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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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

What if the conversation you’re avoiding is the one you actually need?

This month on Work Besties Who Podcast, we’re kicking off our Communication & Transformation theme with a big one: how to talk it out at work.

In this episode, Jess and Claude talk about conflict, feedback, listening, and how to say the thing clearly without making it messy. Because silence is not always peace, and sometimes the conversation we avoid is the one that could help us grow.

We break down why clear communication builds trust, how feedback can be honest without being harsh, and why your work bestie can help you pause before sending that spicy email.

We also introduce the Talk It Out Map, a simple way to prepare for hard conversations by focusing on the facts, feelings, needs, clear language, one good question, and the next step.

This week’s Work Bestie Challenge: pick one conversation you’ve been avoiding and practice saying the thing with care.

Because clear is kind. And clarity is calm.

Your Supportive Work Besties,
Jess & Claude

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

What if allyship is not just one big brave moment — but something we practice every day?

In Episode 103 of Work Besties Who Podcast, Jess and Claude welcome Sandra Coker, founder and CEO of Human Power Solutions, for a conversation about everyday allyship, people-first leadership, mentorship, and the small workplace moments that help people feel seen, supported, and able to grow.

Sandra shares practical ways teams can build stronger connection, reduce workplace drama, and create cultures where people actually want to show up. From peer mentorship and emotional intelligence to intentional check-ins and her “Midday Momentum” ritual, Sandra reminds us that allyship is often found in the small actions we take every day.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What everyday allyship really looks like at work
• Why mentorship does not have to be formal to be powerful
• How mentors and mentees both grow from the relationship
• Why emotional intelligence is a real skill
• How communication styles can create or reduce workplace drama
• Why people-first leadership is not soft — it is strategic
• Simple ways to support, advocate for, and lift others at work

This conversation is a reminder that nobody grows alone. Sometimes allyship looks like giving credit, sharing context, checking in, offering help, or saying someone’s name in a room they are not in.

Share this episode with the work bestie, mentor, or everyday ally who has helped you rise.

Learn more from Sandra Coker and her company at Human Power Solutions, Find her book & podcast and on LinkedIn

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

What if the best leaders are not the ones who had the easiest path — but the ones who know what it feels like to need support?

In this episode of Work Besties Who Podcast, Jess and Claude sit down with Allie Grack, founder of Workhorse Marketing, for a powerful and honest conversation about resilience, empathy, leadership, and building teams that do not burn out.

Allie shares how her early life experiences shaped the way she leads today, why empathy is not a weakness, and how her “messy mind” has become one of her greatest creative strengths. We also talk about what it means to support women in the workplace, create psychological safety, and become the kind of leader, mentor, and ally you wish you had.

This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like they were “too much,” anyone learning to lead with more humanity, and anyone who believes we grow better when we grow together.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How resilience can shape leadership
• Why empathy belongs in the workplace
• How to support ambition without creating burnout
• The power of a “messy mind”
• Why different working styles make stronger teams
• What women really need to grow
• The importance of work besties, truth-tellers, and support systems

Connect with Allie Grack:

Workhorse Marketing: https://teamworkhorse.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allie-gilbert-teamworkhkorse

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

Have you ever wished you had a mentor, but had no idea where to find one?

This month, we’re talking about mentorship and allyship — but not just the formal, structured kind. In this episode, we’re rethinking what mentorship can look like and why the person helping you grow may already be sitting right next to you: your work bestie.

We talk about peer mentorship, why work besties often give the most real-time advice, the difference between mentors who help with the future and peers who help with the moment, and how to build your own “mentor ecosystem” instead of waiting for one perfect mentor to appear.

Because sometimes the most impactful mentorship is happening in everyday conversations — through honest feedback, safe support, and the people who help you see your own strengths.

Your Supportive Work Besties,
Jess & Claude

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

What started as two coworkers laughing through stressful projects somehow turned into 100 episodes of Work Besties Who Podcast.

In this milestone episode, Jess and Claude go back to the beginning: how they met, how their work friendship started, the stressful project that brought them closer, the matching outfits that put them “on the map,” and the chaotic little idea that eventually became this podcast.

They also reflect on what has changed since episode one, what has stayed exactly the same, and why having someone in your corner at work can make all the difference.

This episode is part celebration, part throwback, and part love letter to the Work Besties community.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How Jess and Claude first met
• The stressful work project that bonded them
• Why collaboration beats competition
• The matching outfits and inside jokes that became part of their story
• How the podcast idea actually started
• What 100 episodes has taught them
• Why workplace friendships matter more than people realize

Since this is our 100th episode, we want to hear from you. Tell us your favorite episode, favorite guest, funniest moment, or what you want more of next.

Your Supportive Work Besties,
Jess & Claude

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

Have you ever been asked, “What salary are you looking for?” and suddenly forgotten every impressive thing you’ve ever done?

In this episode of Work Besties Who Podcast, Jess and Claude sit down with Megan Applegate, a former recruiter and Talent Acquisition Director, to talk about one of the most stressful career conversations: salary negotiation.

Megan shares what professionals often misunderstand before the negotiation even starts, why knowing your market value matters, how to build proof around your experience, and why you should not wait until the offer stage to think about compensation.

We also talk about creating a “brag book,” asking your work bestie to help you remember your wins, using salary ranges strategically, and why there is often more to negotiate than just base pay.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a simple Work Besties salary check-in you can use before your next interview, review, or offer conversation.

Learn more from Megan follow her at

Megan Applegate | Career Dev & Professional Branding Expert (@dreamjobahead) • Instagram photos and videos

Resume Writing Services - Executive Design for Professional Success – Career Blueprint Solutions

Megan Applegate, CPC | LinkedIn

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband