Work Should Feel Good with Diana Alt

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...

Want to follow through on your New Year's goals instead of fizzling out by February? Diana breaks down exactly why most resolutions fail and how to turn your intentions into real progress. In this solo episode, she shares three common mistakes that sabotage follow-through and how to avoid them with a better approach to planning, prioritization, and progress tracking. Whether you're building health...

In this conversation, Gina and Diana dive deep into the Career Velocity™ system Gina developed after years of experience in executive search and career coaching. Together, they bust outdated job search myths and show why checking all the boxes on a job posting still won't guarantee an interview, let alone a job offer. You'll learn the difference between being qualified and being compelling, why re...

Are you actually resting… or just numbing out? As the year winds down and exhaustion sets in, it's easy to blur the line between real rest and quiet avoidance. In this solo episode, Diana breaks down how to tell the difference and why noticing it matters as you move into the new year. Diana explores why so many of us feel depleted at the end of the year, even when we finally slow down. She explain...

What does it take to lead 500+ people, grow a thriving program, and still prioritize personal growth? Leslie Weaver has the answers and she's sharing her powerful, practical insights with us today. In this inspiring conversation, Leslie Weaver, Program Manager of before and after school programs for one of Tennessee's top school districts, shares how she leads with purpose, models growth from the...

Laid off? You're not alone. Here's what's actually changed in 25 years and what hasn't. In this solo episode, Diana shares the powerful story of her first layoff experience in 2000, which just so happened to fall on her 26th birthday, the very same day the Supreme Court ended the Bush v. Gore recount. With vulnerability and wisdom, she reflects on how layoffs felt then, what she sees now as a coac...

Are your high standards helping or hurting you at work? Let's unpack the real cost of perfectionism. Dr. Greg Chasson joins Diana for an eye-opening conversation on how perfectionism shows up in the workplace and what leaders and individuals can do about it. A licensed clinical psychologist, professor, and expert in OCD and related disorders, Greg breaks down how perfectionism isn't just about wan...

Brain tumor, business challenges, and deep clarity. Diana gets real about the chaos that reshaped her 2025.   This first-ever Thanksgiving episode isn't a gratitude list. It's a raw, personal story of what happens when life derails your plans. Diana shares how an unexpected brain tumor and subsequent recovery forced her to rethink support, vulnerability, and her own worth. From discovering who she...

Ever wonder how helpful generative AI really is for job seekers? In this episode of Work Should Feel Good, Diana Alt sits down with executive resume writer and job search advisor Erica Reckamp to unpack Erica's brand-new 2025 research on generative AI resume feedback, this time, from the job seeker's perspective. You'll hear how Erica's deep background in ghostwriting, storytelling, and executive...

Can people really trust your brand? Here's why they might not and what to do about it. This episode dives into how to create brand trust in a noisy, skeptical world. Ryan Holck, speaker, author, and founder of Distill Your Story, joins Diana to unpack how storytelling, micro-targeting, and authentic connection are the key to surviving what he calls "The Trust Recession." Drawing from his two decad...

Wondering if you're "too experienced" for the jobs you're targeting? Here's how to reframe your story and get hired anyway. When you're mid-career and applying for roles that seem below your previous titles or scope, you might get hit with the dreaded "overqualified" label. But is it really about being overqualified or are you just overselling the wrong aspects of your experience? In this solo epi...

Your personal brand isn't just for influencers, it's your career superpower. Learn how to stand out with authenticity and strategy. In this insightful conversation, Diana Alt sits down with branding expert and author Mike Kim to explore how owning your personal brand can elevate your career. Mike shares his unconventional path from church music director to Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestsel...

Think GenAI is helping your resume? It might actually be hurting it. Let's talk. What happens when job seekers turn to generative AI to review their resumes? In this solo episode, Diana breaks down a brand new study by elite resume writer Erica Reckamp that analyzed eight top GenAI tools, ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, Gemini, Perplexity, Meta AI, Grok, and DeepSeek to see how helpful (or harmful) thei...

The world needs your thing and you need the right people to help make it real. What if that dream you've been carrying for years isn't random, but necessary? In this inspiring episode of Work Should Feel Good, I talk with Terry Weaver, speaker, coach, author, and founder of The Thing, an event series for creatives and entrepreneurs who are ready to turn big ideas into reality. Terry shares his pow...