Most of us don’t actually choose how we show up — we default. In this powerful conversation, Marcy Axelrod, author of How We Choose to Show Up, joins Jess and Claude to unpack what it really means to bring your whole self to work and life.

From the science of empathy and psychological safety to simple reset tools you can try today, Marcy shares why “just showing up” isn’t enough — and how shifting into “truly showing up” changes everything.

✨ In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why authenticity at work is more than a buzzword
• The science behind empathy and connection
• Reset tools like breathwork and “tracing a 3” to manage stress
• How one café story revealed the shift from judgment to compassion
• Practical ways to repair, set boundaries, and create safety in meetings
• The one daily question that expands how you choose to show up

Whether you’re a leader, teammate, or work bestie, this episode is a guide to moving from default mode into intentional, connected presence.

🔗 Connect with Marcy: choosetoshowup.com

💚 Loved this conversation? Tag your work bestie and share how you’re choosing to show up today.

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

Dancer, speaker, and relationship coach Linda Sutton reveals how Argentine tango maps to work: leadership & followership as functions, not hierarchy; why consent and distance create safety; and how followers amplify a leader’s intent. From the “Invite → Embrace → Boundaries” framework to a simple reset line—“I’m just here to follow”—this convo turns dance into a practical playbook for teams and Work Besties.

Chapters

• 00:00 Tango, Body Language & Relationships
• 08:21 Leadership & Followership in Tango
• 16:53 Power Dynamics: Leading vs Following
• 25:07 Build Trust Through Movement
• 30:10 Body Language & Emotional Cues
• 36:03 Follower Amplifies the Leader (Tiny Lead, Big Expression)
• 39:39 Workplace Leadership & Teams: Applying Tango Principles

Key takeaways

• Roles = functions, not power. There’s no leader without a follower—partnership is an agreement.
• Invite → Embrace → Boundaries. Define closeness and consent explicitly (at work, too).
• Body > words. Most signals are nonverbal—read posture, distance, and tone for alignment.
• Safety is visible. Consent & distance are real-time cues leaders must protect.
• Amplification effect. A tiny lead becomes a big expression—the follower reflects and magnifies intent.
• Lead by listening. Build micro-feedback into every “step” so teams adjust before things break.
• Reset misalignment. Use the calm prompt: “I’m just here to follow.”

Try it this week

• Set your team’s embrace: agree on boundaries (response times, meeting norms, off-limits hours).
• Practice “no solutions—just space.” Ask “Do you want advice or a listening ear?”
• Run a micro-feedback loop: after each meeting, one sentence—“What worked / what to tweak next time?”

Guest: Linda Sutton — dancer, speaker, creator, relationship coach
Book: It Takes Two to Tango (the 22-step framework mentioned in the episode)
Website (as mentioned): lindadesutton.com • lindadesutton.com/ebook

Hosts: Jess & Claude — Work Besties Who Podcast
If you enjoyed this, follow, rate ★★★★★, and share with your Work Bestie!

Tags: leadership, followership, tango, body language, psychological safety, teams, workplace communication, boundaries, trust, micro-feedback

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You can watch the full episode on Youtube
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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

In this thought-provoking episode, Jess and Claude dive into the power of work besties and intentional communication with Colleen Robinson and Deanna Pemberton, founders of Digital Dojo. Their work blends martial arts, coaching, and integral medicine—bringing fresh insights into how relationships thrive in both personal and professional settings.

Together, they unpack:

• Why listening is more than just hearing.
• How setting standards can be more empowering than boundaries.
• The role empathy plays in building authentic connections.
• Why two perspectives can be valid at the same time.
• Practical steps for self-empowerment and stronger relationships.

From “breath-to-breath listening” to reframing how we think about boundaries, this conversation challenges old patterns and equips you with tools for personal growth, better communication, and deeper connections.

🔑 Takeaways

• Work besties make work better.
• Communication is the foundation of any relationship.
• Standards > boundaries.
• Listening actively leads to understanding.
• Empowerment starts with self-awareness.

Send us a text

You can watch the full episode on Youtube
Follow us on IG , TikTok, Threads and LinkedIn
Please rate, comment and provide suggestions for upcoming episodes

Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband