Your Work Friends | Fresh Insights on the Now and Next of Work

Mel Plett & Francesca Ranieri
  • 5.0 (25)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

We break down the now and next of work. You stay ahead.Its not just you - work is bonkers. Burnout is high, trust is low, and everything is changing at breakneck speed. Friend-to-friend?  We get it. We're in it. And we're here to guide you through it. We’re two leadership insiders—and real-life friends—who’ve led teams, sat in the tough seats, and know first hand how fast, complex, and personal work has become. Every week, we break down what’s happening at work and to work, taking you behind the scenes of what's happening now, and preparing you for what you'll see in 6 months. We're bringing you breaking news, workplace trends, and interviews with top experts shaping the future of work. We cover what’s changing so you don’t get left behind.Join us for smart, unfiltered (with the occasional f*bomb or two) conversations about how work is evolving and what you can do about it.Great for: • Employees rethinking their careers and trying to navigate what comes next• People leaders shaping culture and driving change while getting the work done• Orgs wanting to build smarter, more profitable, more human workplaces• Anyone craving more honest and practical conversations about the future of workTopics we cover:Future of work, leadership, workplace culture, team dynamics, change management, human-centered strategy, layoffs, burnout, performance, career growth, workplace news, workplace humor, and more.

  1. 12H AGO

    From Cigarettes to Smoke-Free: What Real Transformation Actually Takes w/ Phillip Morris International's Dr. Kaleen Love

    Send us Fan Mail From cigarettes… to smoke-free.  What does real organizational transformation actually take? In this episode, we speak with Dr. Kaleen Love Chief People and Culture Officer at Philip Morris International, about leading large-scale change inside a legacy organization transitioning to a smoke-free future by 2030. We explore: The role of power dynamics in shaping employee behaviorWhy traditional change management approaches fail at scaleHow to build culture that actually supports transformationThe evolving role of human judgment in an AI-enabled workplaceA practical, candid look at what it takes to move an organization from strategy to execution. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management. Thanks for listening!   Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com

    45 min

  2. APR 15

    AI: Magic or Miss? Potential. Cheap Labor. Productivity Mirage. Brain Fry.

    Send us Fan Mail AI: Magic or Miss AI has officially become the corporate answer to everything. Need more productivity? AI. Need fewer people? AI. Need to sound innovative on an earnings call? Definitely AI. But underneath all the hype, a real question is starting to creep in: Is this actually making work better — or are we just making bigger decisions on shakier logic? In this episode, we get into the gap between the promise of AI and what’s actually happening inside organizations right now: burnout, bad strategy, fuzzy thinking, and leaders making workforce bets before the evidence is really there. We talk about where AI is genuinely useful, where it’s being wildly overapplied, and why so many companies seem more focused on not falling behind than on solving a real problem. Because this tech could be magical. It could free people up for better thinking, better work, and better outcomes. But that’s not where a lot of organizations are headed. They’re chasing efficiency. They’re cutting before redesigning. And they’re mistaking motion for strategy. So: is AI a breakthrough? Or are we using it in ways that quietly make work worse? That’s the conversation. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management. Thanks for listening!   Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com

    29 min

  3. APR 8

    More Than What You Do: How to Rebuild Identify, Purpose and Direction After Leaving a Role That Defined You w/Former NFL'er and Leadership Coach Alex Molden

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when the thing that defined you ends? In this episode, we sit down with former NFL first-round draft pick Alex Molden to talk about reinvention, identity, and what it actually takes to build the next version of yourself. After spending eight years in the NFL, Alex had to face a question a lot of people are asking right now: who are you when the role, career, or identity you built your life around no longer fits? In this conversation, he opens up about the loss of identity that came after football, the moment a job interview forced him to confront it, and the framework he used to rebuild from there. We get into: Why career transitions can feel like identity collapseThe difference between what you do and who you areAlex’s framework for reinvention: alignment, assignment, adjustment, and assessmentHow to practice becoming the person you want to beWhat to do if you’re in the middle of a pivot, layoff, retirement, or major life change If you’re navigating a transition, questioning your next move, or trying to build a version of yourself that fits your life now, this one’s for you. Subscribe for more conversations on work, leadership, identity, and the future of how we live and work. About Alex Molden: Alex helps high-performers (especially athletes and leaders) master their transitions, elevate their influence, and lead with purpose. Whether on the field, in the boardroom, or at a retreat, he brings a proven playbook built from real experience, hard-won lessons, and intentional growth. ✔️ Drafted #11 overall in the 1996 NFL Draft ✔️ 8-year NFL veteran turned respected leadership consultant  ✔️ 2x Author ✔️ Creator of the "A4" framework ✔️ Trusted by athletes, teams, and corporate leaders nationwide www.alexmoldenspeaks.com Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management. Thanks for listening!   Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com

    40 min

  4. MAR 31

    The Tech is Here. People are the Decision. Our Download from the UNLEASH America Conference.

    Send us Fan Mail We just got back from UNLEASH America with one big conclusion: The tech decision is over. The people decision is still up for grabs. In this episode, we break down what we heard from some of the biggest voices in AI, HR, leadership, and the future of work and where the conversation is getting very real, very fast. Because right now, companies are saying humans are the competitive advantage. At the exact same time, the market is rewarding cuts, automation, and cheaper labor. That contradiction is the story. We get into the three futures of work, why AI training is becoming obsolete almost as soon as it’s delivered, why psychological safety is suddenly a business survival issue, why middle managers are getting absolutely hammered, and why so many organizations are mistaking tool adoption for actual transformation. We also unpack the bigger questions underneath all of it: What work still belongs to humans? What happens when AI can generate the output? What skills actually matter now? And who is making these choices for everyone else? Inside the episode: the three possible futures of workwhy the AI and jobs conversation feels so chaoticinsights from Ethan Mollick, Amy Edmondson, Gary Bolles, and morewhy you can’t install your way through changehow culture debt is building inside organizationsthe pressure building on managers, employees, and leadersand 8 practical moves to respond right nowIf you work in HR, leadership, talent, strategy, learning, or you’re just trying to figure out what AI is actually doing to work, this episode is for you. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management. Thanks for listening!   Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com

    1h 3m

  5. MAR 10

    Productive. Profitable. People Not Included? AI Displacement. Org Redesign. Universal Basic Income.

    Send us Fan Mail Productive. Profitable. People Not Included? Companies are getting more productive and profitable — while quietly employing fewer people. This week we unpack the growing gap between AI productivity, disappearing jobs, and the uncomfortable question: if the work changes, what replaces the paycheck? Companies are getting more productive. Profits are rising. So why does it feel like workers are disappearing from the equation? This week on Your Work Friends, Francesca and Mel break down two signals shaping the future of work. First: hiring is slowing while AI takes on more tasks and even entire workflows. If jobs don’t keep pace with productivity, a bigger question emerges: how do people make money? That’s why ideas like Universal Basic Income are suddenly moving from academic theory into mainstream conversation. Then we look at a new Harvard Business Review article on why AI transformations are stalling. The problem isn’t the technology — it’s that companies aren’t redesigning the work around it. Tools are being deployed everywhere, but the structure of jobs and organizations hasn’t caught up. In this episode we explore: why productivity is rising while employment stallsthe growing conversation around UBI and post-work incomewhy AI adoption isn’t the same as AI transformationthe organizational redesign most companies are avoidingBecause the real question isn’t just what AI can do. It’s what happens to work — and paychecks — if it does. #FutureOfWork #AIAtWork #WorkplaceTransformation #Automation #Leadership #UniversalBasicIncome #EconomicSignals Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management. Thanks for listening!   Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com

    44 min

  6. MAR 3

    HR's Biggest Moment is Right Now: The Only Question is Who is Going to Take It ft/ Hacking HR's Enrique Rubio

    Send us Fan Mail HR’s Biggest Moment Is Right Now. Who’s Going to Take It? AI isn’t just another HR tech tool. It’s becoming infrastructure. In this episode of Your Work Friends, Mel Plett and Francesca Ranieri sit down with Enrique Rubio, Founder & CEO of Hacking HR (a 2M+ global HR community), to unpack the biggest signals reshaping HR, People Operations, and leadership right now. The stakes? HR can either shape how work changes — or watch it get shaped for them. The Signals We’re Tracking AI is moving from tool → infrastructureThe cost-of-labor equation is getting colderCompanies are making decisions faster than humans can emotionally processAI can now mimic many “human” skills HR once relied onGovernance, regulation, and political shifts are accelerating uncertaintyThis isn’t theoretical. It’s happening now. What We Cover Why “just be more human” isn’t a strategy in the age of AIThe capabilities that will define effective HR leaders in the next 3 yearsWhy HR must think beyond HR (finance, tech, operations fluency matters)What HR might look like by 2030 — and why it will likely be smaller, more strategic, and more orchestration-focusedWhy community is a competitive advantage — especially when most companies have only 1–2 HR leadersWhat HR should stop doing immediatelyA practical 12-month playbook for CHROs, People Ops leaders, and HR teamsIf HR doesn’t step into technology leadership, someone else will. New episodes drop every Tuesday. Subscribe, share, and if you want deeper frameworks, sign up for the newsletter at yourworkfriends.com. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management. Thanks for listening!   Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com

    37 min

  7. FEB 17

    The Rise of the Multi-Hyphenate Leader: How Women Are Leading the Way ft/ Chief's Trey Boynton

    Send us Fan Mail Women aren’t dialing back ambition. They’re redesigning it. New research with the Harris Poll shows 86% of women say they’re more ambitious now than they were five years ago. The difference? They’re building careers that don’t look like the traditional ladder. This week, Trey Boynton from Chief joins us to unpack the rise of the multihyphenate leader — and what it means for individuals and organizations alike. We get into: • What the career ladder got wrong • Why side hustles are a flex, not a red flag • How community fuels ambition • How to support non-linear growth without burning out top talent Because ambition isn’t the problem. The traditional career ladder is. If you’re designing what’s next — for yourself or your team — this one’s a must. Learn more about Chief and connect with Trey Boynton Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management. Thanks for listening!   Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com

    47 min

  8. FEB 3

    Build Your Personal Brand Now ft/ Goodstory's Gina Clementi

    Send us Fan Mail Personal branding isn’t about LinkedIn clout—it’s about career clarity, visibility, and opportunity. In this episode of Your Work Friends, we’re joined by Gina Clementi, founder of Goodstory, to break down what a personal brand actually is—and why it’s becoming one of the most critical career assets in today’s job market. As layoffs rise, AI reshapes work, and careers become more fractional, being good at your job is no longer enough. You need to be known for something. In this conversation, we cover: What a personal brand really is (and common misconceptions about LinkedIn and “thought leadership”)The difference between competence, visibility, and being remembered when you’re not in the roomWhy professionals without a personal brand miss out on jobs, promotions, and opportunities they never even seeThe psychological cost of corporate “shape-shifting” and hiding behind company identityHow to build a personal brand while staying in a corporate rolePractical advice for introverts, skeptics, and people who hate posting on LinkedInWhy AI makes authenticity, judgment, and humanity your biggest differentiatorsHow networking, digital presence, and personal brand now matter more than resumes aloneWhat the future of careers, fractional work, and professional identity looks like heading toward 2030Whether you’re navigating a career transition, exploring consulting or fractional work, building leadership visibility, or trying to future-proof your career in an AI-driven economy, this episode will help you get clear on the story people tell about you—and how to own it. 🎧 Listen now to learn how to build a personal brand that opens doors, attracts opportunity, and actually feels like you. About Gina Clementi: Gina Clementi is a global brand strategy and storytelling veteran who's built emotional and business impact for brands like Nike, Adidas and Micron. She helps individuals and business forge deeper consumer bonds through narrative driven creative, strategy and digital experiences.   Gina's LinkedIn Goodstory  About Unleash: REINVENTING HR. TOGETHER.MARCH 17 – 19, 2026 CAESARS FORUM LAS VEGAS Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management. Thanks for listening!   Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials!  You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.The LinkedIn Group:  We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedInDrop Us a Line: Send us your ideas,  questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com

    39 min
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5
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

We break down the now and next of work. You stay ahead.Its not just you - work is bonkers. Burnout is high, trust is low, and everything is changing at breakneck speed. Friend-to-friend?  We get it. We're in it. And we're here to guide you through it. We’re two leadership insiders—and real-life friends—who’ve led teams, sat in the tough seats, and know first hand how fast, complex, and personal work has become. Every week, we break down what’s happening at work and to work, taking you behind the scenes of what's happening now, and preparing you for what you'll see in 6 months. We're bringing you breaking news, workplace trends, and interviews with top experts shaping the future of work. We cover what’s changing so you don’t get left behind.Join us for smart, unfiltered (with the occasional f*bomb or two) conversations about how work is evolving and what you can do about it.Great for: • Employees rethinking their careers and trying to navigate what comes next• People leaders shaping culture and driving change while getting the work done• Orgs wanting to build smarter, more profitable, more human workplaces• Anyone craving more honest and practical conversations about the future of workTopics we cover:Future of work, leadership, workplace culture, team dynamics, change management, human-centered strategy, layoffs, burnout, performance, career growth, workplace news, workplace humor, and more.

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