Workplace Weirdness™

Maya Kadar Kovalsky

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. 3d ago

    The Message You Send vs. the Message Received with Henna Pryor | S3E3

    Henna Pryor, keynote speaker with two TEDx talks and author of Good Awkward and the upcoming The Signal Gap (out November 10), joins host Maya Kadar Kovalsky to unpack why awkwardness at work is so hard to shake.  Henna shares how growing up as the firstborn child of immigrant parents shaped her interest in fitting in, and explains the signal gap: the distance between the message you intend to send and the one a skeptical, “verify-first” audience actually receives. Together they react to a viral clip of a CEO who says he fired his HR department, with Henna arguing that the signal he meant to send (running lean) is not the one people are hearing.  The conversation also covers how Henna made two career pivots by keeping one foot on the ground, why she dislikes the phrase "pick your brain," and how to ask for five minutes of someone's time. Henna answers a Reddit post from someone who wants acquaintances but not work friends, with tips on small talk.  Tune in to hear the most awkward elevator story that makes the workplace weird and learn how owning that awkwardness turned it into a connection. Stay Weird!  Chapters: 00:00 – Intro: Why Workplace Awkwardness Is So Hard to Shake 04:15 – The Signal Gap: Intent vs. Impact in Leadership 11:30 – Viral CEO Reaction: When Internal Messaging Goes Wrong 18:45 – How to Make a Career Pivot Without Risking Stability 25:10 – Stop Saying "Pick Your Brain": Better Networking Scripts 31:20 – Small Talk for Introverts: Conversational Threading & Boundaries 38:50 – That Utah Elevator Story: Leaning into the Awkwardness Resources and Links: ***Free for our listeners- the first chapter of Henna’s new book, The Signal Gap: https://www.thesignalgap.com/weirdness The Official Workplace Weirdness Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/workplaceweirdnesspodcast  Henna Pryor: · Website: https://pryoritygroup.com/ · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hennapryor/?hl=en · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hennapryor Maya Kadar Kovalsky · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/ Workplace Weirdness™ · Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com · Website: workplace-weirdness.com · Instagram: @workplaceweirdpod · Tiktok: @workplaceweirdpod · Substack: https://workplaceweirdness.substack.com/ Join our YouTube community for exclusive content and more! https://www.youtube.com/@WorkplaceWeirdPod/community  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.

    The Message You Send vs. the Message Received with Henna Pryor | S3E3
  2. Oct 14

    What Human Leaders Need To Do In The Age of AI with Erica Keswin | S3E2

    Return-to-office is making people lonelier, AI is changing the rules of leadership, and most companies are still getting the human part of work wrong. Maya Kadar Kovalsky and workplace strategist Erica Keswin break down what actually makes workplaces feel connected, productive, and worth showing up for. Maya and Erica unpack why five days a week in the office is usually unnecessary, why some offices drain energy while others create real momentum and why intentional in-person days matter more than attendance for attendance’s sake. Erica Keswin is a bestselling author and internationally recognized speaker focused on human-centered leadership, employee engagement, and the future of work. She is the author of Bring Your Human to Work, Rituals Roadmap, and The Retention Revolution, and her LinkedIn Learning courses on human leadership have been watched by more than 120,000 people. Chapters: 00:00 — Why being in the office doesn’t guarantee connection 03:41 — Why “we’re like family here” can backfire 05:42 — Finding the office-day sweet spot 08:10 — Apprenticeship and why early-career employees value the office 09:23 — The research behind the Spaghetti Project 11:09 — The “magic question” for building workplace rituals 12:57 — Turning a daily habit into a meaningful ritual 15:05 — What leaders misunderstand about employee needs 17:25 — Staying human in the age of AI 19:24 — Why thank yous and feedback should stay personal  Resources and Links: The Official Workplace Weirdness Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/workplaceweirdnesspodcast  Erica Keswin: · Website :https://ericakeswin.com/ · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericakeswin/ · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericakeswin Maya Kadar Kovalsky · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/ Workplace Weirdness™ · Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com · Website: workplace-weirdness.com · Instagram: @workplaceweirdpod · Tiktok: @workplaceweirdpod · Substack: https://workplaceweirdness.substack.com/ 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.

    What Human Leaders Need To Do In The Age of AI with Erica Keswin | S3E2
  3. Sep 23

    The Lost Art of Disagreeing Agreeably: Van Jones on Modern Workplace Culture | S3 E1

    Welcome to Workplace Weirdness Season 3!  Maya Kadar Kovalsky kicks off the season with a special guest, VAN JONES, a political commentator, social entrepreneur, CNN host, Emmy Award-winning producer, bestselling author, and founder of Dream Machine Innovation Lab and Rapport.   Join a fascinating conversation about working across radically different environments, from the rules of working in the White House to Silicon Valley to the future of AI in the workplace. Van and Maya explore why psychological strength matters more than psychological safety and why the best managers need better tools to navigate a diverse, distributed, and divided workforce. If you manage people, lead teams, or just want to understand how humans actually work together, this episode is packed with practical insight and motivation. Chapters: 00:00 - Disagreeing agreeably 04:28 - Workplace slogans: Keep It, Kill It, or Fix It  09:47 - Can we be apolitical at work? 14:41 - Psychological safety versus psychological strength 18:18 - The three D workplace: diverse, distributed, divided 19:55 - Why Rapport exists and what problem it solves 25:47 - Why managers need help interpreting people data 28:59 - Technology can bring out the worst in people 29:39 - Culture shock across different work environments 35:10 - The weirdness of living and speaking on live TV 39:20 - High-amplitude careers come with real lows 44:43 - Final thoughts on Rapport and a free consultation offer Resources and Links: The Official Workplace Weirdness Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/workplaceweirdnesspodcast  Rapport · Website: www.rapport.co  Offer to our listeners: A 30-minute leadership and talent development strategy audit. Receive a complimentary, private 30-minute Leadership & Talent Development Strategy Session to uncover opportunities and sharpen your talent strategy. Email hi@rapport.co and mention "Workplace Weirdness Podcast”. Van Jones · Rapport Website: www.rapport.co · Website: https://www.vanjones.net/ · Instagram: @vanjones68 · YouTube: @vanjones68 · Tiktok: @vanjones68 · Substack:https://vanjones.substack.com/ Maya Kadar Kovalsky · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/ Workplace Weirdness™ · Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com · Website: workplace-weirdness.com · Instagram: @workplaceweirdpod · Tiktok: @workplaceweirdpod · Substack: https://workplaceweirdness.substack.com/ 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.

    The Lost Art of Disagreeing Agreeably: Van Jones on Modern Workplace Culture | S3 E1
  4. Sep 10 ·  Bonus

    Workplace Weirdness: Work Drama | ft. See You At Work Tomorrow

    Welcome to Workplace Weirdness: Work Drama, a new series where we break down the workplace chaos happening on screen, so hopefully you never have to experience it in real life. In this special episode, we break down the hit Korean drama See You at Work Tomorrow, and explore the chaos, pressure, and quiet emotional survival of modern work life.  Join Maya as she examines the tension between speed and quality, the burden placed on capable employees, and the dysfunction of a manager who rules through fear instead of leadership while enjoying a masterpiece of Korean television. Whether you relate to Ji Yoon’s mission to leave on time, her quiet resistance to being overlooked, or that unexpected post-helicopter spark with Si-woo, this episode is packed with real takeaways for surviving the modern 9-to-5. Hit play to explore what it really costs to keep showing up, and how to protect your peace the moment you clock out.  Don't forget to like, subscribe, and drop your thoughts in the comments: what’s the hardest boundary for you to set at work? Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction & Korean Drama Setup 00:46 - The Premise of See You at Work Tomorrow  01:34 - The Corporate Ladder & Team Dynamic  03:00 - Gi-yoon’s Boundary: Leaving on Time  04:15 - Fear-Based Leadership & High Expectations  05:52 - Helicopter Crisis & Bonding with Si-woo  07:12 - Burnout vs. Passion in Modern Work  08:35 - Quiet Resistance & Self-Preservation  09:48 - Final Reflections & Takeaways Resources and Links: Maya Kadar Kovalsky · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/ Workplace Weirdness™ · Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com · Website: workplace-weirdness.com · Instagram: @workplaceweirdpod · Tiktok: @workplaceweirdpod · Substack : https://workplaceweirdness.substack.com/ · Amazon Store: https://a.co/d/07aWiiPi 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.

    Workplace Weirdness: Work Drama | ft. See You At Work Tomorrow
  5. Aug 28 ·  Bonus

    The Workplace Weirdness™ Hall of Fame

    Work is weird - and these are the stories that prove it. From a possum trapped in the office to a naked neighbor derailing a meeting, Maya Kadar Kovalsky pulls the all-time weirdest, most cringe-inducing, and laugh-out-loud workplace moments from the last seasons and places them into The Workplace Weirdness™ Hall of Fame. Join Maya and enjoy true workplace chaos, uncomfortable stories, and good laughs that make your worst day at the office feel completely normal.  Because every 9-to-5 has a story to tell. Stay weird! Chapters: [00:12] Welcome to the Workplace Weirdness™ Hall of Fame [01:05] An unwanted nighttime visitor in the office [2:24] Free Tesla charging and breakfast [2:53] Meeting Anthony Kiedis at the urinal [4:16] A Bloody Mary gone wrong at 30,000 feet   [5:08] The goodbye Heimlich [6:07] The Bloody Interview [7:51] Mysterious white powder… [9:13] The drunk futurist  [11:34] BBC conflict zone training gone weird [13:48] The naked man on the rooftop [15:10] Maya’s final thoughts  Resources and Links: Maya Kadar Kovalsky · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/ Karen Bochert · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenborchert Menaka Chang · Website: https://www.gofractional.com/member/menaka-chang Neil Sharma · Website: https://www.solarkal.com/ Ann Rhoades · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annrhoades Nicole Ramirez · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolerayeramirez · Website: https://nrdigitalconsulting.com/ William Tincup · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup Dethra Giles · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dethragiles · Website: https://www.dethragiles.org/ Kane Calamari · LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kane-calamari-53268014 Lucy Adams · LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/lucy-adams-1058b5252 Paul McDowall · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-mcdowall-00b0b11 Workplace Weirdness™ · Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com · Website: workplace-weirdness.com · Instagram: @workplaceweirdpod · Tiktok: @workplaceweirdpod · Substack : https://workplaceweirdness.substack.com/ · Amazon Store: https://a.co/d/07aWiiPi 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.

    The Workplace Weirdness™ Hall of Fame
  6. Aug 14 ·  Bonus

    Hard Truth About Parental Leave: Dads Get Praised, Moms Get Punished!

    In this episode of our Workplace Weirdness™ summer series, “Out of Office,” Maya Kadar Kovalsky discusses parental leave: the double standards parents face, the pressure to appear “serious” at work while caring for a family, and why parental leave parity matters for both moms and dads.  Our notable guests discuss how parental leave intersects with identity, ambition, caregiving, and workplace culture, using candid stories to show how maternal and paternal leave policies and leadership behavior can either support families or quietly penalize them.  The episode is a reminder that employees should never have to choose between starting a family and succeeding in their career. Chapters: [00:12] Why parental leave is really about identity, power, and workplace culture [00:42]  Leave policies only matter if people feel safe using them [1:07] The double standard: men praised for caregiving, women penalized for it [2:02]  A pregnancy “stretch assignment” turns into a public demotion [3:56] U.S. Parental leave system depends heavily on company policy [4:23] Leadership behavior sets the tone for whether parental leave is acceptable [4:50] Why parity in leave matters for both mothers and fathers [6:14] The pressure on dads to return early [6:41] How to request leave without apologizing for it [7:09] Setting boundaries early so family time is non-negotiable [7:38] Parenting and professional ambition should not be treated as opposites Resources and Links: Maya Kadar Kovalsky · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/ Randi Braun · LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/randi-braun-312a5423 · Website: https://www.somethingmajorcoaching.com/about-randi Peter Vincent · Website: https://www.vincentcs.com/ Nicole Ramirez · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolerayeramirez · Website: https://nrdigitalconsulting.com/ Workplace Weirdness™ · Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com· Website: workplace-weirdness.com · Instagram: @workplaceweirdpod · Tiktok: @workplaceweirdpod · Substack : https://workplaceweirdness.substack.com/ 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.

    Hard Truth About Parental Leave: Dads Get Praised, Moms Get Punished!
  7. Jul 31 ·  Bonus

    This Episode Could Have Been an Email: From Meeting Overload to Purpose

    We sometimes feel that certain meetings could have been an email; yet in most cases we don’t have a choice. In this episode of our Workplace Weirdness™ summer series, “Out of Office,” Maya Kadar Kovalsky unpacks why poorly planned meetings can drain morale, hamper innovation, and signal a lack of respect for your team's time.  Our expert guests share eye-opening insights, such as how unresolved conflicts in meetings cost billions annually and how practical frameworks for empathy and inclusivity across time zones can enhance team inclusion.  Discover best practices that can redesign meetings from arbitrary routines into intentional, engaging experiences and transform meetings into powerful catalysts for collaboration and culture-building  Ready to make meetings better? Tune in now! Chapters: [00:12] The problems with unproductive gatherings   [00:40] The bigger picture: making meetings better, more creative, and more human [1:09] Conflict in meetings: unresolved issues costing billions annually [1:37] Why your meetings reflect your organizational culture [2:05] Designing purposeful meetings with clear goals and pre-work [2:34] The impact of post-COVID work culture on meeting frequency and quality [3:04] How to get better at meeting facilitation: tools, goals, and human-centered design [3:32] Emotional experience: making meetings feel valuable and engaging [4:01] The power of personality and humor in meetings for building trust [5:24] Managing time zone differences with empathy and transparency [5:54] Practical approaches to inclusive meetings: acknowledging time zones and involving participants [6:24] Strategies for making remote participants feel involved and valued [6:51] Why meetings shape company culture and how to improve them [7:20] Tips for creating engagement and making meetings worthwhile [7:49] Takeaways: your meetings are an extension of your organizational culture Resources and Links: Maya Kadar Kovalsky · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/ Dethra Giles · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dethragiles · Website: https://www.dethragiles.org/ Hannah Dubin · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-feldberg-dubin · Website: https://www.thegroupforward.com/ David Homan · Website: https://orchestratedconnecting.com/ Nicole Ramirez · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolerayeramirez · Website: https://nrdigitalconsulting.com/ Billy Somoa Saleebey · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa · Website: https://podify.com/ Workplace Weirdness™ · Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com · Website: workplace-weirdness.com · Instagram: @workplaceweirdpod · Tiktok: @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 Episode Could Have Been an Email: From Meeting Overload to Purpose
  8. Jul 17 ·  Bonus

    The Power of Introductions: Leading Through Connection

    In this episode of our Workplace Weirdness™ summer series, “Out of Office,” Maya Kadar Kovalsky explores one of the most underrated leadership skills: connecting people. Rather than focusing only on decision-making, great leaders notice who’s stuck, who’s working on similar problems, and who could benefit from knowing one another - then they make the introduction. Through guest stories and practical examples, the conversation shows how connecting works best when it’s rooted in empathy, curiosity, and service. From leadership assimilation sessions to everyday touch points that build familiarity and trust, the episode highlights how building your social capital can break down barriers, create relationships, strengthen teams, and unlock unexpected opportunities. Chapters: [00:12] Creating Connections with host, Maya Kadar Kovalsky [00:47] Fourth Tier Jock to NFL Superbowl Connections with David Homan [2:06] Leadership Assimilation Sessions with Kane Calamari [3:09] Bonding with Coworkers with William Tincup [3:57] Big Heart Energy Matters with Kat Kibben [4:57] Being a Genuine Human with Paul McDowall [5:58] Trust is Only Legal Enhancing Drug with David Hanrahan [6:25] Leaderships is About Connection Resources and Links: David Homan · Website: https://orchestratedconnecting.com/ Kane Calamari · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kane-calamari-53268014 William Tincup · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup Kat Kibben · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinakibben David Hanrahan · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhanrahan Maya Kadar Kovalsky · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/ Workplace Weirdness™ · Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com · Website: workplace-weirdness.com · Instagram: @workplaceweirdpod · Tiktok: @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.

    The Power of Introductions: Leading Through Connection
5
out of 5
12 Ratings

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!

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