Workday Playdate

Red light. Green light. Yellow light. Bring back some playground memories? Us too. In today’s episode, Erin gives you the productivity hack that’ll help you use your time in a way that lights you up, boosts your productivity, and prevents burnout. If you feel like you’re constantly drowning in work but not really getting anything done – this episode is for you. ICYMI – Your Post-Episode Homework:...

Think of all of the current roles you’ve had as pieces to a puzzle that is your life. Each piece comprises an experience you’ve had that no one else has, precisely because you completed that role in such a way that no one else could’ve. In her Q&A episodes, Erin answers a question that you’ve been waiting on the edge of your seat for. Today’s answer shows you how to use your professional skill...

Hello? It’s your next failure. I'm calling just in time to tell you something I wish I’d told you sooner: Today may be the day that you make the mistake that will save you. In today’s episode, Erin and improve it! Podcast Manager Rachel Oliveros discuss a call-in failure left by improve it! peep Shelly. If you’re looking for a fresh perspective on why you should make failure a habit, this is the e...

Allowing yourself to be a beginner isn’t just a phrase, it’s a life-altering freedom. Anna Oaks is a change agent focused on restoring humanity into both our work and workplaces. Raised by hippies, she’s always had a natural inclination to leave the world better than we found it. She brought this proclivity from her childhood into over two decades of work in small, mid-sized, and large companies f...

You work with people, but how much of your daily tasks have to do with understanding those people in a way that will change the way you work together? As a change agent focused on restoring humanity into both our work and workplaces, Anna Oakes takes on the question of bringing your attention back to the people, no matter what your job title is. ICYMI – Your Post-Episode Homework: Ask yourself the...

If you’re not taking all of the candy in the candy jar, you’re exactly where you need to be. Anna Oaks is a change agent focused on restoring humanity into both our work and workplaces. Raised by hippies, she’s always had a natural inclination to leave the world better than we found it. She brought this proclivity from her childhood into over two decades of work in small, mid-sized, and large comp...

Remember the last time you were sucked into a rabbit hole? Maybe it was this morning when you checked your phone right after you heard your alarm go off. Perhaps it was during your lunch break scrolling through Tik Toks detailing some of Robert Pattinson’s best (and worst) outfits. Or maybe it was during your one free hour at night where no one’s asking you to do anything. These rabbit holes are e...

Play looks different on everyone, but it has some common denominators: it helps us learn new tasks better, improves our mood, and boosts our productivity. If you’re asking yourself how it’s possible to add play into a 40-hour work week, Erin has five answers for you to take and run with on today’s episode. ICYMI – Your Post-Episode Homework: Add one of the five ways to add more play into your work...

When you think about reconnecting to your inner child, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s finger painting or playing hopscotch. Maybe it’s taking some time to go outside. Maybe it’s everything that seems, for a lack of better words, like a silly waste of time. Since inner child work may not be on the top of your to-do list or leadership-building agenda, Erin is here today to explore the idea that reco...

If you read the title and you’re asking yourself, “How do you make the leap from personality test to culture of belonging?” We have the answer for you. In the final episode of this three-part series, join Erin and Enneagram expert Sandhya Sudhakar as they examine how to use the Enneagram to build a culture where all are seen, heard, and valued in your organization. ICYMI – Your Post-Episode Homewo...

Sitting beside our excitement for something as interesting as the Enneagram test is also our doubt – how accurate can it be? How can we use the results in meaningful ways? In part two of this three-episode series, Erin and Enneagram expert Sandhya Sudhakar discuss the Enneagram’s biggest challenges and how to work with them, not against them, for yourself and your team. Listen to learn how to take...

I am such a Type 4. You’re definitely a Type 2. My inner-Type 3 is coming out to play. Maybe you know your Enneagram type or perhaps this is all new to you. No matter which boat you’re in, Erin and Enneagram expert Sandhya Sudhakar discuss how she first became interested in Enneagram, why taking a sabbatical was the best decision she could’ve made, and how Enneagram helps us to understand how our...

In a world where we fear disappointing others no matter what the cost is – your job is to go through life disappointing as many people as it takes to prevent disappointing one person... Yourself. As a recovering people-pleaser and improvisor who’s reflex is to say, “Yes, and...” Erin gives you her #1 tip for setting boundaries and sticking to them – zero guilt included. ICYMI – Your Post-Episode H...

Whether something pops into your mind immediately when you hear “side hustle” or not, here’s the deal: doing things that fuel your soul and allow you to pursue your passion outside of work is only going to make you better at your job, or make someone on your team better at their job if side hustle aren’t your cup of tea. There are a lot of courses out there. A lot of podcasts. A lot of interactive...

“Skydiving was a crash course in entrepreneurship. You can plan and prepare and then you just have to jump.” On the improve it! Podcast’s third birthday, Erin dives (pun intended) into how planning for her first skydive and planning for her career as an entrepreneur have more similarities than you might think. If you’re thinking about starting a podcast, writing a book, or just taking the leap – t...

When you picture your future self – who are they? What do they value? What are they leaving behind? What are they taking with them? In this final episode with Gaby Natale, you’ll see how past Gaby, current Gaby, and future Gaby connect and create a full picture that will help you reflect on your past, current, and future versions of yourself. Erin and Gaby discuss how to surrender and trust the un...

Inner voice > outer noise This is the message 3-time EMMY award winning journalist, bestselling author, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur Gaby Natale shares on today’s episode. The screen you're reading this on, the clothing you wear, the experiences that have shaped your life - these were all ideas in someone’s head before they became real. They trusted these ideas enough to make them rea...

In this episode, Erin is joined by Gaby Natale, 3-time EMMY award winning journalist, bestselling author, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur. Gaby is on a mission to awaken the pioneer spirit in each of us, no matter your gender, race, religion, or upbringing. Throughout the conversation, Gaby shares about the beginning of her career and its ties to her five-year-old self. She emphasizes how f...

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes that it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” -Maya Angelou Think back to the past week, month, or year to a big win you achieved. Maybe it was the proposal you wrote that secured a huge client. Maybe it was hitting a PR in the gym (because we see you working on your fitness). Maybe it was noticing something you taught yo...

The way you spend your days is the way you spend your life. It sounds overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. When you think about the way you spend your day - are you a “yes” for the actions that take up a small amount of time? A large amount of time? Do you incorporate something into your routine that someone else wouldn’t understand but it makes sense for you? Do you incorporate something into...

Evelyn Dieckhaus, 9 years old William Kinney, 9 years old Hallie Scruggs, 9 years old Katherine Koonce, 60 years old Cynthia Peak, 61 years old Mike Hill, 61 years old Today we say their names and honor all the names that came before them. Today we talk about the change that needs to happen in this country. Today we talk about how everything you do is contagious, how kindness and cruelty have equa...

When you tell your team they have a professional development day next Friday, what would come to their minds? If it’s “sitting through another training,” you might want to reconsider your approach. Think about it like this: Everyone you work with is smart. Everyone knows strategies to be more productive, to stay focused, and to do the things a hypothetical Employee of the Month would do. As a resu...

Humor styles are just like personality styles - everyone has something a little different. Instead of shutting out humor entirely in your professional life, how can you use it to show up more authentically? In this episode, Adi describes her newest hobby: stand-up comedy. As a corporate professional by day, Adi explains why she included stand-up into her jam-packed schedule, how it’s impacted her...

Are you a leader or emerging leader wondering how to solve the professional development dilemma? On one hand, you can choose professional development that’s rigid, vigorous, but unenjoyable. Think lots of Powerpoint slides, note taking, and a quiz at the end. On the other hand, you can choose a professional development opportunity that your team will actually like. Think experiential learning, no...

If today all you have to give is 15% and you give 15%, then that’s 100%. Math isn’t our strong suit but we’re pretty sure that tracks. Be honest with yourself on the days you can give 15% and the days you can give 100%. Only you know, and only you can show up based off of what you can give. No one else can make those calls besides you. The point here is this: You can’t do incredible, badass things...