The Breadwinners Podcast

The Breadwinners

Jennifer Owens + Rachael Ellison
For five seasons, “The Breadwinners” cohosts Jennifer Owens and Rachael Lowell Ellison have explored the hustle of work and life and its impact on every aspect of our lives. Now, Rachael takes the reins solo with “SHIFTING the Hustle.” This series takes stock of this post pandemic world to see what’s changed. What lessons have we learned from the past few years? Is there a new world of work on the horizon or are we moving backwards? This season, we’re diving into the relationship between work and well-being and asking the big questions. In 2024: Has healing become the new hustling?  We’ll feature discussions with experts, curated research, and Rachael’s reflections from the field using the SHIFT model (Security, Horizon, Impact, Fluidity, and Ties) as a lens. Join Rachael as we share stories, insights, and figure out how to fit it all together.
Navigating the SHIFT: A Compass for the Future of Work EP 192
In this series finale, host Rachael reflects on her personal journey that led to the development of the SHIFT framework, a compass for navigating the changing world of work. She revisits key insights from this season's guest experts on each of the five SHIFT domains: Security, Horizon, Impact, Fluidity, and Ties. Discover why aligning work with personal values, embracing uncertainty, setting clear objectives, allowing for flexibility, fostering belonging and leveraging AI are crucial for success in the future of work.  This series finale is a must-listen for anyone looking to navigate the future of work with purpose and resilience.  🔑 Key Topics: Personal Journey: How Rachael's unique path led to the creation of the SHIFT framework and her new practice. SHIFT Domains Revisited: Key takeaways from experts on Security, Horizon, Impact, Fluidity, and Ties. The AI Factor: How artificial intelligence can support the SHIFT principles in the workplace. Putting SHIFT into Practice: Introducing the Shift Leadership Approach Assessment for practical application. The SHIFT framework has illuminated our path through this transformative podcast mini-series, and now, it's your turn to take the reins and make it your own. Start by investing just 5 minutes in the the free Shift Approach Assessment Shift Approach Assessment, receive your customized report, and unlock a world of potential. 🔗Resources: Reworking Leadership: Empowering Leaders to Navigate the New AbNormal  Take the free SHIFT Approach Assessment and start your journey towards a more strategic and mindful approach to work. 🔗Guest Links: S: Lyra Health H: AskFora: See it in action! I: Charter F: Flex Strategy Group  T: The Anxious Achiever  Bonus AI: Lever Talent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 4, 2024
23 min
Navigating the SHIFT: AI and the Future of Work  EP 191
In this bonus episode of "The Breadwinners: SHIFTING the Hustle Series," Rachael and Drew Fortin, CEO of Lever Talent talk about AI's role in reshaping work dynamics post-pandemic. Throughout their conversation, they explore the transformative potential of AI across the SHIFT model's dimensions—Security, Horizon, Impact, Fluidity, and Ties—highlighting AI's capacity to redefine workplace security, enhance growth opportunities, measure impact, and improve fluidity and connections within the workplace. It’s a must listen for everyone trying to get their head around how AI is changing our work and lives. Don't miss this insightful exploration into how technology is transforming the future of work.  🎧 Key Topics: Security: Exploring AI's impact on psychological safety and creating unbiased, equitable work environments. Horizon: The role of AI in expanding career development and learning opportunities for individuals. Impact: How AI aids in clarifying and measuring the contributions and success of employees. Fluidity: AI's contribution to workplace adaptability, enabling a culture of innovation and flexibility. Ties: Enhancing connections and fostering a sense of belonging through AI-enhanced communication and interaction. 🔗Resources: Lever Talent  Lever Talent Podcast  Reworking Leadership Connect with Us:  Instagram: @thebreadwinnerspodcast  X: @breadwinnerspod  Website: www.thebreadwinnerspodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 22, 2024
46 min
Navigating the SHIFT: The Ties that Bind EP 190
In this episode, Rachael is joined by the phenomenal Morra Aarons-Mele. Morra is a celebrated podcaster, entrepreneur, and a leading authority on mental health, leadership, and the evolving dynamics of the workplace. Together, they delve into the critical challenge of nurturing connections and cultivating a sense of community within the modern landscape of remote and hybrid work settings. Given the growing concerns about isolation and loneliness in the workplace, it's a conversation you won't want to miss.  🎧 Key Topics: A Workplace in Flux: Rachael and Morra talk about how the workplace has changed since the pandemic. They discuss the toll on feelings of belonging and connection.  Mental Health Takes Center Stage. They cover the crucial role of mental health awareness in the workplace. They spotlight the loneliness epidemic and share strategies for both leaders and employees to reconnect.  Overcoming Disconnects: They talk about the challenges of balancing personal needs for flexibility while maintaining a connected workforce. They also offer their perspectives on how leaders can support both individual autonomy and a sense of belonging. This episode is essential for anyone struggling to connect and create connections in a disconnected world. Whether you are a leader aiming to promote belonging, or an employee feeling disconnected, this episode offers valuable insights and tangible advice. 🔗Resources: The Anxious Achiever Podcast American Psychological Association 2023 Work in America Workforce Survey Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s work on loneliness Reworking Leadership Connect with Us: Instagram: @thebreadwinnerspodcast X: @breadwinnerspod Website: www.thebreadwinnerspodcast.com How do you foster connection and community in your workplace? Email us at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 15, 2024
40 min
Navigating the SHIFT: Embracing Fluidity for the Now and Next of Work EP 189
In this episode, Rachael talks with Cali Yost. Cali is a pioneer in work flexibility and the CEO of Flex+Strategy Group. They delve into the evolving landscape of work post-pandemic, focusing on the concept of Fluidity. This episode unpacks the shift towards remote and hybrid work models. It also explores the challenges and opportunities of organizational policies on flexibility. The episode emphasizes the critical need for adaptability and the need to redefine work and life fit for all of us. 🎧 Key Topics: The Evolution of Workplaces: We explore the transition to remote and hybrid models. What does this mean for organizational culture and employee satisfaction? Adaptability in Action: We discuss strategies for navigating change in the workplace, maintaining productivity and wellbeing. Work-Life Integration: We talk about how the pandemic has reshaped our approach to balancing professional and personal lives. We also take a look at the role of flexibility in fostering a healthier work environment. The challenges of flexibility continue. We zero in on the disconnect between employee desires for autonomy and leader pushback. Cali shares insights from her group's latest report, "The Now and Next of Work." She highlights the gap between employer and employee perceptions of flexible work and suggests ways to bridge the divide. (HINT: It's about navigating discomfort and finding common ground and a common language.) Rachael and Cali's discussion is a must-listen for listeners trying to unpack the unending debates around distributed work. They share effective strategies for embracing the fluid dynamics of today's work environment. Whether you're a leader looking to adapt your organizational policies, or an employee advocating for greater work-life integration, this episode offers valuable insights. It will help you make work work in the new normal. 🔗Resources: Flex Strategy Group The Now and Next of Work The SHIFT Framework REworking Leadership Connect with Us: Instagram: @thebreadwinnerspodcast X: @breadwinnerspod Website: www.thebreadwinnerspodcast.com How do you adapt to changes in the how of work? Record us voice memo on Speakpipe or email us at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 8, 2024
35 min
Navigating the SHIFT: Impact - Meaning and Measurement EP 188
Navigating the SHIFT: Impact - Meaning and Measurement". Rachael talks to guest Massella Dukuly, a workplace strategist, about the many ways the pandemic has transformed our view of meaningful work. They discuss aligning personal and organizational values, the importance of transparent leadership, and strategies leaders can use to adapt in the evolving post-pandemic workplace. This episode is a must-listen for listeners looking to redefine success and grow their impact in their work lives. 🎧 Key Topics: Redefining Success: Embrace impactful work beyond traditional productivity. The Power of Transparency: Clear communication for effective leadership. Aligning Values: Merging personal and organizational goals for meaningful work. Navigating Change: Adapting to the new work landscape. The Role of Leadership: Cultivating a culture of impact and purpose. 🔗Resources: Charter The SHIFT Framework REworking Leadership Connect with Us: Instagram: @thebreadwinnerspodcast X: @breadwinnerspod Website: www.thebreadwinnerspodcast.com How do you connect with what matters at work? Record us voice memo on Speakpipe or email us [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 1, 2024
43 min
Navigating the SHIFT: Horizon and “The Great Opportunity” EP187
In this week’s episode of “The Breadwinners,” Rachael talks to two workplace innovators who explore how we all can turn this unsettling moment into an opportunity. Askfora founder Omer Trajman and Andy Palmer, a seed investor, entrepreneur, and author of Live for a Living. Together discuss adjusting to the skills-based economy and the importance of adaptability. Could a focus on skills instead of titles be the key? Tune in as they discuss mentorship, apprenticeship, and aligning personal and professional goals during a time of unprecedented change. 🔑 Key Topics: • Dealing with Workplace Uncertainty: Strategies for adapting to constant change. • Creating Adaptive Work Cultures: How companies can support continuous learning and employee development. • Fostering Employee Autonomy: Encouraging self-driven career progression in today’s dynamic work environment. 🔗Resources: Askfora Live for a Living KOA Labs The SHIFT Framework Connect with Us: Instagram: @thebreadwinnerspodcast X: @breadwinnerspod Website: www.thebreadwinnerspodcast.com How do you keep growing in today’s work culture? Record us voice memo on Speakpipe or email us [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 23, 2024
37 min
Navigating the SHIFT: Role of Security in Workplace Well-being EP 186
Join host Rachael and Dr. Joe Grasso, Head of Workplace Transformation at Lyra Health, as they unpack the true meaning of 'Security' in our daily work lives. They talk about how feeling secure at work affects everything from job satisfaction to overall health. Ever wondered why some workplaces just feel better to be in, while others drain your energy? Discover why overlooking psychosocial hazards like bullying and microaggressions can lead to a toxic work environment, and why addressing these issues is not just important, but essential. Whether you're in the corner office or the newest on the team, this conversation is about making work a better place for all of us. 🔑 Key Topics: Revisiting Values: How recent years have reshaped our priorities in the workplace. The Cost of Ignoring Well-being: Understanding the tangible and intangible consequences. Creating Psychologically Healthy Workplaces: Insights into what a truly safe and supportive work environment looks like. Broad Perspectives: Valuable takeaways for breadwinners, leaders, HR professionals, and employees alike. 🔗Resources: Lyra Health The SHIFT Framework 2024 Workforce Mental Health Trends Report Why employer misunderstanding of psychological safety is hurting teams’ performance Connect with Us: Instagram: @thebreadwinnerspodcast X: @breadwinnerspod Website: www.thebreadwinnerspodcast.com What does Security look like (or not look like 😐) at work?  Record us voice memo on Speakpipe or email us [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 16, 2024
32 min
Is Healing the New Hustling?  EP 185
In this episode, Rachael introduces the new season of The Breadwinners, focusing on the evolving dynamics of work and well-being. She shares her personal wake-up call to prioritize her own well-being and how it impacted her approach to the changing world of work.. She introduces the SHIIFT framework, which stands for Security, Horizon, Impact, Fluidity, and Ties, as a multifaceted approach to adapt to the changing workplace. It emphasizes the importance of psychological and financial security, growth and development, understanding and measuring impact, embracing flexibility, and fostering belonging and connection. The season aims to explore these topics and support individuals and organizations in navigating the transitions and changes in the workplace. Introduction: Shifting our Approach to Work 01:08 A Wake-Up Call 03:02 Introducing the SHIIFT Framework 06:24 Workplace Burnout is a Health Emergency  13:34 Concluding Thoughts 18:24 Resources:  The Myth of Normal by Gabor and Daniel Mate Realizing Well-being, Tara Brach Bridges Transition Model, William Bridges  Instagram: @thebreadwinnerspodcast X: @breadwinnerspod Website: www.thebreadwinnerspodcast.com [email protected] Theshiftwithrachael.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 9, 2024
20 min
Do I Have to Tell My Boss About My Side Hustle? EP 184
We close out Season Five of The Breadwinners with a look at side hustles. This week we consider what and who you need to tell about your other work — and whether it’s time to retire the phrase “side hustle” forever.   Have a question for Rachael + Jennifer? Email us at [email protected] or visit us at thebreadwinnerspodcast.com. We’re also on Facebook and Instagram. Let us know what you think!  And please, support us by rating and reviewing us — and sharing this episode with your favorite breadwinner today!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 27, 2023
22 min
How to Choose Between Two Job Offers EP 183
Lucky you, with two competing job offers to consider! In this week’s episode, Rachael and Jennifer map out the important factors to consider when choosing between job offers. What can you learn — or ask about — in your job interviews to set yourself up for success?  Have a question for Rachael + Jennifer? Email us at [email protected] or visit us at thebreadwinnerspodcast.com. We’re also on Facebook and Instagram. Let us know what you think!  And please, support us by rating and reviewing us — and sharing this episode with your favorite breadwinner today!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 13, 2023
26 min
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