Workplace Weirdness

Auteur(s): Maya Kadar Kovalsky
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  • Résumé

  • Welcome to "Workplace Weirdness," the podcast that takes a deep dive into the delightful oddities of office life. Ever wondered why the break room smells like a science experiment or why your boss insists on using 'synergy' in every meeting? We've got you covered! Join Maya and her revolving door of guest hosts as they unravel the mysteries of cubicle culture and decode the cryptic behaviors of your coworkers. From bizarre email sign-offs to the enigma of office fridge politics, no topic is too weird for us to tackle. Each week, we'll talk about hot HR topics, answer listener questions and dissect an awkward workplace theme, all while keeping things light, fun, and packed with HR humor. Tune in, because in the world of work, the only thing you can count on is the unexpected! So, grab your coffee, put your feet up on that ergonomic footrest, and let's get weird at work together. Trust us, it’ll be a productivity boost like no other!
    © Green Banana Consulting LLC | 2025 | All Rights Reserved
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Développement commercial et entrepreneuriat Gestion et leadership Politique Économie
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Épisodes
  • Back-stabbing Boss and Post-COVID Wellness

    Back-stabbing Boss and Post-COVID Wellness
    Feb 19 2025
    Ever wondered how to handle a boss who indulges in office gossip? In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky sits down with Maya Cadena, founder and CEO of Vetted Pet Health, a primary pet care service. Maya opens up about the unique challenges women face in business—especially when it comes to networking and securing investment. She shares her own struggles with bias, particularly in male-dominated spaces, and emphasizes the importance of advocating for oneself in these environments. The episode doesn’t shy away from tackling other workplace challenges, including navigating COVID-19 policies and maintaining health and safety at work. They also discuss the uncomfortable reality of bosses who gossip about employees, offering strategies for dealing with the situation while maintaining professional integrity and open communication. Let’s get right into it! Key Takeaways The significance of hiring the right team and managing team dynamics in a growing business. Addressing gender bias, particularly in leadership roles and its impact on women in business. Overcoming challenges women face in networking and investment contexts, and navigating male-dominated environments. The importance of mentorship and female representation in leadership roles, and advocating for oneself in business. Building a supportive workplace culture, especially concerning health and safety, and maintaining trust and integrity. Handling workplace dynamics like gossip, setting boundaries, and managing professional communication with humor. In This Episode: [00:00:00] Introduction [00:01:22] Meet Maya Cadena [00:05:51] The growth of Vetted [00:08:27] Lessons from entrepreneurial journey [00:14:04] Startup success: investors, self-reflection, and hiring the right fit [00:21:15] Identifying team fit early [00:23:18] The importance of candor [00:24:04] Weirdest workplace moment [00:26:30] The week in work: CVS CEO ouster bias [00:32:10] Overcoming networking challenges [00:33:31] Confronting dismissive language [00:37:37] Defining leadership and standards [00:40:48] Merit vs. gender in leadership [00:45:16] Listener question on COVID-19 policies [00:54:05] Listener question on gossip [01:05:01] Cringeworthy autocorrect mistakes [01:09:42] Closing remarks and thanks Notable Quotes [00:03:17] "I started Vetted Pet Health because as a French bulldog mom, I was going to the vet a lot. There are certain breeds that have a lot of health conditions, and really, you just need to constantly do things for them in order for it not to get worse." — Maya Cadena [00:16:05] "I've made a lot of mistakes, and I'm very thankful for them. I know that maybe it sounds cliché, but I promise you that those mistakes have taught me so much about myself." — Maya Cadena [00:20:08] "If you're spending a certain majority of that time thinking about imposter syndrome, it's best to just separate ways. It's best for everyone, for Vetted, for the company, it's best for the individual because they will constantly feel that they're failing." — Maya Cadena [00:21:52] "It's really hard. I'm not going to make it sound easy. I like all of them. I hired them because I think they're great people, and I believed in them in that phase." — Maya Cadena [00:24:47] "I basically conducted a board meeting in the bathroom of a Marriott hotel. I sat on the floor, the laptop was on the toilet seat, and I just sat there and looked all professional." — Maya Cadena I have found that the passive aggressive attitudes are the worst behaviors. It is better to have someone be straight up aggressive because then it’s clear and then you can say “unacceptable”. But passive aggressive is hard to weed out. —Maya Cadena Resources and Links Maya Cadena Website LinkedIn Maya Kadar Kovalsky Website LinkedIn Workplace Weirdness Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com SpeakPipe Website Instagram
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    44 min
  • Treating Trauma with AI Plus AWOL Coworker

    Treating Trauma with AI Plus AWOL Coworker
    Feb 5 2025
    Can AI help heal trauma—and what does that mean for the workplace? In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky welcomes Omer Golan, serial entrepreneur and founder of MyWhatIf, a nonprofit using AI to transform trauma care. Omer’s remarkable journey—from surviving a life-altering event to building cutting-edge solutions for mental health—is as inspiring as it is thought-provoking. And yes, you’ll also hear the unforgettable story about a mobster landlord dropping a quarter-million dollars in cash on his office couch. Maya and Omer also dive into workplace realities, including burnout, vulnerability in leadership, and finding stability in high-pressure environments. Let’s dive in! Key Takeaways How MyWhatIf uses technology to offer judgment-free trauma care and reignite hope. The importance of managing workplace expectations and providing employees with decompression time. Why authentic, empathetic leadership fosters stronger, more cohesive teams. Embracing open communication to build inclusive workplace dynamics. Tips for managing emotional outbursts and staying resilient under pressure. Finding stability amid frequent leadership changes and volatile environments. In This Episode: [00:00] Omer Golan's introduction [01:28] AI and mental health support [02:52] The role of AI in therapy [05:12] AI as a non-judgmental tool for mental health [06:45] How AI helps rewrite personal stories [10:30] The concept of the "hope switch" and AI's role in reactivating it [15:20] Omer Golan's personal trauma story and recovery [20:45] The non-profit AI foundation and its mission [26:29] Omer Golan's reflection on unrealistic workplace expectations [30:15] Burnout and its connection to trauma [35:50] The importance of vulnerability in leadership [40:10] How AI can reduce burnout in the workplace [45:30] The importance of focusing on unique human skills in the age of AI Notable Quotes [05:12] "AI is kind of like therapy in the sense that it mirrors back to you everything that you're putting into it." — Omer Golan [06:45] "With AI, there's no judgment. There's no need to build trust. You trust it. It's there, it doesn't judge, it offers an ear so to speak, and it helps you rewrite your story in a way that a human could never help." — Omer Golan [30:15] "Burnout definitely leads to trauma... You need to really dig deep inside of you and make sure that you don't get people to burn out. Otherwise, you might win a battle, but you're not going to win the war." — Omer Golan [35:50] "Vulnerability is like a muscle... If you practice and you just put yourself out there in a smart way, it helps build a culture of openness and sharing." — Omer Golan [40:10] "AI can reduce burnout... If you think about AI as a tool that helps you, you can create automations for all your repetitive tasks, and now you're free to focus on meaningful things that are way more human." — Omer Golan [45:30] "People should focus on their soft skills, on what makes them unique and human... If there's something that I can add as a person that makes it unique, that makes it me, that AI cannot possibly provide, I should really focus on that." — Omer Golan Resources and Links Omer Golan MyWhatif LinkedIn Maya Kadar Kovalsky Website LinkedIn Workplace Weirdness Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com SpeakPipe Website Instagram Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as professional, legal, or workplace-specific advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their individual situations.
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    44 min
  • Surviving Small-Town Imposter Syndrome and Meditation Bias

    Surviving Small-Town Imposter Syndrome and Meditation Bias
    Jan 22 2025
    What if the key to a thriving workplace was something as simple as play? Could fostering creativity, community, and cognitive development unlock innovation and connection among employees? In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky is joined by Yolonda Deon, founder of Mindful Play Learning, to discuss the power of "play" in the workplace. Yolonda, a certified birth and postpartum doula, shares her unique journey and insights on mindful play, highlighting how it fosters a positive work culture. They explore the three C's of play—community, creativity, and cognitive development—and how these elements improve engagement and productivity. Tune in for practical advice on mentorship, mindfulness, and embracing imperfections to build a more fulfilling work environment. Key Takeaways The significance of play in the workplace and its impact on work culture The three C's of play: community, creativity, and cognitive development The consequences of a lack of play in office environments, including toxicity and dysfunction The importance of intergenerational mentorship and learning from both successes and mistakes Strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome in professional settings The value of mindfulness practices in the workplace and addressing judgment from colleagues The importance of authenticity and self-acceptance in navigating workplace challenges Encouragement for organizations to redefine play and create supportive environments for employees In This Episode [00:01:11] Introduction to Yolonda Deon [00:01:38] Yolonda's first doula experience [00:04:36] The three C's of play [00:07:27] Role of play in office culture [00:10:46] Weirdest workplace moment [00:14:46] Trends in work and career paths [00:20:11] Leveraging employee creativity [00:23:18] Intergenerational play in the workplace [00:26:27] Imposter syndrome in social situations [00:28:10] Navigating social interactions [00:32:39] Mindfulness in a toxic environment [00:33:58] Addressing workplace comments [00:36:16] Workplace friendships vs. colleagues [00:41:15] Handling mistakes in professional settings [00:46:06] Closing thoughts Notable Quotes [00:07:54] "When play is not a part of workplace culture, that's when you get the toxicity. That's when things don't always go well. That's when we find that there are problems in the workspace." — Yolonda Deon [00:23:34] "We learn through our elders, either through their triumphs or their mistakes, and that's important for them to be able to reach back and teach the next generation." — Yolonda Deon [00:26:27] "I think imposter syndrome is such a big thing in this world that we live in now." — Yolonda Deon [00:32:39] "If going to that meditation room helps you to feel better, then focus on that. Keep meditating, keep doing your thing, and if you feel like you need to go to someone, go talk to HR and let them take care of it for you." — Yolonda Deon [00:44:21] "My heart is always in the right place. I never mean to hurt anyone's feelings or make anyone feel uncomfortable. Charge it to my head, not my heart." — Yolonda Deon Resources and Links Yolonda Deon Website LinkedIn Maya Kadar Kovalsky Website LinkedIn Workplace Weirdness Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com SpeakPipe Website Instagram
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    46 min

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