In today’s Workday Playdate Snack, we’re serving up some truth for anyone who’s ever screamed into their steering wheel after a one-on-one like, “How does Brad STILL make more than me?”

If you’ve ever been underpaid, undervalued, or under-celebrated—this snack is for you.

The Problem: Here’s the tea: Women are doing the absolute most. More emotional labor. More coordinating. More everything.

And yet—less recognition, less pay, and fewer opportunities.

We’ve been fed a narrative that if we just negotiate better or manifest harder, things will change. But let’s be honest: the system wasn’t built for us. So, we end up overachieving and under-receiving—and wondering why we’re so exhausted.

Here’s a stat to file under “rage fuel”: Women still earn 82 cents to every dollar a man makes. And for women of color? The gap only grows.

If you’ve ever thought, “Why does this feel so hard?”—you’re not imagining it. You’re experiencing a system designed to burn you out and keep you quiet.

But here’s the good news: We may not have built the system—but we sure as hell can break it. And rebuild it in our image.

The Improv Hack to Try: The Reverse Résumé Game

Here’s how it works: Partner up with a trusted friend, or just hit record solo. Pretend you’re your own agent. You’ve got 60 seconds to pitch yourself for a dream gig. The twist? You can’t mention anything from your actual résumé. No titles. No companies. Just the real you.

 Think:

• The time you calmed a furious client with zero drama.
• How you led a team through layoffs with compassion.
• That week you juggled three deadlines while your kid had the flu—and still delivered.

Those stories? They’re your power. This improv hack rewires your brain from “Do I deserve this?” to “Damn right I do—and here’s why.”

Coming up Wednesday: Feeling fired up? Then don’t miss Wednesday’s full episode—Episode 293: Pay Up with Reshma Saujani (yes, the founder of Girls Who Code + CEO of Moms First).

If you're tired of overworking and under-earning, this episode is your invitation to burn the old rules and build new ones.

Ready to take one small step toward showing up with more clarity and confidence? Download our newest freebie—The Confident Leader’s Toolkit—a 4-step guide to crafting a professional persona that actually feels like you. This plug-and-play resource helps you define how you want to be seen, align your presence with your purpose, and lead with authenticity (not performance).

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

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In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin flips the script on traditional leadership by spotlighting the power of the quiet ones. Through a playful and practical lens, she explores how introverted teammates can be supported, celebrated, and set up to thrive—not just survive—in today’s fast-paced work environments.

Erin shares five improv-inspired leadership strategies that help draw out the brilliance of quieter team members without forcing them to be louder. From private validation to the power of the pause, she breaks down actionable ways to lead with intention, empathy, and inclusivity.

This episode is a love letter to the introverted leaders, the behind-the-scenes rockstars, and anyone who’s ever felt overlooked in a brainstorm. Because leadership isn’t about who talks the most—it’s about who listens well and creates space for others to rise.

Inside This Episode:

• Why introverted leaders are often underestimated—and how to change that
• Five improv leadership tips that uplift quieter teammates
• The value of validating ideas in private vs. public praise
• How to structure meetings with pause points that promote deeper thinking
• Using smaller, more intimate settings to encourage input
• Matching roles to individual strengths, not just personalities
• Why vulnerability starts with you—and how it impacts team safety
• Creating cultures where quiet voices feel heard, not hidden

Who This Episode Is For:

If you're a leader who wants to make space for every voice at the table—or if you are the quiet voice that’s ready to be heard—this episode is for you. Whether you’re managing a team, facilitating a workshop, or just trying to survive your fifth meeting of the day, Erin offers strategies to help you lead with more compassion, clarity, and confidence. Especially if you're an introvert (or love one), this one’s not to be missed.

Take a break from your emails, slam your laptop shut for 30ish minutes, and come have a Workday Playdate with us.

Ready to take one small step toward showing up with more clarity and confidence? Download our newest freebie—The Confident Leader’s Toolkit—a 4-step guide to crafting a professional persona that actually feels like you. This plug-and-play resource helps you define how you want to be seen, align your presence with your purpose, and lead with authenticity (not performance).

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.

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In today’s Workday Playdate Snack, we’re sending a leadership love letter to the quiet ones—the deep thinkers, the spreadsheet whisperers, the back-row observers who see everything.

Because if you’ve ever left a meeting thinking, “Why didn’t they speak up?” or “I wish I’d said that…”—this snack’s for you.

The Problem: Okay, picture this: You’re in a team meeting. The extroverts are riffing, the whiteboard is filling up, and you notice someone hasn’t said a word. You know they’ve got gold in their head, but they haven’t chimed in.

Or maybe... that person is you.

Too many workplaces reward the loudest voice in the room. But when we only value volume, we silence vision. And let’s be real—your quiet teammates? They’re not zoned out. They’re tuned in.

The Improv Hack to Try: The Character Swap Hack What can you do to make space for that quiet brilliance? Here’s a leadership tweak I’ve never shared before—and it’s straight from the improv stage.

Before your next meeting, mentally pick a quieter teammate. (No need to tell them—it’s your secret leadership lab.) Then ask:

Now the fun part: Kick off the meeting as if you were them. Use their tone, their cadence, their intentionality.

In improv, we step into other characters to explore new perspectives. And when you do this in leadership? You build empathy, highlight hidden genius, and create meetings that feel less like a race—and more like a rhythm.

Bonus: You might just change your whole team vibe for the better.

Coming Up Wednesday: Loved this Snack? Don’t miss Wednesday’s full episode: Episode 292: 5 Improv Leadership Tips to Bring Out the Best in Your Quiet Teammates. It’s jam-packed with research, real stories, and tools you can use immediately to turn down the noise—and turn up the impact.

Ready to take one small step toward showing up with more clarity and confidence? Download our newest freebie—The Confident Leader’s Toolkit—a 4-step guide to crafting a professional persona that actually feels like you. This plug-and-play resource helps you define how you want to be seen, align your presence with your purpose, and lead with authenticity (not performance). 

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

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In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin welcomes keynote speaker, facilitator, and introverted powerhouse Cristy von to the mic for a conversation that redefines what it means to lead from a place of quiet strength. Together, they dig into the surprising overlap between improv and introversion, showing how safe spaces, self-awareness, and a little bit of “yes, and” can transform leadership from the inside out.

Cristy shares her journey from mistaking herself for an extrovert to fully embracing her introverted identity—and how that shift changed the way she leads, connects, and recharges. This episode is a powerful reminder that leadership doesn’t require being the loudest in the room. Sometimes, it starts with simply knowing your limits and honoring them.

Whether you're leading workshops, giving keynotes, or just trying to survive your next Zoom call, this one’s for anyone who's ever wondered if quiet can still be commanding. (Spoiler alert: it absolutely can.)

Inside This Episode:

• Why Cristy used to think she was an extrovert—and what changed
• How improv became a launchpad for her confidence
• The importance of creating safe, inclusive workshop spaces
• What keynote speaking taught Cristy about energy management
• The link between vulnerability and powerful facilitation
• Why collaboration between introverts and extroverts matters more than ever
• The mindset shift that helped Cristy find joy (and her voice) at work

Who This Episode Is For:

This episode is for the introverts in leadership roles, the workshop facilitators who crave real connection, and the quiet professionals looking to own their power without pretending to be someone they’re not. If you’re a recovering over-functioner who wants to lead with authenticity, boundaries, and a sense of play—pull up a chair.

Take a break from your emails, slam your laptop shut for 30ish minutes, and come have a Workday Playdate with us.

Ready to take one small step toward showing up with more clarity and confidence? Download our newest freebie—The Confident Leader’s Toolkit—a 4-step guide to crafting a professional persona that actually feels like you. This plug-and-play resource helps you define how you want to be seen, align your presence with your purpose, and lead with authenticity (not performance).

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.

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In today’s Workday Playdate Snack, we’re giving the quiet leaders in the room a standing ovation—and a strategy.

Because if you’ve ever felt invisible in loud leadership spaces, this one’s for you.

The Problem: Corporate culture often rewards the boldest brainstormer, the fastest talker, the loudest voice. But what if you’re the deep thinker, the one who shines in 1:1s, and recharges solo? Too often, introverted leaders are overlooked—not because they lack ideas, but because they don’t shout them. That’s not a flaw. That’s a missed opportunity…for everyone else.

The Improv Hack to Try: “The Power Pause” Next time you're in a meeting and have something to say—don’t jump in fast to prove you’re ready. Wait. Take a beat. Let the room settle. Then drop your insight with intention. That pause? It signals thoughtfulness, confidence, and leadership—without you ever raising your voice.

In improv, silence isn’t awkward—it’s powerful. Use it to own your space and lead, your way.

Want More Like This? Don’t miss Wednesday’s episode—Episode 291: “Introvert to Bold Leader: How Small Risks Turn Into Big Wins (Without Burning Out).” You’ll hear from Cristy Von, our Director of Talent at improve it!, as she shares her journey from quietly capable to boldly confident—and how improv helped her lead without changing who she is.

Ready to take one small step toward showing up with more clarity and confidence? Download our newest freebie—The Confident Leader’s Toolkit—a 4-step guide to crafting a professional persona that actually feels like you. This plug-and-play resource helps you define how you want to be seen, align your presence with your purpose, and lead with authenticity (not performance). 

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.

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In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin takes the mic solo to spotlight a crucial topic often overlooked in hustle culture: self-care as a leadership strategy. Drawing from her own experience, she unpacks the often-misunderstood concept of introverted leadership and why rest, boundaries, and joy aren't just nice-to-haves, but non-negotiables for modern leaders.

Erin shares a Top 10 list of creative, practical self-care strategies tailored for professionals who are tired of pretending that inbox zero is the holy grail. This episode is a reminder that thriving doesn’t require over-functioning—and that real productivity begins with personal peace.

Inside This Episode:

• Why introverted leadership is powerful, not passive
• The link between play and productivity
• How sleep is an underrated leadership tool
• Why saying “no” is a radical act of self-preservation
• A refreshing top 10 list of self-care strategies you actually want to try

Who This Episode Is For: This episode is for the quietly powerful, the recovering overachievers, the leaders who feel stretched thin but want to thrive without burning out. If you’re craving a leadership style rooted in wellness, boundaries, and joy—this one’s for you.

Take a break from your emails, slam your laptop shut for 30ish minutes, and come have a Workday Playdate with us.

If you’re interested in taking one small action right now, you can check out our newest freebie, The Psychological Safety Playbook for Leaders here. Use this plug-and-play guide to building an environment where your team feels safe to share bold ideas, take creative risks, and fully engage in the work that matters most.

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.

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In today’s Workday Playdate Snack, we’re tackling the kind of tired a nap can’t fix.

Because if your soul is sighing—not just your body—this one’s for you.

The Problem: You’re not just exhausted from meetings, deadlines, and life logistics. You’re tired because you’re performing all day and rarely just being. You’re juggling ten roles at once—boss, parent, mentor, inbox warrior—but none of them feel like the full, real you.

That’s not burnout. That’s identity fatigue.

The Improv Hack to Try: “Play the Wrong Character on Purpose” Today, in just one meeting, switch it up: Usually the fixer? Be the one who asks all the questions. Constantly over-prepared? Wing it (just a little). The quiet one? Try on bold, bubbly energy—just for fun.

This isn’t about being fake. It’s about giving your overused identity a break and waking up parts of yourself that miss the spotlight.

Want More Like This? Don’t miss Wednesday’s episode—Ep 290: Leaders Who Want to Thrive (Not Just Survive) NEED These 10 Self-Care Moves. We’re talkin’ naps, wiggling, calendar boundaries, and something called an LSD Day (no, not that LSD—but yes, it’s still life-changing).

If you’re interested in taking one small action right now, you can check out our newest freebie, The Psychological Safety Playbook for Leaders here. Use this plug-and-play guide to building an environment where your team feels safe to share bold ideas, take creative risks, and fully engage in the work that matters most.

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.

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Rha Goddess (Intentional Ambition: Redefining Success in a Post-Pandemic World) is a soul coach, author, cultural innovator, and founder of Move The Crowd.

Rha Goddess returns to Workday Playdate to unpack what it means to lead with clarity, rest, and purpose in a world still recovering from burnout. She and Erin explore how our definitions of success have evolved, why rest is a leadership skill, and how intentional ambition is changing the way we work and live.

Rha and Erin discuss the emotional toll of overwork, the quiet power of introversion, and how small, joyful rituals can help us heal from grief, anxiety, and the hustle-at-all-costs culture. This episode is a call to redefine ambition on your own terms—and to choose joy, even on a Tuesday.

Inside This Episode:

• Why managing your energy matters more than managing your time
• The hidden trauma behind overwork, caregiving, and grief
• What it really means to rest with intention
• How small moments of joy can spark big change
• The power of creativity and play in daily work life

Who This Episode Is For: This episode is for anyone who’s tired of chasing someone else’s definition of success, who’s healing from burnout or loss, or who just needs permission to rest, reset, and realign.

Take a break from your emails, slam your laptop shut for 30ish minutes, and come have a Workday Playdate with us.

Here is the previous episode with Rha that’s mentioned: Episode 219: Crave Purpose in Your Life and Career? Rha Goddess Tells All.

If you’re interested in taking one small action right now, you can check out our newest freebie, The Psychological Safety Playbook for Leaders here. Use this plug-and-play guide to building an environment where your team feels safe to share bold ideas, take creative risks, and fully engage in the work that matters most. 

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.

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In today’s Workday Playdate snack, we’re talking about moving beyond the checklist version of success—and finding work that actually energizes you.

The Problem: You’ve hit the career milestones, but something still feels off. You’re busy, sure—but not fulfilled. That’s not laziness or burnout. It’s misalignment.

The Improv Hack to Try: “The Commercial Break” Take 30 seconds and pitch your dream job like you’re in a commercial. Say what you do, who you help, and why it matters—in your most over-the-top voice.

Then reflect: What felt real? That’s your purpose, hidden in plain sight.

Journal Prompts: 1. What parts of my work feel most meaningful? 2. What’s draining me—and why am I holding onto it? 3. What would my ideal workday look like?

If you’re interested in taking one small action right now, you can check out our newest freebie, The Psychological Safety Playbook for Leaders here. Use this plug-and-play guide to building an environment where your team feels safe to share bold ideas, take creative risks, and fully engage in the work that matters most.

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.

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Dr. Adam Dorsay (Super Psyched: The Power of the 4 Types of Connection) is an author, psychologist, TEDx speaker, and podcast host.

Dr. Adam Dorsay joins Workday Playdate to talk about the four kinds of connection that can radically transform your life, why enthusiasm is a secret superpower, and how adult friendships are often more vital—and more fragile—than we realize.

Adam and Erin discuss the emotional lift of reviving past passions, the surprising benefits of JOMO (joy of missing out), and what improv can teach us about personal growth and taking creative risks.

Inside This Episode:

• The difference between connection and proximity
• How we somaticize emotional struggles
• Why feeling awe might be the key to breaking through loneliness

Who This Episode Is For: This episode is for anyone feeling a bit disconnected—from others, from themselves, or from the creative spark they used to have.

Take a break from your emails, slam your laptop shut for 30ish minutes, and come have a Workday Playdate with us.

If you’re interested in taking one small action right now, you can check out our newest freebie, The Psychological Safety Playbook for Leaders here. Use this plug-and-play guide to building an environment where your team feels safe to share bold ideas, take creative risks, and fully engage in the work that matters most.

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.

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