What does it mean to actually live your values — even when it costs you something? In this episode of Hard at Work, Ellen sits down with executive coach, speaker, and visionary leader Lindsey T.H. Jackson to unpack the practice of unlearning, the courage it takes to align actions with values, and how mid-career women can reconnect with their authentic selves.

Lindsey shares powerful stories about walking away from VC funding to stay true to her company’s values, why anger is a signal of potential, and how leaders can move beyond fear to create people-centered workplaces. Together, Ellen and Lindsey dig into generational shifts at work, why “lazy ease” is toxic, and the everyday practices that help us return to ourselves.

If you’ve ever felt stuck between old rules and the possibility of something better, this episode will help you imagine — and build — a healthier, more authentic way forward.

Tags: Leadership, Women at Work, Workplace Culture, Unlearning, Authentic Leadership, Values-Based Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion, Anti-Racist Leadership, Boundaries at Work, Career Growth, Women in Leadership, Personal Development, Mid-Career Women, Coaching, Resilience

We’ve all done it: talked ourselves out of something we know would make life better. A walk. A tough conversation. A career change. But what’s really going on when you know you should do the thing…and you don’t?

In this solo episode of Hard at Work, Ellen Whitlock Baker breaks down the science of “blockers” — the protective part of your brain that sounds the alarm whenever something feels new, different, or risky. She explains how neuroplasticity works, why change feels so threatening, and the three simple steps you can use to prove your blockers wrong.

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in the cycle of overthinking, avoidance, and regret, this episode will show you how to take tiny experiments that lead to big clarity.

Tags: career clarity, overcoming fear, burnout, blockers, start anyway, neuroscience, boundaries, clarity coaching, workplace change, stuck at work, Hard at Work podcast

What does it actually take to build something from scratch—and stay sane while doing it? Ellen talks with Jaebadiah Gardner, founder of Gardner Global, about building wealth, the importance of believing in yourself, and pushing past barriers as a Black and Latino entrepreneur. They get real about hustle culture, staying grounded, and what success looks like behind the scenes (it’s not always as pretty as it seems on the surface). If you’ve ever felt stuck, under-resourced, or underestimated, this one’s for you. A thoughtful, no-BS conversation about drive, ambition, and getting in the room where it happens—even when you don’t know anyone there.

Show Links:

• Find Jaebadiah’s book, Believe in Yourself, here

• Learn more about Jaebadiah’s company, Gardner Global, and all the cool work they are doing in Seattle.

• Connect with Jaebadiah on LinkedIn and Instagram