Épisodes

  • The New Year Reset: Delete Your HR Tech and Start Over with William Tincup | Workplace Weirdness S2 E9

    The New Year Reset: Delete Your HR Tech and Start Over with William Tincup | Workplace Weirdness S2 E9
    Jan 7 2026
    What happens when someone actually tells the truth about Human Resources, recruiting, and HR tech? In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, Maya Kadar Kovalsky sits down with HR industry truth-teller William Tincup for an honest, open and unfiltered conversation about feedback, broken HR systems, AI hype, onboarding failures, and why most HR tech is solving last year’s problems. William shares why he once told a founder to delete their entire product, why positive feedback is overrated, and why HR leaders don’t care how your tech works- only whether it works. We cover: Why unsolicited feedback is often useless The real problem with HR tech and AI What onboarding should actually feel like Why skills now expire faster than milk How leaders should think about talent, growth, and discomfort If you work in HR, lead people, sell HR tech, or just enjoy uncomfortable workplace truths- this one’s for you. Subscribe for more conversations about the weird, wonderful, and wildly human side of work. In This Episode: [00:00] Introduction to William Tincup [01:08] Unpopular Opinions in HR Tech [03:29] The Reality of Workforce Planning [14:28] Listener Question #1: Transactional Office Friends [17:24] Listener Question #2: Feeling Left Behind [20:40] Cringeworthy Question: Onboarding Woes [24:18] Conclusion and Farewell William Tincup Website - https://wrkdefined.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/williamtincup Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/williamtincup/reels/?hl=en Maya Kadar Kovalsky Website - ⁠⁠https://www.mayakadar.com/⁠⁠ LinkedIn - ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/⁠⁠ Workplace Weirdness Email: ⁠⁠info@workplace-weirdness.com⁠⁠ SpeakPipe - ⁠⁠http://speakpipe.com/workplaceweirdness⁠⁠ Website - ⁠⁠http://workplace-weirdness.com⁠⁠ Instagram - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/workplaceweirdpod/⁠⁠ 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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    26 min
  • Why Ace Hardware Should’ve Failed (But Doesn’t) with Kane Calamari | Workplace Weirdness S2 E8

    Why Ace Hardware Should’ve Failed (But Doesn’t) with Kane Calamari | Workplace Weirdness S2 E8
    Dec 24 2025
    If your workplace runs on “vibes” and surprise criticism in Q4… congrats, you’ve unlocked the bad timeline. In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, Kane Calamari breaks down what real leadership, employee engagement, and HR strategy look like inside Ace Hardware, a company he says “should be failing,” and yet keeps winning. We cover retail culture, co-op business models, leadership development, succession planning, retention strategy, and how to build trust with ongoing feedback instead of annual blindsides. Kane also shares how AI tools are already changing frontline work and why human leadership still matters most when cultures collide, teams merge, and communication breaks down (looking at you, Slack screenshots). Hit the like, share and subscribe buttons for more conversations about workplace culture, HR leadership, management, career growth, and the weird stuff that makes you say: “there’s no way this happened at work.” But it did. In This Episode [00:00] A Special Connection at a Hardware Store [01:13] Introduction to Kane Calamari [02:13] Ace Hardware's Unique Business Model [05:05] The Role of CHRO at Ace Hardware [06:07] Lessons Learned in Leadership [09:10] Weirdest Workplace Moment: The Drunk Futurist Incident [13:06] Week in Work: AI's Impact on Retail Jobs [17:07] Listener Question #1: Performance Review Blindsides [19:53] Listener Question #2: Company Culture Fusion [23:06] Cringeworthy Question: Slack Message Mishap [27:10] Closing Remarks and Holiday Wishes Resources and Links Kane Calamari LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kane-calamari-53268014 Website - https://newsroom.acehardware.com/kane-calamari/ Maya Kadar Kovalsky Website - https://www.mayakadar.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/ Workplace Weirdness Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com SpeakPipe - http://speakpipe.com/workplaceweirdness Website - http://workplace-weirdness.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/workplaceweirdpod/ 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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    30 min
  • AI, Holiday Party Fails, & the Future of Work: Are You Ready? with Jacob Morgan | Workplace Weirdness S2 E7

    AI, Holiday Party Fails, & the Future of Work: Are You Ready? with Jacob Morgan | Workplace Weirdness S2 E7
    Dec 10 2025
    Do office holiday parties still have a place in today’s workplace? And what happens when AI is put in charge of planning your office festivities? Spoiler alert: things can get a little chaotic! We’ll dive into the dos and don’ts of office holiday parties, including the biggest mistakes employees make (hint: drinking too much and kissing colleagues are just the beginning). In this hilarious and insightful episode of Workplace Weirdness, we explore the intersection of AI, holiday parties, and the evolving workplace culture. We sit down with Jacob Morgan, a futurist, leadership expert, and author, to discuss how AI is reshaping office dynamics and what that means for both employees and employers. We also talk about AI’s impact on the future of work and how employees and leaders should navigate this tech-driven evolution. From AI-generated tasks to employee well-being, we explore the balance between automation and authentic connections in the workplace. Is AI a threat to company culture, or is it the future of employee productivity? This episode will help you remain future-ready as we head into the new year, whether you’re navigating the challenges of flexible work arrangements, AI technology, or workplace culture shifts. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of Workplace Weirdness! Also, share it with your coworkers who might need a good laugh and some insights into the world of office oddities. In This Episode: [0:00] Introduction to Jacob Morgan: Futurist and Author [01:22] Understanding the Role of a Futurist [02:52] AI and the Future of Work [07:11] The Debate on Remote Work [09:50] The Coffee Incident: A Career Turning Point [12:05] Advice from CEOs: Taking Initiative [13:03] Weekly Workplace Trends: Holiday Party Don'ts [14:57] Listener Question #1: ADHD Accommodations [20:37] Listener Question #2: Email Overload [23:42] Cringeworthy Question: Religion at Office Parties [25:52] Conclusion and Farewell Resources and Links Jacob Morgan Books - https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00703V3WO LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobmorgan8 Website - https://thefutureorganization.com/about/ Maya Kadar Kovalsky Website - https://www.mayakadar.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/ Workplace Weirdness Email: info@workplace-weirdness.com SpeakPipe - http://speakpipe.com/workplaceweirdness Website - http://workplace-weirdness.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/workplaceweirdpod/ 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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    27 min
  • The Biggest Mistake Companies Make in Hiring with Lou Adler

    The Biggest Mistake Companies Make in Hiring with Lou Adler
    Nov 26 2025
    Still using outdated hiring methods? In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, we’ve got Lou Adler, the man behind Performance-Based Hiring, here to tell you why your traditional hiring process is not working for long term success. Lou’s been helping big names like AIG, LinkedIn, and McKinsey recruit top talent for decades, but he focuses on what candidates will actually do, not just their skills and experience. Forget the old-school “ideal candidate” fantasy; Lou’s performance-based approach is changing the game. Lou’s method leads to better retention, higher performance, and lower turnover rates (which we can all agree is a win-win). Oh, and don’t think you can just throw AI at the problem; human judgment is still key to hiring success. So if you want to get the best talent and build a killer team culture, Lou's got the secret. Subscribe to our channel for more of this and learn how to hire smarter, not harder! In This Episode: [00:00] Meet Digital Lou [01:17] Introduction to Lou Adler [02:33] The Importance of Performance-Based Hiring [06:04] The Role of AI in Hiring [13:25]  Week in Work: Audacious Hiring Practices [17:39] Listener Question #1: When Wisdom Gets Mocked [21:42] Listener Question #2: The Nonprofit Rollercoaster [24:43] Cringeworthy Question: Facebook Faux Pas [27:27] Conclusion and Final Thoughts Mentioned Book: Hire With Your Head: Using Performance-Based Hiring to Build Outstanding Diverse Teams by Lou Adler - https://www.amazon.com/Hire-Your-Head-Performance-Based-Outstanding/dp/111980888X https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Guide-Hiring-Getting-Hired/dp/0988957418 Lou Adler Website - ⁠⁠https://www.louadlergroup.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/louadler Maya Kadar Kovalsky Website - ⁠⁠https://www.mayakadar.com/⁠⁠ LinkedIn - ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/⁠⁠ Workplace Weirdness Email: ⁠⁠info@workplace-weirdness.com⁠⁠ SpeakPipe - ⁠⁠http://speakpipe.com/workplaceweirdness⁠⁠ Website - ⁠⁠http://workplace-weirdness.com⁠⁠ Instagram - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/workplaceweirdpod/⁠⁠ 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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    29 min
  • What Pokémon Go Teaches Us About Leadership with David Hanrahan

    What Pokémon Go Teaches Us About Leadership with David Hanrahan
    Nov 12 2025
    Remote work just got a lot weirder. In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, we dive into a real-life story that reveals just how far remote workers are willing to go to keep up appearances while pulling off this remote work scam. You won’t believe the lengths some employees are going to: working two full-time jobs without anyone knowing! But it’s not just about the scam. We’re also joined by David Hanrahan, SVP of People Success at SolarWinds, who shares his insights on remote work culture, hybrid teams, and how to build a strong company culture that can prevent remote work fraud. David has over 20 years of leadership experience from top companies like Niantic, Electronic Arts, Twitter, Universal Pictures, Zendesk, and Eventbrite, and he shares his experiences shaping company culture, the challenges of leading in a hybrid workforce, and how organizations can foster employee trust, collaboration, and transparency as the workplace evolves. From remote work issues to building high-performing teams, leadership development, and employee engagement, this episode covers everything you need to know about the current state of work and the crazy ways people are trying to take advantage of it. Learn how to tackle challenges in the remote work environment, work-life balance struggles, and ways to foster a healthy workplace culture. Hit subscribe to get more stories about remote work, leadership challenges, and the weirdness that goes on behind closed office doors. In This Episode [00:00] The Suspicious Remote Worker [01:44] Introduction to David Hanrahan [02:51] Pokemon Go and Company Culture [06:17] Building a Winning Culture at SolarWinds [10:32] Week in Work: In-Person Interview Comeback [16:03] Listener Question #1: Remote Work Challenges [20:06] Listener Question #2: Salary and Equity Issues [24:07] Cringeworthy Question: Break Room Ritual [27:57] Conclusion and Final Thoughts David Hanrahan LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhanrahan Maya Kadar Kovalsky Website - ⁠⁠https://www.mayakadar.com/⁠⁠ LinkedIn - ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/⁠⁠ Workplace Weirdness Email: ⁠⁠info@workplace-weirdness.com⁠⁠ SpeakPipe - ⁠⁠http://speakpipe.com/workplaceweirdness⁠⁠ Website - ⁠⁠http://workplace-weirdness.com⁠⁠ Instagram - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/workplaceweirdpod/⁠⁠ 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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    30 min
  • Emotional Intelligence Secrets to Accelerate Your Career with Claude Silver

    Emotional Intelligence Secrets to Accelerate Your Career with Claude Silver
    Oct 29 2025
    How can you foster a work environment that is productive through effective leadership and emotional intelligence? Leading with authenticity, building teams that collaborate and thrive, and creating a workplace where everyone can flourish is crucial in a successful business. In this episode, we explore the power of emotional intelligence in leadership and the transformative impact of vulnerability on building strong, authentic workplace cultures. Claude Silver, the Global Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX and author of Be Yourself at Work, shares her insights on how emotional optimism, bravery, and efficiency can shape the future of leadership and team success. She dives into the importance of acknowledging and regulating emotions at work, showing how self-awareness and emotional resilience can lead to empowered leadership. Through genuine, empathetic leadership, you can foster a workplace environment that is both productive and compassionate, encouraging individuals to bring their whole selves to work. As we discuss the challenges of balancing emotional expression with professional responsibility, Claude shares how to embrace vulnerability without compromising effectiveness and why emotional intelligence is the key to better leadership, stronger team collaboration, and creating a healthy work culture. Don't forget to subscribe for more insightful conversations on leadership, career growth, and the most unexpected moments in office life! In This Episode: [00:00] Unexpected “Sick” Call [01:22] Introducing Claude Silver [02:35] Emotional Optimism, Bravery, and Efficiency [08:08] The Role of Chief Heart Officer [10:46] Identifying Superstars and Avoiding Politics [16:13] Weirdest Workplace Moment [16:53] Week in Work: The Modern Way of Navigating Overwhelm? [20:52] Listener Question #1: Feeling Overlooked at Work [24:53] Listener Question #2: Emotional Breakdown at Work [29:13] Cringeworthy Question: Dealing with Inappropriate Behavior [33:27] Conclusion and Final Thoughts Mentioned Book: Be Yourself at Work: The Groundbreaking Power of Showing Up, Standing Out, and Leading from the Heart - https://www.amazon.com/Be-Yourself-Work-Groundbreaking-Standing/dp/0063392437 Claude Silver Website - ⁠⁠https://www.claudesilver.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/casilver Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/claudesilver/?hl=en Maya Kadar Kovalsky Website - ⁠⁠https://www.mayakadar.com/⁠⁠ LinkedIn - ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/⁠⁠ Workplace Weirdness Email: ⁠⁠info@workplace-weirdness.com⁠⁠ SpeakPipe - ⁠⁠http://speakpipe.com/workplaceweirdness⁠⁠ Website - ⁠⁠http://workplace-weirdness.com⁠⁠ Instagram - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/workplaceweirdpod/⁠⁠ 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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    34 min
  • Work Anxiety? Fight it With Gratitude With Chester Elton

    Work Anxiety? Fight it With Gratitude With Chester Elton
    Oct 15 2025
    In this episode, we dive deep into the world of workplace anxiety, recognition, and the impact of gratitude in leadership. Ever had the infamous Sunday scaries or struggled to manage a toxic boss? If so, this episode will resonate with you. We’ll discuss how mental health plays a crucial role in the workplace, especially when it comes to leadership and company culture. We’ll also tackle the challenges that come with workplace burnout, the overwhelming pressure to be “always on,” and how certain employees thrive in chaotic environments. Along the way, we'll explore the importance of gratitude practices to combat workplace stress and boost employee morale, and how creating a positive work culture can lead to better team dynamics and productivity. We’re joined by Chester Elton, bestselling author of The Gratitude Habit and Anxiety at Work. Chester shares valuable insights on mental health in the workplace, resilience, and how recognition and gratitude can transform a workplace from toxic to thriving. We also chat about his experiences in the corporate world, managing stress, and how showing kindness at work isn’t a sign of weakness but of strong leadership. Subscribe and hit the bell for more tips on workplace culture, employee engagement, and creating a supportive work environment! In This Episode: [00:00] Introduction to Chester Elton [03:35] The Power of Gratitude Journals [05:34] Kindness in Unexpected Places [07:44] The Importance of Gratitude in Leadership [11:55] Weirdest Workplace Moments [15:13] Week in Work: Meta vs. ChatGPT [18:03] Generosity and Gratitude in the Workplace [19:11] Listener Question #1: Thriving in Office Chaos [25:30] Listener Question #2: Tokenism in DEI Initiatives [29:59] Cringeworthy Question: Borrowing Money from Coworkers [33:34] Conclusion and Final Thoughts Resources & Links Mentioned Book: The Gratitude Habit - https://www.amazon.com/Gratitude-Habit-90-Day-Journal-Grateful/dp/B0CKWTZL9C Book: Anxiety at Work - https://www.amazon.com/Anxiety-Work-Strategies-Resilience-Uncertainty/dp/0063046156 Chester Elton Website - ⁠⁠https://chesterelton.com/ LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/chestereltonInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/chester.elton/ Maya Kadar Kovalsky Website - ⁠⁠https://www.mayakadar.com/⁠⁠ LinkedIn - ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/⁠⁠ Workplace Weirdness Email: ⁠⁠info@workplace-weirdness.com⁠⁠ SpeakPipe - ⁠⁠http://speakpipe.com/workplaceweirdness⁠⁠ Website - ⁠⁠http://workplace-weirdness.com⁠⁠ Instagram - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/workplaceweirdpod/⁠⁠ 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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    37 min
  • How Bad Bosses Can Shape Great Leaders With Mita Mallick

    How Bad Bosses Can Shape Great Leaders With Mita Mallick
    Oct 1 2025
    Let’s take a deep dive into the most chaotic part of office life: bad bosses. What do you do when your boss is the definition of toxic leadership? Do you run, or do you stick it out and learn from them? In this Workplace Weirdness episode, we’ll explore how toxic bosses can make or break your career, and how understanding their behavior can help you develop better leadership skills. We’ll discuss how bad bosses affect the workplace culture, create HR nightmares, and leave employees struggling with stress, confusion, and low morale. We also share how you can take control of the situation and grow into the kind of leader who turns chaos into opportunity. We’re joined by Mita Mallick, author of The Devil Emails at Midnight, who’s lived through some of the worst boss experiences imaginable. From glass offices to tantrums that made you jump out of your seat, Mita shares how these bad bosses actually helped shape her career. We’ll explore how toxic work environments can get worse, how vulnerability in leadership can make you a stronger boss, and what we can all learn from the worst leadership styles. If you’ve been there, survived that, or just want to know what NOT to do as a leader, this episode is your guide to turning even the worst work situations into growth moments. Make sure to subscribe and hit the bell for more episodes covering everything from workplace chaos to leadership lessons and more! In This Episode: [00:00] The Nightmare Boss Experience [01:55] Introducing Mita Mallick [02:58] Exploring Bad Boss Archetypes [04:30] Personal Reflections on Bad Bosses [05:26] The Impact of Personal Life on Leadership [07:33] Toxic Positivity in the Workplace [09:29] Weirdest Workplace Moments [13:30] Week In Work: Interview Tips to Spot Bad Bosses [16:03] The Importance of Culture Chats in Hiring [17:09] Listener Question #1: Watching TV at Work [23:28] Listener Question #2: Dealing with a Bad Boss [27:37] Cringeworthy Question: Oversharing Boss [31:34] Conclusion and Final Thoughts Mita Mallick LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mita-mallick-2b165822 Website - ⁠https://www.mitamallick.com/ Maya Kadar Kovalsky Website - ⁠https://www.mayakadar.com/⁠ LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/⁠ Workplace Weirdness Email: ⁠info@workplace-weirdness.com⁠ SpeakPipe - ⁠http://speakpipe.com/workplaceweirdness⁠ Website - ⁠http://workplace-weirdness.com⁠ Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/workplaceweirdpod/⁠ 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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    34 min