You think you know which Work Besties Who Podcast episode was #1 this year… but the data says otherwise. In this 2025 Year in Review, Jess & Claude recap Season 2’s biggest wellness themes, the solo episodes you replayed the most, and the guest conversations you couldn’t stop talking about.

And because you asked (many times!) — Claude walks us through two end-of-year cocktails you can make with your work bestie while you binge your favorite episodes.

Most importantly: every guest, every solo, every episode was a winner. Thank you for being part of the Work Bestie community and making Season 2 what it was.

In this episode, we cover:

• The top wellness themes that rose to the top this year
• The top solo episodes you replayed the most
• The top guest episodes (your WorkBestie Starter Pack)
• Two cocktails Claude makes step-by-step
• A quick teaser of what’s coming in Season 3 (starting next week!)

All episodes are winners — and here are the “most replayed” highlights:

Top Solo Episodes

1. Wellness Isn’t One Size Fits All: Season 2 Begins
2. Celebrate the Small Stuff: Why Recognition Matters More Than You Think
3. The Power of Breaks

Top Guest Episodes (WorkBestie Starter Pack)

• Movements of Mindfulness: Rethinking Yoga in Modern Life — with Brea Johnson
• Authentic Storytelling: The Journey of Roxy Couse — with Roxy Couse
• Breaking Free From Burnout to Breakthrough — with Nicole Richards
• Stoic Empathy — with Shermin Kruse
• Unlocking Career Success: Moving Through Relationships — with Morag Barrett

Cocktail #1: Classic Cosmo (for two)

Ingredients

• 4 oz vodka (2 oz per person)
• 2 oz cranberry juice (1 oz per person)
• 2 oz lime juice (1 oz per person)
• 2 oz orange liqueur (1 oz per person)
• Ice
   Garnish (optional): rosemary

Directions
Add everything to a shaker with ice → shake → strain into a coupe → garnish if you want.

Cocktail #2: Spiced Apple Cider Batch Cocktail (holiday-style)

Ingredients

• Apple cider
• Orange slices
• Cinnamon sticks
• Star anise
• Cognac
• Orange liqueur
• A splash of cranberry juice
   Optional: top with ginger beer
  Optional garnish: rosemary + pomegranate seeds

Directions
Warm apple cider with orange slices + cinnamon + star anise (about 15 minutes) → cool → add cognac + orange liqueur + cranberry → mix → pour into a serving dish/pitcher → garnish → let people serve themselves (optional ginger beer topper).

Friendly reminder: drink responsibly and don’t drive.

Happy New Year, Work Besties — and we’ll see you next week for the Season 3 kickoff. 🎉

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

Have you ever looked up from your laptop and thought, how is it already December? Or finally sat down for a night off… and your brain is still sprinting?

Today, we’re saying something mildly offensive to hustle culture: if you never pause, it’s not just your energy that suffers — it’s your judgment, your relationships, and your career.

In this episode, Jess & Claude break down the difference between a break (physical step-away) and a pause (a mental pattern-interrupt), then share our Work Bestie framework: the 4 P’s of Pause:

• People: who energizes you vs. drains you
• Pace: how fast you’re living and where you need space to think
• Patterns: what keeps repeating (overcommitting, last-minute scrambling, self-doubt)
• Pulse: what your body is telling you (sleep, stress, headaches, gut, fatigue)

Plus, we share micro-pauses you can actually do in real life: transition pauses between meetings, a 10-minute screen-free reset, a walk-and-talk with your work bestie, and a simple Friday reflection.

Take a breath, pick one “P,” and start small. Your pause isn’t a problem — it’s your power. 💎

Key Takeaways

• Why working more hours can create less output
• Break vs. pause (and why pause is the productivity game-changer)
• The 4 P’s of Pause: People, Pace, Patterns, Pulse
• Micro-pauses: transition resets, screen-free time, walk-and-talk, weekly reflection
• A simple challenge: pick one P and check in with your work bestie

Work Bestie Challenge:

This week, choose one P (People, Pace, Patterns, or Pulse) and do a 5–10 minute check-in with yourself (or your work bestie).
Then tell us: Which P do you need most right now?

Links / Resources Mentioned 

• Deep Work — Cal Newport
• Atomic Habits — James Clear
• EP 79: Your Phone Is Not Your Work Bestie: How to Set Screen Boundaries Without Burning Down Your Career
• EP 75 Why You’re Still Burned Out (Even After a Weekend Off)
• EP 52 Power of Breaks
• EP 38 Self Love & Resilience: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Own Your Confidence

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

Ever feel like your workplace culture looks fine on paper… but something still feels off?

In this episode of Work Besties Who Podcast, we’re joined by Ivonne Furneaux (corporate insider turned culture consultant) to talk about the hidden divides she calls “ghost gaps”—the invisible imbalances that impact who gets information, who gets a voice, and who gets seen.

Ivonne shares practical ways to narrow these gaps at the organizational, manager, and individual level—plus her actionable Four I Framework:
Inform • Involve • Inspire • Invest

We also get real about how culture shifts during layoffs, why middle management has an outsized influence on the day-to-day employee experience, and how “work besties” help people stay connected, resilient, and authentic at work.

Key takeaways

• What “ghost gaps” are (and why every workplace has them)
• The information gap between frontline and corporate teams
• The power gap and how to gather input without “everyone in the room”
• The visibility gap that many women experience—and how to close it faster
• How leaders can protect culture during layoffs with transparency and investment
• Why middle managers shape culture more than most people realize
• How levity + work friendships make work feel more human

Reflection question

What’s the biggest gap where you work right now—information, power, or visibility—and what’s one step you can take this week to narrow it?

Connect with Ivonne Furneaux

LinkedIn: (2) Ivonne Furneaux | LinkedIn

Website: Ivonne | Transform Your Workplace Today
YouTube: Ivonne Furneaux - YouTube

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/work-besties-who-podcast

This episode is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal or HR advice.

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

Your Phone Is Not Your Work Bestie: How to Set Screen Boundaries Without Burning Down Your Career

What if the very thing you use to “stay connected” is actually the reason you feel scattered, exhausted, and weirdly lonely?

In this episode, we’re joined by strategist, speaker, and community builder Kelsey Green to talk about digital overload, screen boundaries, and how to reclaim your brain without torpedoing your job, your business, or your creative work.

Kelsey shares how she went from high-intensity roles and constant burnout to experimenting with digital minimalism, 7 p.m.–7 a.m. screen-free blocks, and 24-hour “phone fasts.” We talk about why our attention feels so fractured, how phones are quietly reshaping our relationships, and why real connection still lives in conversations, community, and being fully present with the people right in front of us.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why “always on” culture is wrecking our focus (and what dopamine has to do with it)
• Simple screen boundaries that actually work in real life (even if your job is online)
• How phones feed the loneliness epidemic—and how to start building your circle offline
• The power of sitting with discomfort instead of numbing out with another scroll

To learn more about Kelsey or join one of her communities, visit www.kelseylgreen.com.

If this episode made you rethink how you connect, send it to your work bestie and talk about it… face to face. 💎

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

Allyship at work isn’t just about being “nice” — it’s about how people actually experience you. In this episode, Jess & Claude take the Ally Mindset Profile™ and unpack how they each show up as allies at work: where they shine in connection and compassion, and where candor, vulnerability, and follow-through are still a work in progress.

You’ll hear them walk through the five Ally Mindset practices (abundance & generosity, connection & compassion, courage & vulnerability, candor & debate, and action & accountability) and connect them to the “four yeses”: Can I count on you? Can I depend on you? Do I care about you? Do I trust you? Then they invite you to take the quiz yourself and compare results with your own work bestie.

🔹 Take the Ally Mindset Profile (free quiz):
https://skyeteam.cloud/youmewe

🔹 Listen next – the episodes we mention:
Morag Barrett – Unlocking Career Success Through Relationships
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2320118/episodes/17012072-unlocking-career-success-through-relationships-with-morag-barrett

Ruby Vesely – The Power of Work Bestie Culture
https://workbestieswhopodcast.buzzsprout.com/2320118/episodes/18080530-the-power-of-work-bestie-culture-5-leadership-practices-that-build-trust-joy-at-work

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

This Thanksgiving, we’re feeling all the feelings: grateful, tired, over-caffeinated… and very, very thankful for YOU. 💎

In this cozy holiday episode, Jess and Claude slow down to reflect on what they’re grateful for at work, in their personal lives, and in each other. They unpack the difference between genuine appreciation and toxic positivity (yes, including the infamous “thank you for your leadership” for everything), share behind-the-scenes wins from the Work Besties Who Podcast journey, and tell stories of work trauma that turned into deep friendship and a growing community.

You’ll also hear how Jess uses affirmations to stay grounded, how Claude’s daily rituals and swimming became moving meditation, and why they both agree their friendship is… the stuffing. (Main character energy only.)

Whether you’re driving to family dinner, hiding before the office potluck, or taking a much-needed solo walk, this one’s a warm hug for you and your inner work bestie.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What real gratitude at work looks like (and what it definitely doesn’t)
• The difference between appreciation and toxic positivity
• How shared work trauma can bond people into true work besties
• The behind-the-scenes support that kept the podcast going during a hard season
• Why taking vacation and actual breaks changes everything
• Jess’s affirmation practice vs. Claude’s daily rituals and “moving meditation”
• Comparing their friendship to a Thanksgiving dish (spoiler: stuffing is the star)
• A lightning round of chaotic Thanksgiving questions and heartfelt gratitude

Key Takeaways:

• Gratitude at work can foster genuine, trusting relationships.
• Toxic positivity (“thank you for your leadership” for everything) eventually erodes trust.
• Take 10 seconds to tell a coworker why you appreciate them — it matters.
• Many growth moments come from challenging or even painful work experiences.
• Audience engagement and community feedback have grown significantly this year.
• Time off and vacations are essential for mental health and perspective.
• Affirmations and daily rituals can ground you before the chaos of the day.
• Friendship can feel like a Thanksgiving dish: layered, comforting, and a little chaotic.
• Support from friends, colleagues, and fellow creators is invaluable on any journey.

Chapters:

• 00:00 – Thanksgiving Reflections and Gratitude
• 04:25 – Work Besties: The Importance of Appreciation
• 07:52 – Moments of Growth and Perspective Shifts
• 12:01 – Behind the Scenes Wins and Community Engagement
• 16:36 – Finding Gratitude in Personal Lives
• 21:14 – Fun Thanksgiving Questions and Celebrations

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

Ever feel like you’re doing all the “right” things at work or in your relationships… and still feel off?

In this episode, Jess & Claude sit down with Eric Gee — educator, personality typologist, and author of The Power of Personality — to talk about why the real unlock isn’t more skills, it’s knowing who you are and what you truly value.

Eric has personality-typed over 50,000 people and created the Youtopia 16 framework, a values-based approach to personality that helps you stop fighting your nature and start using it. In this conversation, you’ll hear how your type shapes the way you work, lead, love, and even choose your work besties.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why school and “adulting” push one value system on everyone
• The difference between people who value safety & security vs excitement vs information
• Why the “rule-followers” and the “firefighters” actually need each other (at work and at home)
• How personality is not about what you’re good at, but what you’re drawn to
• Why siblings raised in the same family can have wildly different personalities and paths
• How leaders with different personalities (think Elon Musk vs a classic principal-type) show up so differently at work
• Concrete vs abstract communicators — and why your coworkers sometimes feel like aliens
• One simple shift you can make this week to show up more like yourself instead of who you think you’re “supposed” to be

Meet Eric Gee

Eric Gee is the founder of an education company focused on individualized growth, the creator of the Youtopia 16 personality framework, and author of The Power of Personality. He’s typed tens of thousands of people and spent over two decades helping teachers, teams, and leaders understand values-based personality so they can collaborate better and grow into the healthiest version of themselves.

Take the Youtopia 16 test & find Eric

🔹 Take the quiz: projectyoutopia.com or youtopiaproject.com
🔹 Book: The Power of Personality (available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and most major booksellers)

Try this Work Bestie Challenge 💎

1. Take the Youtopia 16 assessment this week.
2. Do one thing that’s aligned with your personality type — not something you “should” do.
3. Share it with your work bestie and compare how your values show up differently at work.

Tag us and let us know what you find out!

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

You took the weekend off, but somehow still woke up tired on Monday. Why? This week, Work Besties Who Podcast welcomes Anna Hindell — a Gestalt Psychotherapist and Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher — who’s redefining how we think about burnout, stress, and recovery.

Anna shares how true healing begins by reconnecting with your body, not just your thoughts. Together, we unpack why high achievers stay stuck in burnout cycles, how to recognize the early signs, and a simple one-minute grounding practice you can start using today.

Listen if you’ve ever:
💎 Felt exhausted even after “resting”
💎 Said “I’m fine” when you weren’t
💎 Needed a reminder to slow down — without guilt

🕒 Timestamps / Chapters

00:00 – Intro | Why burnout doesn’t go away with time off
 02:00 – Anna’s path from movement to mind-body therapy
 05:00 – What Gestalt Therapy actually means (“making the whole whole”)
 09:00 – The link between your physical body and emotional burnout
 12:00 – When over-functioning turns into avoidance
 15:00 – How community and friendship help heal stress
 19:00 – Micro-moments that reset your nervous system
 24:00 – Anna’s one-minute body scan for calm
 27:00 – Jess & Claude’s reflections and takeaways

🧘 Key Takeaways

• Burnout isn’t solved by more rest — it’s solved by awareness.
• Your body often notices stress before your brain admits it.
• Connection (to self and to others) is medicine.
• A minute of breathing with awareness can change your entire day.

👤 Guest: Anna Hindell

Anna is a Gestalt Psychotherapist and Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher based in New York City, helping adults, teens, and couples reconnect to themselves through movement, mindfulness, and body awareness.

Website: www.annahindell.com
Instagram: @annahindellpsychotherapy
Facebook: Anna Hindell, LCSW-R, CIYT
LinkedIn: Anna Hindell, LCSW-R, CIYT

💎 Connect with Work Besties Who Podcast

• Instagram | @workbestieswhopodcast
• Threads | @workbestieswhopodcast
• YouTube | Work Besties Who Podcast
• TikTok | @workbestieswhopodcast
  
  

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

Work Besties as a Support System 

Having a work bestie isn’t just nice — it’s survival. In this episode, Jess and Claude unpack why workplace friendships aren’t fluff, they’re foundational to your mental health, motivation, and sanity.

They share how a true work bestie becomes your emotional armor — the person who helps you breathe through chaos, laugh through deadlines, and stay grounded when things get messy.

You’ll hear:
 • The 3 ways work besties boost well-being — venting, validation, and accountability
 • Real-life stories from Jess & Claude’s own friendship
 • How to evolve your connection when your bestie becomes your boss
 • Tips to build your own support circle at work

Because the secret to workplace well-being isn’t coffee or pizza parties — it’s connection.

🎧 Listen now and tag your emotional partner in crime.

💎 Your Supportive Work Besties, Jess & Claude

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

Ruby Vesely is the kind of leader you wish you had—and the one you can start becoming today.
In this conversation with Jess and Claude, Ruby—executive coach, HR strategist, and co-author of You, Me, We—shares how to build workplaces where people feel seen, safe, and supported.

She walks us through:

• The 10-second “What’s your number today?” check-in that transforms team culture
• The 5 practices of being an ally at work (generosity, compassion, vulnerability, candor, accountability)
• Why presence—not perfection—is the real leadership superpower
• How to model boundaries and self-care so your team believes you
• What it means to be your own work bestie

✨ Take the Free Ally Mindset Profile
Discover your natural strengths and growth areas across the 5 ally practices. Perfect for teams or personal reflection.
👉 Click here

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband