In Episode 313 of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with global leadership coach Sabina Nawaz to unpack an idea that feels counterintuitive in a world obsessed with doing: the power of doing nothing.

From radical presence to redefining productivity, this conversation explores how creating “blank space” can unlock creativity, clarity, and calm. Erin and Sabina dig into what it means to show up with every cell in your body, why pressure often corrupts our best intentions, and how stillness can be a bold leadership strategy.

If you’ve ever felt guilty for slowing down or struggled to find space to think, this episode is your permission slip (and push) to pause.

Inside This Episode:

• Radical Presence: Why being fully engaged—body, mind, and spirit—changes how you lead and connect.
• Blank Space as Strategy: How creating moments of “nothing” can spark creativity and better decisions.
• Redefining Productivity: Moving from busyness to meaningful progress.
• Managing Pressure: Recognizing when intensity turns habits destructive—and how to reset.
• Reflection Culture: Practical ways to build team rhythms that value pausing, processing, and presence.

Who This Episode Is For:

• Leaders craving calm in the chaos.
• Teams tired of mistaking motion for momentum.
• Anyone ready to replace burnout with balance and busyness with breakthroughs.

Tune in to learn why sometimes the most productive thing you can do is nothing at all.

You’ve outlined your slides, practiced your intro, and told yourself this time you won’t wing it—but when it’s go time, your nerves still take the mic.

Enter The 3-Step Presentation Guide: your go-to roadmap for crafting, practicing, and delivering a talk that lands. With this simple system, you’ll calm your nerves, sharpen your message, and step on stage (or into that conference room) with real confidence.

Download it now and turn “I hope this goes well” into “I nailed that.”

No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)

• Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.
• Have another question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode.
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Connect with Sabina Nawaz

• Sabina’s LinkedIn
• Sabina’s website
• Sabina’s book, You’re the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need)

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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Episode 312 of Workday Playdate, Erin unpacks the not-so-secret sauce behind every unforgettable presentation: research. Whether you’re delivering a keynote, leading a team meeting, or pitching a new idea, understanding your audience is what turns a talk into a transformation.

Erin walks you through her playbook for audience research — a repeatable process that helps you craft keynotes that actually land. You’ll learn how to decode your audience’s language, tailor your stories to their world, and design an experience that feels less like a lecture and more like a moment.

If you’ve ever wondered why some presentations click while others fizzle, this episode is your roadmap to relevance, resonance, and results.

Inside This Episode:

• Research is Key: Why understanding your audience’s needs and challenges is the foundation of every great talk.
• Speak Their Language: How mirroring your audience’s words builds instant rapport and credibility.
• Tailor Your Stories: Tips for customizing examples that feel authentic and deeply relatable.
• Interactive Formats: How to use improv-inspired techniques to read the room and adapt on the fly.
• Close the Loop: End with actionable insights tied to what your audience actually cares about — their KPIs.

Who This Episode Is For:

• Keynote speakers who want to move beyond cookie-cutter content.
• Talent development pros crafting workshops that land with impact.
• Leaders looking to make every presentation more engaging, relevant, and human.

Tune in to learn how doing your homework can turn any presentation from “fine” to phenomenal — and why audience research might just be the most generous thing you can do as a speaker.

Blocked time, made lists, promised yourself this time will be different—and yet by 5 PM, the work that actually matters is still staring back at you.

Enter The Ready-Made 90-Minute Focus Kit: your done-for-you reset for ditching distractions and finally making progress on what matters most. With this simple framework, you’ll reclaim your brainpower, protect your energy, and actually finish the work you care about. 

Download it now and turn “Where did the day go?” into “Wow, I crushed that.”

No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)

• Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.
• Have another question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode.
• Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.”
• Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This is your personal jackpot that gives you access to the frameworks that help us thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you’re trying to improve your daily routine, flesh out an idea that you’ve had for quite some time, or want to add more play into your day - these resources have got your back.
• Want 2 emails a week from us? One with a quick tip you can implement right away to enhance your personal and/or professional lives & one of our famous F.A.I.L. Fourward Friday newsletters? Subscribe here.

Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!

• Erin’s website
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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Episode 311 of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Paula Davis — former lawyer, author of Beating Burnout at Work, and founder of the Stress and Resilience Institute — to unpack why burnout isn’t an individual failure, it’s a team dynamic.

Together, they explore how leaders can prevent burnout by fostering empathy, connection, and intrinsic motivation. Paula introduces her powerful concept of TNTs (Tiny Noticeable Things) — small, intentional actions that spark trust, boost morale, and improve workload management across teams.

If you’ve ever wondered how to build a culture where people actually thrive, this episode is your blueprint for leading with empathy and resilience — and creating a workplace that energizes rather than exhausts.

Inside This Episode:

• Burnout, Reframed: Why burnout prevention starts with team dynamics, not just individual stress management.
• Meet the TNTs: How Tiny Noticeable Things can transform connection, communication, and collaboration.
• The ABC Framework: The three psychological nutrients every thriving team needs — Autonomy, Belonging, and Challenge.
• Empathy as Strategy: Why emotionally intelligent leadership is your best defense against burnout.
• From Surviving to Sustaining: How to create resilient teams that adapt, connect, and stay motivated.

Who This Episode Is For:

• Leaders who want to prevent burnout before it starts.
• HR and people pros focused on workplace well-being.
• Teams looking to strengthen connection and intrinsic motivation.

Tune in to learn how to lead like you give a damn — and build teams that are calm, connected, and resilient enough to handle whatever the workday throws their way.

Blocked time, made lists, promised yourself this time will be different—and yet by 5 PM, the work that actually matters is still staring back at you.

Enter The Ready-Made 90-Minute Focus Kit: your done-for-you reset for ditching distractions and finally making progress on what matters most. With this simple framework, you’ll reclaim your brainpower, protect your energy, and actually finish the work you care about.

Download it now and turn “Where did the day go?” into “Wow, I crushed that.”

No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)

• Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.

Connect with Paula Davis

• Paula’s LinkedIn

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• Erin’s website

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this solo episode of Workday Playdate, Erin breaks down a five-step, improv-inspired framework to help you calm your nerves in real time whether you’re stepping on stage, leading a meeting, or speaking up in front of a room.

From understanding how your amygdala triggers fight-or-flight to learning simple techniques that regulate your nervous system, Erin shares practical tools to transform performance anxiety into focused, confident energy. If public speaking makes your heart race or your mind go blank, this episode proves that calming nerves is a skill you can build with the right mindset and methods.

Inside This Episode:

• Your Brain on Nerves: Why the amygdala sends you into fight, flight, or freeze — and how to interrupt the cycle.
• Breath Is Your Superpower: How box breathing can instantly cool your body’s stress response.
• Anchor With Intention: The simple positivity exercise that shifts your energy before you speak.
• From Me to We: How focusing on your audience transforms anxiety into purpose.
• Confidence as a Practice: Why calming nerves isn’t a talent — it’s a trainable skill.

Who This Episode Is For:

• Professionals who dread public speaking but want to build confidence.
• Leaders, facilitators, and presenters who want to deliver with clarity and calm.
• Anyone ready to turn nervousness into energy that serves rather than anxiety that sabotages.

Tune in to learn how to regulate your nervous system, reframe your mindset, and show up as the most confident version of yourself — no matter how big the room.

Blocked time, made lists, promised yourself this time will be different—and yet by 5 PM, the work that actually matters is still staring back at you.

Enter The Ready-Made 90-Minute Focus Kit: your done-for-you reset for ditching distractions and finally making progress on what matters most. With this simple framework, you’ll reclaim your brainpower, protect your energy, and actually finish the work you care about.

Download it now and turn “Where did the day go?” into “Wow, I crushed that.”

No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)

• Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.

Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!

• Erin’s website

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Lareina Yee, Director at McKinsey Global Institute, to explore how women can thrive at the intersection of time management, technology, and radical empathy.

From the promise of AI to the power of experience capital, Lareina shares data-driven insights and practical strategies for navigating the barriers women face in tech and beyond. Whether you’re wrestling with the “broken rung” in career advancement or wondering how AI can open new doors, this conversation is packed with both inspiration and actionable takeaways.

Inside This Episode:

• AI as Opportunity: Why it’s a tool for everyone, no matter your starting point.
• Experience Capital: How 50% of lifetime earnings are tied to the skills you build along the way.
• The Broken Rung: Why women face slower promotions and what to do about it.
• Sponsorship Over Mentorship: Why finding advocates early matters more than advice alone.
• AI as Equalizer: How tech is democratizing access and reshaping workplaces.

Who This Episode Is For:

• Women in tech (or aspiring to be) looking for tools to rise and lead.
• Leaders who want to foster equity, empathy, and innovation.
• Anyone curious about how AI and experience capital shape the future of work.

Tune in to learn why AI is an opportunity, why experience capital is crucial, and how radical empathy can change the game for women in leadership.

More about Lareina Yee:

Lareina Yee is a McKinsey Global Institute director leading the technology agenda and the global head of Tech Alliances. Based in San Francisco, she is a senior partner whose client works focus on technology and AI. She served as McKinsey's first Chief Diversity Officer and, in 2015, co-founded Women in the Workplace, an annual research study that has worked with more than 1,000 companies and surveyed nearly half a million employees to understand the barriers to women's advancement in corporate America. She is the author of THE BROKEN RUNG: When the Career Ladder Breaks for Women--and How They Can Succeed in Spite of It with fellow McKinsey senior partners Kweilin Ellingrud and María del Mar Martínez.

Blocked time, made lists, promised yourself this time will be different—and yet by 5 PM, the work that actually matters is still staring back at you.

Enter The Ready-Made 90-Minute Focus Kit: your done-for-you reset for ditching distractions and finally making progress on what matters most. With this simple framework, you’ll reclaim your brainpower, protect your energy, and actually finish the work you care about.

Download it now and turn “Where did the day go?” into “Wow, I crushed that.”

No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)

• Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.

Connect with Lareina Yee

• Lareina’s LinkedIn

Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!

• Erin’s website

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this solo episode of Workday Playdate, Erin tackles one of today’s biggest workplace challenges: overwhelm. With 66% of employees reporting burnout, it’s clear we’re all carrying too much and running on empty. But here’s the good news: a reset doesn’t have to be complicated. Erin shares her simple, science-backed 10-Minute Time Reset Hack to help you recharge your energy, sharpen your focus, and calm your nervous system without overhauling your entire schedule.

Through real talk and practical strategies, Erin shows you how just 10 intentional minutes a day can shift your mindset from frazzled to focused.

Inside This Episode:

• Overwhelm is Universal: Why burnout is more common than you think—and nothing to be ashamed of.
• The 10-Minute Reset Hack: Erin’s go-to practice for stepping away from the chaos and resetting your brain.
• Science-Backed Benefits: How movement reduces cortisol, boosts dopamine, and fuels creativity.
• Personalize Your Reset: From walking to stretching to dancing—how to make this hack work for you.
• Community and Sharing: Why spreading the reset hack could help your colleagues (and your culture) thrive.

Who This Episode Is For:

• Professionals drowning in endless tasks and notifications.
• Leaders who want simple tools to support their teams’ mental health and productivity.
• Anyone who feels like “just one more thing” might tip them over the edge.

Tune in to learn how to give yourself a reset in just 10 minutes—and if you know someone stuck in the overwhelm cycle, share this episode with them.

Feeling awkward, overthinking your small talk, or wondering if you should’ve just stayed home? Grab our free Networking Without Feeling Weird toolkit. It’s your two-part confidence boost for before and during the event, packed with simple, human strategies that help you walk in clear, grounded, and ready to connect. Download it now and turn “Ugh, networking…” into “That was actually… fun?”

No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)

• Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.

Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!

• Erin’s website

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Amy Green Smith—life coach, hypnotherapist, and boundary-setting powerhouse—to explore the fine line between being kind and being a doormat. If you’ve ever found yourself saying “yes” when every cell in your body was screaming “no,” this conversation is your wake-up call to stop people-pleasing and start leading with self-worth.

Through raw insights and actionable strategies, Amy reveals how to reclaim your personal power, communicate with confidence, and finally set the boundaries you’ve been avoiding without burning bridges.

Inside This Episode:

• The Worthy Method: A proven framework to help leaders embrace their intrinsic value and prevent burnout.
• Decide, Deliver, Enforce: Amy’s 3-step formula for setting boundaries that stick (and don’t crumble under pressure).
• Emotions as Messengers: How recurring negative feelings point to the boundaries you’ve been neglecting.
• The Fawn Response: Why people-pleasing is both a survival tactic and a self-sabotage trap—and how to break the cycle.
• Courage & Fear: Why fear isn’t the enemy, but the first step toward authentic leadership.

Who This Episode Is For:

• Professionals who say “yes” too often and feel stretched too thin.
• Leaders ready to foster healthier, more empowered workplace dynamics.
• Anyone craving the confidence to set boundaries without guilt.

Tune in to learn how to swap people-pleasing for powerful communication—and if you know someone who needs this nudge, share this episode with them.

Feeling awkward, overthinking your small talk, or wondering if you should’ve just stayed home? Grab our free Networking Without Feeling Weird toolkit. It’s your two-part confidence boost for before and during the event, packed with simple, human strategies that help you walk in clear, grounded, and ready to connect. Download it now and turn “Ugh, networking…” into “That was actually… fun?”

No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)

• Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.

Connect with Amy Green Smith

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• Erin’s website

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's solo episode, Erin pulls back the curtain on how she went from chaotic multitasking to a calmer, more productive workday without adding more hours to her week. If your calendar feels like a game of Tetris you never signed up for, this episode is your permission slip to stop the scramble and start managing your time with intention.

Through real-talk stories and proven strategies, Erin shares the exact methods that helped her reclaim her focus, prevent burnout, and design a schedule that works for her (not the other way around).

Inside This Episode:

• The Power of Time Batching: Why grouping tasks by type can skyrocket focus and energy.
• Creating Theme Days: How dedicating days to specific types of work slashes context-switching fatigue.
• Intentional Planning for Success: Erin’s five-step time management framework and how to test it in just 30 days.
• Embracing a Four-Day Work Week: What happened when her team trimmed their schedule (spoiler: productivity improved).
• Setting Boundaries: The underrated skill that keeps burnout at bay and balance within reach.

Who This Episode Is For:

• Professionals tired of juggling endless to-dos with zero breathing room.
• Leaders craving a more focused, less frantic culture for their teams.
• Anyone ready to reclaim their calendar and do more by doing less.

Tune in to learn how to batch your time like a baddie—and if you know someone whose workweek could use a serious glow-up, share this episode with them.

Feeling awkward, overthinking your small talk, or wondering if you should’ve just stayed home? Grab our free Networking Without Feeling Weird toolkit. It’s your two-part confidence boost for before and during the event, packed with simple, human strategies that help you walk in clear, grounded, and ready to connect. Download it now and turn “Ugh, networking…” into “That was actually… fun?”

No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)

• Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.

Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!

• Erin’s website

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Dr. Zach Mercurio—researcher, author, and leading voice on meaningful work—to unpack a quiet crisis in today’s workplaces: anti-mattering. If you’ve ever felt invisible at work or noticed your team going through the motions, this episode will give you the language and tools to change that.

Instead of brushing past the small moments, Dr. Mercurio shows how everyday interactions shape whether people feel seen, valued, and significant. With research-backed insights and practical strategies, you’ll learn how to build psychological safety, boost employee engagement, and create a culture where everyone knows they matter.

Inside This Episode:

• What Is Anti-Mattering? Spot the subtle (and sometimes toxic) signals that leave employees feeling invisible.
• The Primal Need to Matter: Why being seen, heard, and valued drives everything from morale to performance.
• Psychological Safety in Practice: How leaders can create environments that invite risk-taking and authentic expression.
• The Power of Micro-Moments: Small, intentional acts that turn disengagement into dedication.
• Skills for Real Connection: The authentic leadership traits that make significance stick.

Who This Episode Is For:

• Leaders and managers who want to foster real connection, not just compliance.
• Teams struggling with disengagement, low morale, or quiet quitting.
• Anyone curious about how to build a workplace culture where people want to show up and contribute.

Tune in to learn how to make mattering a leadership habit. And if you know someone who’s ready to shift their culture from invisible to invaluable, share this episode with them.

Feeling awkward, overthinking your small talk, or wondering if you should’ve just stayed home? Grab our free Networking Without Feeling Weird toolkit. It’s your two-part confidence boost for before and during the event, packed with simple, human strategies that help you walk in clear, grounded, and ready to connect. Download it now and turn “Ugh, networking…” into “That was actually… fun?”

No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)

• Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.

Connect with Dr. Zach Mercurio

• Zach’s LinkedIn

Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!

• Erin’s website

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin shares her five-step play process that flips networking from “ugh” to actually fun. If the thought of walking into a room full of strangers makes you want to hide by the snack table, this is your permission slip to try networking a whole new way.

Instead of dreading it, Erin shows you how to treat networking like an improv game: playful, curiosity-driven, and connection-first. With tips that blend practical strategy and improv magic, you’ll learn to leave a lasting impression without feeling salesy, stiff, or stuck in small talk.

Inside This Episode:

• Reframe the Room: Collect stories, not just business cards, by shifting from anxiety to curiosity
• Play the Yes And Game: Use improv’s golden rule to keep conversations engaging and flowing
• The Silly Name Game: A memory hack to help you remember names and make people feel seen
• Become the Compliment Fairy: Spark joy and build trust with genuine compliments
• Set a Fun Networking Goal: Turn events into a scavenger hunt for laughter, stories, and shared interests

Who This Episode Is For:

• The professional who feels awkward or drained at networking events
• The leader who wants to connect with authenticity, not pretense
• The team player who loves building relationships but hates small talk
• Anyone ready to turn networking into something fun, human, and actually energizing

Tune in to learn how to network with curiosity, creativity, and confidence—and if you know someone who dreads networking, send this their way. Let’s make connection playful again.

Feeling awkward, overthinking your small talk, or wondering if you should’ve just stayed home? Grab our free Networking Without Feeling Weird toolkit. It’s your two-part confidence boost for before and during the event, packed with simple, human strategies that help you walk in clear, grounded, and ready to connect. Download it now and turn “Ugh, networking…” into “That was actually… fun?”

No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)

• Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.

Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!

• Erin’s website

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.