The Elephant in the Org

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Ever come back from a vacation feeling like you need… another vacation? Welcome to the Fakecation Crisis—where we take time off but somehow end up just as exhausted (or more) than before.

In this episode, Marion, Cacha, and Danny rank different types of time off based on how rejuvenating (or soul-sucking) they actually are. From all-inclusive beach lounging to visiting family (a.k.a. free labor disguised as a trip), we’re breaking down why so many of us are bad at unplugging—and how to actually take a break that works.

We discuss:
✅ The most rejuvenating vs. most draining types of time off
✅ Why your PTO shouldn’t involve a group chat, guilt, or a to-do list
✅ The surprising psychology behind why we self-sabotage rest
✅ How to stop treating vacations like productivity sprints

Whether you’re planning a getaway or just fantasizing about one, this episode is your permission slip to actually rest.

Link to Shownotes 

📩 Got a hot take or a workplace horror story? Email us at [email protected]

🚀 Your Hosts on LinkedIn

• 🐘 Marion Anderson — https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionandersonpx
  
  
• 🐘 Danny Gluch — https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgluch
  
  
• 🐘 Cacha Dora — https://www.linkedin.com/in/cachadora
  
  

💬 Like what you hear?
Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss an episode — and if this one hit home, leave a ★★★★★ review to help more people find the show.

🎙️ About the Show
The Elephant in the Org drops new episodes every two weeks starting April 2024 — fearless conversations about leadership, psychological safety, and the future of work.

🎵 Music & Production Credits
🎶 Opening and closing theme music by The Toros
🎙️ Produced by The Fearless PX
✂️ Edited by Marion Anderson

⚠️ Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests, and do not necessarily reflect any affiliated organizations' official policy or position.

Topics: employee surveys, listening culture, trust, people analytics, psychological safety, employee voice, ...

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Pregnancy loss, infertility, and the challenges of motherhood remain some of the biggest workplace taboos—until now. In this deeply personal and powerful episode, co-hosts Marion, Cacha, and Danny sit down with Ashley Kera to break the silence around miscarriage, the emotional toll of pregnancy in the workplace, and the impossible balancing act so many women face when navigating career and family.

Ashley shares her own journey—one marked by loss, resilience, and tough choices—and unpacks the unspoken pressures that working mothers and aspiring parents experience every day. From outdated policies to workplace shame, we dive into why so many suffer in silence and what organizations (and individuals) can do to change that.

• Why is pregnancy loss still so difficult to talk about at work?
• How do corporate cultures contribute to shame and silence?
• What policies actually support working parents—and which ones just look good on paper?
• How can managers and colleagues show real support?

Whether you've experienced this firsthand, know someone who has, or just want to be a better ally in the workplace, this episode is a must-listen.

Guest Spotlight:
Ashley Kera is the founder of Kera Coaching & Consulting LLC, specializing in talent strategy, people operations, and leadership development. With 13+ years of experience, she helps startups and mid-sized organizations solve complex talent challenges while driving retention and performance. She holds a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and an Organizational Coaching Certification from Columbia University, bringing a people-first approach to every challenge she tackles.

Connect with Ashley: LinkedIn

📩 Got a hot take or a workplace horror story? Email us at [email protected]

🚀 Your Hosts on LinkedIn

• 🐘 Marion Anderson — https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionandersonpx
  
  
• 🐘 Danny Gluch — https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgluch
  
  
• 🐘 Cacha Dora — https://www.linkedin.com/in/cachadora
  
  

💬 Like what you hear?
Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss an episode — and if this one hit home, leave a ★★★★★ review to help more people find the show.

🎙️ About the Show
The Elephant in the Org drops new episodes every two weeks starting April 2024 — fearless conversations about leadership, psychological safety, and the future of work.

🎵 Music & Production Credits
🎶 Opening and closing theme music by The Toros
🎙️ Produced by The Fearless PX
✂️ Edited by Marion Anderson

⚠️ Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests, and do not necessarily reflect any affiliated organizations' official policy or position.

Topics: employee surveys, listening culture, trust, people analytics, psychological safety, employee voice, ...

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Burnout isn’t a personal failure—it’s a systemic problem. 

Ever been told to do more with less? Yeah, us too. And we’re calling bullshit.

In this episode of The Elephant in the Org, Danny, Marion, and Cacha sit down with the one and only Cassandra Babilya, creator of Make Work Suck Less, career coach, employee experience leader, and oh yeah—ex-spy (which is possibly the coolest career pivot ever).

🔥 We break down the burnout math behind why your workload keeps increasing while your headcount shrinks.
🔥 We expose how toxic performance reviews and forced rankings keep companies running their people into the ground.
🔥 We dig into why so many people feel trapped in jobs that are killing them—and what to do about it.

Cassandra brings the receipts on how burnout works, how companies create it (spoiler: it’s not accidental), and what needs to change. Whether you're a leader looking to break the cycle or an employee wondering why you feel like absolute garbage by Thursday, this episode is a must-listen.

🔗 Resources & Links

Connect with Cassandra Babilya:
➡️ LinkedIn
➡️ Make Work Suck Less – Newsletter

Read More from Cassandra:
📖 We’re All Burned Out
📖 All the Ways Burnout Sucks
📖 Six Ways Your Job is Driving Burnout
📖 The Burnout Off-Ramp: 10 Ways to Reclaim Your Energy
📖 How to Harness More Inspiration & Motivation at Work

Cassandra’s Book:
You Got This: Annual Intentions. Weekly Reflection. Daily Gratitude - Available on Amazon

📩 Got a hot take or a workplace horror story? Email us at [email protected]

🚀 Your Hosts on LinkedIn

• 🐘 Marion Anderson — https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionandersonpx
  
  
• 🐘 Danny Gluch — https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgluch
  
  
• 🐘 Cacha Dora — https://www.linkedin.com/in/cachadora
  
  

💬 Like what you hear?
Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss an episode — and if this one hit home, leave a ★★★★★ review to help more people find the show.

🎙️ About the Show
The Elephant in the Org drops new episodes every two weeks starting April 2024 — fearless conversations about leadership, psychological safety, and the future of work.

🎵 Music & Production Credits
🎶 Opening and closing theme music by The Toros
🎙️ Produced by The Fearless PX
✂️ Edited by Marion Anderson

⚠️ Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests, and do not necessarily reflect any affiliated organizations' official policy or position.

Topics: employee surveys, listening culture, trust, people analytics, psychological safety, employee voice, ...

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 If your workplace isn’t actively inclusive, it’s actively exclusive.

In this episode, we’re calling out the ableism hiding in your workplace—from HR’s internalized biases to managers who don’t know what they don’t know to “inclusion” efforts that are all show, no substance.

🔥 What’s Inside:
✔️ The jaw-dropping story of a manager who told Lia not to use her wheelchair in front of clients
✔️ How HR’s “I struggled, so you should too” mindset is failing disabled employees
✔️ Why equality ≠ equity—and what real inclusion looks like
✔️ Performative allyship vs. real change (yes, we’re naming names)
✔️ The hidden ableism in return-to-office mandates—and why flexibility is a disability issue

Ableism isn’t a disability issue—it’s a workplace issue. Let’s fix it.

⭐ Love the episode? Leave a review & share it!

 Connect with Our Guest:
Lia Seth on LinkedIn

Link to Show Notes

Disability Reimagined: From Red Tape to Real Access is a collaborative initiative led by The Fearless PX, The Performance Innovation Collective, and Invisible Condition—and we want you to be part of it.

🚀 Want to get involved? Ready to rethink disability in your workplace?
👉 Sign up here

📩 Got a hot take or a workplace horror story? Email us at [email protected]

🚀 Your Hosts on LinkedIn

• 🐘 Marion Anderson — https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionandersonpx
  
  
• 🐘 Danny Gluch — https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgluch
  
  
• 🐘 Cacha Dora — https://www.linkedin.com/in/cachadora
  
  

💬 Like what you hear?
Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss an episode — and if this one hit home, leave a ★★★★★ review to help more people find the show.

🎙️ About the Show
The Elephant in the Org drops new episodes every two weeks starting April 2024 — fearless conversations about leadership, psychological safety, and the future of work.

🎵 Music & Production Credits
🎶 Opening and closing theme music by The Toros
🎙️ Produced by The Fearless PX
✂️ Edited by Marion Anderson

⚠️ Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests, and do not necessarily reflect any affiliated organizations' official policy or position.

Topics: employee surveys, listening culture, trust, people analytics, psychological safety, employee voice, ...

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Mark Zuckerberg is back in the headlines—this time for claiming that workplaces need more "masculine energy"and blaming Sheryl Sandberg for Meta’s past DEI initiatives. But is this just another case of tech bro nonsense, or is there a bigger political and corporate strategy at play?

In this episode of The Elephant in the Org, Danny, Cacha, and Marion dive deep into:
✔️ Marion’s viral LinkedIn post on Zuckerberg’s comments—and the firestorm it ignited.
✔️ What “masculine energy” actually means in the workplace—are we just rebranding toxic hustle culture?
✔️ Meta’s DEI rollback—coinciding with Zuck’s meeting with Trump and Stephen Miller (not a coincidence).
✔️ The corporate trend—some companies like Apple are doubling down on DEI, while others like Meta and Amazon are backing away.
✔️ What this means for leadership, workplace safety, and culture moving forward.

📢 What do you think? Is this just another tech bro flex, or should we be worried about a larger rollback on inclusivity and psychological safety in the workplace?

🔗 References:
📝 Marion’s viral LinkedIn post → Read here
📰 HuffPost: Mark Zuckerberg’s “Masculine Energy” Comment Sparks Backlash → Read here
📰 Men’s Health: Zuckerberg’s “Masculine Energy” and the Workplace Debate → Read here
📰 Economic Times: Zuckerberg Blames Sandberg for DEI Initiatives → Read here
📰 Axios: Meta’s DEI Rollback & Trump’s Influence → Read here
📰 Politico: Zuckerberg Aligning with Trump’s New Administration → Read here
📖 Karen Warren’s Ecological Feminism → Read here

📩 Got a hot take or a workplace horror story? Email us at [email protected]

🚀 Your Hosts on LinkedIn

• 🐘 Marion Anderson — https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionandersonpx
  
  
• 🐘 Danny Gluch — https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgluch
  
  
• 🐘 Cacha Dora — https://www.linkedin.com/in/cachadora
  
  

💬 Like what you hear?
Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss an episode — and if this one hit home, leave a ★★★★★ review to help more people find the show.

🎙️ About the Show
The Elephant in the Org drops new episodes every two weeks starting April 2024 — fearless conversations about leadership, psychological safety, and the future of work.

🎵 Music & Production Credits
🎶 Opening and closing theme music by The Toros
🎙️ Produced by The Fearless PX
✂️ Edited by Marion Anderson

⚠️ Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests, and do not necessarily reflect any affiliated organizations' official policy or position.

Topics: employee surveys, listening culture, trust, people analytics, psychological safety, employee voice, ...

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of The Elephant in the Org, Danny, Marion, and Cacha take on a leadership game-changer: how to transform dissent from a workplace disruption into a strategic driver of progress. The hosts explore why embracing rebels and fostering a culture of constructive dissent is critical for organizations to innovate, adapt, and thrive. Spoiler: it all starts with empowering middle managers.

• Why dissent matters: Avoiding stagnation and fostering innovation hinges on inviting diverse perspectives.
• Middle managers as changemakers: How training them early in psychological safety and facilitation skills creates a pipeline of inclusive leaders.
• Lessons from Gallipoli: What leadership in the trenches teaches us about empowering those on the front lines.
• Insights from Annie Duke’s Thinking in Bets: How probabilistic thinking encourages smarter decision-making and healthier debates.
• Toxic cultures and short-term thinking: Why silencing dissent is a recipe for failure—and how to flip the narrative to prioritize long-term success.

The conversation also highlights the real-world challenges of creating a culture of dissent and why middle managers hold the key to breaking echo chambers and driving organizational innovation.

• Into All Problem Solving, A Little Dissent Must Fall – McKinsey
• Gallipoli (1981) – A gripping exploration of leadership and front-line decision-making during WWI.
• Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke – A guide to decision-making under uncertainty.
• Industry – HBO’s intense look at the pressures of toxic, high-stakes workplaces.

Link to Show Notes

📩 Got a hot take or a workplace horror story? Email us at [email protected]

🚀 Your Hosts on LinkedIn

• 🐘 Marion Anderson — https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionandersonpx
  
  
• 🐘 Danny Gluch — https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgluch
  
  
• 🐘 Cacha Dora — https://www.linkedin.com/in/cachadora
  
  

💬 Like what you hear?
Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss an episode — and if this one hit home, leave a ★★★★★ review to help more people find the show.

🎙️ About the Show
The Elephant in the Org drops new episodes every two weeks starting April 2024 — fearless conversations about leadership, psychological safety, and the future of work.

🎵 Music & Production Credits
🎶 Opening and closing theme music by The Toros
🎙️ Produced by The Fearless PX
✂️ Edited by Marion Anderson

⚠️ Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests, and do not necessarily reflect any affiliated organizations' official policy or position.

Topics: employee surveys, listening culture, trust, people analytics, psychological safety, employee voice, ...

Send us Fan Mail

From hybrid work hiccups to the turbulence in DEI initiatives, 2024 has been a whirlwind for HR and workplace culture. In this special year-end wrap-up of The Elephant in the Org, Danny, Marion, and Cacha reflect on the defining “elephants” of the year.

We’re diving into the challenges that shaped the workplace, sharing key lessons from the year’s most heated debates, and unpacking how companies can avoid repeating their mistakes in 2025. Plus, we reveal what trends we’re most excited (and wary) about heading into the new year.

💡 Highlights from this episode:

• Why hybrid work sparked more frustration than flexibility in 2024.
• The downfall of performative DEI efforts—and how organizations can do better.
• Lessons from our expert guests on building psychological safety and trust.
• The workplace wins we’re celebrating and the mistakes we’ll leave behind.
• What’s next for The Elephant in the Org in 2025.

📢 Special Mention:
We’ve collated a list of the most influential thought leaders shaping workplace culture, hybrid work, and DEI in 2024. Explore their insights and connect with them by checking out the full list in our show notes.

📩 Got a hot take or a workplace horror story? Email us at [email protected]

🚀 Your Hosts on LinkedIn

• 🐘 Marion Anderson — https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionandersonpx
  
  
• 🐘 Danny Gluch — https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgluch
  
  
• 🐘 Cacha Dora — https://www.linkedin.com/in/cachadora
  
  

💬 Like what you hear?
Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss an episode — and if this one hit home, leave a ★★★★★ review to help more people find the show.

🎙️ About the Show
The Elephant in the Org drops new episodes every two weeks starting April 2024 — fearless conversations about leadership, psychological safety, and the future of work.

🎵 Music & Production Credits
🎶 Opening and closing theme music by The Toros
🎙️ Produced by The Fearless PX
✂️ Edited by Marion Anderson

⚠️ Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests, and do not necessarily reflect any affiliated organizations' official policy or position.

Topics: employee surveys, listening culture, trust, people analytics, psychological safety, employee voice, ...

Send us Fan Mail

Employee wellness programs are everywhere, but are they actually making a difference? In this episode of The Elephant in the Org, Danny, Marion, and Cacha tackle the big questions about workplace wellness. From flashy perks and meditation apps to the critical need for psychological safety, we’re breaking down why so many wellness initiatives fall flat—and what companies need to do differently.

💡 Highlights from this episode:

• Why wellness programs often fail to move from intent to impact.
• The role of middle managers as the unsung heroes (and burnout victims) of workplace wellness.
• How return-to-office policies are taking a toll on employee health, especially for those with disabilities.
• The toxic trap of hustle culture—and why it’s time to let it go.
• Practical steps to embed well-being into your organization’s culture all year round.

📢 Special Mention:
Marion shares details about her Ph.D. research on psychological safety and return-to-office policies. If you’re U.S.-based, work in the knowledge sector, and have been with your employer for six months or more, we’d love for you to participate! Help shape this critical research by completing the survey here: https://lnkd.in/gsNm9BKC

Join the Conversation:
How is your workplace tackling wellness? Are the efforts impactful or just another checkbox exercise? We want to hear your stories!

Articles Referenced:
Gallup: Despite Employer Prioritization, Employee Well-Being Falters

HBR: How Carewashing Alienates Employees

Show Notes

🐘 Let’s keep addressing the elephants in the org.

📩 Got a hot take or a workplace horror story? Email us at [email protected]

🚀 Your Hosts on LinkedIn

• 🐘 Marion Anderson — https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionandersonpx
  
  
• 🐘 Danny Gluch — https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgluch
  
  
• 🐘 Cacha Dora — https://www.linkedin.com/in/cachadora
  
  

💬 Like what you hear?
Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss an episode — and if this one hit home, leave a ★★★★★ review to help more people find the show.

🎙️ About the Show
The Elephant in the Org drops new episodes every two weeks starting April 2024 — fearless conversations about leadership, psychological safety, and the future of work.

🎵 Music & Production Credits
🎶 Opening and closing theme music by The Toros
🎙️ Produced by The Fearless PX
✂️ Edited by Marion Anderson

⚠️ Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests, and do not necessarily reflect any affiliated organizations' official policy or position.

Topics: employee surveys, listening culture, trust, people analytics, psychological safety, employee voice, ...

Send us Fan Mail

Happy Thanksgiving! This week, we’re serving up a hearty helping of gratitude—but is it heartfelt or just for show?

In this special Thanksgiving episode of The Elephant in the Org, Danny, Marion, and Cacha carve into the complex world of workplace thankfulness. 

Are annual "thank-you" emails and pizza parties really enough? Or are they just, as Marion says,  "all fur coat and no knickers?"

We discuss why performative gratitude often misses the mark and explore what it takes to make appreciation feel authentic and meaningful.

In this episode, we explore:
✅ The difference between performative and authentic gratitude (and why it matters).
✅ Why recognition programs and ritualized thank-yous can sometimes tick the wrong boxes.
✅ How managers can build authentic connections with their teams (spoiler: no pizza parties!).
✅ The gratitude gap: Why middle managers need more support to foster appreciation.

Plus, we share our personal reflections on gratitude this year and invite you to join the conversation about what true appreciation looks like in the workplace.

Whether you’re reflecting on how you recognize your team or rolling your eyes at yet another empty corporate "thank you" email, this special Thanksgiving episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the real impact of gratitude at work.

📩 Got a hot take or a workplace horror story? Email us at [email protected]

🚀 Your Hosts on LinkedIn

• 🐘 Marion Anderson — https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionandersonpx
  
  
• 🐘 Danny Gluch — https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgluch
  
  
• 🐘 Cacha Dora — https://www.linkedin.com/in/cachadora
  
  

💬 Like what you hear?
Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss an episode — and if this one hit home, leave a ★★★★★ review to help more people find the show.

🎙️ About the Show
The Elephant in the Org drops new episodes every two weeks starting April 2024 — fearless conversations about leadership, psychological safety, and the future of work.

🎵 Music & Production Credits
🎶 Opening and closing theme music by The Toros
🎙️ Produced by The Fearless PX
✂️ Edited by Marion Anderson

⚠️ Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests, and do not necessarily reflect any affiliated organizations' official policy or position.

Topics: employee surveys, listening culture, trust, people analytics, psychological safety, employee voice, ...

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of The Elephant in the Org, we’re tackling the controversial “work family” narrative. Is calling your workplace a family a sign of authentic connection, or is it just another way to blur boundaries and exploit loyalty?

Join Danny, Marion, and Cacha as they explore:

• The red flags behind the "work family" narrative.
• Why this language gives some people “the ick” and others a sense of belonging.
• How workplace culture can foster real bonds without manipulation.
• The fine line between psychological safety and toxic expectations.

From corporate love-bombing to performative culture, we’re breaking down what it really means to feel connected at work—and how companies can get it right (or very wrong).

Referenced Articles:
📄 We Need to Stop Referring to Work as Family—Here’s Why
📄 Company Culture: Why You Shouldn’t Refer to Your Team as a Family
📄 The Myth of Workplace Family and What Leadership Can Do to Cultivate Authentic Engagement
📄 The Toxic Effects of Branding Your Workplace a Family

Participate in Marion’s PhD Research:
Help shape the future of work by participating in Marion’s research survey on employees’ experiences with remote, hybrid, and in-office work, and how these affect psychological safety. Your insights will contribute to understanding workplace dynamics in a post-pandemic world.

👉 Take the survey here.

Listen now and decide: Is "work family" a comfort, a red flag, or something else entirely?

📩 Got a hot take or a workplace horror story? Email us at [email protected]

🚀 Your Hosts on LinkedIn

• 🐘 Marion Anderson — https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionandersonpx
  
  
• 🐘 Danny Gluch — https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgluch
  
  
• 🐘 Cacha Dora — https://www.linkedin.com/in/cachadora
  
  

💬 Like what you hear?
Follow/subscribe so you don’t miss an episode — and if this one hit home, leave a ★★★★★ review to help more people find the show.

🎙️ About the Show
The Elephant in the Org drops new episodes every two weeks starting April 2024 — fearless conversations about leadership, psychological safety, and the future of work.

🎵 Music & Production Credits
🎶 Opening and closing theme music by The Toros
🎙️ Produced by The Fearless PX
✂️ Edited by Marion Anderson

⚠️ Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests, and do not necessarily reflect any affiliated organizations' official policy or position.

Topics: employee surveys, listening culture, trust, people analytics, psychological safety, employee voice, ...