Surfing Corporate

Surfing Corporate

Surfing Corporate

The Surfing Corporate Podcast tackles the highs and lows of corporate life with a humorous and relatable point of view. Hosted by Aileen Merciel and Glenda Pacanins, former media executives who have experienced first-hand what really goes on behind fancy corporate doors, this podcast aims to entertain as well as provide practical advice to employees who are currently navigating turbulent corporate waters.

How to Leverage Power at Work (without turning into an insufferable egomaniac)

How to Leverage Power at Work (without turning into an insufferable egomaniac)

Aileen and Glenda dive into the complexities of power in the workplace with Harvard Professor Julie Battilana, co-author of Power, for All: How it Really Works and Why It’s Everyone’s Business and founder of the Social Innovation and Change Initiative at Harvard Kennedy School.Together, they explore how power shapes behavior, influences decision-making, and impacts relationships with colleagues. From understanding power dynamics to avoiding "power poisons," they share strategies for leveraging i

Nov 20, 2024 • 50:54

Corporate Horror Stories - Embarrassing Work Moments That Will Haunt Us Forever (ReRun)

Corporate Horror Stories - Embarrassing Work Moments That Will Haunt Us Forever (ReRun)

This Halloween, we’re turning the spotlight on the spookiest stories of all—the ones that happen at work. Join us as we dive into horrific embarrassing moments that people have experienced in the office, from group chats gone terribly wrong to falling face first in front of your new boss, and the story of coworker gift that scarred lives forever. We’ve gathered the most cringeworthy corporate confessions that will have you laughing, gasping, and maybe even feeling a little better about your own

Oct 30, 2024 • 42:23

From Office Star to Office Dinosaur: How Ageism Sneaks up on You

From Office Star to Office Dinosaur: How Ageism Sneaks up on You

In this week’s episode of Surfing Corporate, we tackle the often-overlooked topic of ageism in the workplace with special guest Maureen Wiley Clough, host of the It Gets Late Early podcast and newsletter. Together, we discuss shocking research, including how tech workers over 40 are 26% less likely to be hired than their younger peers, and why women experience ageism at nearly double the rate of men. More importantly, we provide actionable strategies for overcoming age-based bias, staying compet

Oct 23, 2024 • 54:24

The Jekyll and Hyde Boss: Navigating Brilliant but Volatile Leaders

The Jekyll and Hyde Boss: Navigating Brilliant but Volatile Leaders

Aileen and Glenda challenge the traditional view of categorizing bosses as either good or bad, focusing instead on those who embody both traits. Leaders who can be inspiring and brilliant, but also mean and volatile. Join us as we explore the psychology behind these unpredictable corporate characters. We talk about what it’s like to work for leaders like Elon Musk, and Steve Jobs’, and we share our own experience working for a Jekyll and Hyde boss.Episode Highlights: Introduction to Jekyll and H

Oct 16, 2024 • 37:45

Goodbye Comfort Zone, Hello Career Pivot! Making Moves That Matter

Goodbye Comfort Zone, Hello Career Pivot! Making Moves That Matter

Whether by choice or necessity, career pivots are becoming more common as industries shift, layoffs are rampant, and personal values evolve. Aileen and Glenda break down the key drivers behind career changes, and offer insights into navigating the challenges and opportunities that come with starting over.The episode features a candid interview with Daniela Chaparro, a former high-powered marketing executive who left her corporate career to start over doing social work, helping families of autist

Oct 9, 2024 • 54:24

Can We Talk About Politics at Work? Spoiler: It’s Complicated

Can We Talk About Politics at Work? Spoiler: It’s Complicated

Aileen and Glenda discuss the challenges and implications of political discussions in the workplace, especially during an election season. They explore the impact of political polarization on work dynamics and relationships, and they offer strategies for managing tricky political interactions effectively while maintaining professionalism and respect in the workplace. 00:00 Navigating Political Conversations at Work05:05 The Impact of Political Discussions on Workplace Dynamics10:02 Legal Conside

Oct 2, 2024 • 27:21

Inside the Intense Amazon Culture - Part 2

Inside the Intense Amazon Culture - Part 2

In the second part of our interview, we discuss Amazon's promotion process—often described as a 'black box'—and we explore how the company treats men and women differently. We also discuss the pivotal moments that led Kristi to quit drinking alcohol, a decision that became a turning point in her life. Finally, we uncover the powerful reasons behind her choice to walk away from the world’s largest company, despite the staggering financial incentives that came with staying. Learn more about your a

Sep 25, 2024 • 28:03

Inside the Intense Work Culture of Amazon - Part 1

Inside the Intense Work Culture of Amazon - Part 1

Ever wondered what it's really like to work at Amazon? In the first episode of our two-part season premiere, we sit down with Kristi Coulter, former Amazon executive and author of Exit Interview: The Life and Death of My Ambitious Career. Kristi pulls back the curtain on the high-pressure, high-stakes culture inside one of the world's most influential companies. From the notorious Jeff Bezos question mark emails to the iconic six-pager memos that set the tone for every meeting, Kristi shares how

Sep 18, 2024 • 52:16

How to Deal with Frenemies at Work

How to Deal with Frenemies at Work

Frenemies are a slithery and dangerous corporate species that can be found in all types of workplaces, in every industry, country, continent, or planet. Frenemies are people who pretend to be your friend, but they’re also in some ways an enemy or rival. They can be charming and very likable one minute, and then stab you in the back with a recently sharpened machete the next (ouch).A recent study found that interactions with frenemies can heighten our stress responses MORE than aversive relations

Apr 24, 2024 • 36:10

Why Work Recognition May be Better for Employers than Employees

Why Work Recognition May be Better for Employers than Employees

We discuss our latest updates (we go full LinkedIn-style bragging about our recent 2024 Ambie Nomination), we talk about our new podcast partners, and we dive deep into what studies says about work recognition, and how this practice can substantially employee behavior and employer brands.For more info about The Ambies, click here. Check out the other awesome shows of the Airwave Podcast Network!Episode Sources: The Importance of Employee Recognition: Research & Statistcs - Quantum WorkplaceWhy

Mar 13, 2024 • 24:42

Catching New Waves - Our Last Episode!

Catching New Waves - Our Last Episode!

Welcome to the finale of the Surfing Corporate Podcast, corporate surfers! For today’s very special episode, we flip the script and bring on an amazing guest-host (Surfing Corporate former guest, Christine Escribano) to interview Aileen Merciel and Glenda Pacanins in a revealing tell-all conversation á la Barbara Walters. Get ready, cause stones will be turned, skeletons will be found, and corporate secrets will be spilled, all while drinking too much champagne (please don’t tell HR).Over the la

Dec 13, 2023 • 1:35:02

Building An Unconventional Career Path: How Peggy Northrop Went From Vogue Magazine to Non-Profit CEO, Investor, and Board Advisor

Building An Unconventional Career Path: How Peggy Northrop Went From Vogue Magazine to Non-Profit CEO, Investor, and Board Advisor

We dive into the riveting journey of Peggy Northrop, a true publishing powerhouse, as she unravels the invaluable lessons acquired over 30 years in the corporate arena. From navigating the cut-throat publishing landscape in the 90s to earning her "Corporate Ph.D." under the mentorship of Vogue Magazine's Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour, Peggy swiftly ascended to the coveted role of Editor-in-Chief at prestigious publications like Reader’s Digest, More Magazine, and Sunset.In the face of unpreceden

Nov 29, 2023 • 57:21

Potential vs. Accomplishments – Why Men and Women Are Promoted Differently at Work

Potential vs. Accomplishments – Why Men and Women Are Promoted Differently at Work

A recent study at a major company found that women there were 14% LESS likely to be promoted than their male counterparts every year. Researchers found that a major factor was the fact that women were consistently judged as having lower leadership potential than men. But why and more importantly, is that finding widespread across industries?During this episode, we dive into this topic and learn more about why this happens, and how we can all do better.PoSOURCES: Women Aren’t Promoted Because Man

Nov 15, 2023 • 30:04

Creating A Work Culture That Makes People Want To Go To The Office, W/ Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerMedia

Creating A Work Culture That Makes People Want To Go To The Office, W/ Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerMedia

As more and more companies are mandating return-to-office policies to their employees (many of whom deem those mandates as unnecessary and counterproductive), workplace culture takes on more importance for employees and management alike. So, how can you balance the needs of both employees and employers?If you ask @Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at Vayner Media, employers need to step up their game and create work cultures that employees actually want to be a part of. She’s determined that, a

Nov 8, 2023 • 48:03

Surfing Corporate Quickie

Surfing Corporate Quickie

https://bmc.link/surfingcorporate Aileen and Glenda catch up on their summer vacation adventures, share updates on season 4, and somehow end up discussing the Barbie movie.Support Surfing Corporate!"Friendly reminder" that our pod is completely self-funded (and it takes A LOT of work). If you like what we do, please consider making a donation by clicking here. It would mean SO MUCH to us to be able to keep making this show.

Aug 23, 2023 • 8:00

Season 3 Finale! Epic highlights and Deep Thoughts à la Surfing Corporate

Season 3 Finale! Epic highlights and Deep Thoughts à la Surfing Corporate

We look back at the best moments of the season and also discuss hot new topics, like the current female-driven movement on social media that is making the case for women to write emails more like men (more assertive, less apologetic). We also unpack the new corporate buzzword that is giving us hives: ProcrastiWorking.FRIENDLY REMINDER! Surfing Corporate is completely self-funded, and it takes a lot of work! If you like what we do, please consider making a donation here.  It would mean SO MUCH to

Jun 14, 2023 • 40:43

Job Scams and Ghost Posts... As if The Job Search Process Wasn't Hard Enough Already

Job Scams and Ghost Posts... As if The Job Search Process Wasn't Hard Enough Already

According to the Better Business Bureau, approximately 14 million people encounter job scams annually in the U.S. alone! 😱😱In 2022, CNBC reported that Americans lost $68 million to this deceitful practice. With the rise of remote job opportunities, scammers have unlocked a whole new level of potential victims.In this episode, we tackle the very current issue of job scams, and we talk about "ghost posts" (positions that companies post on major online professional platforms, but they have no rea

May 24, 2023 • 37:46

Surfing Corporate - Especial en Español: Cómo Adaptarse al mundo Corporativo Americano Siendo Extranjero

Surfing Corporate - Especial en Español: Cómo Adaptarse al mundo Corporativo Americano Siendo Extranjero

For this week’s episode, we have a treat for our Spanish-speaking fans, since Aileen and Glenda interview our fan favorite guest, Susana Sala Bosch, but this time, 100% in her native Spanish. She’s as insightful, honest and funny as ever, and now, en español!Estamos felices de compartir nuestro primer episodio especial de Surfing Corporate. En este episodio, conversamos con Susana Sala Bosch, una ejecutiva senior con una amplia experiencia navegando exitosamente las aguas (a veces turbulentas) d

May 3, 2023 • 1:20:06

Executive Assistants: Corporate America's Secret Power Players

Executive Assistants: Corporate America's Secret Power Players

We all know that Executive Assistants perform key administrative tasks, but the scope of their role goes WAY beyond what appears on their job description. They are psychologists, secret service agents, strategists, magicians, cheerleaders and general advisors. They also have a special “chaos radar” that allows them to detect and get ahead of any potential issue before it becomes a massive mess.Their duties vary from buying multi-million dollar homes for their bosses to influencing top-level corp

Apr 26, 2023 • 36:03

The Inevitable Female Rivalry at Work: Fact or Fiction?

The Inevitable Female Rivalry at Work: Fact or Fiction?

In movies and TV shows, women in the workplace are often pitted against each other to ramp up the drama and tension among characters. Think Meryl Streep’s fabulous “Miranda Priestley” in The Devil Wears Prada. But does is this kind of “Queen Bee” behavior true in real life? Or more of an exaggeration? And f it is true, why would women sabotage other women in the workplace?During this episode, Aileen and Glenda delve into the controversial topic of workplace “Queen Bees”, discussing research on t

Apr 19, 2023 • 42:22

How to Ditch Workplace Drama with Cy Wakeman

How to Ditch Workplace Drama with Cy Wakeman

Did you know that the average employee spends nearly 2.5 hours per day in drama? Yup, we spend 150 minutes a day gossiping, tattling, withholding buy-in, and resisting change. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way. Imagine having the right tools to leave the drama ––AKA emotional waste –– behind, and instead spend your time and energy on your actual work and wellbeing.This is the goal of Cy Wakeman, a therapist accidentally turned drama researcher who is recognized for cultivating

Apr 12, 2023 • 48:22

Sleeping With Coworkers - Bonus Episode w/ People Problems

Sleeping With Coworkers - Bonus Episode w/ People Problems

Recent studies confirm that romance at the workplace is on the rise, and this is probably not the dream scenario for HR or legal. To weigh in on this topic, our friends from the People Problems podcast did a great episode we thought you'd enjoy. Hosts Alexa Baggio and Tyson MacKenzie are joined by Jon Hyman – their favorite employment lawyer – for extra laughs and his solid legal POV to review the details of HR's stickier situations. Whether the romance leads to marriage or becomes hot gos, navi

Apr 5, 2023 • 1:01:47

The Ultimate Guide to Getting Hired in 2023

The Ultimate Guide to Getting Hired in 2023

According to a recent survey by ResumeBuilder.com, 45% of job seekers say it's harder to find a job now than it was pre-pandemic. It can feel like you need a whole new set of corporate ninja skills (not to mention, patience) to navigate job hunting, resume writing, filling out online applications, pitching yourself to recruiters to see IF you're lucky enough to endure then endless rounds of interviews. Then, if you passed that gauntlet, pray you don't get ghosted by the hiring manager at the end

Mar 29, 2023 • 1:09:22

How To Leave The Corporate Path When It's All You've Ever Known

How To Leave The Corporate Path When It's All You've Ever Known

Savvy corporate players have a good chance of climbing up the corporate ladder and unlocking the achievement level of… VICP (Very Important Corporate Person). This coveted level of the work game translates into making good money, having power and influence at work, leading and inspiring teams, and flying business class, baby!Once you get to this point of corporate stardom, it’s hard to walk away. But that’s exactly what our guest did. Christine Escribano is the former SVP of One Platform Marketi

Mar 22, 2023 • 1:00:58

How Side Hustles Can Boost Your Career

How Side Hustles Can Boost Your Career

In today’s challenging economy, it’s not uncommon to find people with full time jobs adding side hustles to the equation (although not all side hustles are driven by financial reasons). A recent article by CNBC stated that a whopping 44% of Americans work a side hustle.So what does this mean for corporate America? Many bosses have expressed concern over this emerging trend, but multiple studies have shown that having a side hustle actually boosts full-time job performance.This is the case of tod

Mar 15, 2023 • 34:56

Lost in Translation: Navigating Corporate America When You Come From Abroad

Lost in Translation: Navigating Corporate America When You Come From Abroad

Navigating Corporate America isn’t easy, but if you come from a different country, it’s challenging on a whole other level. Learning cultural nuances takes up a lot of space in your professional and emotional hard drive. It’s a process that doesn’t happen overnight, and it can lead to many awkward /embarrassing “lost in translation” moments (that hopefully will be material for laughter later on. Or therapy. Or both).During this episode, we speak with Susana Sala Bosch, a C-Suite level leader in

Mar 8, 2023 • 46:21

Corporate Tsunamis Part 2: Surviving Mergers & Acquisitions

Corporate Tsunamis Part 2: Surviving Mergers & Acquisitions

If you work for a company that gets acquired by a bigger company, work the way you knew it is probably going to change. Experts state that Adaptability Quotient (the capacity to adapt to new ways of thinking and letting go of old habits) is crucial if you want to keep your job during a transition phase.For today’s episode, we talk with Jordan Stratton, Editor and Social Media Manager for The Dad, the #1 Most Engaged Family Media Brand on the internet. Jordan also writes, shoots, and produces The

Mar 1, 2023 • 52:45

Corporate Tsunamis Part I: How to Survive When New Leadership Takes Over Your Company

Corporate Tsunamis Part I: How to Survive When New Leadership Takes Over Your Company

In this first episode of a two-part discussion, Glenda and Aileen tackle a topic that affects many employees at some point in their careers--the corporate tsunami--that incredibly stressful period of time when new leadership takes over the company, and nobody is quite sure what is going to happen next. From restructuring to layoffs, from being demoted to being promoted (or perhaps even being escorted off of the premises for a dramatic flare), practically anything goes in unpredictable times like

Feb 22, 2023 • 26:59

HR That Says F*ck! (And Other Things)

HR That Says F*ck! (And Other Things)

Real talk about corporate life doesn’t get more real than this. Our guests are outspoken leaders in the HR space, and they’re also the co-hosts of the popular “People Problems” podcast. Alexa Baggio and Tyson McKenzie tell us with zero sugar coating what HR gets wrong, what people get wrong about HR, why we need to stop treating employees like children, and why “feces revenge” is a thing at work. (Yes, you read that right). You can follow Alexa Baggio on LinkedIn and on Instagram as @theinfluenc

Feb 15, 2023 • 52:00

Season 3- Trailer

Season 3- Trailer

Surfing Corporate is back for its third season, starting February 15th!

Feb 6, 2023 • 2:45

Part 2 - S.O.S Why Burnout is Increasing and Why Leaders Don't Seem to Notice

Part 2 - S.O.S Why Burnout is Increasing and Why Leaders Don't Seem to Notice

For part 2 of our conversation about burnout with Dr. Kim Hollingdale, we discuss how corporate America has historically rewarded behaviors that lead to burnout, and how leaders today can shift that mentality without sacrificing commitment and quality work from their employees. An unexpectedly entertaining episode despite the seriousness of the subject!EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS The role leaderships plays in mitigating burnout (03:45) How companies can save and make money if they have a culture low on b

Nov 21, 2022 • 32:44

S.O.S.  Why Burnout is Increasing and Why Leaders Don't Seem to Notice – Part 1

S.O.S. Why Burnout is Increasing and Why Leaders Don't Seem to Notice – Part 1

Everyone is talking about burnout these days, and although it’s not a new concept, it certainly has gained exponential fame and recognition in the past few years ––like Zendaya or Harry Styles.Corporate America has thrived for decades on cultures that reward behaviors that lead to burnout, so how do we shift this mentality?To tackle this timely topic, we invited Dr. Kim Hollingdale, an executive psychotherapist and performance coach who helps people experiencing burnout find their love for work

Nov 16, 2022 • 39:41

Building a Strong Culture in Hybrid & Remote Work Environments (Not Easy-Peasy, But Doable)

Building a Strong Culture in Hybrid & Remote Work Environments (Not Easy-Peasy, But Doable)

To our amazing Surfing Corporate Listeners: we want to know who you are ( not in a creepy way). Fill out this quick survey here and you might win our sweet Surfing Corporate swag bag! ----When Covid hit, having to adapt from in-person dynamics to being fully remote from one day to the next put corporate citizens to the test in countless ways. But as hard as this process was, it was also an opportunity for leaders to throw default practices outside the window and question what could be done in a

Nov 2, 2022 • 48:23

Performance Reviews - How to Nail Those Tricky Bastards

Performance Reviews - How to Nail Those Tricky Bastards

Performance reviews are usually not employees' favorite part of their corporate jobs (and that's putting it mildly). Going through this process can be tough on both employees and team leaders, and the experience can leave people feeling disappointed and frustrated. However, if it's done well, the performance review process can really benefit both the employee and the team (what a concept!).On today's episode (which originally aired in season one), we speak with Christine Coppola, a true rock sta

Oct 26, 2022 • 56:53

What Makes Bosses Awesome - What the Research and Employees Say

What Makes Bosses Awesome - What the Research and Employees Say

Being a great boss is not easy; it’s a delicate and complicated act of balancing abilities like,• Being incredibly inspiring, but at the same time highly down to Earth and approachable• Having a special demeanor that says, “I’m understanding and humane, yet I’ll hold your ass accountable if you take advantage of that.”• Being a good listener who at the same time won’t be easily manipulated• Caring deeply about the people on your team, but also caring about hitting KPI’s and delivering results fo

Oct 19, 2022 • 33:19

Layoffs - Part 2: How To Move Forward If You Were On the Hit list and How to Handle Survivors Guilt If You Weren’t

Layoffs - Part 2: How To Move Forward If You Were On the Hit list and How to Handle Survivors Guilt If You Weren’t

Did you know that 40% of Americans have been laid off or terminated from a job at least once in their careers, and 28% of Americans have been laid off in the past two years alone?For this second part of our layoff special, we discuss what the experts suggest you do to better cope with being let go and how to successfully move on to your next professional chapter. While things may seem quite gloomy at the time (and you might find yourself binging heart-wrenching Adele and Radiohead playlists), th

Oct 12, 2022 • 42:35

LAYOFFS: When Your Company Says the Dreaded, “It’s not You, It’s Me” (Part 1 of 2)

LAYOFFS: When Your Company Says the Dreaded, “It’s not You, It’s Me” (Part 1 of 2)

Have you ever been laid off? Or had an awesome coworker get laid off? Or perhaps YOU were the one that had to lay employees off. If you haven't experienced any of these scenarios, then you’re lucky, because unless you live under a rock, you’re probably aware that layoffs are happening across multiple industries right now. UGH. It’s an extremely difficult experience for companies, for leaders, and, especially, for the employees actually being laid off.For this episode, we tackle the layoff topic

Sep 21, 2022 • 34:04

The Secret to Handling "Difficult" People at Work (When Yoga, Meditation, and CBD Aren't Enough)

The Secret to Handling "Difficult" People at Work (When Yoga, Meditation, and CBD Aren't Enough)

Fill out this quick survey for a chance to win a Surfing Corporate swag bag, that will make your life instantly better. -----In every office, there’s at least one person who intentionally makes everything more difficult than necessary; people who thrive on conflict, stir up drama, and exude negative vibes. They could be a colleague, a client, or even your boss. *Cue Law & Order SVU’s DUN DUN effect*A big part of being successful in a corporate job is having the skill set to handle these challeng

Sep 14, 2022 • 35:17

How to Enjoy LinkedIn by Not Being an Insufferable Narcissist

How to Enjoy LinkedIn by Not Being an Insufferable Narcissist

LinkedIn is the world's most popular professional social network where its community shares important ideas about work. It’s also a platform where some professionals feel the constant need to let others know they’ve been promoted, that they’re connected to very powerful and influential people, and that they’re “thrilled for this amazing opportunity to ___________ (insert corporate phrase).” But today’s guest does NONE OF THIS. Dave Smith is a Software Development manager at Amazon who decided to

Sep 7, 2022 • 59:04

Rejoining Corporate after a Long Hiatus (Thoughts and Prayers Appreciated)

Rejoining Corporate after a Long Hiatus (Thoughts and Prayers Appreciated)

Picture this: you're the young and trendy person at the office, enjoying the start of your career and taking on all sorts of challenges, but you decide to put your career on pause to raise a family. Flash-forward ten years, and you decide to re-enter the workforce only to discover that everything has radically changed--from corporate jargon, tech and productivity app to the fact that you now feel like you're the dinosaur in the room. Pretty brutal.That's what happened to this episode's guest, Ra

Jul 20, 2022 • 40:21

The Brutal Truth About Using Brutal Honesty at Work

The Brutal Truth About Using Brutal Honesty at Work

Have you ever been brutally honest with a coworker or an employee? Or do you tend to sugarcoat difficult conversations like a Starbucks Triple Caramel Frappuccino with whipped cream and sprinkles? For today’s episode we tackle the concepts of brutal honesty, radical transparency, and radical candor. We do a deep dive into what they really mean, where they came from, which leaders implement them “correctly”, and what type of outcome they lead to. RESOURCES Coinbase reportedly wants staff to rate

Jul 13, 2022 • 34:26

Navigating Today's Tricky MultiGenerational Workplace

Navigating Today's Tricky MultiGenerational Workplace

For the first time in history, four generations -Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, Millennials, and Gen Zers -are co-working together and making things more complicated, they are navigating an unprecedented post-pandemic work and workplace experience. Spoiler alert: it’s not easy. Each one of these generations is very different, with very particular needs, motivations, triggers, and sensitivities.For this episode, we decided to have a panel so we can hear directly from representatives of these generations

Jul 6, 2022 • 52:58

How Choosing the Least Obvious Path Led Her to Become a Global Chief People Officer

How Choosing the Least Obvious Path Led Her to Become a Global Chief People Officer

What happens when instead of planning a career path, you’re open to saying yes to opportunities that could sound slightly insane to others? This mind-set is what led our guest, Cristina Espejo, to leave the comfort of her hometown in Madrid, Spain, and accept work offers in Taiwan and Angola at a very young age.These uncommon choices (for a young recent college graduate) plus Cristina’s fearless attitude led her from being a sales and marketing professional, to her discover her true passion: Hum

Jun 29, 2022 • 48:11

•	Why Humor at Work Should be Taken Very Seriously

• Why Humor at Work Should be Taken Very Seriously

Despite the standard acceptable corporate behaviors (being proper, polite, serious), recent studies conclude that using humor at work leads to more engagement, productivity, and trust. Glenda and Aileen dive into the research and provide examples of why using humor and embracing levity at work can help you in your career. Our guest is a senior director of operations who started her career as an intern at MTV, and despite climbing up the corporate ladder, has maintained her dark sense of humor an

Jun 22, 2022 • 47:43

The Rise of Impostor Syndrome: A Villain Lurking in the Shadows? Or a Badass SuperPower?

The Rise of Impostor Syndrome: A Villain Lurking in the Shadows? Or a Badass SuperPower?

Research shows that 70% of people experience impostor syndrome at some point in their lives. We talk about its negative consequences, but also, how having impostor syndrome can actually help you if you know how to channel it properly.Our guest is Kira Copperman, a board-certified executive coach and keynote speaker who has built quite the expertise on this topic. Her clients include major corporations such as The New York Times, CBS, American Express, Viacom, ING Americas, AIG, Citigroup and Ska

Jun 15, 2022 • 40:13

Does Your Team Have Psychological Safety? Unpacking This Hot Corporate Concept.

Does Your Team Have Psychological Safety? Unpacking This Hot Corporate Concept.

We talk with Dr. Stav Fainshmidt (professor of Strategy and Business at the College of Business of FIU­) about the hot topic of psychological safety at work and how we can take action to make our work environments a space where we can give our honest opinions without fear of retaliation.- Resources discussed in this episode: The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth, by Amy C. Edmonson Adam Grant’s WorkLife podcast episode “Is

Jun 8, 2022 • 47:18

Season 2 Trailer - Surfing Corporate

Season 2 Trailer - Surfing Corporate

We're back! Surfing Corporate returns for its second season June 8th.

Jun 3, 2022 • 2:44

BONUS episode. What You Need to Know About Burnout

BONUS episode. What You Need to Know About Burnout

Aileen and Glenda talk about the upcoming Season 2 of Surfing Corporate, and they share an episode from the podcast "She Knows The Way,"with Lara Dalch about the hot topic of burnout. (You can find more episodes of She Knows the Way here or wherever you listen to podcasts.)_“I called my boss Nick in tears…I had been a top performer most of my life and here I felt like I was completely drowning. But I felt shame. I felt like somehow this burnout I was experiencing was because I was mentally weak,

Apr 25, 2022 • 37:13

Performance Reviews Part 2 - How to Nail These Tricky Bastards (Season 1 Finale)

Performance Reviews Part 2 - How to Nail These Tricky Bastards (Season 1 Finale)

For the Season Finale of Surfing Corporate, we talk with Christine, an HR Vice President with 15 years of experience who worked 8 years at Yale and is currently at a global media company in the area of Corporate Functions. Christine gives the best actionable advice we’ve ever heard about how to tackle performance reviews if you're a manager and/or an employee.Here are a few key moments of the show:06:20 We share cool stats about where performance reviews should be headed and get Christine’s opin

Dec 8, 2021 • 1:01:48

Performance Reviews - Powered by Satan

Performance Reviews - Powered by Satan

Aileen and Glenda tackle the dreaded topic of performance reviews in a way that is –– against all odds–– interesting and entertaining. Their research shines a light on HOW and WHY performance reviews were created in the first place, how they’ve evolved since then, and where they’re headed now in this weird COVID era.Don’t miss this episode that can be a definite icebreaker for your next awkward meeting.You can dive deeper into the article we discussed during this episode by clicking on this link

Dec 1, 2021 • 21:06

How to Handle Corporate Politics Without Losing Your Soul (Entirely).

How to Handle Corporate Politics Without Losing Your Soul (Entirely).

Office politics are the unwritten rules that determine who gets what, when, and how--and who the hell doesn’t. Deciphering these unwritten rules of corporate politics isn’t easy, but the fact is, there’s no way around them. To better your chances at long-term corporate survival, you have to learn how to play the game. In this episode of Surfing Corporate, we talk with Frank Sutera, a veteran corporate surfer who began as a producer in Hollywood and then landed a corporate job as Executive Direct

Nov 17, 2021 • 32:13

Pivoting From the Corporate Path – How Joel Willis Went From Praised IT Leader to Editor in Chief of THE DAD

Pivoting From the Corporate Path – How Joel Willis Went From Praised IT Leader to Editor in Chief of THE DAD

Joel Willis is the Editor in Chief of "The Dad", one of the biggest digital parenting brands in the US, with over 15M followers across its social media platforms. But Joel actually started his career with a corporate job as an IT leader at one of the most high-profile, top tier Fortune 500 companies in the world. Despite a true passion for Excel and spreadsheets (yes, that’s a thing for some people), he decided that the corporate life he had carefully created for himself was no longer what he wa

Nov 10, 2021 • 44:32

Chief Operating Officer: The Role That Makes Sh*t Happen

Chief Operating Officer: The Role That Makes Sh*t Happen

You can find John Knotts' definition of the role of the COO hereMore info on the legendary Ian Schrager (one of Heide's first bosses and mentors) here

Nov 3, 2021 • 28:18

Corporate Horror Stories

Corporate Horror Stories

In the spirit of Halloween, this episode is all about corporate horror stories, when things take an unexpected turn and go very, VERY wrong. We’ve all been there, either as the main protagonist of a horrible/ embarrassing event, or as a witness to one. For this episode, fellow corporate surfers share their tales of workplace horror that will make you cringe, laugh, and hopefully feel better about anything appalling that you’ve been through.

Oct 27, 2021 • 41:46

A Corporate Marriage Story (Not Starring Scarlett Johansson or Adam Driver, But Just as Dramatic)

A Corporate Marriage Story (Not Starring Scarlett Johansson or Adam Driver, But Just as Dramatic)

Sometimes you can be a stellar corporate employee and prove your worth over and over a long period of time, yet, things may still not work out how you’d hoped they would. Long-term relationships can be fulfilling, challenging, character-building or heartbreaking. But the undisputed truth is that they’ll make you learn a lot about yourself. Our guest, Maria Aleandra Rodriguez, former senior director of marketing for a TV network, has lived through it all after spending 15 years climbing up the co

Oct 20, 2021 • 31:24

Top 8 Toxic Bosses

Top 8 Toxic Bosses

It’s no surprise to anyone that there are many different types of bosses. Some of them love being nurturing mentors, others are more of the tough-love type, and a few of them might even be full-blown sociopaths. In honor of National Boss Day, we’ve created a special episode where we deep dive into Surfing Corporate’s Top 8 Toxic Bosses, and offer survival strategies for to those who work each one of them. After their 20+ years of working in corporate, Aileen and Glenda open up to share their own

Oct 13, 2021 • 51:34

The Delicate Art of Corporate Communications

The Delicate Art of Corporate Communications

Corporate Communications professionals are critical to the success of a corporation. They are responsible for crafting those smoothly written memos and press releases that make a company and its leaders look better than they really are (like a beautifying Instagram filter). They also handle the employee-facing communications. In this episode, we talk with Michelle Alban, Vice President of Communications and Global Impact for a global media company, and she doesn’t hold back on the strategies she

Sep 30, 2021 • 39:51

Opening The HR Black Box

Opening The HR Black Box

Human Resources is the one department that EVERY SINGLE employee interacts with. There’s no escaping HR (and they have no way to escape the employees either). For Episode 3, we speak with Jennifer Mohammed, a Human Resources Director, and ask what it’s like being an HR person, what goes on behind the curtains, and we dive into some of the delicate questions people want to know but are afraid to ask.

Sep 30, 2021 • 34:27

Surfing Corporate Trailer

Surfing Corporate Trailer

The Surfing Corporate Podcast tackles the themes and issues of corporate life with a humorous and relatable point of view. Created by former corporate executives who have experienced first-hand what really goes on behind fancy corporate doors (and have a slightly evil sense of humor,) this podcast aims to entertain as well as provide practical advice to employees who are currently navigating turbulent corporate waters.

Sep 27, 2021 • 3:21

Being Authentic at Work: Good Luck with That Sh*t

Being Authentic at Work: Good Luck with That Sh*t

Surfing Corporate shines an honest light on the everyday hardships of the corporate world, through a relatable and entertaining lens. In our first episode, we tackle the topic of "authenticity at the workplace." It seems like authenticity is the new “hype” word these days. It’s suddenly become one of many company’s core values –– it appears in big graphic letters on the company’s orientation video; it’s highlighted in all of the fancy corporate decks; CEOs love to throw the word “AUTHENTIC” arou

Sep 17, 2021 • 31:30

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