Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast WTF is Business Casual
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Better Teams Start with Better Agreements | 04 Nov 2026 | 00:26:09 | |
In this episode of WTF is Business Casual?!, Jenny and Sarah dig into a research finding that completely flips the productivity conversation on its head. Turns out, all those individual hacks you've been told to do, checking email twice a day, blocking your calendar, turning off notifications, aren't what makes the highest performing teams tick. What actually works? Deciding together. They break down why unilateral scheduling decisions create bottlenecks, why return-to-office mandates miss the point entirely, and what leaders should actually be doing before the year ends to set their teams up for a less chaotic 2027. Plus: Jenny talks herself out of ruining a client handbook, Sarah's back from Ireland, and there's a parking lot for ideas that may or may not make any sense when you go back to read them. Whether you're a team lead, a solo operator figuring out how to work with others, or a business owner who keeps mandating things from the top down and wondering why nothing changes, this one's worth a listen. Highlights: Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| Iced Coffee and Other Interview Crimes | 14 Oct 2026 | 00:40:04 | |
In this episode of WTF is Business Casual?!, Jenny and Sarah dive into the viral debate that took over every HR person's Instagram feed. Is it okay to bring an iced coffee to a job interview? The original TikTok said absolutely not. The internet had other ideas. And Jenny and Sarah? They went through every possible emotion before landing somewhere surprisingly nuanced. Whether you're a first-time job seeker, a hiring manager, or just someone who's been judged for their Starbucks order, this one's for you. Honestly it's not about the coffee. It's about whether you give a damn. Highlights: Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| We're Back (And So Is the Gen Z Conversation) | 30 Sep 2026 | 00:49:26 | |
In this episode of WTF is Business Casual?!, Jenny and Sarah are back on one of their favorite topics — Gen Z in the workplace — and they've got new material. From a Michigan university scrapping letter grades for first-semester freshmen to Oprah's jaw literally hitting the floor when a 23-year-old talks about work-life balance, this one covers a lot of ground. They dig into why the gap between Gen Z and the workplace feels bigger than ever, who's actually responsible for it, and what leaders and parents can do right now before things get worse. Plus: the Facebook group where college parents are asking other parents to check on their kids. Whether you're a parent, a people manager, or a Gen Z employee — this one's for you. You'll leave with: [00:00] Cold open: the Gen Z gap and why it feels bigger this time Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| Part 2: More Viral Workplace Advice, More Opinions | 19 Aug 2026 | 00:59:28 | |
In this episode of WTF is Business Casual?!, Jenny and Sarah are back for part two of their workplace advice reaction series. They're reviewing trending career takes and giving their real perspectives as corporate insiders. From a woman who says everything in corporate is made up (she's not wrong) to Dan Martell's fire-or-hire takes that had them equal parts nodding and horrified, there's a lot to unpack. They get into why feelings are not facts and leaders already know what to do — they just want a different answer. Plus, the PTO clawback situation that has Jenny ready to fight, the great resume debate around job hoppers vs. lifers, and whether quiet people in meetings should be fired. Spoiler: Dan Martell thinks so. Jenny and Sarah do not. Whether you're a job seeker, a people manager, or just someone who's been denied PTO that was already approved, this one's got something to make everybody feel something. There's some good stuff out there on the internet. And then there's the rest of it. Highlights: [00:00] Cold open: not all workplace advice is good advice [05:33] Reaction #1: everything in corporate is made up [12:21] Reaction #2: if you don't say it, you lose the right to be frustrated [14:13] Reaction #3: therapy truths that belong in every workplace [19:21] Reaction #4: the three-year employee sweet spot — do we buy it? [40:14] Reaction #5: the PTO clawback situation from hell [45:48] Reaction #6: Dan Martell's fire or hire Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| We React to Viral (& worst) Workplace Videos - Part 1 | 05 Aug 2026 | 00:44:38 | |
In this episode of WTF is Business Casual?!, Jenny and Sarah are doing something a little different. Reacting in real time to the viral workplace advice flooding your social media feeds. From the Dan Martells and Gary Vs of the world to random HR "professionals" who've been fired multiple times and somehow think that's a flex, Jenny and Sarah are calling it all out. They get into the corporate communication channel chaos that's quietly destroying everyone's brain, the bereavement leave situation that will make your blood boil, a pay transparency moment that's equal parts inspiring and messy, and an HR person who thinks standing alone is a personality trait. Highlights: Hit play because not all LinkedIn advice is created equal, and somebody had to say it. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| What is HR? Myths, Mayhem & the Real Cost of Being in HR | 22 Jul 2026 | 00:39:53 | |
In this episode of WTF is Business Casual?!, Jenny and Sarah pull back the curtain on what HR really does, and rip apart every myth that makes them want to flip a table. Spoiler: it's not party planning, it's not firing people for fun, and it is absolutely not easy. From a termination that had Sarah fearing for her physical safety in a basement, to a manager who sent Jenny in to handle a potentially violent situation and then got mad at her for not doing it fast enough — this one gets real about the mental, emotional, and sometimes physical toll of being an HR professional that nobody talks about. Whether you work in HR, manage a team, or have ever said the words "HR told me to do it," you'll leave with:
Highlights: PS: HR knows more about you than you think, says less than you'd ever imagine, and is fighting for you behind the scenes in ways you'll probably never know. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| "Soft Skills" is a Terrible Name for the Most Important Skills You Have | 01 Jul 2026 | 00:44:16 | |
In this episode of WTF is Business Casual?!, Jenny and Sarah get real about why "soft skills" is a garbage term for the most critical thing missing from your workforce right now. Armed with a Harvard Business Review study of 70 million job transitions, they make the case that collaboration, communication, and problem-solving aren't the floor. They're the ceiling raiser. And yet companies keep hiring, promoting, and paying for the wrong thing. Whether you're a small business owner, a people manager, or just someone who's been on hold with a chatbot for forty-five minutes, you'll leave with:
Highlights: [00:00] Cold open: foundational skills beat specialists long-term Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| WTF are Peanut Butter Raises?! Why Pay-for-Performance Keeps Getting Smeared | 17 Jun 2026 | 00:38:20 | |
In this episode of WTF is Business Casual?!, Jenny and Sarah talk about the "peanut butter raise" debate that's been making the rounds in HR circles. A recent industry article predicts companies are about to ditch across-the-board raises in favor of rewarding top performers only, and Jenny and Sarah have some thoughts. Spoiler: they don't think it's actually going to happen, and they've got a decade of compensation-cycle scar tissue to back it up. From an executive team that wants to reward top performers but won't hold itself to the same standard, to the very real reason most managers would rather give everyone the same 3% than have an honest conversation about why someone didn't earn more — this one digs into why pay-for-performance sounds great in theory and falls apart the second a human has to deliver the message. Oh, and there's also a foster dog, a pee-soaked shoe that's been migrating around someone's house for weeks, and a jewelry box that may or may not have met its end in the trash. Priorities. Whether you're an HR pro, a manager who dreads comp season, or just someone who's ever gotten the exact same raise as the guy who does the bare minimum, you'll leave with: Highlights: 🎧 Hit play because nobody's getting a real raise until somebody learns to have an uncomfortable conversation. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| Affordable HR Support for Colorado Small Businesses: The HR Collective | 03 Jun 2026 | 00:44:58 | |
Most small business owners know they need HR support. The problem is figuring out what level of support they actually need. In this episode, Jenny and Sarah pull back the curtain on RiseHR's HR Collective and explain why they created it, who it's designed for, and how it helps Colorado small business owners get expert HR guidance without paying for a full-time HR professional. They discuss the most common HR mistakes they see, why Colorado employment law is especially complex, and how small businesses can avoid costly compliance issues before they become expensive problems. If you've ever wondered whether your business really needs HR support, this episode is for you. Common HR Mistakes Discussed
The HR Collective is designed for:
Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| When Employees Start Making the Rules: How Leaders Should Respond | 06 May 2026 | 00:44:37 | |
What happens when employees stop asking and start telling? In this episode, Jenny and Sarah unpack a growing workplace trend they have been seeing with small business owners: employees announcing schedule changes, cutting their hours, demanding remote work, and assuming the answer will be yes. The bigger issue is not employee boldness. It is leadership hesitation. They dig into why so many leaders struggle to respond in the moment, how unclear expectations create bigger problems later, and why avoiding uncomfortable conversations often creates legal risk, resentment, and confusion across the team. This conversation covers the real difference between being flexible and being run over. In this episode, they cover:
Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| The Most Expensive "Free" Lunch in HR History. | 22 Apr 2026 | 00:43:59 | |
A team gets invited to a "free" lunch with a consultant, and it ends up costing the company six months of peace. Jenny and Sarah unpack a "WTF" moment where a simple midday meeting turned into a spiral of written statements, HR investigations, and a team that stopped speaking to each other. It’s a look at how a lack of curiosity and a surplus of ego can turn a minor oversight into a total relationship wrecking ball. Spoiler: When leaders choose "investigation mode" before asking a single question, everyone loses. They dive into the ripple effect of a leader who skipped the facts to go straight for the jugular, and a leader whose "I’d tell you if you sucked" management style left her team feeling like cogs in a machine. In this episode, you’ll get:
Whether you’ve been thrown under the bus or you’re the one driving it, this episode is a mirror moment for anyone who’s ever forgotten that HR stands for Human Resources. Hit play. Bring your own lunch—just make sure you run it by the head honcho first. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| Gen Z at Work: Lazy, Loud, or the Wake-Up Call Corporate Needed? (Rebroadcast) | 08 Apr 2026 | 01:03:05 | |
Rebroadcast: It’s graduation season, and we’re dusting off one of our all-time fan favorites! Whether you’re tossing your cap, building a team, or guiding the next generation, this episode is essential listening for navigating the transition from campus to career. ______ Gen Z has officially entered the chat and corporate America isn’t ready. Jenny and Sarah rip into the chaos (and low-key brilliance) of the newest generation in the workplace. Are they entitled job hoppers with no soft skills… or the only ones brave enough to call BS on burnout culture? Spoiler: it’s complicated — and very, very human. They unpack everything from Gen Z’s allergy to fake leadership to why they’ll quit faster than you can say “circle back.” Plus, the hosts drag every generation (including their own) through the mud for good measure. You’ll get:
Because every generation swears the next one’s the problem, but maybe Gen Z’s just the first one bold enough to say the quiet part out loud. Hit play. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| What "Lack of Initiative" Means (And Why Employees Get It Wrong) | 25 Mar 2026 | 00:35:27 | |
This week, Jenny and Sarah break down one of the most misunderstood workplace complaints: “You lack initiative.” But what does that actually mean? Because to employees, it often sounds like: And to leaders, it usually means something completely different. This episode unpacks the gap between those two interpretations—and why it’s creating frustration on both sides. Using simple, real-world scenarios, they show the difference between task-based thinking and outcome-based thinking, and why that shift is what leaders are actually looking for. They also get into where things go wrong: unclear expectations, over-structured environments, and managers who forget they need to teach—not just expect. And yes… the Gen Z stare makes an appearance. What’s inside this episode: [00:00] What leaders mean when they say “initiative” This episode is about clarity. Because most people aren’t failing due to lack of effort. They’re failing because no one clearly defined what “good” actually looks like. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| Productivity at All Costs? The Workplace Obsession With “More With Less” | 11 Mar 2026 | 00:33:58 | |
This week, Jenny and Sarah follow a strange rabbit hole that started with a podcast about the history of meth. Yes, really. The episode explored how stimulants were once used to push soldiers, pilots, and workers to stay awake longer and produce more. And it sparked a bigger question: why has the workplace always been obsessed with squeezing more productivity out of humans? More with less. Sound familiar? What’s inside this episode: [03:30] The surprising history of productivity drugs and why they were originally used This episode isn’t about avoiding hard work. It’s about being honest about what work actually demands, and remembering that the people doing it are human. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| WTF Workplace Moments: AI Fails, Paycheck Glitches & Career-Limiting Questions | 25 Feb 2026 | 00:40:42 | |
This week, Jenny and Sarah lean into the weird. They kick it off with an AI interview note-taker that accidentally sent a candidate the hiring team’s unfiltered commentary about other applicants. Yes, really. Including the not-so-flattering parts. It’s a cautionary tale about AI tools, privacy, and why you should absolutely lock down your settings. They also get into:
The throughline? Just because you can say something doesn’t mean you should. Just because AI spits something out doesn’t mean it’s true. And just because nobody noticed doesn’t mean it won’t catch up to you. There’s humor. There’s mild outrage. There’s a reminder to make good choices. If you’ve ever sat in a meeting thinking, “WTF is happening right now?” this one’s for you. And if you’ve got your own workplace WTF moment, send it in. We’ll keep it anonymous. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| Small Business HR Mistakes That Will Cost You: Employee Classification, PTO Policies & Intern Rules | 11 Feb 2026 | 00:47:44 | |
This week, Jenny and Sarah tackle the HR landmines small businesses step on all the time. They break down three compliance issues that quietly turn into very loud, very expensive problems: employee misclassification, messy PTO policies, and unpaid interns who legally aren’t interns. First: employee misclassification. Paying someone a salary does not make them exempt. Titles don’t matter. Good intentions don’t matter. If someone should’ve been earning overtime and wasn’t, the Department of Labor is not interested in your logic. They’re interested in back pay and penalties. Then: PTO policies. That “use it or lose it” language still floating around in Colorado? Illegal. Accrued PTO is earned wages. You cannot wipe it out at year-end. They also break down accrual vs. lump sum, payout rules, and why negative PTO feels generous until someone quits and payroll gets messy. Finally: unpaid interns. The “it’s for experience” kind. The “my friend’s kid needs exposure” kind. The rules are stricter than people think. If the company is benefiting more than the intern, you likely have an employee. And that risk adds up fast. If you think “we’ve always done it this way” is a solid strategy, this episode might stress you out a little. In a good way. What’s inside this episode: [03:12] Why paying someone a salary does not automatically make them exempt Hit play. Fix what needs fixing. Then send it to the friend who still thinks titles determine exemption status. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| Cussing at Work: Where “Authentic” Meets “HR Nightmare” | 28 Jan 2026 | 00:42:20 | |
This week, Jenny and Sarah tackle a topic that somehow manages to be both extremely relatable and extremely lawsuit-y: swearing at work. It starts with a law update that made both of them do a double take. Turns out, “letting an F-word fly” at work is no longer just a culture question. In some cases, it is a legal one. And in 2024 and 2025, the courts made that line a lot thinner than it used to be. What’s inside this episode: [05:32] Why swearing can make you seem more authentic and more trustworthy, according to research [12:17] Why that same swearing can still get your company sued [14:56] The court cases that changed the rules around hostile work environment claims [15:55] Why one single comment can now be enough to trigger serious legal trouble [25:09] The difference between swearing at the printer and swearing at a person [17:17] Why gender-specific and identity-based slurs are basically a career-ending choice [18:13] How different industries and different countries treat workplace language very differently [28:31] The impossible spot employers are in between the EEOC and the NLRB [34:25] Why “that’s just how our industry is” is not a legal defense [35:48] What new grads and early-career employees should do about swearing at work (hint: don’t) [39:03] How much these lawsuits actually cost companies when things go wrong [40:30] Why culture always starts at the top, for better or worse Jenny and Sarah are not here to pretend nobody ever swears. They are here to explain why the workplace is a different arena, why intent does not protect you from impact, and why “we’ve always done it this way” is a very expensive strategy. Hit play for some uncomfortable truths, a few wild stories, and a very clear explanation of why the law does not care how authentic you feel. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| The Workplace Is Tired: The Darker Side Of Modern Work | 14 Jan 2026 | 00:54:21 | |
This week, Jenny and Sarah start the year by doing what they do best: collecting a pile of workplace nonsense from the internet and asking the uncomfortable question. Why are we still building work like people are machines? They bounce through everything from four-day workweek studies to open offices, from job hunting on dating apps to LinkedIn slowly becoming Facebook with certificates. Somewhere in the middle, they land on the real issue: work keeps taking more, and nobody seems able to say “that’s enough.” This episode is a grab bag of trends, but the throughline is simple. We are tired. And the system is pretending that’s a personal problem instead of a design flaw. What’s inside this episode:
Jenny and Sarah don’t pretend there’s an easy fix. They do argue that modern work is slowly eating everything else and calling it ambition. If you’ve ever looked at your job and thought, “This is too much, but I don’t see a way out,” this one will feel uncomfortably familiar. Hit play. Then go close your laptop. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| Interviewing? Maybe Leave Your Mom at Home. (Rebroadcast) | 01 Jan 2026 | 01:00:26 | |
Rebroadcast: We’re bringing back one of our favorite episodes as hiring ramps up in the new year—and it’s just as relevant now as ever! In this laugh-and-learn episode, Jenny and Sarah take you inside the beautiful mess of modern recruiting. From jaw-dropping candidate missteps to the surprising rise of parental involvement in job applications (yes, it’s happening), they break down what’s really going on behind the interview screen. With plenty of humor and hard-earned HR wisdom, this episode serves up real talk on how to stand out—in a good way. Whether you're hiring or job hunting, you'll leave with practical tips, a few "you can’t make this up" moments, and a better sense of what professionalism actually looks like today. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| Performance Reviews Are Broken (Part 2): Why Development Planning Keeps Missing the Point | 17 Dec 2025 | 00:40:16 | |
Development planning is the most ignored, and most misunderstood, part of performance management. In this episode of WTF is Business Casual, HR consultants Jenny Levy and Sarah Burston break down why development planning deserves its own lane and why bundling it into performance reviews quietly wrecks employee growth, engagement, and retention. This is Part Two of their performance management series, focused on the forward-looking side of work. What’s inside this episode:
Listen to Part 1: Performance Reviews Are Broken (Part 1): The Messy Reality of Workplace Evaluation Want Practical Tools Without Corporate Jargon? Jenny and Sarah also share details about upcoming free HR training sessions through Rise HR, focused on continuous feedback, development tools, and modern performance management for small and mid-size businesses. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| Performance Reviews Are Broken (Part 1): The Messy Reality of Workplace Evaluation | 03 Dec 2025 | 00:53:15 | |
This week, Jenny and Sarah drag the workplace ritual everyone hates: performance reviews. They open with a simple truth HR has known forever. Nobody likes them, nobody trusts them, and nobody thinks they actually work. Managers dread writing them. Employees dread reading them. Yet here we are, still clinging to a system that feels older than a fax machine. And yes, they get into the cultural shift that has managers terrified to say anything direct, the rise of “triggered” responses in the workplace, and the confusion leaders feel when employees treat normal feedback like a personal attack. The conversation gets honest about accountability, psychological safety, and why discomfort is not the same as danger. What’s inside this episode:
Jenny and Sarah don’t pretend performance reviews are going anywhere tomorrow. But they do challenge the entire way we think about them, and push for a version that’s clearer, kinder, and way less convoluted. Hit play for unfiltered HR truth, some laughs, and the reassurance that if you hate performance reviews, you’re not alone, and you’re not wrong. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| Sick at Work: Why You Showing Up Is Everyone’s Worst Nightmare | 19 Nov 2025 | 00:44:08 | |
Cold and flu season has arrived, and Jenny and Sarah have officially reached their breaking point. This week, they break down the circus of people dragging themselves into the office sick, logging onto Zoom while sweating through a fever, or insisting it’s “just allergies” in the middle of December. From vomiting kids to adults powering through meetings mid-retch, this episode gets blunt about how unhinged workplace culture has become around “pushing through.” The hosts explain why showing up sick isn’t brave, why it’s often selfish, and why everyone else is tired of catching your germs. This week’s chaos includes:
Jenny and Sarah say it plainly: Take the day. Key takeaways:
Listen in for an unfiltered breakdown of why sick-at-work culture makes no sense, why boundaries matter, and why rest is part of being a functioning adult human. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| Please Stop Hugging Me (and Other Workplace Crimes) | 29 Oct 2025 | 00:45:37 | |
Welcome back to WTF is Business Casual, where HR consultants Jenny Levy and Sarah Bursten roast, rant, and reality-check the weird stuff that somehow passes for “normal” in the workplace. This week we’re calling out all the things people still think are fine at work, but absolutely aren’t. From awkward hugs to speakerphone oversharers, cubicles that look like dorm rooms, and the office “Happy Birthday” song no one actually enjoys, Jenny and Sarah break down what’s WTF-acceptable and what’ll get you side-eyed by HR. WTF Moments & Hot Takes:
Jenny and Sarah also unpack how corporate culture has shifted from “we dealt with it” to “I’m reporting you,” and why that might be both progress and a buzzkill. Because let’s be honest. We can’t have nice things anymore. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| Gen Z at Work: Lazy, Loud, or the Wake-Up Call Corporate Needed? | 08 Oct 2025 | 01:01:11 | |
Gen Z has officially entered the chat and corporate America isn’t ready. Jenny and Sarah rip into the chaos (and low-key brilliance) of the newest generation in the workplace. Are they entitled job hoppers with no soft skills… or the only ones brave enough to call BS on burnout culture? Spoiler: it’s complicated — and very, very human. They unpack everything from Gen Z’s allergy to fake leadership to why they’ll quit faster than you can say “circle back.” Plus, the hosts drag every generation (including their own) through the mud for good measure. You’ll get:
Because every generation swears the next one’s the problem, but maybe Gen Z’s just the first one bold enough to say the quiet part out loud. Hit play. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| The Detachment Paradox: Why HR Bias Punishes Employees Who Unplug | 24 Sep 2025 | 00:38:11 | |
Employers love to say they support work-life balance and encourage you to take your PTO. But here’s the workplace reality: when employees actually unplug, they’re often seen as less committed, and less promotable. Welcome to the detachment paradox. In this episode of WTF is Business Casual?!, Jenny and Sarah unpack the HR bias that rewards “always on” employees and punishes those who set healthy boundaries. It’s the messed-up cycle that fuels employee burnout, slows career growth, and leaves leaders scratching their heads about why people keep quitting. Drawing from corporate HR experience, research from Harvard Business Review, and their own stories, the hosts get candid about how organizations really evaluate “commitment” at work—and why leaders need to rethink what performance looks like. In this conversation, you’ll hear:
Jenny and Sarah also get personal about their different leadership styles. One is wired to respond immediately, the other is comfortable letting things wait, and how those differences play out when managing clients, careers, and sanity. If you’ve ever been penalized for taking a vacation, wondered why promotions go to the loudest hustlers, or debated whether “healthy boundaries” and “career growth” can actually co-exist in today’s workplace, this episode is for you. We want your take. Have you seen the detachment paradox play out in your own company? Or caught yourself judging employees (or yourself) for unplugging? Share your story with us on Instagram @wtfisbusinesscasual. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| WTF Meetings: Why Your Workplace Productivity Is Dying in Conference Rooms | 10 Sep 2025 | 00:32:30 | |
Jenny and Sarah rip into the black hole of modern work life: meetings. Endless updates, back-to-back Zooms, and “quick syncs” that somehow eat your entire day. It’s no wonder productivity is tanking. They break down:
With plenty of side-eye for the corporate “I’ll give you three minutes back” lie, Jenny and Sarah also share horror stories of leaders who confused talking with working. If your team’s working nights and weekends because their days are filled with meetings, you’re not leading, you’re clogging the damn pipes. And if your meeting could’ve been an email, it probably should’ve been. Highlights: 🎧 Hit play, because your workplace culture isn’t broken, it’s just buried under bad meetings. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| Leadership Boundaries: Non-Negotiables That Keep Teams Sane | 13 Aug 2025 | 00:34:49 | |
Jenny and Sarah lay down the leadership boundaries that keep their teams sane, their workdays functional, and their patience intact. From bosses who brag about “open door” policies but vanish when the tough stuff hits, to leaders who think skipping lunch is a sign of commitment (spoiler: it’s not), they’re calling out the habits that quietly wreck morale, and the ones that actually build trust. You’ll get:
Respecting your boundaries is the first step to getting anyone else to respect them too. Highlights: What’s your leadership non-negotiable? DM us @WTFisBusinessCasual or send a voice note, we might share it in a future episode. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| Brains That Work Differently: Why Your Team Needs Both | 30 Jul 2025 | 01:02:23 | |
Jenny and Sarah get real (and a little vulnerable) about what it actually looks like to build something together when your brains couldn’t be wired more differently. From inner monologues that never shut up to brains that see zero pictures when they read (yes, it’s a thing), they unpack how wildly different mental wiring shows up at work, in friendships, and in every tense “are you mad at me?” conversation they’ve ever had. They talk through:
And yes, there’s laughter, a few cold‑plunge confessions, and plenty of “holy crap, you see it THAT way?” moments. Great teams aren’t made of clones. They’re built on trust, tension, and a lot of honest conversations. Highlights: Tell us: Hit play! Because it turns out, opposites don’t just attract… they build some pretty badass businesses too. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| Rest, Recovery, Repeat: What Work Can Learn from Marathon Training | 16 Jul 2025 | 00:58:17 | |
Jenny and Sarah get real about how the pressure to always exceed expectations at work is quietly fueling burnout, quiet quitting, and toxic workplace culture. They swap HR stories (some hilarious, some horrifying) about leaders who demand 24/7 peak performance, and the human cost that follows. It’s messy, honest, and painfully relatable for anyone who’s ever felt PTO guilt or caught themselves trying to be “on” all the damn time. Inside, they break down:
This one’s for you if:
Because guess what? Showing up, doing your job, and then going home? That’s actually enough. Highlights: Tell us your story _We know we’re not the only ones. Tell us your own ‘meets expectations’ moment or the time you realized exceeding expectations was slowly killing your soul. __DM us on Instagram. _We might share it (names changed, obviously).Do this one thing Before you jump back into your inbox, do a quick gut check: Where could you pull back to ‘meets expectations’ this week and still be a damn good employee, friend, or parent? Start there. Small shifts matter.Take the conversation further If this episode hit home, share it with a coworker who’s stuck on the hamster wheel. Or better yet, play it at your next team meeting (we dare you!)and see what comes up.Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| “Halfway There” Won’t Cut It: HR’s Guide to Performance Management Fails | 02 Jul 2025 | 00:54:39 | |
Jenny and Sarah get into the HR trenches to talk about every people leader’s favorite nightmare: managing performance issues without a single documented conversation, aka zero receipts!
Documentation doesn’t have to be scary. But skipping it? That’s what gets you sued.
Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| Workplace Shenanigans: There’s Cheese in the Ceiling! (and Other HR Violations) | 18 Jun 2025 | 00:48:18 | |
In this episode of WTF is Business Casual?!, Jenny and Sarah go full rogue with a chaotic, hilarious deep dive into the strange world of workplace shenanigans. The pranks that made the office fun… until they didn’t.
Because in HR, it’s all fun and games… until it’s an incident report. Get yourself some freshly roasted coffee - I finally tried it, and it’s amazing! (tell them we sent you!) Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| WorkHuman Deep Dive (Part 2): The Future of Work: It’s Complicated (But Still Human) | 28 May 2025 | 00:58:40 | |
In Part Two of our deep dive into the WorkHuman Conference, WTF is Business Casual hosts Jenny and Sarah pick up where they left off—this time digging into the big, bold conversations around AI, leadership, and what it really takes to build a human-centered workplace. Trevor Noah set the tone with humor and heart, reminding us that curiosity isn’t optional—it’s essential. And while AI dominated the agenda, the real takeaway? It’s not about replacing humans. It’s about empowering them. In this episode, they tackle:
Less hype, more human. And maybe a few laughs along the way. 🎧 Hit play—because the future of work isn’t waiting, and neither should you! Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| WorkHuman Deep Dive (Part 1): No BS Lessons on HR, Culture, and Leading Humans. | 28 May 2025 | 01:02:40 | |
In Part One of our two-part deep dive into the WorkHuman HR conference, Sarah and Jenny unpack their favorite moments, biggest surprises, and most impactful insights from the event. They tackle some provocative HR realities—like why your team might be spending a staggering 2.5 hours every day just complaining—and explore eye-opening advice from thought leaders like Adam Grant, who reminds us why simply putting in effort doesn’t always merit an 'A.' Along the way, Sarah and Jenny discuss:
Packed with real stories, candid reflections, and practical tips, this episode will challenge your assumptions and spark ideas for creating a more human workplace. Hit play and join the conversation! Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| Interviewing? Maybe Leave Your Mom at Home. | 14 May 2025 | 00:59:19 | |
In this laugh-and-learn episode, Jenny and Sarah take you inside the beautiful mess of modern recruiting. From jaw-dropping candidate missteps to the surprising rise of parental involvement in job applications (yes, it’s happening), they break down what’s really going on behind the interview screen. With plenty of humor and hard-earned HR wisdom, this episode serves up real talk on how to stand out—in a good way. Whether you're hiring or job hunting, you'll leave with practical tips, a few "you can’t make this up" moments, and a better sense of what professionalism actually looks like today. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| Work Hard, Play Hard... Or Just Take a Nap? Corporate Phrases That Drive Us Bananas! | 30 Apr 2025 | 00:57:36 | |
Jenny and Sarah tear into the corporate phrasebook, dissecting the BS behind sayings like "work hard, play hard" – which usually translates to the soul-crushing reality of the Hotel California of the workplace ("you can check out any time you want, but you can never leave"). They dig into the eye-rolling phenomenon of forced "fun" and just come right out and say that instead of "work hard, play hard," they're definitely more the "play medium and take a nap" type. Plus, they'll raise a collective middle finger to the "fun fact" icebreaker. Clearly, the mastermind behind this exercise in awkwardness needs a serious lesson in what "fun" actually means. Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| Episode 2: Taking the Cake | 16 Apr 2025 | 00:42:02 | |
“Who the F*ck stole my sandwich?!” Join Jenny and Sarah as they hilariously dissect the wild world of workplace food culture in “Taking the Cake." From stolen lunches to the mystery of the missing cake, no crumb is left unturned. Ever had a potluck disaster or a coworker who treats the office kitchen like an all-you-can-eat buffet? Jenny and Sarah get it! In this episode they share their strong opinions on potlucks, the perils of communal eating, and offer survival tips for navigating the office foodscape. If you've ever silently judged someone's potluck contribution or grieved the loss of your carefully prepared meal, this podcast is for you. Tune in for a light-hearted take on the universal truth: food in the office is serious business... but also seriously funny!
Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||
| Episode 1: Welcome to the S*** Show! | 01 Apr 2025 | 00:26:15 | |
Get ready to dive into the hilarious and often unbelievable world of HR with your new favorite podcast, WTF is Business Casual?! Hosted by friends and business partners Jenny and Sarah, this is episode one, and they're not holding back. In this inaugural episode, Jenny and Sarah introduce themselves and share the story of how they met and decided to start their own HR consulting company after becoming "fed up with the world of corporate." They promise to bring their years of experience and countless crazy HR stories to the masses, with a disclaimer that names might be changed to protect the innocent (or not-so-innocent!). Find out:
Jenny and Sarah aim to be "HR in your pocket," offering a mix of education and humor as they share their unedited inside voices on the daily insanities of the HR world. Tune in for the laughs, stay for the HR insights (but remember, it's not legal advice!). Visit our website: RISE Human Resources Book a call: 30 Min HR Consultation Follow us on Instagram: WTF is Business Casual | |||