Workday Playdate

In this milestone episode of Workday Playdate, Erin celebrates five years of learning, laughter, pivots, and powerful conversations. From the early days as “Failed It!” to today’s “Workday Playdate,” Erin reflects on how staying open to evolution have shaped the show and the community behind it. This special anniversary episode spotlights the Top 10 listener-favorite episodes of all time. These conversations sparked breakthroughs in leadership, empathy, financial mindset, well-being, team culture, emotional intelligence, and authentic communication. Whether you’ve been here since episode one or you’re just joining the fun, this roundup reminds us why soft skills aren’t soft at all… they’re essential skills for the modern workplace. Erin unpacks how improv comedy continues to unlock creativity, why pivoting creates progress, and what the past five years have taught her about resilience and leading with play. Inside This Episode:Pivoting Is Progress: How changing the show’s name, format, and focus led to deeper alignment and higher impact.The Power of Improv Comedy: Why improv is one of the most effective development tools for communication, adaptability, listening, and soft skills. Your Favorite Conversations (Ranked!): A countdown of the 10 most streamed, shared, and talked-about episodes + the big lessons from each one. Radical Candor + Empathy: Why caring personally and challenging directly builds trust, psychological safety, and high-performing cultures.Your Money Mindset Matters: How shifting your relationship with finances can expand abundance, reduce stress, and reshape decision-making. Who This Episode Is For:People leaders building cultures rooted in empathy, candor, and psychological safety.Professionals craving growth, clarity, and workplace skills that actually matter.Anyone who loves learning, laughter, leadership, and a good pivot chapter. You’ve tried the Slack hacks, rewriting the meeting agendas, and promised yourself you’d protect your team’s time. But somehow hybrid work still feels like an endless game of communication ping-pong. More messages, more overwhelm. Enter The Remote Leader’s Reset: your 5-step guide to lowering the noise, resetting expectations, and helping your team finally exhale. These simple, human-centered resets will help you reduce friction, create clarity, and make your people feel seen—no matter where they’re working from. Download it here. No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.Have another question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode.Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.”Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This is your personal jackpot that gives you access to the frameworks that help us thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you’re trying to improve your daily routine, flesh out an idea that you’ve had for quite some time, or want to add more play into your day - these resources have got your back.Want 2 emails a week from us? One with a quick tip you can implement right away to enhance your personal and/or professional lives & one of our famous F.A.I.L. Fourward Friday newsletters? Subscribe here. Top 10 Episodes of All TimeEpisode 301: Real Talk: How to Stop Guessing What Your Boss Wants and Start Managing Up with Confidence with Melody WildingEpisode 299: Want to Nail Employee Engagement? Here’s What Actually Works (No Gimmicks Needed) with Dr. Angela JacksonEpisode 307: Stop People-Pleasing: Lead with Clarity and Confidence with Amy Green SmithEpisode 303: Are We Settling Without Even Knowing It? Steffani Lefevour Spills the Truth and How to Break FreeEpisode 80: You CAN give feedback as a Leader, and it CANNOT be triggering with Kim ScottEpisode 95: Building a Kick A$$ Culture of Inclusivity with Kim Scott + Trier BryantEpisode 101: The Rise of the Empathetic Leader with Career Development Visionary, Ryan McCreaEpisode 268: How Can Top Corporate Leaders Use Negotiation to Drive Unstoppable Success? Unlocking Secrets with Kwame ChristianEpisode 266: What Does It Take for Women to Gain Respect, Power, and Influence in the Workplace? Alison Fragale Spills the TeaEpisode 258: Is the Way You Think About Money Holding You Back? Dr. Darnyelle Reveals THE Million Dollar Mindset SecretsEpisode 234: Tiffany Sauder on Dual Career Families: Can You Really Have it All Without Sacrificing What Matters Most? Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!Erin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with well-being activist, global people leader, and resilience champion Nathan Andres. Together, they explore what it really takes to live and lead with authenticity. Known as “Nate the Great,” Nathan shares his personal journey toward purpose, presence, and proactive well-being. He introduces his powerful REAL Model for building resilience: Reality, Energy, Authenticity, and Love. Together, Erin and Nathan unpack why self-care is a leadership skill, how self-compassion fuels high performance, and why self-advocacy is the backbone of sustainable success—both at work and in life. This conversation blends mindset, mental health, and modern leadership into a practical roadmap for anyone ready to strengthen resilience without losing themselves in the process. Whether you’re navigating a career pivot, recovering from adversity, or simply craving a more grounded way to show up each day, this episode gives you the tools, permission, and practices to return to your most authentic self and stay there. Inside This Episode:Authenticity Is Your Advantage: Why showing up as your whole, true self creates deeper trust, stronger teams, and more sustainable well-being.Resilience Starts With Reality: How naming your truth—and seeing situations clearly—becomes the first step to taking back control.Energy, Not Exhaustion: How to redirect your emotional, mental, and physical energy toward what fuels you, not drains you. Self-Care, Self-Compassion, Self-Advocacy: Why these three practices are essential to resilience, confidence, and performance. Love Is a Leadership Skill: How love—for yourself, for others, and for the work—creates cultures where people can actually thrive.Mental Health as a Competitive Advantage: Why workplaces that prioritize psychological safety and well-being win in innovation, retention, and trust. Who This Episode Is For:Leaders who want to build cultures grounded in authenticity, empathy, and psychological safety.Professionals seeking practical tools for resilience, mental health, and personal well-being.Anyone craving a clear, compassionate framework for navigating life’s roller coasters without losing themselves. You’ve tried the Slack hacks, rewriting the meeting agendas, and promised yourself you’d protect your team’s time. But somehow hybrid work still feels like an endless game of communication ping-pong. More messages, more overwhelm. Enter The Remote Leader’s Reset: your 5-step guide to lowering the noise, resetting expectations, and helping your team finally exhale. These simple, human-centered resets will help you reduce friction, create clarity, and make your people feel seen—no matter where they’re working from. Download it here. No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.Have another question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode.Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.”Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This is your personal jackpot that gives you access to the frameworks that help us thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you’re trying to improve your daily routine, flesh out an idea that you’ve had for quite some time, or want to add more play into your day - these resources have got your back.Want 2 emails a week from us? One with a quick tip you can implement right away to enhance your personal and/or professional lives & one of our famous F.A.I.L. Fourward Friday newsletters? Subscribe here. Connect with Nathan AndresNathan’s LinkedInNathan’s websiteNathan’s book: Your Real Life: Get Authentic, Be Resilient, and Make it Count Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!Erin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today’s solo episode of Workday Playdate, Erin unpacks one of the most quietly dangerous—and completely universal—experiences at work: burnout. Specifically, how to talk to your boss about burnout the right way with confidence, clarity, and zero shame. Through her own personal burnout stories, Erin breaks down why speaking up is an act of leadership, how self-awareness accelerates support, and why proactive conversations are the key to workplace wellness. This episode gives you the scripts, strategies, and psychology-backed steps to advocate for yourself without spiraling, stonewalling, or self-blame. If you’ve ever felt exhausted, resentful, or on the edge of shutting down—but had no idea how to bring it up—this conversation is your roadmap to connection, boundaries, and balance. Inside This Episode:Burnout Is a Signal, Not a Badge: Understanding how your body, brain, and emotions tell you it’s time for change.Silence Breeds Misunderstanding: Why hiding your burnout erodes trust—and how transparency builds it back.Own It, Don’t Over-Apologize: How to express what you’re experiencing with specificity, self-awareness, and honesty.Propose Solutions, Not Just Problems: Scripts and prompts to help you communicate needs + offer proactive, collaborative fixes.Boundaries Are the Tool, Not the Enemy: How to set limits that protect your energy and your performance.Communication That Builds Trust: How empathy, clarity, and a “yes, and” mindset reduce defensiveness and open the door to real support. Who This Episode Is For:Leaders seeking to create a culture of psychological safety and employee support.Professionals craving healthier work-life balance, mental health awareness, and burnout prevention tools.Anyone who wants clear, compassionate scripts for tough conversations—without fear, guilt, or guesswork. You’ve tried the Slack hacks, rewriting the meeting agendas, and promised yourself you’d protect your team’s time. But somehow hybrid work still feels like an endless game of communication ping-pong. More messages, more overwhelm. Enter The Remote Leader’s Reset: your 5-step guide to lowering the noise, resetting expectations, and helping your team finally exhale. These simple, human-centered resets will help you reduce friction, create clarity, and make your people feel seen—no matter where they’re working from. Download it here. No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.Have another question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode.Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.”Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This is your personal jackpot that gives you access to the frameworks that help us thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you’re trying to improve your daily routine, flesh out an idea that you’ve had for quite some time, or want to add more play into your day - these resources have got your back.Want 2 emails a week from us? One with a quick tip you can implement right away to enhance your personal and/or professional lives & one of our famous F.A.I.L. Fourward Friday newsletters? Subscribe here. Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!Erin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today’s episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Michelle “Mace” Curran—a combat veteran, former fighter pilot, author, and only the second woman ever to fly Lead Solo for the Thunderbirds—to unpack how humor, perspective, and playfulness can transform the way we work and live. From high-stakes cockpit lessons to everyday team dynamics, Michelle shares why the stakes are usually not as high as we think, how finding humor in our mistakes turns them into fuel instead of fear, and why seeking silver linings is a leadership superpower. Together, Erin and Michelle explore the joy of incorporating playfulness into work, the underrated brilliance of cohesive personal branding, and yes—Michelle’s unapologetic love for true crime podcasts. If you’ve ever taken yourself way too seriously at work, wished you could see challenges through a lighter lens, or wanted to bring more authenticity and courage into your leadership, this episode flips your perspective. Inside This Episode:High Stakes, Big Perspective: What flying fighter jets teaches you about pressure, perception, and courage.Humor as a Power Tool: How laughing at mistakes transforms them into memorable, growth-filled stories.Silver Linings 101: Why reframing setbacks builds resilience and joy.Playfulness at Work: How small moments of levity can boost morale, creativity, and productivity.True Crime & Branding: What Michelle’s personal passions teach us about cohesive, authentic personal branding.The Flipside in Action: How to invert your perspective and turn fear into your superpower. Who This Episode Is For:Leaders craving lightness, resilience, and more human connection.Professionals looking to integrate play, humor, and authenticity into their workday.Anyone eager to learn from a world-class pilot about courage, perspective, and storytelling.Listeners seeking practical tools for reframing fear and finding joy at work. You’ve outlined your slides, practiced your intro, and told yourself this time you won’t wing it—but when it’s go time, your nerves still take the mic. Enter The 3-Step Presentation Guide: your go-to roadmap for crafting, practicing, and delivering a talk that lands. With this simple system, you’ll calm your nerves, sharpen your message, and step on stage (or into that conference room) with real confidence. Download it now and turn “I hope this goes well” into “I nailed that.” No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.Have another question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode.Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.”Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This is your personal jackpot that gives you access to the frameworks that help us thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you’re trying to improve your daily routine, flesh out an idea that you’ve had for quite some time, or want to add more play into your day - these resources have got your back.Want 2 emails a week from us? One with a quick tip you can implement right away to enhance your personal and/or professional lives & one of our famous F.A.I.L. Fourward Friday newsletters? Subscribe here. Connect with Michelle "Mace" CurranMichelle's websiteMichelle’s LinkedInMichelle’s Instagram Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!Erin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today’s solo episode of Workday Playdate, Erin dives head-first into one of the most catalytic leadership levers we have at work (and honestly, in life): feedback—how to give it, how to get it, and how to grow from it. From improv-infused communication strategies to mindset shifts that build resilience, this episode breaks down why feedback is your greatest growth tool, how clarity accelerates trust, and how adopting a “yes, and” mindset can transform even the toughest conversations. Erin shares personal stories and actionable frameworks to help you communicate with confidence. If you’ve ever hesitated to speak up, spiraled after receiving constructive notes, or wondered how world-class leaders use feedback to fuel development, this episode is your playbook for elevating your influence and emotional intelligence. Inside This Episode:The Power of Feedback: Why it’s the fastest way to grow as a leader and teammate.Clear Is Kind: How specificity strengthens trust, communication, and performance.“Yes, And” in Action: Using improv principles to encourage improvement rather than defensiveness.Real-Time vs. Resentment-Time Feedback: The timing rule that changes everything.Feedback as Data: How separating feedback from identity builds resilience and self-awareness. Who This Episode Is For:Leaders who want to level up their communication and coaching skills.Professionals eager to improve their confidence, adaptability, and self-awareness.Anyone craving practical, psychology-backed tools for personal and professional growth. Tune in to learn how clarity, curiosity, and a “yes, and” mindset can turn feedback into your most powerful engine for development. You’ve outlined your slides, practiced your intro, and told yourself this time you won’t wing it—but when it’s go time, your nerves still take the mic. Enter The 3-Step Presentation Guide: your go-to roadmap for crafting, practicing, and delivering a talk that lands. With this simple system, you’ll calm your nerves, sharpen your message, and step on stage (or into that conference room) with real confidence. Download it now and turn “I hope this goes well” into “I nailed that.” No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.Have another question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode.Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.”Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This is your personal jackpot that gives you access to the frameworks that help us thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you’re trying to improve your daily routine, flesh out an idea that you’ve had for quite some time, or want to add more play into your day - these resources have got your back.Want 2 emails a week from us? One with a quick tip you can implement right away to enhance your personal and/or professional lives & one of our famous F.A.I.L. Fourward Friday newsletters? Subscribe here. Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!Erin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.