Best Mel Plett & Francesca Ranieri Podcasts (2025)

1
The Power of Mattering: What Happens When People Feel Truly Seen w/ Zach Mercurio 51:43

2d ago51:43

51:43

Send us a text Well friends, we're getting deep today - and we mean DEEP. Ever feel like you're just going through the motions at work? Like you could disappear tomorrow and nobody would really notice? Yeah, we've all been there. This episode might just change how you show up everywhere. We sat down with Zach Mercurio, researcher and author of "The…

1
Breaking In: Strategic Moves for Women to Overcome Career Barriers at All Stages w/ McKinsey's Lareina Yee 46:38

17d ago46:38

46:38

Send us a text In this episode, we hang out with Lareina Yee, senior partner at McKinsey and absolute powerhouse who's helping crack the code on women's career advancement. As co-founder of the Women in the Workplace Study and co-author of "The Broken Rung," Lareina breaks down the shocking truth about the earliest career barrier holding women back…

1
New Week, New Headlines: 110-Hour Work Week Growing & 99.9% at Risk. Tariffs Killing Small Business Jobs 18:53

20d ago18:53

18:53

Send us a text We're breaking down two massive workplace crises the US can't ignore. We dive deep into the Wall Street Journal's shocking exposé on 110-hour workweeks pushing bankers to hospitalization and burnout, while examining the devastating impact of tariffs that threaten the very existence of America's small business backbone. Listen for: Th…

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Managerial Sabotage: Why 82% of Leaders Are Set Up to Fail w/David Rice 38:01

25d ago38:01

38:01

Send us a text In this episode, we hang out with David Rice, Executive Editor at People Managing People, and we're getting real about what it feels like to be a manager. Now. We got REAL about why managers are in total crisis mode these days. David doesn't hold back on why management has become basically "an experience akin to being sabotaged" (his…

1
Open Talent: Why Your Career Should Be a Portfolio, Not a Ladder with John Winsor 41:43

1M ago41:43

41:43

Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with John Winsor, Executive Fellow at Harvard Business School’s Digital, Design, and Data (D³) Institute, Open Assembly Founder and Author of many books including Open Talent: Leveraging a Global Workforce to Solve Your Biggest Challenges, We dug into how the open talent revolution is transforming how we …

1
The Ego Equation: How CEO Dan Springer Balances Leadership Success 56:01

2M ago56:01

56:01

Send us a text What makes great leaders different—and how do you measure it? In this episode, we sit down with former DocuSign CEO Dan Springer to unpack the Ego Equation: (Skills ÷ Ego) ^ Work = Success. Dan shares leadership lessons from decades in tech, including how ego almost derailed his career and what changed after a layoff turned into a le…

1
New Week, New Headlines: $766B Incivility Crisis, Women CEOs Outperform During Turmoil, as 1 in 4 Job Applicants Could Soon Be Fake 27:15

2M ago27:15

27:15

Send us a text Well, the work news just doesn't stop friends. Here's what's brewing. Incivility is costing companies billions, tariffs are threatening half a million jobs, and that perfect candidate you just interviewed? They might be an AI deep fake! In this episode, workplace experts (us, Francesca & Mel - hello!) break down: ⏰ 2:15 Workplace Inc…

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The Courage Gap: How Women Can Stop Proving and Start Owning Their Value w/ Dr. Margie Warrell 41:16

2M ago41:16

41:16

Send us a text In this episode we're talking with Dr. Margie Warrell who shares game-changing strategies for women navigating corporate America's evolving landscape. As DEI initiatives face unprecedented scrutiny, Warrell reveals how women can cultivate unshakable confidence without constantly proving their worth. Discover actionable insights on: B…

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New Week, New Headlines: AI Agents Rising, Employee Engagement Plummeting, and Harvard's 200K Promise 21:29

2M ago21:29

21:29

Send us a text Well, AI isn't just making waves—it's creating tsunamis! AI agents are here, and they're nothing like the ChatGPT you've been using. Meanwhile, employee engagement has hit rock bottom, and Harvard is making a $200K promise that could change higher education forever. In this episode, workplace experts (us, Mel & Francesca) break down:…

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New Week, New Headlines: The Great CEO Exodus: Why Young Workers Feel Unprepared & What's Next for the Job Market 31:40

3M ago31:40

31:40

Send us a text Well, daylight savings time isn't the only thing that doesn't have us sleeping. Kidding! Record-breaking CEO departures are sending shockwaves through the business world. Meanwhile, half of young professionals feel unprepared for their careers. What's really happening in today's workplace? In this episode, workplace experts (us, Mel …

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Belonging & Unhiding at Work w/ Dr. Beth Kaplan and Ruth Rathblott 1:04:10

3M ago1:04:10

1:04:10

Send us a text Most of Us Are Hiding Something at Work—And It's Exhausting In today's workplace, most of us are hiding something—whether it's aspects of our identity, personal struggles, or even our true ambitions. But at what cost? In this live episode, we dive deep into belonging, unhiding, and workplace authenticity with Ruth Rathblott, TEDx spe…

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Why Are We Here? Rethinking Work and Workplace Culture with Jennifer Moss 1:00:49

3M ago1:00:49

1:00:49

Send us a text Burnout is at an all-time high. Engagement is at an all-time low. And work? Well, it’s not working for a lot of us. In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Moss, workplace culture expert and author of Why Are We Here?, to talk about why so many of us feel unfulfilled at work—and what leaders actually need to do to fix it. We bust …

1
New Week, New Headlines: Move Over, Bros: How Women Actually Control the Global Economy & The Missed DEI Opp 27:25

4M ago27:25

27:25

Send us a text Think the economy is run by tech bros and Wall Street suits? Think again. Women now control 85% of consumer spending and 60% of America's personal wealth, making them the most powerful economic force in the market. In this eye-opening episode, we dive into Bank of America's latest report on the "She Economy" and explore how women are…

1
LIVE Soundoff: AI at Work in 2025: Beyond the Hype with Microsoft's Carol Scott and People Power AI's Teresa Fesinstine 1:05:22

4M ago1:05:22

1:05:22

Send us a text What's actually happening with AI in the workplace, and how can you stay ahead of the curve? In this can't-miss episode, we're joined by two powerhouse experts: Carol Scott, Senior Director at Microsoft and founder of The Action Imperative, and Teresa Fesinstine, founder of People Power AI and former Fortune 500 HR executive. They cu…

1
Hiring Your Next Job: Rethinking Career Moves with Michael B. Horn & Bob Moesta 51:24

4M ago51:24

51:24

Send us a text In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Michael Horn (Co-founder of the Clayton Christensen Institute, Harvard Graduate School of Education) and Bob Moesta (Founder of Rewired Group, Kellogg School of Management) to discuss their groundbreaking book "Job Moves" and revolutionize how you think about career transitions. Discover …

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When Everything Hits the Fan: Crisis Communication 101 w/ Anne Marie Squeo 48:40

4M ago48:40

48:40

Send us a text In our latest episode of Your Work Friends, we dive into the art and science of crisis communications with expert Anne-Marie Squeo. From understanding what qualifies as a crisis to mastering the first 24 hours, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for leaders, teams, and anyone navigating turbulent times. What you’ll …

1
New Week, New Headlines: The Death of Happy Hour? & Silicon Valley Drama: Zuckerberg's 'Masculine Energy' & Why Tech Workers Are Fleeing 22:49

5M ago22:49

22:49

Send us a text Here's the work news we're covering this week. Nearly half of tech workers are job hunting in 2025 - but why? Join us as we dive into the shifting landscape of workplace benefits and what's really driving the Great Tech Migration. Plus, is this the end of corporate happy hours? We explore the US Surgeon General's new alcohol advisory…

1
LIVE Sound Off: Jobs, Politics & Policy: How a Trump Administration May Change the Workplace w/Ryan Stygar & Harrison J Newman 1:15:21

5M ago1:15:21

1:15:21

Send us a text What happens at the top impacts what happens at work. With the 2024 election on the horizon, many are asking: how could a second Trump administration reshape the workplace? From labor policies to healthcare, DEI, immigration, and safety regulations—there’s a lot to consider, whether you’re leading teams or navigating your own career.…

1
New Week, New Headlines: Texas Overtime Rules, $270K Success Salary & Childcare Crisis | Weekly Work News Breakdown 23:29

6M ago23:29

23:29

Send us a text Join Mel and Francesca, your workplace insiders, as they break down the biggest workplace news affecting your career and wallet. This week: Major developments in overtime pay as Texas courts strike down new federal rules, shocking new data about the salary Americans say they need to feel successful ($270K!), and the latest research o…

1
Beyond the Ping Pong Table - Why Top Companies Actually Use Play to Win 47:22

7M ago47:22

47:22

Send us a text In a world obsessed with productivity, could play be your team's secret weapon? Brandon Wetzstein has helped transform teams at major organizations by tapping into the power of strategic play. In this episode, he breaks down why traditional "serious" approaches often lead to mediocre solutions, and how structured play can break throu…

1
New Week, New Headlines: AI Is Making 71% of Workers Less Productive: The Truth About Tech Burnout + Why You Need $1.6M to Retire 30:09

7M ago30:09

30:09

Send us a text AI Is Making 71% of Workers Less Productive: The Truth About Tech Burnout + Why You Need $1.6M to Retire We're tackling tackle two major workplace challenges: AI & Burnout: We expose alarming new research that shows a massive disconnect between executives and workers when it comes to AI. While 96% of leaders are betting big on AI to …

1
New Week, New Headlines: The Ageism Paradox: Young Women Bear the Brunt, The $15K Hidden Cost of RTO & Why Companies Are Offering Divorce Benefits 25:16

7M ago25:16

25:16

Send us a text In this week's workplace headlines, dive into the groundbreaking 2024 McKinsey & Lean In Women in the Workplace report revealing young women face twice the ageism as their male peers. Learn why it will take 50 years to reach pay parity and discover the shocking real cost of return-to-office mandates - averaging $1,200 monthly per emp…

1
New Week, New Headlines: The Hidden Costs of Layoffs and Building Trust for AI Adoption. Also, the CHRO at Spotify is a Bada**. 32:04

8M ago32:04

32:04

Send us a text In this episode of Your Work Friends, Francesca and Mel dive into the long-term impacts of corporate layoffs and the crucial role of trust in AI adoption. They discuss recent research revealing how layoffs can damage employee morale, engagement, and company recovery for up to 24 months. We also explore Fortune's findings on how top E…

1
New Week, New Headlines: The Future of Work: Managers Fading and Bonus-Based Pay Rising & Human Capital Is Investment - Not Expense 26:17

8M ago26:17

26:17

Send us a text Discover two major work trends that are reshaping the workplace: the shift away from managers and the growing importance of bonus-based pay. Learn why human capital is an investment, not an expense. Two Game-Changing Work Trends: 👉 Explore two major work trends transforming corporate America: the decline of traditional managers and t…

1
Trauma-Informed Leadership: Building Psychologically Safe Workplaces w/ Deborah Lee founder at Creaturae 50:32

8M ago50:32

50:32

Send us a text In an era where employee wellbeing is paramount, leaders are increasingly recognizing the need for more compassionate and psychologically safe work environments. But what if I told you that over 80% of people globally have experienced some form of trauma? This statistic, highlighted in the latest episode of "Your Work Friends" podcas…

1
New Week, New Headlines: The Company with a 5:1 CEO Salary Cap, What the Comments Section Tells us About Nike’s CEO & Send Your Recruiter a Pizza 27:04

8M ago27:04

27:04

Send us a text The work news is HITTING in September, here are the four what we're watching... Pizza Hut: Wanting to help you get a job, Pizza Hut will print your resume on a pizza box and send it to a recruiter. We referenced: https://adage.com/creativity/work/pizza-hut-will-deliver-pizza-your-resume-box-potential-employer/2580841 Sam's Club and B…

1
How to Fuel Your Org With Soul and Talent w/Author and Talent Executive Mike Ohata 44:05

8M ago44:05

44:05

Send us a text There are a lot of reasons why you'd want to talk to Mike Ohata about talent. First, he's got the chops: Fortune 15 Talent Leader (KPMG, Microsoft), Founding Board Member at Ezra Coaching and the Author of "The Talent Fueled Enterprise". He's knows how to put major points on the board the biggest and most complex orgs. In Talent circ…

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🔥 #7: Pride - From Our Fishbowl LIVE "7 Deadly Work Sins" Summer Series 56:16

9M ago56:16

56:16

Send us a text Help a friend? Tell us how we're doing (we're seriously curious) by filing out this short (seriously, short) survey: https://forms.gle/VG19hQRLy8bCyFMS6 ABOUT THE EPISODE: From our Fishbowl LIVE series, the "7 Deadly Work Sins", we bring you the last sin, PRIDE … You know PRIDE: That feeling of apathy, laziness, like you just don't w…

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🔥 #6: Sloth - From Our Fishbowl LIVE "7 Deadly Work Sins" Summer Series 48:41

9M ago48:41

48:41

Send us a text Help a friend? Tell us how we're doing (we're seriously curious) by filing out this short (seriously, short) survey: https://forms.gle/VG19hQRLy8bCyFMS6 ABOUT THE EPISODE: From our Fishbowl LIVE series, the "7 Deadly Work Sins", we bring you the #6th sin, SLOTH … You know sloth, that feeling of apathy, laziness, like you just don't w…

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🔥 #5: Greed - From Our Fishbowl LIVE "7 Deadly Work Sins" Summer Series 54:12

9M ago54:12

54:12

Send us a text Help a friend? Tell us how we're doing (we're seriously curious) by filing out this short (seriously, short) survey: https://forms.gle/VG19hQRLy8bCyFMS6 ABOUT THE EPISODE: From our Fishbowl LIVE series, "The 7 Deadly Work Sins", we bring you sin #5: GREED. You know greed...that feeling of nothing is ever good enough and you need more…

1
New Week, New Headlines: Office Therapists on Payroll, Is Wellbeing Fixable & Don't Leave Teammates on Mountains 33:18

9M ago33:18

33:18

Send us a text The work news just doesn't quit - here's what we're talking about.... WTF News: Two stories that had us going, WTF?! WellsFargo employee dies at her desk. Co-workers don't find her for four days. Four. Teammate gets stranded on the side of a mountain during a work-sponsored team building event. Can we stop with the mountaineering alr…

1
How Socioeconomic Status Impacts Work w/Brayden Olson, Co-Founder of Almas Insight 56:06

9M ago56:06

56:06

Send us a text Your socioeconomic status dictates your future. Wealth inequality has a more significant impact on where you go and what you can do. From the education you receive to the career paths you can access, and even how you view yourself in society. And this isn't just your problem—it's a generational crisis. We sat down with expert, Brayde…

1
New Week, New Headlines: Why Are So Many Executive Women Quitting? & Work Resorts and Remote CEOs 28:04

9M ago28:04

28:04

Send us a text This week, we're talking about... Why Are So Many Executive Women Quitting? We tackle the unsettling trend of women leaders stepping down from Ivy League presidencies amid intense scrutiny. This concerning pattern highlights the persistent gender biases in leadership roles across academia and corporate America. As we dig into statist…

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How to Reduce Human Debt in the Workplace w/ Duena Blomstrom Co-Founder of PeopleNotTech & Tech Led Culture Author 38:28

10M ago38:28

38:28

Send us a text You may not have heard the term Human Debt before. But, you've felt it. We had the privilege of sitting down with powerhouse Duena Blomstrom to talk about HumanDebt™ in the workplace. Duena is a HumanDebt™ fighter, author of Tech Led Culture, Co-founder of PeopleNotTech, and Neurospicy at Work. She also has a fantastic newsletter on …

1
New Week, New Headlines: Project 2025's Impacts to Workers & There's a Happiness Gap at Work 32:12

10M ago32:12

32:12

Send us a text We're back with New Week, New Headlines! Here's what we're talking about this week.. Topic #1: Project 2025's Impacts to Workers: unpacks the conservative Project 2025 agenda and its potential ramifications for the Department of Labor and US workers. We tackle the intricate implications of a conservative policy proposal aimed at bols…

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🔥 #4: Envy - From Our Fishbowl LIVE "7 Deadly Work Sins" Summer Series 48:03

10M ago48:03

48:03

Send us a text From our LIVE event on Fishbowl... Let's talk about...ENVY You know envy, that little green monster that likes to show up from time-to-time. 🔥 Maybe your co-worker got the promotion you've been waiting for for three years. 🔥 Maybe your college roommate made a billion dollars in tech and your back in your parents basement. 🔥 Or, maybe…

1
How to End Workplace Abuse w/ "Workplace Psychological Safety Act" Authors and End Workplace Abuse Founders, Deb Falzoi & Vicki Courtemanche 34:56

10M ago34:56

34:56

Send us a text In the US, do you have a right to a safe, psychologically safe workplace? Because, right now, there is no legislation protecting employees from toxic work environments. None. Join us for an eye-opening discussion with Deb Falzoi and Vicky Courtemanche, founders of the End Workplace Abuse Initiative. They are spearheading efforts to i…

1
🔥 #3: Gluttony - From Our Fishbowl LIVE "7 Deadly Work Sins" Summer Series 56:21

11M ago56:21

56:21

Send us a text In this episode, we are talking about Gluttony ...you know gluttony, that feeling of entitlement - to time, resources, office supplies. Maybe you think it is ok to spend 20-minutes of a 30-minute meeting talking about your weekend to your co-workers. Maybe you steal the free snacks before you head home from training. Or, maybe you fi…

1
How to Deal with Jerks at Work w/ Dr. Tessa West 57:47

11M ago57:47

57:47

Send us a text Ever wondered how to handle that gaslighter or micromanager in your office? Join us as we explore these challenging workplace dynamics with Dr. Tessa West, a psychology professor at NYU and author of "Jerks at Work." Dr. West shares her journey from the high-end retail world to academia, offering practical advice and engaging anecdot…

1
🔥 #2: Wrath - From Our Fishbowl LIVE "7 Deadly Work Sins" Summer Series 56:08

11M ago56:08

56:08

Send us a text This week, we're talking about...WRATH. Ever wonder 'what the hell is that person's problem? In this episode, we are talking about Wrath ...you know wrath, that fiery feeling that bubbles up in the pit of your stomach and you have to control your face? Maybe you lost it on your co-workers in a stressful meeting and things got awkward…

1
Has Work Become a Cult of Disruption? w/Leadership Expert and Author, Ashley Goodall 41:36

12M ago41:36

41:36

Send us a text It's not you, work has become a bit nutty. And, the main reason - change. For the past 10 years, organizations have not only been incented and are, seemingly addicted to change and disrupting their companies. Mergers, acquisitions, new leadership teams, new technologies, new strategies, new, new, new. How do we get to this place wher…

1
🔥 #1: Lust - From Our Fishbowl LIVE "7 Deadly Work Sins"Summer Series 49:38

12M ago49:38

49:38

Send us a text This week, we're talking about...Lust. Lust...you know lust, that feeling of butterflies when walking into the office. Maybe you have a simple crush with your lunch buddy. Maybe you're finding yourself going 4-years deep into their IG and accidentally hitting like. Or, maybe you find yourself receiving random notes from Chris in IT. …

1
How to Find Your Calm in the Chaos w/ Mindful Leadership Experts Carissa Ricci & Aurora Myers 53:51

12M ago53:51

53:51

Send us a text What if understanding your physiological reactions to stress could transform your leadership style and how you show up at work and in life? This compelling episode with Mindful Leadership experts Carissa Ricci and Aurora Myers dives into the essence of mindful leadership in the workplace. Our guests share their journey and expertise …

1
New Week, New Headlines: Rudeness Epidemic: Insights from SHRM’s Civility Index & Turns Out, Becoming an AI Power User is Easy. 25:28

1y ago25:28

25:28

Send us a text This week, we're focusing on key studies that just dropped... Topic 1: Rudeness Epidemic: Insights from SHRM’s Civility Index Can workplace incivility be costing your organization more than you realize? Join us as we unravel the harsh reality that nearly 40% of daily uncivil acts happen at work. We dive into personal stories and real…

1
How to Spot Trustworthy Employers w/Open Org Co-Founder & Transparency Expert, Adam Horne 1:01:05

1y ago1:01:05

1:01:05

Send us a text Adam Horne, co-founder of Open Org is on a mission: to build a more trusted, transparent world of work. So, we wanted to get him on the pod to talk about how in the hell do you do that? Turns out, it's not only doable (let's start with employees having ZERO surprises around biggies like compensation, benefits, etc), but, when done au…

1
New Week, New Headlines: Top Tech Talent Exodus Over RTO & We Love Moms. Just Not at Work. 25:49

1y ago25:49

25:49

Send us a text We're back with New Week, New Headlines! This week, we're digging into a two stories that we can't let go. Topic 1: Top Tech Talent Exodus Over RTO Faced with RTO mandates, some top tech talent left instead according to an article in the Washington Post this week. Topic 2: We Love Moms. Just Not at Work. Following an article in Fast …

1
How to Fit In at Work. Don't. w/Belonging Expert Dr. Beth Kaplan 52:45

1y ago52:45

52:45

Send us a text Belonging is the innate desire to be part of something larger than ourselves without sacrificing who we are. And we know, your sense of belonging at work is directly correlated with your engagement and satisfaction. So, we called up our friend, Dr. Beth Kaplan to talk about belonging. She's a University of Pennsylvania researcher. A …

1
New Week, New Headlines: Non-Competes - Everything You Need to Know & Wait, Shouldn't Everyone Get Overtime? 32:31

1y ago32:31

32:31

Send us a text Friends!BIG news week last week as new rules for workers hit the books. So, we're breaking it down. Topic 1: Non-Competes - Everything You Need to Know The recent federal ban of non-compete agreements is a win for workers. But not all workers are included in this ban. We cover everything you need to know,: the history, the ruling, th…

1
Visionary Executive Series: Balancing Results & People w/ CEO Alan Whitman 56:21

1y ago56:21

56:21

Send us a text We are kicking off a brand new series called Visionary Executives. There are a lot of cool leaders out there that are doing really interesting work and bringing people in business together in a way that everyone wins. So, today, we start this series to talk with executives the leading edge stuff they're doing and what you can take aw…

1
New Week, New Headlines: Is AI Taking or Augmenting Your Job & The Legal Right to Disconnect 34:06

1y ago34:06

34:06

Send us a text Holy hell the work news is hot this week. And here are the main stories we wanted to jam about.... Topic 1: Is AI Taking or Augmenting Your Job AI is reshaping work and jobs -sometimes illuminating them. Sometimes augmenting them. Strap in as we dissect what it takes for companies and employees to be AI-ready, because when it comes t…

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Mel Plett & Francesca Ranieri Podcasts

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