Workplace Weirdness™

Maya Kadar Kovalsky
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  • CAREERS
  • EVERY TWO WEEKS

Welcome to Workplace Weirdness™, The Non-HR HR 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 your coworkers. From bizarre email sign-offs to the enigma of office fridge politics, no topic is too weird for us to tackle. Each week, we'll talk about hot HR topics, answer listener questions and dissect an awkward workplace theme, all while keeping things light, fun, and packed with HR humor. Tune in, because in the world of work, the only thing you can count on is the unexpected! So, grab your coffee, put your feet up on that ergonomic footrest, and let's get weird at work together. Trust us, it’ll be a productivity boost like no other!

  1. April Fool’s Special: Turning the Tables on Maya With Guest HOST Dorie Clark

    1 DAY AGO

    April Fool’s Special: Turning the Tables on Maya With Guest HOST Dorie Clark

    This is a special one-of-a-kind Turn the Tables episode of Workplace Weirdness. For the first time, Maya Kadar Kovalsky is in the hot seat. And stepping in as the guest host is Marketing Strategist and TOP 50 Business Thinker In The World, Dorie Clark. Maya opens up about her own weird workplace moments and lets us know the person behind the mic, how she thinks about work culture, and what shaped the voice of Workplace Weirdness. Maya also answers listeners' questions about everything from the reality behind “unlimited PTO” to the awkward rise of AI-assisted interviews. Dorie adds her unique perspective on leadership, career, and friendship.   This episode flips the format and goes deeper than usual. For the first time, you get a closer look at Maya, her background, leadership style, and personal take on workplace culture.  In this episode: Dorie Clark hosts, and Maya takes the hot seat  Why unlimited PTO sounds great, but doesn’t always work How to manage the stress of an AI-assisted interview What to do when you’re accused of leaking confidential company info How to handle awkward workplace situations when a holiday gift goes wrong The time when Maya was mentioned negatively in a Glassdoor post.   Chapters: [00:00:00] – Introduction: Dorie Clark introduces the special April Fools episode where she takes over as host, putting the usual host, Maya, in the "hot seat". [00:01:25] – Quickfire Warm-up: Dorie leads Maya through a series of rapid-fire questions covering personal preferences, such as being a morning person versus a night owl and interests in K-dramas versus romance. [00:02:40] – Management Style Questions: The warm-up shifts to workplace preferences, including the use of "talking sticks" in meetings and whether performance reviews should be conducted via emojis. [00:03:15] – Maya’s Weirdest Moment: Maya shares a story about a technical failure where she realized an hour into an interview that she had forgotten to press the record button. [00:05:15] – The "Champagne Incident": Maya discusses a "youthful mistake" where she sent champagne to employees during COVID-19, which resulted in an employee getting visibly intoxicated on camera during a mandatory training session. [00:11:58] – The Alumni Sweatshirt: Maya describes a tradition she invented—giving "alumnus" sweatshirts to departing employees, though they were withheld if the person left under "unsavory circumstances". [00:07:05] – The Unlimited PTO Trap: A listener asks for advice after receiving a warning email from HR for taking time off to care for a sick parent, despite the company's "unlimited PTO" policy. [00:13:37] – AI Over-reliance in Interviews: A job applicant worries about an upcoming in-person interview after relying heavily on AI to assist with nerves during the initial remote screening. [00:19:40] – The Confidential Leak Accusation: An employee seeks advice on how to defend themselves after being unfairly suspected of leaking internal documents simply because they were the only one not on vacation. [00:16:55] – Overheard Moments: Maya reflects on the sting of discovering a mean Glassdoor post about herself and how she eventually learned to let go of the non-useful feedback. [00:22:10] – The Counter-Offer Regret: Maya shares a story about a time she disagreed with a management decision to give a pay raise to an inadequate employee who had threatened to resign. [00:24:50] – Sign-off and Credits: Dorie and Maya wrap up the show with a "virtual cheers," and Maya provides the final production credits. Resources and Links:   Dorie Clark · Website: https://dorieclark.com/ · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doriec/ Maya Kadar Kovalsky ·     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/ Workplace Weirdness ·         Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com ·         Website: workplace-weirdness.com ·         Instagram: @workplaceweirdpod   Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as professional, legal, or workplace-specific advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their individual situations.

    26 min
  2. Why Leaders Ignore HR and How to Disrupt It | Former HR Director for The BBC Lucy Adams

    18 MAR

    Why Leaders Ignore HR and How to Disrupt It | Former HR Director for The BBC Lucy Adams

    In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, Maya sits down with Lucy Adams, former Head of HR at the BBC and CEO of Disruptive HR, to unpack why so much of modern HR still feels stuck in compliance, process, and risk management instead of influence, credibility, and real business impact. Lucy shares what she learned from leading HR at The BBC, one of the world’s most scrutinized institutions, why annual performance reviews have had their day, how employers are gaming salary transparency, and what employees should actually do when they are stalled on promotions, hit with surprise HR meetings, or dealing with a boss who keeps taking credit for their work. In this episode: [00:00:00] Intro to Workplace Weirdness + Lucy Adams introduction[00:01:00] Lucy Adams on her BBC roots and what it was really like leading HR there[00:03:00] Lucy’s third book and why HR leaders often struggle to be heard[00:05:00] Why Lucy launched Disruptive HR and where traditional HR goes wrong[00:07:00] The HR practice Lucy thinks should disappear: annual performance reviews[00:08:00] Lucy’s weirdest workplace moment begins[00:09:00] Traveling to dangerous reporting zones and hostile-environment training at the BBC[00:10:00] The terrifying mock gunman scenario and what it revealed about HR’s reputation[00:11:00] “Week in Work”: salary transparency laws and employers gaming pay ranges[00:12:00] Why vague salary ranges damage trust and candidate experience[00:13:00] BBC salary transparency: publishing top leaders’ exact pay[00:14:00] The downside of pay transparency and why Lucy still thinks it was worth it[00:15:00] Listener question: “I’ve been promised a promotion for years. What now?”[00:16:00] Lucy’s advice on asking for clarity without sounding threatening[00:17:00] Why managers need to feel there’s some jeopardy if they keep stalling[00:18:00] Maya’s take on visibility, ambition, and making your goals known[00:19:00] Listener question: surprise HR meeting with no explanation[00:20:00] How to respond to vague HR invites without spiraling[00:21:00] Why HR should give context before scheduling scary-sounding check-ins[00:22:00] Listener question: my boss keeps taking credit for my work[00:23:00] Lucy on why escalating too fast can backfire[00:24:00] Start with the direct conversation before going to HR or leadership[00:25:00] Closing thoughts, Lucy’s resources, and final wrap-up[00:26:00] End credits and subscribe reminder Resources and Links:   Lucy Adams ·     Website: https://disruptivehr.com/ Maya Kadar Kovalsky ·     LinkedIn: Maya Kadar Kovalsky Workplace Weirdness ·         Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com ·         Website: workplace-weirdness.com ·         Instagram: @workplaceweirdpod   Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as professional, legal, or workplace-specific advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their individual situations.

    26 min
  3. Before LinkedIn Took Over, Monster.com Ruled: Kat Kibben on Hiring Chaos | Workplace Weirdness

    4 MAR

    Before LinkedIn Took Over, Monster.com Ruled: Kat Kibben on Hiring Chaos | Workplace Weirdness

    In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, Maya sits down with recruiting expert, writer, and speaker Kat Kibben to unpack the strange (and often frustrating) realities of modern hiring.  Kat brings over 15 years of experience, starting at Monster.com.  They are known for helping teams write inclusive job postings and rethink how hiring actually works. A longtime voice in human-centered hiring, Kat shares why the language we use in job postings can make or break a candidate’s chances, and what companies get wrong more often than they realize. In this episode: The hidden reasons your job applications get ghosted How biased job posting language quietly filters out talent The real story behind internal roles that never get posted What happens when candidates change their names to get interviews Lessons from Kat’s unconventional career, including remote work from a van Resources and Links: Katrina Kibben ·         Website: http://katrinakibben.com/ ·         LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinakibben/ Maya Kovalsky ·         LinkedIn: Maya Kadar Kovalsky  Workplace Weirdness ·         Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com ·         Website: workplace-weirdness.com ·         Instagram: @workplaceweirdpod Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as professional, legal, or workplace-specific advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their individual situations.

    27 min
  4. Get Over Your Fear of Conflict!" w Audacity Broker Dethra Giles | Workplace Weirdness

    18 FEB

    Get Over Your Fear of Conflict!" w Audacity Broker Dethra Giles | Workplace Weirdness

    In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, Maya Kadar Kovalsky is joined by Dethra Giles, a leadership strategist, Audacity Broker, and creator of the DARE Model for conflict resolution. Learn why so many leaders avoid conflict and how you can tackle workplace drama, navigate office politics, and confront uncomfortable situations head-on. From handling office saboteurs and gossip to embracing the audacity needed to lead, Dethra shares strategies that will help you navigate the toughest office dynamics. If you’ve ever felt undermined or struggled with conflict avoidance, this episode is for you! We discuss: Why conflict avoidance is costing you time, money, and credibility The audacity required to handle tough conversations How to manage office drama and gossip without losing your leadership role Real-world strategies for embracing conflict and leading with courage Resources and Links Dethra Giles Website - https://www.dethragiles.org/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dethragiles Maya Kadar Kovalsky Website - ⁠https://www.mayakadar.com/⁠ LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/⁠ Workplace Weirdness Email: ⁠info@workplace-weirdness.com⁠ SpeakPipe - ⁠http://speakpipe.com/workplaceweirdness⁠ Website - ⁠http://workplace-weirdness.com⁠ Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/workplaceweirdpod/⁠ Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as professional, legal, or workplace-specific advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their individual situations. This is an honest, practical and sometimes weird conversation about navigating work without losing your integrity or yourself.

    30 min
  5. Why Women Are Still Paying the Price at Work | Workplace Weirdness S2 EP11

    4 FEB

    Why Women Are Still Paying the Price at Work | Workplace Weirdness S2 EP11

    In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, Maya Kadar Kovalsky is joined by Randi Braun, CEO of Something Major and author of Something Major: The New Playbook for Women at Work, for a candid conversation about power, parenthood, and inequity at work. From salary parity and exploitative hiring practices to emotionally manipulative managers and the motherhood penalty, this episode tackles the real situations women face every day, and what to do when your workplace fails you. We discuss: • Why working moms hold themselves to stricter professionalism • The difference between guilt and fear of other people’s opinions (FOPO) • How companies exploit free labor during recruitment • How “flexibility” and “feedback” are often used as control • The hidden cost of salary inequity and being accidentally CC’d on the truth This is an honest, practical and sometimes weird conversation about navigating work without losing your integrity or yourself. Resources and Links Randi Braun ➤ Website - https://www.somethingmajorcoaching.com/ ➤ LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/randi-braun-312a5423 Maya Kadar Kovalsky ➤ Website - ⁠https://www.mayakadar.com/⁠ ➤ LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/⁠ Workplace Weirdness ➤ Email: ⁠info@workplace-weirdness.com⁠ ➤ SpeakPipe - ⁠http://speakpipe.com/workplaceweirdness⁠ ➤ Website - ⁠http://workplace-weirdness.com⁠ ➤ Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/workplaceweirdpod/⁠ Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as professional, legal, or workplace-specific advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their individual situations.

    28 min
  6. Who Actually Gets Ahead? Workplace Bias with Vernā Myers, Netflix’s First VP of Inclusion Strategy | Workplace Weirdness S2 EP10

    21 JAN

    Who Actually Gets Ahead? Workplace Bias with Vernā Myers, Netflix’s First VP of Inclusion Strategy | Workplace Weirdness S2 EP10

    Is work actually merit-based, or do our systems just tell us they are? In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, Maya Kadar Kovalsky sits down with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion expert and thought leader Vernā Myers to unpack bias, inclusion, equity, and why conversations about difference have become so stigmatized at work. From the myth of merit-based workplaces to how difference actually fuels innovation, Vernā shares insights from decades of experience, including her time as Netflix’s first VP of Inclusion Strategy. They also tackle real listener questions about appearance-based bias, career risk, and when recommending a friend at work goes wrong. This is a thoughtful, honest conversation about fear, fairness, and what it really takes to build workplaces where people can thrive. Resources and Links Vernā Myers Website - https://vernamyers.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vernamyers/ Maya Kadar Kovalsky Website - ⁠https://www.mayakadar.com/⁠ LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/⁠ Workplace Weirdness Email: ⁠info@workplace-weirdness.com⁠ SpeakPipe - ⁠http://speakpipe.com/workplaceweirdness⁠ Website - ⁠http://workplace-weirdness.com⁠ Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/workplaceweirdpod/⁠ Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as professional, legal, or workplace-specific advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their individual situations.

    29 min
  7. The New Year Reset: Delete Your HR Tech and Start Over with William Tincup | Workplace Weirdness S2 E9

    7 JAN

    The New Year Reset: Delete Your HR Tech and Start Over with William Tincup | Workplace Weirdness S2 E9

    What happens when someone actually tells the truth about Human Resources, recruiting, and HR tech? In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, Maya Kadar Kovalsky sits down with HR industry truth-teller William Tincup for an honest, open and unfiltered conversation about feedback, broken HR systems, AI hype, onboarding failures, and why most HR tech is solving last year’s problems. William shares why he once told a founder to delete their entire product, why positive feedback is overrated, and why HR leaders don’t care how your tech works- only whether it works. We cover: Why unsolicited feedback is often useless The real problem with HR tech and AI What onboarding should actually feel like Why skills now expire faster than milk How leaders should think about talent, growth, and discomfort If you work in HR, lead people, sell HR tech, or just enjoy uncomfortable workplace truths- this one’s for you. Subscribe for more conversations about the weird, wonderful, and wildly human side of work. In This Episode: [00:00] Introduction to William Tincup [01:08] Unpopular Opinions in HR Tech [03:29] The Reality of Workforce Planning [14:28] Listener Question #1: Transactional Office Friends [17:24] Listener Question #2: Feeling Left Behind [20:40] Cringeworthy Question: Onboarding Woes [24:18] Conclusion and Farewell William Tincup Website - https://wrkdefined.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/williamtincup Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/williamtincup/reels/?hl=en Maya Kadar Kovalsky Website - ⁠⁠https://www.mayakadar.com/⁠⁠ LinkedIn - ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/⁠⁠ Workplace Weirdness Email: ⁠⁠info@workplace-weirdness.com⁠⁠ SpeakPipe - ⁠⁠http://speakpipe.com/workplaceweirdness⁠⁠ Website - ⁠⁠http://workplace-weirdness.com⁠⁠ Instagram - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/workplaceweirdpod/⁠⁠ Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as professional, legal, or workplace-specific advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their individual situations.

    26 min
  8. Why Ace Hardware Should’ve Failed (But Doesn’t) with Kane Calamari | Workplace Weirdness S2 E8

    24/12/2025

    Why Ace Hardware Should’ve Failed (But Doesn’t) with Kane Calamari | Workplace Weirdness S2 E8

    If your workplace runs on “vibes” and surprise criticism in Q4… congrats, you’ve unlocked the bad timeline.  In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, Kane Calamari breaks down what real leadership, employee engagement, and HR strategy look like inside Ace Hardware, a company he says “should be failing,” and yet keeps winning. We cover retail culture, co-op business models, leadership development, succession planning, retention strategy, and how to build trust with ongoing feedback instead of annual blindsides. Kane also shares how AI tools are already changing frontline work and why human leadership still matters most when cultures collide, teams merge, and communication breaks down (looking at you, Slack screenshots). Hit the like, share and subscribe buttons for more conversations about workplace culture, HR leadership, management, career growth, and the weird stuff that makes you say: “there’s no way this happened at work.” But it did. In This Episode [00:00] A Special Connection at a Hardware Store [01:13] Introduction to Kane Calamari [02:13] Ace Hardware's Unique Business Model [05:05] The Role of CHRO at Ace Hardware [06:07] Lessons Learned in Leadership [09:10] Weirdest Workplace Moment: The Drunk Futurist Incident [13:06] Week in Work: AI's Impact on Retail Jobs [17:07] Listener Question #1: Performance Review Blindsides [19:53] Listener Question #2: Company Culture Fusion [23:06] Cringeworthy Question: Slack Message Mishap [27:10] Closing Remarks and Holiday Wishes Resources and Links Kane Calamari LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kane-calamari-53268014 Website - https://newsroom.acehardware.com/kane-calamari/ Maya Kadar Kovalsky Website - https://www.mayakadar.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/ Workplace Weirdness Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com SpeakPipe - http://speakpipe.com/workplaceweirdness Website - http://workplace-weirdness.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/workplaceweirdpod/ Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as professional, legal, or workplace-specific advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their individual situations.

    30 min
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Trailer

About

Welcome to Workplace Weirdness™, The Non-HR HR 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 your coworkers. From bizarre email sign-offs to the enigma of office fridge politics, no topic is too weird for us to tackle. Each week, we'll talk about hot HR topics, answer listener questions and dissect an awkward workplace theme, all while keeping things light, fun, and packed with HR humor. Tune in, because in the world of work, the only thing you can count on is the unexpected! So, grab your coffee, put your feet up on that ergonomic footrest, and let's get weird at work together. Trust us, it’ll be a productivity boost like no other!

Information

  • Creator
    Maya Kadar Kovalsky
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Green Banana Consulting LLC | 2025 | All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    Workplace Weirdness™