Workplace Weirdness

Meetings often get a bad rap, but did you know they can actually be the cornerstone of a positive workplace culture? In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky is joined by Hannah Dubin, founder of The Group Forward and a powerhouse facilitator with a background in camp leadership, corporate consulting, and culture design. Together, they explore what it really takes to lead h...

Ever wondered what it’s really like to run a gym beyond the sweaty workouts and Instagram selfies? In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky sits down with Matt Pack, founder of Primal Fit Miami and a fitness pro with 25 years under his belt, to get the unfiltered scoop on fitness entrepreneurship. Matt shares the wild ride of starting his own gym, from jumping off the colle...

What happens when you get fired by Elon Musk? For Billy Samoa, it wasn’t the end… It was the beginning.  In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky chats with Billy Samoa Saleebey, founder and CEO of Podify, a media company that powers podcast production and promotion. Together, they explore how even the most jaw-dropping workplace experiences can become the spark for reinven...

In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky sits down with Neil Sharma, co-founder of SolarKal, to explore his fascinating career journey. Neil's story is one of bold transitions—from crunching numbers at Bank of America to rocking out at MTV, and finally making an impact in clean tech. His path proves that pursuing diverse interests can lead to a truly fulfilling career. They...

In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky interviews culture-building expert Ann Rhoades, President of Peopleink and Former VP for the people department of Southwest Airlines. With experiences spanning JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, and DoubleTree Hotels, Ann has cultivated values-based corporate ecosystems, emphasizing the integral symmetry between employee and customer satis...

In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky dives into the peculiarities of office life with guest Menaka Chang, a Fractional Chief People Officer. From an ex-employee treating the office like a personal lounge to navigating bureaucratic slowdowns in startups, they discuss the nuances of building high-performance cultures. They delve into the transition challenges when startup...

In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky sits down with Adam Alpert, serial entrepreneur and founder of Pangea—a global talent marketplace shaking up the way companies hire contract and fractional workers. Adam’s career reads like a startup thriller, packed with wild twists, from pandemic-era "hacker houses" to the awkward nightmare of firing a co-founder while still sharin...

Some workplace problems have clear solutions, while others leave you wondering, Is this really happening? Imagine working for a small, family-owned business where the boss makes wildly inappropriate comments and hovers over female employees—while his wife, who runs HR, conveniently looks the other way. Do you speak up? Walk away? Just try to survive the workday? In this episode of Workplace Weirdn...

In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky sits down with Karen Borchert, founder and CEO of Alpaca, an edtech company dedicated to supporting educators. They dive into the often-overlooked challenges teachers face—especially when it comes to engagement and recognition. Karen shares how Alpaca started with simple care packages and evolved into offering pulse surveys to help s...

Ever wondered how to handle a boss who indulges in office gossip? In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky sits down with Maya Cadena, founder and CEO of Vetted Pet Health, a primary pet care service.  Maya opens up about the unique challenges women face in business—especially when it comes to networking and securing investment. She shares her own struggles with bias, parti...

Can AI help heal trauma—and what does that mean for the workplace? In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky welcomes Omer Golan, serial entrepreneur and founder of MyWhatIf, a nonprofit using AI to transform trauma care.  Omer’s remarkable journey—from surviving a life-altering event to building cutting-edge solutions for mental health—is as inspiring as it is thought-provo...

What if the key to a thriving workplace was something as simple as play? Could fostering creativity, community, and cognitive development unlock innovation and connection among employees? In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky is joined by Yolonda Deon, founder of Mindful Play Learning, to discuss the power of "play" in the workplace. Yolonda, a certified birth and postpa...

What makes a workplace truly exceptional? Is it the recognition employees receive—or how meaningful that recognition really is? How can leaders inspire trust, foster strong team dynamics, and bridge the generational gap? And when those awkward moments inevitably pop up—how do you handle them with finesse and empathy? In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky is joined by the...

What truly makes or breaks a thriving workplace? From whispered favoritism to tense political discussions during election seasons, the workplace is often a microcosm of life's most complex dynamics. These challenges don’t just shape daily interactions; they ripple through employee morale, mental health, and even career trajectories. Add in the need for authenticity, self-advocacy, and mentorship—e...

Are you tired of feeling like you’re stuck in a bizarre workplace circus? Ever wonder how those cringe-worthy micromanagement moments or awkward encounters can actually be transformed into stepping stones for growth? Welcome to the very first episode of Workplace Weirdness! Join host Maya Kadar Kovalsky as she kicks off this exciting journey into the quirks and challenges of the modern workplace....

Welcome to "Workplace Weirdness," the podcast that takes a deep dive into the delightful oddities of office life. Ever wondered why the break room smells like a science experiment or why your boss insists on using 'synergy' in every meeting? We've got you covered! Join Maya and her revolving door of guest hosts as they unravel the mysteries of cubicle culture and decode the cryptic behaviors of yo...