
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

Aug 10, 2020 • 30min
Episode 151: What’s it like to work with a coach?
I just had a conversation with someone who was genuinely curious how it works to work with a coach.
He wants to land a job as a Director of Engineering. And he wanted to know how I’ll help him do that.
My knee-jerk reaction is: “Well, I wave my magic wand and POOF!”
But, of course, that’s not anywhere near the truth.
Want to find out what it’s REALLY like to work with a coach so you can find out how they might help you build your dream tech career.
Do not miss this episode!

Aug 5, 2020 • 35min
Episode 150: Coping with extraordinary career struggles
More than ever, we’ve been talking with tech managers who are coping with extraordinary career struggles.
Out of work for months on end and if they haven’t declared bankruptcy yet, they’ll have to.
Stuck in a dead-end job and, every day, it feels like a little piece of them is dying inside.
On top of that, they’re dealing with massive health and relationship issues too. Hospital beds and divorces are part of these stories.
How do you cope with these extraordinary career and life struggles?
I talk about how and - even more importantly - how NOT to do that in this episode.
Tune in right now!

Aug 3, 2020 • 17min
Episode 149: Are you ready to compete?
Let’s be real for a moment: Right now, there is more competition for tech leadership jobs than ever.
There is more competition for raises and bonuses than ever.
We are sailing through a massive storm together and the only tech leaders who are going to win are the ones who are ready to compete.
In this episode, I talk about what it takes to compete for jobs and bonuses in the tech world right now - and what you need to do to be one of the winners.

Jul 29, 2020 • 17min
Episode 148: Wasting your time with experts
Are you sick of wasting your time trying to learn from the so-called experts?
You spend hours reading their books, watching their TED talks, doing your best to apply their information…
But you’re not seeing measurable results.
You still haven’t gotten that raise, that promotion, that new job that you’ve been wanting.
In this episode, I talk about why this is so common and how to get the help that will result in measurable progress in your tech career.
Don’t miss this one!

Jul 27, 2020 • 33min
Episode 147: Experts who can’t help you
How do you achieve your dreams?
Work with an expert!
But what do we mean by “expert”?
And can all experts REALLY help you?
In this episode, I help you find the exact expert help that YOU need - so you can reach your career goals faster than you thought possible!
Check it out right now!

Jul 22, 2020 • 27min
Episode 146: How much is your time worth?
Have you ever considered how much your time is worth?
You could do the standard [what I get paid] / [# of hours].
This will give you your hourly rate.
But there’s more to it than that.
Because in order to feel like all of the challenges of upgrading your career are worth it, you have to take a different approach.
You have to consider the intangibles that will not come out in a standard mathematical equation.
Ready to own ALL of your worth so that you feel inspired to take on the journey of career transformation with determination, confidence, and joy?
Check out this episode now!

Jul 20, 2020 • 30min
Episode 145: Is all this hard work worth it?
“It’s not worth it!”
We hear this a lot from people who reach out to us for help.
They’re working their butts off, they’re committed to excellence, they’re making valuable contributions…
And yet - it doesn’t feel worth it.
Because they’re not getting rewarded. They’re not getting recognized. They’re not getting paid at a level to match those contributions.
How do you make it worth it so that you can upgrade your career, your teams, your paychecks, AND your life?
Do not miss this episode!

Jul 15, 2020 • 25min
Episode 144: Dreaming is irresponsible & selfish
Is dreaming irresponsible and selfish? If can sometimes feel that way…
Especially now, when we know that so many people in the world are suffering through the fear and the hate.
Some days, dreaming feels wrong. And simply getting out of bed and taking a shower is a win.
However, connecting to your dream - and creating it - is the only way to move forward.
In this episode, I talk about how to do that - even when every fiber of your being resists.
Do not miss this one!

Jul 13, 2020 • 25min
Episode 143: Escape the negativity vortex, build your dream
There is a lot of negativity going around right now.
A lot of fear, doubt, uncertainty, hatred, anger, and blame.
How do you ensure that this doesn’t affect your ability to make an impact?
The only way to escape such a powerful negative vortex is to focus on something so profoundly positive and uplifting, it’s almost as if the vortex disappears.
What to focus on?
Tune in right now to find out!

Jul 8, 2020 • 21min
Episode 142: The 5 silent, insidious diseases that plague tech managers (Part 2)
This week, we’re talking about the identity diseases that plague the careers of tech managers.
In this episode, I reveal 3 more diseases that could be destroying your tech career right now.
These diseases are subtle yet harmful.
It’s extremely important that you’re aware of their existence and their power.
Turn in right now to find out how to fight them!