Bad meetings are not just annoying. They are expensive.

In this episode of Work Besties Who Podcast, Jess and Claude sit down with Jodie Goldberg to talk about how meetings can either build connection, clarity, and trust — or completely drain the room.

Jodie shares why better meetings start with intention, not just an agenda. From setting a clear purpose to creating meeting norms, managing over-talkers, making quieter voices feel heard, and replacing random icebreakers with true relational strategies, this conversation is full of practical ways to make meetings more human and more effective.

We also talk about why not everyone needs to speak out loud to feel included, how physical space impacts participation, and why a great meeting is not about whether it is 15 minutes or 60 minutes — it is about how intentionally it is designed.

If you have ever sat in a meeting thinking, “This could have been an email,” this episode is for you.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why connection at work needs to be intentional
• The difference between icebreakers and relational strategies
• How to create meeting norms that actually help people participate
• What to do when one voice dominates the room
• How to make decision-making meetings more effective
• Why quieter team members may need different ways to contribute
• How better meeting design can lead to stronger collaboration

Your Supportive Work Besties,
Jess & Claude

You can connect with Jodie Goldberg at LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

Have you ever said yes when you really wanted to say no? Or walked away from a conversation feeling drained, anxious, or unsure why it affected you so much?

In this episode of Work Besties Who Podcast, Jess and Claude sit down with therapist, coach, author, and YouTube creator Shannon Petrovich to talk about toxic communication patterns, people-pleasing, narcissistic behavior, and how healthy boundaries can help us protect our peace at work and beyond.

Shannon shares how toxic relationships can show up in professional settings, why boundaries are not the same as ultimatums, and how to recognize when someone’s behavior is pulling you into old patterns. She also explains why self-talk matters, how journaling can help us process what is happening, and why work besties can play such an important role in helping us respond instead of react.

This episode is a reminder that clear is kind, boundaries are healthy, and sometimes the strongest thing you can do is step back, stay grounded, and choose how you want to show up.

How to contact Shannon Petrovich

New! Group Coaching/Masterclass/Online Support Community Available Now! | No Foggy Days | Out of the FOG Into the CLEAR

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

Have you ever left a meeting thinking, “Why didn’t I just say what I really meant?”

In this episode of Work Besties Who Podcast, Jess and Claude sit down with Jennifer Prendergast to talk about truth-telling at work, psychological safety, trauma-informed leadership, and why so many workplace conversations feel harder than they should.

Jennifer breaks down how nervous system awareness can help us better understand workplace behavior, feedback, defensiveness, over-explaining, shutting down, and the moments when people do not feel safe enough to speak honestly.

This conversation explores why truth-telling is not just about courage, why training does not always create lasting change, and how leaders, teammates, and work besties can create more trust, steadiness, and connection at work.

If you have ever wondered why people get reactive, avoid feedback, or struggle to say what they really mean, this episode will help you look at workplace behavior in a whole new way.

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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