This Wasn't My Plan

Original Air Date: 9/15/25 Is loyalty in the workplace outdated, or does it still hold weight? Some people say: “Stay loyal, loyalty gets rewarded.” Others argue: “Keep moving if you want growth.” So, which one is right? And more importantly, what does loyalty actually cost you? In this episode of This Wasn’t My Plan, I’m breaking down both the rewards and the risks of loyalty. From credibility an...

Original Air Date: 9/8/25 Have you ever bitten your tongue in a meeting, held back a question, or swallowed an idea because you weren’t sure how it would land. If so, you’ve experienced the opposite of psychological safety. In this episode of This Wasn’t My Plan, we’re unpacking what psychological safety really is and why it’s not just a buzzword that belongs in an HR handbook. It’s the foundation...

Original Air Date: 9/1/25 Have you ever sat there staring at your LinkedIn headline, your bio, or even just a blank page thinking: How do I explain who I am and what I do? If so, you’re not alone. In this episode of This Wasn’t My Plan, I’m pulling back the curtain on my own messy, layered, and (sometimes) cringe-worthy journey of titles and career pivots. From pharmacist to hospital administrator...

Original Air Date: 8/25/25 We all make mistakes at work. But the hardest ones? They don’t cost you a job. They don’t ruin your résumé. They cost you something way more expensive: 1. Time you can’t buy back. 2. Energy you can’t recover.  3. Opportunities that quietly slip through your fingers. In this episode of This Wasn’t My Plan, I’m sharing three career choices I made that I will never… and I m...

Original Air Date: 8/18/25 If you’ve been raising the same concerns, offering real solutions, and waving every red flag.... @ only to be dismissed, micromanaged, or flat-out ignored… here’s what’s really going on. I’m seeing this everywhere right now. High-performers questioning their instincts. Teams losing momentum. Morale sinking. But the real problem isn’t you. It’s a boss who just won’t liste...

Original Air Date: 8/11/25 If your team is missing deadlines, feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or overworked… here’s why: I’m seeing this everywhere right now. Teams are exhausted. Leaders are spinning. And performance? Totally stuck. But the real problem isn’t burnout. It’s vague expectations. In this episode of This Wasn’t My Plan, I’m breaking down the #1 mistake leaders make... and what you ca...

Original Air Date: 8/4/25 You’re about to hear what it really feels like to be married to a trauma surgeon, while building a big, ambitious life of your own. If you’ve ever asked yourself: “How do I keep showing up for everything from kids, work, marriage, without losing myself?” This episode is for you. Ashlee is pulling back the curtain on a part of her life she’s never fully shared. Her husband...

Original Air Date: 7/28/25 Summer is in full swing over here, which means routines are out the window, snacks are being negotiated like contracts, and I’m just doing my best to keep everyone hydrated, fed, and off screens for more than 15 minutes. If you’re juggling camp drop-offs, your inbox, dentist appointments, group texts, and trying to hit your step count while your team pings you for decisi...

Original Air Date: 7/21/25 Feeling stretched, stuck, or scared to say the real thing out loud? You’re not alone—and you’re not broken. In this episode, Ashlee unpacks the silent burnout so many high-achievers face—and shares 5 powerful strategies to help you speak up, even when it’s uncomfortable. You’ll learn how to: - Get honest with yourself (before anyone else) - Use real language that invites...

Original Air Date: 7/14/26 Welcome back to This Wasn’t My Plan — I’m your host, Ashlee Klevens Hayes. And today, we’re talking about a turning point. The moment when the strategies that helped you build a great reputation… stop working. You’ve done the right things. You’ve carried the load. You’ve played the game. But now, you're realizing: those old rules aren’t helping you grow — they’re holding...

Original Air Date: 7/7/2025 Welcome to the very first episode of This Wasn’t My Plan! I’m Ashlee Klevens Hayes — founder of RX Ashlee, speaker, author, pharmacist (kind of), mom, wife… and someone who’s lived through her fair share of “this wasn’t my plan” moments. This podcast was built from the messy, unexpected, unglamorous pivots that happen when life doesn’t go according to plan — and what it...