Work is Weird Now

Work is Weird Now

por Danielle Emery

Temporada 4

S4E2: How do we achieve financial wellbeing? With Chris Budd

Guest: Chris Budd — founder of Ovation Finance, author of The Eternal Business and The Financial Wellbeing Book, and founder of the Institute for Financial Wellbeing. If you’ve ever been told to “fix your money before you fix your life,” this episode flips that script. Chris Budd argues that true financial wellbeing isn’t about spreadsheets or savings goals—it’s about aligning your money with meaning. As he puts it: “The relationship between financial wellbeing and happiness… there isn’t one. It’s the same thing.” We explore why most of us start in the wrong place (chasing more instead of understanding enough), how to reconnect your finances to your purpose, and what great financial wellbeing actually feels like—when money stops shouting for attention. You’ll learn: Why “money first” thinking keeps failing How to identify what really gives you wellbeing Simple habits that make your finances work for you (not the other way around) What leaders can do to make financial wellbeing part of real employee engagement This is money talk without the jargon—a conversation about happiness, purpose, and the quieter kind of wealth that lasts.

S4E1: Am I Too Old for Today’s Workplace? With Lucy Standing

If you’re 45–65 and wondering whether work still wants you, this episode is your reset. Chartered psychologist Lucy Standing, co-founder of Brave Starts, joins us to unpack the realities and myths of age in the modern workplace. Lucy explains why the anxiety around being “too old” isn’t imagined: hiring systems are outdated, organisations rarely plan for an ageing workforce, and most careers still follow a model built for shorter lives. Yet today’s world demands something new, longer, more flexible, purpose-driven careers. You’ll learn how Brave Starts helps mid- and later-career professionals rethink what’s next through clarity, community, and action. Lucy shares a practical 90-day roadmap to regain momentum, from targeted conversations to low-risk experiments, and offers employers two simple steps to unlock the power of 45+ talent. Key themes: Why “retirement” is an outdated idea How to move from job ads to demand-driven opportunities The rise of fractional and portfolio careers Common myths about older workers—and the data that disproves them Building a business that actually values experience Takeaway: You’re not too old for today’s workplace, you’re too valuable for yesterday’s systems.

Temporada 3

Finance Forum Mini Series: Live event wrap up

In this special wrap-up episode, Alice and Dan take you behind the scenes at the Finance Forum, where finance leaders, innovators, and curious minds came together to unpack the future of finance. From the buzzing exhibitor floor to thought-provoking panels, this year’s forum showcased how finance is evolving — and how weird (and wonderful) work is becoming along the way. Join us as we: Catch up with show speakers sharing fresh insights on AI, inclusion, and the changing shape of leadership. Meet attendees and exhibitors redefining connection, collaboration, and creativity in financial services. Reflect on the biggest themes from the event — from workplace culture shifts to the tech trends shaping tomorrow’s industry. It’s a lively, thoughtful debrief full of real voices and real moments.

Finance Forum Mini Series: When is finance a connector? With Donald Ewing

Finance has long carried the stereotype of being the “team of no.” Donald Ewing flips that narrative, arguing that today’s finance leaders are connectors—translating risk, strategy, and numbers into business action. Key takeaways: From “no” to connector: Finance has a unique vantage point across silos—its superpower is connecting leaders and guiding decisions. Empathy in action: Donald’s ride-along with field teams reshaped how he reported and communicated. Storytelling, not stats: Finance must move beyond “lazy reporting” and deliver insights with clarity and narrative impact. AI as time-giver: Practical examples show how AI can strip away grunt work so finance can focus on strategy. Rip up month-end: He challenges the value of static reports, calling for rolling, scenario-led conversations instead. What makes a great partner: Find the “right yes,” coach the room, invest in people, and nail the basics. Why it matters: in volatile times, finance’s role as connector—across people, data, and decisions—is a competitive advantage. Listen in for: practical AI hacks, a new way to write board papers, empathy in leadership, and a radical rethink of the month-end ritual.

Finance Forum Mini Series: Is the future of finance human? With Victoria Gillespie

Can finance save the world? It sounds like a ridiculous question—until you hear Victoria Gillespie answer it. A seasoned finance leader working at the intersection of sustainability and investment, Victoria joins Work is Weird Now as part of our Finance Forum 2025 series. Ahead of her October session in London, Victoria unpacks why finance might be the only function that touches everything needed to make sustainability real: from fair tax and ethical procurement to transparent reporting and measurable impact. In this episode, she explains: Why finance is the “system of truth” across the business How to cut through ESG jargon and anchor to what matters Practical ways SMEs can start (without getting lost in acronyms) Why transparency beats greenwashing every time Finance alone can’t save the world—but with its unique powers of accountability, metrics, and incentives, it can provide the scaffolding for change. 🎟️ See Victoria live at Finance Forum 2025 (7 Oct): finance-forum.com 👤 Connect with Victoria on [LinkedIn]

Finance Forum Mini Series: Is the future of finance human? With Becky Glover

Is the future of finance human? Finance has long been misunderstood as number-crunching and compliance—but the truth is, it’s about people. In this episode of Work is Weird Now, multi award-winning finance and technology leader Becky Glover joins us to explore how automation is reshaping the profession and why the future of finance depends on storytelling, curiosity, and building high-performing teams. We cover: How tech is freeing finance from repetitive work Why CFOs are now strategic co-pilots, not bean counters What high-performing finance teams really look like in 2025 Why radical honesty may be the key to tackling burnout This conversation kicks off our Finance Forum 2025 series, ahead of Becky’s keynote in London on 7 October. 🎟️ See Becky live at Finance Forum: finance-forum.com

Reflecting on Season Three: Key insights from our guests

In this wrap-up episode, the hosts reflect on the key themes and insights from Season 3, discussing pivotal episodes that explored allyship, curiosity, creativity, caregiving, belonging, and the ethics of AI in the workplace. Alice and Dan emphasise the importance of genuine connections and conversations in fostering a positive work environment and highlight the evolving nature of work culture. Key takeaways: The impact of allyship in the workplace is crucial. Curiosity can enhance daily work experiences. Work can serve as a therapeutic outlet for individuals. Caregivers need recognition and support in their roles. Belonging is essential for employee satisfaction and retention. Creativity is not limited to artistic fields; it's vital in all professions. Investing in leadership development can create lasting community impact. Ethical considerations are necessary when using AI in work settings. Conversations are fundamental tools for effective leadership. Striving for progress over perfection is key to growth.

S3 E10: How do we shift from expert to leader? With Naomi Regan

82% of new managers step into leadership roles without any formal training. And yet, research shows your line manager has more influence on your mental health than your doctor, therapist—or even your partner. In this episode of Work is Weird Now, we sit down with Naomi Regan—certified leadership coach, people & culture strategist, and co-founder of CAPE People Development—to explore one of the hardest and most overlooked transitions at work: moving from expert to leader. 🔑 What we cover: Why being promoted for technical expertise often sets you up to struggle as a leader Why leadership is really about conversations—not frameworks Naomi’s “hot potato test” to stop rescuing and start empowering your team What organisations must do differently when developing leaders How AI makes human-to-human leadership more important than ever Naomi also gives us a sneak peek into her upcoming book, Beyond the Small Talk, where she explores the five conversations that truly make work work. 🎧 Tune in now for practical, thought-provoking insights on how to let go of being the expert, embrace leadership, and create the conditions for others to thrive.

S3E9: Is using AI at work cheating? With Dr. Tanya Kant and Greg Bortzkiewicz

More than half of workers are already using AI in their jobs — but often in secret. So, is this “cheating”… or just how we work now? In this episode, Work is Weird Now sits down with Dr. Tanya Kant (University of Sussex) and Greg Bortzkiewicz (Magenta Associates) to explore the ethics, emotions, and realities of AI in the workplace, drawing on their research report CheatGPT. We dive into: Why people use AI secretly — and why that secrecy matters. How comms pros really use AI (spoiler: not for writing press-ready copy). The risks of opacity vs. the benefits of transparency. Why critical AI literacy — not just prompting skills — is the future. This episode is for comms professionals, educators, team leaders, and anyone wondering: Am I using this right? 🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. You can find the white paper referenced in this episode here: Gen AI: how and why its being used by comms professionals

S3E8: What if we’ve been backing the wrong kind of leaders? With Neil McLean

Leadership still tends to reward charisma, hierarchy, and those who “look good on paper.” But what if that’s not where real change comes from? In this episode, Neil McLean CEO of the Social Enterprise Academy and Head of Partnerships at the Dragonfly Trust shares what he’s learned from two decades supporting leaders who are often overlooked: teachers, young people, and grassroots entrepreneurs. We explore: Redefining leadership: From hierarchy to trust, agency, and social impact People over projects: Why the biggest returns come from investing in the changemakers themselves The power of youth leadership: How school-led social enterprises tackle real-world issues like food poverty and isolation Scaling deep vs. scaling up: Why slow, distributed growth can transform communities Leading in the age of AI: The urgent need for reflection, purpose, and empathy in a fast-paced world This conversation challenges the leadership stereotypes we’ve all been taught and offers a vision for a more human, more inclusive, and more impactful future.

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