DON’T BE A D!CK the podcast

DON’T BE A D!CK

🎙️ DON’T BE A D!CK Hosted by Lindsay Matthes & Ivie Van Lent Welcome to DON’T BE A D!CK, the podcast that proves kindness isn’t just soft—it's strategic, powerful, and absolutely necessary in today’s homes, workplaces, and communities. Hosted by Lindsay Matthes, award-winning HR strategist, international speaker, TEDx powerhouse, and author of Don’t Be A D!ck: HR Advice for a Kinder, Healthier, More Successful Workplace, and her daughter Ivie Van Lent, a fierce queer leftist, community organizer, activist, and cat-mom extraordinaire—this show brings real talk, real stories, and real solutions to the messy places where humanity and leadership collide. Every episode, Lindsay and Ivie pull back the curtain on what it actually means to lead and live with kindness—beyond the buzzwords and corporate posters. From toxic workplace behaviors to outdated leadership habits, from bias to burnout, from unkind choices to unconscious “Dick moves,” they tackle it all through two generations, two worldviews, and one shared mission: 👉 Make the world less d!cky, one conversation at a time. Expect: ✨ candid mother-daughter banter ✨ spicy takes on work, culture, activism, and humanity ✨ stories from HR trenches and grassroots organizing ✨ the courage to call out the hard stuff ✨ practical tools to lead, parent, love, manage, and show up better ✨ a safe, inclusive space where authenticity isn’t optional—it’s the whole point Whether you’re an HR pro, a leader, an activist, a parent, or just a human trying to stop being (or dealing with) a d!ck… this podcast gives you the insight, laughs, and kick-in-the-pants inspiration to do better. Because kindness isn’t weakness. Kindness is change in action. And it starts with us. Hit play, grow some courage, and let’s build a kinder world—together. 🙌

Episodes

  1. 11/28/2025

    🎙️ Episode 2 — Why “Don’t Be a D!ck” (And What It Really Means)

    Hosted by Lindsay Mattes & Ivie Van Lent In this lively and unfiltered episode, Lindsay Mattes—author, speaker, and founder of Pioneer HR—and her eldest daughter, Ivie Van Lent—queer activist, leftist, and certified witchy weirdo—dig into the origin and meaning behind their bold podcast title: Don’t Be a D!ck. Lindsay shares the hilarious moment a harassment prevention training turned unforgettable when she blurted out the phrase that became the heartbeat of her book and now this podcast. The phrase stuck because it’s simple, honest, and instantly recognizable—we all know what being a “d!ck” looks like. Together, Lindsay and Ivie break down the acronym D.I.C.K.—Dismissive/Defensive, Insensitive/Insecure, Callous/Cruel, and Killjoy/Know-it-all—as a tool for recognizing harmful behavior (including our own). They discuss the three types of “d!cks”—intentional, accidental, and conscientious—and how understanding which one you’re being is the first step toward kinder communication. This episode explores language, accountability, generational differences, and even the reclaiming of taboo words. From personal stories to laugh-out-loud moments, Lindsay and Ivie show that self-awareness and kindness are powerful antidotes to “d!ck behavior.” ⭐ In This Episode: Why “Don’t Be a D!ck” became the perfect title How one training room moment shaped a whole movement The D.I.C.K. acronym: a guide to understanding your own behavior Intentional vs. accidental vs. conscientious d!cks Taking accountability without shame Reclaiming language and generational differences in “taboo” words A preview of future themes like “nice vs. kind” A funny, honest, and refreshingly human conversation reminding us all: we’re going to mess up—but we can always choose to be kinder.   📲 Follow Lindsay & Ivie on social for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and future episode drops Lindsay: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaykmattes Facebook: @lindsay.mattes Tiktok: @hrmama6 Instagram: @mamamattes Ivie: Tiktok: @dandelionwaiting

About

🎙️ DON’T BE A D!CK Hosted by Lindsay Matthes & Ivie Van Lent Welcome to DON’T BE A D!CK, the podcast that proves kindness isn’t just soft—it's strategic, powerful, and absolutely necessary in today’s homes, workplaces, and communities. Hosted by Lindsay Matthes, award-winning HR strategist, international speaker, TEDx powerhouse, and author of Don’t Be A D!ck: HR Advice for a Kinder, Healthier, More Successful Workplace, and her daughter Ivie Van Lent, a fierce queer leftist, community organizer, activist, and cat-mom extraordinaire—this show brings real talk, real stories, and real solutions to the messy places where humanity and leadership collide. Every episode, Lindsay and Ivie pull back the curtain on what it actually means to lead and live with kindness—beyond the buzzwords and corporate posters. From toxic workplace behaviors to outdated leadership habits, from bias to burnout, from unkind choices to unconscious “Dick moves,” they tackle it all through two generations, two worldviews, and one shared mission: 👉 Make the world less d!cky, one conversation at a time. Expect: ✨ candid mother-daughter banter ✨ spicy takes on work, culture, activism, and humanity ✨ stories from HR trenches and grassroots organizing ✨ the courage to call out the hard stuff ✨ practical tools to lead, parent, love, manage, and show up better ✨ a safe, inclusive space where authenticity isn’t optional—it’s the whole point Whether you’re an HR pro, a leader, an activist, a parent, or just a human trying to stop being (or dealing with) a d!ck… this podcast gives you the insight, laughs, and kick-in-the-pants inspiration to do better. Because kindness isn’t weakness. Kindness is change in action. And it starts with us. Hit play, grow some courage, and let’s build a kinder world—together. 🙌