What's on Your Bookshelf?

166 Joy at Work: Tidying Your Meetings

In this episode of What’s on Your Bookshelf, Sam Powell and Denise Russo continue through Marie Kondo’s The Joy at Work with a conversation about a topic almost everyone complains about: Meetings. From calendars packed with unnecessary invites to meetings that could have been emails, this episode explores how to make meetings more purposeful, productive, and maybe even a little more joyful. In this episode we discuss: * Why meeting satisfaction has a bigger impact on overall job satisfaction than many people realize. * How to evaluate every meeting through a simple question: Does this need to exist? * The importance of agendas, clear objectives, and communicating the purpose of a meeting before it starts. * Why attendees have more influence than they think — including asking better questions, preparing in advance, and speaking up when they have something valuable to contribute. * Practical rules for better meetings: show up prepared, listen fully, put away distractions, encourage participation, and respect people’s time. One Big Takeaway Most meetings aren’t frustrating because they exist. They’re frustrating because nobody stopped to ask what they’re supposed to accomplish. Why This Episode Matters Every meeting costs something: Time.Attention.Energy.Focus. The question isn’t whether you have meetings. The question is whether your meetings are worth the cost. A Question to Consider Look at your calendar for next week. Which meetings move work forward... and which ones are simply taking up space? Coming Next In the next episode, Sam and Denise continue exploring how to create more joy at work by tackling another area where clutter quietly steals our time, attention, and effectiveness. 📖 Buy the book [https://amzn.to/47ArXqK] and come along on the adventure with us. We’re so excited you’re here and would love to hear from you. How to reach us: Denise: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deniserusso1/] | Substack [https://substack.com/@woyb] | School of Thoughts LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/school-of-thoughts-inc./] Sam: LinkedIn [http://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthapowell13] | Substack [https://substack.com/@sampowellwoyb] | LeadtheGame’s Career Locker Room [https://leadthegame.substack.com/] | Website [https://leadthegame.org/] Subscribe and Review on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/whats-on-your-bookshelf/id1688553668] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/55Bvm2EfXsAIScP4l1fDfc].Subscribe to our YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@woybpodcast]. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit woyb.substack.com [https://woyb.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

165 Joy at Work: Tidying Your Network

Episode Highlights In this episode of What’s on Your Bookshelf, Sam Powell and Denise Russo continue through Marie Kondo’s The Joy at Work with a conversation about tidying your network — and why the quality of your relationships matters far more than the quantity. In a world obsessed with followers, connections, and online visibility, this chapter challenges us to ask a different question: Who are the people that truly belong in your life and work? In this episode we discuss: * Why a smaller network of meaningful relationships often creates more value than thousands of surface-level connections. * The difference between real relationships and loose associations. * How to identify the people who help advance your vision, support your growth, and genuinely spark joy. * Why mentorship, coaching, friendship, and professional relationships all play different roles in a healthy network. * How social media, AI, and digital communication can create the illusion of connection without the depth of real relationships. One Big Takeaway Your network isn’t measured by how many people know your name. It’s measured by how many meaningful relationships you’re intentionally building. Why This Episode Matters Most people spend their time collecting contacts. Very few spend their time cultivating connections. The difference can shape your career, your opportunities, and your overall happiness at work. Coming Next Next week, Sam and Denise tackle another workplace challenge: tidying your meetings — and how to reclaim time, attention, and productivity from calendars that have become overcrowded. A question to consider while listening: If you looked at your professional network today, who would make the “keep” list — and who are you investing time in simply out of habit? 📖 Buy the book [https://amzn.to/47ArXqK] and come along on the adventure with us. We’re so excited you’re here and would love to hear from you. How to reach us: Denise: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deniserusso1/] | Substack [https://substack.com/@woyb] | School of Thoughts LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/school-of-thoughts-inc./] Sam: LinkedIn [http://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthapowell13] | Substack [https://substack.com/@sampowellwoyb] | LeadtheGame’s Career Locker Room [https://leadthegame.substack.com/] | Website [https://leadthegame.org/] Subscribe and Review on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/whats-on-your-bookshelf/id1688553668] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/55Bvm2EfXsAIScP4l1fDfc].Subscribe to our YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@woybpodcast]. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit woyb.substack.com [https://woyb.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

164 Joy at Work: Tidying Decisions

In this episode of What’s on Your Bookshelf, Sam Powell and Denise Russo continue through Marie Kondo’s The Joy at Work with a conversation about tidying decisions — and why decision fatigue quietly drains our energy, clarity, and leadership. In this episode we discuss: * Why we make thousands of decisions every day — and how that mental load adds up. * How to separate decisions into high-stakes, medium-stakes, and low-stakes categories. * Why some decisions should be made quickly, delegated, or pre-decided. * How too many options can create decision paralysis instead of freedom. * Why “good enough” is often enough to help you move forward. One Big Takeaway Not every decision deserves the same amount of your energy. Some need wisdom.Some need speed.Some need to get off your plate. Why This Episode Matters If you feel mentally tired before the day is even over, your workload might not be the only issue. Your decisions may be cluttered. And clearing them creates more room for better leadership, better work, and better peace. Coming Next Next week, Sam and Denise talk about tidying your network — and how the people around you shape your energy, opportunities, and joy at work. 📖 Buy the book [https://amzn.to/47ArXqK] and come along on the adventure with us. We’re so excited you’re here and would love to hear from you. How to reach us: Denise: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deniserusso1/] | Substack [https://substack.com/@woyb] | School of Thoughts LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/school-of-thoughts-inc./] Sam: LinkedIn [http://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthapowell13] | Substack [https://substack.com/@sampowellwoyb] | LeadtheGame’s Career Locker Room [https://leadthegame.substack.com/] | Website [https://leadthegame.org/] Subscribe and Review on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/whats-on-your-bookshelf/id1688553668] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/55Bvm2EfXsAIScP4l1fDfc].Subscribe to our YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@woybpodcast]. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit woyb.substack.com [https://woyb.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

163 Joy at Work: Tidying Time

In this episode of What’s on Your Bookshelf, Sam Powell and Denise Russo continue through Marie Kondo’s The Joy at Work with a conversation about one of our most precious resources: time. This chapter is all about tidying your schedule, your tasks, and the way work quietly takes over your life. In this episode we discuss: * Why saying yes to everything can slowly drain your focus, energy, and joy. * How unproductive meetings create real cost — not just in dollars, but in attention and momentum. * The difference between urgent tasks and important work — and why urgent tasks often win. * Why multitasking and switch-tasking can quietly wreck your productivity. * How to look at your calendar and ask: Is my work trending toward joy? One Big Takeaway Tidying your time isn’t just about doing less. It’s about making room for the work, people, and priorities that actually matter. Why This Episode Matters If your calendar is packed but your work feels empty, this episode is your timeout. Because every yes costs something. And your time is too valuable to spend on things that don’t deserve it. Coming Next Next week, Sam and Denise dig into tidying decisions — how to make clearer choices when work, life, and leadership feel cluttered. 📖 Buy the book [https://amzn.to/47ArXqK] and come along on the adventure with us. We’re so excited you’re here and would love to hear from you. How to reach us: Denise: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deniserusso1/] | Substack [https://substack.com/@woyb] | School of Thoughts LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/school-of-thoughts-inc./] Sam: LinkedIn [http://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthapowell13] | Substack [https://substack.com/@sampowellwoyb] | LeadtheGame’s Career Locker Room [https://leadthegame.substack.com/] | Website [https://leadthegame.org/] Subscribe and Review on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/whats-on-your-bookshelf/id1688553668] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/55Bvm2EfXsAIScP4l1fDfc].Subscribe to our YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@woybpodcast]. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit woyb.substack.com [https://woyb.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

162 Joy at Work: Tidying Digital Work

In this episode of What’s on Your Bookshelf, Sam Powell and Denise Russo tackle one of the most overwhelming areas of modern work: digital clutter. From overflowing inboxes to endless notifications, this conversation explores how our devices may be quietly draining our focus, energy, and performance. In this episode we discuss: * Why digital clutter (emails, files, apps) creates constant distraction and hidden stress. * How to decide what to keep using three simple filters: * Do I need this for future work? * Will this inspire or inform me? * Does it bring any sense of value or joy? * The reality that more storage isn’t a solution — it’s often just avoiding the decision to clean things up. * Why notifications, emails, and messaging tools can interrupt deep work and lower performance. * How intentional boundaries (filters, rules, turning off notifications) can help you take back control of your time and attention. One Big Takeaway Digital clutter isn’t just sitting in your inbox. It’s sitting in your attention — pulling you away from the work that actually matters. Why This Episode Matters If your day feels scattered, reactive, or constantly interrupted… there’s a good chance your digital environment is part of the problem. This episode gives you a simple starting point: Filter. Delete. Simplify. Reclaim your focus. Coming Next In the next episode, Sam and Denise take it one level deeper — exploring how to declutter your time and focus on what actually deserves your energy. 📖 Buy the book [https://amzn.to/47ArXqK] and come along on the adventure with us. We’re so excited you’re here and would love to hear from you. How to reach us: Denise: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deniserusso1/] | Substack [https://substack.com/@woyb] | School of Thoughts LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/school-of-thoughts-inc./] Sam: LinkedIn [http://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthapowell13] | Substack [https://substack.com/@sampowellwoyb] | LeadtheGame’s Career Locker Room [https://leadthegame.substack.com/] | Website [https://leadthegame.org/] Subscribe and Review on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/whats-on-your-bookshelf/id1688553668] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/55Bvm2EfXsAIScP4l1fDfc].Subscribe to our YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@woybpodcast]. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit woyb.substack.com [https://woyb.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]