Workday Playdate

Erin Diehl | Passion Struck Network
  • 5.0 (203)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

TOP 1% GLOBAL PODCAST for People-First Leaders Formerly the "improve it! Podcast." #9 in BEST 100 SELF LEADERSHIP PODCASTS. I’m Erin Diehl, keynote speaker, business improv edutainer, and founder of improve it! (AKA your work bestie). Every Wednesday, Workday Playdate with improve it! helps HR professionals, people leaders, and culture-driven humans bring more laughter, levity, and purpose to their workdays. Because work is better when you play. This is not your average leadership podcast. You’ll get research-backed strategies, improv-inspired tools, and candid conversations with top leaders, speakers, improvisers and authors who are rethinking how we work and lead. Our promise is to give you tangible takeaways you can use immediately, plus a few laughs along the way. Interested in partnering with us? Workday Playdate reaches thousands of people-first leaders who care about workplace culture, leadership, and team development. Contact info@learntoimproveit.com to learn more about sponsorship opportunities. We promise laughs, impact, and zero awkward small talk. Think ROI with a side of LOL’s. Let’s make it happen!

  1. 325: Rewire for High Performance: Science-Based Self-Healing with Carrie Drinkwine

    1D AGO

    325: Rewire for High Performance: Science-Based Self-Healing with Carrie Drinkwine

    In this Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Carrie Drinkwine to explore a radical (and deeply human) truth: real healing starts with feeling. Carrie shares her powerful journey through chronic illness, emotional reckoning, and life-threatening health challenges. She explains how regenerative practices helped her reconnect to her body, her intuition, and her vitality. Together, Erin and Carrie unpack the emotional–physical connection, why “pushing through” keeps us stuck, and how flow, self-love, and emotional release create lasting wellness at work and in life. Inside This Episode: Flow Over Force: Why flow is essential for overcoming obstacles and supporting long-term health.Issues in the Tissues: How repressed emotions live in the body—and show up as physical symptoms.Healing from Within: Carrie’s journey through chronic illness and emotional healing.The Emotional–Physical Link: Why you can’t separate wellness at work from wellness in your body.Self-Love as Medicine: How acceptance, compassion, and nervous system safety unlock vitality.Listen to the Body: Why intuition—not optimization—is the most powerful health tool you have.Holistic, Not Hustle: How regenerative health practices lead to real, sustainable transformation. Who This Episode Is For: Humans navigating burnout, chronic stress, or chronic illnessLeaders curious about emotional wellness and embodied leadershipHigh-achievers ready to stop overriding their bodiesAnyone exploring self-healing, holistic health, or regenerative practicesFans of flow, intuition, self-love, and healing that actually sticks Your Freebie You’ve tried the emails, the all-hands rollout, and the polished decks, but the vision still isn’t landing. That’s because people don’t buy into a vision that’s presented to them; they buy into one they help shape. The 30-Minute Vision-Setting Meeting Template gives you a simple, human-centered way to create alignment, spark ownership, and build real momentum. Download it here. No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting) Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.Have a question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode.Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.”Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This is your personal jackpot that gives you access to the frameworks that help us thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you’re trying to improve your daily routine, flesh out an idea that you’ve had for quite some time, or want to add more play into your day - these resources have got your back.Want 1 email a week from us? Our well-loved Fail Fourward Friday gives you 4 Fails, 3 Awakenings, 2 Ideas, and 1 Laugh from the week that reminded us what being human is all about: to make failure a habit, be a lifelong learner, explore more, and never pass up an opportunity to laugh. Subscribe here. Connect with Carrie Drinkwine Carrie’s LinkedInCarrie’s website Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! Erin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    55 min
  2. 324: Stop Setting Goals. Do This Instead.

    JAN 7

    324: Stop Setting Goals. Do This Instead.

    In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin explores a freeing idea that might just change how you approach your life and work: stop setting goals for the sake of setting goals and start setting intentions instead. Erin unpacks why traditional goal-setting often creates pressure, panic, and perpetual dissatisfaction. She shows how intention-setting brings us back to alignment, and introduces a simple five-step framework to help you shift from constant pursuit to purposeful presence. Your actions will actually reflect your core values, not just your to-do list. Inside This Episode: Stop Worshipping Goals: Why goal-setting without meaning can disconnect you from what actually matters.Goals vs. Intentions: How goals create pursuit, but intentions create presence.Core Values = Compass: Why alignment is the real driver of fulfillment.The Five-Step Intention Framework: A practical, human approach to living and working with intention—without burning out.Joy Over Panic: How intention-setting helps you feel grounded, flexible, and more alive in your day-to-day.Life, Reframed: Why treating life like an improv scene changes everything. Who This Episode Is For: High-achievers who feel weirdly unfulfilled after hitting goalsLeaders craving presence instead of pressureHumans tired of optimizing every second of their livesAnyone seeking personal growth rooted in mindfulness and meaningFans of improv, alignment, and living on purpose (hi, you’re home) Your Freebie You’ve tried the emails, the all-hands rollout, and the polished decks, but the vision still isn’t landing. That’s because people don’t buy into a vision that’s presented to them; they buy into one they help shape. The 30-Minute Vision-Setting Meeting Template gives you a simple, human-centered way to create alignment, spark ownership, and build real momentum. Download it here. No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting) Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.Have a question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode.Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.”Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This is your personal jackpot that gives you access to the frameworks that help us thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you’re trying to improve your daily routine, flesh out an idea that you’ve had for quite some time, or want to add more play into your day - these resources have got your back.Want 1 email a week from us? Our well-loved Fail Fourward Friday gives you 4 Fails, 3 Awakenings, 2 Ideas, and 1 Laugh from the week that reminded us what being human is all about: to make failure a habit, be a lifelong learner, explore more, and never pass up an opportunity to laugh. Subscribe here. Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! Erin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    21 min
  3. 323: Why Imperfect Leaders Make the Biggest Difference with Neil Ghosh

    12/31/2025

    323: Why Imperfect Leaders Make the Biggest Difference with Neil Ghosh

    In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin welcomes Neil Ghosh—purpose-driven leader, social impact advocate, and author of Do More Good—to explore a relieving idea: you don’t need to be perfect to make a meaningful difference. Together, Erin and Neil unpack what purpose-driven leadership actually looks like in real life. They dig into why empathy is a practice, how imperfection builds trust and innovation, and why lasting change almost always starts smaller than we expect. Neil introduces his GEMSS model—Get Engaged, Empower Others, Micro Philanthropy, Show Up, Start Small—as a practical framework for proactive living and leadership. Inside This Episode: Purpose as a Burnout Antidote: Why purpose anchors decisions, sustains energy, and helps leaders navigate uncertainty.The Power of Imperfection: How imperfect leaders create psychological safety, trust, and room for innovation.Empathy, Reframed: Why empathy starts with perspective-taking before judgment—and how it changes leadership behavior.The GEMSS Model Explained: A simple, actionable framework for doing more good without doing more everything.Micro Philanthropy, Macro Impact: How small, consistent actions create ripple effects at work and beyond.Unity Without Uniformity: What it really takes to build shared commitment in diverse teams and communities. Who This Episode Is For: Purpose-driven leaders who want impact without burnoutHumans who care deeply but feel overwhelmed by “doing it all”Managers building cultures of trust, empathy, and belongingAnyone curious how small, imperfect actions can still change the world Your Freebie You’ve tried the emails, the all-hands rollout, and the polished decks, but the vision still isn’t landing. That’s because people don’t buy into a vision that’s presented to them; they buy into one they help shape. The 30-Minute Vision-Setting Meeting Template gives you a simple, human-centered way to create alignment, spark ownership, and build real momentum. Download it here. No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting) Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.Have a question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode.Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.”Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This is your personal jackpot that gives you access to the frameworks that help us thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you’re trying to improve your daily routine, flesh out an idea that you’ve had for quite some time, or want to add more play into your day - these resources have got your back.Want 1 email a week from us? Our well-loved Fail Fourward Friday gives you 4 Fails, 3 Awakenings, 2 Ideas, and 1 Laugh from the week that reminded us what being human is all about: to make failure a habit, be a lifelong learner, explore more, and never pass up an opportunity to laugh. Subscribe here. Connect with Neil Ghosh Neil’s LinkedInNeil’s article: “How leaders can be transparent about their belief systems without alienating anyone”Neil’s article: “In an Age of Chaos, Leadership Starts with Doing the Right Thing” Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! Erin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    44 min
  4. 322: Words Are Wands: Why Your Inner Dialogue Shapes What's About to Happen

    12/24/2025

    322: Words Are Wands: Why Your Inner Dialogue Shapes What's About to Happen

    In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin unpacks a simple idea: your words are wands. AKA, the way you talk to yourself is actively shaping what happens next. Erin introduces the concept of “Words Are Wands,” exploring how inner dialogue influences confidence, creativity, opportunity, and action. Drawing from improv, neuroscience, and real-life moments, she breaks down why most of us are stuck in negative, repetitive thought loops, and how to interrupt them on purpose. Through a five-step improv-based framework, Erin shows how reframing your thoughts isn’t “toxic positivity,” it’s a skill. One that helps you work with your brain (hello, Reticular Activating System) instead of against it. The big takeaway: when you change your language, you change what feels possible. Inside This Episode: Words Are Wands: How your inner dialogue quietly dictates your future.The Thought Loop Problem: Why 80% of our thoughts are negative, 95% are repetitive, and what that means for confidence and burnout.Reframing Without the Eye Roll: How to shift thoughts in a way that actually unlocks creativity and forward motion.The Brain on Focus (RAS Explained): How your Reticular Activating System filters reality, and how to train it to spot opportunities instead of threats.An Improv Framework for Mindset Shifts: A five-step approach for noticing thoughts, reframing language, and choosing aligned action.Small Actions, Big Shifts: Why tiny, intentional moves matter more than dramatic mindset overhauls. Who This Episode Is For: High performers stuck in negative self-talk or overthinking loopsLeaders, creatives, and humans who want more confidence and clarityAnyone craving a mindset shift that’s practical, playful, and grounded Fans of improv, personal growth, and brain-friendly self-improvement Your Freebie You’ve tried the emails, the all-hands rollout, and the polished decks, but the vision still isn’t landing. That’s because people don’t buy into a vision that’s presented to them; they buy into one they help shape.  The 30-Minute Vision-Setting Meeting Template gives you a simple, human-centered way to create alignment, spark ownership, and build real momentum. Download it here. No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting) Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.Have another question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode.Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.”Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This is your personal jackpot that gives you access to the frameworks that help us thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you’re trying to improve your daily routine, flesh out an idea that you’ve had for quite some time, or want to add more play into your day - these resources have got your back.Want 2 emails a week from us? One with a quick tip you can implement right away to enhance your personal and/or professional lives & one of our famous F.A.I.L. Fourward Friday newsletters? Subscribe here. Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! Erin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    22 min
  5. 321: Why Everyone’s Obsessed With Harvard’s #1 Leadership Class - And What You’ll Steal From It with Margaret Andrews

    12/17/2025

    321: Why Everyone’s Obsessed With Harvard’s #1 Leadership Class - And What You’ll Steal From It with Margaret Andrews

    In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin welcomes Margaret Andrews—Harvard professor, leadership expert, and architect behind Harvard’s #1 leadership course—to unpack why this class has everyone talking. Together, Erin and Margaret explore why the most effective leaders manage themselves first; how vision setting starts with exploring possibilities rather than forcing answers; and why play, creativity, and emotional awareness are non-negotiable leadership skills.  Margaret shares stories from teaching executives at Amazon, Walmart, Citi, the UN, and beyond, plus lessons from her book Manage Yourself to Lead Others. The big takeaway? Leadership is about self-awareness, intention, and creating space for humans to be human at work. Inside This Episode: Why Harvard’s #1 Leadership Class Works: The self-management framework that helps leaders lead with clarity, confidence, and authenticity.Vision Setting, Reimagined: Why great vision starts with exploring possibilities before setting intentions.Self-Awareness = Career Insurance: The small daily practices that prevent burnout, derailment, and leadership misfires.Play + Creativity at Work: How joy, laughter, and improv-adjacent thinking unlock better ideas and stronger teams.Manage Yourself First: The core leadership skill most people skip—and why it changes everything.Questions > Answers: How better questions lead to better leadership, decisions, and cultures. Who This Episode Is For: People leaders who want to lead with empathy, clarity, and confidence.High performers feeling burnt out, stuck, or pressured to “be a certain kind of leader.”Anyone curious about why Harvard’s top leadership class is so popular—and how to apply its lessons at work today. Your Freebie You’ve tried the emails, the all-hands rollout, and the polished decks, but the vision still isn’t landing. That’s because people don’t buy into a vision that’s presented to them; they buy into one they help shape.  The 30-Minute Vision-Setting Meeting Template gives you a simple, human-centered way to create alignment, spark ownership, and build real momentum. Download it here. No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting) Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.Have another question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode.Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.”Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This is your personal jackpot that gives you access to the frameworks that help us thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you’re trying to improve your daily routine, flesh out an idea that you’ve had for quite some time, or want to add more play into your day - these resources have got your back.Want 2 emails a week from us? One with a quick tip you can implement right away to enhance your personal and/or professional lives & one of our famous F.A.I.L. Fourward Friday newsletters? Subscribe here. Connect with Margaret Andrews Margaret’s LinkedInMargaret’s websiteMargaret’s book Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! Erin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    38 min
  6. 320: 5 Years Strong: The 10 Episodes You Loved Most

    12/10/2025

    320: 5 Years Strong: The 10 Episodes You Loved Most

    In this milestone episode of Workday Playdate, Erin celebrates five years of learning, laughter, pivots, and powerful conversations. From the early days as “Failed It!” to today’s “Workday Playdate,” Erin reflects on how staying open to evolution have shaped the show and the community behind it. This special anniversary episode spotlights the Top 10 listener-favorite episodes of all time. These conversations sparked breakthroughs in leadership, empathy, financial mindset, well-being, team culture, emotional intelligence, and authentic communication. Whether you’ve been here since episode one or you’re just joining the fun, this roundup reminds us why soft skills aren’t soft at all… they’re essential skills for the modern workplace. Erin unpacks how improv comedy continues to unlock creativity, why pivoting creates progress, and what the past five years have taught her about resilience and leading with play. Inside This Episode: Pivoting Is Progress: How changing the show’s name, format, and focus led to deeper alignment and higher impact.The Power of Improv Comedy: Why improv is one of the most effective development tools for communication, adaptability, listening, and soft skills. Your Favorite Conversations (Ranked!): A countdown of the 10 most streamed, shared, and talked-about episodes + the big lessons from each one. Radical Candor + Empathy: Why caring personally and challenging directly builds trust, psychological safety, and high-performing cultures.Your Money Mindset Matters: How shifting your relationship with finances can expand abundance, reduce stress, and reshape decision-making. Who This Episode Is For: People leaders building cultures rooted in empathy, candor, and psychological safety.Professionals craving growth, clarity, and workplace skills that actually matter.Anyone who loves learning, laughter, leadership, and a good pivot chapter. You’ve tried the Slack hacks, rewriting the meeting agendas, and promised yourself you’d protect your team’s time. But somehow hybrid work still feels like an endless game of communication ping-pong. More messages, more overwhelm. Enter The Remote Leader’s Reset: your 5-step guide to lowering the noise, resetting expectations, and helping your team finally exhale. These simple, human-centered resets will help you reduce friction, create clarity, and make your people feel seen—no matter where they’re working from. Download it here. No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting) Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.Have another question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode.Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.”Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This is your personal jackpot that gives you access to the frameworks that help us thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you’re trying to improve your daily routine, flesh out an idea that you’ve had for quite some time, or want to add more play into your day - these resources have got your back.Want 2 emails a week from us? One with a quick tip you can implement right away to enhance your personal and/or professional lives & one of our famous F.A.I.L. Fourward Friday newsletters? Subscribe here. Top 10 Episodes of All Time Episode 301: Real Talk: How to Stop Guessing What Your Boss Wants and Start Managing Up with Confidence with Melody WildingEpisode 299: Want to Nail Employee Engagement? Here’s What Actually Works (No Gimmicks Needed) with Dr. Angela JacksonEpisode 307: Stop People-Pleasing: Lead with Clarity and Confidence with Amy Green SmithEpisode 303: Are We Settling Without Even Knowing It? Steffani Lefevour Spills the Truth and How to Break FreeEpisode 80: You CAN give feedback as a Leader, and it CANNOT be triggering with Kim ScottEpisode 95: Building a Kick A$$ Culture of Inclusivity with Kim Scott + Trier BryantEpisode 101: The Rise of the Empathetic Leader with Career Development Visionary, Ryan McCreaEpisode 268: How Can Top Corporate Leaders Use Negotiation to Drive Unstoppable Success? Unlocking Secrets with Kwame ChristianEpisode 266: What Does It Take for Women to Gain Respect, Power, and Influence in the Workplace? Alison Fragale Spills the TeaEpisode 258: Is the Way You Think About Money Holding You Back? Dr. Darnyelle Reveals THE Million Dollar Mindset SecretsEpisode 234: Tiffany Sauder on Dual Career Families: Can You Really Have it All Without Sacrificing What Matters Most? Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! Erin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    23 min
  7. 319: Authenticity at Work: Building Resilient Teams with the REAL Model with Nathan Andres

    12/03/2025

    319: Authenticity at Work: Building Resilient Teams with the REAL Model with Nathan Andres

    In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with well-being activist, global people leader, and resilience champion Nathan Andres. Together, they explore what it really takes to live and lead with authenticity. Known as “Nate the Great,” Nathan shares his personal journey toward purpose, presence, and proactive well-being. He introduces his powerful REAL Model for building resilience: Reality, Energy, Authenticity, and Love. Together, Erin and Nathan unpack why self-care is a leadership skill, how self-compassion fuels high performance, and why self-advocacy is the backbone of sustainable success—both at work and in life. This conversation blends mindset, mental health, and modern leadership into a practical roadmap for anyone ready to strengthen resilience without losing themselves in the process. Whether you’re navigating a career pivot, recovering from adversity, or simply craving a more grounded way to show up each day, this episode gives you the tools, permission, and practices to return to your most authentic self and stay there. Inside This Episode: Authenticity Is Your Advantage: Why showing up as your whole, true self creates deeper trust, stronger teams, and more sustainable well-being.Resilience Starts With Reality: How naming your truth—and seeing situations clearly—becomes the first step to taking back control.Energy, Not Exhaustion: How to redirect your emotional, mental, and physical energy toward what fuels you, not drains you. Self-Care, Self-Compassion, Self-Advocacy: Why these three practices are essential to resilience, confidence, and performance. Love Is a Leadership Skill: How love—for yourself, for others, and for the work—creates cultures where people can actually thrive.Mental Health as a Competitive Advantage: Why workplaces that prioritize psychological safety and well-being win in innovation, retention, and trust. Who This Episode Is For: Leaders who want to build cultures grounded in authenticity, empathy, and psychological safety.Professionals seeking practical tools for resilience, mental health, and personal well-being.Anyone craving a clear, compassionate framework for navigating life’s roller coasters without losing themselves. You’ve tried the Slack hacks, rewriting the meeting agendas, and promised yourself you’d protect your team’s time. But somehow hybrid work still feels like an endless game of communication ping-pong. More messages, more overwhelm. Enter The Remote Leader’s Reset: your 5-step guide to lowering the noise, resetting expectations, and helping your team finally exhale. These simple, human-centered resets will help you reduce friction, create clarity, and make your people feel seen—no matter where they’re working from. Download it here. No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting) Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.Have another question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode.Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.”Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This is your personal jackpot that gives you access to the frameworks that help us thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you’re trying to improve your daily routine, flesh out an idea that you’ve had for quite some time, or want to add more play into your day - these resources have got your back.Want 2 emails a week from us? One with a quick tip you can implement right away to enhance your personal and/or professional lives & one of our famous F.A.I.L. Fourward Friday newsletters? Subscribe here. Connect with Nathan Andres Nathan’s LinkedInNathan’s websiteNathan’s book: Your Real Life: Get Authentic, Be Resilient, and Make it Count Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! Erin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    45 min
  8. 318: How to Talk to Your Boss About Burnout The Right Way

    11/26/2025

    318: How to Talk to Your Boss About Burnout The Right Way

    In today’s solo episode of Workday Playdate, Erin unpacks one of the most quietly dangerous—and completely universal—experiences at work: burnout. Specifically, how to talk to your boss about burnout the right way with confidence, clarity, and zero shame. Through her own personal burnout stories, Erin breaks down why speaking up is an act of leadership, how self-awareness accelerates support, and why proactive conversations are the key to workplace wellness. This episode gives you the scripts, strategies, and psychology-backed steps to advocate for yourself without spiraling, stonewalling, or self-blame. If you’ve ever felt exhausted, resentful, or on the edge of shutting down—but had no idea how to bring it up—this conversation is your roadmap to connection, boundaries, and balance. Inside This Episode: Burnout Is a Signal, Not a Badge: Understanding how your body, brain, and emotions tell you it’s time for change.Silence Breeds Misunderstanding: Why hiding your burnout erodes trust—and how transparency builds it back.Own It, Don’t Over-Apologize: How to express what you’re experiencing with specificity, self-awareness, and honesty.Propose Solutions, Not Just Problems: Scripts and prompts to help you communicate needs + offer proactive, collaborative fixes.Boundaries Are the Tool, Not the Enemy: How to set limits that protect your energy and your performance.Communication That Builds Trust: How empathy, clarity, and a “yes, and” mindset reduce defensiveness and open the door to real support. Who This Episode Is For: Leaders seeking to create a culture of psychological safety and employee support.Professionals craving healthier work-life balance, mental health awareness, and burnout prevention tools.Anyone who wants clear, compassionate scripts for tough conversations—without fear, guilt, or guesswork. You’ve tried the Slack hacks, rewriting the meeting agendas, and promised yourself you’d protect your team’s time. But somehow hybrid work still feels like an endless game of communication ping-pong. More messages, more overwhelm. Enter The Remote Leader’s Reset: your 5-step guide to lowering the noise, resetting expectations, and helping your team finally exhale. These simple, human-centered resets will help you reduce friction, create clarity, and make your people feel seen—no matter where they’re working from. Download it here. No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting) Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.Have another question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode.Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.”Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This is your personal jackpot that gives you access to the frameworks that help us thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you’re trying to improve your daily routine, flesh out an idea that you’ve had for quite some time, or want to add more play into your day - these resources have got your back.Want 2 emails a week from us? One with a quick tip you can implement right away to enhance your personal and/or professional lives & one of our famous F.A.I.L. Fourward Friday newsletters? Subscribe here. Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! Erin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    23 min
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About

TOP 1% GLOBAL PODCAST for People-First Leaders Formerly the "improve it! Podcast." #9 in BEST 100 SELF LEADERSHIP PODCASTS. I’m Erin Diehl, keynote speaker, business improv edutainer, and founder of improve it! (AKA your work bestie). Every Wednesday, Workday Playdate with improve it! helps HR professionals, people leaders, and culture-driven humans bring more laughter, levity, and purpose to their workdays. Because work is better when you play. This is not your average leadership podcast. You’ll get research-backed strategies, improv-inspired tools, and candid conversations with top leaders, speakers, improvisers and authors who are rethinking how we work and lead. Our promise is to give you tangible takeaways you can use immediately, plus a few laughs along the way. Interested in partnering with us? Workday Playdate reaches thousands of people-first leaders who care about workplace culture, leadership, and team development. Contact info@learntoimproveit.com to learn more about sponsorship opportunities. We promise laughs, impact, and zero awkward small talk. Think ROI with a side of LOL’s. Let’s make it happen!

Information

  • Creator
    Erin Diehl | Passion Struck Network
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    372
  • Rating
    Clean
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