Workplace Weirdness™

Maya Kadar Kovalsky

Welcome to Workplace Weirdness™, The Non-HR HR Podcast™ that takes a deep dive into the delightful oddities of office life. Ever wondered why the break room smells like a science experiment or why your boss insists on using 'synergy' in every meeting? We've got you covered! Join Maya and her revolving door of guest hosts as they unravel the mysteries of cubicle culture and decode the cryptic behaviors of your coworkers. From bizarre email sign-offs to the enigma of office fridge politics, no topic is too weird for us to tackle. Each week, we'll talk about hot HR topics, answer listener questions and dissect an awkward workplace theme, all while keeping things light, fun, and packed with HR humor. Tune in, because in the world of work, the only thing you can count on is the unexpected! So, grab your coffee, put your feet up on that ergonomic footrest, and let's get weird at work together. Trust us, it’ll be a productivity boost like no other!

  1. Jul 17 ·  Bonus

    The Power of Introductions: Leading Through Connection

    In this episode of our Workplace Weirdness™ summer series, “Out of Office,” Maya Kadar Kovalsky explores one of the most underrated leadership skills: connecting people. Rather than focusing only on decision-making, great leaders notice who’s stuck, who’s working on similar problems, and who could benefit from knowing one another - then they make the introduction. Through guest stories and practical examples, the conversation shows how connecting works best when it’s rooted in empathy, curiosity, and service. From leadership assimilation sessions to everyday touch points that build familiarity and trust, the episode highlights how building your social capital can break down barriers, create relationships, strengthen teams, and unlock unexpected opportunities. Chapters: [00:12] Creating Connections with host, Maya Kadar Kovalsky [00:47] Fourth Tier Jock to NFL Superbowl Connections with David Homan [2:06] Leadership Assimilation Sessions with Kane Calamari [3:09] Bonding with Coworkers with William Tincup [3:57] Big Heart Energy Matters with Kat Kibben [4:57] Being a Genuine Human with Paul McDowall [5:58] Trust is Only Legal Enhancing Drug with David Hanrahan [6:25] Leaderships is About Connection Resources and Links: David Homan · Website: https://orchestratedconnecting.com/ Kane Calamari · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kane-calamari-53268014 William Tincup · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup Kat Kibben · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinakibben David Hanrahan · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhanrahan Maya Kadar Kovalsky · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/ Workplace Weirdness™ · Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com · Website: workplace-weirdness.com · Instagram: @workplaceweirdpod · Tiktok: @workplaceweirdpod Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as professional, legal, or workplace-specific advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their individual situations.

    The Power of Introductions: Leading Through Connection
  2. Jul 3

    WeWork, MrBeast Burger, and the Cost of Billion-Dollar Hype | Workplace Weirdness Summer Special

    In this special summer-edition episode of Workplace Weirdness™, Maya Kadar Kovalsky sits down with Alan Philips, founder and CEO of The Marketing Department, to unpack the strange, powerful forces behind brand obsession, company culture, and how to create an influential movement.  Alan shares his eccentric stories working with industry leaders and celebrities, from Mr. Beast to DJ Khalid at Reef Technology to the Golden Days of WeWork with Adam Neumann.  Maya and Alan talk about building consumer brands, offering candid lessons on ego, authenticity, and the difference between momentum and real value. From the “architecture of a movement” to the rise and fall of ambitious startups, this conversation explores what makes people believe in a brand and what happens when that belief outruns execution. Alan also opens up about his current ventures, including Sunshine Coffee and What's Good Miami, and why building something meaningful in a specific place can be the foundation for lasting success. Episode Chapters: 00:43 Inside WeWork's Rise and Fall 06:49 Trusting Yourself When Everyone Else Disagrees 11:17 Rapid Fire: Social media content creation is gold 13:18 Building What's Good Miami & Local Media 17:21 Reef Technologies, MrBeast Burger & DJ Khaled 23:23 Why Ghost Kitchens Didn't Last 25:14 Lessons on Branding, Leadership & Entrepreneurship Resources and Links: Alan Philips · Sunshine Coffee: https://sunshinecoffee.com/ · What’s Good Miami: https://www.whatsgood.miami/ Workplace Weirdness™ · Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com · Website: workplace-weirdness.com · Instagram: @workplaceweirdpod · SubStack: https://substack.com/@workplaceweirdnesspodcast  · TIkTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@workplaceweirdpod Maya Kadar Kovalsky · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/ Workplace Weirdness™ · Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com · Website: workplace-weirdness.com · Instagram: @workplaceweirdpod Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as professional, legal, or workplace-specific advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their individual situations.

    WeWork, MrBeast Burger, and the Cost of Billion-Dollar Hype | Workplace Weirdness Summer Special
  3. Jun 12

    Rookie Mistakes That Actually Make You Better at Work

    In this episode of our Workplace Weirdness™ summer series, “Out of Office,” Maya Kadar Kovalsky explores the theme of "rookie mistakes" and “rookie smarts” in the workplace, highlighting how early career blunders often lead to valuable learning experiences.  We hear stories from various guests from past episodes who share their early career journeys, with missteps such as overconfidence in a corporate setting, accidental termination emails, inappropriate gifts and more.  Maya and her experts from throughout the season, emphasize the importance of maintaining a "rookie mindset," which allows for fresh perspectives and innovation.  Episode Chapters: [00:12] Introduction to Rookie Mistakes 
[00:50] Story of Overconfidence- Neil Sharma
 [02:45] Accidental Email Mishap- Peter Vincent 
[03:43] The Champagne Incident- Dorie Clark & Maya Kadar Kovalsky [05:02] The Wrong Office- Kavita Vora
 [5:58] Awkward Text Message - Yolonda Deon Tyler [06:28] Rookie Smarts- Billy Samoa Saleeby
 [8:44] It’s Amazing How Open Young People Are - Hannah Dubin [10:12] The Superpower of “Dumbassery”- Gary Ridge
 [12:34] Conclusion: Embracing the Mistakes Resources and Links: Neil Sharma, co-founder of SolarKal · SolarKal Website - https://www.solarkal.com/ · LinkedIn -⁠ / neil-sharma-045117  ⁠ Peter Vincent, executive coach and HR expert Dorie Clark, WSJ & USA Today Bestselling Author and Marketing strategist · Website:⁠ https://dorieclark.com/⁠ · Linkedin:⁠   / doriec  ⁠ Kavita Vora, Chief People Officer of BrainPOP Yolonda Deon Tyler, founder of Mindful Play Learning · Instagram -⁠ https://www.instagram.com/yolondadeon_/⁠ Billy Samoa Saleebey, founder and CEO of Podify · Podify Website -⁠ https://podify.com/⁠ · LinkedIn -⁠   / billysamoa  ⁠  · Instagram -⁠ https://www.instagram.com/billysamoa/...⁠  Hannah Dubin, founder of The Group Forward · The Group Forward -⁠ https://www.thegroupforward.com/⁠ · LinkedIn -⁠   / hannah-feldberg-dubin  ⁠  Gary Ridge, former CEO of WD-40 · LinkedIn -⁠   / garryridge  ⁠  · The Learning Moment -⁠ https://thelearningmoment.net/⁠ Maya Kadar Kovalsky · LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/⁠ Workplace Weirdness™ · Email: ⁠info@workplace-weirdness.com⁠ · Website: ⁠workplace-weirdness.com⁠ · Instagram: @workplaceweirdpod Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as professional, legal, or workplace-specific advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their individual situations.

    Rookie Mistakes That Actually Make You Better at Work
  4. May 29

    Career Pivots: How to Change Direction Without Losing Momentum

    In this Summer special episode of Workplace Weirdness™ Out of Office, Maya Kadar Kovalsky turns real guest stories into a practical resource for anyone thinking about a career pivot. From unexpected job changes to bold reinventions and strategic "half-steps," guests from past episodes share stories of taking risks, embracing change, and discovering that careers rarely follow a straight line. Their advice? Stay curious, stay flexible, and don't be afraid to pivot when opportunity knocks. Resources and Links: Neil Sharma, co-founder of SolarKal· SolarKal · Website - https://www.solarkal.com/ · LinkedIn - / neil-sharma-045117   Billy Samoa Saleebey, founder and CEO of Podify · Podify Website - https://podify.com/ · LinkedIn -  / billysamoa    · Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/billysamoa/... · Facebook -  / billysamoasaleebey    · YouTube -   / billysamoa    Meredith Haberfeld, CEO of ThinkHuman Website - https://www.meredithhaberfeld.com/ · LinkedIn -  / meredith-haberfeld-she-her-29aa7a5    · Instagram -  / thinkhumankind    · ThinkHuman Website - https://think-human.com/ Menaka Chang, Fractional Chief People Officer · LinkedIn  / menaka-chang   Nicole Ramirez, Personal Brand Strategist · Website: nrdigitalconsulting.com · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolerayeramirez Paul McDowall, Head of Strategic Growth Vault49 · LinkedIn - / paul-mcdowall-00b0b11    · clarkmcdowall - http://www.clarkmcdowall.com · Vault 49 - https://www.vault49.com/ Maya Kadar Kovalsky · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/ Workplace Weirdness™ · Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com · Website: workplace-weirdness.com · Instagram: @workplaceweirdpod Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as professional, legal, or workplace-specific advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their individual situations.

    Career Pivots: How to Change Direction Without Losing Momentum
  5. May 13

    From Homeless in NYC to Entrepreneur with Amin Hasani | Workplace Weirdness S2 E18

    In this episode of Workplace Weirdness™, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky speaks with Amin Hasani, founder of Hasani Studio, about his journey as an industrial designer and the importance of accessibility and the impact of AI in product design. They also discuss the challenges faced by immigrants in the workplace, particularly regarding work visas, and share insights on navigating cultural differences.  The episode also features listener questions about career advice and workplace dynamics, providing valuable perspectives on the evolving nature of work. In this episode, they discuss: Amin Hasani's immigrant journey and career development Innovative accessibility solutions like the Curvd Accessibility Mug Workplace culture and managing expectations in the US The impact of AI on product design and fundamentals Challenges faced by H1B visa holders in tech and design [00:00] Introduction to Workplace Weirdness™ [01:09] Amin's Journey and Design Philosophy [05:55] The Importance of Accessibility in Design [11:59] Navigating Cultural Differences in the Workplace [18:08] The Immigrant Experience and Work Visa Challenges [24:01] Dealing with Negative Coworkers and Reading Between the Lines [28:03] Conclusion and Final Thoughts Resources and Links: Amin Hasani · Website: https://hasanistudio.com/ · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aminhasani · Instagram: @aminhasani @hasanistudio @thecurvd Maya Kadar Kovalsky · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/ Workplace Weirdness™ · Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com · Website: workplace-weirdness.com · Instagram: @workplaceweirdpod   Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as professional, legal, or workplace-specific advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their individual situations.

    From Homeless in NYC to Entrepreneur with Amin Hasani | Workplace Weirdness S2 E18
  6. Apr 29

    Are Your Actions Reflecting Your LinkedIn Brand? | Workplace Weirdness S2 E17

    In this episode of Workplace Weirdness™, Maya talks to former journalist turned marketing consultant, Nicole Ramirez to talk about what’s really going on in the current workforce. From parental leave bias and return-to-office whiplash to burnout that nobody wants to admit out loud.  Nicole gets into why dads still get side-eyed for taking leave, how RTO can feel like a corporate plot twist, what burnout actually looks like inside a team (hint: it’s not just being tired), and how to build a personal brand that doesn’t read like a boring white paper—or an oversharing diary. They also dig into the Beyoncé boss controversy, ice-cold layoffs, workplace loyalty (is it real?), and why your reputation matters more than your resume. If you’re thinking about career growth, boundaries, leadership, remote work, or just trying to survive modern work culture with your sanity intact—this episode’s got you covered. In this episode: · Why LinkedIn remains a top platform for reaching decision-makers · Common misconceptions about personal branding and why most posts read like either “white paper” or a “diary entry” · How Nicole transformed a Forbes layoff into a successful personal brand and business · Why return-to-office mandates can feel like a bait-and-switch · What leaders should consider before attributing burnout to a lack of motivation · Why equal parental leave policies matter for both mothers and fathers · How to handle a manager who pressures you to shorten your parental leave · The consequences when a brand’s public image diverges from its internal    ethics · Why your reputation is critical when you, yourself are the brand · How to establish work boundaries proactively before the job starts defining them for you  Resources and Links: Nicole Ramirez · Website: nrdigitalconsulting.com · LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nicolerayeramirez   Maya Kadar Kovalsky · LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mayakadar   Workplace Weirdness · Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com · Website: workplace-weirdness.com · Instagram: @workplaceweirdpod   Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as professional, legal, or workplace-specific advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their individual situations .

    Are Your Actions Reflecting Your LinkedIn Brand? | Workplace Weirdness S2 E17
  7. Apr 15

    The Truth About AI and Career Survival in the Zero Body Fat Era | Workplace Weirdness S2 E16

    In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, Maya Kadar Kovalsky sits down with Laura Close, Co-founder of AI workforce data platform, Included,  to unpack how AI is changing hiring, career strategy, and what it really means to stay ready for what’s next. They also dig into what work looks like when middle management is shrinking, promotions keep going to external hires, and employees are stuck navigating misleading job descriptions and ethical pressure from leadership. Laura shares her blunt take on the modern labor market, why the employer loyalty contract is dead, and why more workers need to think strategically about leaving rather than waiting around for a company to suddenly do right by them. The conversation also explores how senior leaders can position themselves in an AI-driven job market, what to do when your role turns out to be completely different from what was promised, and how to handle workplace situations that cross an ethical line. This episode is a brutally honest look at promotions, workplace power, AI, and career survival when the rules of work are changing fast. In this episode: [00:00:10] Introduction to Workplace Weirdness: Host Maya Kawalski introduces the show's focus on office drama and "weird" situations. [00:00:45] Guest Introduction: Maya introduces Laura Close, an entrepreneur, executive advisor, and co-founder of the AI platform Included. [00:01:25] The Origin of Included: Laura explains how she used AI to solve "precision data questions" and eliminate reporting bottlenecks for HR leaders. [00:02:15] The "Zero Body Fat" Era: Laura describes the current labor market as a lean, athletic, and agile era where candidates must be self-reliant. [00:02:40] Extended Job Search Timelines: Laura notes that senior leader searches have shifted from 4 months in 2015 to roughly 12 to 18 months today. [00:03:15] Marketing Yourself Now: Advice on revamping resumes to focus on "owning and building systems" rather than general leadership or "soft" metrics. [00:04:45] AI Literacy and Certifications: A discussion on why no one is "AI native" yet and how to select certifications based on brand recognition and price. [00:08:50] The Weirdest Workplace Moment: Laura shares a story about a manager who loved pranking others but failed to acknowledge her own birthday, highlighting the "taker" vs. "giver" dynamic. [00:11:00] The Week in Work: Shrinking Middle Management: Analysis of companies cutting middle managers in favor of AI and efficiency, and advice for those affected to consider starting their own businesses. [00:14:40] Question 1: The External Hire Loop: A listener asks what to do when their company promotes external candidates over qualified internal ones. Laura’s blunt advice: "You have to leave the company". [00:18:15] Question 2: The "Strategic" Admin Job: A listener is stuck doing admin work despite a high-level job title. Laura suggests networking with peers and using tools like Codex to automate tasks and build a new skillset. [00:22:35] Question 3: Ethical Dilemmas in Sales: A listener is asked to lie to clients to hit targets. Laura advises never compromising ethics and suggests using diplomacy rather than internal reporting channels, which she views as "fragile". [00:26:30] Final Thoughts and Contact Info: Laura shares her website (closecohen.com) and Maya wraps up the episode Resources and Links:   Laura Close · Website: closecohen.com · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/closelaura/ Maya Kadar Kovalsky ·     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/ Workplace Weirdness ·         Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com ·         Website: workplace-weirdness.com ·         Instagram: @workplaceweirdpod   Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as professional, legal, or workplace-specific advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their individual situations.

    The Truth About AI and Career Survival in the Zero Body Fat Era | Workplace Weirdness S2 E16
5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Welcome to Workplace Weirdness™, The Non-HR HR Podcast™ that takes a deep dive into the delightful oddities of office life. Ever wondered why the break room smells like a science experiment or why your boss insists on using 'synergy' in every meeting? We've got you covered! Join Maya and her revolving door of guest hosts as they unravel the mysteries of cubicle culture and decode the cryptic behaviors of your coworkers. From bizarre email sign-offs to the enigma of office fridge politics, no topic is too weird for us to tackle. Each week, we'll talk about hot HR topics, answer listener questions and dissect an awkward workplace theme, all while keeping things light, fun, and packed with HR humor. Tune in, because in the world of work, the only thing you can count on is the unexpected! So, grab your coffee, put your feet up on that ergonomic footrest, and let's get weird at work together. Trust us, it’ll be a productivity boost like no other!