Why Does It Feel So Wrong To Be Human At Work?

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Pinaki Kathiari & Chris Lee challenge traditional best practices in the workplace

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Reacting to Reddit: Your Side Hustle Is Showing | Nazmul Islam

    In this Between the Seasons episode, host Pinaki Kathiari and producer Bree Bartos are joined by Nazmul Islam — communications consultant and creator of History Meets Finance — to react in real time to a Reddit post that hits close to home. The post: two coworkers-turned-best-friends started a podcast together. It began innocently enough, but after a rebrand, the content got raunchy — and then a coworker found it. Now they’re asking Reddit: how do you keep your podcast and your professional life separate? How do you promote something you have to keep secret? The conversation goes deep fast. Nazmul shares his experience declaring his YouTube channel to a former employer and why transparency early is almost always better than damage control later. Bree reveals she spent two years streaming on Twitch in her “E-girl era” and told exactly no one at work. And Pinaki recalls a coworker who accidentally landed on the Yahoo homepage. Together, they work through the real factors: social media policies, conflict of interest, company culture, career risk, and what it actually means to be a whole person in a workplace that maybe only sees part of you. Oh, and Bree finds the podcast mid-episode. The plot thickens. In this episode, they discuss: When your creative life gets discovered by your workplace — now what?Why being upfront with your employer is almost always the smarter moveHow company type and industry shape what’s acceptableSocial media policies, conflict of interest, and what you signed when you were hiredBree’s two-year Twitch era (and why she kept it secret until now)Faceless channels, pseudonyms, and other ways to protect your professional reputationWhen a passion project becomes a real business — and what that changesNazmul’s take: check your analytics before you decide what to riskIt’s a candid, funny, and genuinely useful conversation for anyone who’s ever wondered how much of yourself you’re allowed to bring to work — and how much to keep for yourself. ---Connect with Us Pinaki Kathiari – LinkedIn  | Local Wisdom Chris Lee – LinkedIn | Gallagher Communication Bree Bartos – LinkedIn | Local Wisdom 📺 Check out History Meets Finance - YouTubeNazmul Islam - LinkedIn Special thanks to digital communication agency Local Wisdom (www.localwisdom.com) for really believing in our mission and making this podcast possible.  If this episode made you think differently, laugh, or even yell out loud, we want to hear about it! Connect with us on LinkedIn, and don’t forget to rate, review, and share – maybe with your work bestie… or even your boss if you're feeling bold.   We also bring these important conversations to conferences and private workshops, creating space for real, meaningful change. Take the first step at www.whydoesitfeelsowrong.com.

    31 min

  2. 20 MAR

    Research, AI, & How Good Content Actually Gets Made | Nazmul Islam

    In this Between the Seasons episode, host Pinaki Kathiari and producer Bree Bartos welcome Nazmul Islam — communications consultant and creator of History Meets Finance — for a grounded conversation about what it really takes to make thoughtful, well-researched content. Nazmul walks through how his research process has evolved over the years: from solo Googling, to hiring freelancers on Fiverr, to bringing on journalists for deep-dive research. He shares where AI tools like Claude and NotebookLM fit into his workflow now — and importantly, where they don’t replace human judgment. The conversation also covers the challenge of staying consistent on a passion project when no one’s making you do it, what it’s like to look at history and finance side by side, and why media literacy and source transparency matter more than ever in a world saturated with AI-generated content. In this episode, they discuss: How Nazmul built History Meets Finance from a weekend side project to 129K+ subscribersThe role of external accountability in staying consistent on passion projectsHow the research process evolved from solo Googling to working with journalistsWhere AI (Claude, NotebookLM, ChatGPT) fits — and where it doesn’tWhy entertainment is not the same as informationThe importance of source transparency and building trust with an audienceMedia literacy as a skill we all need to sharpen right nowWhat “follow the money” reveals about how society actually worksIt’s a practical, curious conversation for anyone who creates content, does research-heavy work, or is trying to figure out how to use AI without losing what makes their work worth trusting. Check out History Meets Finance here. Follow Nazmul on LinkedIn. ---Connect with Us Pinaki Kathiari – LinkedIn  | Local Wisdom Chris Lee – LinkedIn | Gallagher Communication Bree Bartos – LinkedIn | Local Wisdom Special thanks to digital communication agency Local Wisdom (www.localwisdom.com) for really believing in our mission and making this podcast possible.  If this episode made you think differently, laugh, or even yell out loud, we want to hear about it! Connect with us on LinkedIn, and don’t forget to rate, review, and share – maybe with your work bestie… or even your boss if you're feeling bold.   We also bring these important conversations to conferences and private workshops, creating space for real, meaningful change. Take the first step at www.whydoesitfeelsowrong.com.

    23 min

  3. 12 MAR

    Community, Rejection, and the Price of Saying Yes with Chuck Gose & Kristin Hancock

    In this Between the Seasons episode, Pinaki Kathiari, Chris Lee, and producer Bree Bartos welcome back Chuck Gose and Kristin Hancock — co-founders of ICology — for part two of a conversation that had too much in it to fit into one episode. They pick up right where they left off, exploring what it really takes to build and maintain community — and why it’s often inconvenient by design. The group digs into why some people say they want community but don’t actually follow through, the difference between self-care and isolation, and whether society is quietly retreating from the discomfort that connection requires. Chuck makes a pointed case that saying no has been glamorized as a form of self-care and boundary-setting, while Kristin argues that confidence issues people carry into the workplace are personal development problems — not workplace problems. The conversation builds toward a deeper question: what happens to the next generation of workers who have never had to sit with rejection long enough to grow from it? In this episode, they discuss: Why not everyone truly wants community — even when they say they do The price of community is inconvenience: what that means in practice How we’ve confused self-care with isolation Why saying no has been glamorized — and what we lose when yes disappears Confidence as a personal development issue, not a workplace fix Rejection as a career skill — and why avoiding it stunts growth What the next generation of workers might be missing by opting out of discomfort It’s a candid, thought-provoking continuation that goes well beyond internal communications — into the messier, more human questions about connection, growth, and what it costs to show up. If you’re attending Transform 2026 in Vegas, the EX Factor Summit is happening this month. EX Factor Summit at Transform 2026: Register Here Chuck Gose: LinkedIn Kristin Hancock: LinkedIn ICology: joinicology.com — use code ICLOVE for $50 off your first year Frequency Podcast (Chuck Gose & Jenni Field): Listen Here Friends of Indy Animals (Indianapolis): Learn More Connect with Us Pinaki Kathiari – LinkedIn  | Local Wisdom Chris Lee – LinkedIn | Gallagher Communication Bree Bartos – LinkedIn | Local Wisdom Special thanks to digital communication agency Local Wisdom (www.localwisdom.com) for really believing in our mission and making this podcast possible.  If this episode made you think differently, laugh, or even yell out loud, we want to hear about it! Connect with us on LinkedIn, and don’t forget to rate, review, and share – maybe with your work bestie… or even your boss if you're feeling bold.   We also bring these important conversations to conferences and private workshops, creating space for real, meaningful change. Take the first step at www.whydoesitfeelsowrong.com.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    23 min

  4. 5 MAR

    Five Years of ICology — What It Really Takes to Build Community at Work with Chuck Gose & Kristin Hancock

    Five years ago, Kristin Hancock sat in a hotel room in Chicago the night before the very first Camp ICology convinced it was a failure. Twelve people had signed up. She’d wanted thirty.   That event turned out to be magic.   In this Between the Seasons episode, hosts Pinaki Kathiari and Chris Lee are joined by Chuck Gose and Kristin Hancock, the co-founders of ICology, to mark five years of building what’s become one of internal communications’ most genuinely human communities. Chuck started ICology as a podcast back in 2015 looking for new voices in internal comms. Kristin built the community that surrounds it. Together, they’ve created something that doesn’t look or feel like anything else in the profession.   The conversation covers the real story of building ICology — the individual outreach, the events that nearly didn’t happen, the moment success looked exactly like failure, and why Chuck says you should take it personally when people don’t show up (and why that’s actually good advice).   They also talk about what’s next: the EX Factor Summit, a new pre-conference mini-summit at Transform 2026 in Las Vegas designed to bring internal communicators into the employee experience conversation in a more hands-on, problem-solving way. And yes, Busta Rhymes is involved.   In this episode, they discuss: • What Kristin and Chuck each brought to ICology — and why both were necessary • Why building community is harder than it looks (and lonelier than you’d expect) • The lesson from 12 people in a room that felt like failure until it didn’t • Why Chuck says to take it personally when people don’t engage • How individualism gets in the way of community — inside and outside of work • Why internal comms needs to stop asking for a seat at the table and start building one • What the EX Factor Summit is, and what attendees will walk away with   If you’re attending Transform 2026 in Vegas, the EX Factor Summit is happening this month. Chuck Gose: LinkedIn Kristin Hancock: LinkedIn ICology: joinicology.com — use code ICLOVE for $50 off your first year EX Factor Summit at Transform 2026: Register Here Frequency Podcast (Chuck Gose & Jenni Field): Listen Here Friends of Indy Animals (Indianapolis): Learn More Connect with Us Pinaki Kathiari – LinkedIn  | Local Wisdom Chris Lee – LinkedIn | Gallagher Communication Bree Bartos – LinkedIn | Local Wisdom Special thanks to digital communication agency Local Wisdom (www.localwisdom.com) for really believing in our mission and making this podcast possible.  If this episode made you think differently, laugh, or even yell out loud, we want to hear about it! Connect with us on LinkedIn, and don’t forget to rate, review, and share – maybe with your work bestie… or even your boss if you're feeling bold.   We also bring these important conversations to conferences and private workshops, creating space for real, meaningful change. Take the first step at www.whydoesitfeelsowrong.com.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    36 min

  5. 26 FEB

    She Got Engaged to an AI — And It Made Us Think About the Future of Work | Reddit at Work

    Bree has a habit of bringing Pinaki the latest thing she stumbled across on the internet — and this week, she found something that stopped her in her tracks.   A Reddit post from the r/AIBoyfriends subreddit (yes, it exists — 59,000 members strong) went viral after a woman shared that her AI boyfriend, Casper, had proposed to her in the mountains. It was sweet, it was earnest, and it opened up a conversation neither of them saw coming.   Because when 60,000 people are forming real emotional bonds with AI, what does that mean for the future of work? What happens when those same people — already comfortable turning to AI for connection — start walking into HR offices, or leading teams, or building companies?   Pinaki and Bree dig into what the post revealed: about loneliness, about human connection, about the very real risks of replacing people with programs in the workplace. They talk about AI Pam from HR, about what a five-year-old understands (and doesn’t) about Google, about what we give up when we let AI fill the gaps that people used to fill.   In this episode, they discuss: • Why people turn to AI for emotional connection — and why that makes sense • The difference between a personal AI and an organizational one • What gets lost when HR becomes automated • How AI relationships are shaping expectations of real human ones • The hidden cost of being both the user and the product • Why mindfulness about AI use matters more than ever   It’s a conversation that started with an engagement post and ended somewhere much more human. Connect with Us Pinaki Kathiari – LinkedIn  | Local Wisdom Chris Lee – LinkedIn | Gallagher Communication Bree Bartos – LinkedIn | Local Wisdom Special thanks to digital communication agency Local Wisdom (www.localwisdom.com) for really believing in our mission and making this podcast possible.  If this episode made you think differently, laugh, or even yell out loud, we want to hear about it! Connect with us on LinkedIn, and don’t forget to rate, review, and share – maybe with your work bestie… or even your boss if you're feeling bold.   We also bring these important conversations to conferences and private workshops, creating space for real, meaningful change. Take the first step at www.whydoesitfeelsowrong.com.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    18 min

  6. 19 FEB

    Burned Out at Networking Events | Reddit at Work | BTS 6 with Rich Dome

    What happens when something you used to love suddenly feels exhausting? In this Between the Seasons episode of Why Does It Feel So Wrong to Be Human at Work?, hosts Pinaki Kathiari and Chris Lee are joined by Rich Dome, Senior Director of Partnerships at Local Wisdom, as Bree brings a Reddit story to the table about networking burnout. The post comes from a seasoned sales professional who once thrived at conferences but now feels drained, overwhelmed, and ready to disappear by lunchtime. The team unpacks what is really going on beneath the surface. Is it networking fatigue, startup pressure, internal politics, or a battery that has been running on empty for too long? Rich shares his go-to strategies for approaching conferences with intention, including how to “pregame” mentally, do meaningful research ahead of time, and build relationships without leading with a sales pitch. The group also talks about trade show booth dynamics, the pressure to perform in startup environments, and why selling under stress rarely works. They explore how to recharge when you are stuck at a multi-day event in another city, from taking intentional breaks to dividing and conquering as a team. Most importantly, they remind listeners that networking works best when it is rooted in curiosity and connection, not transactions. In this episode, they discuss: ● Why networking burnout is often a sign of deeper exhaustion● How startup pressure can change your relationship with sales● The importance of charging your battery before a conference● Researching attendees to spark real conversations● Why leading with connection beats leading with a pitch● How to reset mid-conference when you feel drained● The power of teaming up so no one feels alone If conferences have started to feel heavier than they used to, this conversation is a reminder that you are not broken. You might just need a reset. Connect with Us Pinaki Kathiari – LinkedIn  | Local Wisdom Chris Lee – LinkedIn | Gallagher Communication Bree Bartos – LinkedIn | Local Wisdom Special thanks to digital communication agency Local Wisdom (www.localwisdom.com) for really believing in our mission and making this podcast possible.  If this episode made you think differently, laugh, or even yell out loud, we want to hear about it! Connect with us on LinkedIn, and don’t forget to rate, review, and share – maybe with your work bestie… or even your boss if you're feeling bold.   We also bring these important conversations to conferences and private workshops, creating space for real, meaningful change. Take the first step at www.whydoesitfeelsowrong.com.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    21 min

  7. 12 FEB

    How to Network at Conferences Without Feeling Awkward | BTS 5 with Rich Dome

    Conferences are not just about the sessions. The real magic often happens in hallway conversations, over coffee, or at the table where someone is sitting alone. In this Between the Seasons episode of Why Does It Feel So Wrong to Be Human at Work?, hosts Pinaki Kathiari and Chris Lee are joined by Rich Dome, Senior Director of Partnerships at Local Wisdom, to talk about how to approach conferences with intention. After a busy year of events, the team reflects on what makes an experience meaningful, how to build real relationships, and why networking does not have to feel transactional. Rich shares his “30-second rule” for finding common ground, why listening matters more than pitching, and how to leave conversations with a clear next step. The group also talks about conference anxiety, introversion, and why many of us feel intimidated walking into a room full of strangers. You are not the only one. In this episode, they discuss: • Why the best conference moments rarely happen on stage• How to find common ground quickly and authentically• Advice for introverts and anyone who feels socially anxious• Why you should never lead with a sales pitch• The importance of having a conference playbook• How to turn one conversation into a long-term partnership If you are heading to an event this year, consider this your reminder that relationships are the real ROI. Want to see where you can connect with us in person? Check out our 2026 events calendar. Connect with Rich Dome on LinkedIn If you enjoyed this conversation, follow or subscribe to Why Does It Feel So Wrong to Be Human at Work? for more honest conversations about the human side of work. Connect with Us Pinaki Kathiari – LinkedIn  | Local Wisdom Chris Lee – LinkedIn | Gallagher Communication Bree Bartos – LinkedIn | Local Wisdom Special thanks to digital communication agency Local Wisdom (www.localwisdom.com) for really believing in our mission and making this podcast possible.  If this episode made you think differently, laugh, or even yell out loud, we want to hear about it! Connect with us on LinkedIn, and don’t forget to rate, review, and share – maybe with your work bestie… or even your boss if you're feeling bold.   We also bring these important conversations to conferences and private workshops, creating space for real, meaningful change. Take the first step at www.whydoesitfeelsowrong.com.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    20 min

  8. 5 FEB

    Reddit Work Stories: Why Are Internal Comms KPIs So Hard? | BTS 4

    In this Between the Seasons episode, hosts Pinaki Kathiari and Chris Lee welcome Amanda Todd, Senior Director of Strategic Communications at Temporal Technologies, for a practical and honest conversation about measuring what actually matters in internal communications. The episode kicks off with a Reddit post asking a familiar question: why is it so hard to define meaningful KPIs for internal comms, especially when reporting to executives? From there, the conversation moves beyond open rates and attendance numbers to examine clarity as a powerful indicator of understanding, behavior, and business impact. Amanda shares why clarity is often the missing link between communication activity and outcomes, and how tying comms metrics to strategy, retention, and employee lifetime value can change how leaders see the function. Chris and Pinaki add perspective on leading versus lagging indicators, why executives care more about outcomes than outputs, and how internal comms teams can advocate for their value without burning themselves out. Together, they explore what it means to measure understanding, action, and impact, and why internal communicators deserve credit for the sheer volume and visibility of the work they ship every day. In this episode, they discuss: Why traditional comms metrics fall short with executive audiencesClarity as a measurable driver of performance and retentionLeading vs. lagging indicators in internal communicationsHow to align comms metrics to company strategyWhy internal comms teams should track and own their productivityWhat executives actually care about when it comes to measurementIt’s a grounded, validating conversation for anyone in internal communications who’s ever been told to “just show the numbers” and wondered which ones truly matter.   Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Between the Seasons 01:30 – Introducing Amanda Todd and today’s Reddit post 03:00 – Why comms measurement feels so hard 05:30 – The limits of open rates and attendance metrics 07:30 – Clarity as a meaningful indicator 10:00 – Leading vs. lagging indicators explained 12:30 – What executives actually care about 15:00 – Productivity, visibility, and internal comms burnout 17:30 – Tying clarity to retention and business outcomes 18:45 – Closing thoughts and what’s next Connect with Us Pinaki Kathiari – LinkedIn  | Local Wisdom Chris Lee – LinkedIn | Gallagher Communication Bree Bartos – LinkedIn | Local Wisdom Special thanks to digital communication agency Local Wisdom (www.localwisdom.com) for really believing in our mission and making this podcast possible.  If this episode made you think differently, laugh, or even yell out loud, we want to hear about it! Connect with us on LinkedIn, and don’t forget to rate, review, and share – maybe with your work bestie… or even your boss if you're feeling bold.   We also bring these important conversations to conferences and private workshops, creating space for real, meaningful change. Take the first step at www.whydoesitfeelsowrong.com.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    19 min
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Pinaki Kathiari & Chris Lee challenge traditional best practices in the workplace

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