In this Productive Joy recap, Dr. Christie highlights guest Teri Chilcoat, an HR expert and author of Surviving the Toxic Workplace: From an HR Insider: How to Reclaim Your Power, Peace, and Happiness. Christie shares that the book’s eight chapters emphasize “self” themes—self-awareness, self-control, self-care, self-acceptance, and self-empowerment—framing toxic workplace survival as taking ownership of how you show up in the environment. 

She challenges a victim mentality, noting that people often give away their power and rely on hope instead of choosing action. Christie applies the message beyond work to toxic relationships, friendships, food, or self-talk, and encourages shifting from “I have to” to “I get to” and “I choose to,” especially heading into summer. 

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:36 Self Power Over Toxicity

02:12 Take Control This Summer

03:26 Stop Assuming Ask Questions

04:07 Reach Out for Coaching

04:48 Final Self Empowerment

05:03 Thanks and Call to Action