We’ve all seen the emails that start with "Now more than ever, we need to talk about wellness." But whose problem is it really?

IN THIS EPISODE

Lars and Aparna are joined by Hebba Youssef, Chief People Officer at Workweek and founder of the "I Hate It Here" newsletter. We’re digging into the $60 billion workplace wellness industry to ask: Are meditation apps and sound baths actually helping, or are they just cheap bandaid solutions that allow companies to avoid fixing structural problems? Hebba shares her raw experience navigating grief and EAPs, the dark side of workplace "weight loss challenges," and why "burnout" is often just a corporate rebrand for workplace depression.

THE QUESTION WE'RE SITTING WITH

Why are wellness programs being used more by managers and not individual contributors? And is it a "benefit" if doesn't change how people experience work?

TAKE THIS WITH YOU

• The "CPO of the People" Standard: Why tiered benefits (where executives get better care than hourly or salaried workers) are a moral system set up to fail.
• Destigmatize the Calendar: Follow the lead of founders who put therapy sessions publicly on their calendars to signal that taking care of yourself is part of the job.
• Exhaustion is Data: Reframe your burnout. If the system is making you sick, the problem isn't your "lack of resilience"—it’s a lack of reciprocity.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• I Hate It Here — Hebba Youssef’s HR newsletter - https://hateithere.co/
• Maintenance Phase — A podcast exploring the flaws in the wellness industry - https://www.maintenancephase.com/
• Minda Harts — Author of The Memo, discussed regarding trust in the workplace - https://www.mindaharts.com/

CONNECT WITH US

Visit us at https://www.circleback.club/

Aparna on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aparnarae; aparnarae.com

Lars on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lars-gallien; https://www.larsgallien.com/

Corporate professionalism is often a tool used to isolate us from our coworkers and the world. It’s time to bridge the gap.

IN THIS EPISODE

Aparna and Lars are joined by tech veteran Glenn Block and organizer Abdo Mohamed to dismantle the insistent "professionalism" that prevents us from building meaningful solidarity. We explore the concept of Cross-Class Solidarity - the radical idea that whether you make $60k or $600k, we have more in common with each other than with the corporate structures that stifle our humanity. Abdo shares his experience being fired by Microsoft after organizing a vigil for Gaza, and Glenn discusses the "awakening" that happens when white-collar workers realize their technology is being used to facilitate global harm. This episode is an invitation to stop "keeping the peace" and start building power across the factory floor and the tech campus.

THE QUESTION WE'RE SITTING WITH

When the system is designed to isolate you to keep you compliant, what small move can you make today to reconnect with the collective?

TAKE THIS WITH YOU

• Politicize Your Labor: Understand that your daily tasks - whether coding or data entry - are connected to larger global systems of extraction or empowerment.
• Talk to "Everyone" as a Coworker: Break the hierarchy by building relationships with culinary staff, data center workers, and contractors; we all work for the same machine.
• Reject Purity Politics: Don’t let the fear of not doing "everything" stop you from doing "something." Any small action is better than doomscrolling in isolation.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• No Azure for Apartheid — A campaign demanding ethical cloud and AI contracts - https://noazureforapartheid.com/
• Tech for Palestine — A community of tech workers organizing for liberation - https://techforpalestine.org/
• Empire of AI by Karen Hao — A book exploring the colonial roots of modern AI - https://bookshop.org/p/books/empire-of-ai-dreams-and-nightmares-in-sam-altman-s-openai-karen-hao/de10c251433f34d2?ean=9780593657522&next=t&next=t&prhc=PRHEFFDF5A7F1
• CODE-CWA & EWOC — Resources for labor organizing and worker training https://code-cwa.org/ | https://workerorganizing.org/

CONNECT WITH US

Circle Back Club: http://circleback.club/

Aparna on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aparnarae

Lars on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lars-gallien

Email us: pod@circleback.club

The Myth of Self-Advocacy: Beyond the Girl Boss Industrial Complex

We did everything the playbook told us to do—the salary negotiations, the networking, the "leaning in." Why are we still hitting a wall?

IN THIS EPISODE Aparna and Lars are joined by technologist and community builder Hala Saleh to dismantle the myth of self-advocacy. We look back at the era of the "Girl Boss" and the "Queen Bee" to ask: Is individual advancement enough when the system itself is designed to exhaust us? Hala introduces us to mutual aid at work as a survival strategy, moving from "advocating for myself" to "building for each other." From "ghost" job postings to the hierarchy of reciprocity, this episode is a roadmap for those ready to trade professional isolation for collective power.

THE QUESTION WE'RE SITTING WITH When the system is designed to exhaust you individually, what does it mean to win together?

TAKE THIS WITH YOU

• Identify the Reciprocity Gap: Burnout often stems from a lack of reciprocity - where you give 150% and receive only "pennies" in return.
• Hire Your Friends: If you have the power to make spending decisions, use that resource to provide work for those in your community who need it.
• Speak the Name: Commit to speaking someone’s name in a room where they deserve to be acknowledged, recommended, or promoted.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Ya Hala — Hala’s community space built around connection and care - https://www.yahalaseattle.com/
• Entitled by Kate Manne — A look at gender dynamics and the pressure on women to "give" without receiving - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608442/entitled-by-kate-manne/
• Tech for Palestine & UpScrolled — Examples of alternative platforms built on collective care - https://techforpalestine.org/ | https://upscrolled.com/en/

CONNECT WITH US

Visit us at https://www.circleback.club/

Hala: https://www.linkedin.com/in/halasaleh/; https://halasaleh.substack.com/

Aparna on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aparnarae; aparnarae.com

Lars on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lars-gallien; https://www.larsgallien.com/

We’ve been taught to treat our bodies as mere vehicles that carry our brains to the next meeting, but our soma is actually our most reliable intelligence system.

IN THIS EPISODE Aparna and Lars are joined by master somatic coach Giulio Brunini to discuss the profound consequences of overriding our physical signals for the sake of corporate performance. We dive into why "restless toes" and autoimmune flares are often the body’s way of writing a diary of our stress before our minds even recognize the burnout. Giulio shares his transition from the high-pressure world of global advertising to somatic coaching, explaining how leaders can unlearn the "numbing" that got them promoted and instead develop the inner stability needed to lead with presence. This is a slower, intentional conversation about recovering our humanity in a world that asks us to muscle through everything.

THE QUESTION WE'RE SITTING WITH What is your body trying to tell you that your mind isn't yet willing to hear?

TAKE THIS WITH YOU

• The One-Minute Breath Count: Set a timer for one minute and count how many normal inhales and exhales you take. Knowing your "number" makes meditation feel accessible even during a busy workday.
• Notice the "Inconvenience": Pay attention to the physical sensations that arise when you are avoiding a difficult conversation; embodiment often surfaces the truths that are inconvenient for the ego but necessary for growth.
• The Laptop Pause: Before you open your laptop in the morning, take three intentional breaths and notice one sensation in your body—no fixing, just saying hello.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Giulio Brunini — Master Somatic Coach specializing in embodied leadership - https://www.giuliobrunini.com/about-giulio-brunini
• The Strozzi Institute — An institute for somatics and leadership. - https://strozziinstitute.org/
• Dr. Gabor Maté — Researcher and author discussed regarding the link between stress and autoimmune disorders - https://drgabormate.com/

CONNECT WITH US

Visit us at https://www.circleback.club/

Aparna on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aparnarae; aparnarae.com

Lars on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lars-gallien; https://www.larsgallien.com/

Want to bring this conversation into your organization? Aparna and Lars speak at HR conferences, Fortune 1000 ERGs, and philanthropic foundations. pod@circleback.club

We’ve rebranded workplace depression as "burnout" and personal failure, but the data shows the harm is actually by design.

IN THIS EPISODE

Aparna and Lars are joined by organizational psychologist Dr. Nicole DeKay to go where most U.S. workplace conversations are afraid to go: Psychosocial Hazards. While countries like Australia and New Zealand legally regulate things like "intrusive surveillance," "overload," and "poor change management," the U.S. remains a global outlier in worker neglect. We break down the "Vitality Curve" - a Jack Welch-era relic that forces managers to fire 10% of their team regardless of performance - and why PIPs (Performance Improvement Plans) have become a gaslighting tool to document layoffs. This isn’t about needing more "grit" or a better gratitude journal; it’s about naming the systemic conditions that cause measurable physical and psychological harm.

THE QUESTION WE'RE SITTING WITH

If the U.S. is one of the wealthiest nations on Earth, why do we have fewer legal protections against workplace trauma than almost any of our global peers?

TAKE THIS WITH YOU

• Identify the Hazard: Review the 17 global psychosocial hazards (like low job control or high emotional labor) and identify which one is currently triggering your body’s stress response.
• Question the PIP: If you or a colleague are put on a PIP out of nowhere, recognize it for what it often is—a liability-driven documentation tool—and prioritize your exit strategy over your "performance."
• Break the Isolation: Talk to one trusted coworker about a specific work condition that feels untenable; breaking the "hyper-isolation" of the U.S. workplace is the first step toward collective power.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Labor Rights Index — WageIndicator Foundation - https://wageindicator.org/work/labour-law/index/
• Humanalysts — Dr. Nicole DeKay’s platform for democratizing employee data - https://www.humanalysts.com/
• The Vitality Curve — The controversial "rank and yank" management practice popularized by GE - https://www.business.com/articles/the-end-of-rank-and-yank-management-practices-revisited/

CONNECT WITH US

Visit us at https://www.circleback.club/

Nicole on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolejdekay/

Aparna on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aparnarae; aparnarae.com

Lars on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lars-gallien; http://larsgallien.com/

Want to bring this conversation into your organization? Aparna and Lars speak at HR conferences, Fortune 1000 ERGs, and philanthropic foundations. pod@circleback.club

We all sign a contract letter when we enter the office, but most of the rules are never actually written down.

Explore the hidden unwritten rules of the office with Aparna, Lars, and Leilani Lewis. We break down the "psychological contracts" that demand your silence and performative loyalty. Learn how to reclaim your dignity and rebuild collective power at work.

IN THIS EPISODE Aparna and Lars are joined by arts leader and organization transformation practitioner Leilani Lewis to break down the implicit behaviors and unwritten rules that govern our lives as white-collar workers. We dig into the "psychological contracts" we navigate every day—from who takes the notes in meetings to why your boss might think taking a full lunch break is a sign of disloyalty. It’s a conversation about pulling ourselves out of individual survival mode and recognizing that silence isn't just a habit; it’s a corrosive social contract we have the power to change. We’re looking at what happens when we stop seeing our coworkers as competition and start building a collective sense of dignity instead.

THE QUESTION WE'RE SITTING WITH Is the unwritten "contract" you've made with your organization actually protecting you, or is it just demanding your silence?

TAKE THIS WITH YOU

• Audit the "Implicit": This week, identify one behavior you engage in at work solely because of an unwritten expectation— like note-taking —and notice the impact it has on your energy.
• Talk About the Norms: Get curious with a trusted colleague and ask them directly, "Do you see me as competition?" to start breaking the cycle of atomized performance.
• Prioritize Work Friendship: Make a conscious effort to be a friend to someone at work today; having even one close friend in the trenches is directly correlated to better long-term health and mental wellbeing.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• "A New Optimization Opportunity" - An email exchange between "Eric F" and "Brenda" widely circulated on Reddit regarding lunch break optics. - https://www.reddit.com/r/SipsTea/comments/1rgaa0w/are_we/
• Sam Altman & OpenAI - Discussion regarding the ethical standards and energy consumption of AI models. - https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/feb/23/sam-altman-openai-energy-use-datacenters
• Leilani Lewis - Award-winning arts leader, writer, and seasoned DEI practitioner. - https://www.leilanilewis.com/

CONNECT WITH US

Circle Back Club https://www.circleback.club/

Aparna on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aparnarae

Lars on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lars-gallien

Want to bring this conversation into your organization? Aparna and Lars speak at HR conferences, Fortune 1000 ERGs, and philanthropic foundations. pod@circleback.club

New episodes every week. Follow Circle Back Club so you never miss one.

Fear of losing it all

The Invisible Tax of White-Collar Security

We often trade our silence and our values for the promise of a steady paycheck, but we have to ask if the thing we are protecting is actually protecting us back.

IN THIS EPISODE

Aparna and Lars sit down with Dr. Dalya Perez to name the heavy, invisible cost of staying "inside the lines" of corporate America. We dig into why white-collar security often feels like a "deal" that demands our silence, especially when it comes to toxic dynamics, racism, or global crises. From the exhausting performance of annual reviews to the "camp counselor" vibe of corporate ERGs, we’re looking at how competition is used to divide us from the very people we should be building power with. This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt "golden handcuffs" tightening and is ready to stop making their career a solo mission of survival.

THE QUESTION WE'RE SITTING WITH

What does it feel like to work inside an environment where you feel you can't afford to speak up about what is true, real and observable?

TAKE THIS WITH YOU

• Reclaim the Origin Story: Build five minutes into your next one-on-one to ask a colleague about their roots and share your own, shifting the focus from the bottom line to authentic human connection.
• Audit Your "Strategic" Silence: Notice when you use the word "strategic" as a stand-in for feeling worried or scared to speak your mind.
• The Collective Security Dream: Gather three friends and ask: "If we looked at our financial security as a shared responsibility, what different moves would we be willing to take in our careers?"

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Uncompete — Ruchika Tulshyan Malhotra: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/753092/uncompete-by-ruchika-t-malhotra/
• Dr. Dalya Perez — A DEI leader and scholar specializing in building inclusive cultures: https://linkedin.com/in/dalyaperez
• Catalyst — A global nonprofit focused on accelerating progress for women through workplace inclusion: https://www.catalyst.org/
• Sisterhood Initiative at University of Washington — A program dedicated to supporting undergraduate women of color through community and mentorship: https://uwsisterhoodinitiative.org/

CONNECT WITH US

Aparna on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aparnarae

Lars on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lars-gallien

Want to bring this conversation into your organization? Aparna and Lars speak at HR conferences, Fortune 1000 ERGs, and philanthropic foundations. pod@circleback.club

New episodes every week. Follow Circle Back Club so you never miss one.