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Work Unscripted
Work Unscripted
Author: Marlo Lyons
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© 2026 Work Unscripted
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Work Unscripted with Marlo Lyons offers a candid exploration into the realities of career advancement and leadership. Hosted by Marlo Lyons, executive career coach and former HR exec, this podcast brings unfiltered insights on work, leadership, and finding your path. Episodes feature in-depth discussions with industry leaders who share real stories and practical tools, and honest insights from Marlo. Work Unscripted is your guide to thriving in the professional world.
34 Episodes
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Board seats aren’t reserved for a lucky few, but they are reserved for leaders who understand the game. In this episode of Work Unscripted, executive coach Marlo Lyons sits down with board career expert and co-author Naomi Kent to unpack their new book, Wanted: A Board Career, and break down what it really takes to build a meaningful, strategic board portfolio. This is not a job search. And treating it like one is the biggest mistake executives make. Together, Marlo and Naomi walk through the...
Most executives think they’re one promotion away from the C-suite and C-suite leaders think they're one step away from a board seat. They’re not. They’re one mindset shift away and most never make it. In reality, moving up the corporate ladder into the C-suite or onto a board requires an entirely different way of thinking. In this Cracking the Code mini episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons breaks down the critical mindset shift required to move from executive operator to strategic le...
What needs to change for you to level up as a leader, and why do so many high performers get stuck right before promotion? In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons sits down with executive coach Kristen Johnson. Kristen has worked with middle management inside some of the world’s most recognizable organizations—including PayPal, Google, Amazon, Sephora, Chase, and Cisco—giving her a rare, inside look at what truly separates managers from enterprise-level leaders. Together, they break d...
What if the very thing you’re hiding at work is actually the key to becoming a stronger, more trusted leader? In this Cracking the Code mini-episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons breaks down how to show vulnerability and credibility at the same time that builds authority and influence. Because vulnerability in leadership doesn’t mean oversharing, emotional dumping, or losing control. It means leading with authenticity and competence. In this quick, practical episode, you’ll learn: How vulne...
Is your job actually a hostile work environment, or do you just have a terrible boss? In this eye-opening episode, employment law expert Nestor Barrero joins Marlo Lyons to break down the real legal differences between discrimination, harassment, bullying, and a simply toxic workplace. If you’ve ever wondered whether what you’re experiencing at work is illegal, retaliation, or just deeply unhealthy, this conversation is your roadmap. You’ll learn: What legally qualifies as discrimination (and...
Ever received feedback with no examples, no clarity, and no idea what to do next? Welcome to Part II of Marlo Lyons’ performance review series, where we break down one of the most frustrating workplace experiences: vague, cryptic, or confusing feedback. In this solo episode, Marlo shares a deeply personal story of receiving unclear feedback that left her spiraling, second-guessing herself, and trying to decode meaning that no one could (or would) explain. You’ll learn: What to do when feedbac...
Are you exhausted from running full-speed on the corporate treadmill? Feeling burned out, overwhelmed, or stuck in the never-ending rat race? You’re not alone, and 2026 can be the year everything changes. In this powerful episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons sits down with coach and burnout expert Carolina Bakker to explore how high-achieving professionals can finally break free from chronic stress, people-pleasing, and overwork to create a life filled with clarity, boundaries, fulfillment...
What if 2026 brought you everything you’ve been chasing— the job, the title, the money, the house, the partner — and you still didn’t feel fulfilled? In this solo episode, executive coach and author Marlo Lyons breaks down one of the most powerful (and overlooked) tools for personal development, career clarity, and long-term fulfillment: living in alignment with your core values. You’ll learn: Why achieving your goals won’t guarantee happinessHow misaligned values lead to burnout, stress, res...
If you’re a high-achieving woman who struggles with overthinking, people-pleasing, emotional triggers, or that relentless inner critic…this episode is for you. This week on Work Unscripted, Marlo sits down with therapist and former Army officer Elaine Belson to talk about the psychology behind the inner critic, or as Elaine calls it, the inner bully. Together, they unpack the six habits that fuel self-doubt in high-functioning women: ruminating, mind reading, anticipating others’ reactions, c...
Feeling stretched thin this holiday season? You’re not alone. In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons shares practical, guilt-free strategies for setting healthy boundaries at work and home, especially when the lines between the two start to blur. From turning off notifications and communicating expectations clearly, to defining what “urgent” really means, Marlo helps you reclaim your time, protect your energy, and stay aligned with your values. Whether you’re a people pleaser, a lead...
What if success didn’t have to be a competition? In this episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons sits down with Ruchika Malhotra, global inclusion strategist and author of the upcoming book Uncompete (Penguin Random House, releasing November 4). Together, they explore how the culture of competition in corporate life fuels burnout, bias, and exclusion, and learn how redefining success can help us build more collaborative, fulfilling, and joyful workplaces. Ruchika shares practical steps f...
What happens when your performance review praises your results, but tears down your identity? In this raw and vulnerable solo episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons shares the real words from one of her own annual performance reviews— like “over-driving,” “over-reacting,” and “the Marlo show.” As a neurodivergent professional, Marlo unpacks how judgmental feedback lands, why it stings, and what leaders can do to make performance reviews feel constructive instead of personal. You’ll lear...
Are you or someone on your team a highly sensitive person (HSP)? You’re not alone. Roughly 20% of the population is born with this trait, meaning their nervous system processes stimuli more deeply than others. In this eye-opening episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons sits down with Heather Dominick, founder of the Highly Sensitive Leadership training program, to unpack what it really means to be an HSP in today’s fast-paced workplace. They discuss how HSPs can prevent burnout, manage c...
Most workplace advice skips the real truths: the things your manager won’t tell you, but that make or break your career. In this solo episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons reveals the five unspoken rules that separate people who get stuck from those who move up fast. You’ll learn why making your boss look good is essential, how stakeholder alignment protects your reputation, and why bringing proposals instead of final decisions builds buy-in. Marlo also unpacks why your career is YOUR ...
Gen Z is entering the workforce in record numbers and managers everywhere are feeling the impact. Studies show that 60% of businesses have already fired Gen Z employees within months of hiring them, citing poor communication, lack of initiative, and struggles adapting to corporate life. But what’s really behind this trend, and what can we do about it? In this episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons sits down with Dr. Andrea Mata, clinical psychologist, speaker, and author, to unpack the ...
Looking for a job in today’s market can feel overwhelming. Endless applications, ghosting, and tough competition leave many professionals stuck. That’s why career coach Marlo Lyons created this episode: to give you five practical, no-fluff job search hacks that actually work in a brutal market. You’ll learn how to structure your search like a job, avoid the mistakes that sabotage your applications, upgrade your LinkedIn, build visibility, and create a support network that fuels momentum...
Is your job search stalled, or are you wondering why recruiters aren't responding to your resume? In this episode, host Marlo Lyons talks to veteran recruiter Kristen Fife, author of "The Recruiter's Playbook," who shares insider secrets about how recruiters operate and what they're really looking for in candidates. Learn why recruiters only spend six seconds scanning your resume, how applicant tracking systems (ATS) affect your job applications, and practical tips for standing out in a compe...
We’re halfway through the year and performance reviews are right around the corner. If you’re aiming for a promotion in the next performance cycle, you can’t afford to wait. The time to take control of your career is now. In this episode, host Marlo Lyons shares exactly how to get noticed and promoted at work, cutting through the noise of corporate life to reveal what truly drives advancement. If you’re putting in long hours and hoping someone in leadership will notice, consider this your rea...
Are your feedback conversations empowering your team or creating tension? In this episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons talks with Joan Hibdon, author of "The Leader’s Guide to Mastering Feedback," about why most managers struggle to deliver effective feedback and how to transform criticism from destructive to constructive. You'll find out why 65% of employees crave more frequent and meaningful feedback, learn practical frameworks for giving feedback well, and understand how to handle ...
Ever wondered what truly separates the professionals who get ahead from those who just get by? It’s midyear and in this solo episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons brings some unspoken truths that can transform your career trajectory and help you stand out in any job. Don’t worry, this isn’t your typical HR training, this episode is your backstage pass to navigating corporate politics, building credibility, and advancing professionally. You’ll learn: How to make your boss your greatest ...



