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

    How to Land a Board Seat: Naomi Kent on The Mindset, Strategy, and Long Game Most Executives Miss

    Board seats aren’t reserved for a lucky few, but they are reserved for leaders who understand the game. In this episode of Work Unscripted, executive coach Marlo Lyons sits down with board career expert and co-author Naomi Kent to unpack their new book, Wanted: A Board Career, and break down what it really takes to build a meaningful, strategic board portfolio. This is not a job search. And treating it like one is the biggest mistake executives make. Together, Marlo and Naomi walk through the three phases every successful board career requires: Discovery: clarifying your “why,” your values, and your long-term board visionPreparation: crafting a board-ready brand, narrative, LinkedIn profile, and pitchExecution: building relationships and trust over time (not chasing openings)They also tackle common myths about board service, the difference between nonprofit, private, and public boards, and why board readiness is about judgment, governance, and mindset. Whether you’re an executive in transition, a senior leader thinking about your next chapter, or simply curious about board service as a purposeful career move, this conversation will help you think differently — and more strategically — about your path to the boardroom. Want to learn more? Marlo dives much deeper into the board journey in her new book, Wanted → A Board Career, a step-by-step guide to becoming board-ready and landing a board seat. Order the book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4tfMWbF Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

    47 min

  2. FEB 4

    Cracking the Code: From Executive to Strategic Leader to Board Member

    Most executives think they’re one promotion away from the C-suite and C-suite leaders think they're one step away from a board seat. They’re not.  They’re one mindset shift away and most never make it. In reality, moving up the corporate ladder into the C-suite or onto a board requires an entirely different way of thinking. In this Cracking the Code mini episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons breaks down the critical mindset shift required to move from executive operator to strategic leader to board-ready advisor. You’ll learn why strong execution alone doesn’t translate to C-suite and boardroom influence, how boards evaluate judgment over résumés, and the key behaviors that separate enterprise thinkers from functional leaders. This episode is especially relevant for senior leaders, C-suite executives, and high-performing professionals considering board service, governance roles, or long-term leadership legacy. Want to learn more? Marlo dives much deeper into the board journey in her new book, Wanted → A Board Career, a step-by-step guide to becoming board-ready and landing a board seat. Pre-order the book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4tfMWbF Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

    6 min

  3. JAN 28

    Stuck in Middle Management? How to Level Up, Get Promoted, and Lead at the Next Level with Kristen Johnson

    What needs to change for you to level up as a leader, and why do so many high performers get stuck right before promotion? In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons sits down with executive coach Kristen Johnson. Kristen has worked with middle management inside some of the world’s most recognizable organizations—including PayPal, Google, Amazon, Sephora, Chase, and Cisco—giving her a rare, inside look at what truly separates managers from enterprise-level leaders. Together, they break down: Why middle managers experience burnout at staggering ratesThe mindset shift required to move from execution to influenceHow to stop over-controlling and start developing leaders beneath youWhat actually gets you promoted (and what quietly holds you back)How to align values, boundaries, and ambition without blowing up your careerWhy career advancement requires intentional communication, not silent hustleThis episode is a must-listen for managers, senior leaders, and high performers who want to level up their careers, pursue promotion with clarity, and lead with impact instead of exhaustion. If you’re ready to stop doing everything and start leading intentionally, this conversation will change how you think about your next move.  Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

    38 min

  4. JAN 21

    Cracking the Code: The Power of Vulnerability at Work (and How It Builds Trust)

    What if the very thing you’re hiding at work is actually the key to becoming a stronger, more trusted leader? In this Cracking the Code mini-episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons breaks down how to show vulnerability and credibility at the same time that builds authority and influence. Because vulnerability in leadership doesn’t mean oversharing, emotional dumping, or losing control. It means leading with authenticity and competence. In this quick, practical episode, you’ll learn: How vulnerability builds trust at work (and when it backfires)The difference between vulnerability vs. oversharing in leadershipThree simple ways to demonstrate vulnerability while maintaining credibilityHow to admit what you don’t know without undermining your authorityWhy modeling boundaries is a powerful leadership skillThis episode is perfect for leaders, managers, and high performers who want to build trust, lead with confidence, and influence others, without sacrificing professionalism. Short. Insightful. Real. That’s Cracking the Code. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

    7 min

  5. JAN 14

    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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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.

    8 min
See All (35)

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
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Work Unscripted
  • Show Website
    Work Unscripted