Not A Lonely Coffee Break

“We need to talk.” 🚩 Okay…but about WHAT?! This week on Not a Lonely Coffee Break , Maddie and Meaghan are diving into workplace icks, corporate speak, and all those unwritten rules nobody actually included in the employee handbook. What’s the difference between a boundary, an expectation, and something that just annoys the hell out of you? We’re talking context-free Teams messages, unnecessary m...

We’re pretty good at talking about how to set boundaries—but are we just as good at respecting other people’s boundaries without trying to manage them? This week, Maddie and Meaghan revisit one of their favorite workplace topics from a different angle: what happens when caring about a coworker turns into assuming what they can handle, protecting them from stress they never asked us to protect them...

☕ HR Is Not Your Friend… So Now What? We’ve talked about HR plenty of times on Not a Lonely Coffee Break—but this time, we brought in someone who actually works in HR to give us the tea. Maddie and Meaghan sit down with Bre of Witnessing Bre, a wellness educator and HR professional, for an honest conversation about what employees should actually know when navigating the workplace. We’re talking a...

Money is stressful. Benefits are confusing. And somehow we're all just expected to know what we're doing? ☕💸 This week, Maddie and Meaghan are joined by financial advisor — and fellow Coffee Breaker — Dan Klonowski to talk about making financial wellness feel a little less overwhelming. We're getting into budgeting, debt, retirement, employer matches, benefits packages, financial goa...

When you're job searching, it's easy to focus on one number: your salary. But what about everything else that comes with a job? In this episode of Not A Lonely Coffee Break , Maddie and Meaghan have an honest conversation about financial stress, employee benefits, and the parts of adulthood no one really teaches you. From confusing health insurance plans and retirement matching to PTO, leg...

Starting a new job is exciting... until you're trying to figure out where to eat lunch, who remembers your name, and whether asking a question will make you look clueless. ☕💼In this episode of Not A Lonely Coffee Break, we're putting together the unofficial New Job Starter Kit—everything we wish someone had told us before day one. We kick things off by unpacking a recent Meta controversy...

This week on Not a Lonely Coffee Break, Maddie and Meaghan are entering their new job era. After months of job searching, interviews, and uncertainty, our hosts are finally sharing some exciting life updates. But starting over also has us reflecting on what today's hiring process looks like—and it's changing fast. We dive into the growing role of AI in hiring, including the groundbreaking...

In this episode of Not a Lonely Coffee Break, Maddie and Meaghan sit down with psychologist Dr. Steffanie Grossman for an honest conversation about body image, self-acceptance, and mental health—especially within LGBTQ+ communities. Together, we explore how social media, societal expectations, diet culture, and internalized beliefs shape the way we see ourselves. Dr. Grossman helps us unpack the d...

Happy Pride Month, Coffee Breakers! 🌈In this Pride-themed episode, Maddie and Meaghan reflect on the queer representation that shaped their lives—from growing up in conservative environments to finally finding community, belonging, and authentic stories that felt like home. Together, they explore how their experiences with LGBTQ+ representation in television, music, and film have evolved over the...

In this episode of Not A Lonely Coffee Break, Maddie and Meaghan wrap up Mental Health Awareness Month with a conversation about workplace wellness, community care, burnout, and navigating life during overwhelming times. From mental health in the workplace to building healthy support systems, they reflect on the importance of slowing down, setting boundaries with technology, finding your people, a...

In this episode of Not a Lonely Coffee Break, Maddie and Meaghan sit down with Megan Valdez and Tarrah Lantz from Hope's Door New Beginnings Center for an honest and important conversation about domestic violence, survivor support, and the misconceptions that often keep people from understanding the realities survivors face. Together, they unpack some of the biggest myths surrounding domestic...

In this episode, Maddie and Meaghan kick off Mental Health Awareness Month with a big announcement: a special tattoo flash collaboration with True Self Ink in Plano, Texas, benefiting Hope’s Door New Beginning Center. They sit down with Byanka and Carly from True Self Ink to talk about tattooing as a form of healing, identity, self-expression, and body autonomy. Together, they explore what it mean...

Join our hosts as they sit down with Amanda Esquivel, founder and lead counselor at Room For Change and Clinical Director at Camp Haven to reimagine how we think about mental health and therapy and the role that mental health plays in navigating workplace stress, trauma, and living our true selves. We also dive into misconceptions about affirming therapy and how vital it is in supporting queer you...

Join Maddie and Meaghan for a conversation about workplace red flags, the things people often notice but do not always know how to name. Through personal experiences, stories from different industries, and candid discussions, they explore how workplace culture, communication, expectations, and boundaries can shape how supported or stressed people feel in their jobs. The episode balances humor with...

In this episode of Not a Lonely Coffee Break, hosts Maddie and Meaghan sit down with the founder of Parents of Trans Youth, Mandy Giles, to talk about what it means to parent, support, and advocate for transgender and gender-diverse children in today’s social and political climate. Through both personal experience and advocacy work, the conversation explores how families navigate questions, fear,...

In this episode of the Not a Lonely Coffee Break podcast, hosts Maddie and Meaghan discuss a variety of topics ranging from personal updates about skunks invading Maddie's home to the challenges of job searching and teaching in today's educational climate. They delve into the complexities of citing social media in academic work, share a listener's email about navigating a toxic work en...

In today’s digital hiring world, applying for jobs can feel less like an opportunity and more like shouting into the void. On this episode, we unpack the emotional rollercoaster of job searching. The hosts talk candidly about how job searching has changed over time. What used to be a more human, relationship-based process has evolved into a system often mediated by online platforms, automated filt...

In this episode, hosts Maddie and Meaghan discuss the implications of corporate responsibility in social issues. The conversation delves into the challenges companies face in navigating public statements, the impact of social media, and the importance of authenticity in corporate activism. The conversation emphasizes the need for businesses to engage with their employees and communities to foster...

We are BACK and ready to talk coffee and work... but make it queer! In this season premiere of "Not a Lonely Coffee Break," Maddie and Meaghan kick off Season 2 with a lively discussion about their holiday experiences and the challenges of job searching in the current economic climate. They reflect on their time off, share personal anecdotes, and introduce a fun twist for the new year: a...

Join Maddie and Meaghan for the season finale of Not a Lonely Coffee Break! ☕✨In this reflective and heartwarming episode, the hosts look back on the moments that shaped the season — from candid conversations about holidays and PTO to personal stories that highlight the power of connection. They also dive into cultural representation in the media and revisit some of their most memorable discussi...

In this episode of Not a Lonely Coffee Break, hosts Maddie and Meaghan reflect on the past year, discuss the importance of creating inclusive spaces in the workplace, and emphasize the role of individuals in fostering inclusivity. They explore the concepts of self-awareness, allyship, and the difference between equality and equity, while encouraging listeners to take actionable steps towards creat...

In this conversation, Meaghan and Maddie explore the psychological aspects of belonging and self-identification, particularly in relation to personality tests and how workplaces should be using them appropriately, not just as a one-and-done. They discuss how these tests can provide individuals, workplaces, and teammates with a sense of being seen and understood, fulfilling a fundamental human need...

** Listeners of this episode can receive 15% off of any listed service from Lotus and The Snake when they use the code: NALP15 or NALCB15 In this special extended episode, Maddie and Meaghan dive into the mystical, spooky, and insightful intrigue of energy work. Logan Smith (Shane), founder of Lotus and the Snake, joins us for the first time to share insights into tarot reading, its purpose, and t...

In this exciting new episode, hosts Maddie and Meaghan welcome Shannon Walker, a passionate advocate for the trans community. Shannon shared with us her journey, the challenges faced by trans individuals, and the importance of community support. We also made sure to highlight the work of the NuTrans Movement, which aims to provide resources and advocacy for marginalized trans people. Shannon share...

Grab your coffee and check out the brand new episode, as hosts Maddie and Meaghan discuss various themes surrounding the workplace, including updates on Baylor's School of Social Work, the upcoming Pride Kel-So event, and the importance of being kind to yourself. The conversation explores the concepts of imposter syndrome and perfectionism, and Maddie and Meaghan even share their own experienc...