Drinks After Work with Shannon and Deb

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Ever wonder what your colleagues really talk about when they're off the clock? Welcome to Drinks After Work, where Shannon Tipton and Deborah Harris pull up a stool for the kind of straight talk you’ll only hear after hours. Each episode is a casual deep dive into the real world of corporate life. From dissecting the latest trends to laughing at the absurdities of the modern workplace, they're pulling back the curtain on the side of work you don't talk about in the office. Pull up a chair, grab your favorite beverage, and get ready for a different kind of business podcast.

  1. APR 17

    Balloon Brags and Broken Trust

    Pop the tab on something cold and settle in — it's time for another round of Drinks After Work! This time, we're talking all about: The trust recession — why trust is broken everywhere (workplace, brands, insurance, you name it) How layoffs during record profits have destroyed employee trust Why loyalty means nothing anymore (on both sides of the counter) The connection between technology, AI, and the erosion of human trust Why relationships at work matter more than ever How to rebuild trust one small interaction at a time In this episode, Shannon and Deborah dive into the trust recession that's eroding the workplace, customer relationships, and pretty much every institution we used to rely on. When CEOs are pulling in 12 figures while laying off thousands, when insurance companies want to put trackers on your car but still raise your rates, when layoffs happen during record profits — trust breaks. And once it breaks at work, it bleeds into everything else. But it's not all doom and gloom. They share how to rebuild trust incrementally, from speaking up for people in their absence to bringing an extra donut to the coworker next to you. So sip, swig, or chug — and get ready to: Recognize the signs that your company's "we're a family" talk is BS Stop expecting loyalty from organizations that don't give it back Take the first step in building real workplace relationships Speak up for people when they're not in the room Shop your insurance every few years (loyalty doesn't pay) Trust first until you can't — but know when you can't Because it wouldn't be Drinks After Work without the drinks, here are the FAB: Shannon: Lemon Drop — Classic lemon drop, hold the sugar on the rim. Deborah: Trust Issues — Vodka, watermelon juice, lime juice, and a little agave syrup. Find all our drink recipes and more at our website.   Resources: Forbes: "The Trust Recession: Why Trust and Customer Experiences Are Failing"   Be part of the Learning Rebels Community. Continue the conversation while building connections and capability. Learn more here.   Join the Coffee Chat conversations Be part of Learning Rebels live Coffee Chat Discussions! Sign up here.     Hire Learning Rebels. When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more.   Hosts: Shannon Tipton & Deborah Harris   Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions

    30 min

  2. APR 3

    The Pool's Empty and Betty Sue's Giving The Ick

    Pop the tab on something cold and settle in — it's time for another round of Drinks After Work!   This time, we're talking all about: Power dynamics at work — from Betty Sue in finance to team leads on power trips When to leave corporate America and go out on your own The ick of entrepreneurship: trading one set of problems for another The harsh realities no one tells you (spoiler: healthcare costs will make you cry) Why the system wasn't built to support entrepreneurs — and how to survive anyway How to know if you're built for the solo life (and what to do if you're not)   In this episode, Shannon and Deborah dive into the messy reality of leaving corporate America to start your own business. It sounds amazing when you're sitting in your corporate chair collecting a corporate paycheck, but then you realize you're just trading one set of problems. They break down the things nobody warns you about — healthcare costs that want it all upfront, business insurance requirements, wearing every single hat, and the scam artists promising you can make $5 million in a year if you just buy their course. But it's not all doom and gloom — they also share real resources and remind you that failing forward is part of the process, whether you're in corporate or on your own.   So sip, swig, or chug — and get ready to: Recognize power dynamics before they bite you in the @$$ Know your strengths and weaknesses before you jump ship Find free resources through the Small Business Association and community colleges Shop around for the right networks (and don't be afraid to leave the wrong ones) Stop trying to perfect everything — it's an iterative process Remember that going back to corporate doesn't make you a failure   Because it wouldn't be Drinks After Work without the drinks, here are the FAB: Deborah: Rise Mushroom Coffee — With almond milk and sugarcane sugar. Shannon: Starbucks Black Coffee — Plus donuts, because sometimes you just need the comfort food of all comfort foods.   Find all our drink recipes and more at our website.     Resources: Small Business Administration Chicago Small Business Expo    Be part of the Learning Rebels Community. Continue the conversation while building connections and capability. Learn more here.   Join the Coffee Chat conversations Be part of Learning Rebels live Coffee Chat Discussions! Sign up here.     Hire Learning Rebels. When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more.   Hosts: Shannon Tipton & Deborah Harris   Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions

    36 min

  3. MAR 19

    Work Family and...Bonus Hams?

    Pop the tab on something cold and settle in — it's time for another round of Drinks After Work!   This time, we're talking all about: Corporate swag vs. actual bonuses (spoiler: we want the money, not the blanket) Why "we're all family here" is a giant red flag in job postings Workplace favoritism and the halo effect — when one person can do no wrong The Peter Principle: promoting people until they're incompetent When entire departments become the favorites (looking at you, Sales) How to survive (and maybe thrive) when you're not the chosen one   In this episode, Shannon and Deborah tackle the toxic "we're all family here" culture, workplace favoritism and the halo effect, the Peter Principle in action, and department favoritism where Sales gets golf trips while you fill out a PO for a pencil. But it's not all doom and gloom — they share strategies for surviving when you're not the favorite, from cross-department collaboration to the "ask forgiveness instead of permission" approach, and remind you to hold onto the real workplace relationships that actually matter.   So sip, swig, or chug — and get ready to: Recognize the red flags of favoritism and fake family culture Figure out how to collaborate across departments to become the next favorite (or at least get noticed) Remember: don't let workplace dysfunction bleed into your personal life Hold onto the real relationships you build at work — those people will advocate for you in rooms you're not in   Because it wouldn't be Drinks After Work without the drinks, here are the FAB: Deborah: Cherry Picking — Vodka, elderflower liqueur, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, soda water. Garnish with cherry or mint. Shannon: Jazzy — Vodka, Disaronno, orange liqueur, orange juice, fresh lemon juice. Shake well and serve straight up, super cold.   Find all our drink recipes and more at our website.     Resources: The Peter Principle (because promotions aren't always progress)   Be part of the Learning Rebels Community. Continue the conversation while building connections and capability. Learn more here.   Join the Coffee Chat conversations Be part of Learning Rebels live Coffee Chat Discussions! Sign up here.     Hire Learning Rebels. When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more.   Hosts: Shannon Tipton & Deborah Harris   Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions

    27 min

  4. MAR 4

    PTO, Shame and Hot Dogs

    Pop the tab on something cold and settle in — it's time for another round of Drinks After Work! This time, we're talking all about:   Why unlimited PTO is actually an illusion of flex PTO shame and why we hoard our time off like it's precious (because it is) The unspoken rules that make taking time off feel like a crime How working from home makes PTO guilt even worse Planning, scheduling, and actually honoring your time off   In this episode, Shannon and Deborah are joined by special guest Chris Coladonato (aka the Connection Catalyst) to tackle the complicated world of paid time off. From companies that give you PTO then punish you for taking it, to the culture of answering emails at 9 PM that trains everyone to disrespect boundaries, they break down why we're all exhausted and what we can actually do about it. Plus, some surprisingly strong feelings about hot dogs.   So sip, swig, or chug — and get ready to: Stop teaching people you're always available (put down the work phone) Plan time to decompress after your vacation ends Set up coverage plans before you leave (so you don't feel guilty) Write an out-of-office that actually protects your inbox Honor your time off instead of just scheduling it   Because it wouldn't be Drinks After Work without the drinks, here are the FAB:  Deborah: Out of Office — Coconut rum, pineapple orange juice (basically a piña colada for PTO vibes).  Shannon: Maple Bourbon Smash — Bourbon, maple syrup, orange juice, lemon juice, bitters, muddled with orange slices.  Chris: Guinness Zero (or Athletic Brewing Irish Stout) — Non-alcoholic beer for pretend time off.   Find all our drink recipes and more at our website.     Resources: Chris Coladonato, the Connection Catalyst     Be part of the Learning Rebels Community. Continue the conversation while building connections and capability. Learn more here.   Join the Coffee Chat conversations Be part of Learning Rebels live Coffee Chat Discussions! Sign up here.     Hire Learning Rebels. When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more.   Hosts: Shannon Tipton & Deborah Harris   Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions

    35 min

  5. FEB 11

    Phony Book Deal and Corporate Squid Games

    Pop the tab on something cold and settle in — it's time for another round of Drinks After Work! This time, we're talking all about: Why forced team building exercises make everyone scatter like roaches The difference between building culture and forcing "fun" Stay interviews vs. exit interviews (and why timing matters) When the CEO thinks they're everyone's buddy (spoiler: they're not) How to survive mandatory team building when you'd rather be anywhere else In this episode, Shannon and Deborah tackle the dreaded corporate team building exercise—from rope courses nobody asked for to virtual activities that somehow make it worse. They break down why these forced bonding sessions often backfire, what leaders get wrong about culture, and how knowing your team's actual needs (through stay interviews, not mandatory fun) makes all the difference. Plus, they share survival tips for when you're stuck doing trust falls against your will. So sip, swig, or chug — and get ready to: Learn what stay interviews are and why they beat exit interviews Understand why series beats events for building real trust Create your own team building moments (with people you actually like) Make the best of it when you can't escape the corporate games Recognize when leadership is too disconnected to plan effectively Because it wouldn't be Drinks After Work without the drinks, here are the FAB: Deborah: The Halo Effect — Half ounce of gin, peach liqueur, lime juice, orange bitters, topped with Prosecco and garnished with a flower. Shannon: Shaken Daiquiri — Bacardi, lime juice, simple syrup, shaken (not frozen) with extra lime for tartness. Find all our drink recipes and more at our website. Be part of the Learning Rebels Community. Continue the conversation while building connections and capability. Learn more here.   Join the Coffee Chat conversations Be part of Learning Rebels live Coffee Chat Discussions! Sign up here.     Hire Learning Rebels. When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more.   Hosts: Shannon Tipton & Deborah Harris   Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions

    23 min

  6. JAN 28

    Badges and Betrayals

    Pop the tab on something cold and settle in — it's time for another round of Drinks After Work! This time, we're talking all about:   Coffee Badging: The office protest you didn't know had a name Revenge Quitting vs. Quiet Quitting: When employees fight back (loudly or silently) Rage Applying: Blanketing the internet with your resume out of pure frustration Quiet Firing: When your company makes you so miserable you quit on your own Why all of these "trends" are really just symptoms of broken workplace culture   In this episode, Shannon and Deborah dive into the buzzwords taking over workplace conversations—from coffee badging (swipe in, grab coffee, bounce) to revenge quitting (bringing your whole crew with you when you leave). They break down why employees are resorting to these tactics, what signs to watch for if you're being quietly fired, and how to protect yourself when the workplace turns toxic. Plus, some real talk about blind spots, equity vs. fairness, and why documentation is your best friend.   So sip, swig, or chug — and get ready to: Recognize the signs of quiet firing before it's too late Document everything (yes, screenshots count) Start "quiet learning" on the company dime while you still can Build your portfolio and LinkedIn testimonials before you need them Know when to walk away—and bring your people with you   Because it wouldn't be Drinks After Work without the drinks, here are the FAB:  Shannon: Hot Apple Cider with Bourbon — Apple cider simmered with chunked apples, chunked oranges, and cinnamon sticks until reduced, then mixed with bourbon.  Deborah: Pear Pressure — Vodka, spiced honey syrup, apple cider, lemon, topped with Prosecco.   Find all our drink recipes and more at our website.     Resources: Fortune Magazine: Farewell, quiet quitting. 2025 could be the year of ‘revenge-quitting’   Be part of the Learning Rebels Community. Continue the conversation while building connections and capability. Learn more here.   Join the Coffee Chat conversations Be part of Learning Rebels live Coffee Chat Discussions! Sign up here.     Hire Learning Rebels. When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more.   Hosts: Shannon Tipton & Deborah Harris   Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions

    49 min

  7. JAN 16

    Performance Reviews: The Corporate Hunger Games

    Pop the tab on something cold and settle in — it's time for another round of Drinks After Work! This time, we're talking all about: Why performance reviews feel like going to the principal's office How the rating system is rigged (spoiler: you're never getting that 5/5) The disconnect between widget-based work and knowledge-based work Why managers wait until the last minute and copy-paste from last year What to do instead if you want actual feedback that matters In this episode, Shannon and Deborah dig into one of corporate America's most dreaded rituals: the annual performance review. From canned responses and forced rankings to managers who "never give out a 10," they break down why this outdated system leaves 80% of employees feeling uninspired and unappreciated. But they don't just vent—they also share practical advice for both managers and employees on how to make feedback meaningful, timely, and actually useful. So sip, swig, or chug — and get ready to: Stop waiting until review time to give (or get) critical feedback Learn how to care personally while challenging directly (thank you, Kim Scott) Ask the right questions during job interviews to avoid toxic review cultures Use one-on-ones for coaching instead of just project updates Understand what "good" looks like before you're judged on it Because it wouldn't be Drinks After Work without the drinks, here are the FAB: Shannon: Hot Apple Cider with Bourbon — Apple cider simmered with chunked apples, chunked oranges, and cinnamon sticks until reduced, then mixed with bourbon. Deborah: Pear Pressure — Vodka, spiced honey syrup, apple cider, lemon, topped with Prosecco.   Find all our drink recipes and more at our website.   Resources: Performance Reviews Are Pointless and Insulting: Why Do They Still Exist? (Forbes, 2018) Radical Candor by Kim Scott Psychology Today: Less than 20% of employees feel inspired by their review (2024) Be part of the Learning Rebels Community. Continue the conversation while building connections and capability. Learn more here.   Join the Coffee Chat conversations Be part of Learning Rebels live Coffee Chat Discussions! Sign up here.     Hire Learning Rebels. When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more.   Hosts: Shannon Tipton & Deborah Harris   Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions

    42 min

  8. JAN 12

    Emotional Support Animals and Smart @$$ Goals

    Pop the tab on something cold and settle in — it's time for another round of Drinks After Work, 2026 Edition!   This time, we're talking all about: Why New Year's resolutions set us up for failure (and what to do instead) How SMART goals aren't actually that smart for personal growth The perfectionism trap that makes goal-setting feel like punishment Why reflection beats resolution every time Practical alternatives that actually work (hello, ALIGN goals)   In this episode, Shannon and Deborah kick off 2026 with some real talk about why we keep setting ourselves up for disappointment every January. From SMART goals that fight against themselves to New Year's resolutions built on where we've failed, they break down why the traditional approach leaves us feeling like crap by January 5th. But it's not all doom and gloom—they share practical frameworks that focus on progress, self-compassion, and chunking big dreams into doable steps.   So sip, swig, or chug — and get ready to: Ditch the guilt and perfectionism around goal-setting Learn the "Big Rock" chunking method for breaking down goals Discover ALIGN goals (Aspire, Live it, Integrate, Gauge, Nurture) Give yourself emotional grace instead of another reason to feel guilty Turn mandatory SMART goals into SMART ASS goals (yes, really)   Because it wouldn't be Drinks After Work without the drinks, here are the FAB picks: Shannon: Grapefruit Fizz — Fresh grapefruit juice, rosemary sugar syrup, and club soda for that Dry January vibe. Deborah: Resolution Refresher — Cranberry juice, lime, elderflower syrup, and sparkling water with frozen cranberries.   Find all our drink recipes and more at our website.     Resources: Why SMART Goals Don't Work   Be part of the Learning Rebels Community. Continue the conversation while building connections and capability. Learn more here.   Join the Coffee Chat conversations Be part of Learning Rebels live Coffee Chat Discussions! Sign up here.     Hire Learning Rebels. When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more.   Hosts: Shannon Tipton & Deborah Harris   Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions

    29 min
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Ever wonder what your colleagues really talk about when they're off the clock? Welcome to Drinks After Work, where Shannon Tipton and Deborah Harris pull up a stool for the kind of straight talk you’ll only hear after hours. Each episode is a casual deep dive into the real world of corporate life. From dissecting the latest trends to laughing at the absurdities of the modern workplace, they're pulling back the curtain on the side of work you don't talk about in the office. Pull up a chair, grab your favorite beverage, and get ready for a different kind of business podcast.

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