Work Unscripted

Marlo Lyons
  • 5.0 (16)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Work Unscripted with Marlo Lyons offers a candid exploration into the realities of career advancement and leadership. Hosted by Marlo Lyons, executive career coach and former HR exec, this podcast brings unfiltered insights on work, leadership, and finding your path. Episodes feature in-depth discussions with industry leaders who share real stories and practical tools, and honest insights from Marlo. Work Unscripted is your guide to thriving in the professional world. 

  1. 1D AGO

    Toxic Workplace or Hostile Work Environment? Employment Lawyer Explains What Is Actually Illegal with Nestor Barrero

    Is your job actually a hostile work environment, or do you just have a terrible boss? In this eye-opening episode, employment law expert Nestor Barrero joins Marlo Lyons to break down the real legal differences between discrimination, harassment, bullying, and a simply toxic workplace. If you’ve ever wondered whether what you’re experiencing at work is illegal, retaliation, or just deeply unhealthy, this conversation is your roadmap. You’ll learn: What legally qualifies as discrimination (and what doesn’t)How harassment is defined under federal lawThe difference between a toxic workplace and a hostile work environmentWhy bullying is rarely illegal, but still destructiveHow to document workplace behavior for HR or legal actionWhat managers must do to avoid retaliation claimsWhen to escalate, when to let it go, and when to negotiate your exitPacked with real-world examples, actionable steps, and clear legal distinctions, this episode helps you decode what’s happening at work and what you can do next.  Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

    51 min

  2. JAN 7

    Performance Reviews Gone Wrong: What To Do When Feedback Is Cryptic or Unclear

    Ever received feedback with no examples, no clarity, and no idea what to do next? Welcome to Part II of Marlo Lyons’ performance review series, where we break down one of the most frustrating workplace experiences: vague, cryptic, or confusing feedback. In this solo episode, Marlo shares a deeply personal story of receiving unclear feedback that left her spiraling, second-guessing herself, and trying to decode meaning that no one could (or would) explain. You’ll learn: What to do when feedback is vague, subjective, or impossible to interpretHow to ask clarifying questions without sounding defensiveWhy “2% truth” is a powerful tool for self-reflectionHow to experiment with behavior changes using curiosity instead of shameWhy vague feedback often says more about your manager than it does about youHow to protect your self-worth when feedback feels unfair or inaccurateWhen to respond in writing, and when it’s better not toMarlo also breaks down the difference between judgment vs. coaching, why leaders must give feedback like a map, not a mirror, and why high performers often get hit hardest by vague phrasing. If you’re going through performance review season (or still recovering from one), this episode will help you navigate the emotional fallout while still learning, growing, and protecting your confidence. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

    14 min

  3. 12/31/2025

    Stop the Rat Race: Burnout Recovery, Mindset Shifts, and Small Daily Changes That Transform Everything with Carolina Bakker

    Are you exhausted from running full-speed on the corporate treadmill? Feeling burned out, overwhelmed, or stuck in the never-ending rat race? You’re not alone, and 2026 can be the year everything changes. In this powerful episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons sits down with coach and burnout expert Carolina Bakker to explore how high-achieving professionals can finally break free from chronic stress, people-pleasing, and overwork to create a life filled with clarity, boundaries, fulfillment, and joy. Carolina shares her personal story of corporate burnout and the morning she woke up completely numb. It’s a moment that changed the trajectory of her life. Together, she and Marlo unpack why so many high performers hit this breaking point, what keeps us trapped in survival mode, and the mindset shifts that allow us to step off the treadmill for good. You’ll learn: How to recognize early signs of burnout before they explodeThe unconscious beliefs driving your “rat race mindset”Why small, consistent actions (Carolina’s two-millimeter wrench) create massive transformationHow to use the Three to Thrive method to reclaim your time and energyHow accountability, boundaries, and self-awareness accelerate real changeThe single decision you must make if you want 2026 to feel different from 2025If you’re ready to slow down, breathe deeper, and finally choose a life aligned with your values, this episode offers the roadmap you’ve been waiting for. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

    42 min

  4. 12/17/2025

    Before You Set Your 2026 Goals… Ask This One Life-Changing Question

    What if 2026 brought you everything you’ve been chasing— the job, the title, the money, the house, the partner — and you still didn’t feel fulfilled? In this solo episode, executive coach and author Marlo Lyons breaks down one of the most powerful (and overlooked) tools for personal development, career clarity, and long-term fulfillment: living in alignment with your core values. You’ll learn: Why achieving your goals won’t guarantee happinessHow misaligned values lead to burnout, stress, resentment, and frustrationThe difference between happiness and fulfillmentHow to define your core values and what they really meanThe daily systems Marlo uses to protect her peace, energy, and purposeTwo reflection questions that will help you step into 2026 with clarity and intentionIf you’re tired of the rat race, craving a reset, or determined to make 2026 the year you finally feel grounded and in control, this episode gives you the roadmap. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

    7 min

  5. 12/03/2025

    How to Turn Self-Doubt into Self-Compassion with Elaine Belson

    If you’re a high-achieving woman who struggles with overthinking, people-pleasing, emotional triggers, or that relentless inner critic…this episode is for you. This week on Work Unscripted, Marlo sits down with therapist and former Army officer Elaine Belson to talk about the psychology behind the inner critic, or as Elaine calls it, the inner bully. Together, they unpack the six habits that fuel self-doubt in high-functioning women: ruminating, mind reading, anticipating others’ reactions, comparing, second-guessing, and over-analyzing. You’ll learn: Why high-achieving women experience such brutal inner criticismHow emotional triggers and automatic thoughts form and how to interrupt themCoping mechanisms that actually work in high-pressure workplacesHow to build emotional intelligence and self-validation skillsHow to handle perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and fear of failurePractical strategies to manage your emotions in the momentIf you’ve ever wondered why you feel “not good enough” despite being excellent at your job, this conversation will help you understand the root causes and give you tools to navigate work and life with more clarity, compassion, and confidence. Learn more about Elaine: https://www.elainebelson.com/ Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@elainebelsonlcsw Follow her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaine Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

    45 min

  6. 11/19/2025

    Boundaries Are Not Barriers: How to Protect Your Time and Energy This Holiday Season

    Feeling stretched thin this holiday season? You’re not alone. In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons shares practical, guilt-free strategies for setting healthy boundaries at work and home, especially when the lines between the two start to blur. From turning off notifications and communicating expectations clearly, to defining what “urgent” really means, Marlo helps you reclaim your time, protect your energy, and stay aligned with your values. Whether you’re a people pleaser, a leader managing burnout, or just trying to unplug without guilt, this episode will show you that boundaries aren’t walls. They’re the foundation of balance, peace, and sustainable success. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

    8 min

  7. 11/05/2025

    It’s Time to Redefine Success: Ruchika Malhotra on Ending Burnout, Finding Fulfilment and How to “Uncompete”

    What if success didn’t have to be a competition? In this episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons sits down with Ruchika Malhotra, global inclusion strategist and author of the upcoming book Uncompete (Penguin Random House, releasing November 4). Together, they explore how the culture of competition in corporate life fuels burnout, bias, and exclusion, and learn how redefining success can help us build more collaborative, fulfilling, and joyful workplaces. Ruchika shares practical steps for shifting from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance, how leaders can address competition on their teams, and why choosing joy is a radical act of resistance in a competitive workplace. If you’ve ever felt stuck chasing someone else’s definition of success, or you’re a leader looking to build a more equitable and collaborative culture, this conversation is your permission slip to uncompete. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

    47 min

  8. 10/22/2025

    Performance Reviews, Part 1: When Feedback Feels Like Judgment

    What happens when your performance review praises your results, but tears down your identity? In this raw and vulnerable solo episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons shares the real words from one of her own annual performance reviews— like “over-driving,” “over-reacting,” and “the Marlo show.” As a neurodivergent professional, Marlo unpacks how judgmental feedback lands, why it stings, and what leaders can do to make performance reviews feel constructive instead of personal. You’ll learn: Performance review tips for employees: How to respond to a bad review without spiralingPerformance review tips for managers: How to discuss reviews with empathy and curiosityHow to present and write performance reviews that separate behavior from identityWhat to do after a bad performance review and how to turn judgment into growthIf you’ve ever walked away from a glowing review feeling bruised, or want to know how to make performance reviews feel good for your team, this episode will change the way you give and receive feedback forever. Stay tuned for Part 2, where Marlo reads another review and shares more real-world lessons on how to prepare for, present, and recover from performance reviews that miss the mark. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

    12 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Work Unscripted with Marlo Lyons offers a candid exploration into the realities of career advancement and leadership. Hosted by Marlo Lyons, executive career coach and former HR exec, this podcast brings unfiltered insights on work, leadership, and finding your path. Episodes feature in-depth discussions with industry leaders who share real stories and practical tools, and honest insights from Marlo. Work Unscripted is your guide to thriving in the professional world. 

Information

  • Creator
    Marlo Lyons
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Work Unscripted
  • Show Website
    Work Unscripted