Workday Playdate

“I want you to look at the opportunities that once felt like failures, and like Beyonce, I want you to see those lemons as lemonade...because without those #fails, we wouldn't get to where we are supposed to be today!” -Erin Diehl On this episode, host Erin Diehl gets REAL with you and discusses her life’s #fails through her own failure resume. Follow along, and create your own using our template here. This exercise if vital if you want to reframe your perspective during this hard season. Remember that failures always lead to some greater opportunity, and always have some “gift” of wisdom. Listen to this episode for some uncensored resume lessons! Links from show discussion: Get Your Own Failure Resume Template Here Ricki Lake for the younger peeps Josh Johnson Episode 6 Online Trainings with improve it!   Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running by the lake and patio dinners with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! Podcast on Instagram and facebook, and you can follow Erin here on Instagram. We can’t wait to connect with you online!

“Don't lose sight of the priorities; you can't control everything. You just can't.” -Rosanna Canonigo On this episode, host Erin Diehl chats with Global TV and Digital Distribution Executive at EntertainmentOne, Rosanna Canonigo. How did she get to where she is now? What struggles occurred along the way? Learn from her inspiring story and why priorities take precedence by listening to this episode! Links from show discussions: Online Trainings with improve it! Rosanna’s LinkedIn   Rosanna is a native of Chicago, graduating with honors from Northern Illinois University and began her professional career as a CPA at the global accounting firm, KPMG.  In a career pivot, Rosanna then moved to NYC splitting time between building a career as an actress while also maintaining footholds in both the accounting and small business worlds.  After a relocation to Los Angeles, Rosanna establishes her career in global feature film and TV series sales, financing and distribution over a 12 year tenure at Lionsgate leading to her current role at Entertainment One, as Hasbro Company.  She has served on the board of F.E.M.E, a nonprofit women's networking organization dedicated to helping connect women executives in media and entertainment.  Rosanna currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband and two children. Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running by the lake and patio dinners with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! Podcast on Instagram and facebook, and you can follow Erin here on Instagram. We can’t wait to connect with you online!

“Whatever your feelings, I do know one thing for sure – we have to stay mindful in this madness. That is a must. If we don’t take care of ourselves and put on our own “oxygen masks,” we cannot put on someone else’s.” -Erin Diehl Host Erin Diehl reminisces on the roller coaster ride that is 2020. In this episode, she provides three tangible tips on how to be mindful during this crazy year. Listening to this is a must to help gain some control in your life, especially if you’re in the low part of the ride. Remember, we fall only to rise up again! Links from show discussions: Josh Johnson’s Specials Episode 10 - How to crush your morning routine Jai Brown’s Episode Link to Failed It! Podcast Joy List   Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running by the lake and patio dinners with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! Podcast on Instagram and facebook, and you can follow Erin here on Instagram. We can’t wait to connect with you online!

"I very quickly realized that people that looked like me were not on TV. I didn't see disabled people who were visibly disabled. And if I did see a disabled person, they were white and were men." -Maysoon Zayid On this failed it! episode, host Erin Diehl has an impressive and comedic conversation with actress, comedian, writer, and disability advocate, Maysoon Zayid. You might’ve seen her on Don’t Mess with the Zohan or her #1 TED talk in 2014. If you want some laughs, listen to this episode on how Maysoon doesn’t let her the fact she has cerebral palsy stop her from achieving her lifelong dreams. Links from show discussions: Pat Mitchell Maysoon’s Ted Talk WFH (Workshop From Home) Membership Maysoon’s Book: Find Another Dream Maysoon Zayid is an actress, comedian, writer, and disability advocate. She is a graduate of and a Guest Comedian in Residence at Arizona State University. Maysoon is the co-founder/co-executive producer of the New York Arab American Comedy Festival and The Muslim Funny Fest. She was a full-time On Air Contributor to Countdown with Keith Olbermann and a columnist for The Daily Beast. She has most recently appeared on Oprah Winfrey Networks In Deep Shift, 60 Minutes, and CNN. Maysoon had the number one TED Talk of 2014 and was named 1 of 100 Women of 2015 by BBC. As a professional comedian, Maysoon has performed in top New York clubs and has toured extensively at home and abroad. She was a headliner on the Arabs Gone Wild Comedy Tour and The Muslims Are Coming Tour. Maysoon appeared alongside Adam Sandler in You Don’t Mess with the the Zohan and limped in New York Fashion Week. She is a recurring character on General Hospital and the author & narrator of Find Another Dream. You can find her through her website, Twitter, and/or Instagram. Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running by the lake and patio dinners with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! Podcast on Instagram and facebook, and you can follow Erin here on Instagram. We can’t wait to connect with you online!

“It starts with reflection, seeking to understand, so listening, and then engaging in conversations understanding that you may not have the perfect words.”   On this failed it! episode, host Erin Diehl has a crucial conversation with a dear friend, J’ai Brown. She is the HR Director for HUB International and Executive Sponsor for the Midwest-West Diversity & Inclusion Council. Erin and J’ai talk about the importance of addressing racial injustice and how we can adequately discuss the topic with others. Listen in on how you can help make a difference.   Links from show discussions:   The Monopoly Analogy (*explicit language*) My Block My Hood My City Organization From Awareness to Action: The Path Toward a Meaningful Allyship - Dr. Evelyn Carter White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo Robin DiAngelo on the Family Action Network (FAN) Other good book sources that Jai’s currently reading The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander   J’ai Brown serves as the HR Director for HUB International, leading the HR function for the Midwest-West division. In her role, J’ai is a member of the executive management team providing strategic insight and support across the Midwest-West division on all aspects of HR including employee relations, diversity & inclusion, talent acquisition, compensation, performance management, organizational design and career development. Additionally, she is the Executive Sponsor for the Midwest-West Diversity & Inclusion Council and a member of the organizing team for the HUB Women Network ERG. Prior to joining HUB, J’ai worked in roles of increasing responsibility in claims administration and human resources at Allstate Insurance Company before continuing her career in human resources at BMO Financial Group. J’ai received an MBA and B.S. degrees in HR Management and General Management from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and has her PHR and SHRM-CP designations. She is the Education Chair for Chicago SHRM and mentors youth with Posse Chicago and Chicago Scholars. She is a 2020 Chicago Urban League IMPACT Leadership Development Fellow, 2019 Black Queens of Chicago, 2018 Wall Street in the Black Future Leader and 2016 Chicago Scholars 35 under 35 honoree.    J’ai resides in Bronzeville with her husband, Frank, and daughter, Kylee. You can find her on LinkedIn and Instagram where she highlights her adoption story and journey. Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running by the lake and patio dinners with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! Podcast on Instagram and facebook, and you can follow Erin here on Instagram. We can’t wait to connect with you online!

“You cannot fill someone else’s teacup unless your tea kettle is full.”  - Erin Diehl Not a morning person? Can you not even open your eyes without a jolt of your morning java? Well friends, today’s failed it! episode gives you the very best tips and tricks on how to manage your mornings to become the daybreak diva you are. Listen in on how Erin uses these 5 tips to help you get going right when you wake up - so you can be the rockstar you were meant to be ALL day long. Welcome to failed it! Links from show discussions: Tone it Up Workout App Apptiv Workout App Les Mills Workouts Breethe Meditation App Episode 7   Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award.   This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running by the lake and patio dinners with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! Podcast on Instagram and facebook, and you can follow Erin here on Instagram. We can’t wait to connect with you online!

“Nothing is permanent; everything is temporary; everything is changing. Just hang on because as long as you’re breathing, you will be okay.”  - Brad Chandler Happy Pride Month! Today’s failed it! episode features guest Brad Chandler from The Hollis Co! This therapeutic conversation will help you realize that life is not a straight line, and that you are not alone. Listen to Erin interview Brad on some life lessons and insights as he pivoted along his life’s journey. Welcome to failed it! Links from show discussions: Book - Rocket Fuel Workshop From Home (WFH) Membership Vipassana Meditation    Brad Chandler is the VP of Business Strategy and Development at The Hollis Co. He has decades of hands-on experience in trend-based businesses- in the music industry, as an Influencer Marketer, Brand Manager, Product Developer, Entrepreneur, and in Business Development. My instincts are honed on developing sticky concepts that drive revenue. Currently, I strategize both forward-thinking developments and internal business structures to effectively build the vision of our CEO, Ms. Hollis. The Hollis Company produces business conferences, women's conferences, athletic runs, full-featured media projects, lifestyle media, digital education courses, and is moving fiercely into the health and wellness space in 2020/2021. You can find him on his website, his LinkedIn, and/or his Instagram!   Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award.   This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running by the lake and patio dinners with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! Podcast on Instagram and facebook, and you can follow Erin here on Instagram. We can’t wait to connect with you online!

“The rule of thumb is you don’t have to not approach, and you don’t have to not say anything. I think you just have to think about being empathetic and how would you want to be approached in such a situation. We need to be our best selves in trying times like these.”  - Kelly Fair On today’s failed it! episode, host Erin Diehl has an impactful conversation with a dear friend, Kelly Fair, founder of Polished Pebbles - a mentoring program that has helped 3,000+ girls find their voices, improve their communication skills, and build their skills for future careers. Listen in to educate yourself on how to be a better ally to the Black Community and how to take action. Welcome to failed it! Links from show discussions: Invisible Load of Motherhood: Mothering Black Children Kelly Fair’s Book: Every Girl is a CEO   Kelly Fair is the Founder of Polished Pebbles Girls Mentoring Program. Founded ten years ago, Polished Pebbles has helped more than 3,000 girls in Illinois, Indiana, and Texas find their voice, improve their communication skills, and build their skills for future careers. Kelly is a sought-after speaker for mentoring, communication skills, girls’ development and job readiness, professional leadership development, and social entrepreneurship. She’s a dynamic storyteller, communications expert, and relatable voice with the keen ability to penetrate the hearts of women with her honesty and expertise. Through her authentic conversational speaking style, she connects across socioeconomic statuses, intergenerationally, and cross-culturally—making her a phenomenal speaker or training facilitator in a conference setting. Her ability to “polish pebbles”, helping young women and girls shine, has brought her recognition from Bank of America, ComEd, Verizon, Google, Duke University, Du Sable Museum of African American History, Social Enterprise Alliance, and more. Since launching Polished Pebbles Girls Mentoring Program, Kelly’s signature communications and job readiness programming has expanded from elementary age girls to include high school, college programs, families, prominent women leaders, and to sites in Northwest Indiana, Dallas, Texas, and North Carolina. Kelly has been featured in Ebony magazine, The Wall Street Journal, MSNBC, The Chicago Sun-Times, and Chicago Woman magazine. You can learn more about Polished Pebbles Girls Mentoring Program here. Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running by the lake and patio dinners with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! Podcast on Instagram and facebook, and you can follow Erin here on Instagram. We can’t wait to connect with you online!

“You know the peeps who seem to have it all together? You, too, can have it all with the help of some friends.” - Erin Diehl     Each week, your failed it! podcast host and improve it! founder Erin Diehl, will take you on a comedic journey that flips the “highlight reel” of Instagram on its head and shows you the grit, creativity and determination it takes to overcome your disappointments, embrace the suck, and design the career you’ve only dreamed about.      Do you feel overwhelmed at times? Unorganized? Have so much on your plate? Well, in this episode, host Erin Diehl will talk through key points on how you truly don’t have to do it all to be successful. So tune in, take a load off, and listen to the tips and tricks she has for you on turning failing it! into nailing it!   Welcome to failed it!   Erin fills you in on three secrets to getting it all done:   [2:41] A day in the life of Erin pre-quarantine [4:48] You don’t have to do it all! [5:25] Get a lil help from your friends [6:28] Eliminate and delegate [9:44] Intern hire tips [11:36] Come laugh and learn with improve it!’s WFH (work from home) membership [14:15] Outsourcing Pros [16:38] Structure your work day [18:20] Big 3 Freebie LINK [19:01] The final tip [20:35] Let’s review [21:18] And remember... [21:36] Take a screenshot and tag us using #faileditpodcast Instagram: @learntoimproveit Facebook: @improveit [22:00] Always remember, you have to fail in order to improve   Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award.   This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre.   When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running by the lake and patio dinners with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl.   You can follow the failed it! Podcast @learntoimproveit on Instagram and Facebook, and you can follow Erin here on Instagram. We can’t wait to connect with you online!

“I think that if you’re able to be flexible, you open yourself up to all possibilities of getting to the place that you eventually want to be.” - Josh Johnson   Each week, your failed it! podcast host and improve it! founder Erin Diehl, will take you on a comedic journey that flips the “highlight reel” of Instagram on its head and shows you the grit, creativity and determination it takes to overcome your disappointments, embrace the suck, and design the career you’ve only dreamed about.    On today’s failed it! episode, host Erin Diehl introduces stand-up comedian, writer and performer, Josh Johnson, to speak about how he stands up and embraces failure! *Please note that this episode was recorded prior to the pandemic.*   Welcome to failed it! [3:59] The real Diehl on the real Josh Johnson [7:26] Josh’s failure resume [10:04] The first year of stand-up [13:26] Podcast idea that didn’t come to fruition [22:36] 3 lessons Josh learned [23:45] Doors don’t get slammed, but get closed slowly [25:06] “I think that if you’re able to be flexible, you open yourself up to all possibilities of getting to the place that you eventually want to be.” [27:45] improve it!’s WFH (work from home) membership [34:12] “Time only builds and helps them to get them where they want to go.” [35:47] Josh provides 3 action items for you that he learned [37:53] “Reading is a lot like exercising” [43:03] What did Josh fail at today? [44:44] Fail Yeah! [46:21] You can follow/DM Josh on Instagram and Twitter and Facebook [47:24] Check out Josh’s album ‘I Like You’ on Spotify, Tidal, etc. [48:08] Rate/Subscribe on iTunes and screenshot you listening by tagging us using #faileditpodcast! Instagram: @learntoimproveit Facebook: @improveit    Josh Johnson is a stand-up, writer, and performer from Louisiana by way of Chicago. He is currently a writer on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and has been featured on Kevin Hart’s Hart of the City. Josh was named one of Comedy Central’s ‘Comics to Watch’ in 2015 and one of the Just For Laughs Festival’s ‘New Faces’ in 2016. He is a former writer and performer on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where he also made his late-night debut in 2017.   As a stand-up, Josh has performed at clubs, colleges and festivals around the world, including JFL Montreal, Bumbershoot, Moontower, SXSW, Riot LA, Bridgetown, High Plains and the New York Comedy Festival and was named New York’s Funniest Comic at Caroline's during the New York Comedy Festival in 2018.   On screen, Josh has appeared on CONAN, @Midnight with Chris Hardwick, and Netflix as part of The Comedy Lineup. In 2017, he released his Comedy Central half-hour special and album ‘I Like You.’ His web series Genies, which he wrote and starred in, was released on Comedy Central in late 2018.   He was on the road with Trevor Noah, as a part of the LOUD & CLEAR Tour, prior to the pandemic. Josh lives in New York and can be seen performing regularly at the Comedy Cellar.   Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award.   This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre.   When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running by the lake and patio dinners with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl.   You can follow the failed it! Podcast @learntoimproveit on Instagram and facebook, and you can follow Erin here on Instagram. We can’t wait to connect with you online!