Her Resources Podcast

Who Is the Future of Work Really Being Designed For? with Stacey Lewis

In Episode 84 of the Her Resources Podcast, Linda Misegadis welcomes Stacey Lewis, Founder and CEO of HR Interrupted, for a direct and human-centered conversation about AI, HR leadership, reskilling, layoffs, employee responsibility, and the future of work. Together, they ask the question every organization should be wrestling with right now: as work changes, who is the future actually being designed for?

AI is changing work quickly, but Stacey Lewis reminds us that the future of work cannot be built on efficiency alone.

In this episode of the Her Resources Podcast, Linda Misegadis sits down with Stacey Lewis of HR Interrupted to talk about HR’s role in shaping the future of work, the tension between employers and employees, why transparency matters during change, and how leaders can use AI as a tool without losing the human side of work.

This conversation explores reskilling, layoffs, return-to-office tension, employee responsibility, leadership accountability, and why HR must move beyond transactional work into strategic, human-centered decision-making.

Timestamps
00:00 Welcome and episode framing
01:51 Stacey Lewis returns to the Her Resources Podcast
03:15 Where HR sits in the AI conversation
05:23 AI as a tool, not a replacement for human touch
06:17 The growing tension between employers and employees
11:29 Are we losing the spirit of work?
13:30 HR’s role in layoffs and human-centered decisions
15:33 Her Resources guest invitation break
16:05 Why AI job disruption needs guardrails
20:35 The need for honesty with the workforce
22:00 Work is a relationship
24:23 Real reskilling, not performative reskilling
27:25 Preparing the next era of workplace leaders
29:31 LGM Productions break
30:03 Skilled trades, frontline work, and workforce gaps
33:47 How HR can pivot like consulting firms have
35:04 The IKEA example and human-centered redesign
39:06 Why HR is not “everybody else” in the organization
41:37 HR’s responsibility to protect and serve the workforce
43:12 Better ways to handle layoffs
46:28 Stacey’s PSA for HR leaders: get a coach and therapist
49:17 Her Resources sponsorship break
50:20 Why dehumanizing layoffs damage trust
54:20 HR must track trends and understand the business
56:57 Future HR skills: data, technology, and engagement
58:45 What true reskilling requires
01:00:17 Reskilling for the industry, not only one company
01:03:40 Rethinking when and how work gets done
01:08:50 Flexibility comes with responsibility
01:09:27 The future of work is everyone’s responsibility
01:10:34 Designing the future of work with intention
01:13:21 Final reflections and how to connect with Stacey

Relevant Links
Stacey Lewis / HR Interrupted: https://hrinterrupted.com/
About Stacey: https://hrinterrupted.com/about/
Stacey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceyvarnadolewis/
HR Interrupted Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrinterrupted/
HR Interrupted Linktree: https://linktr.ee/HRInterrupted
Her Resources Podcast: https://www.herresourcespodcast.com/
Her Resources Linktree: https://linktr.ee/hrpodcast

Fixing Fairness: Why Good Intentions Aren’t Enough with Lily Zheng

In this episode of the Her Resources Podcast, Linda welcomes Lily Zheng, FAIR strategist, consultant, and author of Fixing Fairness: 4 Tenets to Transform Diversity Backlash into Progress for All, for a timely conversation about what it really takes to build fairer workplaces.

Lily challenges the idea that good intentions are enough and explains why many DEI efforts fail when they focus on optics, one-time training, or individual self-reflection without changing the systems that shape workplace outcomes. Linda and Lily discuss the FAIR framework, how HR leaders can reduce discrimination through better processes, why “hiring the best candidate” requires examining the actual hiring system, and how leaders can communicate fairness as a win-win for everyone.

This conversation is practical, honest, and especially relevant for HR leaders navigating backlash, polarization, and the pressure to create meaningful change without performative fluff.

 

Show Notes Links
Lily Zheng’s website: https://www.lilyzheng.co/
The FAIR Framework: https://www.lilyzheng.co/fair-framework
Lily’s authorship and book links: https://www.lilyzheng.co/authorship
Fixing Fairness publisher page: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/803298/fixing-fairness-by-lily-zheng/
Lily Zheng on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lilyzheng308/
“How FAIR Is Your Workplace?” diagnostic, shared by Lily: https://tinyurl.com/FAIRDiagnostic
HBR article, “What Comes After DEI?”: https://hbr.org/2025/01/what-comes-after-dei
Her Resources Podcast website: https://www.herresourcespodcast.com/
Her Resources Podcast on Podbean: https://herresourcespodcast.podbean.com/
Contact Her Resources: https://www.herresourcespodcast.com/contact
Sponsorship or guest inquiries: contact@herresourcespodcast.com

 

00:00 Welcome and episode introduction
02:31 Meet Lily Zheng
03:03 Lily’s journey from activism to organizational strategy
07:25 Why traditional DEI efforts often miss real impact
11:11 “Fear of Finding Out” and why measurement matters
14:25 DEI as marketing versus meaningful workplace change
16:18 What hiring discrimination data reveals
18:28 How centralized hiring can reduce discrimination
20:17 Why Lily wrote Fixing Fairness
22:17 The Cobra Effect and when good intentions backfire
27:51 Moving from blame and shame to shared solutions
30:21 The FAIR framework
31:35 Why systems matter more than self-help
36:38 “Hiring the best candidate” and the reality of hiring systems
41:18 Why fairness problems are solvable
45:29 Lily’s take on unconscious bias
49:44 DEI backlash and what remains when the language disappears
51:56 The FAIR tenet organizations struggle with most
53:39 Practical steps HR leaders can take today
55:55 The mindset shift leaders need around fairness
58:09 AI as a multiplier in workplace systems
1:02:01 Closing reflections
1:02:54 Where to connect with Lily
1:03:27 Wrap-up and listener CTA

Episode 82: It’s Not Just a Mindset: Why Old Patterns Are So Hard to Break with Katherine Flechaus

Why do we keep falling back into the same patterns, even when we know we want something different?

In this episode of Her Resources, Linda sits down with Katherine Flechaus, LCSW and founder of Aligned Core Life Coaching, to talk about the deeper patterns behind overcommitting, overexplaining, people-pleasing, and struggling to set boundaries.

Katherine introduces the idea of “safeguards,” patterns of behavior that may have developed to protect us, help us belong, or keep relationships feeling safe. But over time, those same patterns can start costing us our energy, confidence, voice, and well-being.

Together, Linda and Katherine explore why awareness alone is not always enough, how old beliefs can keep us stuck, why change often feels uncomfortable at first, and how to begin interrupting automatic responses with more compassion and curiosity.

If you have ever felt like “the reliable one,” said yes when you meant no, or wondered why setting boundaries brings up so much guilt, this conversation will help you see yourself with more grace and clarity.

Resources mentioned:

Katherine Flechaus Counseling and Consulting:
https://www.katherineflechauscounselingandconsulting.com/

Safeguard Pattern Mapping Worksheet:
https://site.alignedcorelifecoaching.com/safeguardpattern-herresources

 

Timestamps / Chapters

00:00 Why this conversation builds on “the reliable one”
02:14 Meet Katherine Flechaus
04:09 The gap between knowing and doing
06:09 What safeguards are and why we develop them
07:24 How women are conditioned to be nice, quiet, and accommodating
09:34 Why old patterns once helped us feel safe
12:18 Reframing the question from “what’s wrong with me?”
16:19 Why normalizing patterns removes shame
17:17 Looking at your origin story without blame
20:12 Turning old survival skills into strengths
21:47 Why we default back to old behaviors
22:09 Katherine’s Google Maps analogy for thought patterns
24:51 What are you protecting: belonging, identity, or relationships?
26:06 The cost of being the reliable one
28:43 Noticing burnout, resentment, and missed opportunities
29:37 Core beliefs and why old thoughts still feel true
33:36 Gathering evidence for a new belief
37:09 How stress and old patterns show up in the body
40:10 Why mantras alone may not create lasting change
41:29 Why change takes longer than we want it to
43:17 Building resiliency when old beliefs get triggered
46:43 Why relapse can be part of change
50:17 What we owe other people when we start setting boundaries
51:57 Teaching people how to respond to the new version of us
54:29 Starting with one small “no”
56:21 A practical pause for interrupting the pattern
57:15 Katherine’s worksheet for mapping your safeguard pattern
58:28 Questions to ask in the moment
01:00:45 Katherine’s reminder: you are not broken
01:03:30 Key takeaways from the episode
01:04:44 Connect with Katherine and download the worksheet

Why Women Over-Explain and How to Stop

Have you ever said no, then immediately felt the need to explain yourself?

In this episode of the Her Resources Podcast, we’re unpacking the habit of over-explaining and what it reveals about boundaries, people-pleasing, and the pressure to be seen as helpful, reliable, and kind. We explore why so many women soften their no, how that can create confusion instead of clarity, and what it looks like to hold a boundary with more confidence.

This episode is a practical and reflective conversation about communication, emotional responsibility, and the long-term cost of overcommitting at work and in life.

If this resonates, share it with someone who needs the reminder that a clear boundary does not need a long explanation.

0:00 Welcome and new chapter of the podcast
0:55 The question: do you explain after saying no?
1:20 The hidden cost of being the reliable one
2:17 Why over-explaining matters
2:43 Why we over-explain in the first place
3:10 Boundaries and keeping your no simple
4:05 Sponsorship message
4:56 “Clear is kind, unclear is unkind”
6:03 Trying to manage other people’s reactions
8:02 Over-functioning and weakening your own position
9:20 When over-explaining becomes a pattern
10:27 The career cost of not protecting your energy
11:16 The biggest takeaway from this episode
12:13 The moment the pattern either continues or changes
12:57 A preview of the next episode
13:01 Final reflection and community invitation

 

 

From Reliable to Intentional: Why Change Feels So Hard

If you’ve ever been the reliable one, the person everyone counts on, the one who always says yes, this episode is for you.

In this solo episode, Linda explores what happens after you start changing the patterns that no longer serve you. Because growth is not just about finally saying no. It is about what comes next: the discomfort, the guilt, the pushback from other people, and the identity shift that can make change feel harder before it feels freeing.

Drawing on insights from Susan David, Henry Cloud, James Clear, and Brené Brown, this conversation unpacks why discomfort is often a sign of growth, not failure, and how to stay grounded when the people around you are still adjusting to the new version of you.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why change feels uncomfortable even when it is healthy
• What other people’s reactions can reveal when you start setting boundaries
• The difference between being responsible to people and responsible for them
• How identity-based change actually works
• Why leadership is about how you show up, not just the title you hold
• The small, practical shift that helps real change stick

If this episode resonates, share it with another woman who is learning to choose growth, clarity, and intention over overcommitting.

Relevant Links
Podcast links:

• Website: https://www.herresourcespodcast.com/
• Podbean: https://herresourcespodcast.podbean.com/
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/hrpodcast
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herresourcespodcast
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@her.resources.pod
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/her-resources-podcast/id1768680594

Resources referenced in the episode:

• Susan David: https://www.susandavid.com/
• Emotional Agility: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/318298/emotional-agility-by-susan-david/
• Dr. Henry Cloud, Boundaries: https://www.drcloud.com/books/boundaries
• James Clear: https://jamesclear.com/
• Atomic Habits: https://jamesclear.com/books
• Brené Brown, “Clear Is Kind. Unclear Is Unkind.”: https://brenebrown.com/articles/2018/10/15/clear-is-kind-unclear-is-unkind/

00:00 Why growth feels uncomfortable
02:29 What happens after you start changing
04:15 Susan David and emotional agility
06:45 Why other people react when you change
07:31 Henry Cloud on boundaries
10:23 Sponsorship break
11:13 This is about identity, not just behavior
11:35 James Clear and identity-based change
14:14 Leadership is how you show up
15:31 Get comfortable being uncomfortable
17:28 Want to share your story with Her Resources?
17:59 One small step to take this week
19:35 Next episode preview: over-explaining
20:15 Outro

How to Say No Without Feeling Guilty | Boundaries, Burnout, and Being the “Reliable One”

What happens when being the reliable one starts to feel more like a burden than a strength?

In this solo episode of the Her Resources Podcast, Linda explores why saying no can feel so hard, especially for women who are used to being dependable, helpful, and always available. She shares practical reflections on boundaries, burnout, resentment, and the quiet tradeoffs that come with overcommitting.

This episode covers:

• Why saying no feels so uncomfortable
• The career cost of non-promotable work
• How resentment can signal a crossed boundary
• Why every yes is a tradeoff
• Simple ways to start setting healthier boundaries

Resources mentioned:

• The No Club: https://books.google.com/books/about/The_No_Club.html?id=2hRJEAAAQBAJ
• Essentialism by Greg McKeown: https://gregmckeown.com/books/essentialism/
• Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/647316/set-boundaries-find-peace-by-nedra-glover-tawwab/9780593192108/

Stay connected:

• https://www.herresourcespodcast.com/
• https://linktr.ee/hrpodcast

Timestamps
00:00 Welcome and why being “the reliable one” can become a burden
01:55 Today’s focus: how to say no without letting everyone down
02:27 Why saying no feels so hard
03:56 The No Club and the cost of non-promotable work
06:27 Podcast invitation and how to connect
06:58 Essentialism and the truth that every yes is a tradeoff
09:08 Set Boundaries, Find Peace and what resentment is really telling you
11:59 How to start saying no in real life
12:22 Start with a pause instead of an automatic yes
13:22 Use the tradeoff approach to reframe priorities
14:56 “No” is a full sentence
15:33 The discomfort of changing your pattern
17:02 The identity shift from people-pleasing to intentional living
18:15 Key takeaway: saying no doesn’t make you unreliable
19:03 Protecting your time and energy is necessary, not selfish
20:02 Final reflection and resources mentioned

Relevant Links
Books referenced in the episode:

• The No Club: https://books.google.com/books/about/The_No_Club.html?id=2hRJEAAAQBAJ
• Essentialism: https://gregmckeown.com/books/essentialism/
• Set Boundaries, Find Peace: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/647316/set-boundaries-find-peace-by-nedra-glover-tawwab/9780593192108/

Podcast links currently listed publicly:

• Website: https://www.herresourcespodcast.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HerResourcesPodcast
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herresourcespodcast
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@her.resources.pod
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/hrpodcast

The Human Workplace Ep. 3: What Better Actually Looks Like (With Diane Weaver)

What does “better” actually look like at work?

After exploring burnout in Episode 1 and the role of AI in Episode 2, we close out The Human Workplace series by answering the most important question: how do we build workplaces where people can truly thrive?

In this final conversation, Diane Weaver, COO of Baryons, joins us to break down what it really means for employees to “flourish”—and why that goes far beyond the absence of burnout.

Together, we explore:

• What “flourishing” actually means at an individual level

• Why burnout isn’t the problem—but a symptom

• The missing piece in most organizations: human connection

• Why fast decisions are breaking alignment inside teams

• The tension between AI adoption and human-centered leadership

• What organizations get wrong about culture vs. performance

• The real responsibility of leaders, organizations, and individuals in the future of work

• How AI can support reflection, growth, and continuous feedback (when used intentionally)

• Why compassion—not control—is the leadership skill that matters most

This episode brings the entire series full circle—shifting the conversation from awareness to action, and from reaction to intentional design.

This is Episode 3 of a 3-part series: The Human Workplace – Leadership, Burnout, and the Future of Work

Guest:
Diane Weaver
COO, Baryons
https://www.linkedin.com/in/weaver-diane/
https://baryons.com/

Listen to the full episode:
https://linktr.ee/hrpodcast

Learn more about the podcast:
https://herresourcespodcast.com/

#Leadership #FutureOfWork #WorkplaceCulture #Burnout #AI

AI Isn’t Replacing Leaders—It’s Exposing Them | Diane Weaver

What if AI isn’t replacing the human element at work… but actually strengthening it?

In Episode 2 of our 3-part series The Human Workplace, we continue the conversation with Diane Weaver, COO of Baryons, to explore a new perspective on AI—one that goes beyond efficiency and automation.

Instead of asking “Will AI replace us?” we’re asking a different question:
Can AI help us become better leaders, better teammates, and more self-aware humans at work?

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why the conversation around AI needs to shift from fear to opportunity

• How AI can support human development—not just productivity

• The concept of a “flourishing partner” and what it means for employees

• How organizations can turn human experiences into meaningful insights

• Why traditional employee data often misses critical context

• The importance of trust, transparency, and psychological safety in AI adoption

• How leaders can use real-time insights to better support their teams

This conversation challenges the idea that technology and humanity are at odds—and instead explores how they can work together to create more connected, aligned, and human-centered workplaces.

This is Episode 2 of a 3-part series: The Human Workplace – Leadership, Burnout, and the Future of Work

 Guest:
Diane Weaver
COO, Baryons
https://www.linkedin.com/in/weaver-diane/
https://baryons.com/

🎧 Listen to the full episode:
https://linktr.ee/hrpodcast

Learn more about the podcast:
https://herresourcespodcast.com/

#AI #Leadership #FutureOfWork #WorkplaceCulture #HRLeadership