Work Unscripted

“Executive presence.” It’s the feedback everyone gets and no one can clearly define. In this Cracking the Code mini episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons breaks down what executive presence actually means, why so much of the feedback around it is vague, biased, and frustrating and what behavioral science says you can actually do about it. Marlo challenges the traditional narrative and reframes e...

You can be successful… and still be completely exhausted. In fact, for many high-achieving leaders, that’s exactly what’s happening. As we head into Q2, the pace picks up, the pressure builds, and for a lot of professionals, stress, burnout, and reactivity start to feel like the norm. In this episode of Work Unscripted , host Marlo Lyons sits down with coach Margo Boster to talk about what it real...

Ever gotten feedback that worked… for about three days? In this Cracking the Code mini episode of Work Unscripted , Marlo Lyons breaks down why most workplace feedback doesn’t lead to lasting change and what actually does. Drawing on behavioral science and real workplace dynamics, Marlo unpacks why feedback often fades fast and inevitably triggers defensiveness, confusion, or short-term compliance...

Too many people are doing their jobs and doing them well… and wondering why it’s not enough. In a workplace shaped by layoffs, stalled hiring, burnout, and limited development opportunities, simply “doing your job well” is no longer a strategy for career growth. In this episode of Work Unscripted , executive coach Marlo Lyons sits down with HR executive and gamification expert Casey Webster to exp...

Feeling stuck in your career? Thinking about quitting your job? Telling yourself you want more…but not sure what that actually means?  In this Cracking the Code episode of Work Unscripted , executive coach Marlo Lyons challenges the story you tell yourself: What you want isn’t always what you need. You may think you want:  A new job A promotion More money Less stress More autonomy But what you act...

What if leadership isn’t about influence at all? In this episode of Work Unscripted , host Marlo Lyons sits down with researcher and leadership expert Dr. Jacob Kashiwagi to explore a radically different leadership philosophy: “no influence leadership.” Instead of persuading, motivating, or trying to change people, Dr. Kashiwagi argues that great leaders focus on something much simpler and much ha...

Congratulations, you’ve been promoted! New title. Bigger paycheck. Maybe even that LinkedIn “I got promoted” announcement. Now what? In this episode of Work Unscripted , Marlo Lyons cracks the code on what really happens after a promotion and why the fastest way to fail in your new role is to keep doing your old job. Because a promotion isn’t a reward. It’s a reset. Whether you’re early in your ca...

If the phrase “sell yourself” makes you cringe… this episode is for you. In this episode, executive coach Marlo Lyons sits down with visibility strategist Chardét Ryel to unpack a skill most professionals avoid but desperately need: authentic self-promotion. Whether you’re pursuing a promotion, navigating a job search, building a business, or stepping into greater leadership visibility, you are pi...

Have you ever received feedback at work that made you question your entire career? In this episode of Work Unscripted , Marlo Lyons cracks the code on five cryptic feedback phrases that derail high performers and shows you exactly how to translate them into actionable career growth. This is your guide to: Developing emotional intelligence and empathy in the workplace Turning vague performance revi...

Board seats aren’t reserved for a lucky few, but they are reserved for leaders who understand the game. In this episode of Work Unscripted , executive coach Marlo Lyons sits down with board career expert and co-author Naomi Kent to unpack their new book, Wanted: A Board Career , and break down what it really takes to build a meaningful, strategic board portfolio. This is not a job search. And trea...

Most executives think they’re one promotion away from the C-suite and C-suite leaders think they're one step away from a board seat. They’re not.  They’re one mindset shift away and most never make it. In reality, moving up the corporate ladder into the C-suite or onto a board requires an entirely different way of thinking. In this Cracking the Code mini episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyon...

What needs to change for you to level up as a leader, and why do so many high performers get stuck right before promotion? In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons sits down with executive coach Kristen Johnson. Kristen has worked with middle management inside some of the world’s most recognizable organizations—including PayPal, Google, Amazon, Sephora, Chase, and Cisco—giving her a rare, i...

What if the very thing you’re hiding at work is actually the key to becoming a stronger, more trusted leader? In this Cracking the Code mini-episode of Work Unscripted , Marlo Lyons breaks down how to show vulnerability and credibility at the same time that builds authority and influence. Because vulnerability in leadership doesn’t mean oversharing, emotional dumping, or losing control. It means l...

Is your job actually a hostile work environment, or do you just have a terrible boss? In this eye-opening episode, employment law expert Nestor Barrero joins Marlo Lyons to break down the real legal differences between discrimination, harassment, bullying, and a simply toxic workplace. If you’ve ever wondered whether what you’re experiencing at work is illegal, retaliation, or just deeply unhealth...

Ever received feedback with no examples, no clarity, and no idea what to do next? Welcome to Part II of Marlo Lyons’ performance review series, where we break down one of the most frustrating workplace experiences: vague, cryptic, or confusing feedback. In this solo episode, Marlo shares a deeply personal story of receiving unclear feedback that left her spiraling, second-guessing herself, and try...

Are you exhausted from running full-speed on the corporate treadmill? Feeling burned out, overwhelmed, or stuck in the never-ending rat race ? You’re not alone, and 2026 can be the year everything changes. In this powerful episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons sits down with coach and burnout expert Carolina Bakker to explore how high-achieving professionals can finally break free from chronic s...

What if 2026 brought you everything you’ve been chasing— the job, the title, the money, the house, the partner — and you still didn’t feel fulfilled? In this solo episode, executive coach and author Marlo Lyons breaks down one of the most powerful (and overlooked) tools for personal development, career clarity, and long-term fulfillment: living in alignment with your core values. You’ll learn: Why...

If you’re a high-achieving woman who struggles with overthinking, people-pleasing, emotional triggers, or that relentless inner critic…this episode is for you. This week on Work Unscripted, Marlo sits down with therapist and former Army officer Elaine Belson to talk about the psychology behind the inner critic , or as Elaine calls it, the inner bully. Together, they unpack the six habits that fuel...

Feeling stretched thin this holiday season? You’re not alone. In this episode of Work Unscripted , Marlo Lyons shares practical, guilt-free strategies for setting healthy boundaries at work and home, especially when the lines between the two start to blur. From turning off notifications and communicating expectations clearly, to defining what “urgent” really means, Marlo helps you reclaim your tim...

What if success didn’t have to be a competition? In this episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons sits down with Ruchika Malhotra, global inclusion strategist and author of the upcoming book Uncompete (Penguin Random House, releasing November 4). Together, they explore how the culture of competition in corporate life fuels burnout, bias, and exclusion, and learn how redefining success can help...

What happens when your performance review praises your results, but tears down your identity? In this raw and vulnerable solo episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons shares the real words from one of her own annual performance reviews— like “over-driving,” “over-reacting,” and “the Marlo show.” As a neurodivergent professional, Marlo unpacks how judgmental feedback lands, why it stings, and w...

Are you or someone on your team a highly sensitive person (HSP)? You’re not alone. Roughly 20% of the population is born with this trait, meaning their nervous system processes stimuli more deeply than others. In this eye-opening episode of Work Unscripted , host Marlo Lyons sits down with Heather Dominick, founder of the Highly Sensitive Leadership training program, to unpack what it really means...

Most workplace advice skips the real truths: the things your manager won’t tell you, but that make or break your career. In this solo episode of Work Unscripted , host Marlo Lyons reveals the five unspoken rules that separate people who get stuck from those who move up fast. You’ll learn why making your boss look good is essential, how stakeholder alignment protects your reputation, and why bringi...

Gen Z is entering the workforce in record numbers and managers everywhere are feeling the impact. Studies show that 60% of businesses have already fired Gen Z employees within months of hiring them, citing poor communication, lack of initiative, and struggles adapting to corporate life. But what’s really behind this trend, and what can we do about it? In this episode of Work Unscripted , host Marl...

 Looking for a job in today’s market can feel overwhelming. Endless applications, ghosting, and tough competition leave many professionals stuck. That’s why career coach Marlo Lyons created this episode: to give you five practical, no-fluff job search hacks that actually work in a brutal market. You’ll learn how to structure your search like a job, avoid the mistakes that sabotage your application...