At Workhuman LIVE, experts and thought leaders shared practical insights on the future of work—uncovering hidden potential, redefining psychological safety, and building resilient teams equipped for change.

In this episode of Relationships at Work, I break down the biggest takeaways across leadership, DEI, artificial intelligence, and resiliency. Learn how brave spaces challenge comfort, why AI demands clean data, and how true resilience is built through preparation and growth.

Discover insights that will help you lead with purpose and transform your workplace culture. Tune in.

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In this episode of Relationships at Work, we’re diving into the almost-forgotten power of handwritten communication with Amy Weinland Daughters, award-winning author of Dear Dana and passionate advocate for intentional connection.

Amy shares how a simple handwritten note can redefine relationships in the workplace, cutting through the noise of digital communication to create moments that are tangible, memorable, and deeply personal. We explore how these small gestures of appreciation can override mistakes, build trust, and even boost retention, all with just a pen and a few minutes of time.

Discover why handwritten notes are more than just ink on paper—they are symbols of care, recognition, and leadership that last far beyond the moment they're received.

🔹 In This Episode:

• Why handwritten notes have more impact than emails or Slack messages
• How vulnerability in handwriting deepens trust and connection
• Overcoming fear of imperfection when writing notes
• Practical tips to make handwritten notes part of your leadership style

If you want to stand out as a leader who truly cares, you might just find your next powerful tool…in a pen.

Would you like me to craft a LinkedIn and Instagram promo post for this episode as well?

Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. It’s packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.

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We’ve all heard it before—promises of change, assurances of action, and commitments to improvement from leaders. But too often, words are mistaken for progress.

In this episode of Relationships at Work, we’re diving into the dangerous gap between talking and doing in leadership. When leaders say, "We’re working on it," but nothing changes, trust erodes, and relationships suffer. We explore real-world scenarios like resolving workload issues, addressing toxic behavior, and improving feedback loops, and we provide actionable steps leaders can take to ensure their words match their actions. Because in leadership, talking isn’t enough—doing is what matters.

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In this episode of Relationships at Work, I sit down with Amri B. Johnson, executive advisor, organizational consultant, and founder of Inclusion Wins, to explore what it truly means to systemize inclusion. We break down his Emergent Inclusion System—an approach that goes beyond checkboxes and surface-level DEI initiatives to create lasting, impactful change in the workplace.

Amri shares how organizations can operationalize inclusion through everyday practices, empowering skilled operators to carry the message forward, and building resilience that strengthens through adversity. We also discuss the importance of cultural intelligence, accountability through action—not just mandates—and how real inclusion is built into the DNA of how we work, lead, and connect.

If you're looking to understand how to make inclusion sustainable, actionable, and transformative, this episode is your blueprint.

Listen now and discover:

• How inclusion systems create lasting impact
• The role of cultural intelligence in driving change
• Practical ways to operationalize inclusion daily
• Why accountability is a shared, ongoing process

Join us as we reimagine what inclusion can—and should—be.

Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. It’s packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.

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When we show up to work, we bring expectations—with how we’ll be treated, how we’ll grow, and how we’ll be led. But what happens when the person responsible for our development… isn’t really a leader at all? In this solo episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher unpacks the frustration that comes when leadership expectations crash into the reality of untrained, unresponsive supervisors. He offers tangible advice for how employees can lead up when support is lacking—and how real leaders can better manage the expectations placed on them by staying curious and communicative. Because not every manager is a leader, but every leader has the opportunity to rise to the challenge.

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What does it mean to be a neuro-fit leader?

In this episode of Relationships at Work, host Russel Lolacher is joined by trauma-sensitive, polyvagal-informed leadership and neuro coach Mallory Meyer to unpack the real power of nervous system regulation in leadership. Together, they explore why leaders can’t think their way to better leadership — they have to feel it. Mallory shares how neuro-fitness supports emotional agility, improves decision-making, and helps leaders show up with authenticity and calm in high-stress environments.

They also discuss:
– Why resilience gets misused in the workplace
– What co-regulation looks like in teams
– Tangible tools to reset your nervous system in real-time
– The connection between diversity, performance, and embodied leadership
– How modeling neuro-fitness can shift organizational culture from the inside out

If you're tired of performative leadership advice and ready for something rooted in humanity, science, and practical tools, this episode delivers.

Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. It’s packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.

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After 250 episodes of exploring leadership, workplace culture, and the human side of work, certain truths just won’t stay quiet.

In this solo episode, host Russel Lolacher reflects on the six most consistent, hard-earned lessons that keep showing up — no matter the industry, the title, or the team. From the emotional impact of leadership to the systems that silently shape it, these are the truths every leader needs to face if they want to do better, lead better, and build workplaces worth staying in. This isn’t a checklist — it’s a challenge.

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urpose isn’t a poster on the wall — it’s an everyday practice.
In this episode of Relationships at Work, Dr. Alise Cortez joins Russel Lolacher to explore how leaders can move beyond surface-level engagement and truly ignite meaning, connection, and inspiration in the workplace.

Drawing from her research in logotherapy, workplace meaning, and leadership development, Alise shares:
✅ Why leaders must first be inspired by their own lives
✅ How to embed purpose into workplace culture from onboarding onward
✅ The critical role of recognizing and rewarding kindness, empathy, and courage
✅ How relationships can elevate — or erode — a sense of meaning at work
✅ What to do when your purpose no longer aligns with your workplace
✅ Practical ways leaders can grow people into their fullest potential

This isn’t about slogans or vision statements gathering dust. It's about operationalizing humanity in how we work, lead, and connect — every single day.

Whether you’re a leader ready to elevate your team, or an employee looking to reconnect to your own sense of purpose, this conversation will give you the tools — and the hope — to start.

Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. It’s packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.

And connect with me for more great content!

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