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  • Your Body Knows

    Your Body Knows
    2026/04/23

    We’ve been taught to treat our bodies as mere vehicles that carry our brains to the next meeting, but our soma is actually our most reliable intelligence system.

    IN THIS EPISODE Aparna and Lars are joined by master somatic coach Giulio Brunini to discuss the profound consequences of overriding our physical signals for the sake of corporate performance. We dive into why "restless toes" and autoimmune flares are often the body’s way of writing a diary of our stress before our minds even recognize the burnout. Giulio shares his transition from the high-pressure world of global advertising to somatic coaching, explaining how leaders can unlearn the "numbing" that got them promoted and instead develop the inner stability needed to lead with presence. This is a slower, intentional conversation about recovering our humanity in a world that asks us to muscle through everything.

    THE QUESTION WE'RE SITTING WITH What is your body trying to tell you that your mind isn't yet willing to hear?

    TAKE THIS WITH YOU

    • The One-Minute Breath Count: Set a timer for one minute and count how many normal inhales and exhales you take. Knowing your "number" makes meditation feel accessible even during a busy workday.
    • Notice the "Inconvenience": Pay attention to the physical sensations that arise when you are avoiding a difficult conversation; embodiment often surfaces the truths that are inconvenient for the ego but necessary for growth.
    • The Laptop Pause: Before you open your laptop in the morning, take three intentional breaths and notice one sensation in your body—no fixing, just saying hello.

    RESOURCES MENTIONED

    • Giulio Brunini — Master Somatic Coach specializing in embodied leadership - https://www.giuliobrunini.com/about-giulio-brunini
    • The Strozzi Institute — An institute for somatics and leadership. - https://strozziinstitute.org/
    • Dr. Gabor Maté — Researcher and author discussed regarding the link between stress and autoimmune disorders - https://drgabormate.com/

    CONNECT WITH US

    Visit us at https://www.circleback.club/

    Aparna on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aparnarae; aparnarae.com

    Lars on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lars-gallien; https://www.larsgallien.com/

    Want to bring this conversation into your organization? Aparna and Lars speak at HR conferences, Fortune 1000 ERGs, and philanthropic foundations. pod@circleback.club
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    56 分
  • Psychosocial Hazards

    Psychosocial Hazards
    2026/04/16

    We’ve rebranded workplace depression as "burnout" and personal failure, but the data shows the harm is actually by design.

    IN THIS EPISODE

    Aparna and Lars are joined by organizational psychologist Dr. Nicole DeKay to go where most U.S. workplace conversations are afraid to go: Psychosocial Hazards. While countries like Australia and New Zealand legally regulate things like "intrusive surveillance," "overload," and "poor change management," the U.S. remains a global outlier in worker neglect. We break down the "Vitality Curve" - a Jack Welch-era relic that forces managers to fire 10% of their team regardless of performance - and why PIPs (Performance Improvement Plans) have become a gaslighting tool to document layoffs. This isn’t about needing more "grit" or a better gratitude journal; it’s about naming the systemic conditions that cause measurable physical and psychological harm.

    THE QUESTION WE'RE SITTING WITH

    If the U.S. is one of the wealthiest nations on Earth, why do we have fewer legal protections against workplace trauma than almost any of our global peers?

    TAKE THIS WITH YOU

    • Identify the Hazard: Review the 17 global psychosocial hazards (like low job control or high emotional labor) and identify which one is currently triggering your body’s stress response.
    • Question the PIP: If you or a colleague are put on a PIP out of nowhere, recognize it for what it often is—a liability-driven documentation tool—and prioritize your exit strategy over your "performance."
    • Break the Isolation: Talk to one trusted coworker about a specific work condition that feels untenable; breaking the "hyper-isolation" of the U.S. workplace is the first step toward collective power.

    RESOURCES MENTIONED

    • Labor Rights Index — WageIndicator Foundation - https://wageindicator.org/work/labour-law/index/
    • Humanalysts — Dr. Nicole DeKay’s platform for democratizing employee data - https://www.humanalysts.com/
    • The Vitality Curve — The controversial "rank and yank" management practice popularized by GE - https://www.business.com/articles/the-end-of-rank-and-yank-management-practices-revisited/

    CONNECT WITH US

    Visit us at https://www.circleback.club/

    Nicole on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolejdekay/

    Aparna on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aparnarae; aparnarae.com

    Lars on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lars-gallien; http://larsgallien.com/

    Want to bring this conversation into your organization? Aparna and Lars speak at HR conferences, Fortune 1000 ERGs, and philanthropic foundations. pod@circleback.club
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    52 分
  • The Ideal Worker

    The Ideal Worker
    2026/04/09
    We’re all exhausted trying to meet a standard of perfection that wasn't even designed for human beings.IN THIS EPISODEAparna and Lars are joined by organizational consultant Valarie Williams to dismantle the "Ideal Worker" myth. A set of persistent corporate beliefs that the perfect employee has no life, no caregiving responsibilities, and zero physical or mental health needs. We dive into the "Anxious Achiever" phenomenon, the rise of zero-employee startup goals in Silicon Valley, and why the tech industry treats 2-hour shuttle commutes as on-the-job time. This conversation goes beyond work-life balance to interrogate of how capitalism is modeling the "ideal" after a robot and what happens to our humanity when we try to compete with an algorithm.THE QUESTION WE'RE SITTING WITHIf the "Ideal Worker" is increasingly modeled after a robot, what parts of your humanity are you being asked to delete to stay competitive?TAKE THIS WITH YOUAudit the Ideal: This week, ask a trusted coworker: "Who do you think is the 'ideal worker' in this department, and does that person actually look like anyone we know in real life?"Identify Your "Enough": Reflect on your own "personal alignment" - be honest about the transaction of work so you can stop letting the company define your entire identity.Take the Heels Off: Identify one "uncomfortable shoe" in your work life - a performative habit or a rigid norm - and consciously choose to swap it for something that actually fits your needs.RESOURCES MENTIONEDThe Anxious Achiever — Maura Aarons-Mele https://hbr.org/2023/03/how-high-achievers-overcome-their-anxiety"Joan Acker" — Sociologist whose 1990 work defined the gendered "Ideal Worker" norm https://gendersociety.wordpress.com/2016/06/27/remembering-joan-acker/Targeted Universalism — A policy framework for designing strategies to help specific marginalized groups reach a universal goal https://belonging.berkeley.edu/targeted-universalism"Good Employee Attributes Key Traits" - https://www.leadershipiq.com/blogs/leadershipiq/good-employee-attributes-key-traits-and-characteristics-of-a-great-employee "Hierarchies, Jobs, Bodies: A Theory of Gendered Organizations”, Joan Acker http://gas.sagepub.com/content/4/2/139.shortMelania Trump & Robot video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-NjEku-zE4The Guardian - Gen Z males twice as likely as baby boomers to believe wives should obey husbands - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/05/gen-z-men-baby-boomers-wives-should-obey-husbands?CMP=Share_iOSApp_OtherOrganizational culture and the individuals' discretionary behaviors at work: a cross-cultural analysis https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10291069/#s6CONNECT WITH USVisit us at https://www.circleback.club/ Valerie Williams on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamsvalerie1/ Aparna on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aparnarae; aparnarae.com Lars on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lars-gallien; https://www.larsgallien.com/Want to bring this conversation into your organization? Aparna and Lars speak at HR conferences, Fortune 1000 ERGs, and philanthropic foundations. pod@circleback.clubNew episodes every week. Follow Circle Back Club so you never miss one.
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    1 時間 6 分
  • The Social Contract

    The Social Contract
    2026/04/02

    We all sign a contract letter when we enter the office, but most of the rules are never actually written down.

    Explore the hidden unwritten rules of the office with Aparna, Lars, and Leilani Lewis. We break down the "psychological contracts" that demand your silence and performative loyalty. Learn how to reclaim your dignity and rebuild collective power at work.

    IN THIS EPISODE Aparna and Lars are joined by arts leader and organization transformation practitioner Leilani Lewis to break down the implicit behaviors and unwritten rules that govern our lives as white-collar workers. We dig into the "psychological contracts" we navigate every day—from who takes the notes in meetings to why your boss might think taking a full lunch break is a sign of disloyalty. It’s a conversation about pulling ourselves out of individual survival mode and recognizing that silence isn't just a habit; it’s a corrosive social contract we have the power to change. We’re looking at what happens when we stop seeing our coworkers as competition and start building a collective sense of dignity instead.

    THE QUESTION WE'RE SITTING WITH Is the unwritten "contract" you've made with your organization actually protecting you, or is it just demanding your silence?

    TAKE THIS WITH YOU

    • Audit the "Implicit": This week, identify one behavior you engage in at work solely because of an unwritten expectation— like note-taking —and notice the impact it has on your energy.
    • Talk About the Norms: Get curious with a trusted colleague and ask them directly, "Do you see me as competition?" to start breaking the cycle of atomized performance.
    • Prioritize Work Friendship: Make a conscious effort to be a friend to someone at work today; having even one close friend in the trenches is directly correlated to better long-term health and mental wellbeing.

    RESOURCES MENTIONED

    • "A New Optimization Opportunity" - An email exchange between "Eric F" and "Brenda" widely circulated on Reddit regarding lunch break optics. - https://www.reddit.com/r/SipsTea/comments/1rgaa0w/are_we/
    • Sam Altman & OpenAI - Discussion regarding the ethical standards and energy consumption of AI models. - https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/feb/23/sam-altman-openai-energy-use-datacenters
    • Leilani Lewis - Award-winning arts leader, writer, and seasoned DEI practitioner. - https://www.leilanilewis.com/

    CONNECT WITH US

    Circle Back Club https://www.circleback.club/

    Aparna on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aparnarae

    Lars on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lars-gallien

    Want to bring this conversation into your organization? Aparna and Lars speak at HR conferences, Fortune 1000 ERGs, and philanthropic foundations. pod@circleback.club

    New episodes every week. Follow Circle Back Club so you never miss one.
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    58 分
  • Fear of Losing it All

    Fear of Losing it All
    2026/03/26

    Fear of losing it all

    The Invisible Tax of White-Collar Security

    We often trade our silence and our values for the promise of a steady paycheck, but we have to ask if the thing we are protecting is actually protecting us back.

    IN THIS EPISODE

    Aparna and Lars sit down with Dr. Dalya Perez to name the heavy, invisible cost of staying "inside the lines" of corporate America. We dig into why white-collar security often feels like a "deal" that demands our silence, especially when it comes to toxic dynamics, racism, or global crises. From the exhausting performance of annual reviews to the "camp counselor" vibe of corporate ERGs, we’re looking at how competition is used to divide us from the very people we should be building power with. This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt "golden handcuffs" tightening and is ready to stop making their career a solo mission of survival.

    THE QUESTION WE'RE SITTING WITH

    What does it feel like to work inside an environment where you feel you can't afford to speak up about what is true, real and observable?

    TAKE THIS WITH YOU

    • Reclaim the Origin Story: Build five minutes into your next one-on-one to ask a colleague about their roots and share your own, shifting the focus from the bottom line to authentic human connection.
    • Audit Your "Strategic" Silence: Notice when you use the word "strategic" as a stand-in for feeling worried or scared to speak your mind.
    • The Collective Security Dream: Gather three friends and ask: "If we looked at our financial security as a shared responsibility, what different moves would we be willing to take in our careers?"

    RESOURCES MENTIONED

    • Uncompete — Ruchika Tulshyan Malhotra: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/753092/uncompete-by-ruchika-t-malhotra/
    • Dr. Dalya Perez — A DEI leader and scholar specializing in building inclusive cultures: https://linkedin.com/in/dalyaperez
    • Catalyst — A global nonprofit focused on accelerating progress for women through workplace inclusion: https://www.catalyst.org/
    • Sisterhood Initiative at University of Washington — A program dedicated to supporting undergraduate women of color through community and mentorship: https://uwsisterhoodinitiative.org/

    CONNECT WITH US

    Aparna on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aparnarae

    Lars on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lars-gallien

    Want to bring this conversation into your organization? Aparna and Lars speak at HR conferences, Fortune 1000 ERGs, and philanthropic foundations. pod@circleback.club

    New episodes every week. Follow Circle Back Club so you never miss one.
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    58 分
  • Who Built This?

    Who Built This?
    2026/03/19
    Who Built This? The History of Modern Corporate Culture. If you’ve ever felt like a replaceable cog in a machine that values spreadsheets over people, it’s because the system was redesigned to feel exactly that way.IN THIS EPISODE Aparna and Lars sit down with finance veteran Bachul Koul to trace how we moved from small, community-rooted businesses to a world where "shareholder primacy" is the only law that matters. We dig into the 1970s shift that turned managers into enforcers of the bottom line and explore how the saturation of "junk" products has hollowed out the meaning of our daily labor. It’s a look at the "frozen middle" of management and the moment "burnout" became an official part of the human experience. This isn't just a history lesson; it's a map to help us find our way back to a definition of value that actually includes our humanity.THE QUESTION WE'RE SITTING WITH If the world will never define "enough" for you, how do you calculate it for yourself?TAKE THIS WITH YOUCalculate Your "Enough": Reflect on what a beautiful life looks like to you and the actual cost required to support it, rather than chasing external markers of success.The Employee Primacy Block: Reclaim your time by putting a two-hour "made-up meeting" on your calendar this week to nap, move your body, or simply rest.Human Connection over Productivity: Break the isolation of the "shareholder model" by asking a coworker what they actually care about outside of their deliverables.RESOURCES MENTIONEDThe Visible Hand: The Managerial Revolution in American Business — Alfred Chandler Jr. https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-visible-hand-the-managerial-revolution-in-american-business-isidor-straus-professor-of-business-history-emeritus-alfred-dupont-chandler/1232ccd5ecda54c5?ean=9780674940529&next=tThe Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profits — Milton Friedman, The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1970/09/13/archives/a-friedman-doctrine-the-social-responsibility-of-business-is-to.htmlOwnership Works — An organization focused on providing all employees with a stake in the value they help https://ownershipworks.org/createTech Workers Coalition (TWC) — A community of tech workers organizing for labor rights and ethical technology https://techworkerscoalition.org/Stone Butch Blues , Leslie Feinberg https://www.lesliefeinberg.net/The Invisible Hand, Adam Smith https://bookshop.org/beta-search?keywords=the+invisible+hand+adam+smith%27Working Class History Podcast https://workingclasshistory.com/podcasts/Corporate Erin https://www.instagram.com/corporate_erin/CONNECT WITH USBachul Koul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yashomati-bachul-koul/ Aparna on LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/aparnaraeLars on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/lars-gallienWant to bring this conversation into your organization? Aparna and Lars speak at HR conferences, Fortune 1000 ERGs, and philanthropic foundations. Reach out at pod@circleback.club.New episodes every week. Follow Circle Back Club so you never miss one.
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    1 時間
  • The Ick

    The Ick
    2026/03/12
    You're not burned out because you're weak — you're burned out because the system was designed this way. This isn't a self-help episode. It's a reality check — and the beginning of something better.IN THIS EPISODEYou already know something is wrong. Maybe it's the Sunday dread, or the way your stomach drops when your boss Slacks you at 9pm, or the creeping feeling that you've given everything to a job that could disappear tomorrow. In this first episode, Aparna and Lars name what most of us have been too scared, too busy, or too gaslit to say out loud. They dig into the real data on white collar layoffs and disengagement, expose the moral compromises baked into everyday corporate work — from Project Nimbus to ICE contracts — and get into what all of this is doing to our bodies, our families, and our democracy. TAKE THIS WITH YOUListen to your body this week. In your next meeting, pause and ask yourself: what does my body feel right now? Notice your posture, your jaw, your breathing. You don't have to do anything with what you find — just track it. Your nervous system has been paying attention even when your brain checked out.Name it to change it. This week, resist the urge to treat your work stress as a personal failing. The layoffs, the moral compromises, the exhaustion — none of it is because you aren't resilient enough. It's structural. And structural problems need collective responses.RESOURCES Bullshit Jobs: A Theory — David Graeber. The anthropologist who argued that corporations have convinced us being busy is morally virtuous — and what that's done to us. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Bullshit-Jobs/David-Graeber/9781501143335Ruined by Design — Mike Monteiro. The core idea: the world is working exactly as designed. If it's broken, that's on us. https://www.ruinedby.designNo Tech for Apartheid — The worker-led campaign of Google and Amazon employees organizing against Project Nimbus. Follow them, support them. https://www.notechforapartheid.comCoworker Solidarity Fund — Financial support for the 50+ Google workers fired or arrested for protesting Project Nimbus. Donate here. https://coworkerfund.org/get-funded/googlers-fund-applicationGallup: U.S. Employee Engagement Sinks to 10-Year Low — The data behind the decade-low engagement numbers: only 31% of U.S. workers engaged in 2024. https://www.gallup.com/workplace/654911/employee-engagement-sinks-year-low.aspxGallup: State of the Global Workplace Report — The broader annual report on global engagement, wellbeing, and what it's costing us. https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspxStanford Business School research on workplace mortality — Studies linking toxic workplace environments to over 120,000 deaths per year in the U.S. and 5–8% of annual healthcare costs. https://www.inc.com/scott-mautz/new-stanford-research-says-5th-leading-cause-of-death-is-workplace.htmlMcKinsey Health Institute — Research showing toxic workplace behavior is the single largest predictor of negative employee outcomes — more than twice the impact of all positive practices combined. https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/present-company-included-prioritizing-mental-health-and-well-being-for-allCONNECT WITH USAparna on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aparnarae Lars on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lars-gallienGot an ick? Got a hope? We want to hear from workers. Send us your story — written or as an audio recording — to pod@circleback.club. We'll weave your voice into the show.Want to bring this conversation into your organization? Aparna and Lars speak at HR conferences, Fortune 1000 ERGs, and philanthropic foundations. pod@circleback.clubNew episodes every week. Follow Circle Back Club so you never miss one.
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    1 時間 2 分
  • Season 1 Trailer

    Season 1 Trailer
    2026/02/28

    The Circle Back Club envisions a future of work grounded in community, wellbeing, dignity, and care instead of endless financial growth and burnout. When you join the Circle Back Club, you’re joining a community committed to challenging the status quo. We’re circling back and asking the tough questions, like: “what if it didn’t have to be this way?”


    CONNECT WITH US

    Aparna on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/aparnarae

    Lars on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lars-gallien

    Want to bring this conversation into your organization? Aparna and Lars speaks at HR conferences, Fortune 1000 ERGs, and philanthropic foundations. pod@circleback.club

    New episodes every week. Follow Circle Back Club so you never miss one.
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    3 分