Work Besties Who Podcast

In this episode, Sarena Diamond takes us inside her journey from corporate leadership to personal empowerment. She opens up about navigating burnout, the hidden costs of “corporate trauma,” and the courage it takes to redefine success. Sarena highlights why effective change management is rooted in people, not processes, and how leaders can create supportive environments that prevent disconnection. Her story is a call to action for ...

In this solo episode, Jess and Claude explore why recognizing wins—big and small—matters more than most workplaces realize. From boosting team morale to strengthening social wellness, they reveal how celebrating achievements fuels productivity and helps create a thriving workplace culture.

Together, they share practical (and fun!) ways to recognize accomplishments, explain why authenticity is the secret to effective recognition, and...

In From Burnout to Breakthrough, Nicole Richards takes us on her journey from living the “perfect” life on paper to realizing that success without well-being is unsustainable. She opens up about hitting burnout, setting boundaries, and the radical decision to put herself first — without apology.

Along the way, Nicole shares how the power of community, a shift in mindset, and unapologetic self-care helped her reclaim her energy and p...

EP 61: Finding Hope — The Power of Starting Over with Gretchen Schoser

What if your greatest breakdown became the foundation for your most powerful breakthrough?

This week, we’re joined by Gretchen Schoser — suicide survivor, mental health advocate, and co-host of the award-winning podcast Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads — for a raw and deeply inspiring conversation about resilience, healing, and the messy beauty of starting over.

At 6...

Jess and Claude break down what affirmations really are (and aren’t), how to use them without the cringe, and why positive self-talk can meaningfully shift your mood, confidence, and boundaries—at work and beyond. From overcoming negative thought loops to writing affirmations that actually sound like you, this episode gives you practical language and everyday practices to support your emotional well-being and productivity.

What You’...

In this episode, we’re joined by Jen Hardy and Irina Alexander of MotivAction and co-hosts of the Life by Choice podcast to talk about one of the most overlooked truths in burnout: It’s not just internal — it’s relational.

Jen and Irina open up about their personal experiences with burnout, compassion fatigue, and the emotional toll of always saying “yes.” They share their transformative journey toward healing, highlight the importa...

In this refreshing conversation, Jess and Claude sit down with Brea Johnson—founder of Heart and Bones Yoga—to explore how yoga can be reimagined as a sustainable, inclusive, and deeply personal practice.

From burnout prevention to mobility and mindfulness, Brea shares how online yoga has evolved beyond the mat and into everyday moments. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or just yoga-curious, this episode will leave you feeling in...

In this episode of Work Besties Who Podcast, Jess and Claude sit down with Athena Desai—a holistic trauma specialist, spiritual coach, and former NPR journalist—who shares her transformational journey from acupuncture and Eastern medicine to soulful, whole-person healing.

Together, they explore the power of embracing your true self, the role of emotional wellness at work, and how navigating difficult conversations with compassion ca...

In this heartfelt and practical solo episode, Jess and Claude get real about what work-life balance actually looks like. Hint: it’s not about doing everything perfectly.

They break down:

• Their personal challenges and wins around time management
• How to spot where your wellness is falling through the cracks
• Tips to reclaim your energy and set better boundaries
• The small shifts that can lead to big transformation

Whether you’re fee...

Episode 55: Using Humor to Heal Workplace Stress with Marcus aka Not Your Average Coward

In this laugh-filled and insightful episode, Jess & Claude sit down with Marcus — content creator, dad of three, and the viral voice behind Not Your Average Coward. They dive into how Marcus went from catastrophe adjuster to comedy relief for burned-out professionals, all while juggling parenting and content creation.

From memes that hit too ...

This week, Jess & Claude are joined by Alan Lazaros and Kevin Palmieri from Next Level University—two long-time friends and business partners who have recorded over 2,000 episodes and built a movement around personal development and daily growth.

Tune in as we dive into:

• How their friendship is the foundation of everything they’ve built.
• Why being vulnerable and open is essential in leadership.
• The daily grind of content creati...

This week, Jess and Claude sit down with the incredible Heather Stewart, a former high-flying CPA turned life coach, who gets real about what it took to walk away from a corporate life that was slowly burning her out.

Heather shares how she hit pause on the chaos, learned to put herself first (for real this time), and now helps others do the same. This is the self-care convo your inner people-pleaser really needs to hear.

From breaki...

Feeling Burnt Out? You Might Just Need a Break (Literally).

In this powerful episode of Work Besties, Jess & Claude dive into why taking breaks at work isn’t lazy—it’s essential. Discover the surprising science behind how breaks can actually boost your productivity, creativity, and focus, and learn why skipping them may be killing your performance.

They unpack:

• Why your brain needs downtime to stay sharp
• How to use breaks to pr...

In this enlightening episode, Jess and Claude sit down with Sarah Sherwal, a Melbourne-based numerologist who brings a fresh, grounded perspective to the ancient practice of numerology.

Sarah dives into what numerology really is — beyond the stereotypes — and explains how numbers can offer insight into your personality, life path, and even the timing of key decisions. She shares her journey into the world of numerology, how it works...

🎉 50 Episodes Later… We’re Just Getting Started 🎙️💖

What began as a wild idea between two work besties has turned into 50 episodes of laughs, lessons, and serious growth. From fumbling through our first recordings to finding our voice, this journey has been real — and we’re bringing you behind the scenes for our milestone moment.

In this episode, we’re reflecting on:
 ✨ The glow-up from episode 1 to now
 🧠 How imposter sy...

In this episode, Jess and Claude sit down with Dr. Kate Ricciardi, a functional dietitian who shares her powerful personal journey from years of digestive struggles to lasting wellness. Together, they explore how gut health directly impacts workplace energy, mood, and hormones, and why even trained professionals can get stuck in the conventional cycle.

Kate dives into the gut-brain connection, breaking down how food sensitivities, i...

What happens when your career takes an unexpected pivot—from high-powered agent to published author—and your work friendships evolve into personal lifelines?

In this episode, Jess and Claude dive deep with Clélia Castro-Malaspina, a former literary agent turned award-winning children’s author, who’s rewriting the rules of connection, creativity, and career.

💬 We talk:

• How critique groups can save your sanity—and your story
• What co...

What if building a more inclusive workplace wasn’t as complicated or corporate as you think

This week on Work Besties Who Podcast, Claude and Jess sit down with powerhouse inclusion expert and author Delphia Howze — and this conversation will change how you show up at work 🔥

Delphia, whose new book Including You: Leading Inclusion From Where You Are is a must-read, shares why inclusion is a personal responsibility, not just somethin...

You, Me, We: Why Work Besties Are a Career Superpower (with Morag Barrett) 

Ready to upgrade your 9–5 relationships from “cordial coworkers” to ride-or-die allies? In this energizing episode, Jess & Claude sit down with leadership expert and author Morag Barrett to chat about why having work besties isn’t just nice—it’s necessary.

Drawing from her brilliant book You, Me, We, Why we all NEED a Friend at Work; Morag shares actiona...