The Workplace Wonderers: Workplace Lessons from Experts

In this thought-provoking episode of Workplace Wonderers, hosts Blake Cohen and Kara Kirby dive deep into the evolving conversation around “toxic workplaces” — and why the term may be losing its punch. They explore the spectrum of workplace behavior, from subtle incivility to overt bullying, and the often-overlooked “mean girl” dynamics that can erode culture. The discussion takes unexpected turns into the psychology of leaders who believe they’re doing the right thing, the manipulative tactics found in cults and organizations, and the ethical grey zones of influence. Packed with real talk, research insights, and challenging questions, this conversation will make you rethink what power, leadership, and workplace culture really mean. To find out more about Kara, go to: https://insightslg.com To find out more about Blake, go to: https://BlakeEvanCohen.com  

In this episode of The Workplace Wonderers, Blake Cohen and Kara Kirby sit down with HR transformation expert and AI educator, Surbhi Ugra, for a refreshingly honest conversation about what AI really means for HR professionals. From resume scanners and hiring bots to "humans in the loop" and AI-powered retention strategies, they cut through the noise and break down what’s hype, and discuss what’s actually happening. You’ll hear: * Why AI in HR isn't as flashy as you think (and why that’s a good thing) * How HR teams can shift from talent acquisition to talent retention * The overlooked need for domain expertise in an AI-driven future * What recruiters and job seekers both need to know about AI tools * Surbhi’s path from enterprise HR to AI-savvy consultant—and how you can follow it Whether you're AI-anxious or AI-curious, this conversation will leave you smarter, calmer, and maybe even inspired about what’s next for the future of work. To learn more about Surbhi, go to: https://crescendohrsolutions.com To learn more about Kara & Blake, go to: https://insightslg.com https://BlakeEvanCohen.com or https://TheMindCapital.com We hope you enjoyed another episode of the Workplace Wonderers!

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Valencia Harris—nonprofit leader, educator, mother, and advocate—joins Blake and Kara for a passionate discussion about the intersection of education, mental health, and parenting. With her signature warmth and eloquence, Dr. V shares personal stories about raising her son, navigating the public education system, and what it really means to empower young minds. 💡 Topics covered include: * The importance of parental advocacy in education * How early testing shapes student identity and performance * Empowerment over lesson plans: co-creating learning with students * Balancing empathy, accountability, and structure at home and in schools * Building future leaders through critical thinking and perspective-taking Whether you’re a parent, educator, or leader in any space, this episode offers deep insights into how we can better support growth, learning, and humanity in our systems—starting with the kids at our kitchen tables. To follow Dr. V, go to: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valencia-hicks-harris-phd-8a4a4a212/ To learn more about Kara Kirby, go to: https://insightslg.com To learn more about Blake Cohen, go to: https://BlakeEvanCohen.com or https://TheMindCapital.com  

In this episode, we sit down with Mike R. Sweeney—TEDx Speaker and Founder of Saber Coaching—to explore what it means to lead with nuance, empathy, and emotional intelligence in a world that often demands hard lines and quick answers. Mike shares his powerful perspective on: Embracing “both/and” thinking instead of the limiting “either/or” mindset The importance of emotional intelligence and inclusive dialogue in conflict resolution Turning tension and paradox into a source of brilliance and innovation And so much more! About the Guest: Mike R. Sweeney is an executive coach, TEDx speaker, and founder of Saber Coaching. He works with leaders and teams to navigate complexity with clarity, empathy, and purpose. Drawing from his background in journalism, change management, and leadership development, Mike helps organizations transform conflict into collaboration and lead with heart. This is a conversation about self-awareness, empathy, and finding clarity without losing complexity. Mike’s story is grounded, inspiring, and full of practical wisdom for anyone looking to lead more humanely and effectively. To learn more about Mike, go to: https://www.sabercoaching.com To watch Mike's TEDx talk, go to: https://youtu.be/f00V7u1hrdE?si=7QYMULuGxVBi2wSo 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes that challenge the status quo and elevate the way we work and live. To learn more about Kara Kirby and/or Blake Cohen: https://insightslg.com https://blakeevancohen.com  

In this episode of The Workplace Wonderers, Kara Kirby sits down in person with Raleigh legend and hospitality powerhouse, Van Eure, owner of the iconic Angus Barn. More than just a celebrated restaurant, the Angus Barn is a masterclass in workplace culture, leadership longevity, and service excellence. Van shares the rich history behind the family-owned establishment, and more importantly, her unique philosophy on leading with heart, tradition, and high standards. From employee retention to guest experience, Van’s approach to leadership is a shining example not just for restaurant owners but for anyone looking to build a legacy through people-first practices. If you’re passionate about leadership, workplace culture, or love a good story about a local institution doing things the right way, this episode is not to be missed.

In this eye-opening episode of The Workplace Wonderers, Kara and Blake are joined by Dr. Noelle Santorelli, clinical psychologist and professor, to explore the complex and often unspoken world of Mean Girl Mom Culture. Together, they dive into: Why some adult female dynamics turn toxic, especially in parenting and community settings The evolutionary psychology behind covert aggression in women How to recognize subtle relational harm like exclusion, gossip, and passive aggression The deeper psychological roots of these behaviors — hint: it’s not just about competition Tools and insights for creating healthier, more supportive female relationships Whether you’re a parent, a professional, or someone navigating tricky group dynamics, this conversation sheds light on a cultural phenomenon many experience but few talk about. 🔍 Guest Info: Learn more about Dr. Noelle Santorelli on her socials 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations that challenge, inform, and inspire. #MeanGirlMomCulture #PsychologyOfWomen #DrNoelleSantorelli #RelationalAggression #WomenAndWork #TheWorkplaceWonderers #ParentingCulture #ToxicGroupDynamics #CovertAggression #FemaleFriendships #WorkplaceWellbeing

In this episode of The Workplace Wonderers, Kara Kirby turns the mic on her co-host, Blake Cohen, for an honest and insightful conversation about his recent TEDx experience—from the rejections to the red dot. Blake shares: How he was rejected over 10 times before finally landing a TEDx stage The surprising role that authenticity played in getting accepted What the pitch process really looks like behind the scenes The emotional highs and lows before, during, and after the talk What he didn’t expect to happen after the video went live If you’ve ever dreamed of giving a TEDx talk—or just want an inside look at the world of public speaking and personal storytelling—this episode is packed with real talk, lessons learned, and inspiration for anyone putting themselves out there. 🎥 Watch Blake’s TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/hQF_kmOcJt0?si=uokCt2MgiJwr2zSh 🔔 Subscribe for more expert stories and workplace wisdom every week! To learn more about Kara, visit: https://InsightsLG.com To learn more about Blake, visit: https://BlakeEvanCohen.com #TEDxTalk #PublicSpeaking #LeadershipJourney #AuthenticityMatters #TheWorkplaceWonderers #BlakeCohen #KaraKirby #ProfessionalGrowth #TEDxExperience #BehindTheScenes

In this episode of The Workplace Wonderer, Kara and Blake sit down with leadership powerhouse Chris Williams, a seasoned advisor with over 45 years of experience building and leading teams—from writing software to scaling departments to serving as VP of HR at Microsoft. Together, they explore the often-overlooked plight of middle managers—those caught between strategic leadership and front-line execution. Chris brings wisdom, wit, and real-world insight to the conversation, offering practical advice for supporting this essential tier of leadership. You’ll also hear: Chris’s behind-the-scenes take on Microsoft’s shift from a cutthroat to a collaborative culture. What it was really like working under Satya Nadella. How Chris became unexpectedly TikTok famous with leadership videos reaching over 250K followers. And the leadership lessons that have stood the test of time. 📲 Follow Chris at https://CLWill.com or search @CLWill on social media. ✨ Subscribe for more episodes that help you rethink the modern workplace! To Learn more about Kara Kirby: https://InsightsLG.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/karakirby84/ To learn more about Blake Cohen: https://blakeevancohen.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakecohenmscap/  

In this episode, we sit down with the incredible Velma Knowles—a Gallup-certified strengths coach, public speaker, and leadership strategist—to dive deep into the communication blind spots that hold teams and leaders back. We explore: ✅ How to identify and overcome common communication gaps ✅ Why strengths-based development is essential for leadership growth ✅ How Velma’s unique upbringing shaped her communication style and leadership philosophy ✅ Actionable tips to communicate more effectively at work Velma’s passion for people and performance shines as she shares hard-earned wisdom from her personal journey and professional experience helping organizations build cultures of trust, clarity, and collaboration. 📌 Learn more about Velma Knowles at: https://www.velmaknowles.com/about 📌 Learn more about Kara Kirby at: https://insightslg.com/ 📌 Learn more about Velma Knowles at: https://BlakeEvanCohen.com 🔔 Don’t forget to review, subscribe, and check back for more expert leadership insights every week!

In this enlightening episode of The Workplace Wonderers, hosts Blake Cohen and Kara Kirby engage with Nina Nesdoly—burnout and corporate stress management speaker, neuroscience researcher, and PhD candidate in Management. Nina shares her unique blend of scientific insights and practical strategies to help individuals and organizations combat burnout and enhance productivity.​ Nina Nesdoly Drawing from her background in neuroscience (BSc) and management (MSc), and soon to be PhD in Management, Nina discusses the neuroscience of work-life balance, the impact of stress on the brain, and actionable techniques to foster resilience in high-pressure environments. Her approach combines academic research with real-world applications, making complex concepts accessible and actionable.​ 🔑 Key Topics Covered: Understanding the neuroscience behind stress and burnout Practical strategies for stress management and burnout prevention The role of organizational culture in employee well-being Implementing sustainable practices for long-term success​ 📚 About Nina Nesdoly: Nina is a renowned speaker and consultant specializing in stress management and corporate wellness. Her TEDx talk, "How to Relieve Stress When You're Overwhelmed," was selected as an Editor's Pick, highlighting her ability to deliver engaging and timely messages. Nina's insights have been featured in media outlets such as Buzzfeed, MarketWatch, and the Financial Times. Currently pursuing her PhD focusing on work-related stress, she continues to conduct and share cutting-edge research on burnout management.​ 🔗 Connect with Nina Nesdoly: Website: https://www.ninanesdoly.com Watch her full TEDx here: https://youtu.be/9G1zyFoAaMc 🔗 Connect with Kara Kirby (Leadership and Organizational Development Expert): Website: https://insightslg.com 🔗 Connect with Blake Cohen (Corporate Speaker & Leadership Expert): Website: https://BlakeEvanCohen.com Watch his full TEDx here: https://youtu.be/hQF_kmOcJt0 ​ 📌 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on creating healthier, more productive workplaces.

In this heartwarming and eye-opening episode of Workplace Wonderers, hosts Blake Cohen (Founder of Mind Capital & Corporate Speaker) and Kara Kirby (Leadership Development Expert & Founder of Insight Leadership Group) sit down with the brilliant and beloved Henry Lucas, LCSW—owner of Louisville Health and Healing and CEO of the Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition. Henry brings humor, heart, and hard-earned wisdom to a conversation about: 💡 The triumphs and challenges of harm reduction work 🌱 Why he launched a therapy school to help clinicians build thriving private practices 🤣 And the time he was cheekily called “diabolical” by an employee—for being such a great leader that no one wanted to stay… because they were too inspired to go out and grow on their own! Henry’s compassion is contagious, his charm is undeniable, and his passion for helping others shines through every story he shares. Whether you're in healthcare, leadership, or simply love hearing from people who lead with purpose—this episode is for you. 🧠 Come for the insights. Stay for the laughs. Leave inspired. Henry Lucas's Websites: https://www.louisvillehealthandhealing.com/our-team/henry-j-lucas-lcsw-lcadc/ Kara Kirby: https://insightslg.com Blake Cohen: https://themindcapital.com https://blakeevancohen.com If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review! We love to hear from you!

Artificial Intelligence is changing the way we work, learn, and lead — but can it ever replace great leadership? In this episode of Workplace Wonderers, Kara Kirby and Blake Cohen tackle a big question: Will the rise of A.I. make human leadership skills obsolete, or will it make them more important than ever? Guided by questions generated by artificial intelligence itself, Kara and Blake explore: The role of emotional intelligence in the age of A.I. What makes leadership irreplaceable. How technology is shaping the future of work. And a few unexpected (and hilarious) tangents along the way. This episode is thought-provoking, fun, and full of insights for anyone curious about leadership, technology, and the future of work. Learn more about Kara: https://insightslg.com Learn more about Blake: https://themindcapital.com Follow Workplace Wonderers for more real conversations about leadership, culture, and navigating the changing world of work.

Welcome back to all of our listeners! This week, we have Jason Seiden on the podcast to discuss his mission of improving how organizations cope and communicate with grieving team members.  Jason and his wife have a powerful story that influenced their decision to start a passion project called Comfort Communications. Comfort Communications helps teams normalize grief and provides predictable, consistent, and effective support to bereaved colleagues.  This episode is powerful, beautiful, and full of valuable tips on how we can best support our coworkers in their times of need.  If there is any episode that we suggest you listen to all the way through, this is it! To learn more about Jason's mission: https://jasonseiden.com/ To learn more about Kara's company: https://insightslg.com/ To learn more about Blake's company: https://themindcapital.com/ We hope you enjoy this episode of the Workplace Wonderers!  

Welcome back to you all! Today's episode is deep dive into the Workplace Wonderer's new cohost, Kara Kirby. Kara details her professional journey telling us how she went from a small town in Texas, to teaching kids English in Mexico, to helping sell tires, to being the owner of a successful Organizational Development practice called Insight Leadership! We hope you enjoy the episode and getting to know Kara better. If you did, leave us some love (you know what to do)! Learn more about Blake's Company: https://TheMindCapital.com Learn more about Kara's Company: https://insightslg.com/  

Hello to you all! Welcome back to another episode of the Wonderer Podcast hosted by Kara Kirby, Insight Leadership, and Blake Cohen, Mind Capital. On today's episode, Kara decided she wanted to take some time to interview Blake! They explore how he went from overcoming his own struggles with mental health concerns, to working in mental healthcare, and then eventually becoming an organizational and leadership psychologist. They talk challenges, pursuing dreams and goals, and sitting in uncomfortability. Thank you for watching, and we hope you enjoy!

Well, folks, we're back! On this episode, we welcome Kara Kirby to the team as the new co-host of Workplace Wonderer Podcast alongside Blake Cohen. On this episode, we take time to establish our working relationship live on the podcast! We cover a wide range of topics and most importantly, how we see ourselves working together! Oh, and we have some fun too! Please enjoy this episode of the Workplace Wonderer Podcast and leave a comment to welcome Kara Kirby to the show!

On this episode of the Workplace Wonderer, Blake Cohen sits down with his guest, Jonathan Bennett, to discuss the impact of creating a value-based organization on attracting customers. The conversation explores this topic in detail and then turns to the two men's personal journies of growth and self-discovery. This vulnerable and insightful conversation ended up exploring topics that neither person expected, but both were delighted it happened. Jonathan Bennett, C.Dir., provides sought-after leadership coaching and strategic counsel to CEOs, executive teams, politicians, and boards of directors across Canada. With experience in urban, rural, remote, and First Nations communities, Jonathan’s expertise is in social purpose business strategy, governance, branding, change, and communications. T o Connect with Jonathan: https://clearlythen.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennettjonathan/ https://www.youtube.com/@UC37R_53n7UpnrqYBqP3kAhw To Connect with Blake: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakecohenmscap/ https://BlakeEvanCohen.com We hope you enjoy this episode of the Workplace Wonderer: Lessons from the Experts!

Clear #communication across your #team and #organization is crucial to the #success of your #business. However, you may want to ask yourself, "How well am I doing at communicating clearly with my team?" The odds are that you think you're doing better than you actually are. In this episode of the Workplace Wonderer, hosted by Blake Cohen, we sit down with Peggy Umbarger, Senior Branch Manager at Apple One Recruiting Services, to break down how clear communication has helped her climb the ladder in her career. We discuss what clear communication is (and isn't), the importance of #mindfulness as a leader striving to communicate clearly, #activelistening, utilizing "on times," and much more. I hope you enjoy this week's episode of Workplace Wonderer! To connect with Blake, visit his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakecohenmscap/ To connect with Peggy, check out her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peggyumbarger/ For reference, here's a link to the book At Your Best, which we discussed in the episode: https://a.co/d/8ShuSyD #Work #OrganizationalPsychology #Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #Skills

The question we have for the audience is, "Does spirituality have a place in the workplace?" We think so! This engaging conversation is informative and affirmative that a mindfulness practice may be the secret to success in the business world (and life). Lori Saitz, the founder of Zen Rabbit, joins us this week to discuss tools that some of the most successful leaders in the world utilize, tips for developing a simple meditation practice, and how meditation helped her through a difficult time in her life. To learn more about Lori, check out her website and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/ https://zenrabbit.com/ To engage with Blake, check out his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakecohenmscap/ Please leave a review!

This week's episode of the Workplace Wonderer: Lessons from the Experts is an important one. Our guest is Vanina Hochman, Licensed Therapist and Family Ambassador for Family First Adolescent Services. The topic we discuss is Cultural Competency. Get ready to enjoy a lively conversation between friends as we delve into the intricacies of becoming more culturally competent. We'll explore how to enhance our ability to relate to others through self-work, share lessons from our own mistakes, and much more! Whether you're a professional in the behavioral health industry, corporate sector, or simply someone striving to be a better human being, this episode is tailored to meet your needs! Vanina Hochman, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, earned her degree in Psychology at the University of Florida and Master’s in Science from Nova Southeastern University after completing her internship at the Brief Therapy Institute and the STEPS program at Memorial Regional Hospital, an intensive inpatient adolescent substance abuse treatment program. In the last five years, Vanina expanded her role to clinical outreach and business development, where she can provide education on addiction and mental health treatment and her passion for culturally competent mental healthcare, and help bring quality treatment to individuals and families dealing with the disease. Vanina currently serves as Family Ambassador for Family First Adolescent Services. She is bilingual and fluent in Spanish, which has become an important tool in her success in accessing and treating a diverse population in the South Florida area. Although a native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Vanina resides in South Florida with her husband and twin children. To learn more about Family First Adolescent Services: https://familyfirstas.com To follow Vanina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanina-hochman-ma-lmft/ To Find and/or Hire Blake, find him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakecohenmscap/ #Work #Culture #HR #Culturalcompetence #Workplace #PsychologicalSafety #Management #Safe #Respect #Trust #Relationships