Who knew a post about resume typos could stir up so much drama on LinkedIn? In this episode, Melanie and Roxanne dive into the debate, exploring how typos, presentation, and first impressions shape hiring decisions.

In today’s episode, Melanie and Roxanne unpack the viral headlines around DEI (did Jamie Dimon really call DEI initiatives ‘stupid’?), the real data behind DEI spending, and why talking about its effectiveness shouldn’t be taboo. They also dive into a bigger shift happening in the workplace — and what it means for measuring impact. With automation taking over admin-heavy tasks, are mediocre managers at risk? Will superstar managers handle more direct reports? And what happens when AI raises the bar for entry-level employees?

Sadness, loneliness, and culture—each deeply shaped by relationships and connections, or lack thereof. Today’s guest, Andy Dunn, co-founder of Bonobos (acquired by Walmart) and author of Burn Rate, shares his journey of entrepreneurship while navigating mental health challenges. The conversation explores loneliness through the lens of modern social dynamics and workplace culture—and how Andy’s latest venture, Pie App, aims to bring real-life connection back into the digital age.

Is backchanneling a dirty word? In this candid conversation about a common yet controversial pre-hiring practice — backchanneling — Roxanne and Melanie dive into a viral LinkedIn post that sparked debate in the HR community. Does backchanneling signal a lack of trust in a candidate? Speaking from a Qigong retreat, where they’re exploring their own self-awareness, they discuss the best and worst aspects of backchanneling — and whether candidates should do the same.

In this candid conversation about what makes a successful founder, Roxanne sits down with prolific early-stage investor, Hunter Walk of Homebrew. Hunter shares that unlike many other VCs, he looks for more “steak” than “sizzle” when being pitched by founders. They discuss how both are important – and it’s crucial that a founder learns how to sell themselves and their company – but humility and substance are often underrated at the early stage. Tune-in and learn what makes a founder irresistible to an investor like Hunter, and why self-awareness and resilience are what take a founder from underdog to incumbent.

In this first of many candid conversations, Roxanne and Melanie tackle the topic of DEI training in the workplace...starting with the question, "has DEI training actually worked? "They examine the original goals of DEI and how perception has shifted over time, leading to the backlash we're seeing today. They explore how the overarching aim of DEI and meritocracy is actually one and the same, but operating DEI in a silo has prevented many companies from seeing real change enacted that leads to better business outcomes. Roxanne and Melanie then dive into whether every company truly has a business case for diversity. Finally, they discuss what an effective DEI training should cover and how ultimately, inclusive leadership enables companies to maximize potential and value across their teams.