I QUIT the C-Suite: Why I Left My Dream Job for "Human Skills"

Moving Beyond DEI Compliance Theater

In this episode of the Guerrilla HR Podcast, host Becky Drozdz sits down with Ivonne Ferneaux [https://www.ivonnefurneaux.com/], founder of EmpowerUp Consulting, to explore why diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are facing a significant backlash and how organizations can move toward more pragmatic, structural success. Ivonne introduces her powerful concept of "Ghost Gaps"—the invisible organizational divides that determine who has power, information, and investment within a company. Together, they discuss why authentic human connection is the key to overcoming "compliance theater" and how both leaders and individuals can work to bridge these gaps.

People Profit: How To Improve Your Bottom Line By Investing In Those Above It with Sandra Coker

I'm sitting down with Sandra Coker [https://peopleprofitbook.com/], founder and CEO of Human Power Solutions and author of People Profit. Together, they dive into the critical role of employee development within the total rewards framework and discuss why traditional leadership often fails to retain top talent. Sandra shares her "boots on the ground" philosophy, arguing that leadership isn't just about style—it's about truly hearing employees and fixing broken processes that lead to "first-aid employees" walking out the door.

Finding the Spark: Beyond the "Great Resignation" and the Truth About Burnout

We dive into the shifting landscape of the 2026 workplace. While recent reports show that fewer employees are planning to leave their organizations, only a fraction actually feel energized by their work. I'm joined by Dr. David Shar [https://davidshar.com/], a consultant and University of Maryland researcher who specializes in why people fall out of love with their careers and how to rekindle that passion. David shares his non-traditional journey from running a Baltimore ice cream shop—where a "trivial" job provided deep meaning for his crew—to researching the systemic causes of employee stagnation. Key topics in this conversation include: * The Catalyst for Passion: How an ice cream shop manager learned that work can be a "happy place" even amidst personal tragedy. * The Reality of Burnout: Why burnout isn't just about overwork, but rather the accumulation of "dirty glasses"—the bureaucracy, red tape, and interpersonal conflicts that block a state of flow. * Nice vs. Kind: Why effective leadership requires "bucket filling" and the courage to give tough, honest feedback rather than performative politeness. * Thermostats vs. Thermometers: A simple mental shift you can use in the next 24 hours to set a better temperature for your workplace culture. Stick around until the end to hear David’s most controversial take yet—it has nothing to do with HR and everything to do with pizza.

I QUIT the C-Suite: Why I Left My Dream Job for "Human Skills"

"Forced fun is never fun." In this episode of the Guerrilla HR Podcast, host Becky sits down with Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickeyfitchcollins/], whose career path is anything but ordinary. From being the youngest professional bass fisherman in the U.S. to reaching the C-suite in higher education, Mickey explains why she walked away from it all to focus on the future of Learning and Development (L&D). We dive into the "Great Discernment" and why 73% of employees are staying at their jobs despite only 67% feeling energized. Mickey breaks down the "push-pull" nightmare of middle management, the isolation that leads to burnout, and why most AI integration is currently failing in the workplace. What you’ll learn in this episode: * The Death of "Forced Fun": Why traditional L&D feels like "paid-for offense" and how to make it authentic. * The Middle Manager Crisis: Why organizations are "trimming the fat" and why that’s a massive mistake for success. * Problem-First AI: Stop buying licenses and start identifying the actual problems you are trying to solve. * The 24-Hour Rule: One simple step you can take today to take the driver's seat of your own career. * Human Skills vs. AI: Why critical thinking and decision-making are the most valuable "water wings" in the deep end of tech. Stop waiting for your company to pick your path. It’s time to build a professional development plan that actually belongs to you.

Navigating the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Reality

We're tackling the sobering reality of financial stability in 2026. Opening with data from the Bank of America Institute and Bankrate, Becky highlights that nearly a quarter of households are living paycheck to paycheck, with pessimism about the economic future reaching new highs. Becky is joined by Brenton Harrison, a certified financial planner and founder of New Money, New Problems [https://www.newmoneynewproblems.com/], to discuss how individuals can take control of their financial narratives. The conversation explores: * Financial Psychology: Understanding the personal fears and "awareness pieces" that prevent people from checking their balances. * The Foundational Pillars: Why every financial plan must include layered emergency reserves and a balance between saving for the future and meeting today's needs. * Leveraging Debt: Differentiating between "terrible" revolving credit card debt and leveraged debt like student or car loans. * Accessible Resources: How to find free, competent advice through community centers, local libraries, and often-overlooked employer benefits. The episode concludes with a passionate look at the ALICE population (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). Becky challenges the "minimum wage skills" myth, arguing that financial success isn't just about individual education, but requires systemic policy changes in housing, childcare, and transportation.