Workday Playdate

In this Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Carrie Drinkwine to explore a radical (and deeply human) truth: real healing starts with feeling.Carrie shares her powerful journey through chronic illness, emotional reckoning, and life-threatening health challenges. She explains how regenerative practices helped her reconnect to her body, her intuition, and her vitality. Together, Erin and Carrie unpack the emotional–physical connection, why “pushing through” keeps us stuck, and how flow, self-love, and emotional release create lasting wellness at work and in life.Inside This Episode:Flow Over Force: Why flow is essential for overcoming obstacles and supporting long-term health.Issues in the Tissues: How repressed emotions live in the body—and show up as physical symptoms.Healing from Within: Carrie’s journey through chronic illness and emotional healing.The Emotional–Physical Link: Why you can’t separate wellness at work from wellness in your body.Self-Love as Medicine: How acceptance, compassion, and nervous system safety unlock vitality.Listen to the Body: Why intuition—not optimization—is the most powerful health tool you have.Holistic, Not Hustle: How regenerative health practices lead to real, sustainable transformation.Who This Episode Is For:Humans navigating burnout, chronic stress, or chronic illnessLeaders curious about emotional wellness and embodied leadershipHigh-achievers ready to stop overriding their bodiesAnyone exploring self-healing, holistic health, or regenerative practicesFans of flow, intuition, self-love, and healing that actually sticksYour FreebieYou’ve tried the emails, the all-hands rollout, and the polished decks, but the vision still isn’t landing.That’s because people don’t buy into a vision that’s presented to them; they buy into one they help shape.The 30-Minute Vision-Setting Meeting Template gives you a simple, human-centered way to create alignment, spark ownership, and build real momentum. Download it here.No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.Have a question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode.Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.”Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This is your personal jackpot that gives you access to the frameworks that help us thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you’re trying to improve your daily routine, flesh out an idea that you’ve had for quite some time, or want to add more play into your day - these resources have got your back.Want 1 email a week from us? Our well-loved Fail Fourward Friday gives you 4 Fails, 3 Awakenings, 2 Ideas, and 1 Laugh from the week that reminded us what being human is all about: to make failure a habit, be a lifelong learner, explore more, and never pass up an opportunity to laugh. Subscribe here.Connect with Carrie DrinkwineCarrie’s LinkedInCarrie’s websiteConnect with Erin Diehl x improve it!Erin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin explores a freeing idea that might just change how you approach your life and work: stop setting goals for the sake of setting goals and start setting intentions instead.Erin unpacks why traditional goal-setting often creates pressure, panic, and perpetual dissatisfaction. She shows how intention-setting brings us back to alignment, and introduces a simple five-step framework to help you shift from constant pursuit to purposeful presence. Your actions will actually reflect your core values, not just your to-do list.Inside This Episode:Stop Worshipping Goals: Why goal-setting without meaning can disconnect you from what actually matters.Goals vs. Intentions: How goals create pursuit, but intentions create presence.Core Values = Compass: Why alignment is the real driver of fulfillment.The Five-Step Intention Framework: A practical, human approach to living and working with intention—without burning out.Joy Over Panic: How intention-setting helps you feel grounded, flexible, and more alive in your day-to-day.Life, Reframed: Why treating life like an improv scene changes everything.Who This Episode Is For:High-achievers who feel weirdly unfulfilled after hitting goalsLeaders craving presence instead of pressureHumans tired of optimizing every second of their livesAnyone seeking personal growth rooted in mindfulness and meaningFans of improv, alignment, and living on purpose (hi, you’re home)Your FreebieYou’ve tried the emails, the all-hands rollout, and the polished decks, but the vision still isn’t landing.That’s because people don’t buy into a vision that’s presented to them; they buy into one they help shape.The 30-Minute Vision-Setting Meeting Template gives you a simple, human-centered way to create alignment, spark ownership, and build real momentum. Download it here.No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.Have a question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode.Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.”Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This is your personal jackpot that gives you access to the frameworks that help us thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you’re trying to improve your daily routine, flesh out an idea that you’ve had for quite some time, or want to add more play into your day - these resources have got your back.Want 1 email a week from us? Our well-loved Fail Fourward Friday gives you 4 Fails, 3 Awakenings, 2 Ideas, and 1 Laugh from the week that reminded us what being human is all about: to make failure a habit, be a lifelong learner, explore more, and never pass up an opportunity to laugh. Subscribe here.Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!Erin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin welcomes Neil Ghosh—purpose-driven leader, social impact advocate, and author of Do More Good—to explore a relieving idea: you don’t need to be perfect to make a meaningful difference.Together, Erin and Neil unpack what purpose-driven leadership actually looks like in real life. They dig into why empathy is a practice, how imperfection builds trust and innovation, and why lasting change almost always starts smaller than we expect.Neil introduces his GEMSS model—Get Engaged, Empower Others, Micro Philanthropy, Show Up, Start Small—as a practical framework for proactive living and leadership.Inside This Episode:Purpose as a Burnout Antidote: Why purpose anchors decisions, sustains energy, and helps leaders navigate uncertainty.The Power of Imperfection: How imperfect leaders create psychological safety, trust, and room for innovation.Empathy, Reframed: Why empathy starts with perspective-taking before judgment—and how it changes leadership behavior.The GEMSS Model Explained: A simple, actionable framework for doing more good without doing more everything.Micro Philanthropy, Macro Impact: How small, consistent actions create ripple effects at work and beyond.Unity Without Uniformity: What it really takes to build shared commitment in diverse teams and communities.Who This Episode Is For:Purpose-driven leaders who want impact without burnoutHumans who care deeply but feel overwhelmed by “doing it all”Managers building cultures of trust, empathy, and belongingAnyone curious how small, imperfect actions can still change the worldYour FreebieYou’ve tried the emails, the all-hands rollout, and the polished decks, but the vision still isn’t landing.That’s because people don’t buy into a vision that’s presented to them; they buy into one they help shape.The 30-Minute Vision-Setting Meeting Template gives you a simple, human-centered way to create alignment, spark ownership, and build real momentum. Download it here.No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.Have a question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode.Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.”Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This is your personal jackpot that gives you access to the frameworks that help us thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you’re trying to improve your daily routine, flesh out an idea that you’ve had for quite some time, or want to add more play into your day - these resources have got your back.Want 1 email a week from us? Our well-loved Fail Fourward Friday gives you 4 Fails, 3 Awakenings, 2 Ideas, and 1 Laugh from the week that reminded us what being human is all about: to make failure a habit, be a lifelong learner, explore more, and never pass up an opportunity to laugh. Subscribe here.Connect with Neil GhoshNeil’s LinkedInNeil’s article: “How leaders can be transparent about their belief systems without alienating anyone”Neil’s article: “In an Age of Chaos, Leadership Starts with Doing the Right Thing”Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!Erin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin unpacks a simple idea: your words are wands. AKA, the way you talk to yourself is actively shaping what happens next.Erin introduces the concept of “Words Are Wands,” exploring how inner dialogue influences confidence, creativity, opportunity, and action. Drawing from improv, neuroscience, and real-life moments, she breaks down why most of us are stuck in negative, repetitive thought loops, and how to interrupt them on purpose.Through a five-step improv-based framework, Erin shows how reframing your thoughts isn’t “toxic positivity,” it’s a skill. One that helps you work with your brain (hello, Reticular Activating System) instead of against it.The big takeaway: when you change your language, you change what feels possible.Inside This Episode:Words Are Wands: How your inner dialogue quietly dictates your future.The Thought Loop Problem: Why 80% of our thoughts are negative, 95% are repetitive, and what that means for confidence and burnout.Reframing Without the Eye Roll: How to shift thoughts in a way that actually unlocks creativity and forward motion.The Brain on Focus (RAS Explained): How your Reticular Activating System filters reality, and how to train it to spot opportunities instead of threats.An Improv Framework for Mindset Shifts: A five-step approach for noticing thoughts, reframing language, and choosing aligned action.Small Actions, Big Shifts: Why tiny, intentional moves matter more than dramatic mindset overhauls.Who This Episode Is For:High performers stuck in negative self-talk or overthinking loopsLeaders, creatives, and humans who want more confidence and clarityAnyone craving a mindset shift that’s practical, playful, and grounded Fans of improv, personal growth, and brain-friendly self-improvementYour FreebieYou’ve tried the emails, the all-hands rollout, and the polished decks, but the vision still isn’t landing.That’s because people don’t buy into a vision that’s presented to them; they buy into one they help shape. The 30-Minute Vision-Setting Meeting Template gives you a simple, human-centered way to create alignment, spark ownership, and build real momentum. Download it here.No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.Have another question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode.Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.”Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This is your personal jackpot that gives you access to the frameworks that help us thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you’re trying to improve your daily routine, flesh out an idea that you’ve had for quite some time, or want to add more play into your day - these resources have got your back.Want 2 emails a week from us? One with a quick tip you can implement right away to enhance your personal and/or professional lives & one of our famous F.A.I.L. Fourward Friday newsletters? Subscribe here.Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!Erin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin welcomes Margaret Andrews—Harvard professor, leadership expert, and architect behind Harvard’s #1 leadership course—to unpack why this class has everyone talking.Together, Erin and Margaret explore why the most effective leaders manage themselves first; how vision setting starts with exploring possibilities rather than forcing answers; and why play, creativity, and emotional awareness are non-negotiable leadership skills. Margaret shares stories from teaching executives at Amazon, Walmart, Citi, the UN, and beyond, plus lessons from her book Manage Yourself to Lead Others. The big takeaway? Leadership is about self-awareness, intention, and creating space for humans to be human at work.Inside This Episode:Why Harvard’s #1 Leadership Class Works: The self-management framework that helps leaders lead with clarity, confidence, and authenticity.Vision Setting, Reimagined: Why great vision starts with exploring possibilities before setting intentions.Self-Awareness = Career Insurance: The small daily practices that prevent burnout, derailment, and leadership misfires.Play + Creativity at Work: How joy, laughter, and improv-adjacent thinking unlock better ideas and stronger teams.Manage Yourself First: The core leadership skill most people skip—and why it changes everything.Questions > Answers: How better questions lead to better leadership, decisions, and cultures.Who This Episode Is For:People leaders who want to lead with empathy, clarity, and confidence.High performers feeling burnt out, stuck, or pressured to “be a certain kind of leader.”Anyone curious about why Harvard’s top leadership class is so popular—and how to apply its lessons at work today.Your FreebieYou’ve tried the emails, the all-hands rollout, and the polished decks, but the vision still isn’t landing.That’s because people don’t buy into a vision that’s presented to them; they buy into one they help shape. The 30-Minute Vision-Setting Meeting Template gives you a simple, human-centered way to create alignment, spark ownership, and build real momentum. Download it here.No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.Have another question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode.Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.”Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This is your personal jackpot that gives you access to the frameworks that help us thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you’re trying to improve your daily routine, flesh out an idea that you’ve had for quite some time, or want to add more play into your day - these resources have got your back.Want 2 emails a week from us? One with a quick tip you can implement right away to enhance your personal and/or professional lives & one of our famous F.A.I.L. Fourward Friday newsletters? Subscribe here.Connect with Margaret AndrewsMargaret’s LinkedInMargaret’s websiteMargaret’s bookConnect with Erin Diehl x improve it!Erin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.