Work with Erika Ayers Badan

Alright, Mita is back with us on the pod. We’re talking bad bosses, bad employees, bad attitudes and how to break the cycle of feeling bad at work. Here’s the rundown of what we’re talking about today at WORK. * Work friction is rising because roles, priorities, and expectations are unclear.* Layoffs create survivor guilt and overwhelm for the people who stay.* Leaders often skip rewriting roles or resetting priorities after org changes.* Ambiguity grows when bosses avoid conflict or lack clear direction from above.* Weekly priority meetings and repeat back communication cut through confusion.* Managing up is essential. Employees must surface gaps and ask for clarity.* Weak or absentee bosses create space for employees to lead and accelerate.* One on ones matter. Bring value so they never get canceled.* Boundaries break when people step into others’ jobs to avoid their own.* Remote work increases miscommunication without consistent rituals and tools.* Generational tension stems from different eras of job security and loyalty.* Cross generational teams work best when everyone teaches and learns from each other.To learn more about Mita - Get her book “The Devil Emails at Midnight: What Good Leaders Can Learn From Bad Bosses.” This is WORK Conversations. Watch full episode on YouTube. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

Today we are talking about disruption.People hate disrupting themselves. It’s scary, may not work, is a general pain in the ass and is hard.It requires vision, fortitude, foresight, being misunderstood, being on the edge and being ok with it.Su Hawn and Erika talk about the places in my journey where I’ve opted to remodel versus remake (and why it was a mistake), the challenges in re-routing the road and my grandfather being a land surveyor.This is WORK Underlined. Watch full episode on YouTube. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

Alright we are back with the WORK Net/Net. Here’s what we’ve got:Gen Z isn’t into you as their boss, whatever project you have them working on or the free snacks (just kidding they love snacks). Know what else they love? Love. Instead of finding connection on dating apps, Gen Z is looking for love in the office. PSA to the Gen Z crowd: This is not a new phenomenon.Thirteen signs it’s time to quit your job. This one goes out to all the job huggers out there and my favorite former colleague whose computer password was Getajob (for 21 months in a row).Lastly we talk about being emotionally regulated at work compliments of Warren Buffett. Hard to imagine Warren not regulated about anything besides Sees candies and Coca Cola but I digress. This is the WORK Net/Net.Watch full episode on YouTube. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

Valarie Jacobs is a futurist. She’s built her career capturing and understanding signals, curating and editing those signals to provide a thesis on trends and conveying and implementing strategies to help companies adapt, morph and evolve into the future.Remember when everything became organic? She helped companies understand that trend and change their product mix, brand strategy and supply chain to stay competitive and compelling in the face of changing consumer demand.She’s now helping people understand trends, desired outcomes and how to work backwards to lay a strategy and a map that guides you from where you are to where you want to go. Enter: Backcasting. Valarie joined me in NYC for an At Home At Work and an intimate conversation on understanding the future and feeling confident and empowered to get there.This is WORK Conversations with Valarie Jacobs. Watch full episode on YouTube. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

Today’s unsolicited advice is about underrated leadership skills. Listening is my #1.We are in a time of work where people are reticent to lead. Either they’re not good at it, don’t think it’s worth the headache, or no one ever taught them how to strive for it.We talk about why leadership it’s important and the subtle skills that help people, teams and projects succeed at work.This is WORK Unsolicited Advice. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

The Net / Net today is about job hugging.Blitz recap:Last summer was quiet quittingThen we moved to quiet crushingNow we are outright huggingThis is like having a teenager. Defiance turns to angst turns to remorse / insecurity.Job hugging is real, it’s happening and as consumer uncertainty mounts and the year end layoffs arise, it will only be more prevalent.It feels like we are in a time of clinging to what we hold or know to be true.This reminds me of this Wilson Phillips Song. Does anyone remember this music video? I always wanted to have hair like the short blonde.Survive and thrive when the job market feels impossible.Watch the full episode on YouTube. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

In 2023 Daniela and I were in Boston for something at Barstool - I can’t remember what exactly. It was spitting snow like it does in the Northeast. I had on my favorite winter hat and got a like from Shit That I Knit. This is how I met Christina Pardy. I liked her instantly - she’s a Masshole. Sweet, gritty, creative, earnest and motivated. I had her come to Barstool and we talked about her company and her vision. I was on here the other day and saw a post from Christina about selling STIT. It was vulnerable and honest. She talked about her mom, lifting weights, skipping the wine and reimagining her future.I think people shy away from talking about the end of things - like there’s something shameful about it. I wanted to have this conversation with Christina to give light and space to the things that don’t work outChristina joined WORK to lay it all out. This is our conversation.Watch the full episode on YouTube. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

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. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

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. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

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. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

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. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

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. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

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. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

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. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

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. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

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. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

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. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

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. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

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. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

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. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe