Your Work Friends | Fresh Insights on the Now and Next of Work

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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.

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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!  

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• On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.
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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.
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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.
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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]

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AI isn't replacing leaders.
But it is revealing what kind of leader you really are.

In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Jacqueline Carter—author, of "More Human"  researcher, and senior partner at  Potential Project—to unpack what it actually means to be a more human leader in the age of AI.

We dive into:
✅ The 3 skills every modern leader needs (and why only 16% are ready)
✅ How AI can amplify—not replace—your awareness, wisdom, and compassion
✅ The surprising ways tech is quietly eroding trust, connection, and decision-making
✅ What leaders can actually do to stay in the driver’s seat
✅ And why people still crave messy, imperfect humans over perfect algorithms

Whether you're in HR or leading a function, this episode is your practical guide to leading with humanity and harnessing technology—before the culture gets away from you.

🔗 Bonus: Jacqueline drops a chilling story about a deepfake scam that almost cost one exec millions. Yes, really.

Tune in if you want to build future-ready leadership that your team actually trusts.

About Jacqueline: 

Jacqueline is a Senior Partner and Director of North America at Potential Project.  She is a leadership development and corporate culture expert who helps global companies create a more human world of work.

Jacqueline is co-author of the most recent book, More Human: How the Power of AI Can Transform the Way You Lead (Harvard Business Review Press, 2025), Compassionate Leadership: How to Do Hard Things in a Human Way (Harvard Business Review, 2022).  She also co-authored The Mind of the Leader: How to Lead Yourself, Your People, and Your Organization for Extraordinary Results (Harvard Business Review, 2018) and One Second Ahead: Enhance Your Performance at Work with Mindfulness(Palgrave Macmillian, 2015).  Jacqueline is known as an inspiring, dynamic and energizing speaker with a focus on highly engaging, creative, and impactful experiences. In addition, she writes for leading publications such as Harvard Business Review, Forbes, American Management Association, Leader to Leader, Fast Company, and Business Insider.  

#FutureOfWork #LeadershipDevelopment #AILeadership #HumanSkills #CorporateCulture #PeopleFirst #HRLeadership #ManagerLife #WorkplaceWellbeing #ConsciousLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadWithCompassion #YourWorkFriends

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 truth about creating workplace culture that actually drives results (not just good vibes)

We sat down with Joan Burke, legendary CHRO and board member and founder of the CPO Forum, who built the iconic "work of your life" culture at DocuSign, Marketo, and Responsys. This conversation reveals exactly how to create cultures where people do their best work - and why it's MORE critical now than ever.

Joan doesn't just talk theory. She gives you the actual playbook for building workplace cultures that survive economic downturns, retain top talent, and drive real business results.

Here's what we're diving into:

 ⏰ 8:15 Why "work of your life" became DocuSign's secret weapon for talent retention 

⏰ 15:30 The business case for investing in people during tough economic times 

⏰ 22:45 How to operationalize culture (it's not just posters on walls) ⏰ 28:20 Why 75% of your development budget should go to managers, not individual contributors 

⏰ 35:10 The pandemic stress test: How great cultures actually get stronger during crisis 

⏰ 48:15 Building your "work of your life" when your company doesn't prioritize culture

🔥 REAL TALK YOU CAN USE TODAY:

• The exact questions to ask in interviews to spot authentic vs. fake culture
• How to build networks and find your tribe when you're stuck in a bad situation
• CEO buy-in tactics that actually work (with specific scripts)

 People-first cultures outperform, especially when times get tough. Here's the playbook to get there.

About Joan Burke: 

Joan is Board Member and Advisor, Former Chief People Officer at DocuSign, Marketo, Responsys who ran business while creating environments where people could do the work of their lives. She  is now lifting up the next generation of CPOs and CHROs as the co-founder of The CPO Forum. 

#WorkplaceCulture #Leadership #HR #TalentRetention #EmployeeEngagement #CHRO #ManagementDevelopment #CompanyCulture #WorkplaceStrategy #PeopleFirst #EmployeeExperience #OrganizationalDevelopment #TalentStrategy #WorkLifeBalance #CareerDevelopment #PodcastInterview #YourWorkFriends

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 uncomfortable truth about your job security that no one's talking about : Employment is dead. 

We sat down with Deborah Perry Piscione, Josh Drean, authors of "Employment is Dead:How Disruptive Technologies Are Revolutionizing the Way We Work," and founders of the Work 3 Institute. This conversation kinda blew our minds. They break down why traditional 9-to-5 employment is literally dying  and how to thrive in what's coming next.

This isn't doom and gloom. It's about seeing the massive opportunity in the biggest work transformation in 150 years.

Here's what we're diving into:

⏰ 5:30 Why the industrial age work model is officially dead

⏰ 12:45 Why AI is moving so fast they give their book 5 months of relevance

⏰ 18:20 How teenage Roblox developers make $65K and ditch traditional jobs

⏰ 25:15 Gig Economy 3.0: DAOs and why Switzerland is living in the future

⏰ 32:40 When money goes away: Village economies and bartering

⏰ 38:50 Building multiple revenue streams and being "incredibly entrepreneurial" NOW

🔥 REAL TALK YOU CAN USE TODAY:

• Why 50% of entry-level jobs will disappear in 1-5 years
• How to build skills alongside AI instead of competing against it
• Making revenue streams work together (the Uber driver cookie example)

Join us as we explore why "wake the hell up" isn't just good advice - it's survival.

About Our Guests: 

Deborah Perry Piscione, Globally recognized innovation thought leader, New York Times bestselling author, and serial entrepreneur who's built six companies and worked on Capitol Hill.

Josh Drean, Co-founder and Director of Employee Experience at Work Three Institute, featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and The Economist for his insights on the future of work.

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]