Workplace Weirdness™
Welcome to Workplace Weirdness™, The Non-HR HR Podcast™ that takes a deep dive into the delightful oddities of office life. Ever wondered why the break room smells like a science experiment or why your boss insists on using 'synergy' in every meeting? We've got you covered! Join Maya and her revolving door of guest hosts as they unravel the mysteries of cubicle culture and decode the cryptic behaviors of your coworkers. From bizarre email sign-offs to the enigma of office fridge politics, no topic is too weird for us to tackle. Each week, we'll talk about hot HR topics, answer list...
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What Human Leaders Need To Do In The Age of AI with Erica Keswin | S3E2
<p>Return-to-office is making people lonelier, AI is changing the rules of leadership, and most companies are still getting the human part of work wrong. Maya Kadar Kovalsky and workplace strategist Erica Keswin break down what actually makes workplaces feel connected, productive, and worth showing up for.</p> <p>Maya and Erica unpack why five days a week in the office is usually unnecessary, why some offices drain energy while others create real momentum and why intentional in-person days matter more than attendance for attendance’s sake.</p> <p>Erica Keswin is a bestselling author and internationally recognized speaker focused on...
The Lost Art of Disagreeing Agreeably: Van Jones on Modern Workplace Culture | S3 E1
<p>Welcome to Workplace Weirdness Season 3! </p> <p>Maya Kadar Kovalsky kicks off the season with a special guest, VAN JONES, a political commentator, social entrepreneur, CNN host, Emmy Award-winning producer, bestselling author, and founder of Dream Machine Innovation Lab and Rapport. </p> <p>Join a fascinating conversation about working across radically different environments, from the rules of working in the White House to Silicon Valley to the future of AI in the workplace. Van and Maya explore why psychological strength matters more than psychological safety and why the best managers need better tools to navigate a diverse, distributed, and div...
Workplace Weirdness: Work Drama | ft. See You At Work Tomorrow
<p>Welcome to Workplace Weirdness: Work Drama, a new series where we break down the workplace chaos happening on screen, so hopefully you never have to experience it in real life.</p> <p>In this special episode, we break down the hit Korean drama See You at Work Tomorrow, and explore the chaos, pressure, and quiet emotional survival of modern work life. </p> <p>Join Maya as she examines the tension between speed and quality, the burden placed on capable employees, and the dysfunction of a manager who rules through fear instead of leadership while enjoying a masterpiece of Korean t...
The Workplace Weirdness™ Hall of Fame
<p>Work is weird - and these are the stories that prove it. From a possum trapped in the office to a naked neighbor derailing a meeting, Maya Kadar Kovalsky pulls the all-time weirdest, most cringe-inducing, and laugh-out-loud workplace moments from the last seasons and places them into The Workplace Weirdness™ Hall of Fame.</p> <p>Join Maya and enjoy true workplace chaos, uncomfortable stories, and good laughs that make your worst day at the office feel completely normal. </p> <p>Because every 9-to-5 has a story to tell. Stay weird!</p> <p>Chapters:</p> <p>[00:12] Welcome to the Workplace Wei...
Hard Truth About Parental Leave: Dads Get Praised, Moms Get Punished!
<p>In this episode of our Workplace Weirdness™ summer series, “Out of Office,” Maya Kadar Kovalsky discusses parental leave: the double standards parents face, the pressure to appear “serious” at work while caring for a family, and why parental leave parity matters for both moms and dads. </p> <p>Our notable guests discuss how parental leave intersects with identity, ambition, caregiving, and workplace culture, using candid stories to show how maternal and paternal leave policies and leadership behavior can either support families or quietly penalize them. </p> <p>The episode is a reminder that employees should never have to choose between star...
This Episode Could Have Been an Email: From Meeting Overload to Purpose
<p>We sometimes feel that certain meetings could have been an email; yet in most cases we don’t have a choice. In this episode of our Workplace Weirdness™ summer series, “Out of Office,” Maya Kadar Kovalsky unpacks why poorly planned meetings can drain morale, hamper innovation, and signal a lack of respect for your team's time. </p> <p>Our expert guests share eye-opening insights, such as how unresolved conflicts in meetings cost billions annually and how practical frameworks for empathy and inclusivity across time zones can enhance team inclusion. </p> <p>Discover best practices that can redesign meetings from arbitrary...
The Power of Introductions: Leading Through Connection
<p>In this episode of our Workplace Weirdness™ summer series, “Out of Office,” Maya Kadar Kovalsky explores one of the most underrated leadership skills: connecting people. Rather than focusing only on decision-making, great leaders notice who’s stuck, who’s working on similar problems, and who could benefit from knowing one another - then they make the introduction. Through guest stories and practical examples, the conversation shows how connecting works best when it’s rooted in empathy, curiosity, and service. From leadership assimilation sessions to everyday touch points that build familiarity and trust, the episode highlights how building your social capital can...
WeWork, MrBeast Burger, and the Cost of Billion-Dollar Hype | Workplace Weirdness Summer Special
<p>In this special summer-edition episode of Workplace Weirdness™, Maya Kadar Kovalsky sits down with Alan Philips, founder and CEO of The Marketing Department, to unpack the strange, powerful forces behind brand obsession, company culture, and how to create an influential movement. </p> <p>Alan shares his eccentric stories working with industry leaders and celebrities, from Mr. Beast to DJ Khalid at Reef Technology to the Golden Days of WeWork with Adam Neumann. </p> <p>Maya and Alan talk about building consumer brands, offering candid lessons on ego, authenticity, and the difference between momentum and real value. From the “architecture of a m...
Bad Bosses: Control, Ego, and Toxic Culture
<p>In this episode of our Workplace Weirdness™ summer series, “Out of Office,” Maya Kadar Kovalsky shares her own bad boss story and revisits conversations with guests who have survived bosses of every variety, from the yellers, screamers, and office tyrants who throw things, to the masters of the backhanded compliment whose manipulation is far quieter, but no less damaging. </p> <p>The episode is a must-watch for anyone who has ever experienced emotionally unpredictable managers, toxic work environments, and the psychological toll of bad leadership. </p> <p><br></p> <p>Chapters:</p> <p>[00:12] Introductions with host, Maya Kadar Kovalsky </p> <p>[01...
Rookie Mistakes That Actually Make You Better at Work
<p>In this episode of our Workplace Weirdness™ summer series, “Out of Office,” Maya Kadar Kovalsky explores the theme of "rookie mistakes" and “rookie smarts” in the workplace, highlighting how early career blunders often lead to valuable learning experiences. </p> <p>We hear stories from various guests from past episodes who share their early career journeys, with missteps such as overconfidence in a corporate setting, accidental termination emails, inappropriate gifts and more. </p> <p>Maya and her experts from throughout the season, emphasize the importance of maintaining a "rookie mindset," which allows for fresh perspectives and innovation. </p> <p><br></p> <p>Episode...
