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But First, Coffee

But First, Coffee

By: WRKdefined Podcast Network
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 But First, Coffee is a live weekly talk show where Jackye Clayton and John Baldino bring candid, insightful conversations about the world of work, leadership, and all things people. Each episode blends expert insight with real-world experience—covering employee engagement, leadership, inclusion, technology, and culture. It's not just HR theory; it's HR reality, poured fresh each week.All rights reserved by WRKdefined Career Success Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • YOU NEED TO CALM DOWN

    YOU NEED TO CALM DOWN
    Feb 26 2026
    Workplace tension is rising as employees bring heightened emotions from social media, politics, and cultural flashpoints into the office. This episode explores how HR professionals and leaders can help teams navigate charged environments, practice self-regulation, and maintain civil discourse without silencing diverse viewpoints. Key Takeaways: Gratitude is a powerful tool for resetting emotional reactivity before it spirals Social media algorithms feed anger loops that employees carry into work Self-regulation is a skill that must be practiced, not just expected People with opposing viewpoints work side by side every day and need frameworks for coexistence Hate-driven marketing generates viral engagement but is unsustainable for brands and culture HR must distinguish between personal beliefs and workplace behavior standards Listening without agreeing is a leadership skill that builds trust Fear is driving isolation and retreat from community and relationships Media literacy matters because misinformation erodes trust across generations Mental health resources like 988 and 211 are available and should be normalized 00:00 - Opening banter and Taylor Swift song choice 05:30 - Gratitude as a reset button for emotional tension 10:00 - Olympics controversy and performative outrage vs. real support 17:00 - Social media algorithms and the anger feedback loop 23:00 - LinkedIn platform changes and information overload 28:00 - Fox News ratings and navigating political viewpoints at work 33:00 - Jimmy Seafood viral moment and hate-driven marketing 38:00 - Listening across differences without requiring agreement 43:00 - Fear driving isolation and the hermit workforce 48:00 - Mental health resources and closing encouragement Keywords: workplace tension, self-regulation, emotional reactivity, media literacy, political viewpoints at work, HR conflict resolution, social media algorithms, employee mental health, civil discourse, workplace culture
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Leadership Is Lonely. Let's Stop Pretending Otherwise.

    Leadership Is Lonely. Let's Stop Pretending Otherwise.
    Feb 19 2026
    Nobody warns you that leadership is lonely. Jackye Clayton and John Baldino have an honest conversation about what happens when you step into a leadership role and realize that your work friends may no longer be your friends, your decisions will make you a target, and no one prepared you for the isolation. From personal stories about transparent bosses to parenting as leadership practice, they explore why managing loneliness is a core leadership competency that almost no one teaches. Key Takeaways: Leadership loneliness is real and almost never addressed in development programs The ability to self-regulate during isolation is a critical leadership skill Work friends often become complicated once you step into a leadership role Transparent leaders earn loyalty by showing their team the full picture including bad news Leaders must give credit away when things go well and absorb blame when they do not Physical health routines are often the first thing leaders sacrifice and the first thing they need If you are off your equilibrium routine for a month, expect two months to recover The difference between leadership and management determines whether people respect or resent you Parenting adult children mirrors workplace leadership through trust, letting go, and allowing failure Your leadership style at home will show up at work whether you intend it to or not 00:00 - Opening banter and catching up after travel 06:00 - How the show topic arrives and why leadership is lonely 12:00 - Global CHRO challenges versus domestic HR leadership 18:00 - WorkHuman conference stories and career-changing leadership moments 24:00 - Why everyone wants to criticize leaders from the sidelines 30:00 - First lessons in leadership loneliness and who you can talk to 36:00 - Solopreneurs face the same isolation as organizational leaders 40:00 - Loneliness as a skill and maintaining personal equilibrium 46:00 - The boss who crumpled the bad numbers and moved on 52:00 - Parenting as leadership and letting adult children make their own choices Keywords: leadership loneliness, leadership development, management versus leadership, self-regulation, transparent leadership, psychological safety, executive isolation, leadership skills, work relationships, leader wellbeing
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Inclusion Isn't a Statement. It's a Set of Decisions.

    Inclusion Isn't a Statement. It's a Set of Decisions.
    Feb 12 2026
    What does real inclusion look like beyond mission statements and policies? Jackye Clayton and guest Kate Johnson of 123 Limited dig into why inclusion fails when it centers comfort instead of belonging. From the beehive model of leadership development to the dangers of treating work like family, they explore how succession planning, feedback culture, and systemic design determine whether people actually feel included or just tolerated. Key Takeaways: Inclusion means helping others belong on their own terms, not making yourself comfortable Succession planning fails when organizations skip investing time in developing people The nine-box model is outdated and primarily serves those already in power Honeybee colonies offer a practical model for progressive leadership development Treating your workplace like a family creates unhealthy expectations on both sides Leaders who avoid giving feedback are not ready to lead Vulnerability in leadership means knowing your weaknesses and hiring to fill those gaps Psychological safety requires people to feel seen without having to constantly self-monitor Job crafting is a powerful tool for recognition, engagement, and retention Leadership is a learned skill, not an innate trait born into certain people 00:00 - Opening and Super Bowl culture conversation 06:00 - Why multilingual education matters for inclusion 11:00 - Introduction of guest Kate Johnson and her consultancy 16:00 - The crisis of unprepared leaders in modern organizations 22:00 - Beehive model for worker development and succession planning 28:00 - Feedback culture and why we overcomplicate giving it 34:00 - Balancing business needs with individual employee needs 39:00 - Why the workplace is not a family 45:00 - Vulnerable leadership and hiring for your blind spots 52:00 - Double consciousness, safety, and the real cost of not feeling included Keywords: workplace inclusion, succession planning, leadership development, organizational culture, DEI strategy, feedback skills, psychological safety, belonging at work, talent planning, vulnerable leadership
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    1 hr and 5 mins
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