After 30 episodes of saying the quiet part out loud, host Ellen Whitlock Baker closes out Season 1 of Hard at Work with a reflective and forward-looking finale. From people-pleasing and perfectionism to systemic burnout and the stubborn pace of change since the movie "9 to 5" came out 45 years ago, Ellen unpacks what she’s learned about why work still isn’t working — and what it will take to change it.
She looks back on the guests, the lessons, and the quiet revolutions happening in real workplaces, while issuing a challenge for the hiatus: take one step, however small, toward building the future of work we actually deserve. Because as the great Dolly Parton says: "the tide's gonna turn and it's all gonna roll your way."
Tags: burnout, workplace culture, women at work, leadership, boundaries, equity, systemic change, perfectionism, people pleasing, feminist workplace, future of work, Hard at Work podcast, season finale
In this episode of Hard at Work, host Ellen Whitlock Baker welcomes author, two-time founder, and Hype Women CEO Erin Gallagher for a candid conversation about women, work, and the shift from competition to collective power.
Erin shares the origin of the Hype Women movement—including that now-famous photo of Jamie Lee Curtis celebrating Michelle Yeoh—and explains why hype is a verb: it’s the choice to convert admiration into action by promoting, buying from, hiring, referring, and amplifying other women.
Together, Ellen and Erin name the conditioning that teaches women to compete for scarce recognition, how “mean-girl” behavior gets rewarded in professional settings, and why empathy without boundaries leads to chronic self-abandonment and burnout.
Erin offers a practical reframe for jealousy as a signal of desire—when someone else lands a keynote or book deal, ask how they did it, celebrate them publicly, and let your body learn the feeling of abundance.
The two dig into resentment, invisible unpaid labor, and the constant interruptions that drain women’s energy—connecting it to the $10.9 trillion of unpaid work women shoulder globally—and explore how anger can be a healthy messenger when it’s moved through the body: writing, running, singing at top volume in the car, painting, or simply letting yourself feel it.
They also discusses Erin's forthcoming book, Hype Women: Breaking Free from Mean Girls, Patriarchy, and Systems Silencing You (out October 14, 2025), which blends narrative with practical tools to help women stop equating worth with service.
Erin shares the line that changed her life: “I will no longer abandon myself in service to others.”
Listen for honest stories, tangible mindset shifts, and next steps you can take today to hype other women, reclaim your time, and build work that actually supports your life.
(Keywords: hype women, women at work, workplace culture, mean girls, patriarchy, boundaries, burnout recovery, abundance mindset, leadership, Jamie Lee Curtis Michelle Yeoh)
In this high-energy episode, host Ellen Whitlock Baker welcomes licensed neuropsychotherapist Britt Frank, author of The Science of Stuck and Align Your Mind, for a fast, practical tour of how your brain actually works—and how to get it working for you at work and at home. Britt explains that anxiety isn’t all bad; it’s the brain’s check-engine light, an alarm that asks for investigation rather than suppression.
Britt shares how we can convert overwhelm into forward motion using micro-yeses, comically tiny steps (think: shoes by the door, one sentence on the page) that slip past the brain’s change-resistance and build momentum over time.
The conversation distinguishes feelings (physiological signals like tightness or a racing heart) from emotions (feelings plus the story we add), and offers a quick self-audit to test whether your story is true before you spiral.
Britt also brings her signature parts work approach: treat your mind like a team, retrain the “inner critic” into a useful coach, and send unhelpful parts to the metaphorical green room until it’s their scene.
For leaders, Britt delivers a provocative reframe—managers aren’t therapists—and recommends replacing over-empathy (which lights up shared pain) with curiosity (which activates problem-solving), while designing conditions where humans can still be human.
Ellen and Britt also unpack why brains resist change (they’re wired for survival, not optimization), why insight alone can keep us “insightfully stuck,” and how to ask a better question: What am I willing to do today?
Listeners dealing with burnout, perimenopause shifts, career pivots, or post-pandemic malaise will leave with a brain-smart playbook for momentum: respect alarms, pick one micro-yes, use curiosity to de-charge tough moments, and align work with clear roles and lived values.
Keywords: Britt Frank, The Science of Stuck, Align Your Mind, neuropsychotherapist, micro-yeses, workplace culture, burnout recovery, anxiety tools, parts work, shadow work, leadership, curiosity vs empathy, role clarity, behavior change, emotional regulation, feelings vs emotions
In this Hard at Work episode, host Ellen Whitlock Baker sits down with business coach Melissa Fackler of One Team Partners for a conversation about what it really takes to create a thriving, people-centric workplace. Melissa explains why most organizations don’t have a “work problem” so much as a “how we work” problem—and why band-aid solutions (like free yoga at lunch) won’t fix burnout, turnover, or disengagement.
Instead, she offers a simple but powerful cycle leaders can use immediately: Awareness → Structure → Habit.
First, awareness: surface the real issues, name tradeoffs honestly, and acknowledge that doing nothing is still a choice.
Next, structure: design lightweight, value-add systems (think: calendar blocking, simple hiring and onboarding flows, role clarity, performance rhythms) that make the right work easier to do.
Finally, habit: repeat the fundamentals until they’re automatic, then revisit awareness when something stops serving the team.
Throughout, Melissa and Ellen emphasize values as the filter for decisions and culture, not a poster on a wall. Melissa shares how One Team’s values—practice self-care, bring your whole self, be present, invest in relationships, commit to learning—keep the focus on people so the business can perform. She argues that leaders must “slow down to speed up,” accepting that metrics may dip while foundations are rebuilt, and she illustrates success with stories: a CEO who finally took a real vacation because decision rights and processes were clear; teams getting more done with fewer people after aligning roles to strengths.
The conversation also tackles AI with nuance: treat it like an assistant for drafts, notes, and summaries, not a replacement for human judgment or authentic communication.
For listeners stuck in difficult workplaces, Melissa suggests assessing value alignment, having earlier, calmer conversations, and auditing how often joy-giving work actually appears on your calendar. If you’re a leader wrestling with retention, employee experience, or scaling sustainably, you’ll leave with a practical blueprint to replace quick fixes with systems that reduce burnout, rebuild trust, and let your best work lead.
Keywords: healthy workplace culture, burnout at work, employee retention, leadership habits, values-driven management, simple systems, calendar blocking, people-first operations, organizational change, One Team Partners, Melissa Fackler, Hard at Work podcast.
In this solo episode of Hard at Work, Ellen Whitlock Baker shares three leadership mistakes she wishes she could go back and do differently — and the practical steps you can take to avoid them.
From listening less and talking too much, to modeling unhealthy work habits, to relying on vague job descriptions and biased review processes, Ellen unpacks why these common traps harm teams and what managers can do instead.
You’ll learn how to:
If you’ve ever wondered how to be the kind of manager people actually want to work for — start here.
Tags: leadership mistakes, management tips, healthy workplace, career clarity, burnout prevention, boundaries at work, fair reviews, leadership coaching, Hard at Work podcast, Ellen Whitlock Baker
What does it mean to actually live your values — even when it costs you something? In this episode of Hard at Work, Ellen sits down with executive coach, speaker, and visionary leader Lindsey T.H. Jackson to unpack the practice of unlearning, the courage it takes to align actions with values, and how mid-career women can reconnect with their authentic selves.
Lindsey shares powerful stories about walking away from VC funding to stay true to her company’s values, why anger is a signal of potential, and how leaders can move beyond fear to create people-centered workplaces. Together, Ellen and Lindsey dig into generational shifts at work, why “lazy ease” is toxic, and the everyday practices that help us return to ourselves.
If you’ve ever felt stuck between old rules and the possibility of something better, this episode will help you imagine — and build — a healthier, more authentic way forward.
Tags: Leadership, Women at Work, Workplace Culture, Unlearning, Authentic Leadership, Values-Based Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion, Anti-Racist Leadership, Boundaries at Work, Career Growth, Women in Leadership, Personal Development, Mid-Career Women, Coaching, Resilience
We’ve all done it: talked ourselves out of something we know would make life better. A walk. A tough conversation. A career change. But what’s really going on when you know you should do the thing…and you don’t?
In this solo episode of Hard at Work, Ellen Whitlock Baker breaks down the science of “blockers” — the protective part of your brain that sounds the alarm whenever something feels new, different, or risky. She explains how neuroplasticity works, why change feels so threatening, and the three simple steps you can use to prove your blockers wrong.
If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in the cycle of overthinking, avoidance, and regret, this episode will show you how to take tiny experiments that lead to big clarity.
Tags: career clarity, overcoming fear, burnout, blockers, start anyway, neuroscience, boundaries, clarity coaching, workplace change, stuck at work, Hard at Work podcast
What does it actually take to build something from scratch—and stay sane while doing it? Ellen talks with Jaebadiah Gardner, founder of Gardner Global, about building wealth, the importance of believing in yourself, and pushing past barriers as a Black and Latino entrepreneur. They get real about hustle culture, staying grounded, and what success looks like behind the scenes (it’s not always as pretty as it seems on the surface). If you’ve ever felt stuck, under-resourced, or underestimated, this one’s for you. A thoughtful, no-BS conversation about drive, ambition, and getting in the room where it happens—even when you don’t know anyone there.
Show Links:
Find Jaebadiah’s book, Believe in Yourself, here
Learn more about Jaebadiah’s company, Gardner Global, and all the cool work they are doing in Seattle.
When life blows up, who do you become next? In this deeply honest episode, Ellen sits down with Merritt Minnemeyer — founder of Master of One Coaching, speaker, and creative powerhouse — to talk about leading through loss, finding your true self when your old story no longer fits, and why so many women keep outsourcing our wisdom to everyone but ourselves.
You’ll hear how Merritt turned unimaginable grief into a mission to help leaders come home to themselves — and what that really looks like when you’re stuck, burned out, or feeling trapped in the life you thought you wanted.
A reminder that the story you’re living now isn’t your final chapter — and you get to write what comes next.
leadership coaching, finding yourself again, rebuilding after loss, conscious leadership, women in midlife, executive coaching, nonprofit leadership, self-reflection for leaders, personal growth, conscious business, arts leadership, living with purpose, coming home to yourself, trapped by choices, how to pivot your career, Merritt Minnemeyer, Master of One Coaching, human-centric work, conscious capitalism, resilience after grief.
In this episode of Hard at Work, Ellen sits down with Robbin Hudson — founder and CEO of Gradient, the Human Equity Think Tank, and an executive and leadership coach. Together, they dig into what it means to truly lead with people at the center — and why so many workplaces still get it so wrong.
Robbin shares her journey from philanthropy and grassroots leadership development to founding Gradient, a consulting and coaching firm that prioritizes human equity over doing things they way they've always been done. She explains how deep listening, brave spaces, and “starting at stuck” help leaders and organizations align who they say they want to be with who they actually are.
They talk about how intergenerational workplaces, burnout, and “golden handcuffs” keep people stuck — and how clarifying your core values and building both a “stay plan” and a “go plan” can help you get unstuck. Robbin also offers real talk for managers trying to create change inside systems that resist it, plus why your story — and your unique leadership DNA — matter.
Whether you’re an executive, a middle manager, or someone trying to survive a system that doesn’t center your humanity, you’ll walk away from this episode with practical wisdom on how to start — right where you are.
Keywords: human-centric leadership, executive coaching, nonprofit leadership, DEI consulting, brave leadership, burnout at work, intergenerational workplaces, leadership DNA, coaching for leaders, storytelling at work, psychological safety, people and culture, human equity think tank, Gradient Consulting, Start at Stuck, values-based leadership, workplace culture change, philanthropic leadership, boundary setting, career clarity, stuck at work
In this episode of Hard at Work, Ellen is joined by Ryan Stadt—Senior Talent and Inclusion Manager at Cengage Group and executive coach—for a conversation that gets real about what it actually takes to support and grow people-centered leaders.
Ryan shares what it looks like when leadership development is fully resourced and taken seriously—and how even organizations without big budgets can design meaningful programs for new managers. From pulse surveys and coaching cohorts to the difference between protecting your team and empowering them, this episode offers both tactical tools and deep insight.
Ellen and Ryan also talk openly about the current backlash against DEI, how to keep doing the work even if you stop using the acronym, and why equity-focused change starts with small but intentional decisions.
Whether you’re a burned-out middle manager, an HR leader trying to shift workplace culture, or just someone trying to lead without losing your mind, there’s something here for you.
Oh—and you’ll definitely want Ryan’s fiction recs.
You’ll hear about: the biggest mindset traps new managers fall into, why slowing down is essential to good leadership, what to delegate (and how), the right way to check in with your team, and why designing your own leadership program might be the best move you can make.
Keywords: burnout, leadership development, delegation at work, people management, workplace equity, DEI backlash, inclusive leadership, emotional intelligence at work, HR best practices, new manager training, psychological safety, executive coaching, workplace flexibility, healthy work culture, employee engagement
This solo episode of Hard at Work is not about inspirational poster values. It's about the real ones—the ones that shape your decisions, your burnout, your boundaries, and your sense of self.
Host Ellen Whitlock Baker digs into why so many of us (especially women) are unclear on what actually matters to us—and how we often end up living by values handed to us by workplaces, families, and old identities. She shares a powerful, simple framework for getting honest about your core values, inspired by Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead values exercise, and explains how clarifying your true values can be the difference between feeling stuck and finally finding clarity.
This episode is for anyone spinning on a big life or career decision—or just feeling disconnected from themselves. You’ll learn how to spot the values that are actually guiding your behavior, and how to start naming what really matters.
🔗 Resources & Links
🧭 Download the Free Dare to Lead Values Exercise
https://brenebrown.com/resources/dare-to-lead-list-of-values/
📚 Learn more about Brene Brown’s Dare to Lead
https://brenebrown.com/book/dare-to-lead/
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In this vulnerable and wide-ranging conversation, personal branding expert Cat Coffrin joins Ellen to unpack what happens when ambitious women hit a wall—and realize they’ve lost themselves in the process. From working in global policy and green building to launching her own consulting firm, Cat’s story mirrors what so many mid-career professionals experience: success on paper, but disconnection underneath. Through honest storytelling, humor, and deep personal reflection, Cat shares how she rebuilt her identity—and how others can too.
You’ll hear why personal branding isn’t just for entrepreneurs or influencers—it’s a reclaiming tool for anyone feeling lost in a job that no longer fits. Ellen and Cat explore the pressures of perfectionism, the emotional toll of caregiving and grief, and the radical act of telling the truth in professional spaces. If you’ve ever thought, “I’m proud of what I’ve built… but I don’t recognize myself anymore,” this episode will speak to your soul.
What happens when you’ve built a successful career—and suddenly realize you don’t want it anymore?
In this solo episode, Ellen Whitlock Baker gets honest about what it feels like to want more from your work—even when you're grateful, even when you’re respected, even when you’re “winning.” From the guilt that creeps in (“Other people would kill for this job”) to the fear of disappointing your team, Ellen unpacks the internal tug-of-war so many women experience when they’re quietly burning out.
Through stories, personal reflection, and one unforgettable quote from the 90s ballet movie Center Stage, this episode is for anyone who’s felt stuck in a role that no longer fits—but doesn’t know how to walk away. You’ll also hear about the “Start Anyway” journaling prompt Ellen uses in her workshops to help people take the first step toward change (without a perfect plan).
If you’ve been hearing the quiet voice in your head saying, “I think I’m done here,” this episode is your permission to listen.
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Empathy doesn’t mean letting people off the hook. In this honest and energizing episode, Ellen sits down with Jaime Hunt—consultant, author of Heart Over Hype, and higher ed veteran—to talk about what it means to lead with heart and hold people accountable.
They dig into the unique challenges of higher education, why so many managers are unprepared for leadership, and what it really looks like to support your team without sacrificing results. From using coaching techniques to having hard conversations with care, Jaime shares actionable strategies for leaders who want to make work better—without burning themselves (or their people) out.
Get your copy of Heart Over Hype, Jaime's book, here!
Plus: when to walk away, how AI can help you practice empathy, and why turtles might be the best coworkers of all.
🎧 You’ll hear about:
How to lead with empathy while still expecting results
Why coaching is underused but transformational in higher ed
Practical strategies for managing overwhelm and supporting struggling employees
What it takes to bust silos and actually lead change
The power of boundaries—and how to set them without guilt
In this solo episode, Ellen Whitlock Baker takes on one of the sneakiest forms of self-sabotage at work: people-pleasing. Especially when it comes wrapped in the flattery of a “you’re next for promotion” promise—with none of the pay or power to match. If you’ve ever been told you’re being “groomed” for leadership but asked to keep doing the extra work without compensation, this one’s for you.
Ellen shares real-world scripts, a spicy mindset shift ("That sounds like a you problem!"), and three actionable options for those dealing with performative promotions—especially in under-resourced workplaces. Plus, a deep dive into why people-pleasing is so common for women, public sector workers, and those socialized to avoid conflict at all costs.
You’ll hear strategies to hold your boundaries without guilt, protect your time and energy, and respond to that late-night Slack message with confidence (and maybe a little sass). Spoiler: It’s okay if not everyone likes you. Also discussed: white supremacy culture, trauma responses, and why your self-worth is not up for negotiation.
Episode Links:
Submit an anonymous AMA question about work
Have a tricky work situation or boundary challenge? Ask anonymously and Ellen might answer it on the show.
Tema Okun’s White Supremacy Culture site
A thoughtful, nuanced look at the characteristics of white supremacy culture that show up in our workplaces—and how to challenge them.
Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab
Book info & purchase link
The Book of Boundaries by Melissa Urban
Book info & purchase link
Busy is a badge we never asked for—and it’s time to put it down.
In this episode of Hard at Work, Ellen sits down with speaker, strategist, coach, and author Kishshana Palmer to talk about what it really means to lead without burning out—and why “busy” has become the badge no one actually wants to wear -- all topics covered in Kishshana's new book, Busy Is a Four Letter Word.
Kishshana shares stories from building her own boutique firm and managing 40-person teams across time zones, showing us how you can create humane, high-performing work cultures—even inside giant bureaucracies. They talk about the power of micro-cultures, why middle managers carry the heaviest loads, and how to build trust on a team without losing yourself in the process.
From pop culture references to practical delegation tips to a love letter to The Golden Girls, this episode is full of perspective-shifting ideas that challenge what leadership is supposed to look like—and what’s possible when we center people, not performance optics.
🎧 You’ll hear about:
📥 Plus: Why every team should do a quarterly step-back, how to let go of busywork, and why showing up with empathy is a strategy, not a soft skill.
Ellen reflects on a truth many of us avoid: rest isn’t easy. In fact, for a lot of us, rest feels wrong—like we're breaking an unspoken rule. In this solo episode of Hard at Work, Ellen unpacks the layers of grind culture, internalized productivity pressure, and the self-sabotage that shows up when we finally try to slow down.
She kicks off the episode by answering an AMA question from a listener who's struggling to maintain boundaries on a leadership team that never stops working. What do you do when the people around you treat 2 a.m. emails like a badge of honor, and you’re trying not to burn out? Ellen offers practical scripts, reframes, and real talk about what's actually in your control—and what's not.
From the influence of capitalism and white supremacy on our inability to rest (with learning from Tricia Hersey and her book, Rest is Resistance), to simple tools to shift out of survival mode (thank you, Britt Frank and the “DEFUSE” method), Ellen invites listeners to look honestly at what keeps them busy and what they might be avoiding when they resist stillness.
Whether your weekends feel like a second shift or your rest comes with a side of guilt, this episode will help you name what’s happening and offer ideas for doing things differently—without shame, and without apology.
What if designing the life you want wasn’t about hustle or luck—but about asking? In this episode of Hard at Work, Ellen Whitlock Baker sits down with educator, consultant, and unapologetic life-designer Anita Verna Crofts for a conversation that spans continents, careers, and hard-earned wisdom.
Anita shares how she negotiated a cross-country, flexible faculty role at a time when remote work was almost unheard of—and why she always shows up to the table with a list. They talk salary transparency, the systems still holding women back (even when we do ask), and what leaders can do today to create equity inside their organizations.
This episode is packed with perspective-shifting insights—from how to craft a vision for your life that actually honors your needs, to why sharing salary data is radical (and necessary), to how those in power can stop perpetuating inequality at work.
It’s a call to clarity, to courage, and to community—and a reminder that rest, purpose, and power can coexist.
🎧 You’ll hear about:
How Anita negotiated a bi-coastal faculty role in 2009
The myth that women don’t ask—and what’s actually broken
Why salary transparency should be a leadership priority
How to start imagining a different kind of life, even when you're overwhelmed
Using your privilege to challenge inequity and build community
📥 Plus: Shoutouts to Women Don’t Ask, Financial Feminist, and the queen of repurposed chairs.
The workplace is changing fast—and not everyone’s on the same page about what should be happening at work anymore. In this solo episode, Ellen Whitlock Baker unpacks one of today’s biggest workplace tensions: generational friction. Whether you're a Xillennial caught between Gen X and Millennials (like Ellen), a seasoned leader, or a new professional navigating unspoken norms, chances are you’ve felt the friction when someone does or says something at work that makes you think, “Wait, what?”
From navigating different ideas of professionalism (yes, we’re talking dress codes) to understanding why younger colleagues might prioritize mental health or speak up more freely, this episode challenges us to stop labeling those differences as “wrong” and start getting curious about our own reactions.
Ellen shares personal stories from her early career, insights on generational identity, and a powerful five-step framework adapted from the Immunity to Change model to help you move from resistance to reflection—and maybe even growth. Spoiler: change is hard. But staying stuck is harder.
🎧 You’ll learn:
Why generational clashes aren’t just about age—they’re about identity, values, and lived experience
How to identify your own subconscious resistance to change
The surprising rewards we get from holding onto outdated beliefs
Why “professionalism” is often a coded (and sexist) concept
How to start experimenting with small shifts in mindset and behavior
💡 Plus: A downloadable free guide to walk you through the 5 steps and help you stay grounded when generational culture shock hits your inbox.
Whether you’ve ever said, “That’s not how we did it when I was starting out,” or “Why are we still doing it like this?”—this episode is for you.
📝 Download the guide: ewbcoaching.com/hardatworkpodcast/change
📬 Got thoughts or stories? Email ellen@ewbcoaching.com
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