We’ve all heard the phrase “bring your whole self to work,” but what does that actually mean? And more importantly, how do you do it without oversharing, making things awkward, or feeling like you’re playing a corporate version of Survivor?

In this episode of Cohesive Tangent, Larone and Courtney dig into the balancing act of workplace authenticity. They explore how to navigate self-expression while keeping your professionalism intact, the unspoken rules shaped by race and gender dynamics, and how to build workplace relationships without blurring boundaries.

Expect real talk, personal stories, and practical tips on:

🔹 Showing up as yourself without stalling your career growth

🔹 The fine line between authenticity and way too much information

🔹 How corporate culture shapes identity (for better or worse)

🔹 Why personal branding isn’t just for influencers

If you enjoy the episode, don’t forget to rate, review, and follow. Your support helps us keep these conversations going!

Takeaways

There is a fine line between professionalism and oversharing.

Workplace dynamics are influenced by race and gender.

Entrepreneurship offers a path to greater authenticity.

Finding your people at work is crucial for support.

Boundaries are important in workplace relationships.

Understanding workplace culture is key to navigating it.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Professionalism and Authenticity

11:42 The Balance of Self at Work

21:25 Finding Your Voice in Corporate Spaces

29:12 Advice for Younger Professionals

LinkedIn: love it, hate it, or just quietly lurk? In this episode of Work in Progress, Larone and Courtney get real about how to make LinkedIn actually work for you, without turning into a “thought leader” parody.

From building real relationships to creating content that doesn’t make you cringe, we’re breaking down what it takes to stand out on the platform in 2025.

💬 If you’ve ever thought:

✔ “Do I really need to post on LinkedIn to get noticed?”

✔ “How do I network without being that person in the DMs?”

✔ “What even counts as good engagement?”…this one’s for you.

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

• Why engagement > follower count (especially in 2025)
• How to optimize your profile for visibility + credibility
• What kind of content actually gets read
• The do’s and don’ts of connecting without being corny
• How to curate your feed and protect your peace

⏱ Chapters:

01:44 – Our Love-Hate Relationship with LinkedIn

04:56 – How LinkedIn Has Evolved

07:43 – Optimizing Your Profile (Yes, Again)

09:30 – Engagement > Follower Count

15:18 – Managing Time & Energy on LinkedIn

16:52 – Using LinkedIn with Intention

21:13 – What Makes Content Land

24:24 – LinkedIn Emotions Are Real

26:47 – Building Relationships That Matter

30:34 – Setting LinkedIn Goals That Serve You

💡 Bottom line: You don’t have to become a brand to use LinkedIn well. But you do need a strategy.

🎧 Hit play, then send this to a friend who either posts way too much or hasn’t updated their profile since 2019.🔑

Follow CJ on Instagram ⁠Here⁠ or LinkedIn ⁠Here⁠

Follow Larone on Instagram ⁠Here⁠

Keywords: LinkedIn strategy, LinkedIn for professionals, how to network on LinkedIn, personal branding, engagement tips, optimizing your LinkedIn, professional networking 2025, career growth tools, social media for career development

In this episode of Cohesive Tangent, Courtney Jennings-Hope and Larone Ellison dive into the twists and turns of mentorship. They break down the difference between mentors and peer relationships, how to actually use these connections for career advancement, and why the best advice often comes from unexpected places. From personal growth to professional development, they explore how to navigate mentorship with intention, align with mentors who match your values, and strike the right balance between guidance, support, and networking without it feeling forced.

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Mentorship

02:49 Defining Mentor Relationships

05:23 Personal Traits in Mentorship

08:25 Mentor vs. Peer Dynamics

10:58 Learning from Peers

13:45 Navigating Hierarchies in Mentorship

18:11 Defining Mentorship vs. Peer Relationships

22:34 The Value of Mentorship in Career Advancement

28:05 Leveraging Mentors for Career Growth

32:43 Navigating Job Applications with Mentor Support

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Ever feel like your career growth is stuck on autopilot? Waiting for your manager or company to chart your next step? Spoiler alert: That’s not their job, it’s yours.

In this episode of Cohesive Tangent, we’re unpacking the hard truth: Your career is your responsibility. We explore:

The Generational Shift – Why older generations saw career growth as a company-led path, while Millennials and Gen Z are redefining loyalty through purpose and flexibility.

The Manager Myth – Why your manager isn’t your career architect (and how relying on them can keep you stuck).

How to Take Control – Think of your career like a GPS—your current job is just a stop, not the destination. We’ll share actionable steps to network, pivot, and future-proof your career.

The Courage to Pivot – Why staying in a stagnant role is riskier than making a bold move—and how to know when it’s time to go.

You are the CEO of your career. Your manager might be a coach, your mentors might be advisors, but at the end of the day, you are the one driving your success.

🎧 Available where ever you listen to podcasts and don’t forget to subscribe for more real-talk about work, culture, and everything in between. New episodes drop every Monday.

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The rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs is making headlines, but what does it mean for the workplace and the people in it?

In this episode of Cohesive Tangent, Courtney and Larone unpack the true purpose of DEI. What it is, what it isn't, and why it matters. They dive into how these changes affect employees across the board, with a special focus on veterans and other vulnerable groups who often benefit from these programs without even realizing it.

Join us as we explore how DEI impacts workplace culture, why it's often misunderstood, and what rollbacks mean for morale, innovation, and inclusion. Whether you're a leader, an advocate, or someone trying to make sense of it all, this episode will leave you with actionable insights and a fresh perspective on why DEI is more than just a corporate buzzword.

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Ghost Jobs and the Emotional Rollercoaster of Job Hunting

Ever feel like you’re applying to jobs that might as well be ghost stories? Us too.

In this episode of Cohesive Tangent, we’re talking about ghost jobs—those frustrating postings that never seem to lead anywhere. Larone dives into how it feels to keep hitting a wall, Courtney shares why networking can be your secret weapon, and together, we explore what it’s like to navigate the emotional toll of job hunting.

This isn’t a “how-to” podcast—it’s a “we’ve been there” podcast. If you’re tired of feeling like you’re job hunting in a vacuum, hit play. We’re here to remind you that you’re not alone.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe for more real-talk about work, culture, and everything in between.

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Leave us a comment or question and we'll answer in an upcoming episode. Liked this episode? Leave us a review, they help new people find us.