Workday Playdate Podcast By Erin Diehl | Business Improv Edutainer Failfluencer Keynote Speaker cover art

Workday Playdate

Workday Playdate

By: Erin Diehl | Business Improv Edutainer Failfluencer Keynote Speaker
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About this listen

 *TOP 1% GLOBAL PODCAST* Pssst…it’s your work bestie again tapping you on the shoulder telling you to take a breather from sending another email because I’ve got some tea–piping hot, actually. I’m Erin Diehl, founder of improve it!(AKA, your work bestie), and I’m going to take you on a much needed excursion from your workday from the comfort of your very own headphones. Every Wednesday, your Workday Playdate will give you research-based, tangible strategies to transform yourself through improv comedy techniques and play. It’s all designed to bring the fun back to your job and remind you that taking a break from your workday is ironically what improves it the most. And with a little play date snack every Monday, you’ll start your week off on the right foot with a fresh idea to incorporate, pronto. Oversharing and knee-slappers guaranteed. Welcome, my friend. Let’s play! Career Success Economics
Episodes
  • 296: Hybrid Headaches? Here’s How to Make the Office Return Less Awkward & More Awesome

    296: Hybrid Headaches? Here’s How to Make the Office Return Less Awkward & More Awesome
    Jun 25 2025
    In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin tackles the awkward elevator small talk, the lukewarm return-to-office bagels, and the actual leadership challenges of hybrid work. From re-establishing team rituals to defining the “why” behind your office days, this episode is a field guide for anyone trying to rebuild connection in a flexible work world without burning out. Whether you're managing Zoom fatigue, leading a team that’s half-in, half-out, or just trying to make Tuesdays feel less like a ghost town, Erin’s giving you 10 practical, human-first ways to lead with empathy, adaptability, and a little playfulness. Because team culture doesn’t build itself, and your people notice when it’s missing. Inside This Episode: The secret to getting buy-in on hybrid? Define purpose, not policy.Why empathy beats mandates every time.How to spot (and respond to) those “awkward but honest” moments like a pro.Flexibility isn’t a perk—it’s the new standard.Why spontaneous hallway convos still matter (and how to make them happen).How modeling wellness creates psychological safety.Training teams for change so the next curveball doesn’t throw them.Rituals, celebrations, and why your team actually wants them—even if they roll their eyes. Who This Episode Is For: People leaders, HR pros, team managers—or anyone navigating the weird, wonderful world of hybrid work. If you want your people to show up (and stay), this episode is your blueprint for building trust, boosting engagement, and creating a workplace that feels good to be in. Take a break from your emails, slam your laptop shut for 30ish minutes, and come have a Workday Playdate with us. Here is your link to download the free 100 Non-Cheesy Icebreakers that Erin mentioned in the episode. Ready to take one small step toward showing up with more clarity and confidence? Download our newest freebie—The Confident Leader’s Toolkit—a 4-step guide to crafting a professional persona that actually feels like you. This plug-and-play resource helps you define how you want to be seen, align your presence with your purpose, and lead with authenticity (not performance). 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 LinkedIn improve it!’s website improve it!’s Instagram
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    23 mins
  • Snack 19: Hybrid Work is Hard, But This Trick Will Make Office Returns Smooth

    Snack 19: Hybrid Work is Hard, But This Trick Will Make Office Returns Smooth
    Jun 23 2025
    In today’s Workday Playdate Snack, we’re tackling the hybrid work headache—and no, we’re not talking about the flickering office lights or the ancient coffee machine no one remembers how to clean. We’re talking about the emotional fog that creeps in when your team is half-on-Zoom, half-in-person, and 100% disconnected. The Problem: You’ve asked your team to return to the office a few days a week. Some show up with smiles. Others show up with...resentment. And some just show up for the snacks. Hybrid work isn’t just a scheduling issue—it’s a culture shift. And if you’re the one coordinating who’s in, who’s out, and whether “Taco Tuesday” counts as strategy… we see you. Why It Matters: According to Gallup, only 28% of employees feel connected in hybrid environments. Connection isn’t a luxury—it’s the glue. Without it, collaboration and morale fall flat. The Improv Hack to Try: The Wrong Name Game In your next meeting, have everyone make up a goofy name and fake job title. “Hi, I’m Tater McSnazzle, Chief Glitter Strategist.” “I’m Rufus Bucket, Senior Cloud Fluffer.” Yes, it’s weird. But it works. Play cuts through awkwardness and builds connection fast—whether you’re face-to-face or floating in the Zoomverse. Why it works: Breaks the ice in a low-stakes, high-fun waySparks laughter and lowers tensionCreates a sense of shared experience—even virtually Coming up Wednesday: Ready to go deeper? Don’t miss Episode 296: Hybrid Headaches? Here’s How to Make the Office Return Less Awkward & More Awesome. You’ll get practical tools to rehumanize your hybrid culture, one joyful moment at a time. Because rebuilding connection isn’t about forcing people back to desks—it’s about helping them find each other again. Feeling overwhelmed in high-stakes moments? Download our latest free resource—The Clarity Under Pressure Toolkit—a concise guide to navigating uncertainty with poise. In just five minutes, you'll learn how to center yourself, assess the situation, and respond with confidence. This actionable toolkit equips you with the tools to stay grounded and make clear decisions when it matters most. 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 LinkedIn improve it!’s website improve it!’s Instagram
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    10 mins
  • 295: Play More, Fight Less: The Secret to Happier Relationships with Greg Tavares and Amber Nash

    295: Play More, Fight Less: The Secret to Happier Relationships with Greg Tavares and Amber Nash
    Jun 18 2025
    In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin explores what every team—at work and at home—needs more of: play. Joined by real-life partners and improv powerhouses Greg Tavares and Amber Nash, this episode dives into how playful communication can defuse tension, deepen connection, and make conflict feel a whole lot less... combative. Greg, an improv teacher and facilitator with decades of experience helping teams collaborate more creatively, joins forces with Amber, a voiceover actor best known as Pam on Archer, to unpack how the tools of improv aren’t just for the stage—they’re for the conference room, the kitchen, and everywhere in between. From mismatched communication styles to stuck-in-a-rut dynamics, this episode is a fresh take on resolving conflict without losing your cool—or your connection. Whether you're managing workplace drama or relationship tension, this one’s packed with practical wisdom and plenty of laughs. Inside This Episode: Why “Yes, And” is more than an improv cliché—it’s a relationship game-changerHow to argue less by listening more (and differently)The science behind play and its impact on emotional regulationSpotting your partner’s “bids” for connection—and not missing themHow to fight in ways that are productive, not punitiveReal-world exercises to bring more curiosity and humor into conflictWhy improv-trained teams collaborate better—and how to borrow their tricksWhy laughter really is the best medicine for tensionWhat makes couples and coworkers more resilient together Who This Episode Is For: This one’s for anyone tired of the same old arguments—whether with your partner, your teammate, or your boss. If you want to replace reactivity with creativity, and tension with trust, tune in. Whether you’re leading a team or living with one, this episode is your permission slip to play more, fight less—and have way more fun doing it. Take a break from your emails, slam your laptop shut for 30ish minutes, and come have a Workday Playdate with us. Ready to take one small step toward showing up with more clarity and confidence? Download our newest freebie—The Confident Leader’s Toolkit—a 4-step guide to crafting a professional persona that actually feels like you. This plug-and-play resource helps you define how you want to be seen, align your presence with your purpose, and lead with authenticity (not performance). 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 Greg Tavares and Amber Nash Connect with them at improvforcouples@gmail.com Greg’s LinkedIn Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! Erin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedIn improve it!’s website improve it!’s Instagram
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    52 mins
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