Something is broken in the middle of organizations - and it’s not just the office coffee machine. Rona Lewis and Jeffrey Hansler dive into why today's managers are overwhelmed, underprepared, and increasingly opting out. Is it the result of years of corporate neglect? The hollowing out of real leadership development? Or the shiny lure of solopreneur freedom and passive income dreams?

This isn’t your classic burnout story. It’s a deeper look at how we’ve set up managers to fai - piling on expectations without support, clarity, or even clear career paths.

We connect the dots from the pandemic’s emotional hangover (see Episode 137, “Just Say No! Maybe”), to the pressure to be constantly innovative (see Episode 132, “Slay the Villain of Culture Stagnation”), to the lost art of imagination in leadership (see Episode 133, “Imagination and Its Importance to Business”). And don’t get us started on how AI is changing the game – again - leaving managers caught between tech, talent, and terrifying timelines.

Whether you're a manager barely treading water, or a leader wondering why your team keeps churning, this episode pulls back the curtain on what’s really happening—and what we need to do next.

Because if we don't rethink management now, we may not have many left to manage at all.

Ever wonder how to thrive in a business landscape where administrations shift dramatically, political policies change on a dime, and unexpected decisions drop faster than last-minute pardons?

Join your Biz-Souls hosts, Rona Lewis and Jeffrey Hansler, as they sit down with Martin Williams, a master of spotting and seizing business trends. From the mortgage boom to digital marketing, Martin has consistently turned shifting tides into lucrative opportunities. Now, he’s back to share his latest insights.

As the U.S. grapples with a gargantuan national deficit—one that makes the heist of a Midwestern city in a W.R. Burnett novel look like pocket change—the administration’s policies take center stage. Politics brings its usual mix of complexity, betrayal, and stark realities, painting a gritty picture of the allure and downfall of bureaucratic maneuvering.

With President Trump's recent 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, including those from allies like Canada and the EU, businesses are pushing back. Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon acknowledges the intent behind the tariffs but admits he’d prefer them to be a little more wallet friendly.

Meanwhile, the administration continues its search for effective and transparent governance, rolling out bold strategies to reshape the economy. From restructuring federal agencies to revaluating regulations, the goal is to create a more efficient and responsive government—or at least one that can keep up with the shifting landscape.

Martin Williams shares his playbook on:

Spotting Opportunities Amidst Chaos – How to identify and leverage emerging trends, even when the rulebook is rewritten.

Adaptive Entrepreneurship – The art of pivoting your business strategy in response to policy shifts and economic upheavals.

Staying Positive in a Sea of Uncertainty – Maintaining morale and motivation when the only constant is change.

Tune in for a conversation that's as enlightening as it is entertaining and discover how to not just survive but thrive in today’s unpredictable business environment.

Disclaimer: Listening may result in sudden bursts of inspiration and an uncontrollable urge to rethink your entire business strategy.

And you won’t want to miss the not-so-subtle friction between Rona Lewis and Jeffrey Hansler, who tackle DOGE, tariffs, deficits, and the search for governance from wildly different perspectives.

So, follow and subscribe as the shootout continues—with economic bullets flying—in this engaging, thought-provoking, and sometimes combative discussion on the future of business and the impact of publicly dictated policies on the U.S. and global economy.

Ever wondered how to make money online without a massive following? Think you need viral videos, influencer status, or a blue checkmark next to your name? Think again!

Meet Stephanie Snyder Williams, the fiery redhead proving that you don’t need a million followers to rake in serious cash - you just need User-Generated Content (UGC) and a dash of marketing magic.

In this episode, Biz-Souls hosts Rona Lewis and Jeffrey Hansler dive into Stephanie’s journey from UGC newbie to client-acquiring dynamo. She’s figured out how to monetize authenticity—and she’s doing it without a single viral dance video (that we know of).

What’s UGC, and why should you care?

User-Generated Content is the marketing world's best-kept secret—brands are ditching polished ads in favor of real, raw, and relatable content made by people just like you. Consumers trust genuine recommendations more than staged influencer endorsements, and companies are willing to pay good money for it.

Stephanie spills the ginger tea on:

• How she landed her first clients (without a massive following)

• The work involved in crafting compelling UGC that sells

• Why brands prefer UGC over traditional marketing

• How her natural enthusiasm gives her an edge in the industry

So, whether you’re looking for a side hustle, a new career path, or just a way to turn your witty one-liners and editing hard cuts into cash, Stephanie’s story will have you thinking: “Wait… I can do that too!”

Tune in now and learn how to make money online—no followers required!

Do you find yourself nodding along just to wrap things up before lunch? Are you willing to speak up when everyone agrees just to keep the peace?

Whether it’s unanimous agreements or majority rules, consensus can be the worst thing for organizations and decision-making.

Did you know that the term "groupthink" was coined by psychologist Irving Janis in 1972? It describes the phenomenon where the desire for harmony leads to irrational decision-making. So, next time you're in a meeting, channel your inner Janis and speak up!

Don't let your business decisions be dictated by the loudest voice in the room. Tune in to Episode 161 of the Biz-Souls Podcast and become the maestro of meaningful consensus.

In the world of business, it's not just about getting everyone to agree—it's about making the right decisions together.

Subscribe Now! Biz-Souls is available on all major podcast platforms. Hit that subscribe button and never miss an episode that could revolutionize your business approach!

Who's your daddy? Who's your daddy? Who's your daddy?

In the latest episode of the Biz-Souls podcast, hosts Rona Lewis and Jeffrey Hansler dive into the provocative question - With dynamic changes in public opinion, who is HR really working for? Is it all about following the money, or is there something more lurking beneath those corporate policies?

Is Human Resources your corporate confidant or the company's secret weapon?

Ever felt like HR's warm smile hides a secret agenda? You're not alone. Employees’ past and present often say, "They are not on your side. They represent the interests of the company."

It's like finding out your office buddy is actually a double agent—awkward!

According to former Netflix HR director Cheick Soumaré, cutting low performers is essential to maintaining high morale among top employees. Netflix's culture emphasizes choosing the best talent for each role, akin to professional sports teams.

Supposedly, Meta keeps a ‘Blacklist’, preventing certain former employees from being rehired. Laszlo Bock, former HR chief at Google, expressed astonishment over this practice, especially when it includes high performers who were laid off.

If you think your HR department is scary, wait until you read BuzzFeed's compilation of workplace horror stories. One tale involves an employee being scolded by the owner for reporting harassment, with the owner saying, "It's bad for business if our customers see us as a place that tolerates harassment."

Talk about a plot twist!

In Episode 160, Rona and Jeffrey dissect these issues with their signature blend of humor and insight. They challenge listeners to question the true role of HR in today's corporate landscape. Is HR the benevolent guardian of employee well-being, or the enforcer of corporate interests? Remember, in the world of business, things aren't always as they seem.

Tune In and Decide for Yourself

Disclaimer: No HR professionals were harmed in the making of this podcast.

Middle management, we have some shocking news—AI is coming for your job faster than a self-checkout machine at your favorite store. In Biz-Souls Podcast Episode 159, "White Collar Jobs on the Chopping Block," we dive into the cold, hard truth: automation, algorithms, and AI-powered decision-making are reshaping the corporate landscape. And the first heads on the chopping block? Middle managers.

But before you start brushing up on your barista skills, there’s hope! As we've discussed in past episodes, adaptability is key to career survival. Remember when we talked about playing games for better business with Alex Suchman? Or how imagination fuels success in the workplace? Well, now it’s time to put that creativity into work!

Your best defense against becoming obsolete? Skill up! Don’t know finance? Learn it. Never dabbled in marketing? Time to study. Project management sounds scary? Get certified.

AI may be fast, but you have something it doesn’t—human ingenuity, emotional intelligence, and the ability to binge-listen to every Biz-Souls episode for insider tips!

Oh, and about the internet? AI might soon own all the major websites—so if you thought job security was bad, wait until you see what’s happening to online content. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Tune in to Episode 159 before AI learns how to listen to podcasts better than you do!

Is it time to leave your cozy home office, your sweatpants, and your endless supply of snacks? Rona Lewis and Jeffrey Hansler dive deep into the hot-button topic of Return to Office (RTO) in this hilarious yet insightful episode of the Biz-Souls podcast. They explore the new government mandates that are making bosses everywhere rub their hands together like villains in a bad movie and the irresistible bonuses being thrown your way if you decide to return.

But wait—there’s more! Rona and Jeffrey unpack the business forces behind these RTO mandates, revealing why some companies are desperately trying to get you back into the office. Will these incentives make you want to leave your home office behind, or are you better off rocking the WFH life for the foreseeable future?

Spoiler: There’s probably a snack stash in both scenarios, so maybe it’s a win either way = Though your snacks disappear less at home then in the office fridge. Tune in for laughs, facts, and everything you didn’t know you needed to know about the "Return to Office" debate.

Hint: It's not just about the snacks.

In this episode, Dr. Freitag shares her unique interdisciplinary approach to coaching STEM professionals, blending people-focused strategies with data-driven insights to transform conflicts, improve communication, and break through professional roadblocks. She discusses how her coaching empowers individuals and teams to achieve sustainable, measurable results—and even look forward to Mondays again!

Join Rona Lewis and Jeffrey Hansler as they delve into Dr. Freitag's proven methodologies and explore how STEM professionals can thrive in today's complex workplace. This conversation offers valuable insights for anyone looking to overcome workplace challenges and advance their careers.

Don't miss this opportunity to gain experience from Dr. Freitag's experience and gain practical strategies to enhance your professional journey. From tackling team dynamics to refining essential skills, her coaching empowers individuals and teams to achieve sustainable, measurable results—and even look forward to Mondays again!

Dr. Freitag holds a Ph.D. in chemistry and is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) through the International Coaching Federation (ICF). She has worked globally in the automotive and chemical industries, collaborating with colleagues from the shop floor to Senior Vice Presidents, and served as the Global Operational Excellence Leader for over five years.

https://www.Corinnafreitag.DE