In this inspiring episode of Work Besties Who Podcast, we sit down with Roxy Couse—content creator, corporate leader, and the voice behind the “Millennial Manager” movement. Roxy shares how she balances a thriving corporate career with consistent content creation, why authenticity is the foundation of personal branding, and how community and storytelling drive her success.

From tackling burnout to setting boundaries, Roxy opens up about the lessons she’s learned along the way. We also explore the lighter side—her love for iced coffee, her rule about work besties, and why you don’t need permission to be funny at work.

If you’ve ever wondered how to merge corporate life with creative expression, this episode will give you both the encouragement and the strategies to start today.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why performance alone won’t get you promoted
• How to balance corporate responsibilities with creative passions
• The role of authenticity and personal branding in content creation
• Roxy’s strategy for avoiding burnout through high/low effort content
• Why one true work bestie can make all the difference
• The power of storytelling in building community and influence
• How small rituals—like coffee—can connect us back to our roots

Takeaways:

• You don’t need permission to be funny.
• Authenticity is key in content creation.
• Balancing corporate life and content creation is challenging but possible.
• Personal branding should reflect all aspects of who you are.
• Boundaries protect what matters most.
• Work besties provide essential workplace support.
• Managing burnout requires self-care and content balance.
• Storytelling is a powerful tool for engagement.
• Building community creates lasting growth.
• Finding joy in small moments enhances daily life.

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

Most of us don’t actually choose how we show up — we default. In this powerful conversation, Marcy Axelrod, author of How We Choose to Show Up, joins Jess and Claude to unpack what it really means to bring your whole self to work and life.

From the science of empathy and psychological safety to simple reset tools you can try today, Marcy shares why “just showing up” isn’t enough — and how shifting into “truly showing up” changes everything.

✨ In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why authenticity at work is more than a buzzword
• The science behind empathy and connection
• Reset tools like breathwork and “tracing a 3” to manage stress
• How one café story revealed the shift from judgment to compassion
• Practical ways to repair, set boundaries, and create safety in meetings
• The one daily question that expands how you choose to show up

Whether you’re a leader, teammate, or work bestie, this episode is a guide to moving from default mode into intentional, connected presence.

🔗 Connect with Marcy: choosetoshowup.com

💚 Loved this conversation? Tag your work bestie and share how you’re choosing to show up today.

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

Dancer, speaker, and relationship coach Linda Sutton reveals how Argentine tango maps to work: leadership & followership as functions, not hierarchy; why consent and distance create safety; and how followers amplify a leader’s intent. From the “Invite → Embrace → Boundaries” framework to a simple reset line—“I’m just here to follow”—this convo turns dance into a practical playbook for teams and Work Besties.

Chapters

• 00:00 Tango, Body Language & Relationships
• 08:21 Leadership & Followership in Tango
• 16:53 Power Dynamics: Leading vs Following
• 25:07 Build Trust Through Movement
• 30:10 Body Language & Emotional Cues
• 36:03 Follower Amplifies the Leader (Tiny Lead, Big Expression)
• 39:39 Workplace Leadership & Teams: Applying Tango Principles

Key takeaways

• Roles = functions, not power. There’s no leader without a follower—partnership is an agreement.
• Invite → Embrace → Boundaries. Define closeness and consent explicitly (at work, too).
• Body > words. Most signals are nonverbal—read posture, distance, and tone for alignment.
• Safety is visible. Consent & distance are real-time cues leaders must protect.
• Amplification effect. A tiny lead becomes a big expression—the follower reflects and magnifies intent.
• Lead by listening. Build micro-feedback into every “step” so teams adjust before things break.
• Reset misalignment. Use the calm prompt: “I’m just here to follow.”

Try it this week

• Set your team’s embrace: agree on boundaries (response times, meeting norms, off-limits hours).
• Practice “no solutions—just space.” Ask “Do you want advice or a listening ear?”
• Run a micro-feedback loop: after each meeting, one sentence—“What worked / what to tweak next time?”

Guest: Linda Sutton — dancer, speaker, creator, relationship coach
Book: It Takes Two to Tango (the 22-step framework mentioned in the episode)
Website (as mentioned): lindadesutton.com • lindadesutton.com/ebook

Hosts: Jess & Claude — Work Besties Who Podcast
If you enjoyed this, follow, rate ★★★★★, and share with your Work Bestie!

Tags: leadership, followership, tango, body language, psychological safety, teams, workplace communication, boundaries, trust, micro-feedback

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

In this thought-provoking episode, Jess and Claude dive into the power of work besties and intentional communication with Colleen Robinson and Deanna Pemberton, founders of Digital Dojo. Their work blends martial arts, coaching, and integral medicine—bringing fresh insights into how relationships thrive in both personal and professional settings.

Together, they unpack:

• Why listening is more than just hearing.
• How setting standards can be more empowering than boundaries.
• The role empathy plays in building authentic connections.
• Why two perspectives can be valid at the same time.
• Practical steps for self-empowerment and stronger relationships.

From “breath-to-breath listening” to reframing how we think about boundaries, this conversation challenges old patterns and equips you with tools for personal growth, better communication, and deeper connections.

🔑 Takeaways

• Work besties make work better.
• Communication is the foundation of any relationship.
• Standards > boundaries.
• Listening actively leads to understanding.
• Empowerment starts with self-awareness.

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

In this episode, Sarena Diamond takes us inside her journey from corporate leadership to personal empowerment. She opens up about navigating burnout, the hidden costs of “corporate trauma,” and the courage it takes to redefine success. Sarena highlights why effective change management is rooted in people, not processes, and how leaders can create supportive environments that prevent disconnection. Her story is a call to action for anyone looking to embrace career transitions, balance ambition with well-being, and take ownership of their destiny.

Key Takeaways

• Career transitions are about defining your version of fulfillment.
• Burnout often stems from energy drain and misalignment with values.
• The “Power of AND” shows us we don’t have to choose—multiple paths can coexist.
• Leadership isn’t about cutting—it’s about fueling growth and empowerment.
• Change management succeeds when leaders focus on people, not just processes.
• Dreams only matter when you turn them into actionable plans.

Contact Sarena Diamond at:

Website:Diamond Solutions Group, LLC – Turning "What if?" into "Way to go!"

LinkedIn: (35) Sarena Diamond | LinkedIn

Instagram: Sarena Diamond (@sarenadiamond) • Instagram photos and videos

Facebook:Facebook

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

In this solo episode, Jess and Claude explore why recognizing wins—big and small—matters more than most workplaces realize. From boosting team morale to strengthening social wellness, they reveal how celebrating achievements fuels productivity and helps create a thriving workplace culture.

Together, they share practical (and fun!) ways to recognize accomplishments, explain why authenticity is the secret to effective recognition, and show how celebrating even tiny wins can prevent burnout.

Because in the world of work besties, no one celebrates alone.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why celebrating small wins has a big impact on team morale
• How social wellness and recognition are connected
• Simple ways to boost employee engagement through support
• Why authenticity builds trust in recognition
• How to create a culture of celebration that improves productivity and retention

Chapters:

• 00:00 The Importance of Celebrating Wins
• 03:24 Understanding Social Wellness
• 07:20 The Impact of Small Wins
• 10:48 Authenticity in Recognition
• 14:07 Practical Ways to Celebrate Wins
• 18:26 Creating a Supportive Team Culture

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

In From Burnout to Breakthrough, Nicole Richards takes us on her journey from living the “perfect” life on paper to realizing that success without well-being is unsustainable. She opens up about hitting burnout, setting boundaries, and the radical decision to put herself first — without apology.

Along the way, Nicole shares how the power of community, a shift in mindset, and unapologetic self-care helped her reclaim her energy and purpose. She even gives us a sneak peek into her retreats designed for high-achieving women ready to step off the hamster wheel and step into a life that truly feels aligned.

Guiding this conversation are your Work Besties Who Podcast co-hosts, Jess & Claude — one bringing thoughtful questions and deep dives, the other delivering short, sharp, and impactful moments. And yes… somewhere in this episode, Claude disappears for a moment. 👀 Can you spot when?

Whether you’re craving a career reset, dreaming of a wellness retreat, or just need permission to actually rest, this episode is your reminder: self-care isn’t selfish — it’s survival.

Nicole Richards contact info:

https://www.cpa-coaching.com/

[email protected]

Instagram

Youtube

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EP 61: Finding Hope — The Power of Starting Over with Gretchen Schoser

What if your greatest breakdown became the foundation for your most powerful breakthrough?

This week, we’re joined by Gretchen Schoser — suicide survivor, mental health advocate, and co-host of the award-winning podcast Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads — for a raw and deeply inspiring conversation about resilience, healing, and the messy beauty of starting over.

At 61, Gretchen launched a new career and a new company, blending technical know-how with lived experience to support others in their mental health journey. In this episode, she gets real about the signs we often ignore (in ourselves and others), why laughter can be just as therapeutic as therapy, and how storytelling helps us feel less alone.

Whether you’ve faced your own battles or want to show up better for someone who has, this episode reminds us:
 ✨ It’s never too late to rewrite your story
 ✨ Self-care is a survival tool — not a luxury
 ✨ Owning your reality is where healing begins

🔑 Topics include:
 • Recognizing signs of mental health struggles
 • Setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care
 • Podcasting as a path to healing
 • Reinventing life after 60
 • Why finding joy is an act of resilience

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

Jess and Claude break down what affirmations really are (and aren’t), how to use them without the cringe, and why positive self-talk can meaningfully shift your mood, confidence, and boundaries—at work and beyond. From overcoming negative thought loops to writing affirmations that actually sound like you, this episode gives you practical language and everyday practices to support your emotional well-being and productivity.

What You’ll Learn

• What affirmations are—and how to make them feel authentic
• How positive self-talk rewires unhelpful narratives at work and at home
• Ways to use affirmations to set boundaries and prioritize self-care
• Simple, repeatable scripts to reduce stress and anxiety
• How sharing affirmations with your work bestie reinforces healthier beliefs

Chapters

• 00:00 The Power of Self-Affirmation
• 01:12 Understanding Affirmations
• 03:24 Personal Experiences with Affirmations
• 06:08 Affirmations in the Workplace
• 08:19 Leveraging Support from Others
• 10:30 Practical Affirmations for Daily Life
• 12:53 Creating Your Own Affirmations

Quick Takeaways

• Affirmations are short, intentional phrases that reframe negative thoughts.
• They can be written, spoken, or silently repeated—do what fits your life.
• Personalization matters: make them sound like you.
• Use them to set boundaries, reduce stress, and build confidence at work.
• Consistency turns affirmations into mindset shifts.

Try These (and Tweak Them to Fit You)

• “I can handle this one step at a time.”
• “My boundaries protect my energy and my impact.”
• “I am proud of the progress I’m making—even if it’s not perfect.”
• “I speak to myself the way I speak to someone I love.”
• “I trust myself to choose what I need today.”

If this episode helped, follow, rate, and review Work Besties Who Podcast. Share your go-to affirmation with us on Instagram @workbestieswhopodcast and tag your work bestie!

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

In this episode, we’re joined by Jen Hardy and Irina Alexander of MotivAction and co-hosts of the Life by Choice podcast to talk about one of the most overlooked truths in burnout: It’s not just internal — it’s relational.

Jen and Irina open up about their personal experiences with burnout, compassion fatigue, and the emotional toll of always saying “yes.” They share their transformative journey toward healing, highlight the importance of emotional literacy, and offer practical tools like their CARES framework to support resilience and self-awareness.

You’ll walk away with:

• A new lens on burnout (it shows up in how we communicate)
• Tools to strengthen your emotional vocabulary
• Strategies to pause before saying yes
• The courage to have more vulnerable, honest conversations at work and beyond

Takeaways:

• Burnout can manifest in many ways, including silence or over-commitment
• Communication style shifts under pressure
• Emotional literacy helps us process burnout, not just survive it
• The CARES model provides actionable healing tools
• Healing happens in connection — not isolation

🎙️ Sound Bites:

• "I had compassion fatigue."
• "Guilt and shame live in silence."

🔗 Resources:

• Learn more about MotivAction https://motivaction.academy/
• Listen to the Life by Choice Podcast https://www.youtube.com/@Life-By-Choice

🎧 Subscribe, share, and send this to a work bestie who might need a moment of real talk.

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband