Work Unscripted

Are you or someone on your team a highly sensitive person (HSP)? You’re not alone. Roughly 20% of the population is born with this trait, meaning their nervous system processes stimuli more deeply than others. In this eye-opening episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons sits down with Heather Dominick, founder of the Highly Sensitive Leadership training program, to unpack what it really means to be an HSP in today’s fast-paced workplace.

They discuss how HSPs can prevent burnout, manage constructive and destructive criticism, and navigate crucial conversations—especially in feedback situations with managers. You’ll learn how to turn sensitivity into a superpower, communicate effectively with non-HSP leaders, and develop frameworks for giving and receiving feedback well.

Whether you’re an HSP professional, a manager leading an underperforming employee, or an HR leader striving to build inclusive environments, this episode provides actionable strategies to help highly sensitive people and their teams thrive.

Stay tuned to the end for a sneak peek of next week’s powerful episode, where Marlo shares her real performance review experience as a highly sensitive person: it’s raw, it’s real, and it’s one you won’t want to miss.

Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram 
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Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co. 

Most workplace advice skips the real truths: the things your manager won’t tell you, but that make or break your career. In this solo episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons reveals the five unspoken rules that separate people who get stuck from those who move up fast.

You’ll learn why making your boss look good is essential, how stakeholder alignment protects your reputation, and why bringing proposals instead of final decisions builds buy-in. Marlo also unpacks why your career is YOUR job (not your manager’s) and why HR knows more about you than you think.

If you’re serious about career growth, leadership, and personal development, this episode will give you the inside track on navigating corporate life, positioning yourself for career opportunities, and avoiding mistakes that stall promotions.

Tune in to get the career advice no one else is telling you, and start using these five strategies today to stand out, get noticed, and rise faster at work.

Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram 
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Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co. 

Gen Z is entering the workforce in record numbers and managers everywhere are feeling the impact. Studies show that 60% of businesses have already fired Gen Z employees within months of hiring them, citing poor communication, lack of initiative, and struggles adapting to corporate life. But what’s really behind this trend, and what can we do about it?

In this episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons sits down with Dr. Andrea Mata, clinical psychologist, speaker, and author, to unpack the root causes of Gen Z’s workplace challenges, from gentle parenting trends to trauma-informed education, and the cultural gaps that left many young professionals unprepared.

Dr. Mata explains why we may be on the cusp of a Gen Z mental health tsunami and offers strategies for both managers and parents: set high expectations, provide high support, and pair accountability with empathy. You’ll learn practical ways to coach Gen Z employees, build resilience, and create a culture of adaptability, without lowering the bar.

Whether you’re a manager frustrated with Gen Z performance, a parent preparing your child for future success, or a Gen Z employee navigating the workplace, this conversation is exactly what you need to hear.

Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram 
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Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co. 

 Looking for a job in today’s market can feel overwhelming. Endless applications, ghosting, and tough competition leave many professionals stuck. That’s why career coach Marlo Lyons created this episode: to give you five practical, no-fluff job search hacks that actually work in a brutal market.

You’ll learn how to structure your search like a job, avoid the mistakes that sabotage your applications, upgrade your LinkedIn, build visibility, and create a support network that fuels momentum. If you’re wondering how to stand out and get hired faster in 2025, this is the episode you can’t afford to miss.

Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram 
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Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co. 

Is your job search stalled, or are you wondering why recruiters aren't responding to your resume? In this episode, host Marlo Lyons talks to veteran recruiter Kristen Fife, author of "The Recruiter's Playbook," who shares insider secrets about how recruiters operate and what they're really looking for in candidates.

Learn why recruiters only spend six seconds scanning your resume, how applicant tracking systems (ATS) affect your job applications, and practical tips for standing out in a competitive job market. Whether you’re navigating a career change, searching for your next role, or feeling stuck in your job hunt, Kristen’s expert advice will help you leverage professional networking, avoid common resume mistakes, and boost your visibility to recruiters and hiring managers.

If you're serious about landing your next job, this episode is a must-listen.

Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram 
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Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co. 

We’re halfway through the year and performance reviews are right around the corner. If you’re aiming for a promotion in the next performance cycle, you can’t afford to wait. The time to take control of your career is now. In this episode, host Marlo Lyons shares exactly how to get noticed and promoted at work, cutting through the noise of corporate life to reveal what truly drives advancement.

If you’re putting in long hours and hoping someone in leadership will notice, consider this your reality check: hard work alone won’t get you ahead. You’ll learn the real reasons professionals get passed over for career opportunities, the common mistakes that stall your progress, and how to advocate for yourself with confidence. We’ll cover how to increase your visibility, build a business case for your promotion, and have high-impact feedback conversations that actually move the needle.

Whether you’re stuck in a plateau or ready for the next big step, this episode blends personal development, career strategy, and leadership insight to help you rise above the noise and accelerate your success. Stop waiting to be discovered. Start leading your career forward today.

Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram 
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Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co. 

Are your feedback conversations empowering your team or creating tension? In this episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons talks with Joan Hibdon, author of "The Leader’s Guide to Mastering Feedback," about why most managers struggle to deliver effective feedback and how to transform criticism from destructive to constructive.

You'll find out why 65% of employees crave more frequent and meaningful feedback, learn practical frameworks for giving feedback well, and understand how to handle emotional reactions from underperforming employees. Joan breaks down the art of feedback, showing leaders how to turn crucial conversations into powerful tools for trust, growth, and continuous improvement.

If you’re ready to stop dreading feedback conversations and start mastering them, tune in to elevate your leadership skills, build stronger teams, and foster a culture of transparency and trust.

Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram 
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Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co. 

Ever wondered what truly separates the professionals who get ahead from those who just get by? It’s midyear and in this solo episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons brings some unspoken truths that can transform your career trajectory and help you stand out in any job. Don’t worry, this isn’t your typical HR training, this episode is your backstage pass to navigating corporate politics, building credibility, and advancing professionally.

You’ll learn:

• How to make your boss your greatest career ally by anticipating needs and protecting their reputation.
• Why stakeholder alignment is critical and how to avoid common pitfalls that derail promising projects.
• The art of presenting ideas effectively by bringing proposals, not decisions, to create buy-in from senior leaders.
• Why your career growth is solely your responsibility, and practical steps to proactively manage it.
• What HR really knows about you, why silence isn’t safety, and how to avoid career-ending missteps.

Tune in for essential insights you won’t find in any employee handbook. Whether you’re new to the workforce or navigating corporate complexities, this episode is your strategic playbook to becoming indispensable at work.

Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram 
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Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co. 

For many, parenthood includes hitting pause on your career. But does it have to impact your professional identity? On this episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons sits down with Neha Ruch, author of The Power Pause, to explore how intentional career breaks for motherhood can redefine ambition, purpose, and professional fulfillment.

Neha shares her own journey of stepping away from a thriving career to prioritize motherhood, facing societal pushback, and eventually finding deep meaning and renewed ambition. Together, they discuss practical strategies for maintaining professional confidence, setting clear goals during career pauses, and reframing parenthood beyond traditional stereotypes.

If you’re navigating motherhood, contemplating a career break, or looking for tools to confidently re-enter the workforce, this episode provides an empowering roadmap to help you own your story and embrace ambition on your terms.

Key insights from the episode:

• Why taking a career break can enhance—not harm—your professional trajectory.
• How to redefine ambition and identity during motherhood.
• Practical steps for confidently returning to work after a strategic pause.
• Overcoming societal stigma and advocating for the value of parenthood in professional spaces.

Listen now to transform the way you think about career breaks, motherhood, and professional ambition.

Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram 
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Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co. 

Ever judged someone negatively after they got fired, without knowing the real story? You're not alone. In this solo episode of Work Unscripted, former HR executive Marlo Lyons exposes the uncomfortable truth behind workplace firings and the harmful assumptions we make about those who've been let go.

Marlo shares eye-opening stories from behind closed HR doors, highlighting the real reasons good employees get fired (often due to misalignment, management biases, or office politics) not incompetence. She challenges you to rethink your own perceptions and encourages genuine empathy, reminding us that today's fired colleague could be tomorrow’s influential decision-maker.

If you’ve ever been fired unfairly, fear it happening, or have distanced yourself from a coworker after termination, this episode will shift your perspective. Learn why staying connected can boost your career, and discover practical tips for navigating professional relationships with compassion and strategic foresight.

Key Topics Covered:

• How common biases lead to unfair firings
• Real-life HR stories exposing workplace injustice
• The hidden career risks of misjudging fired colleagues
• Practical advice on rebuilding professional bridges after termination

Listen now and start reframing how you think about people who leave, your future self will thank you.

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Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram 
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Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.