The Corporate Cliché Podcast

🎙️ Episode 13: Corporate 101 - Resume Building Podcast: Corporate Cliché Hosts: Jess & Jen
Episode Summary: Let’s face it — resumes are the worst. Whether you’re starting your job search or navigating career growth, having an up-to-date, effective résumé is essential (and kind of annoying). In this Corporate 101 episode, Jess and Jen are back with five relevant, practical, and 2025-ready tips to help you build a resume that actually gets noticed.
Drawing from both employee and hiring manager perspectives, we break down everything from formatting and personal branding to using AI and storytelling techniques that highlight your actual impact — not just buzzwords. Whether you’re on the hunt or just keeping your “in case of emergency” document updated, this episode is packed with advice, a few laughs, and some real talk about how to stand out in a stack of resumes.
💼 In This Episode, We Cover:
Why resume building is still a dreaded but necessary process
The importance of regular résumé refreshes (yes, even if you’re not job hunting!)
5 Resume Tips That Matter in 2025:
Be thoughtful on the structuring of your resume – Use a clean, ATS-friendly template and follow the 3 C's: Clear, Consistent, Concise
Leverage your professional summary as a personal brand statement – Craft a personal brand in your professional summary
Highlight your most relevant experience to that job role – Highlight the experience that aligns with the job
Make your resume speak results, not clichés – Use data and action verbs to tell your story
Use AI to Tailor Your Resume for Every Role- Make Every Application Count – Tailor your resume for every job (and yes, you can use ChatGPT to do it!)
Hiring manager insights: what Jen looks for when reviewing hundreds of resumes
How your resume tells a story — and why it matters
✨ Key Takeaways: 🔹 Proofread and keep it short — 1–2 pages, max 🔹 Tailor your resume to every job description 🔹 Make it skimmable with clear formatting and bullet points 🔹 Use quantifiable impact statements, not clichés 🔹 Want a resume template? Email us at thecorporateclichepodcast@gmail.com
📌 Resources Mentioned: ✔️ Free Resume Template – just email us! ✔️ Try AI Tools (like ChatGPT!) to optimize your resume
💬 Let's Connect: DM us on Instagram @corporateclichepodcast if you need support — we’re here to be your work besties during the job hunt or career glow-up!
 

🎙️ Corporate Cliché Podcast
Episode 12: HR Nightmares 2.0 Call Centers, Creepy Customers & the Accidental ‘I Love You’
Welcome back to the Corporate Cliché podcast! Join Jess and Jen for another round of unfiltered, hilarious, and cringe-worthy watercooler conversations as they dive into real-life workplace horror stories in this HR Nightmares sequel.
This episode brings the chaos—from unfortunate Zoom mishaps to questionable hotel arrangements on business trips—and yes, another case of telling your boss "I love you" by mistake. 🙈 You’ll laugh, you’ll cringe, and maybe you’ll double-check who’s watching your screen during remote access.
🔥 Episode Highlights:
✅ Gender Bias in the Workplace Stats from The Muse highlight how bias continues to shape hiring and promotion opportunities for women—and Jess shares a client interaction that left her speechless.
✅ Caught on Remote Access Jen shares a jaw-dropping email about an employee caught watching… something inappropriate… while working from home. You won’t believe how the manager handled it.
✅ Oops, I Said I Love You Have you ever ended a work call like it was a romantic date? Jen has. And so have others. Accidental workplace affection strikes again.
✅ Call Center Confessions Tech support horror, collections empathy, and the emotional toll of dealing with frustrated (and sometimes cruel) customers.
✅ Theft in the Workplace From sticky fingers swiping office supplies to managers embezzling cash, Jess drops data that will make you look at your stapler twice.
✅ HR Travel Nightmares Sharing a hotel room is one thing… but sharing a bed with a coworker?! Jen shares a listener story that takes workplace discomfort to new (mattress-level) heights.
✅ Creepy Retail Encounters Jen and Jess reflect on the disturbing experiences female employees face while simply doing their job—from “help me shop for my girlfriend” creepers to overheard dressing room moments that can’t be unheard.
💬 Key Takeaways:
🔒 Don't watch anything NSFW during work hours (yes, even if you're remote).
📞 Be kind to customer service and call center reps—they’re human too.
😳 “I love you” is sweet… just not on a call with your boss.
🧳 HR policies should NEVER include bed-sharing on work trips.
🛍️ Treat retail workers with the respect they deserve—and don’t be a creep.
🧠 What Will You Implement?
Jess and Jen encourage listeners to reflect: What’s one thing you’ll do differently at work after hearing these stories? Whether it’s showing more empathy or double-checking your mic and camera settings, the lessons are real.
👥 Join the Conversation!
Have an HR Nightmare of your own? We’d love to hear it! Reach out and share your wildest workplace story—we might just feature it in a future episode.
🎧 Listen & Subscribe Never miss an episode—follow Corporate Cliché on your favorite podcast platform!
📝 Rate & Review If you laughed, cringed, or screamed “NO WAY” while listening, leave us a review so others can find the show!
 

Welcome back to the Corporate Cliché podcast!Join Jess and Jen as they dive into the realities of corporate life through relatable and unfiltered watercooler conversations.
In this episode, we’re continuing our Be Bold series with a powerful conversation on empathy in leadership. We’re joined by Joseph Cope, a former award-winning educator turned keynote speaker and workshop facilitator—better known as The Empathy Guy. Joseph helps corporate leaders embrace fierce empathy, challenging traditional leadership models with a bold blend of humor, vulnerability, and truth.
🎙️ Whether you’re a manager, people leader, or aspiring changemaker, this episode will reshape how you think about connection, accountability, and corporate culture.
🔥 Episode Highlights:
✅ Redefining Empathy as a Skill, Not a Soft Trait Joseph challenges the outdated notion that empathy is just a "nice-to-have" and shares why it's a strategic skill every leader needs.
✅ Self-Empathy is Step One Why leaders must first show empathy toward themselves in order to model it for their teams.
✅ How to Build Empathy on Purpose Actionable strategies leaders can use to develop empathy in daily interactions and decision-making.
✅ Balancing Empathy and Accountability Empathy doesn’t mean avoiding hard conversations—Joseph explains how the best leaders do both.
✅ The ROI of Empathy in Corporate Culture From retention to team performance, learn how empathy impacts the bottom line—and how to start measuring it.
🛠️ Practical Takeaways:
💡 Shift your mindset—Empathy is a leadership multiplier, not an emotional liability. 🗣️ Start with listening—Genuine empathy begins with being present and curious. 📈 Build metrics—Explore ways to assess empathy’s impact on team morale and effectiveness. 🧠 Stay future-focused—Empathy will only grow in importance as new generations reshape workplace norms.
 
💬 Key Takeaways:
Empathy isn’t about being agreeable—it’s about being aware. Leadership needs fewer scripts and more sincerity. You don’t have to sacrifice accountability to be an empathetic leader.
Connect with Joseph:
Instagram - @the.empathy.guy
LinkedIn - Joseph Cope, M. Ed. - The Empathy Guy 
Website - https://empathyguy.com/

🎙️ Welcome back to the Corporate Cliché podcast! Join Jess and Jen as they dive into the realities of corporate life through relatable and unfiltered watercooler conversations.
💼 Episode 10: Watercooler Cliché – Burnout
Episode Summary: In this episode, Jess and Jen peel back the layers of the ever-present corporate cliché: burnout. They share candid personal stories, explore the systemic causes behind widespread burnout, and offer real, practical steps to help you regain your balance. From toxic expectations and value misalignment to walking your dog at lunch and rewriting your job description—this conversation is full of insights, validation, and encouragement. Whether you’re exhausted, emotionally numb, or just feeling “off,” this episode will help you name what’s happening and take back your power.
🔥 Episode Highlights:
✅ What Burnout Really Means A state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion that leaves you disconnected from your work—and even from yourself. It’s not just about long hours, it’s about misalignment.
✅ Corporate’s Role in the Burnout Epidemic From impossible workloads and poor management to toxic environments and lack of recognition, burnout has been normalized in the workplace. But that doesn’t mean we have to accept it. We found this LinkedIn Article so insightful!
✅ Real Stories, Real Talk Jess and Jen get personal—sharing their own burnout experiences, what triggered it, and how they started to heal. Spoiler: walking your dogs at lunch might be more powerful than you think.
✅ Signs of Burnout You Shouldn’t Ignore • Emotional numbness • Feeling isolated • Reduced motivation • Dread before every workday • Loss of purpose or values misalignment
✅ Burnout Triggers • Overload: You’re doing the job of three people • Lack of control: Always firefighting, never planning • No recognition: You're invisible unless you mess up • Toxic culture: Narcissistic bosses, no psychological safety • Value mismatch: Your work doesn’t align with your beliefs
🛠️ What You Can Do About It:
💡 Understand Where the Burnout Is Coming From Not all burnout is the same—identify your unique stressors so you can make meaningful changes.
📝 Try This Exercise: Re-Write Your Job Description Turn it into a calling instead of a checklist. Focus on the impact, not just the tasks. Then bring 3 actionable ideas to your manager that support this version of your role.
🧘 Create Sustainable Stress-Release Routines Breaks, water, movement, journaling, boundary-setting—build habits that restore you daily instead of relying on weekends to “recover.”
💬 Redefine Success at Work Are you working toward your goals or someone else’s? Burnout often stems from chasing achievements that don’t fulfill you.
🚨 The Canary in the Coal Mine Listen to early signs—both in yourself and those around you. Silence from once-passionate employees often signals deeper issues in company culture.
💬 Key Takeaways:
Burnout is a signal, not a personal failure. • Rewriting your job as a calling can help reframe your mindset and goals. • Small changes in your day can have a big impact on how you feel. • You have power—even in corporate—to push back on toxic narratives. • Culture change starts with conversations just like this.
👥 Join the Conversation!
🔗 Engage with Us: Have you experienced burnout at work? What helped—or what didn’t? We’d love to hear your story. DM us or comment on Instagram @CorporateClichePodcast.
🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Don’t miss future episodes in our Watercooler Cliché series—subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform!
📝 Rate & Review: If this episode resonated with you, drop us a rating and review! It helps others find the show and reminds us why these conversations matter.
 

Podcast Title: Corporate ClichéEpisode Title: Beyond the 9–5: After-Hour Adventures, Pet Peeves + TattoosHosts: Jess + Jen
Episode Overview
In this week’s episode, Jess and Jen take a break from the usual Corporate chaos to dive into something a little more personal—Work/Life Balance. From concert road trips and Disneyland passes to unexpected tattoos and pet peeves, the duo shares how they unwind and make the most of life after the 9 to 5. Whether you're looking for new show recommendations or just want to laugh about the weird things that make us tick, this one’s for you.
What to Expect
After-Hour Adventures:
Why weekends are for more than just errands.
The blog that started it all: Weekends are for Adventures.
Jen’s adrenaline rush from package deliveries and planning epic mini getaways.
Real Talk on Work/Life Balance:
How to separate your identity from your job.
Why it’s important to have something to look forward to.
Let’s Get Personal:
What our evenings look like after work.
Our go-to activities outside the office.
Current TV obsessions—and shows we’d recommend to anyone.
Tattoo confessions + biggest pet peeves.
Call to Action
We want to hear from you! What’s your favorite thing to do after work? Got a weird pet peeve or show obsession? DM us on Instagram at @thecorporateclichepodcast or email us at thecorporateclichepodcast@gmail.com.
If you loved this episode, share it with your work bestie! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. Thanks for listening—see you next time!
 

🎙️ Episode 8: Book Club - Essentialism by Greg McKeown
Welcome to our very first Book Club episode! 🎉 In this special series, we dive into business and personal development books that have shaped our professional journeys—and might just do the same for you.
This week, we’re exploring Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown.
Feeling overwhelmed by nonstop tasks, commitments, and distractions? You’re not alone—and this episode is your invitation to pause and refocus. We unpack how embracing the philosophy of Essentialism can help you live more intentionally and achieve success without burnout.
In this episode, we explore:
🧠 What it means to "do less, but better"
🎯 The art of prioritizing what truly matters—and eliminating what doesn’t
🙅‍♂️ How to say “no” gracefully and reclaim your time and energy
🛠️ Practical strategies to identify your “vital few” and apply essentialism daily
💬 Real-world examples of how essentialism can reshape your work, relationships, and personal well-being
Whether you're looking to streamline your workflow, become a more focused leader, or just need a reminder to slow down and reflect—this episode offers inspiring insights and actionable takeaways.
🎧 Listen now and take the first step toward a life by design, not by default.
 

🎙️ Episode 7 – Be Bold with Stephanie Cooper | From Corporate to Cacao - Building a Business with HeartGuest: Stephanie CooperTopic: The Journey into Entrepreneurship & Managing Your Health While Owning a Business
Welcome to the Corporate Cliché Podcast! Jess and Jen are back with a brand new series—Be Bold—where we highlight inspiring stories of courage, career pivots, and breaking out of the 9-5 mold. In this episode, we sit down with the radiant and resilient Stephanie Cooper, founder of Quiet Corner Yoga, entrepreneur, breast cancer warrior, and sacred space facilitator.
Stephanie shares her deeply personal journey of leaving dental life behind to pursue her passion, how cacao became a part of her mission, and what it was like navigating cancer while running a business. She dives into the power of community, boundaries, rest, and what it truly means to be bold when life throws the unexpected your way.
✨ In this episode, we cover:
Stephanie’s leap from dental work to cacao ceremonies
Building a business rooted in healing and connection
Managing a cancer diagnosis while being your own boss
The importance of support systems and self-care
What cacao ceremonies really represent
Bold lessons in resilience, rest, and redefining success
Whether you're dreaming of entrepreneurship, navigating a tough season, or just craving an honest, heartfelt conversation—you’ll find something in this episode to spark your spirit.
📱 Connect with Stephanie: Follow her on Instagram: @quiet_corner_yoga
📌 Episode Themes:
"This is a chapter, not the story." "Suffering in silence isn’t strength." "Be bold. Drink cacao.”

Episode 6: Corporate 101 - The Job Search
In this episode, Jess and Jen kick off the Corporate 101 Series with 6 things you should know before job searching. They share their experiences and insights on how to approach your job search with confidence and success.
Key Takeaways:
Leverage Your Network: Connections can lead to unexpected opportunities.
Stay Flexible but Know Your Direction: Keep an open mind while aligning with your career goals.
Use Job Search Platforms: Maximize online tools and consider networking, job fairs, and temping.
Embrace Technology: Leverage AI for resume optimization, job recommendations, and career guidance.
Clean Up Your Online Presence: Keep social media professional and employer-friendly.
Take Care of Your Mental Health: Use mindfulness and affirmations to stay grounded during your search.
Resources Mentioned:
Free online certifications (e.g., Harvard, Stanford)
Job search platforms like LinkedIn and Glassdoor
Call to Action: If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your work bestie and leave us a review! Follow us on Instagram @thecorporateclichepodcast for more tips on thriving in the 9-5.
Good luck with your job search, and see you next time!

Episode Overview
This week, Jess and Jen share jaw-dropping HR horror stories—from bizarre performance feedback to court room drama, poop deliveries, and more. Tune in for shocking workplace stats, hilarious anecdotes, and practical tips to survive corporate chaos.
Got your own HR Nightmare? Email us at thecorporateclichepodcast@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram at @thecorporateclichepodcast.
What to Expect
Why HR Nightmares Resonate: You’re not alone—61% of U.S. employees have witnessed workplace discrimination.
Wild Stories:
Fired for not being “fun”
Finger swirl coffee shop drama
Poop deliveries, IT audits, and aggressive customers.
Practical Tips:
Handling criticism professionally.
Staying calm with difficult coworkers or customers.
Navigating workplace harassment and retaliation.
Call to Action
Got a story to share? Send it to thecorporateclichepodcast@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram!
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend and leave us a rating and review. See you next time!

Welcome back to the Corporate Cliché podcast! Join Jess and Jen as they dive into the realities of corporate life through relatable and unfiltered watercooler conversations.
In this episode, we’re tackling a foundational topic: Existential Crisis in Corporate.
🔥 Episode Highlights:
✅ Defining Existential Crisis
Inner conflict, anxiety, and questioning the meaning of life and work.
Common triggers: major life changes, societal pressures, and philosophical contemplation.
✅ Our Personal Experiences
Jess shares a harrowing story about receiving a death threat while working as a mortgage loan officer, which made her question her career.
Jen recounts her postpartum struggle of returning to work after just three weeks, highlighting the emotional toll of inadequate maternity leave.
✅ Signs You’re Experiencing an Existential Crisis at Work
Feelings of emptiness despite external success.
Disconnection from your work and social circles.
Questioning your purpose and sense of futility.
✅ The Pandemic’s Influence on Corporate Mindsets
Shift in priorities toward personal happiness and work-life balance.
Data shows that 26% of American workers planned to leave their jobs after the pandemic, with Millennials leading at 34%.
✅ Generational Perspectives on Existential Crisis
Boomers: Mid-life crisis realization after decades at the grind.
Gen X & Millennials: Burdened by student debt and societal expectations.
Gen Z: Prioritizing boundaries and refusing to settle for toxic environments.
✅ Callout to Corporate Leaders
Encourage empathy, provide adequate parental leave, and foster a culture that values the well-being of employees.
🛠️ Tips to Navigate an Existential Crisis:
💡 Get to the Root of the Issue – Identify what’s causing your dissatisfaction. 🧘 Embrace the Present Moment – Practice mindfulness and gratitude. 📚 Reflect and Journal – Gain clarity by exploring your thoughts. 🎨 Pursue a Passion Project – Channel your energy into something fulfilling. 🤝 Connect with Others – You’re not alone. Seek support from your network.
💬 Key Takeaways:
Feeling stuck, unrefreshed after a break, or questioning your path? You may be experiencing an existential crisis.
You’re not alone. Many around you may be feeling the same way—reach out and talk about it.
You have resources and options. Explore different paths, connect with mentors, and prioritize your well-being.
👥 Join the Conversation!
🔗 Engage with Us: We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences! Reach out to us and share your own existential crisis moments or how you navigated them.
🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Don’t miss future watercooler conversations—subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform!
📝 Rate & Review: If you’re loving Corporate Cliché, leave us a review to help others find the show!