Work Should Feel Good with Diana Alt

What happens when your career is driven by purpose instead of titles? In this episode, Diana sits down with workplace experience and food systems leader Lucy Norris to explore the importance of knowing the deeper "why" behind your career choices. From building healthier workplaces to navigating a long job search with intention, Lucy shares practical wisdom on creating meaningful work without letti...

Employee benefits are often treated as paperwork and perks, but what if they could become one of the most powerful tools for improving employee retention and helping people build the lives they actually want?   In this episode, Diana sits down with Larry Salazar to discuss why employers need to think beyond traditional benefits and invest in the whole person—not just the employee. From financial w...

What if creativity isn't something you have, it's something you practice? In this conversation, Diana Alt sits down with artist, speaker, and creative mentor Mike Brennan to explore how a simple daily creative habit transformed his life after burnout and depression. Together, they unpack why creativity matters far beyond the arts and how consistent creative practice can fuel innovation, resilience...

Burnout isn't a personal failure, it's a systems problem. In this episode, Diana sits down with Cass Cooper to unpack how high performance often masks exhaustion, why "fixing yourself" won't solve burnout, and what actually needs to change at work. Why burnout is a systems issue, not an individual weakness How high performers unknowingly mask exhaustion The role of meeting culture and notification...

What happens when a historian becomes an AI consultant? In this episode, Diana Alt sits down with Rob Voss to explore the real-world impact of AI on work, education, business, and how we think. Rather than focusing on futuristic hype, Rob shares practical insights on how AI is already changing the way people learn, make decisions, and solve problems. Whether you're AI-curious, leading a team, or w...

Why do so many successful people still feel stuck, anxious, disconnected, or unfulfilled? In this episode, Diana Alt sits down with brain health expert and licensed therapist Dr. Ketam Hamdan to explore the hidden patterns driving our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Drawing on her background in consulting, psychology, neuroscience, and brain mapping, Dr. Hamdan explains why understanding your "...

What happens when you stop trying to do everything yourself? In this episode, Diana sits down with Louise Sandoval, founder of Virtual Staff Pro, to talk about outsourcing, delegation, and building a support system that helps entrepreneurs grow sustainably. Louise shares how she went from medical laboratory science to running a global outsourcing agency and explains what business owners get wrong...

What actually separates high performers from the people who get promoted into leadership? In this episode, Diana Alt sits down with workforce strategist and founder Grace McCarrick to unpack the real-world value of soft skills, discernment, communication, and professional polish in today's workplace. Why soft skills matter more in the AI era The real meaning of discernment at work How leaders eval...

AI is changing hiring fast, but not always in the ways people think. In this conversation, Diana Alt sits down with recruiter and content creator Bonnie Dilber to unpack what's really happening behind the scenes in modern hiring, from AI-powered screening tools to the realities of career pivots in today's market. Transitioning from education into recruiting and tech Why strategic career pivots wor...

Networking doesn't have to mean awkward events or forced small talk. In this episode, Diana sits down with Greg Roche to break down a practical, low-pressure approach to building meaningful professional relationships especially for introverts.   Rethinking what "networking" actually means Why traditional networking advice doesn't work for introverts How Greg built his approach after being laid off...

What happens when you stop waiting for permission and start betting on yourself? Diana sits down with Kenny Booth to explore his unconventional path into tech, entrepreneurship, and landing a role at his dream company. If you've ever hesitated to take a risk, this episode will challenge how you think about failure and opportunity.  Kenny's nontraditional path into tech and business intelligence Tu...

In this milestone 50th episode, Diana reconnects with Angie Callen to explore how confidence is built through action not before it. They unpack the realities of entrepreneurship, creative risk-taking, and how embracing imperfection leads to meaningful growth in both work and life. ⏳ Timestamps 01:00 Meet Angie Callen & her new book 03:00 Confidence through action vs. perfection 07:00 The trap of...

In this episode of Work Should Feel Good, Diana sits down with product leader and consultant Michael Hirsch to explore what real product leadership looks like, especially as AI reshapes how product teams work. They discuss the difference between product management and product leadership, why most companies fail to prepare new leaders, and how AI can free product managers from tactical work so they...

What actually makes workplace change succeed or fail? In this episode, Diana sits down with Lisa Riegel to break down how brain science, leadership behavior, and systems thinking all play a role in creating sustainable change at work.   Why most leadership advice stays too conceptual and how to make it operational The difference between outcomes vs. outputs (and why it matters for burnout) How wor...

Diana sits down with Jennifer Brussow, VP of Data, to explore how AI is reshaping hiring, leadership, and product development. They unpack the real-world implications of generative AI, what it means for job seekers, and how technical leaders are adapting in real time. How AI is changing hiring processes and candidate evaluation Why networking matters more than ever in a high-volume application mar...

This roundtable conversation breaks down what job seekers are getting wrong in today's market and how to approach your search more strategically. Diana Alt, Angie Callen, and Scott Gardner share practical insights on clarity, networking, and what actually works right now. Why "busywork" is sabotaging your job search The role of clarity in targeting the right opportunities Product-market fit and ho...

Diana sits down with Eric Nehrlich to explore how embracing personal agency can help you navigate burnout, rethink career expectations, and create more meaningful impact at work. This episode unpacks the hidden costs of chasing success and how reclaiming choice can transform your career. The concept of personal agency and why it matters in your career How burnout develops—even in high-achievement...

What actually happens behind the scenes in recruiting? In this episode, Diana Alt sits down with Kelli Hrivnak, founder of Knak Digital, to unpack how recruiting really works from sourcing candidates to the business model behind recruiting firms. If you've ever wondered how recruiters evaluate candidates or why the hiring process can feel confusing, this conversation pulls back the curtain. The di...

Bosky Mukherjee shares her journey from corporate executive to founder of SheTrailblazes and explains what truly differentiates high-performing functional leaders from business operators. They discuss commercial fluency, executive presence, sponsorship, burnout, entrepreneurship, and what it means to build a career that works on your terms. If you're aiming for senior leadership or considering bui...

In this reflective solo episode, Diana shares what she's learned after one full year of podcasting. She walks through the practical decisions, systems, and guest strategy behind the show but more importantly, the internal shifts that came from committing to something imperfect and staying consistent. If you've ever wondered what a year of sustained effort could do for your confidence, credibility,...

Getting laid off can feel like the rug has been pulled out from under you, but what if the real work begins after the shock fades? In this episode, Diana sits down with Steve Jaffe, author of The Layoff Journey, to talk about the often-overlooked emotional side of job loss. From surviving four layoffs to helping others process theirs, Steve shares what professionals get wrong about "bouncing back"...

You're doing great work… So why hasn't that promotion happened yet? Diana breaks down the five real reasons promotions get delayed and why your output alone won't get you to the next level. This solo episode dives deep into what really drives advancement inside companies, from internal politics to system constraints to strategic visibility. Whether you're early career or gunning for the C-suite, t...

What's more valuable at work, being good at your job, or looking like you are? Diana reconnects with longtime friend and guest Sarah Gallagher, President of The Persimmon Group and creator of the popular LinkedIn newsletter Big Dumb Questions. They dive into a lively, honest conversation about why confidence often outpaces competence in career advancement and why that might not be a bad thing. The...

Fake recruiters. Phony resume "fixes." Learn how to protect yourself from a rising scam that's catching even the smartest job seekers off guard. Scams targeting job seekers are getting more sophisticated and more personal. In this solo episode, Diana Alt exposes the latest trend in fake recruiter scams designed to exploit your job search anxiety. From LinkedIn messages to fake ATS feedback, she wa...

Burned out or misaligned at work? Here's how a break could change everything. What if taking a break from your career wasn't a setback, but a strategic step forward? In this episode, Katrina McGhee, career break coach and author of Taking a Career Break for Dummies, joins Diana to explore how to plan, fund, and return from a career break with clarity and confidence. From burnout to intentional rei...