Navigating Nonlinear Careers (the Riff special episode)

Today I'm sharing a very special bonus episode! Redefining Work is a part of a whole network of podcasts at LinkedIn–The LinkedIn Podcast Network. This month, their team launched a new show in partnership with iHeart Podcasts. It’s called Let’s Talk Offline and it is packed with actionable advice and engaging insight for early career development. This episode in particular feels valuable to anyone at any stage of their career: it’s all about salary negotiation. More about Let’s Talk Offline: Each week, LinkedIn's Gianna Prudente and Jamé Jackson Gadsden answer your unfiltered questions about work life, from negotiating pay to setting boundaries to navigating office friendships. Gianna – an early career development editor and resident Gen Zer – and Jamé – a community manager, workshop host, and millennial – get real about their own career experiences (spoiler: they're still figuring it out, too) and confide in expert guests who've been there, done that. Through it all, you'll learn what it takes to thrive in the early years of your career — without sacrificing your values, sanity or sleep. Listen HERE!

In this episode of Redefining Work, Lars Schmidt sits down with Kelly Scheib, Chief People Officer at Crunchbase, to explore how the company is transforming HR through innovative strategies. Kelly shares insights on spaghetti careers, a flexible benefits model, and how Crunchbase leverages AI to streamline processes while maintaining human connection. Learn how Crunchbase’s people-first culture is redefining the future of work and the role of HR in tech companies. Topics covered: Crunchbase’s "People Project Pool" and how it breaks down HR silos The Live Your Best Life flexible benefits program How Crunchbase integrates AI without losing human empathy Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging woven into people systems

This episode features the brilliant Laura Mae Martin, Executive Productivity Advisor at Google and author of "Uptime: A Practical Guide for Personal Productivity and Well-being." Laura’s insights provide a fresh take on how to balance our intentions and actions in both professional and personal spheres.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Jeffrey Pfeffer, professor of organizational behavior at Stanford University and author of “Dying for a Paycheck.” We dive into the critical topic of employee well-being and explore the harmful effects of workplace stress and poor working conditions on employee health.

Today’s episode was a deep dive into leadership, habits, and community with none other than Lan Phan. Lan is the founder of Community of Seven and the author of the book, Do This Daily: Secrets to Finding Success, Happiness, and Purpose in Work and Life. Let’s break down some of the key insights from our conversation.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Thai Randolph, media executive, entrepreneur and co-founder at Hartbeat. Join us as we dive into how Thai navigates the tricky world of creating value in today’s fragmented media scene, her incredible story of raising one of the biggest private equity rounds as a Black woman CEO and how generative AI is shaking up the creative process.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Josh Bersin, global HR analyst and founder and CEO of The Josh Bersin Company. Josh dives into the transformation of the HR function from a transactional, administrative role to a more strategic, consultative powerhouse critical to business success. Tune in to discover how HR can lead the charge in shaping the future of work.

Explore the complexities of friendships at work. Are they essential for job satisfaction, or do they pose professional risks? Discover insights and personal experiences from the latest episode of LinkedIn Presents: Redefining Work - The Riff with AJ Thomas, Q Hamirani, and Lars Schmidt. This exploration of workplace friendships was not just a discussion but a deep dive into how these relationships shape our work lives. From personal anecdotes to professional insights, we covered the spectrum of this intricate topic. As always, we encourage you to reflect on your own experiences and think about how friendships influence your work life.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Kim Scott, author of the classic, “Radical Candor: Be a Kickass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity.” People need to know that you care about them, but at the same time, you do them a disservice if you don’t help them grow. Listen in to learn how to give — and receive — radical candor to help everyone on your team feel safe to grow.

Welcome to the latest special Redefining Work episode of The Riff, co-hosted by Lars Schmidt, AJ Thomas, and Q Hamirani. In this lively discussion, they dive deep into the world of non-linear careers, including personal anecdotes from their own experience, offering valuable advice for those navigating their professional journeys.