The Workplace Podcast: Real Lessons. Honest Conversation.
The Workplace Podcast is your no-nonsense guide to navigating today’s workplace.I’m Barbara—an HR leader, recruiter, and learning professional with over 15 years of experience helping people grow, communicate, and succeed at work. Each episode delivers real-world strategies, honest advice, and practical tools to help you build confidence, communicate effectively, and level up—whether you’re just starting your career, finding your footing, or ready to take the next step.It’s everything no one teaches you—but everyone expects you to know.
From Needed to Trusted: The Next Step in Your First 90 Days
Month 2 of a new job can feel like an in-between space. You’re past the introductions and onboarding, but you’re still finding your footing. And while no one may say it out loud, this is often the stage where expectations begin to quietly change.
In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, I’m unpacking what it really means to move from being needed to being trusted in your first 90 days. We’ll talk about the signals people start to notice during this phase — your consistency, follow-through, reliability, judgment, and ability to manage more without constant d...
The First Month — From New to Needed
The first month at a new job is a quiet turning point.
You’re no longer just absorbing information. You’re no longer socially buffered. Something shifts — structurally and psychologically — even if no one announces it.
In this episode, I unpack what’s really happening by Week Four. We talk about the subtle move from being “the new person” to becoming someone the team relies on. Because the first month isn’t about dazzling anyone. It’s about building reliability.
You’ll learn:
• Why Month One is an assessment of dependability — not brilliance
• How...
Weeks 2 & 3: From Orientation to Contribution — Building the Pattern
Weeks Two and Three are where the quiet shift happens.
The grace period narrows.
The novelty fades.
And expectations begin to tighten — subtly, but meaningfully.
In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, we move beyond orientation and into contribution.
We unpack:
• The shift from learning to applying
• What early contribution actually looks like
• Why leaders care about cognitive load
• How your recovery from mistakes builds trust
• The emotional reality of Weeks 2 & 3 (including imposter syndrome and anxiety)
• Why ambiguity tolerance is an early leadership signal
• And how...
The Layoff: What No One Teaches You — But Everyone Expects You to Know
Layoffs are difficult.
Even when they’re framed as “organizational.”
Even when someone tells you it’s not personal.
Even when you understand the business reasoning.
In this episode, I walk through what no one teaches you about navigating a layoff — from the moment the meeting happens, to the first 48 hours, to the uncomfortable in-between when you’re still expected to transition your work.
We’ll talk about:
• What to say in the layoff meeting
• What questions you should ask (even if your brain goes blank)
• How to maintain composur...
Week One at Work — How to Navigate What No One Explains
In Season 2, Episode 2 of The Workplace Podcast, we move past Day One and into Week One at work — the part of onboarding that rarely goes the way anyone promised.
Because Week One is almost never clean and linear. Meetings move. Training gets shortened. Systems aren’t ready. Information is incomplete. And expectations are often unspoken.
In this episode, we talk about how to navigate that reality without sounding unsure, shutting down, or pretending you understand. You’ll learn how to interpret Week One correctly, what your real goals should be (hi...
Season 2 Episode 1: Day One: The Signals You Don't Know You're Sending
Your first day at a new job isn’t really about proving yourself — it’s about the signals you’re sending before you realize anyone is paying attention.
In this Season 2 kickoff episode, I break down the less obvious expectations of Day One — the credibility signals, behavioral cues, and professional habits that experienced leaders notice immediately but rarely explain.
This episode goes beyond onboarding checklists and focuses on what actually shapes first impressions: how you prepare before you arrive, how you pace yourself once you’re there, how you listen, how you ask questions, and how you adap...
Season 2 Preview — The First 90 Days Series
Season 2 of The Workplace Podcast introduces the First 90 Days Series — a practical, step-by-step guide to what actually matters early in a new role.
This short preview explains what the new season will cover, why the first 90 days shape your credibility, and what listeners can expect in the upcoming episodes.
Episode 1 launches February 10 and begins with Day One foundations — how early signals form through preparation, presence, listening, and engagement.
If you’re new to the podcast, now is the perfect time to catch up on Season 1 before the new series begins.
Episode 14 – Season 1 Finale: Communication, ADHD, and What I’ve Learned
This season was about more than communication skills. It was about self-awareness, confidence, and learning how to work with the way your brain processes information, not against it.
In this Season 1 finale, I reflect on what communication has taught me through the lens of ADHD—how feedback lands, why processing takes time, and why depth, reflection, and awareness are not weaknesses in the workplace. They are strengths.
We talk about:
Why communication isn’t about speed, but understandingHow ADHD shapes reflection, feedback, and self-trustWhy processing differently never makes you “less than”How confidence is built th...Episode 13: ADHD at Work - Communicating with Confidence Through Self-Awareness
In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, we shift the conversation.
This isn’t about learning another communication technique or “fixing” how you show up at work. It’s about the mindset shift that changes everything: self-awareness.
I share my lived experience of living and working with ADHD, especially how feedback lands, why it tends to stick, and how deep processing is often misunderstood as overthinking. We talk honestly about why speed and immediacy have become the unspoken standard for “good communication” at work—and why that standard quietly erodes confidence for so many capable p...
Episode 12: Same Message, Different Meaning — How Communication Lands with ADHD
In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, we explore a part of workplace communication that rarely gets named — the space after the conversation ends.
The same message doesn’t land the same way for everyone. For some people, understanding is immediate. For others — including many people with ADHD — meaning forms later, through reflection and integration. And when that difference isn’t understood, it often gets mislabeled as overthinking, being too sensitive, or not letting things go.
This episode isn’t clinical, and it isn’t about diagnosis. It’s about self-awareness as a professional skill.
We talk abo...
EPISODE 11: Understanding Communication Through My ADHD Lens
In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, I’m starting a new series by stepping back and sharing my own experience with communication at work — through the lens of living with ADD.
We’ve talked about communication and feedback before. This time, the conversation is different.
Instead of tips or scripts, this episode focuses on what communication feels like for me — why certain conversations linger, why feedback can hit harder than expected, and why vague or incomplete communication can feel heavier than it probably was meant to be.
This episode isn’t medical or clinica...
Episode 10: The Feedback Mindset That Changes Everything
Feedback can feel heavy. Confusing. Personal.
Especially when you’re trying to do your best—and it still lands wrong.
In this episode, we bring everything together.
Over the past several conversations, we’ve explored feedback from managers, peers, trainers, and everyday interactions. Now it’s time to connect the dots and focus on one of the most important mindset shifts you can make if you want feedback to help you grow instead of derail you.
Because most of us were never taught how to interpret feedback—only how to react to it.
...
Episode 9: Feedback in Everyday Interactions — How to Receive It and Give It Well
Feedback doesn’t just happen at work — it shows up everywhere.
From car dealerships and doctor’s offices to service desks, emails, surveys, and online reviews, everyday feedback shapes experiences, trust, and reputation far more than most people realize.
In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, we step outside of formal performance conversations and explore how to handle feedback in everyday interactions — especially when it’s unsolicited, emotional, or unstructured.
In this episode, we discuss:
What everyday feedback really is and why it often feels personalWhy feedback in real-world interactions can feel m...Episode 8: Feedback from Your Peer or Buddy — Why It Matters More Than You Think
Feedback doesn’t only come from managers or formal reviews.
Some of the most influential feedback you’ll receive in your career comes from peers, buddies, mentors, and trainers—often early on, often informally, and often without much context.
In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, we take a deeper dive into feedback following Episode 7 and explore why peer and buddy feedback plays such a powerful role in how you’re perceived, how quickly you grow, and whether others invest in your development.
We cover:
Why peer feedback feels different—and why it...Episode 7: How to Give and Receive Feedback: The Skill That Changes Everything
Feedback is one of the most important skills you’ll ever develop in your career — but most of us were never taught how to handle it. In this episode, we’re diving into the real, practical tools that help you give and receive feedback without shutting down, getting defensive, or taking it personally.
We’ll break down why feedback feels so uncomfortable, how to respond with confidence instead of panic, and what leaders are actually looking for when they assess “coachability.” You’ll walk away with strategies you can use immediately — in your next 1:1, project review, or unexpected “Can...
Episode 6: Being Coachable - The Skill That Changes Everything
Coachability is one of the most powerful career advantages you can build — and it has nothing to do with how long you’ve been working.
In this episode of The Workplace Podcast, we break down what coachability really means, why leaders value it so highly, and how it influences your growth, your opportunities, and your reputation at work.
You’ll learn the behaviors that signal openness, the patterns leaders look for behind the scenes, and the subtle habits that quietly damage credibility. We’ll also walk through a simple framework for taking feedback professi...
Episode 5: The First 90 Days: Building Credibility Fast
Starting a new job can feel overwhelming, but your first 90 days don’t have to be a guessing game. In this episode, we walk through how to show up with confidence, communicate clearly, and build credibility from day one—no matter where you are on your career journey.
You’ll learn:
• What people really notice in your first 90 days
• How communication shapes your reputation
• A simple 30–60–90 framework to guide your growth
• How to recover from mistakes professionally
• The daily habits that strengthen your credibility
• A challenge to help you apply everything this week
Episode 4: 5 Books That Changed How I Communicate and Connect at Work
Want to communicate with more confidence and credibility at work?
In this episode, I’m sharing 5 books that completely changed how I connect, influence, and build trust in the workplace. Each one offers practical strategies you can apply right away—whether you’re early in your career or ready to level up your leadership.
Books Mentioned:
How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie
Simply Said – Jay Sullivan
Emotional Intelligence 2.0 – Travis Bradberry & Jean Greaves
Conversational Intelligence – Judith E. Glaser
Dare to Lead - Brené Brown
Episode 3: Beyond Words: The Real Skills Behind Effective Communication
Communication isn’t just about what you say — it’s about how you connect.
In this episode, I dive deeper into the nuances of workplace communication: how to navigate meetings with confidence, talk with your leader the right way, and build emotional intelligence that strengthens trust and credibility.
You’ll learn how to:
💬 Prepare for meetings and add value (not noise)
🧭 Communicate with your leader clearly and respectfully
🤝 Lean into emotional intelligence and empathy
⚡ Replace control with connection to build stronger teams
Because great communication isn’t a talent — it’s a skill.
And when...
Episode 2: The Unspoken Rules of Communication: What No One Teaches About Speaking Up at Work
Communication isn’t dying — it’s evolving.
AI, remote work, and endless messaging have changed how we connect — but the skill that still matters most is being human.
Episode 2 of The Workplace Podcast dives into the unspoken rules of communication — how to listen, speak up, and truly connect again.
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Episode 1: I Wish Someone Would Have Told Me Sooner!
In this first episode, we’re tackling a big truth: most workplace struggles aren’t performance issues—they’re teaching issues.
We expect people to lead, communicate, and grow, but we rarely show them how.
I’ll share why this topic hits home, what inspired The Workplace Podcast and Workplace 101 Hub, and how we can start bridging the gap between what’s expected and what’s taught.
If you’ve ever thought, “I wish someone had told me this sooner,” you’re in the right place.
Subscribe and join me as we make the workplace les...
Welcome to the Workplace Podcast
In this video, I’m sharing why I created Workplace 101 Hub—and the real reason so many people struggle in the workplace. We expect people to communicate well, build confidence, and understand how to navigate tricky situations… but no one actually teaches them how.
That’s where Workplace 101 Hub comes in. This is your space to learn the unspoken rules of work, understand generational differences, and get real-world advice that helps you not just land the job—but keep it, grow in it, and thrive.
👉 Hit subscribe and join me every week as we unpack the lessons n...