Workday Playdate

TOP 1% GLOBAL PODCAST for People-First Leaders Formerly the "improve it! Podcast." #9 in BEST 100 SELF LEADERSHIP PODCASTS. I’m Erin Diehl, keynote speaker, business improv edutainer, and founder of improve it! (AKA your work bestie). Every Wednesday, Workday Playdate with improve it! helps HR professionals, people leaders, and culture-driven humans bring more laughter, levity, and purpose to their workdays. Because work is better when you play. This is not your average leadership podcast. You’ll get research-backed strategies, improv-inspired tools, and candid conversations with top leaders, speakers, improvisers and authors who are rethinking how we work and lead. Our promise is to give you tangible takeaways you can use immediately, plus a few laughs along the way. Interested in partnering with us? Workday Playdate reaches thousands of people-first leaders who care about workplace culture, leadership, and team development. Contact info@learntoimproveit.com to learn more about sponso

Workday Playdate is a business podcast hosted by Erin Diehl - Workday Playdate, with 411 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 87. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Erin Diehl - Workday Playdate hosts Workday Playdate, a business show with 411 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #365

  365: 74% of Working Moms Are Running on Empty. Now What?

  Aug 19, 202647 min

  “There is enough for everyone. Enough time, enough opportunity, enough resources, enough love, enough patience.” -Tiffany Sauder In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Tiffany Sauder, founder of Life of And, for a conversation about working motherhood, burnout, ambition, and building a life that actually feels sustainable. Tiffany challenges the idea that women simply need to “do more” or “manage their time better” and offers a more practical approach: build better systems, make intentional tradeoffs, and stop treating every season like it has to hold everything. Through her Life of And framework, Tiffany helps ambitious women navigate the tension between meaningful work and meaningful presence. From her “not now” list to her “size of your yes” method, she shares tools for making decisions that honor both your current season and the life you’re still building. Inside This Episode: Abundance Over Scarcity: Tiffany shares why her guiding word is abundance and how believing there is enough time, opportunity, energy, and love can change the way we approach career and family. Burnout Is a Systems Problem: Discover why burnout isn’t simply about being busy. Tiffany explains how putting in significant effort without feeling meaningful progress can leave high-achieving women depleted—and what to change instead. Every Yes Has a Hidden Cost: A “yes” doesn’t just take the time listed on the calendar. Learn how to account for prep, cleanup, transitions, logistics, and emotional energy before committing. From “I Can’t” to “I Don’t Know How Yet”: Tiffany explains how changing the language we use with ourselves can shift us from limitation and guilt toward ownership, creativity, and problem-solving. The Power of the “Not Now” List: You don’t have to abandon a dream just because it doesn’t fit your current season. Tiffany shares how parking an idea for later can create peace without closing the door on what matters to you. What to Do Now: Calculate the Real Size of One Yes: Pick one commitment on your calendar and calculate its true time cost, including preparation, transitions, cleanup, and emotional energy. Then ask: Is this still a yes? Create a “Not Now” List: Identify one goal, dream, or interest you’ve been feeling guilty about not pursuing. Instead of abandoning it, give yourself permission to say, “Not now.” Decide when you’ll revisit it. Find One Micro-Solution: Look at one recurring source of stress and ask: Can I outsource it, automate it, eliminate it, or approach it differently? You don’t have to redesign your whole life to create more margin. About the Guest Tiffany Sauder is the founder of Life of And, a platform dedicated to helping ambitious women navigate the intersection of career, leadership, motherhood, and caregiving without sacrificing their well-being. A wife and mom of four daughters, Tiffany brings both professional experience and lived experience to conversations about working motherhood. Through the Life of And Podcast, Life of And Program, and live events, Tiffany gives women practical frameworks for making confident choices in demanding seasons of life. Her work helps ambitious women move beyond guilt and perfectionism and build lives where career and family, leadership and presence, and achievement and well-being can coexist. Your Freebie Networking doesn’t have to feel performative, transactional, or awkward. Download our Networking Without Feeling Weird toolkit for practical strategies to help you build genuine connections while staying confident, clear, and grounded. Whether you’re walking into a conference, meeting new colleagues, or simply trying to expand your circle, this two-part resource will help you network in a way that actually feels like you. Connect with Tiffany Sauder Tiffany’s LinkedIn The Life of And program Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! Leadership Playground online membership community Erin’s website Erin’s Instagram Erin’s TikTok Erin’s LinkedIn improve it!’s website improve it!’s Instagram Connect with Erin Diehl Learn more about Workday Playdate: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast-page Book Erin to speak: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/keynote-speaker Workshops & Team Experiences: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/experiential-training Learn more about Erin: https://www.itserindiehl.com/meet-erin For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com . Loved this episode? If this conversation made you think differently about work, leadership, or building joyful teams, please follow Workday Playdate on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use more play in their workday.

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  Episode #364

  364: How One Conversation Changed My Career

  Aug 12, 202626 min

  "Your next opportunity probably won't come from your resume. It'll come from a conversation." – Erin Diehl In this solo episode of Workday Playdate, Erin shares the true story of how one cold email, one coffee meeting, and one unexpected dinner led to improve it!'s very first paying client. If networking has ever felt awkward, transactional, or downright exhausting, this episode will completely reframe the way you build professional relationships. Erin introduces her BREW IT networking framework: a simple, human-centered approach to creating meaningful connections that lead to real career opportunities. Whether you're job searching, growing your business, or simply looking to expand your professional network, you'll walk away with practical strategies to network authentically without feeling fake. Inside This Episode: Networking Starts With Showing Up: Erin shares how attending one Chicago networking event introduced her to a connection that would ultimately change the trajectory of her career. The Coffee Matters More Than the Pitch: Career-changing relationships are built through curiosity, generosity, and genuine conversation. The BREW IT Framework for Authentic Networking: Learn Erin's five-step process for building meaningful professional relationships: Be There, Reach Out, Earn the Relationship, Win Them Over with Who You Actually Are, and Invite the Next Scene. Relationships Before Opportunities: Discover practical ways to build trust long before you ask for anything—including thoughtful follow-up, sharing someone's work, making introductions, and staying connected over time. One Conversation Can Change Everything: The episode ends with a simple challenge designed to help you stop overthinking networking and start creating momentum with one meaningful conversation in the next 48 hours. What to Do Now: Start With One Person: Think of someone you'd genuinely love to learn from and send them a short, specific email asking for 20 minutes to connect. Lead With Curiosity: During your conversation, focus on asking thoughtful questions instead of trying to impress. The best networking conversations feel like exchanges, not interviews. Keep the Story Going: Follow up within 48 hours with a meaningful thank-you, a helpful resource, or an introduction. And don't forget to invite the next conversation! Real relationships are built one scene at a time. Your Freebie Networking doesn’t have to feel performative, transactional, or awkward. Download our Networking Without Feeling Weird toolkit for practical strategies to help you build genuine connections while staying confident, clear, and grounded. Whether you’re walking into a conference, meeting new colleagues, or simply trying to expand your circle, this two-part resource will help you network in a way that actually feels like you. Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! Leadership Playground online membership community Erin’s website Erin’s Instagram Erin’s TikTok Erin’s LinkedIn improve it!’s website improve it!’s Instagram Connect with Erin Diehl Learn more about Workday Playdate: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast-page Book Erin to speak: https://passionstruckspeakers.com/speakers/erin-diehl/ Workshops & Team Experiences: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/experiential-training Learn more about Erin: https://www.itserindiehl.com/meet-erin For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com . Loved this episode? If this conversation made you think differently about work, leadership, or building joyful teams, please follow Workday Playdate on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use more play in their workday.

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  Episode #363

  363: Why Your Nervous System Runs the Meeting with Lani Gonzales

  Aug 5, 202646 min

  "The goal isn't to collect more gold stars. It's to create a life that's achingly beautiful." – Lani Gonzales In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Lani Gonzales to explore why so many high achievers end up feeling exhausted, disconnected, and stuck chasing the next accomplishment. After leaving a successful legal career and walking more than 500 miles on the Camino de Santiago, Lani discovered that sustainable success is fueled by play. If you've ever felt like your productivity comes at the expense of your wellbeing, this conversation is for you. Lani shares practical mindset shifts and nervous system strategies to help leaders, entrepreneurs, and ambitious professionals build confidence without burnout and create work that's deeply aligned with who they are. Inside This Episode: Movement Is More Than Exercise: Lani explains why movement, play, and curiosity are the fuel that makes sustainable performance possible. High Achievement Isn't the Same as Fulfillment: Many ambitious professionals unknowingly operate from a place of proving their worth. Lani shares how shifting your internal motivation can create more confidence, creativity, and joy. The Camino Teaches You How to Let Go: Walking 500 miles across Spain became more than a physical challenge—it became a lesson in releasing emotional baggage, embracing presence, and trusting the next step. Confidence Starts in the Body: From nervous system regulation to simple physical practices, Lani explains how our bodies shape our ability to think clearly, show up authentically, and navigate high-pressure moments. Stop Treating Life Like a Test: What if challenges weren't exams to pass, but opportunities to explore? Lani shares how curiosity creates resilience, reduces overthinking, and makes growth feel a whole lot lighter. What to Do Now: Find Your Fuel: Ask yourself whether you're chasing external validation or creating from genuine joy and purpose. Move Before You Push: Incorporate small moments of movement, play, or breathwork into your workday to regulate your nervous system before tackling difficult tasks. Focus on the Next Step: Instead of trying to solve the entire journey, bring your attention back to what's right in front of you and let momentum build from there. About the Guest Lani Gonzales is a speaker, coach, hypnotherapist, and former attorney who helps high achievers redefine success through movement, mindset, and nervous system regulation. Drawing from her own transformational journey—including walking the Camino de Santiago—Lani empowers leaders and entrepreneurs to replace burnout with curiosity, confidence, and sustainable joy. Through her coaching, speaking, and creative work, she helps people build lives and businesses that honor both their ambition and their humanity. Your Freebie Networking doesn’t have to feel performative, transactional, or awkward. Download our Networking Without Feeling Weird toolkit for practical strategies to help you build genuine connections while staying confident, clear, and grounded. Whether you’re walking into a conference, meeting new colleagues, or simply trying to expand your circle, this two-part resource will help you network in a way that actually feels like you. Connect with Lani Gonzales Lani’s LinkedIn Lani’s website Lani’s Instagram Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! Leadership Playground online membership community Erin’s website Erin’s Instagram Erin’s TikTok Erin’s LinkedIn improve it!’s website improve it!’s Instagram Connect with Erin Diehl Learn more about Workday Playdate: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast-page Book Erin to speak: https://passionstruckspeakers.com/speakers/erin-diehl/ Workshops & Team Experiences: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/experiential-training Learn more about Erin: https://www.itserindiehl.com/meet-erin For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com . Loved this episode? If this conversation made you think differently about work, leadership, or building joyful teams, please follow Workday Playdate on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use more play in their workday.

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  Episode #362

  362: ADA at Work: What to Say in the Moment with Rachel Shaw

  Jul 29, 202641 min

  “The real failure of inclusion happens in the moments when someone hesitates.” – Rachel Shaw In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Rachel Shaw to explore what it really takes to build inclusive workplaces that work in real time. In a world full of well-intentioned initiatives, Rachel makes the case that true inclusion is ultimately a human skill. If you've ever wondered how leaders can create cultures where people feel genuinely seen, supported, and empowered, this conversation is for you. Rachel shares how organizations can move beyond compliance and build cultures rooted in empathy, accountability, and belonging. Inside This Episode: Inclusion Is a Live Skill, Not Just a Policy: Rachel explains why real inclusion happens in the everyday moments when people are under pressure, uncertain, or vulnerable. Policies matter, but the way leaders respond in real time matters even more. Thinking Quickly on Your Feet Is a Leadership Advantage: Difficult conversations rarely come with a script. Rachel shares why curiosity, presence, and adaptability help leaders respond with confidence instead of defensiveness when challenges arise. Empathy Changes the Outcome of Hard Conversations: Pausing, getting curious, and leading with empathy can transform tense situations into opportunities for trust and connection. Rachel discusses how a leader's response can either strengthen relationships or unintentionally damage them. HR Has More Influence Than It Thinks: HR professionals are far more than administrators. Rachel explores how HR leaders can shape culture, drive accountability, and ensure organizational values show up in everyday decisions and behaviors. Inclusive Culture Is Built Through Daily Choices: Belonging isn't created through one initiative or annual training. Rachel explains how mentorship, communication, benefits, and consistent leadership behaviors create cultures where people truly feel they matter. What to Do Now: Pause Before Responding: When faced with uncertainty or discomfort, give yourself a moment before reacting. Thoughtful responses build trust; rushed reactions often erode it. Audit Your Daily Leadership Habits: Consider how your everyday behaviors—from meetings to feedback conversations—either reinforce or undermine belonging on your team. Use Your Influence: Whether you're in HR, leadership, or an individual contributor role, identify one way you can advocate for a more inclusive and human-centered workplace this week. About the Guest Rachel Shaw is an attorney, speaker, consultant, and workplace inclusion strategist who helps organizations build cultures that are both legally sound and deeply human. With decades of experience advising leaders and HR professionals, Rachel specializes in disability inclusion, workplace culture, employee relations, and leadership effectiveness. She is the author of The Disabled Workforce: What the ADA Never Anticipated, where she explores the evolving realities of today's workforce and challenges organizations to rethink how they support employees. Through her work, Rachel empowers leaders to create workplaces grounded in empathy, accountability, and belonging. Your Freebie You’re calm, capable, and composed… until things take an unexpected turn (as they tend to do)! This is exactly why we created The Clarity Under Pressure Toolkit: What to Do in the First 5 Minutes of Any Uncertain Situation . It’s your go-to guide for staying grounded when it matters most. Download it here . Connect with Rachel Shaw Rachel’s LinkedIn Rachel’s media kit Rachel’s HR website Rachel’s personal website Rachel’s book: The Disabled Workforce: What the ADA Never Anticipated Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! Leadership Playground online membership community Erin’s website Erin’s Instagram Erin’s TikTok Erin’s LinkedIn improve it!’s website improve it!’s Instagram Connect with Erin Diehl Learn more about Workday Playdate: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast-page Book Erin to speak: https://passionstruckspeakers.com/speakers/erin-diehl/ Workshops & Team Experiences: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/experiential-training Learn more about Erin: https://www.itserindiehl.com/meet-erin For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com . Loved this episode? If this conversation made you think differently about work, leadership, or building joyful teams, please follow Workday Playdate on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use more play in their workday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  Episode #361

  361: The Unexpected Career Power of Improv with Nnamdi Ngwe

  Jul 28, 202631 min

  In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Emmy Award-winning writer, actor, comedian, facilitator, and longtime improve it! family member Nnamdi Ngwe to explore why the most valuable career skills often come from the places you least expect. From playing college soccer to performing with The Second City, creating viral content, facilitating workshops for global organizations, and winning an Emmy, Nnamdi's career is proof that following your curiosity can lead to opportunities you never could have planned. If you've ever wondered whether your creative interests "count," questioned whether it's too late to pursue something different, or struggled to connect your unique experiences into a meaningful career path, this conversation will inspire you to see your strengths in a whole new way. Inside This Episode: Why Your Nontraditional Skills Are Your Competitive Advantage: Nnamdi shares how the experiences that don't fit neatly on a resume often become the skills that make you indispensable in your career. From College Soccer to Comedy Stages: Hear how an unexpected path led Nnamdi from the soccer field to improv theaters, television sets, and corporate boardrooms, proving that careers rarely unfold in a straight line. What It Really Takes to Create Viral Content: With a massive following across TikTok and Instagram, Nnamdi pulls back the curtain on his creative process and explains why content that looks effortless usually comes from consistent practice and experimentation. The Workplace Lessons Hidden Inside Improv: After facilitating workshops for companies like LinkedIn, TikTok, Motorola, and T-Mobile, Nnamdi explains the powerful moment when people realize improv isn't just entertainment—it's a practical skill for communication, collaboration, leadership, and innovation. Trusting Your Scene Partner and Yourself: Nnamdi reflects on collaborating with his twin brother and creative partner, Amechi, sharing lessons about trust, flexibility, and building successful partnerships both on stage and in business. What to Do Now: Identify Your Hidden Career Skill: Think about one strength you have that doesn't appear on your resume. Whether it's calming people during stressful moments, reading a room, making others laugh, or adapting when plans change, recognize it as a real professional asset. Stop Waiting for the Perfect Career Path: Your experiences don't have to make sense to everyone else. Trust that the skills you're building today may become the foundation for opportunities you can't yet imagine. Follow What Energizes You: Instead of asking whether a creative interest is practical, ask what it's teaching you. The projects that light you up often develop the very human skills that set you apart. About the Guest Nnamdi Ngwe is an Emmy Award-winning writer, actor, comedian, facilitator, and educator. After playing collegiate soccer at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, he went on to study and perform comedy at iO Theater and The Second City. Alongside his twin brother and creative partner, Amechi Ngwe, he has written and starred in acclaimed productions including Julius, Rap Skool, and House Sitters. His television credits include The Amber Ruffin Show, A Black Lady Sketch Show, The Bold and the Beautiful, Blippi, Comedy Central's 3Peat, and the Emmy Award-winning Tab Time. Beyond entertainment, Nnamdi facilitates interactive workshops for organizations around the world, helping leaders and teams build communication, adaptability, and collaboration skills through applied improvisation. Whether performing on stage, creating viral content online, or leading a workshop, he's passionate about helping people embrace creativity, trust themselves, and discover that their most unexpected skills are often their greatest strengths. Your Freebie You’re calm, capable, and composed… until things take an unexpected turn (as they tend to do)! This is exactly why we created The Clarity Under Pressure Toolkit: What to Do in the First 5 Minutes of Any Uncertain Situation . It’s your go-to guide for staying grounded when it matters most. Download it here . Connect with Nnamdi Ngwe Nnamdi’s Instagram Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! Leadership Playground online membership community Erin’s website Erin’s Instagram Erin’s TikTok Erin’s LinkedIn improve it!’s website improve it!’s Instagram Connect with Erin Diehl Learn more about Workday Playdate: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast-page Book Erin to speak: https://passionstruckspeakers.com/speakers/erin-diehl/ Workshops & Team Experiences: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/experiential-training Learn more about Erin: https://www.itserindiehl.com/meet-erin For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com . Loved this episode? If this conversation made you think differently about work, leadership, or building joyful teams, please follow Workday Playdate on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use more play in their workday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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