Relationships at Work - a trust-driven leadership podcast

This is part 1 of a 4-part series on leading through high pressure at work, with licensed psychologist Dr. Janna Koretz. Each episode explores a different theme—clarity, self-awareness, team dynamics, and workplace culture.What does “high pressure” actually mean in the workplace? In this episode, Dr. Janna Koretz—licensed psychologist and founder of Azimuth Psychological—joins host Russel Lolacher to reframe how we define stress at work. From Amazon warehouse workers to C-suite execs, no role is immune. You’ll hear why blanket definitions don’t work, how our relationship to pressure is deeply personal, and why even successful professionals end up burned out and lost. This is a must-listen for anyone navigating toxic hustle culture, performance anxiety, or leadership overwhelm.And connect with me for more great content! Sign Up for R@W Notes Subscribe on Youtube Follow on Linkedin Follow on Instagram Follow me on Threads Follow on TikTok Email me anytime

Change is constant—but connection doesn’t have to suffer.In this episode of Relationships at Work, Russel Lolacher explores how leaders can build trust and protect the employee experience during times of change. Guest Dr. Devann Steele shares how transparency, empathy, and values-based communication can make or break your leadership.Learn how to:Avoid silence during uncertaintyCommunicate even when you don’t have all the answersLead with “we” instead of “me”Match your messaging to the scale of changeCare for yourself while caring for your teamFor leaders navigating change, this is the communication episode you didn’t know you needed.Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. It’s packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.And connect with me for more great content! Sign Up for R@W Notes Subscribe on Youtube Follow on Linkedin Follow on Instagram Follow me on Threads Follow on TikTok Email me anytime

Forget the posters and buzzwords—real culture change starts with behavior, not branding. In this Relationships at Work episode, Kyle McDowell shares how principle-based leadership can reshape toxic or misaligned cultures by setting consistent expectations for how people work and lead. We explore how to create change at the team level (even without CEO buy-in) and why principles can ripple through an entire organization—and even into our personal lives.And connect with me for more great content! Sign Up for R@W Notes Subscribe on Youtube Follow on Linkedin Follow on Instagram Follow me on Threads Follow on TikTok Email me anytime

Great teams don’t just work together—they challenge each other, support each other, and hold each other accountable. In this episode of Relationships at Work, Kyle McDowell explains how embracing challenge and setting clear expectations builds deeper trust, stronger team bonds, and long-term alignment. From confronting resistance to leading by example, this is a masterclass in principle-based team leadership.And connect with me for more great content! Sign Up for R@W Notes Subscribe on Youtube Follow on Linkedin Follow on Instagram Follow me on Threads Follow on TikTok Email me anytime

Leadership isn’t a title—it’s an inner journey. In this Relationships at Work episode, Kyle McDowell shares why self-reflection is the essential first step to leading with integrity and impact. We talk about ego, self-awareness, the “mirror of truth,” and how knowing your blind spots isn’t weakness—it’s leadership strength. If you want to lead others, you have to lead yourself first.And connect with me for more great content! Sign Up for R@W Notes Subscribe on Youtube Follow on Linkedin Follow on Instagram Follow me on Threads Follow on TikTok Email me anytime

What is principle-based leadership—and how is it different from values or mission statements? In this episode of Relationships at Work, Kyle McDowell, bestselling author of Begin With We, shares how leaders can gain clarity by establishing a framework for how teams behave, collaborate, and succeed. We explore the origin of his 10 WEs, why clarity fuels accountability, and how leaders can set the tone for excellence—by defining the how, not just the what.And connect with me for more great content! Sign Up for R@W Notes Subscribe on Youtube Follow on Linkedin Follow on Instagram Follow me on Threads Follow on TikTok Email me anytime

This is part 1 of 6 of our Workhuman LIVE series. In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher is joined by workplace culture and leadership expert Jason Lauritsen to explore the real obstacles leaders face when trying to build meaningful connections at work. From poor relationship training to fear of feedback, Jason breaks down why so many managers get connection wrong—and what to do about it.We talk about the role of self-awareness, why cultural misfits suffer in silence, how trust is lost through delegation, and what connection really means in leadership. If you're looking to improve employee experience, boost psychological safety, and become a more human-centered leader, this episode is for you.🔎 Topics include:The difference between relationships and connectionWhy middle managers get scapegoatedThe emotional cost of poor leadershipThe power of one-on-one conversationsHow remote leaders can still build trust and connectionHey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. It’s packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.And connect with me for more great content! Sign Up for R@W Notes Subscribe on Youtube Follow on Linkedin Follow on Instagram Follow me on Threads Follow on TikTok Email me anytime

This is part 4 of a 4-part series on reputation management with Charlotte Otter, author of We Need New Leaders. Each episode explores a different theme—clarity, self-awareness, team dynamics, and workplace culture.Culture is shaped by what leaders do—not what’s written on the walls. In this culture-focused conversation, Charlotte Otter joins Russel Lolacher to explore how reputation exposes the health of workplace culture. From social media transparency to unwritten norms and cross-functional relationships, they discuss the reputational risks leaders face when they don’t match their messaging with their behavior.✅ How culture and reputation are interconnected ✅ Why unwritten norms influence perception ✅ Managing reputation during change and missteps ✅ The role of consistency and communication in culture-buildingAnd connect with me for more great content! Sign Up for R@W Notes Subscribe on Youtube Follow on Linkedin Follow on Instagram Follow me on Threads Follow on TikTok Email me anytime

This is part 3 of a 4-part series on reputation management with Charlotte Otter, author of We Need New Leaders. Each episode explores a different theme—clarity, self-awareness, team dynamics, and workplace culture.Reputation isn’t built behind closed doors—it’s forged in everyday moments with your team. In this episode, Charlotte Otter shares how leaders gain or lose trust through their behavior, and how a bad reputation can create a fear-based culture that kills innovation. Together with Russel Lolacher, she breaks down how psychological safety, vulnerability, and honest feedback are essential for leadership success.✅ How fear damages culture ✅ Why vulnerability is key to recovery ✅ Leading with consistency and empathy ✅ What your team actually remembersAnd connect with me for more great content! Sign Up for R@W Notes Subscribe on Youtube Follow on Linkedin Follow on Instagram Follow me on Threads Follow on TikTok Email me anytime

This is part 2 of a 4-part series on reputation management with Charlotte Otter, author of We Need New Leaders. Each episode explores a different theme—clarity, self-awareness, team dynamics, and workplace culture.Before you manage your reputation—know yourself. In this episode, Russel Lolacher and Charlotte Otter explore how self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and personal responsibility form the foundation of a strong leadership reputation. Drawing from Charlotte’s work with executive clients and her book We Need New Leaders, they discuss why personal brand, inner work, and behavioral alignment are essential for leadership growth.✅ Why self-audit is difficult but necessary ✅ The impact of therapy, coaching, and lived experience ✅ How triggers and empathy shape leadership reputation ✅ What personal brand has to do with your careerAnd connect with me for more great content! Sign Up for R@W Notes Subscribe on Youtube Follow on Linkedin Follow on Instagram Follow me on Threads Follow on TikTok Email me anytime