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Work with Erika Ayers Badan
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© 2025 Erika Ayers Badan
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Most everybody has to work. Most everything has changed about work. Join Erika Badan -- CEO of Food52, former CEO of Barstool Sports and author of Nobody Cares About Your Career -- as she candidly navigates what’s great about work, what’s terrible at work, and what you need to know to make work, work for you.
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We have an announcement. We are restructuring the podcast. Starting very soon WORK will be getting published more than once a week with multiple different segments. Stay tuned! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of WORK, Erika is joined by Kelly Bensimon - former model, Real Housewife of New York, author, and now one of New York’s top luxury real estate brokers - to discuss how reinvention, resilience, and fearlessness have defined her career. Erika also reflects on Gen Z dipping into retirement savings, Jamie Dimon’s advice to step outside your lane, and David Ogilvy’s timeless lessons on owning your shortcomings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of WORK, Erika is joined by Summer, Noah Tannin, and Alice Hu. Summer decodes Gen Z and Gen Alpha slang, Noah talks about the chaos of creative work at Food52, and Alice explains how astrology helps navigate eclipse season, Mercury retrograde, and career transitions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of WORK, Erika takes on the state of work and the future of women’s sports. She unpacks why today’s job market feels impossible—from AI-written applications colliding with AI-driven hiring systems to Gallup’s finding that fewer than one in five employees are satisfied at work. With quiet quitting evolving into quiet crashing, she asks what leaders can do when culture is defined by the worst behavior they’re willing to tolerate. Then the conversation shifts to a breakthrough moment for women’s lacrosse. Erika sits down with PLL VP Rachel DeCecco and players Sydney Black, Ally Mastroianni, Lizzie Colson, and Izzy Scane to talk about the league’s first full season in 2026, how they balance day jobs with professional play, and what it means to build a new era for women’s sports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of WORK, Erika reflects on lessons from the Work Like a Girl event in Boston and why optimism may be the most powerful leadership skill. She then unpacks viral business stories, including the Applebee’s executive who went on to become CEO of IHOP and eventually bought Applebee’s, and Brian Chesky's (Airbnb CEO) reminder that the future waits for no one. Erika also breaks down the surprising stat that three in four Gen Z workers bring their parents into job interviews. Later, Jack Fischer, from the finance team at Food52, joins to share insights on building trust, challenging executive assumptions, and the importance of financial transparency at work. Finally, journalist and photographer Nadja Sayej discusses her career in the gig economy, the decline of traditional journalism, navigating celebrity culture, and how she’s building a creative legacy on her own terms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of WORK, Erika breaks down the $270K fraud scandal at Food52 and what it reveals about company blind spots. She also tackles Gen Z’s pacifier trend, the rise of quiet cracking as the new quiet quitting, and why overused phrases like “pushing the envelope” miss the mark. She also shares the traits that truly make employees successful—and why focusing on helping others might be the ultimate career advantage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of WORK, Erika explores why generosity has become a lost art in today’s workplace—and why bringing it back can change everything. From the pitfalls of corporate “wellness weeks” to a failed launch that turned into one of her team’s most constructive conversations, she shows how giving time, feedback, and attention can transform culture. Along the way, Erika unpacks TD Bank’s clever ad campaign, a viral firing story from India, Elon Musk’s controversial management style, and the future beyond smartphones, before closing with a teaching segment on active listening as one of the most generous skills you can bring to work.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of WORK, Erika introduces Food52's new resident Test Kitchen creator Isabelle Jardin, who shares her love of cookbook clubs and entertaining. Erika's also joined by Helena Shannon, who shares how nine years of sobriety have fueled her clarity, confidence, and career growth—turning consciousness into a true workplace superpower. From remembering every name in the room to speaking up with conviction, Helena shows how living alcohol-free can sharpen your professional edge. Erika also touches on some current event topics including revealing AI tools advising women and minorities to ask for lower salaries than men—proof that bias is built into our technology. With candid conversations, practical takeaways, and a quick strategery segment on what “breaking down the silos” really means, this episode offers fresh insight for anyone looking to thrive at work while challenging the systems that hold us back.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of WORK, Erika dives into the real struggles of breaking the status quo at work and why it’s so hard to change what’s clearly broken. From finance frustrations to startup standoffs, this candid talk is for anyone trying to create real change within their organization. Plus, we spotlight the return of Ty Haney to Outdoor Voices - a comeback story filled with lessons in resilience, leadership, and founder identity. Erika also chats with bestselling author Mita Mallick about her book The Devil Emails at Midnight and the fine line between tough bosses and toxic ones. Thanks so much for listening to WORK. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get bonus content like interviews, deep dives, events we are doing with Work Like A Girl and more. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. That’s lemonadapremium.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of WORK, Erika unpacks the growing misuse of the word “burnout”—and why it’s becoming dangerously diluted. From Gen Z’s “rat people” rebellion in China to Elon Musk’s fiery back-to-office mandate, the episode explores the tension between hustle culture, generational work values, and what it really means to be burnt out. Erika also reflects on not measuring yourself by your old yardstick - whether it’s body image, past success, or unrealistic work standards and how to move forward with purpose. With practical wisdom, irreverent humor, and a teaching segment on the Charisma Wheel, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating modern work life. Thanks so much for listening to WORK. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get bonus content like interviews, deep dives, events we are doing with Work Like A Girl and more. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. That’s lemonadapremium.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this insightful episode of WORK, Erika dives into the reality of managing in a rapidly evolving workplace. She shares personal insights on tackling anxiety, navigating tough delegation decisions, and how to inspire teams through meaningful accountability. Special guest Chelsea Burnside joins Erika to discuss first-time management challenges, creating authentic connections at work, and how social media dynamics influence corporate culture and collaboration. They explore the complex but essential balance between professionalism and friendship at the office. Thanks so much for listening to WORK. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get bonus content like interviews, deep dives, events we are doing with Work Like A Girl and more. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. That’s lemonadapremium.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of WORK, Erika sits down with Rishad Tobaccowala—futurist, author, and former Chief Growth Officer at Publicis Groupe—for a big-picture conversation about how work is evolving and what it really takes to stay relevant. From demographic shifts and declining populations to AI, Gen Z mindsets, and the rise of marketplaces and side hustles, Rishad breaks down the five forces transforming work as we know it. They explore why most companies are asking the wrong questions, how leaders should rethink their org design, and why fewer jobs doesn’t mean less work. Plus, Rishad shares his daily learning practice, his favorite “ 6 Cs for success” and why thinking like an immigrant is the key to future-proofing your career. Thanks so much for listening to WORK. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get bonus content like interviews, deep dives, events we are doing with Work Like A Girl and more. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. That’s lemonadapremium.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Erika talks with Allen Warch, Vice President of Food and Fresh at Dollar General, about how the company is transforming itself from a discount retailer to a fresh food access point — tackling food insecurity, expanding into rural America, and making produce affordable. Plus, a little soccer talk and a look at how mission-driven culture scales. Thanks so much for listening to WORK. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get bonus content like interviews, deep dives, events we are doing with Work Like A Girl and more. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. That’s lemonadapremium.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of WORK, Erika dives into how personal style shapes professional presence with Jennifer Heinen, a leading fashion psychologist and creator of the Style‑Mind Shift. They explore how what you wear affects confidence, identity, and control in the workplace. Erika also breaks down the limits of AI note‑takers, and examines how New Balance rebranded a dad shoe into a cultural icon. It’s a layered conversation about belonging, technology, and why dressing well doesn’t solve a broken system. Thanks so much for listening to WORK. If you haven’t yet, now is a great time to subscribe to Lemonada Premium. You’ll get bonus content like interviews, deep dives, events we are doing with Work Like A Girl and more. Just hit the 'subscribe' button on Apple Podcasts, or, for all other podcast apps head to lemonadapremium.com to subscribe. That’s lemonadapremium.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of WORK, Erika talks about the Labubu craze, ethics of A.I and also sits down with Jess Cervellon—fractional CMO, entrepreneur, and founder of She Innovates—about what it really takes to build a career on your own terms. They get into the realities of juggling multiple clients, the myths around networking, and why personal branding isn’t just for influencers. It’s a conversation about boundaries, intuition, and how to create a business that actually works for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of WORK, Erika talks to Bree McKeen, founder of Evelyn & Bobbie, about what it really takes to rebuild a product from scratch—and why the bra industry was overdue for a total reset. They get into the science behind better support, the lies women have been told about comfort, and what happens when you stop following the playbook and build your own. It’s a conversation about innovation, scale, and why real R&D is anything but soft.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of WORK, Erika breaks down what it means to take over a business you didn’t start, and the difference between ownership, leadership, and cleanup. She gets into why the chief of staff role is one of the weirdest jobs, how companies get stuck in admin spirals, and why most meetings aren’t actually work. The episode also looks ahead at the jobs of the future, and what happens when AI starts managing our digital lives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of WORK, Erika opens with a conversation on burnout, humor, and how survival sometimes looks like making fun of your own life. She talks about the pressure to build businesses like SKIMS, and why most companies don’t work that way. Caitlin Murray joins to talk about parenting, grief, and growing Big Time Adulting into a platform built on honesty and humor. Katie Lee shares her journey building a pizza business, scaling a restaurant brand, and learning to pivot when things fall apart.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of WORK, Erika talks with Chef Tiara from The Pastry Box about building something from scratch—literally. They get into how burnout led to biscuits, what it means to create a business that actually feeds you, and why joy should be part of the plan. The episode also features a conversation with Sarah Tans on maternity, identity, and how to make work work after becoming a parent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of WORK, Erika talks about leadership, trust, and why the best teams don’t need babysitting. She unpacks what makes someone worth following, how Gen Alpha misunderstands the internet, and why being busy doesn’t mean being valuable. Plus: a conversation with Tejas Hullur on content, burnout, and storytelling—and a story from travel writer Anne Abel about changing your life at 72 and finally becoming the person you’ve always been.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Scooter Braun apologist hmmmm. Seems like the kinda thing he would get himself involved with. “good deed” hahahahahaha
Erika is the boss.