Work Better

Ninety percent of our day is spent feeling something, which makes it unrealistic to expect emotions to stay out of work. Ethan Kross explains that emotions are useful when kept in proportion, and the real opportunity is helping people shift – not suppress – them. Both personal strategies and the physical environment act as powerful emotional shifters, making space design an overlooked tool for supporting healthier emotional experiences.

Ethan Kross is a psychologist, author and leading researcher on the science of emotion and self‑control. He is a professor of psychology and management at the University of Michigan, where he directs the Emotion & Self‑Control Laboratory, and he’s best known for his bestselling books Chatter and Shift. His work focuses on why we feel what we feel and how people can use practical tools to better regulate their emotions.

The Work Better podcast is produced by Katie Pace, with assistance from Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Erin Ellison provides creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez provide technical support. Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks publish digitally.

Meetings offer one of the clearest windows into an organization — who speaks, how decisions are made, and whether people feel included all reveal the real state of culture and performance. Our latest research shows that when leaders pay attention to these everyday dynamics, culture shifts from something abstract to a measurable driver of alignment, fairness, and better work. Hear more on the Work Better podcast, where Khalil Smith, Vice President of Inclusion, Diversity, and Engagement at Akamai Technologies, unpacks the gap between what leaders think people need at work and what employees actually say they need.

Leadership matters because it shapes daily experience, and that consistency is built by small, cumulative actions – the lighting, the layout, the moments we create – that add up over time. Research shows people don’t leave jobs; they leave managers. So leaders who practice mentorship, notice moments, and make predictable, human‑centered choices keep teams engaged. Clint Pulver’s undercover work reminds us that practical, everyday gestures and thoughtfully designed workplaces are what make people say, “I love it here.”

Clint Pulver is an Emmy Award–winning keynote speaker, bestselling author, and workforce expert best known as the “Undercover Millennial.” A Speaker Hall of Fame inductee and professional drummer, Pulver blends research‑driven insights with high‑energy storytelling and live performance, inspiring organizations to build workplaces people never want to leave.

The Work Better podcast is produced by Katie Pace, with assistance from Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Erin Ellison provides creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez provide technical support. Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks publish digitally.

Recent McKinsey research describes today’s workplace as a “perma‑crisis,” demanding new levels of emotional stamina from leaders. In this Work Better episode, leadership expert Shannon Cohen explains why thriving now requires more than skill; it requires care, community, and the right “spotters” to support leaders as they take on heavier lifts. Shannon and host Chris Congdon explore the emotional cost of new opportunities, why victories carry weight, and how leaders can build resilience without burning out.

Shannon Cohen is an award‑winning author, speaker, and leadership strategist known for her work in emotional intelligence, wellbeing, and leader sustainability. She is the founder of the Rockstar Woman Movement, a national community dedicated to empowering women leaders and changemakers. Through her writing, training, and keynote work, Shannon equips organizations and individuals with the tools to thrive in high‑pressure, high‑impact environments.

The Work Better podcast is produced by Katie Pace, with assistance from Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Erin Ellison provides creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez provide technical support. Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks publish digitally.

Novel ideas often hinge on the right relationships. Research shows that if we lean on the wrong connections – or work alone when collaboration is needed – we can derail creativity before it ever takes off. On this episode of the Work Better podcast, Jill Perry‑Smith reveals why our weakest ties, those acquaintances we barely know, may be the strongest source of fresh perspectives and breakthrough innovation.

Jill Perry Smith is a Professor of Organization & Management at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. She serves as Academic Director for the Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation and is recognized for her research on how social networks shape creativity and innovation. With a background in civil engineering and organizational behavior, she bridges technical problem‑solving with insights into human relationships and workplace design.

The Work Better podcast is produced by Katie Pace, with assistance from Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Erin Ellison provides creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez provide technical support. Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks publish digitally.