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Ever felt like your hard work wasn’t enough?

That’s because the biggest career breaks don’t always come from effort alone—they come from the people who open doors for you.

In this episode of Your Work Friends, we sit down with, Carnegie Mellon Professor,  organizational psychologist and author Rosalind Chow to unpack the power of sponsorship. Not mentorship (that’s important too), but sponsorship—the behind-the-scenes advocacy that shapes reputations, gets your name in the room, and changes who gets ahead.

We talk about:

• The simple one-liner that explains mentorship vs. sponsorship
• Why Rosalyn calls sharing someone else’s win good gossip
• The four ways sponsorship actually works—create, confirm, prevent, and protect
• How women and people of color are often “sponsored differently”
• Practical moves anyone can make this week to sponsor someone else

If you want to understand how influence really works at work—and how to use it to build fairer, smarter teams—this conversation is a must-listen.

Connect with Rosalind: 

• Her website 
• Her LinkedIn
• Her book, "The Doors You Can Open: A New Way to Network, Build Trust, and Use Your Influence to Create a More Inclusive Workplace"

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

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New Week, New Headlines: your fast-track through the now + next of work.

This week we’re covering three stories shaping how you work, earn, and lead:

• 42,000 US manufacturing jobs lost. Since April, durable goods have shed tens of thousands of jobs—what tariffs, automation, and uncertainty really mean for the economy.
• 72-hour work weeks exploding. Silicon Valley is doubling down on extreme hours while Europe, New Zeland (even NVIDIA) tests the 4-day week. What each bet reveals about strategy and speed vs. resilience.
• Immigration raids threatening America’s skill base. Crackdowns at Hyundai’s EV plant show how politics collide with workforce realities—and why US innovation depends on global expertise.

👉 If you want to stay ahead of the forces reshaping work—from jobs to hours to immigration—this one’s for you.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

Thanks for listening!

Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!

• On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.
• The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn
• Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

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New Week, New Headlines: Burnout turns deadly at Microsoft, the U.S. job market flatlines, “job huggers” cling to stability, and Salesforce cuts while Google opens 20,000 apprenticeships. What it all means for how you work, earn, and lead.

This week we’re covering four stories shaping how you work, earn, and lead:

• Dying at Work. A Microsoft employee died on campus at 35. What it reveals about the way we normalize overwork, and the guardrails leaders should be setting now.
• The job market flatlines. August added only 22,000 jobs. Why Wall Street cheered, what it means if you’re working or searching, and how to protect yourself in a cooling market.
• From hopping to hugging. Quitting is at its lowest since 2018. Why employees are clinging to stability, why leaders shouldn’t confuse it with loyalty, and what to do instead.
• AI cuts vs. access wins. Salesforce shed 4,000 jobs while Google announced 20,000 paid apprenticeships with no degree required. What that says about the real future of work.

👉 If you want to stay ahead of the forces reshaping work—from burnout to layoffs to new pathways in—you’ll want this week’s headlines in your feed.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

Thanks for listening!

Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!

• On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.
• The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn
• Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

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New Week, New Headlines: your fast-track through the now + next of work.

This week we’re covering four stories shaping how you work, earn, and lead:

• Your rights at work just changed. From overtime pay to union protections, the federal floor is gone—and what that means depends on where you live and who you work for.
• Women are missing from IPOs. 88% of companies going public this summer had one or no women on their boards, and 93% had one or none in the C-suite. What that signals for equity and wealth building.
• Canva just made overnight millionaires. The design platform’s employee share sale proves there’s another way to spread the wealth—and why every employee should pay attention to equity.
• WTF, OpenAI. Big bonuses, but only for some. What they could have done differently, and why it matters in an AI talent war.

👉 If you want to stay ahead of the forces reshaping work—from politics to IPOs to AI—this one’s for you.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

Thanks for listening!

Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!

• On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.
• The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn
• Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

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The future of HR isn’t just about people, it’s about how business, technology, and strategy come together.

In this episode of Your Work Friends, we sit down with JP Elliott, host of The Future of HR Podcast and creator of the Next Gen HR Accelerator, to talk about how HR is evolving inside the world’s biggest companies. JP has partnered with leaders at Amazon, American Express, Verizon, and more, and he brings a clear perspective on what it takes to build HR functions that win.

We cover:

• Why the best HR leaders think like business leaders first
• The rise of AI in HR—and why bolting it on isn’t enough
• The case for splitting HR into compliance vs. business enablement
• How companies like Moderna and ServiceNow are building AI-first HR functions
• The biggest mistake organizations make when it comes to HR strategy and execution
• The advice every CHRO stepping into the role needs right now

If you’re serious about the future of work, HR transformation, or building HR as a true business driver, this episode will push your thinking forward.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

Thanks for listening!

Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!

• On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.
• The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn
• Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

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Oxford professor Karthik Ramanna joins us to unpack how to lead with humility and temperance in the age of outrage—so you can build trust, lower the temperature, and keep your team thriving in polarized times.

Outrage is everywhere—at work, online, even in our group chats. So how do you lead when everyone’s on edge? In this episode, we sit down with Oxford professor and Age of Outrage author Karthik Ramanna to talk about the leadership trait almost no one is talking about (but everyone needs): temperance.

We get into:

• Why outrage is spiking in workplaces and beyond
• How trust is built (and destroyed) in polarized times
• The underrated power of humility in leadership
• When to speak up vs. when to step back
• Why small promises + big delivery beats bold hype every time

Whether you’re running a Fortune 500 or a team of five, this conversation will give you the tools to keep your cool, earn trust, and lead well—without losing yourself in the noise.

About Karthik Ramanna
About The Age of Outrage 

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

Thanks for listening!

Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!

• On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.
• The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn
• Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

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This week, we’re breaking down three headlines that could reshape the American workplace:

1. 📉 The job market cool-down continues, with new JOLTS data showing longer unemployment durations and more people dropping out of the job hunt altogether.
2. ⚖️ The Modern Worker Employment Act could redefine what it means to be an “employee”—and put traditional full-time roles at risk.
3. ✝️ A new Trump-era memo gives federal workers the green light to evangelize at work. Is this the start of a new wave of religious expression in corporate spaces?

From layoffs to labor laws to religion in the breakroom—we’ve got thoughts. If you care about where work is headed, this one's for you.

#JobMarket2025 #Layoffs #ModernWorkerAct #GigEconomy #WorkplaceReligion #EmploymentLaw #FutureOfWork #HRNews #LaborMarket #YourWorkFriends #WorkplaceTrends

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

Thanks for listening!

Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!

• On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.
• The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn
• Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

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Is your brain still working even when you're not? You're not alone—and it's probably costing you more than you think.

In this episode of Your Work Friends, we sit down with Dr. Malissa Clark—organizational psychologist and author of Never Not Working—to unpack how hustle culture, job insecurity, and digital overload are making it harder than ever to truly disconnect.

We talk through the 4 types of workaholism, the science behind why your body never gets to rest, and what recovery can actually look like (especially if mindfulness makes you want to scream). Whether you’re leading a team or just trying to survive the triple-peak workday, this is your permission slip to stop running on fumes.

🔍 What we cover:

• How to know if you’re a workaholic (even if you love your job)
• Why overwork often looks like ambition
• The physiological toll of being “always on”
• Why managers—not Slack—are the real culture shapers
• Recovery strategies that go beyond deep breathing

🎧 Featuring: Dr. Malissa Clark, Director of the Healthy Work Lab and Associate Professor at the University of Georgia

Connect with Malissa here

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

Thanks for listening!

Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!

• On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.
• The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn
• Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

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What if we stopped designing jobs like checklists—and started designing them like products employees want to buy?

In this episode of Your Work Friends, we talk with Dart Lindsley, CEO and co-founder of 11 Fold, the creator of Multi-Sided Management and he's the host of the Work for Humans podcast, Dart breaks down why it’s time to stop treating employees like “inputs” and start treating them like customers—with all the same thoughtfulness, strategy, and design we use in product development.

We explore:

• Why the “job description” is the most broken tool in HR
• How to redesign work so it actually meets people’s needs
• What leaders get wrong about performance and retention
• How managers can become designers—and what that looks like in practice

If you're a manager, HR leader, or ambitious professional who wants to shape the future of work—not just survive it—this episode is a must-listen.

🔗 Connect with Dart Lindsley: 11fold.com and the Work For Humans Podcast
💬 Join our community: yourworkfriends.com

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

Thanks for listening!

Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!

• On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.
• The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn
• Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]

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This week on Your Work Friends, we’re diving into two hot topics shaking up the future of work. 

 1️⃣ The surprising new jobs AI is creating and why your taste and creativity might be the most valuable skills you bring to the table.

First, we explore 22 new jobs AI is expected to create — and why your taste (yes, your vibe, your style, your point of view) could become your biggest career asset in an AI-driven world. We’re talking about AI auditors, world designers, and why creativity is about to pay off big.

2️⃣Why some companies are getting rid of HR altogether — and whether that’s a smart move or a big mistake.

Then, should HR go away? We break down why some CEOs are scrapping HR entirely, what that really means, and why splitting HR into two teams (compliance vs. people) might actually save your workplace.

We cover:
✔️ What happens when companies ditch HR
✔️ The growing split between compliance and people strategy
✔️ How AI is transforming job markets
✔️ New roles like AI auditors, world builders, and taste makers
✔️ How to future-proof your career in an AI-driven workplace

If you’re a corporate leader, manager, or just trying to stay ahead in your career, this one’s for you.

Should HR evolve or die? And are you ready for the new AI-powered workplace?

We jammed about: 

AI Might Take Your Job. Here are 22 New Ones it Could Give You. 

Bolt has eliminated HR

#FutureOfWork #HumanResources #WorkplaceTrends #AIJobs #CareerGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #PeopleStrategy #CorporateLife #EmployeeExperience #WorkplaceCulture

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

Thanks for listening!

Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!

• On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.
• The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn
• Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to [email protected]