
The People Stack Podcast
We explore the intersection of Tech Leadership & Dream careers. We do this by creating inspiring podcasts - including interviews with amazing individuals in the tech leadership space.
Dr. Jen Bunk earned her Ph.D. in I/O Psychology (a.k.a. The Science of Work). She is a retired Associate Professor and an accomplished speaker & researcher. As the CEO of the People Stack, she’s used her decades of experience to coach hundreds of tech leaders to create their dream careers - and the dream lives that go with them.
Rob Allen (Jen’s husband) is a 20+ year software industry veteran who moved from IC to Leadership in 2010, where the focus has always been on helping the technical folks who worked for him live their best lives. In 2019, he broadened that to the tech community as a whole by joining Jen full-time at The People Stack as her Co-CEO.
Latest episodes

Sep 14, 2020 • 24min
Episode 161: “I work hard. I shouldn’t feel like this.”
Hard work pays off, right?
Not always.
I know you work hard. You’re committed to advancing in your career and being the best tech leader you can be.
And yet...you still feel under-recognized.
You’re still earning way less than you’re worth.
The truth is, hard work isn’t enough. If it were, every tech manager would be living their dream.
What’s the missing piece to building your dream career that the top 1% of tech managers know that you probably don’t?
Tune in right now!

Sep 9, 2020 • 26min
Episode 160: If you’re overwhelmed in your tech career, it’s selfish to NOT fix it!
If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed because of your job or your career…
I guarantee it’s affecting others in your life!
Your team. Your family. Your friends.
They’re suffering due to YOUR suffering.
It’s selfish NOT to address this!
Ready to gain tools and strategies so you can manage your sense of overwhelm, upgrade your tech career, and build loving relationships in your life?
Tune in for this episode!

Sep 7, 2020 • 27min
Episode 159: Burnout is invisible. Here’s how you SEE it.
If you’re burnt out, you can’t SEE it.
Maybe you can FEEL it...
But the thing is, we’re so good at coping with stress, we often miss it.
Are you TOO burnt out and you don’t even know it?
And - is it silently killing your tech career?
Do not miss this episode!

Sep 2, 2020 • 30min
Episode 158: Make a decision! Right now!
How would you respond if someone told you to make a decision - right now!!??
Probably not so well.
You’d at least contract or cringe a bit.
But, if you want to live your dream right now, don’t you need to embrace the cringe?
On this episode, I talk about how to make decisions as a technical leader that will help you build a high-performing team AND a high-performing life.
Check this one out - right now! ;)

Aug 31, 2020 • 23min
Episode 157: Live Your Dream Now!
I have an entrepreneur friend. His name is Norbert and he’s one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met.
I’ll share more details of his story in the podcast. The gist of it is:
He started his business with his wife, they were living the dream every day.
Then she passed away suddenly.
Through his grief, he came out on the other side with unbridled joy.
One of my favorite Norbert quotes is, “Live your dream NOW!!!”
What does this mean for you and your tech career?
Check out this episode to find out!

Aug 26, 2020 • 24min
Episode 156: All we do is win, win, win!
We’re on a winning streak here at The People Stack!
Every day, clients are celebrating all of their successes, big and small.
Really, there are no “small” success because each one stacks up to create amazing results.
In this episode, I ready through DOZENS of our recent client wins from our internal Slack group.
Get ready for a massive dose of inspiration!
Check it out right now!

Aug 24, 2020 • 24min
Episode 155: The proof is in the pudding
How do you know if a brownie recipe is good and that the chef knows what she’s doing?
The proof is in the pudding! ;)
It’s the same thing with us. I know you want proof that our systems work and that we can REALLY help you transform your tech career.
Wait no more. Here’s your proof - in the form of the outstanding results our badass tech manager clients are creating right now!
Check this one out immediately!

Aug 19, 2020 • 28min
Episode 154: Bank account balance = self-worth?
One of our clients had a major breakthrough this week that I want to share.
It’s given her an extraordinary shift in perspective and I know that many of you will benefit from hearing about it.
It’s about money.
The meaning of money.
And how it’s often connected to our self-worth.
If you have ANY negative money beliefs - and we ALL do - you’re gonna wanna catch this episode.
Get ready to unlock a new way of seeing money, wealth, and value so that you can show up as the amazing tech leader you are…
..while you reap the financial rewards with humility.
Check out this episode right now!

Aug 17, 2020 • 27min
Episode 153: These uncertain times are when champions are made
Every day, I’m hearing from clients and friends about layoffs, downsizing, forced furloughs, and zero financial resources.
To say that we’re living in uncertain times is an understatement.
We need another level worse than uncertainty: foreboding, suffering, nail-biting uneasiness
And this time, my friends - this is the time that champions are made!
Ready to take on that new perspective so you can see the world right now with a completely new set of glasses?
Do not miss this episode!

Aug 12, 2020 • 37min
Episode 152: Am I ready to get help?
When you’re facing career challenges, the urge may be to solve it on your own.
But, at some point, you look for help. And that can take the form of talking to another human - preferably an expert.
But, how do you know you’re ready to talk to another person about your career troubles?
Maybe it would be better to just keep trying to solve it on your own?
I talk about these important questions in this episode.
Check it out right now!