful pause. This candid conversation blends practical insights with human stories, offering a compassionate blueprint for improving how we connect and communicate at work.

For more insights and resources, visit https://mindfulbusinessalliance.com/humanize-the-workplace-podcast/

Get in touch!

Chuck Allen - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-allen-0b7b508/

Andrew Sheridan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmsheridan

Mindful Business Alliance Website - https://mindfulbusinessalliance.com/

Chuck & Andrew sit down with healing‑facilitator Leah Williams to torch the corporate box‑ticking approach to diversity. From “fun hair” politics to the hidden costs of equity trainings, they unpack why everyone’s tense, how impact beats intent, and what it actually takes to humanize the workplace.

Leah shares:

🏷️ How race, gender, and parent status get questioned after you’re hired

⚖️ Equality vs. equity in plain‑English (and why $75 might not be fair)

📢 The difference between “calling out” and “calling in”—and when each harms

🌍 Three arenas for real change: intrapersonal, interpersonal, communal

For more insights and resources, visit https://mindfulbusinessalliance.com/humanize-the-workplace-podcast/

Get in touch!

Chuck Allen - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-allen-0b7b508/

Andrew Sheridan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmsheridan

Mindful Business Alliance Website - https://mindfulbusinessalliance.com/

Chuck almost bought enlightenment; Andrew almost financed a holy man’s layover—and somehow they both wound up late for dinner. In this episode the duo dissect their own walk‑of‑shame scam stories, then torch the same persuasion hacks when they show up at the office disguised as “culture,” “mission,” or “just one more favor.” If you’ve ever paid too much (in cash or overtime) because politeness pinned your feet to the floor, this one’s your antidote.

Key takeaways:

🤝 Politeness ≠ Permission

😎 Liking Hooks You

📌 One “Yes” Snowballs

🎁 Freebies Expect Payback

💸 High Anchor, Easy Sell

🥵 Willpower Drains Fast

🔗 Tenure ≠ Handcuffs

🛑 Mission, Not Manipulation

✔️ Transparent or Trick?

✂️ Unsure? Just Stop.

For more insights and resources, visit https://mindfulbusinessalliance.com/humanize-the-workplace-podcast/

Get in touch!

Chuck Allen - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-allen-0b7b508/

Andrew Sheridan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmsheridan

Mindful Business Alliance Website - https://mindfulbusinessalliance.com/

Ever notice that whenever someone complains about their job, the boss is almost always the main character in that horror story? In this episode, we laugh (so we don’t cry) about clueless managers, buddy-boss wannabes, and those “I’ll just remove the trashcan from my Mac” dictators. If you suspect your team’s daydreams involve quitting—or quietly leaving their work phone on the desk—maybe you should tune in.

Key takeaways:

🤯 Boss = #1 Complaint

🙈 Ignorance Hurts Everyone

🚫 Authority Isn’t a Shield

🌱 Develop or Lose Talent

🧳 Your Issues, Their Burden

For more insights and resources, visit https://mindfulbusinessalliance.com/humanize-the-workplace-podcast/

Get in touch!

Chuck Allen - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-allen-0b7b508/

Andrew Sheridan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmsheridan

Mindful Business Alliance Website - https://mindfulbusinessalliance.com/

Chuck and Andrew tear into the absurdity of corporate incentives—from bogus bonus math to wellness facades that only add to the workload. They expose the toxic BS behind performance reviews and anonymous surveys, and they offer a no-nonsense call for real change in management practices.

Key takeaways:

😒 Corporate wellness is a façade.

💼 Incentives are rigged for burnout.

🔍 "Anonymous" surveys aren’t anonymous.

🚫 Boundaries are non-negotiable.

💸 Bonus schemes breed unhealthy competition.

🗣️ Honest feedback gets suppressed.

🤯 Overload and unrealistic targets crush morale.

👂 Active listening is rare but vital.

🤝 Leaders must build genuine trust.

💡 Systemic change beats quick fixes.

For more insights and resources, visit https://mindfulbusinessalliance.com/humanize-the-workplace-podcast/

Get in touch!

Chuck Allen - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-allen-0b7b508/

Andrew Sheridan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmsheridan

Mindful Business Alliance Website - https://mindfulbusinessalliance.com/

In this episode, Chuck, Andrew, and special guest Vincenza peel back the glossy facade of corporate “wellness” from a leadership lens. They skewer hollow self-care promises that burden your team, exposing why setting real boundaries isn’t just HR fluff – it’s a leadership must to prevent burnout. Expect razor-sharp wit, biting irony, and an unvarnished take that challenges managers to truly humanize the workplace.

Key takeaways:

🚫 Boundaries are essential to combat burnout.

💼 Corporate wellness programs often mask deeper systemic issues.

🤔 True self-care requires addressing root causes, not just surface fixes.

🧠 Leaders must practice transparency, empathy, and respect.

⚖️ Work-life balance is vital for sustainable productivity.

🗣️ Honest communication about workload sets healthy expectations.

👥 Building mutual trust and genuine relationships is key.

🚀 Organizational culture should value human connections over mere output.

📚 Educating employees on setting boundaries and self-care is crucial.

🤝 Empowering staff to assert their needs improves overall workplace health.

For more insights and resources, visit https://mindfulbusinessalliance.com/humanize-the-workplace-podcast/

Get in touch!

Chuck Allen - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-allen-0b7b508/

Andrew Sheridan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmsheridan

Mindful Business Alliance Website - https://mindfulbusinessalliance.com/

Vincenza Illiano - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincenza-k-illiano/

In this episode, Chuck and Andrew face their very first YouTube burn on their AI episode. They break down a comment that kicks off with "This is terrible" and spirals into body odor brawls and tarmac tangents. Watch as they navigate the minefield of bad feedback with snarky humor, ironic takes, and a whole lot of eye rolls. Whether you're an AI enthusiast or just here for the laughs, this episode is your crash course in handling awful comments without losing your cool (or your sense of humor). 😂🔥 Tune in and learn how to make work suck less, one terrible comment at a time!

Key takeaways:

📝 Constructive Feedback Matters

🗣️ Communication Style Counts

🔍 Context is Crucial

⚖️ Balance Criticism with Support

🔄 Encourage Open Dialogue

👥 Maintain Human Connection

Timestamps:

🤔 Introduction to the First YouTube Comment (00:00:00)

🕵️‍♂️ AI’s Ability to Detect Emotions (00:03:58)

🎭 AI's Understanding of Human Emotions (00:06:19)

🧠 AI’s Data-Driven Learning vs. Human Experience (00:09:10)

🦉 Hard Problem of Consciousness in AI (00:10:31)

👥 Humanizing Workplace Communication (00:14:27)

For more insights and resources, visit Mindful Business Alliance / Humanize The Workplace

Get in touch!

Chuck Allen - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-allen-0b7b508/

Andrew Sheridan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmsheridan

Mindful Business Alliance Website - https://mindfulbusinessalliance.com/