Pull Up a Chair

Everyone recognizes blatant workplace harassment, but how do you actually manage the everyday, confusing grey area where harmless intent collides with uncomfortable impact? In Part 2 of this deep dive on Pull Up a Chair , hosts Brandee Blocker Anderson and Haleh Rabizadeh Resnick shift from theoretical legal debates into practical, real-world action. Packed with candid personal stories and executi...

We all know the blatant violations that cross the line into sexual harassment at work. But what happens in the massive, murky grey area in between? What do you do with the compliment on your appearance that makes you hesitate, the after-hours text that feels a little too familiar, or the one-on-one dinner invite you are terrified to decline? Is it just harmless workplace bonding, an awkward genera...

You’ve landed a dream opportunity: a company loves your work, invites you to present at a major industry conference, and promises game-changing exposure—all they need is a week of your time for free. But the moment you ask, "Whose name goes on the final work?" , the enthusiasm abruptly cools. When does working for free open a real door, and when is it just an employer helping themselves to your un...

Episode Title To Sue or Not to Sue Your Employer: The Practical Playbook (Part 2 – The Conclusion) Episode Description You’ve been wronged at work, HR isn’t helping, and you're caught between walking away quietly, staying put, or hiring a lawyer. But before you file a complaint or escalate a dispute, you have to ask yourself: What does winning actually look like to you? In Part 2 of this deep dive...

Picture giving a job everything: late nights, unacknowledged projects, and smoothing down parts of yourself to fit into company culture—only to end up passed over, written up, or pushed out unfairly. When an employer wrongs you, do you keep your head down and document, walk away quietly to protect your peace, or sue? In Part 1 of this two-part series of Pull Up a Chair , hosts Brandee Blocker Ande...

Where does a legitimate, fair dress code end and identity policing begin? In Part 2 of this special series on Pull Up a Chair , hosts Brandee Blocker Anderson and Haleh Rabizadeh Resnick deliver the conclusion to the workplace dress code debate. Moving from theory to action, they lay down a practical, ethical blueprint for both business leaders writing the rules and employees navigating them. Insi...

Picture your first day on the job: you walk in sharp and prepared, but before you even speak, a manager pulls you aside because your hair, shoes, or hemline don't fit "the look." When a company dictates how you show up, is it setting a reasonable standard or telling you who you have to be to belong? In Part 1 of this two-part series of Pull Up a Chair , hosts Brandee Blocker Anderson and Haleh Rab...

Ever felt like your office is caught in a permanent generational tug-of-war? Whether you are a fresh-faced grad wondering why your legacy boss won't upgrade the software, or a seasoned pro wondering why the new hire needs a "mental health day" to recover from an email—this episode is for you. In this episode of Pull Up a Chair , hosts Brandee Blocker Anderson and Haleh Rabizadeh Resnick take their...

Ever looked at a coworker’s resume and thought, "Did we even work at the same place?" Or maybe you’ve been tempted to let AI give your own job history a slightly... extravagant upgrade. You aren't alone. In this episode of Pull Up a Chair , Brandee Blocker Anderson and Haleh Rabizadeh Resnick (the Chatting Legalistas ) dive headfirst into the hyper-competitive world of job hunting to debate a mass...

Have you ever worked with that person? The colleague who always seems to dodge basic tasks, maximizes every mental health day, complains about the workload, yet somehow effortlessly cruises straight into a promotion? In this episode of Pull Up a Chair , hosts Haleh Rabizadeh Resnick and Brandee Blocker Anderson dive deep into the messy intersection of ethics, law, and everyday office dynamics to t...

In this episode of Pull Up a Chair, co-hosts Brandee Blocker Anderson and Haleh Rabizadeh Resnick dive into the complex world of side hustles, debating whether starting a business on the side is a brilliant path toward financial freedom or a fast track to burnout. Using the classic IRAC legal framework, they examine the critical tension between employee autonomy and employer expectations. Brandee...

In this week's episode of Pull Up a Chair , hosts Brandee Blocker Anderson and Haleh Rabizadeh Resnick break down the increasingly blurry lines between ethics, law, and real-life choices. Today, they tackle a high-stakes question for modern working professionals: Should you post on social media? Using the classic legal framework IRAC (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion), Brandee and Haleh weigh the...

In this episode of Pull Up a Chair , hosts Brandee Blocker Anderson and Haleh Rabizadeh use the classic legal analytical framework, IRAC (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion), to dissect a complex and frequently debated workplace topic: Do you prefer working for a male or female boss? The episode begins with on-the-street interviews highlighting a range of perspectives, from a worker who prefers the...

You’re exhausted, but your coworker just posted another beach selfie while their Slack status shows a palm tree emoji—for the third time this quarter. Does that make them a "living their best life" legend or a professional liability? In this episode of Pull Up a Chair , Haleh Rabizadeh Resnick and Brandee Anderson face off over the ethics of the modern vacation. The hosts dive deep into the messy...

Have you ever sat through a meeting where someone said something "off," but you chose to stay quiet to keep the peace? In this episode of Pull Up a Chair , legal experts and educators Brandee Anderson and Haleh Rabizadeh Resnick dismantle the idea of the "neutral bystander." Using the IRAC analytical method, they dive into why staying silent is actually taking a stance—and how it might be eroding...

We’ve all heard the rule: work hard, perform well, and you’ll be rewarded. But in today’s workplace, is that actually true? In this episode, we break down one of the biggest career myths: that performance alone drives success. Because in reality, promotions don’t just come from results—they come from relationships, trust, and visibility. The unwritten rule? People don’t promote spreadsheets—they p...

Is gossip in the workplace really unprofessional—or is it just misunderstood? In this episode, we unpack the double standard behind workplace gossip and how the same behavior is labeled very differently depending on who’s doing it. Picture this: You’re in a meeting. Afterward, a group of women debrief a colleague’s performance—it’s called gossip . A group of men do the exact same thing—it’s called...

In this episode of Pull Up a Chair , the chatting legalistas dive into the complex office politics of asking questions in meetings . Using the IRAC analytical framework (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion), they explore the unspoken rules and power dynamics that often dictate when curiosity is welcomed and when it is perceived as a challenge to leadership. The hosts break down: The "Rule" of Public...

Is pretty privilege real — and does it impact career success? In this episode, we analyze appearance bias in the workplace using our IRAC framework. Does attractiveness create access and opportunity? Or does substance ultimately matter more than looks? We explore beauty bias, professional image, hiring advantage, and whether you need a “uniform” to enter certain spaces. Does beauty open doors, jus...

Do you really need a dream job to have a meaningful life? In this episode, we unpack the myth of “do what you love” and the backlash of “nobody wants to work anymore.” We explore burnout, work-life balance, identity-driven careers, ethical capitalism, and whether modern professionals are lazy — or simply done romanticizing labor. Is work supposed to fulfill you? Or just sustain you?

When you see something wrong at work — do you say something? In this episode, we unpack workplace ethics, office gossip, time theft, toxic culture, and whistleblowing. From small rule-breaking to serious misconduct, we explore when silence protects you — and when it makes you complicit. Is speaking up noble… or career suicide?

Should you look for love at work? In this episode, we break down office romance using our IRAC framework. We explore workplace dating, power dynamics, consent, HR risk, breakups, and whether romance at work is harmless chemistry — or a professional landmine. Is dating a coworker convenient and natural? Or a career mistake waiting to happen?

You got the promotion — so why does imposter syndrome get louder? In this episode, we break down “fake it till you make it” and whether projecting confidence at work builds leadership — or fuels burnout. We explore workplace confidence, career growth, women in leadership, overcompensating, mentorship, and when to stretch vs. when to skill-build. Is it fraud? Or rehearsal for who you’re becoming?

Description for AIIn this episode, we break down artificial intelligence in the workplace using our IRAC framework. Is AI a productivity multiplier and democratizing force — or a threat to creativity, critical thinking, and original thought? Is the future bright… or quietly outsourcing our minds?

Does choosing “who you know” over “who’s most qualified” undermine fairness at work? In this episode, we debate nepotism, meritocracy, leadership ethics, and workplace favoritism. Is trust a legitimate leadership factor — or does prioritizing proximity damage morale, performance, and DEI? We explore relationship capital, bias, institutional integrity, and when choosing a friend becomes unethical....