

Workday Playdate
Erin Diehl | Passion Struck Network
TOP 1% GLOBAL PODCAST for People-First Leaders
Formerly the "improve it! Podcast." #9 in BEST 100 SELF LEADERSHIP PODCASTS.
I’m Erin Diehl, keynote speaker, business improv edutainer, and founder of improve it! (AKA your work bestie). Every Wednesday, Workday Playdate with improve it! helps HR professionals, people leaders, and culture-driven humans bring more laughter, levity, and purpose to their workdays. Because work is better when you play.
This is not your average leadership podcast. You’ll get research-backed strategies, improv-inspired tools, and candid conversations with top leaders, speakers, improvisers and authors who are rethinking how we work and lead.
Our promise is to give you tangible takeaways you can use immediately, plus a few laughs along the way.
Interested in partnering with us? Workday Playdate reaches thousands of people-first leaders who care about workplace culture, leadership, and team development.
Contact info@learntoimproveit.com to learn more about sponsorship opportunities. We promise laughs, impact, and zero awkward small talk. Think ROI with a side of LOL’s. Let’s make it happen!
Formerly the "improve it! Podcast." #9 in BEST 100 SELF LEADERSHIP PODCASTS.
I’m Erin Diehl, keynote speaker, business improv edutainer, and founder of improve it! (AKA your work bestie). Every Wednesday, Workday Playdate with improve it! helps HR professionals, people leaders, and culture-driven humans bring more laughter, levity, and purpose to their workdays. Because work is better when you play.
This is not your average leadership podcast. You’ll get research-backed strategies, improv-inspired tools, and candid conversations with top leaders, speakers, improvisers and authors who are rethinking how we work and lead.
Our promise is to give you tangible takeaways you can use immediately, plus a few laughs along the way.
Interested in partnering with us? Workday Playdate reaches thousands of people-first leaders who care about workplace culture, leadership, and team development.
Contact info@learntoimproveit.com to learn more about sponsorship opportunities. We promise laughs, impact, and zero awkward small talk. Think ROI with a side of LOL’s. Let’s make it happen!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 11, 2024 • 30min
255: What Are the Best Ways to Infuse Fun into Your Teams' Daily Routine?
In today’s episode, Erin shares some her favorite + easiest ways for adding a little spice to your teams’ daily routine when you feel like you need to switch something up. If you’re pressed for ideas to get your team laughing again (and working happier, not harder)—this is the episode for you. If you liked this episode, you can keep the party going with: Episode 255: How Can You 'Yes, And' Transform Your Team's Brainstorming Sessions? Show Links: Purchase Erin’s book, I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.
Get our free Book Club timeline and checklist here.
Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a 5-star review and drop us any Qs you want answered in upcoming episodes. Boring professional development is out, virtual improv team building is in. Learn more about our offerings here.
Your hunt for the top best virtual keynote speakers stops today. Learn more about our F Words at Work & Empathetic Leader keynotes here. Connect with Erin Diehl: Erin’s Instagram
Erin’s LinkedIn
Erin’s website
improve it!’s Instagram
improve it!’s website
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 4, 2024 • 47min
254: Busy Brain? Dr. Romie Shares Her Top Mindfulness Techniques for Stress Management
In today’s episode, Dr. Romie Mushtaq joins Erin to discuss her definition of a “busy brain” and how it can help you mitigate stress in your life and still achieve your most ambitious goals. Dr. Romie is a physician, workplace wellness keynote speaker, and best-selling author. If you’re feeling stressed—this is the episode for you. If you liked this episode, you can keep the party going with: Episode 242: Time Slipping Away? What's the Secret to Becoming a Time Management Pro? Show Links: Purchase Erin’s book, I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.
Get our free Book Club timeline and checklist here.
Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a 5-star review and drop us any Qs you want answered in upcoming episodes. Boring professional development is out, virtual improv team building is in. Learn more about our offerings here.
Your hunt for the top best virtual keynote speakers stops today. Learn more about our F Words at Work & Empathetic Leader keynotes here. Connect with Dr. Romie Mushtaq: Dr. Romie’s LinkedIn
Dr. Romie’s website
Connect with Erin Diehl: Erin’s Instagram
Erin’s LinkedIn
Erin’s website
improve it!’s Instagram
improve it!’s website
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 28, 2024 • 25min
253: How Can You 'Yes, And' Transform Your Team's Brainstorming Sessions?
"Yes, and” is a central tenet of improv—and our favorite buzzword. It means to postpone judgement on what someone just said, and then add your own thought to it. For example, “Yes I think what you just said is so important, and I think _________.” It’s the exact opposite of saying, “Yes, but.” In today’s episode, Erin answers a question from a listener about how to make brainstorming sessions more impactful. She gives you a foolproof exercise you can do with your team right now that incorporate lots of “yes, and.” If your team’s brainstorming sessions could use a little oomph—this is the episode for you. If you liked this episode, you can keep the party going with: Episode 178: The Productivity Hack You Need to Tell You What to Stop and Start Doing as a Leader
Show Links: Purchase Erin’s book, I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.
Get our free Book Club timeline and checklist here.
Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a 5-star review and drop us any Qs you want answered in upcoming episodes. Boring professional development is out, virtual improv team building is in. Learn more about our offerings here.
Your hunt for the top best virtual keynote speakers stops today. Learn more about our F Words at Work & Empathetic Leader keynotes here. Connect with Erin Diehl: Erin’s Instagram
Erin’s LinkedIn
Erin’s website
improve it!’s Instagram
improve it!’s website
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 21, 2024 • 42min
252: How Can Self-Care Lead to Professional Abundance? Insights from Taylor Elyse Morrison
Self-care—we hear it all the time to the point that it’s a buzz word everyone likes to throw around. And yes, we know that it has tons of mental and physical health benefits, but thinking about how it can lead to professional abundance isn’t the norm. In today’s episode, Taylor Elyse Morrison joins Erin to discuss all things “inner workout,” ie, self-care in its truest form. Taylor is the founder & award-winning author of Inner Workout, well-being and leadership development speaker, and facilitator & coach. If you’re feeling like your self-care routine could use an upgrade—this is the episode for you. If you liked this episode, you can keep the party going with: Episode 206: Love Yourself First: 7 Ways to Invest in You Today Show Links: Purchase Erin’s book, I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.
Get our free Book Club timeline and checklist here.
Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a 5-star review and drop us any Qs you want answered in upcoming episodes. Boring professional development is out, virtual improv team building is in. Learn more about our offerings here.
Your hunt for the top best virtual keynote speakers stops today. Learn more about our F Words at Work & Empathetic Leader keynotes here. Connect with Taylor Elyse Morrison: Taylor’s LinkedIn Taylor’s website Taylor’s company website Connect with Erin Diehl: Erin’s Instagram
Erin’s LinkedIn
Erin’s website
improve it!’s Instagram
improve it!’s website
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 14, 2024 • 26min
251: What's an LSD Day and Why Are People Obsessed? (Hint: It's Not What You Think)
We had an anonymous improve it! peep call in and ask about burnout - something we all know a little bit too well, and what our best advice is for preventing it and how to make burnout prevention a company-wide initiative. It has a little something to do with LSD (and that’s Light Saver Day, mind you). In today’s episode, Erin gives you a solo activity called “Light Savers” to prevent burnout from the source & a group activity called “Light Saver Day” to prevent burnout in your team. Erin also shares: What a Bliss List is and why you need to make one right now Why taking time off as a leader is crucial How to survey your team before and after Light Saver Day implementation If you're feeling burnt out or sense burnout in your team – this is the episode for you. Special sprinkles on top of this episode: How to have BWE (Big Wick Energy) If you liked this episode, you can keep the party going with: Episode 246: Is Your Professional and Personal Freedom Just Five Steps Away? Show Links: Purchase Erin’s book, I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.
Get our free Book Club timeline and checklist here.
Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a 5-star review and drop us any Qs you want answered in upcoming episodes. Boring professional development is out, virtual improv team building is in. Learn more about our offerings here.
Your hunt for the top best virtual keynote speakers stops today. Learn more about our F Words at Work & Empathetic Leader keynotes here. Connect with Erin Diehl: Erin’s Instagram
Erin’s LinkedIn
Erin’s website
improve it!’s Instagram
improve it!’s website
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 7, 2024 • 45min
250: Want to Unlock Your Infinite Potential and Remember Who You Are? Discovering 'The Light Work' with Jessica Zweig
What does a tiny tattoo of a key have to do with remembering who you are and what you’re here to do? All that and more, according to Chief Visionary Officer, serial entrepreneur, and #1 bestselling author Jessica Zweig. Jessica’s “it” has always been to be able to reflect back to people their divinity, their necessary responsibility they have to be themselves. Her work is to be your mirror and then get out of the way. In today’s episode, Jessica shares the ONE thing you can do to step into the light - and it’s not complicated at all, but it’s also not easy. 😊 Jessica also shares: Her experience starting her own business, growing it to a multimillion-dollar business in the first 5 years, and then selling it Her light-body activation at a temple in Egypt and the one big truth that it brought her Her definitions of “light” and “dark” and how anyone can be a “light worker” If you’re interested in remembering what you came here for and letting everything else go—this is the episode for you. Special sprinkles on top of this episode: Jessica and Erin's funny "run-in" in Costa Rica Being burnt out on a cellular level and how Jessica came back from it If you liked this episode, you can keep the party going with: Episode 246: Is Your Professional and Personal Freedom Just Five Steps Away?
Show Links: Purchase Erin’s book, I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.
Get our free Book Club timeline and checklist here.
Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a 5-star review and drop us any Qs you want answered in upcoming episodes. Boring professional development is out, virtual improv team building is in. Learn more about our offerings here.
Your hunt for the top best virtual keynote speakers stops today. Learn more about our F Words at Work & Empathetic Leader keynotes here. Connect with Jessica Zweig: Jessica’s LinkedIn
Jessica’s website
Jessica’s Instagram
Jessica’s podcast
Jessica’s book, The Light Work
Connect with Erin Diehl: Erin’s Instagram
Erin’s LinkedIn
Erin’s website
improve it!’s Instagram
improve it!’s website
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 31, 2024 • 46min
249: Demystifying Diversity with Daralyse Lyons: How Can Embracing Biracial Identity Lead to a More Inclusive Workplace Culture?
In today’s episode, Daralyse Lyons joins Erin on the pod. Daralyse is a business growth officer, podcast host, author, and journalist. Daralyse shares concrete strategies for making your workplace culture more inclusive and equitable. Daralyse also shares: Her experience working for a hedge fund and stepping away to teach yoga, which led to a career in journalism and writing her first book Her biracial identity and experiences growing up & as an adult in community with other biracial and multiracial folks How improv has prepared her to jump into whatever makes her happy and allows her to give back to the world If you’re interested in learning more about biracial experiences and how to make your workplace more equitable—this is the episode for you. Special sprinkles on top of this episode: What a “partial offer” is on the improv stage & why it matters for your everyday life How to use improv to say “no” If you liked this episode, you can keep the party going with: Episode 114: How to Connect & Communicate in a Cross-Cultural World with Tayo Rockson Show Links: Purchase Erin’s book, I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.
Get our free Book Club timeline and checklist here.
Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a 5-star review and drop us any Qs you want answered in upcoming episodes. Boring professional development is out, virtual improv team building is in. Learn more about our offerings here.
Your hunt for the top best virtual keynote speakers stops today. Learn more about our F Words at Work & Empathetic Leader keynotes here. Connect with Daralyse Lyons: Daralyse’s LinkedIn
Daralyse’s website
Daralyse’s book: Demystifying Diversity: Embracing our Shared Humanity
Daralyse’s podcast
Connect with Erin Diehl: Erin’s Instagram
Erin’s LinkedIn
Erin’s website
improve it!’s Instagram
improve it!’s website
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 24, 2024 • 37min
248: How Do I Find Freedom Daily? A Candid Look at My Daily Routine
Is the only component to your evening routine scrolling mindlessly on your phone before your eyelids can’t stay open anymore? You’re definitely not the only one. 😅 In today’s episode, Erin gives you the full rundown of the iDiehl Day—what it is and how you can use it to create the routine that the current season of your life is calling for. (Hint: it’s probably not more hours on the ‘Gram). She also shares how most recently she’s paired the iDiehl Day with chronobiology and Ayurvedic concepts discussed in the book Change Your Schedule, Change Your Life. Erin spills the tea on: How an accountability partner helps you actually stick to your morning routine Working out as a working parent & how to balance workout classes with home workouts The minute-by-minute breakdown of going from CEO to Mom to Erin each day If your routine needs a little sprucey spruce—this is the episode for you. Special sprinkles on top of this episode: The breakfast Erin has eaten for 15 years and why When she finds reading time and how it adds up ~strategic~ showering If you liked this episode, you can keep the party going with: Episode 242: Time Slipping Away? What's the Secret to Becoming a Time Management Pro? Show Links: Check out the book referenced in this episode: Change Your Schedule, Change Your Life: How to Harness the Power of Clock Genes to Lose Weight, Optimize Your Workout, and Finally Get a Good Night's Sleep.
Purchase Erin’s book, I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.
Get our free Book Club timeline and checklist here.
Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a 5-star review and drop us any Qs you want answered in upcoming episodes. Boring professional development is out, virtual improv team building is in. Learn more about our offerings here.
Your hunt for the top best virtual keynote speakers stops today. Learn more about our F Words at Work & Empathetic Leader keynotes here. Connect with Erin Diehl: Erin’s Instagram
Erin’s LinkedIn
Erin’s website
improve it!’s Instagram
improve it!’s website
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 16, 2024 • 43min
247: Validation vs. Confidence: What's the Real Difference? A Chat with Nicole Kalil
Here to get TRASHED?! 😝 Kidding, kind of. Founder & confidence sherpa, keynote speaker, author, and podcast host Nicole Kalil is here today to discuss how bringing her trash to the “transfer station” ie, dump, led her to interrogate the “trash” that was in her head or “head trash” and write her first book called Validation is for Parking. In today’s episode, Nicole explains what “head trash” is and the 3 things you need to know about it to become more confident. Nicole and Erin also talk about: Nicole’s personal story of BECOMING confident when she was climbing the corporate ladder and why this is different from all of the other voices telling us how to BE confident 5 things that derail your confidence and how to be aware of them Why you’ve been lying to yourself with the affirmations you’re using and how to actually believe them and embrace them If you want to become more confident—this is the episode for you. Special sprinkles on top of this episode: Why “fake it til you make it” is out and its better replacement Why Nicole’s plan B is to be a detective If you liked this episode, you can keep the party going with: Episode 126: Want to Gain Confidence, Get Comfortable with the Uncomfortable at Work? Try Chicken Dancing! (with Special Guest Cameron Roffey)
Episode 121: Let Go of Your Leadership-Limiting Beliefs - How Improv Improves Your Confidence
Show Links: Purchase Erin’s book, I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.
Get our free Book Club timeline and checklist here.
Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a 5-star review and drop us any Qs you want answered in upcoming episodes. Boring professional development is out, virtual improv team building is in. Learn more about our offerings here.
Your hunt for the top best virtual keynote speakers stops today. Learn more about our F Words at Work & Empathetic Leader keynotes here. Connect with Nicole Kalil: Nicole’s website
Nicole’s book, Validation is for Parking
Nicole’s freebie, My Year of Confidence Action Plan
Nicole’s Instagram
Connect with Erin Diehl: Erin’s Instagram
Erin’s LinkedIn
Erin’s website
improve it!’s Instagram
improve it!’s website
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 10, 2024 • 32min
246: Is Your Professional and Personal Freedom Just Five Steps Away?
Sound too simple? It is, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. 😊 In today’s episode, Erin gives you her 5 steps to attaining personal and professional freedom on a daily basis. These steps are perfect to pull out at the beginning of the month to set yourself up for success (and with some room to breathe). Erin shares: How to set long-term goals to guide your actions + tell the universe how it can help you achieve them Why “clear is kind” and how you can practice effective communication as a leader who may also be a recovering people pleaser How to embrace the truth that you either adapt or get left behind If you feel like you should have more time than you do—this is the episode for you. Special sprinkles on top of this episode “Batching” your life and how it will shoot your productivity through the roof Saying no to things that don’t meet your 4 P’s How to achieve personal freedom? Letting Go Of Fear. Setting Boundaries. Cultivating Self-Compassion. Pursuing Passion And Purpose. Simplifying Life. Mindfulness And Presence. Building Resilience. Expressing Authenticity. -Brainz Magazine What is personal freedom psychology? Personal freedom is freedom of your mind from what determines your thoughts, feelings and behavior. It is based on our ability to exercise choice. Although some circumstances may be more favorable for acting autonomously, choice is always possible regardless of circumstances. -personalsynthesis.com If you liked this episode, you can keep the party going with: Episode 238: Are You Ready to Use the Four-Step Checklist to Achieve Decision-Making Clarity? Episode 80: You CAN give feedback as a Leader, and it CANNOT be triggering with Kim Scott Show Links: Purchase Erin’s book, I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.
Get our free Book Club timeline and checklist here.
Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a 5-star review and drop us any Qs you want answered in upcoming episodes. Boring professional development is out, improv team building is in. Learn more about our offerings here.
Your hunt for the top virtual keynote speakers stops right now. Learn more about our F Words at Work & Empathetic Leader keynotes here. Check out Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business
Check out Radical Candor
Purchase a Passion Planner here Connect with Erin Diehl: Erin’s Instagram
Erin’s LinkedIn
Erin’s website
improve it!’s Instagram
improve it!’s website
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.


