Maintaining a work-life balance keeps getting harder - but it doesn&#39;t have to. This podcast is for anyone struggling to rise above the daily challenges of work, family, and building a sense of self.Management consultants by trade, hosts Brian and John shift their skills from helping organizations get better to helping people improve their lives.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/9/18/18/5c04dc45-8863-408c-a4c9-c3976151bbd8_s01e022.mp3

Brian Dyson, former President and CEO of Coca-Cola, gave a commencement speech in the early 90&#39;s that still resonates today. In this episode, Brian walks through his impressions on that speech&#39;s message, and why we should all take it to heart.

Brian Dyson, former President and CEO of Coca-Cola, gave a commencement speech in the early 90's that still resonates today. In this episode, Brian walks through his impressions on that speech's message, and why we should all take it to heart.

Brian Dyson on the Importance of Work-Life Priorities

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/9/18/18/b53ede8d-fa38-4b4f-ac86-9c963738f1b9_s01e021.mp3

Work-life balance is dictated partially by the way your company operates. Company operations, in turn, draw from company vision statements. But what happens when company vision doesn&#39;t align with our day jobs? In this episode, Brian reviews a Harvard Business Review article on the topic.

Work-life balance is dictated partially by the way your company operates. Company operations, in turn, draw from company vision statements. But what happens when company vision doesn't align with our day jobs? In this episode, Brian reviews a Harvard Business Review article on the topic.

Working With (Fighting Against?) Your Company's Vision

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Most of us are familiar with concept of an org chart or structure, but some organizations are beginning to abandon this vertical structure in favor of a more fluid and cross-functional concept. Which approach is better for a work-life balance? In this episode, John wonders how we can best combat any confusion around our org structures. Can we create clearly defined roles for ourselves and teammates, regardless of our spot on the totem pole?

Why the Org Chart Matters (Sometimes)

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We&#39;re all pressured do more, do better, do it faster. This can be helpful if it pushes us to break barriers we didn&#39;t know we could pass - yet, all too often, unrealistic expectations will set us up for failure. In this episode, Brian talks about the dangers of over-promising and the inevitable under-delivering that follows.

We're all pressured do more, do better, do it faster.This can be helpful if it pushes us to break barriers we didn't know we could pass - yet, all too often, unrealistic expectations will set us up for failure. In this episode, Brian talks about the dangers of over-promising and the inevitable under-delivering that follows.

Stop Overpromising (and Under-Delivering)

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/9/9/1/d2f3381c-6824-4a28-8be9-c2d17e13aef2_s01e018.mp3

Brian and John have talked extensively about enjoying today&#39;s work-from-home environment. Yet not everyone is as enthusiastic about the current state of things. Andy, a Gen-Xer more on the fence about work-from-home, joins as the show&#39;s first guest host.

Brian and John have talked extensively about enjoying today's work-from-home environment. Yet not everyone is as enthusiastic about the current state of things. Andy, a Gen-Xer more on the fence about work-from-home, joins as the show's first guest host.

Working from Home: A Gen-X Perspective

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Picking up a new hobby or learning a new skill can be scary and oftentimes a daunting task and John and Brian take the hard stance that the concept of the “overnight success story” is a myth. Using his own experiences as a sample, John walks us through his growth as a musician, with samples of music he’s created throughout the years. Feel free to explore some more of John&#39;s music featured in the show:https://oliveview.bandcamp.com/album/crash-latehttps://baltimorecults.bandcamp.com/https://chattykathy.bandcamp.com/https://braingreaseandtheganjapolice.bandcamp.com/https://underwaterrobots.bandcamp.com/

Sticking With Something Until You Improve

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A carpenter can take pride in seeing the home he built for a family. But what about the white collar worker struggling to see beyond their cubicle walls? Feeling satisfied is hard when you can’t see the impact your job has. In this episode, John talks about feeling a sense of satisfaction, either through finding meaning – or creating it.

A carpenter can take pride in seeing the home he built for a family. But what about the white collar worker struggling to see beyond their cubicle walls? Feeling satisfied is hard when you can’t see the impact your job has.  In this episode, John talks about feeling a sense of satisfaction, either through finding meaning – or creating it.

Finding Meaning in our Jobs

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Bonus episode! Really, more of a short rant. Bonus rant! What does algorithmic music mean to the workplace, and why do Brian and John hate the implications?

Bonus episode! Really, more of a short rant. Bonus rant! What does algorithmic music mean to the workplace, and why do Brian and John hate the implications?

Algorithmic Music?

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2021/8/31/0/a6d8c663-0fdd-43c9-ab88-591d42f114c9_s01e014.mp3

We all feel like the star in the film of our own lives. But this self-centered view reduces everyone else to merely supporting cast, and leads us to quick (and ill-informed) judgments of others. In this episode, Brian describes a more holistic view to help improve our interpersonal relationships.

We all feel like the star in the film of our own lives. But this self-centered view reduces everyone else to merely supporting cast, and leads us to quick (and ill-informed) judgments of others. In this episode, Brian describes a more holistic view to help improve our interpersonal relationships.

Your Coworkers Aren’t Jerks

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Multitasking is a skill that everyone wants and every employer values. But what if our pursuit of multitasking is doing more harm than good? Brian breaks down the problems with trying to split attention between too many tasks, and offers an alternative approach to getting things done.

Multitasking is a skill that everyone wants and every employer values. But what if our pursuit of multitasking is doing more harm than good? Brian breaks down the problems with trying to split attention between too many tasks, and offers an alternative approach to getting things done.

The Myth of Multitasking

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In a previous episode, we talked about how today&#39;s job seekers have more leverage than ever before. However, this may not be true for everyone. A recent report shows that Gen-X may be struggling more than Millennials. Brian and John reflect on the implications of this report in this short episode.

In a previous episode, we talked about how today's job seekers have more leverage than ever before. However, this may not be true for everyone. A recent report shows that Gen-X may be struggling more than Millennials. Brian and John reflect on the implications of this report in this short episode.

Job-Seeking Concerns for Gen-X

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We talked through some work-life balance job seeking strategies in a previous episode. In this episode, John puts his money where his mouth is and puts those strategies to the test as he reenters the job market.

We talked through some work-life balance job seeking strategies in a previous episode. In this episode, John puts his money where his mouth is and puts those strategies to the test as he reenters the job market.

John's New Gig

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Good news for job seekers: We&#39;re in the middle of a &#34;seller&#39;s market&#34; for job hunting. Candidates have more leverage today than at any time in recent history. With this in mind, Brian talks about how we can interview a new org to ensure they&#39;re as good a fit for us as we are for them.

Good news for job seekers: We're in the middle of a "seller's market" for job hunting. Candidates have more leverage today than at any time in recent history. With this in mind, Brian talks about how we can interview a new org to ensure they're as good a fit for us as we are for them.

Ready for a New Job? Interviewing Potential Employers

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Are some people born lucky? While nobody can control the outcome of a coin flip, some people seem to come out on top in any situation. How they do it isn&#39;t a secret, and it isn&#39;t even difficult. In this episode, Brian explains how we can all make our own luck.

Ask Yourself, "Do I Feel Lucky?"

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We&#39;re a stressed out, burned out bunch of crazies. This shouldn&#39;t come as surprise - nobody is taking vacations. Even worse, we view skipping out on time off as a point of pride... to our detriment. In this episode, Brian forces listeners to take just one of those earned days off and puts it to good use.

We're a stressed out, burned out bunch of crazies. This shouldn't come as surprise - nobody is taking vacations. Even worse, we view skipping out on time off as a point of pride... to our detriment. In this episode, Brian forces listeners to take just one of those earned days off and puts it to good use.

TAKE YOUR VACATION (Self Care 101)

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Success will always mean different things to different people. In this episode, John walks through a few examples as we try to define success and nail down how to attain it.

Success will always mean different things to different people. In this episode, John walks through a few examples as we try to define success and nail down how to attain it.

How Should We Define Success?

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In a 2018 interview, Jeff Bezos referred to the concept of balance as a &#34;debilitating phrase&#34; when thinking about the intersection of work and life. In this episode, Brian and John vehemently disagree.

In a 2018 interview, Jeff Bezos referred to the concept of balance as a "debilitating phrase" when thinking about the intersection of work and life. In this episode, Brian and John vehemently disagree.

Jeff Bezos: Is Work-Life Balance a "Debilitating Phrase?"

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Ever feel like there aren&#39;t enough hours in the day? We&#39;re all a little too busy some days, but a little planning and prep work go a long way into giving us desperately needed time back. In this episode, Brian offers a few tips for better time management.

Ever feel like there aren't enough hours in the day? We're all a little too busy some days, but a little planning and prep work go a long way into giving us desperately needed time back. In this episode, Brian offers a few tips for better time management.

Finding More Time in our Day

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Why do exceptionally talented people do so well across multiple careers or projects, and where do they get the energy to always outperform? In this episode, John examines a few individuals that have been successful across multiple fields.

Why do exceptionally talented people do so well across multiple careers or projects, and where do they get the energy to always outperform? In this episode, John examines a few individuals that have been successful across multiple fields.

What Goes Into Being Truly Talented?

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For every valuable meeting on our calendars, odds are good we have four more that just waste time - and the number keeps rising. In this episode, Brian gives some tips for fighting against this trend and focusing on the meetings that matter.

For every valuable meeting on our calendars, odds are good we have four more that just waste time - and the number keeps rising. In this episode, Brian gives some tips for fighting against this trend and focusing on the meetings that matter.

Fighting Against Pointless Meetings

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Music while we work has been shown to increase productivity and, minimally, improves our attitude on the job. In this episode, John talks through why we love (and maybe depend on) music in the office.

Music while we work has been shown to increase productivity and, minimally, improves our attitude on the job. In this episode, John talks through why we love (and maybe depend on) music in the office.

Music while you Work

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Americans glorify work, logging extensive hours each week (and maybe weekend). Many are now turning hobbies into extensions of our work. There are pros and cons to turning pass-times into revenue streams, but are we monetizing hobbies just because we’ve been sold on “the hustle?” Hosts Brian and John work through this question in the first episode of the podcast.

Americans glorify work, logging extensive hours each week (and maybe weekend). Many are now turning hobbies into extensions of our work. There are pros and cons to turning pass-times into revenue streams, but are we monetizing hobbies just because we’ve been sold on “the hustle?” Hosts Brian and John work through this question in the first episode of the podcast.

Are Our Hobbies "Side Hustle Worthy?"

A podcast for work, life, and everything in between

Maintaining a work-life balance keeps getting harder - but it doesn't have to. This podcast is for anyone struggling to rise above the daily struggles of work, family, and building a sense of self. Management consultants by trade, hosts Brian and John shift their skills from helping organizations get better to helping people improve their lives.

The Big Balance

Episodes

Brian Dyson on the Importance of Work-Life Priorities

Working With (Fighting Against?) Your Company's Vision

Why the Org Chart Matters (Sometimes)

Stop Overpromising (and Under-Delivering)

Working from Home: A Gen-X Perspective

Sticking With Something Until You Improve

Finding Meaning in our Jobs

Algorithmic Music?

Your Coworkers Aren’t Jerks

The Myth of Multitasking

Job-Seeking Concerns for Gen-X

John's New Gig

Ready for a New Job? Interviewing Potential Employers

Ask Yourself, "Do I Feel Lucky?"

TAKE YOUR VACATION (Self Care 101)

How Should We Define Success?

Jeff Bezos: Is Work-Life Balance a "Debilitating Phrase?"

Finding More Time in our Day

What Goes Into Being Truly Talented?

Fighting Against Pointless Meetings

Music while you Work

Are Our Hobbies "Side Hustle Worthy?"

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