Work Besties Who Podcast

Work Besties Who Podcast
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Building a bold community of work besties 💼👯‍♀️ to bond 🤝💞, banter 😂🎉, and bloom 🌸✨ 🎙️ Listen to the Work Besties Who Podcast: where workplace friendships get real! From tea spills to relatable laughs, we’re unpacking everything about work life's ups, downs, and unforgettable moments.✨ Join us for candid chats, relatable stories, and a sprinkle of chaos—because what’s work without a little drama and a lot of fun?  💼😄 Hit play, and let’s dive into the messy magic of workplace connections together! Work Besties:-)

  1. Unmasking at Work (with Adriana Vaccaro)

    5D AGO

    Unmasking at Work (with Adriana Vaccaro)

    We all want to “be ourselves” at work… but many of us learned to survive by wearing masks: the high performer mask, the people-pleaser mask, the “I’m fine” mask. In this episode, Jess & Claude sit down with Adriana Vaccaro, CEO and Founder of Culture Redesigned, to unpack what masking actually is, why it happens, and how it quietly becomes your personal brand. You’ll learn how to recognize when you’re masking, how psychological safety changes everything, and what leaders can do to create environments where people can show up as themselves. And we close with the question we all wonder: If unmasking feels risky, what’s the first mask you should take off without putting your job at risk? In This Episode, We Cover What “masking” at work really looks like (and why it’s a brain-based defense mechanism)The connection between psychological safety and authenticityHow to tell if you’re masking because something is unaligned vs unfamiliarWhy “chameleon behavior” can feel safe—but cost you over timeThe manager’s role in shaping the emotional environment of a teamHow to build trust through consistent, clear, authentic communicationAdriana’s safest “first unmasking step” when authenticity feels riskyKey Takeaways Unmasking isn’t an overnight change — it’s gradual and strategic.Psychological safety is the real opposite of masking.Your body often tells the truth first (fatigue, headaches, “the ick,” dread).Leaders must take responsibility for the environment they create.Trust grows when people experience you as consistent and authentic.A safe first step toward unmasking: stop people-pleasing and practice silence.About Our Guest Adriana Vaccaro is the CEO and Founder of Culture Redesigned. She blends behavioral science with real-world business leadership to help organizations and individuals turn values into actions that actually change outcomes. Connect with Adriana Adriana Vaccaro, MBA | LinkedInCulture Redesigned – Building Dream TeamsWork Besties Challenge (Try This This Week) Pick one moment where you usually “fill the space” to keep things smooth.  Instead, pause for 3 seconds before responding. Practice silence without over-agreeing. Send us a text You can watch the full episode on Youtube Follow us on IG , TikTok, Threads and LinkedIn Please rate, comment and provide suggestions for upcoming episodes Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

    30 min
  2. Authenticity At Work

    FEB 2

    Authenticity At Work

    Ever notice your voice goes two octaves higher in a meeting—or you rewrite the same email sentence five times because it sounds “too much like you”? In this episode, we’re exploring authenticity at work without turning it into oversharing. Because being yourself at work gets easier when someone else sees you and helps you stay aligned. This month’s commitment: we don’t punish honesty—we reward it with safety. And we don’t chase perfection; we practice alignment. In this episode, we cover: What we mean by authenticity: consistency between your values and your behaviorsWhy authenticity isn’t “unfiltered everything” (you can be real and professional)The two versions of authenticity: corporate (reliability + boundaries) and creative (voice + POV)“Your brand is your behavior”—and how misalignment shows up (hello, “brand panic”)3 “work bestie” safety signals: reflect you back kindly, protect you in rooms you’re not in, and tell you the truth without shaming youTry this this week: Pick one value (clarity, calm, balance, excellence, etc.) → translate it into one behavior people can see. Share it with your work bestie and ask for a gut check. Coming up this month: Unmasking at Work (and why your brand is your behavior)Authentic Influence (boundaries that protect your brand)How to Stay You While You GrowShare with your work bestie and tag us with the value + behavior you’re practicing this week. Send us a text You can watch the full episode on Youtube Follow us on IG , TikTok, Threads and LinkedIn Please rate, comment and provide suggestions for upcoming episodes Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

    17 min
  3. Rest Is A Power Move

    JAN 26

    Rest Is A Power Move

    Ever swear you’ll “catch up on sleep this weekend”… and somehow wake up Monday still tired? Same. 😅 In this January wrap-up, Jess and Claude are making a bold claim: rest isn’t a reward — it’s a strategy. We’re talking the real reason your habits fall apart when you’re exhausted (spoiler: your brain goes into survival mode), plus a few simple, low-pressure routines you can actually keep. In this episode: The January recap: what stuck, what didn’t, and why “pressure” isn’t the moveThe Rest Ledger: an energy budget for your life (what drained you vs. what restored you)The Power Down Protocol: close loops → dim & distance → downshiftThe Work Bestie bedtime routine: brain → light → bodyWhat to do if you wake up at 2AM (without doom scrolling 😬)A 1-week experiment: the “no after-hours spiral” boundaryNot medical advice: If you’re dealing with chronic insomnia or severe sleep issues, please talk to a qualified clinician. Books on Rest, Sleep & Energy Exhausted: How to Revitalize, Restore, and Renew Your Energy – the book Jess references in this episodeWhy We Sleep by Matthew WalkerRest Is Resistance by Tricia HerseyBurnout by Emily Nagoski & Amelia NagoskiEssentialism by Greg McKeownThe Sleep Solution by W. Chris Winter, MDPodcasts for Going Deeper The Huberman Lab Podcast (sleep & nervous system episodes)Ten Percent HappierThe Mel Robbins Podcast (rest, boundaries & burnout conversations)Feel Better, Live More (Dr. Rangan Chatterjee)The Happiness Lab#Sleep #BurnoutRecovery #WorkLifeBalance Send us a text You can watch the full episode on Youtube Follow us on IG , TikTok, Threads and LinkedIn Please rate, comment and provide suggestions for upcoming episodes Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

    28 min
  4. The Skeptic’s Guide to Vision Boards: Make One That Actually Drives Action

    JAN 19

    The Skeptic’s Guide to Vision Boards: Make One That Actually Drives Action

    Vision boards work… do they? 😅 In this episode, Jess (the believer) and Claude (the skeptic) make vision boards for 2026 and unpack what vision boards really are: not magic, not toxic positivity, but a clarity tool that helps you focus your decisions and take real action. We share the 3 questions that guide everything, how to avoid turning your board into a fantasy board, and a simple way to keep your goals visible all year. What You’ll Learn / Key Takeaways: The 3 questions to ask before you cut a single pictureWhy “vision board” is really a clarity boardHow to avoid a “fantasy board” (and keep goals tangible)What it means when you don’t hit a goal… but you’re still on trackWhy consistency is the real secret ingredientPhysical vs digital vision boards: pick what works for your brainThe easiest way to actually use your board (phone wallpaper hack)Mentioned in This Episode: Recording from Podfest in Orlando (yes, we’re literally on the floor 😄)Canva vs magazines + scissors + glueBuilding community + growing the podcast ecosystemAction Challenge (for listeners): Answer these three questions today: How do I want work to feel in 2026?What do I want less of?What am I willing to do differently?Then share ONE word, phrase, or image that represents your 2026 direction. Send us a text You can watch the full episode on Youtube Follow us on IG , TikTok, Threads and LinkedIn Please rate, comment and provide suggestions for upcoming episodes Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

    18 min
  5. Reinventing Yourself With Grace: It’s Okay If Your Path Deviates with Rosamaria Mancini (SOS Podcasts)

    JAN 12

    Reinventing Yourself With Grace: It’s Okay If Your Path Deviates with Rosamaria Mancini (SOS Podcasts)

    “New Year, New You” can feel inspiring… until your life takes a turn you didn’t plan. In this episode, Rosamaria Mancini—author of SOS Podcasts—joins us to explore what it really means to reinvent yourself when your path changes, and how to meet that deviation with grace, empathy, and connection. Rosamaria shares her story of leaving New York and rebuilding her identity through major transitions in Italy and later Germany. From culture shock and learning new rhythms of daily life to loneliness, motherhood, and the challenge of making friends later in adulthood, she offers an honest look at what it takes to start over—without losing yourself in the process. A standout theme: podcasts as connection. For Rosamaria, podcast voices became a lifeline during isolated seasons—helping her feel less alone, more grounded, and still connected to the world she came from. If your “future plan” doesn’t look the way you expected this year, this conversation is a reminder: different doesn’t mean wrong—your path can deviate and still be yours. In this episode, we talk about: When Rosamaria realized she was truly an expatItaly vs. Germany: the emotional whiplash of switching culturesHow slowing down can be the key to belongingFriendship abroad + building “chosen family”The “emergency contact” moment that hits expats hardPodcasts as a tool for comfort, learning, and connectionThe mindset shift: staying true to yourself when plans changeGuest: Rosamaria Mancini Website: [https://rosamariamancini.com]Book: SOS PodcastsResources mentioned NPR Life KitThe Daily (The New York Times)Wiser Than Me (Julia Louis-Dreyfus)Send us a text You can watch the full episode on Youtube Follow us on IG , TikTok, Threads and LinkedIn Please rate, comment and provide suggestions for upcoming episodes Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

    29 min
  6. Season 3 Kickoff: New Year, New You (Without Burning Out) + 2026 Theme Roadmap

    JAN 5

    Season 3 Kickoff: New Year, New You (Without Burning Out) + 2026 Theme Roadmap

    Jess + Claude are back to kick off Season 3: Work Besties Who Grow—a realistic, micro-intentions approach to career glow-ups with fewer breakdowns (hopefully). You’ll get the full year roadmap by quarter + month, plus practical micro intentions you can start this week. In This Episode Why Season 3 is about tiny steps → big changeHow we’re structuring every month: Kickoff → Guests → Work Bestie LensJanuary theme: New Year, New You (soft resets, not reinvention)Micro intentions you can actually stick to (with examples)The 5-minute weekly Work Bestie check-in (3 questions)Small digital detox boundaries that don’t require quitting your phoneWhat’s coming up next + how to send us topic/guest requestsEpisode Highlights / Key Takeaways Micro intention ideas (pick ONE for 7 days): One tiny career move (send the email, update the resume, book the coffee chat)One boundary sentence (“I can get that to you by tomorrow at 3pm—unless you want me to reprioritize.”)One visibility moment (speak once in a meeting, share a win with your manager, post one insight)One reset ritual (1–3 minutes) (end-of-day prep, short walk between meetings, quick list rewrite)Weekly 5-minute Work Bestie check-in (use these 3 questions): What felt heavy today?What was a win?How can I support you?Small tech boundaries (choose one): No email before 9am or after 6pmNo screens during mealsSwap bedtime scrolling for a reset (book, water, short walk)Q1: Reset + Direction (New Year, New You) January: Reset & Micro Intentions (tiny steps that stick)February: Authenticity + Personal Branding (how you want to show up)March: Career Clarity + Pivoting (where you are vs. where you want to go)Q2: Skills + Confidence Building April: Money Moves (pay confidence, negotiation, value)May: Mentorship & Sponsorship (finding advocates, being one)June: Communication (hard convos, clarity, influence)Q3: Boundaries + Energy Resetting July: Boundaries (protect your peace without the guilt)August: Burnout Prevention + Energy Management (systems for sustainability)September: Reset Rituals + Digital Detox (recharge habits that actually work)Q4: Leadership + Systems + Mental Wellness (Finish Strong, Not Fried) October: Leadership (leading with or without the title)November: Systems (workflows, prioritization, repeatable routines)December: Mental Wellness + Reflection (close the year strong—not crispy)Work Bestie Community Challenge: Pick one micro intention and co Send us a text You can watch the full episode on Youtube Follow us on IG , TikTok, Threads and LinkedIn Please rate, comment and provide suggestions for upcoming episodes Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

    22 min
  7. Listener Favorites & Claude's Signature Sips

    12/29/2025

    Listener Favorites & Claude's Signature Sips

    You think you know which Work Besties Who Podcast episode was #1 this year… but the data says otherwise. In this 2025 Year in Review, Jess & Claude recap Season 2’s biggest wellness themes, the solo episodes you replayed the most, and the guest conversations you couldn’t stop talking about. And because you asked (many times!) — Claude walks us through two end-of-year cocktails you can make with your work bestie while you binge your favorite episodes. Most importantly: every guest, every solo, every episode was a winner. Thank you for being part of the Work Bestie community and making Season 2 what it was. In this episode, we cover: The top wellness themes that rose to the top this yearThe top solo episodes you replayed the mostThe top guest episodes (your WorkBestie Starter Pack)Two cocktails Claude makes step-by-stepA quick teaser of what’s coming in Season 3 (starting next week!)All episodes are winners — and here are the “most replayed” highlights: Top Solo Episodes Wellness Isn’t One Size Fits All: Season 2 BeginsCelebrate the Small Stuff: Why Recognition Matters More Than You ThinkThe Power of BreaksTop Guest Episodes (WorkBestie Starter Pack) Movements of Mindfulness: Rethinking Yoga in Modern Life — with Brea JohnsonAuthentic Storytelling: The Journey of Roxy Couse — with Roxy CouseBreaking Free From Burnout to Breakthrough — with Nicole RichardsStoic Empathy — with Shermin KruseUnlocking Career Success: Moving Through Relationships — with Morag BarrettCocktail #1: Classic Cosmo (for two) Ingredients 4 oz vodka (2 oz per person)2 oz cranberry juice (1 oz per person)2 oz lime juice (1 oz per person)2 oz orange liqueur (1 oz per person)Ice  Garnish (optional): rosemaryDirections Add everything to a shaker with ice → shake → strain into a coupe → garnish if you want. Cocktail #2: Spiced Apple Cider Batch Cocktail (holiday-style) Ingredients Apple ciderOrange slicesCinnamon sticksStar aniseCognacOrange liqueurA splash of cranberry juice  Optional: top with ginger beer Optional garnish: rosemary + pomegranate seedsDirections Warm apple cider with orange slices + cinnamon + star anise (about 15 minutes) → cool → add cognac + orange liqueur + cranberry → mix → pour into a serving dish/pitcher → garnish → let people serve themselves (optional ginger beer topper). Friendly reminder: drink responsibly and don’t drive. Happy New Year, Work Besties — and we’ll see you next week for the Season 3 kickoff. 🎉 Send us a text You can watch the full episode on Youtube Follow us on IG , TikTok, Threads and LinkedIn Please rate, comment and provide suggestions for upcoming episodes Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

    34 min
  8. Pause Before You Burn Out: Stay on Track Without Hustling Harder

    12/22/2025

    Pause Before You Burn Out: Stay on Track Without Hustling Harder

    Have you ever looked up from your laptop and thought, how is it already December? Or finally sat down for a night off… and your brain is still sprinting? Today, we’re saying something mildly offensive to hustle culture: if you never pause, it’s not just your energy that suffers — it’s your judgment, your relationships, and your career. In this episode, Jess & Claude break down the difference between a break (physical step-away) and a pause (a mental pattern-interrupt), then share our Work Bestie framework: the 4 P’s of Pause: People: who energizes you vs. drains youPace: how fast you’re living and where you need space to thinkPatterns: what keeps repeating (overcommitting, last-minute scrambling, self-doubt)Pulse: what your body is telling you (sleep, stress, headaches, gut, fatigue)Plus, we share micro-pauses you can actually do in real life: transition pauses between meetings, a 10-minute screen-free reset, a walk-and-talk with your work bestie, and a simple Friday reflection. Take a breath, pick one “P,” and start small. Your pause isn’t a problem — it’s your power. 💎 Key Takeaways Why working more hours can create less outputBreak vs. pause (and why pause is the productivity game-changer)The 4 P’s of Pause: People, Pace, Patterns, PulseMicro-pauses: transition resets, screen-free time, walk-and-talk, weekly reflectionA simple challenge: pick one P and check in with your work bestieWork Bestie Challenge: This week, choose one P (People, Pace, Patterns, or Pulse) and do a 5–10 minute check-in with yourself (or your work bestie). Then tell us: Which P do you need most right now? Links / Resources Mentioned  Deep Work — Cal NewportAtomic Habits — James ClearEP 79: Your Phone Is Not Your Work Bestie: How to Set Screen Boundaries Without Burning Down Your CareerEP 75 Why You’re Still Burned Out (Even After a Weekend Off)EP 52 Power of BreaksEP 38 Self Love & Resilience: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Own Your ConfidenceSend us a text You can watch the full episode on Youtube Follow us on IG , TikTok, Threads and LinkedIn Please rate, comment and provide suggestions for upcoming episodes Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

    30 min
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About

Building a bold community of work besties 💼👯‍♀️ to bond 🤝💞, banter 😂🎉, and bloom 🌸✨ 🎙️ Listen to the Work Besties Who Podcast: where workplace friendships get real! From tea spills to relatable laughs, we’re unpacking everything about work life's ups, downs, and unforgettable moments.✨ Join us for candid chats, relatable stories, and a sprinkle of chaos—because what’s work without a little drama and a lot of fun?  💼😄 Hit play, and let’s dive into the messy magic of workplace connections together! Work Besties:-)

Information

  • Creator
    Work Besties Who Podcast
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    88
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Work Besties Who Podcast
  • Show Website
    Work Besties Who Podcast