Your Work Friends | Fresh Insights on the Now and Next of Work

Send us a textNew Week, New Headlines: your fast-track through the now + next of work.This week we’re covering three stories shaping how you work, earn, and lead:42,000 US manufacturing jobs lost. Since April, durable goods have shed tens of thousands of jobs—what tariffs, automation, and uncertainty really mean for the economy.72-hour work weeks exploding. Silicon Valley is doubling down on extreme hours while Europe, New Zeland (even NVIDIA) tests the 4-day week. What each bet reveals about strategy and speed vs. resilience.Immigration raids threatening America’s skill base. Crackdowns at Hyundai’s EV plant show how politics collide with workforce realities—and why US innovation depends on global expertise.👉 If you want to stay ahead of the forces reshaping work—from jobs to hours to immigration—this one’s for you.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening! Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca. The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com

Send us a textNew Week, New Headlines: Burnout turns deadly at Microsoft, the U.S. job market flatlines, “job huggers” cling to stability, and Salesforce cuts while Google opens 20,000 apprenticeships. What it all means for how you work, earn, and lead.This week we’re covering four stories shaping how you work, earn, and lead:Dying at Work. A Microsoft employee died on campus at 35. What it reveals about the way we normalize overwork, and the guardrails leaders should be setting now.The job market flatlines. August added only 22,000 jobs. Why Wall Street cheered, what it means if you’re working or searching, and how to protect yourself in a cooling market.From hopping to hugging. Quitting is at its lowest since 2018. Why employees are clinging to stability, why leaders shouldn’t confuse it with loyalty, and what to do instead.AI cuts vs. access wins. Salesforce shed 4,000 jobs while Google announced 20,000 paid apprenticeships with no degree required. What that says about the real future of work.👉 If you want to stay ahead of the forces reshaping work—from burnout to layoffs to new pathways in—you’ll want this week’s headlines in your feed.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening! Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca. The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com

Send us a textNew Week, New Headlines: your fast-track through the now + next of work.This week we’re covering four stories shaping how you work, earn, and lead:Your rights at work just changed. From overtime pay to union protections, the federal floor is gone—and what that means depends on where you live and who you work for.Women are missing from IPOs. 88% of companies going public this summer had one or no women on their boards, and 93% had one or none in the C-suite. What that signals for equity and wealth building.Canva just made overnight millionaires. The design platform’s employee share sale proves there’s another way to spread the wealth—and why every employee should pay attention to equity.WTF, OpenAI. Big bonuses, but only for some. What they could have done differently, and why it matters in an AI talent war.👉 If you want to stay ahead of the forces reshaping work—from politics to IPOs to AI—this one’s for you.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening! Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca. The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com

Send us a textThe future of HR isn’t just about people, it’s about how business, technology, and strategy come together.In this episode of Your Work Friends, we sit down with JP Elliott, host of The Future of HR Podcast and creator of the Next Gen HR Accelerator, to talk about how HR is evolving inside the world’s biggest companies. JP has partnered with leaders at Amazon, American Express, Verizon, and more, and he brings a clear perspective on what it takes to build HR functions that win.We cover:Why the best HR leaders think like business leaders firstThe rise of AI in HR—and why bolting it on isn’t enoughThe case for splitting HR into compliance vs. business enablementHow companies like Moderna and ServiceNow are building AI-first HR functionsThe biggest mistake organizations make when it comes to HR strategy and executionThe advice every CHRO stepping into the role needs right nowIf you’re serious about the future of work, HR transformation, or building HR as a true business driver, this episode will push your thinking forward.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening! Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca. The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com

Send us a textOxford professor Karthik Ramanna joins us to unpack how to lead with humility and temperance in the age of outrage—so you can build trust, lower the temperature, and keep your team thriving in polarized times.Outrage is everywhere—at work, online, even in our group chats. So how do you lead when everyone’s on edge? In this episode, we sit down with Oxford professor and Age of Outrage author Karthik Ramanna to talk about the leadership trait almost no one is talking about (but everyone needs): temperance.We get into:Why outrage is spiking in workplaces and beyondHow trust is built (and destroyed) in polarized timesThe underrated power of humility in leadershipWhen to speak up vs. when to step backWhy small promises + big delivery beats bold hype every timeWhether you’re running a Fortune 500 or a team of five, this conversation will give you the tools to keep your cool, earn trust, and lead well—without losing yourself in the noise.About Karthik RamannaAbout The Age of Outrage Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening! Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca. The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com

Send us a textThis week, we’re breaking down three headlines that could reshape the American workplace:📉 The job market cool-down continues, with new JOLTS data showing longer unemployment durations and more people dropping out of the job hunt altogether.⚖️ The Modern Worker Employment Act could redefine what it means to be an “employee”—and put traditional full-time roles at risk.✝️ A new Trump-era memo gives federal workers the green light to evangelize at work. Is this the start of a new wave of religious expression in corporate spaces?From layoffs to labor laws to religion in the breakroom—we’ve got thoughts. If you care about where work is headed, this one's for you.#JobMarket2025 #Layoffs #ModernWorkerAct #GigEconomy #WorkplaceReligion #EmploymentLaw #FutureOfWork #HRNews #LaborMarket #YourWorkFriends #WorkplaceTrendsDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening! Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca. The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com

Send us a textIs your brain still working even when you're not? You're not alone—and it's probably costing you more than you think.In this episode of Your Work Friends, we sit down with Dr. Malissa Clark—organizational psychologist and author of Never Not Working—to unpack how hustle culture, job insecurity, and digital overload are making it harder than ever to truly disconnect.We talk through the 4 types of workaholism, the science behind why your body never gets to rest, and what recovery can actually look like (especially if mindfulness makes you want to scream). Whether you’re leading a team or just trying to survive the triple-peak workday, this is your permission slip to stop running on fumes.🔍 What we cover:How to know if you’re a workaholic (even if you love your job)Why overwork often looks like ambitionThe physiological toll of being “always on”Why managers—not Slack—are the real culture shapersRecovery strategies that go beyond deep breathing🎧 Featuring: Dr. Malissa Clark, Director of the Healthy Work Lab and Associate Professor at the University of GeorgiaConnect with Malissa hereDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening! Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca. The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com

Send us a textWhat if we stopped designing jobs like checklists—and started designing them like products employees want to buy?In this episode of Your Work Friends, we talk with Dart Lindsley, CEO and co-founder of 11 Fold, the creator of Multi-Sided Management and he's the host of the Work for Humans podcast, Dart breaks down why it’s time to stop treating employees like “inputs” and start treating them like customers—with all the same thoughtfulness, strategy, and design we use in product development.We explore:Why the “job description” is the most broken tool in HRHow to redesign work so it actually meets people’s needsWhat leaders get wrong about performance and retentionHow managers can become designers—and what that looks like in practiceIf you're a manager, HR leader, or ambitious professional who wants to shape the future of work—not just survive it—this episode is a must-listen.🔗 Connect with Dart Lindsley: 11fold.com and the Work For Humans Podcast 💬 Join our community: yourworkfriends.comDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening! Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca. The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com

Send us a textThis week on Your Work Friends, we’re diving into two hot topics shaking up the future of work.  1️⃣ The surprising new jobs AI is creating and why your taste and creativity might be the most valuable skills you bring to the table.First, we explore 22 new jobs AI is expected to create — and why your taste (yes, your vibe, your style, your point of view) could become your biggest career asset in an AI-driven world. We’re talking about AI auditors, world designers, and why creativity is about to pay off big.2️⃣Why some companies are getting rid of HR altogether — and whether that’s a smart move or a big mistake.Then, should HR go away? We break down why some CEOs are scrapping HR entirely, what that really means, and why splitting HR into two teams (compliance vs. people) might actually save your workplace.We cover:✔️ What happens when companies ditch HR✔️ The growing split between compliance and people strategy✔️ How AI is transforming job markets✔️ New roles like AI auditors, world builders, and taste makers✔️ How to future-proof your career in an AI-driven workplaceIf you’re a corporate leader, manager, or just trying to stay ahead in your career, this one’s for you.Should HR evolve or die? And are you ready for the new AI-powered workplace?We jammed about: AI Might Take Your Job. Here are 22 New Ones it Could Give You. Bolt has eliminated HR#FutureOfWork #HumanResources #WorkplaceTrends #AIJobs #CareerGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #PeopleStrategy #CorporateLife #EmployeeExperience #WorkplaceCultureDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening! Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca. The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com

Send us a textAI isn't replacing leaders.But it is revealing what kind of leader you really are.In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Jacqueline Carter—author, of "More Human"  researcher, and senior partner at  Potential Project—to unpack what it actually means to be a more human leader in the age of AI.We dive into:✅ The 3 skills every modern leader needs (and why only 16% are ready)✅ How AI can amplify—not replace—your awareness, wisdom, and compassion✅ The surprising ways tech is quietly eroding trust, connection, and decision-making✅ What leaders can actually do to stay in the driver’s seat✅ And why people still crave messy, imperfect humans over perfect algorithmsWhether you're in HR or leading a function, this episode is your practical guide to leading with humanity and harnessing technology—before the culture gets away from you.🔗 Bonus: Jacqueline drops a chilling story about a deepfake scam that almost cost one exec millions. Yes, really.Tune in if you want to build future-ready leadership that your team actually trusts.About Jacqueline: Jacqueline is a Senior Partner and Director of North America at Potential Project.  She is a leadership development and corporate culture expert who helps global companies create a more human world of work.Jacqueline is co-author of the most recent book, More Human: How the Power of AI Can Transform the Way You Lead (Harvard Business Review Press, 2025), Compassionate Leadership: How to Do Hard Things in a Human Way (Harvard Business Review, 2022).  She also co-authored The Mind of the Leader: How to Lead Yourself, Your People, and Your Organization for Extraordinary Results (Harvard Business Review, 2018) and One Second Ahead: Enhance Your Performance at Work with Mindfulness(Palgrave Macmillian, 2015).  Jacqueline is known as an inspiring, dynamic and energizing speaker with a focus on highly engaging, creative, and impactful experiences. In addition, she writes for leading publications such as Harvard Business Review, Forbes, AmericDisclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.Thanks for listening! Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us! On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca. The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com