Why do great meetings feel effortless while others drain the life out of a room? Facilitator and OD leader Annie Grace joins Kara Kirby and Blake Cohen to explore the neuroscience and psychology of facilitation - from reading the room to building trust and regulating emotion in real time. The trio discusses power dynamics, trauma-informed practices, and how playful design (yes, even Post-its and LEGO) unlocks creativity and connection. This one’s for anyone who leads, teaches, or gathers people with purpose.

To learn more about Annie Grace, go to:

https://womenfacilitating.com

https://www.theteamtogether.com

To learn more about Kara Kirby, go to:

https://insightslg.com

To learn more about Blake Cohen, go to:

https://BlakeEvanCohen.com

In this thought-provoking episode of Workplace Wonderers, hosts Blake Cohen and Kara Kirby dive deep into the evolving conversation around “toxic workplaces” — and why the term may be losing its punch. They explore the spectrum of workplace behavior, from subtle incivility to overt bullying, and the often-overlooked “mean girl” dynamics that can erode culture. The discussion takes unexpected turns into the psychology of leaders who believe they’re doing the right thing, the manipulative tactics found in cults and organizations, and the ethical grey zones of influence. Packed with real talk, research insights, and challenging questions, this conversation will make you rethink what power, leadership, and workplace culture really mean.

To find out more about Kara, go to:

https://insightslg.com

To find out more about Blake, go to:

https://BlakeEvanCohen.com

In this episode of The Workplace Wonderers, Blake Cohen and Kara Kirby sit down with HR transformation expert and AI educator, Surbhi Ugra, for a refreshingly honest conversation about what AI really means for HR professionals. From resume scanners and hiring bots to "humans in the loop" and AI-powered retention strategies, they cut through the noise and break down what’s hype, and discuss what’s actually happening.

You’ll hear:

* Why AI in HR isn't as flashy as you think (and why that’s a good thing)

* How HR teams can shift from talent acquisition to talent retention

* The overlooked need for domain expertise in an AI-driven future

* What recruiters and job seekers both need to know about AI tools

* Surbhi’s path from enterprise HR to AI-savvy consultant—and how you can follow it

Whether you're AI-anxious or AI-curious, this conversation will leave you smarter, calmer, and maybe even inspired about what’s next for the future of work.

To learn more about Surbhi, go to: https://crescendohrsolutions.com

To learn more about Kara & Blake, go to:

https://insightslg.com

https://BlakeEvanCohen.com or https://TheMindCapital.com

We hope you enjoyed another episode of the Workplace Wonderers!

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Valencia Harris—nonprofit leader, educator, mother, and advocate—joins Blake and Kara for a passionate discussion about the intersection of education, mental health, and parenting.

With her signature warmth and eloquence, Dr. V shares personal stories about raising her son, navigating the public education system, and what it really means to empower young minds.

💡 Topics covered include:

* The importance of parental advocacy in education

* How early testing shapes student identity and performance

* Empowerment over lesson plans: co-creating learning with students

* Balancing empathy, accountability, and structure at home and in schools

* Building future leaders through critical thinking and perspective-taking

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or leader in any space, this episode offers deep insights into how we can better support growth, learning, and humanity in our systems—starting with the kids at our kitchen tables.

To follow Dr. V, go to:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/valencia-hicks-harris-phd-8a4a4a212/

To learn more about Kara Kirby, go to:

https://insightslg.com

To learn more about Blake Cohen, go to:

https://BlakeEvanCohen.com or https://TheMindCapital.com

In this episode, we sit down with Mike R. Sweeney—TEDx Speaker and Founder of Saber Coaching—to explore what it means to lead with nuance, empathy, and emotional intelligence in a world that often demands hard lines and quick answers.

Mike shares his powerful perspective on:

About the Guest: Mike R. Sweeney is an executive coach, TEDx speaker, and founder of Saber Coaching. He works with leaders and teams to navigate complexity with clarity, empathy, and purpose. Drawing from his background in journalism, change management, and leadership development, Mike helps organizations transform conflict into collaboration and lead with heart.

This is a conversation about self-awareness, empathy, and finding clarity without losing complexity. Mike’s story is grounded, inspiring, and full of practical wisdom for anyone looking to lead more humanely and effectively.

To learn more about Mike, go to:

https://www.sabercoaching.com

To watch Mike's TEDx talk, go to: https://youtu.be/f00V7u1hrdE?si=7QYMULuGxVBi2wSo

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes that challenge the status quo and elevate the way we work and live.

To learn more about Kara Kirby and/or Blake Cohen:

https://insightslg.com

https://blakeevancohen.com

In this episode of The Workplace Wonderers, Kara Kirby sits down in person with Raleigh legend and hospitality powerhouse, Van Eure, owner of the iconic Angus Barn.

More than just a celebrated restaurant, the Angus Barn is a masterclass in workplace culture, leadership longevity, and service excellence. Van shares the rich history behind the family-owned establishment, and more importantly, her unique philosophy on leading with heart, tradition, and high standards. From employee retention to guest experience, Van’s approach to leadership is a shining example not just for restaurant owners but for anyone looking to build a legacy through people-first practices.

If you’re passionate about leadership, workplace culture, or love a good story about a local institution doing things the right way, this episode is not to be missed.

In this eye-opening episode of The Workplace Wonderers, Kara and Blake are joined by Dr. Noelle Santorelli, clinical psychologist and professor, to explore the complex and often unspoken world of Mean Girl Mom Culture.

Together, they dive into:

Why some adult female dynamics turn toxic, especially in parenting and community settings

The evolutionary psychology behind covert aggression in women

How to recognize subtle relational harm like exclusion, gossip, and passive aggression

The deeper psychological roots of these behaviors — hint: it’s not just about competition

Tools and insights for creating healthier, more supportive female relationships

Whether you’re a parent, a professional, or someone navigating tricky group dynamics, this conversation sheds light on a cultural phenomenon many experience but few talk about.

🔍 Guest Info: Learn more about Dr. Noelle Santorelli on her socials

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations that challenge, inform, and inspire.

#MeanGirlMomCulture #PsychologyOfWomen #DrNoelleSantorelli #RelationalAggression #WomenAndWork #TheWorkplaceWonderers #ParentingCulture #ToxicGroupDynamics #CovertAggression #FemaleFriendships #WorkplaceWellbeing

In this episode of The Workplace Wonderers, Kara Kirby turns the mic on her co-host, Blake Cohen, for an honest and insightful conversation about his recent TEDx experience—from the rejections to the red dot.

Blake shares:

If you’ve ever dreamed of giving a TEDx talk—or just want an inside look at the world of public speaking and personal storytelling—this episode is packed with real talk, lessons learned, and inspiration for anyone putting themselves out there.

🎥 Watch Blake’s TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/hQF_kmOcJt0?si=uokCt2MgiJwr2zSh

🔔 Subscribe for more expert stories and workplace wisdom every week!

To learn more about Kara, visit: https://InsightsLG.com

To learn more about Blake, visit: https://BlakeEvanCohen.com

#TEDxTalk #PublicSpeaking #LeadershipJourney #AuthenticityMatters #TheWorkplaceWonderers #BlakeCohen #KaraKirby #ProfessionalGrowth #TEDxExperience #BehindTheScenes

In this episode of The Workplace Wonderer, Kara and Blake sit down with leadership powerhouse Chris Williams, a seasoned advisor with over 45 years of experience building and leading teams—from writing software to scaling departments to serving as VP of HR at Microsoft.

Together, they explore the often-overlooked plight of middle managers—those caught between strategic leadership and front-line execution.

Chris brings wisdom, wit, and real-world insight to the conversation, offering practical advice for supporting this essential tier of leadership.

You’ll also hear:

Chris’s behind-the-scenes take on Microsoft’s shift from a cutthroat to a collaborative culture.

What it was really like working under Satya Nadella.

How Chris became unexpectedly TikTok famous with leadership videos reaching over 250K followers.

And the leadership lessons that have stood the test of time.

📲 Follow Chris at https://CLWill.com or search @CLWill on social media. ✨ Subscribe for more episodes that help you rethink the modern workplace!

To Learn more about Kara Kirby: https://InsightsLG.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/karakirby84/

To learn more about Blake Cohen:

https://blakeevancohen.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakecohenmscap/

In this episode, we sit down with the incredible Velma Knowles—a Gallup-certified strengths coach, public speaker, and leadership strategist—to dive deep into the communication blind spots that hold teams and leaders back.

We explore:

Velma’s passion for people and performance shines as she shares hard-earned wisdom from her personal journey and professional experience helping organizations build cultures of trust, clarity, and collaboration.

📌 Learn more about Velma Knowles at: https://www.velmaknowles.com/about

📌 Learn more about Kara Kirby at: https://insightslg.com/

📌 Learn more about Velma Knowles at: https://BlakeEvanCohen.com