What happens when your career takes an unexpected pivot—from high-powered agent to published author—and your work friendships evolve into personal lifelines?

In this episode, Jess and Claude dive deep with Clélia Castro-Malaspina, a former literary agent turned award-winning children’s author, who’s rewriting the rules of connection, creativity, and career.

💬 We talk:

• How critique groups can save your sanity—and your story
• What coffee shops and connection have in common
• Why keeping work friendships alive can launch your next chapter
• And how to build meaningful support networks in remote or creative careers

Clélia also opens up about her powerful new book, Girls with Goals: How Women’s Soccer Took Over the World—a fierce, inspiring history of the women who kicked down barriers, built a global movement, and lit the way for future generations of female athletes. 🌍⚽

Whether you're chasing a dream, changing careers, or cheering from the sidelines—this episode is for you.

🎧 Plus: Learn how her first book, Your Freedom, Your Power, teaches kids the First Amendment like never before—one protest sign at a time. 🗽📚

📅 Girls with Goals hits shelves May 6th in the U.S. and May 8th in the UK—published by Holler, an imprint of Quarto.

 📚 Your Freedom, Your Power is out now from Running Press Kids.

🔗 Connect with Clélia:
Website: https://mossypinescreative.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mossypinesclelia/

✨ Come for the book talk, stay for the inspiration—and maybe the goosebumps.

🎙️ Listen now on all platforms or watch the full conversation on YouTube.

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What if building a more inclusive workplace wasn’t as complicated or corporate as you think

This week on Work Besties Who Podcast, Claude and Jess sit down with powerhouse inclusion expert and author Delphia Howze — and this conversation will change how you show up at work 🔥

Delphia, whose new book Including You: Leading Inclusion From Where You Are is a must-read, shares why inclusion is a personal responsibility, not just something for HR or leadership to figure out

She delivers real, honest advice about modeling inclusive behavior, understanding our biases, and why grace and self-reflection are essential tools for real change

If you’ve ever felt excluded, wondered how to actually make a difference, or wanted to be a better ally — this episode gives you the roadmap
 And yes, it starts with your work besties too

✨ Inclusion isn’t optional
 ✨ Leadership is everyone’s job
 ✨ Changing the culture starts with you

Come listen — your future team will thank you

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You, Me, We: Why Work Besties Are a Career Superpower (with Morag Barrett) 

Ready to upgrade your 9–5 relationships from “cordial coworkers” to ride-or-die allies? In this energizing episode, Jess & Claude sit down with leadership expert and author Morag Barrett to chat about why having work besties isn’t just nice—it’s necessary.

Drawing from her brilliant book You, Me, We, Why we all NEED a Friend at Work; Morag shares actionable tips on how to build meaningful connections at work, navigate tricky power dynamics, and bring emotional awareness into every meeting (without the eye rolls). From small talk that actually matters to shifting from a “me” to a “we” mindset, this episode is packed with wisdom, laughs, and a whole lot of heart.

Take a listen if you’re ready to: 💼 Build real friendships at work
🤝 Shift into a culture of allyship
📣 Speak up with confidence in any room
✨ Make your workplace feel more you

Because when you’ve got the right people beside you, work just works better. 

Follow or Connect With Morag Barrett here

Website-https://skyeteam.com/

LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/in/moragbarrett/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@SkyeTeam

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/moragjbarrett/

Dont Forget to Like, Subscribe and Leave us a comment!

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Episode Summary:
In this week’s episode, we sit down with the one and only Tatyana—the Corporate Gen X Mom—for a real, raw, and refreshingly honest conversation about life in the corporate world. As a seasoned professional and mother, Tatyana brings insight, humor, and truth to the table. We dive into what it means to show up authentically at work, the importance of workplace besties, and how to navigate the (often unspoken) challenges of corporate culture, all while juggling the demands of family life. If you’ve ever questioned your place in the corporate machine, this one’s for you.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• There’s often a gap between corporate messaging and real employee experiences.
• Humor isn’t just a coping mechanism—it’s a survival tool.
• Work besties are more than friends—they’re your lifeline.
• Surrounding yourself with respectful, trustworthy colleagues is key.
• Toxic environments require strategic exits or boundaries.
• Balancing motherhood and work is tough—and universal.
• Authentic relationships at work lead to deeper job satisfaction.
• Your company is renting your skills—not your soul.
• Culture change starts with individual mindset shifts.
• Gen Z’s boundaries are influencing a much-needed workplace reset.

🎧 Sound Bites:
🗣️ "I want people to not feel like they're alone."
🗣️ "It's never about the actual job."
 

👯‍♀️ Brought to you by Work Besties Who Podcast
Hosted by Jess & Claude—two corporate survivors and champions of all things work, wellness, and friendship.

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Stoic Empathy with Shermin Kruse: How to Navigate Difficult Conversations

In this episode, we sit down with the brilliant Shermin Kruse —law professor, TEDx producer, author, and total powerhouse—to explore the concept of stoic empathy. What does it really mean to be both strong and compassionate in today’s workplace? How can leaders show up with emotional intelligence without losing their edge?

Shermin drops incredible insights on:

• Leading with integrity while setting strong boundaries
• What stoicism actually is (hint: it’s not just suppressing emotions!)
• How empathy can be your superpower—even in tough corporate environments
• Real stories from her life that shaped her journey from revolutionary Iran to U.S. boardrooms and classrooms

If you’re a leader, a team player, or just trying to show up better at work and in life, this conversation is for you. 

👀 Bonus: Hear about her upcoming book Stoic Empathy and why it’s the personal development read you’ll want in 2025.

Find Her on LinkedIn, Youtube and her book at any location that sells books!

—

✨ Rate, review, and share with your favorite work bestie!

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 In this episode of Work Besties, hosts Jess and Claude sit down with Randee Dawn, entertainment journalist and author, to dive into the powerful role of friendship, storytelling, and identity in both creative and professional spaces.

Randee shares her journey to authorship, the long road to publishing, and the importance of networking and community in building a lasting career. She reflects on the depth of male friendships, the underrepresentation of non-romantic relationships in storytelling, and how her own writing brings friendship, fantasy, and music together.

This episode explores how music connects friends, how names shape identity, and why friendships require ongoing effort and communication.

💡 Key Takeaways:
✅ Friendships matter—both in personal and professional life.
✅ Music is a universal connector that strengthens bonds.
✅ Male friendships often lack emotional depth in media and deserve more representation.
✅ Names hold sacred significance and shape our identity.
✅ Writing is a wellness tool—it can be therapeutic and transformative.
✅ Friendships require work—communication and effort make them thrive.
✅ Networking is about real relationships, not transactions.
✅ Friendships evolve over time, reflecting personal growth.
✅ Fantasy storytelling explores deep relationships, even supernatural ones.

Follow Randee on IG, TT, FB & Website

For Her Books Tune In Tomorrow; The Only Song Worth Singing (April 2025 Release)

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Transform Your Mindset with Kyle Smith

In this episode of Work Besties Who, we sit down with Kyle Smith, a Clarity Consultant and the creator of NeuroLinguistic Somatic Experience (NLSE) — a powerful blend of story work and breath work designed to help you rewrite your inner narrative and manage anxiety.

Kyle shares how shifting language, practicing breath work, and developing clarity can turn mental roadblocks into opportunities for growth. We dive into practical tools to build mental fitness, reduce anxiety, and communicate more intentionally. Kyle also explains why kindness isn’t just a feeling — it’s an active, daily practice that creates ripple effects in every relationship.

✨ Key Takeaways:

• NLSE is a mindset gym for building resilience and clarity.
• Story work helps release the emotional weight of past experiences.
• Breath work is a tool for self-regulation and focus.
• Eliminating “soft talk” leads to stronger decision-making.
• Anxiety is often driven by stories we tell ourselves — and those stories can change.
• Judgment and compassion are both essential for growth and connection.
• Recognizing when it's time for change is the first step toward transformation.
• Kindness is something we embody — not just feel — and it always comes back to us.

🎧 Tune in and learn how to show up for yourself with more clarity, courage, and kindness!

For information on Kyle click to follow his Youtube, IG, Threads, LinkedIn

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Are we missing the key to true wellness? In this must-listen episode, we sit down with Jenny Powers, evolutionary wellness expert and author of The Origin of Being, to explore how reconnecting with nature and understanding our primal roots can transform our mental and physical health. From the science of ancestral healing to the power of social connections, Jenny reveals the secrets to thriving in the modern world.

As a researcher and advocate for evolution-based well-being, Jenny’s work uncovers how small lifestyle shifts—rooted in nature and ancient wisdom—can lead to less stress, more energy, and greater happiness.

What You’ll Learn:

Why nature is the ultimate healer for stress, anxiety, and burnout
The surprising link between evolution and happiness
How small changes can create massive improvements in your well-being
The truth about social media’s impact on real-life relationships
Why community support is essential for long-term success
Plus, we dive into key insights from her book, The Origin of Being, where she breaks down the science of healing through nature, mindfulness, and primal living.

Listen on Apple Podcasts & Watch on YouTube – Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share!

Buy Jenny's Book anywhere books are sold, click here.

Learn more about Jenny Powers on IG, Facebook, LinkedIn, Website

#wellness #naturelovers #forestbathing #evolution #mentalhealth #podcast #nature

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From Broadway Lights to Family Nights: Bret Shuford's Journey of Dance, Sobriety, and Manifesting Dreams!

In this episode, we're diving into the inspiring and transformative journey of Bret Shuford, a Broadway star turned content creator, family man, and wellness advocate. Bret opens up about his incredible shift from Broadway’s spotlight to building a life centered around wellness, family, and dance. He shares how movement isn't just about shaking it off but about grounding, healing, and connecting with others on a deeper level.

We talk about the power of community in the arts, how dancing became Bret's way of coping, and the life-changing journey of sobriety. Bret’s honesty and vulnerability in content creation are a game-changer—he explains why collaboration trumps competition and how embracing your true self can create real connections.

Bret also spills the tea on manifesting your dreams with vision boards, how taking action (even when it’s imperfect) can lead to growth, and the magic of saying no to make space for something new! Plus, find out how he balances family life and passion while staying connected to his audience in a joy-filled way.

Takeaways you don’t want to miss:

• From Broadway to content creation, Bret proves you can pivot and manifest your dreams.
• Dance is more than art—it's wellness and connection.
• Curiosity and vulnerability are game-changers for personal growth and creative success.
• Vision boards work, but it’s taking action that makes the magic happen.
• Collaboration > Competition – let’s build communities together!

Tune in for a conversation filled with inspiration, laughter, and real talk about turning dreams into action—we promise it’ll leave you feeling motivated and ready to dance through life!

Follow Bret Shuford on IG, YT, website

As well as Broadway Husbands on IG, YT

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Want to boost morale, strengthen relationships, and create a thriving workplace culture? 

In this episode, Jess and Claude reveal how practicing gratitude at work can transform your team dynamics, improve communication, and even enhance productivity. Learn simple yet powerful ways to express appreciation authentically—without it feeling forced or overdone. Plus, discover how gratitude can help you navigate workplace frustrations and foster a more positive, resilient mindset. If you’re ready to level up your work environment, this episode is a must-listen!

Key Takeaways:
✅ Gratitude strengthens team morale and workplace culture.
✅ Authentic appreciation leads to better communication and trust.
✅ Small acts of gratitude can create a ripple effect of positivity.
✅ Leaders who express gratitude inspire higher performance.
✅ Balancing gratitude with workplace frustrations can improve resilience.

Don’t miss out on these game-changing strategies—tune in now! 

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