Caregiving Is Work — We Just Don’t Treat It That Way

Most of us spend the majority of our lives at work — but how often do we pause to ask whether our days are actually fun? In this episode of Hello Monday, host Jessi Hempel sits down with Bree Groff, a senior advisor at SYPartners and author of Today Was Fun: A Book About Work (Seriously), to talk about how fun, mischief, and human connection can radically improve our work lives. Bree’s work centers around workplace transformation and employee experience. She’s advised companies like Google, Microsoft, Pfizer, and Calvin Klein on how to build work cultures where people thrive. And her approach is surprisingly joyful. Jessi and Bree unpack: Why fun belongs at the center of great workplace culture How professionalism can strip us of our humanity — and how to get it back The emotional toll of over-identifying with our jobs How “Do Nothing Days” unlock creativity and innovation The radical power of micro-mischief and music in the workplace Friendship at work and why it matters more than we think This episode is for anyone feeling worn down by workplace norms or wondering if work has to feel so serious. Bree offers fresh, practical strategies to build a work life that’s more joyful, more connected, and yes, more productive. Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! Join us this Wednesday at 3 PM ET on the LinkedIn News page.

More professionals than ever are rethinking what’s next. For many mid-career and senior-level workers, consulting is the best path forward. But how do you actually make the leap? In this week’s episode of Hello Monday, host Jessi Hempel sits down with Erin Halper, founder and CEO of The Upside, a vibrant community for consultants. Erin shares what she’s learned from years of working independent consulting and coaching others through the same transition. From pricing and positioning to finding your first clients and building support systems, Erin and Jessi walk through what it really takes to thrive as a consultant. They also tackle the big questions: How do you know if consulting is right for you? What’s the best way to price your work? How do you talk about what you do in 10 words or less? What role does community play in solo success? How do you shift between full-time work and consulting as your career evolves? Whether you're just starting out or thinking about a pivot, this episode offers practical advice, clarity, and confidence for building your independent career—especially in an uncertain job market. 🔗 Join us for Office Hours. We’re continuing the conversation on Wednesday at 3PM ET on the LinkedIn News page. RSVP here!

Millions of professionals are balancing side hustles alongside their full-time jobs. But what does it take to turn that extra project into something bigger? In this episode from the Hello Monday archives, Jessi Hempel sits down with Side Hustle Pro creator and host Nicaila Matthews Okome to explore how side work can lead to a meaningful, lasting career. Nicaila didn’t always see herself as an entrepreneur. She built her résumé with big-name employers, earned her MBA, and followed a traditional career path. But she kept testing new ideas on the side — and eventually turned her podcast into a full-time business. Now, she helps others navigate the same transition. If you’ve ever dreamed about turning your passion project into something more, this conversation is for you. Jessi and Nicaila discuss: Why side hustles can be a smart career safety net How to know when a side project is ready to grow The difference between hobbies and businesses Building a brand while holding a day job How to manage your time for real progress without burnout What stability looks like when you’re your own boss Nicaila also shares her journey from NPR and Google to building Side Hustle Pro, a thriving platform for Black women entrepreneurs. Keep the conversation going at Hello Monday Office Hours. Join us on the LinkedIn News page this Wednesday at 3 PM ET.

You’re showing up, doing the work, checking the boxes, but something feels…off. You’re not falling apart, but you’re not really okay either. And you’re certainly not alone. This week on Hello Monday, Dr. Judith Joseph joins Jessi Hempel to name and unpack this experience: high functioning depression. Dr. Judith is a board-certified psychiatrist, researcher, and educator at Columbia and NYU. Her new book, High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy, offers a roadmap for understanding and addressing a kind of mental health struggle that often goes unnoticed—and untreated. Together, Dr. Judith and Jessi explore: • What high functioning depression looks like—and how to recognize it in yourself and others • The five Vs method for healing: Validation, Values, Venting, Vitals, and Vision • The power of naming hard feelings like anhedonia • Why we must treat mental health as proactively as physical health • How small steps can help us reclaim joy This episode is a starting point for anyone who feels stuck in the motions but wants more from their life.

Twelve years ago, Shannon Watts was folding laundry when breaking news stopped her in her tracks: a mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary. The next morning, she woke up with a fire inside her, and turned her grief and rage into action. That action became Moms Demand Action, now part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country. In today’s episode, Shannon joins Jessi Hempel to reflect on the grassroots journey that began in her kitchen and grew into a national movement. Shannon’s new book, Fired Up, is a call to action for women everywhere who are ready to turn their spark into action, but aren’t sure where to start. Jessi and Shannon discuss: Shannon’s journey from corporate PR to grassroots activism The power of starting before you feel ready Why burnout can be a turning point How women, especially mothers, are the hidden engine of societal change Lessons from more than a decade of advocacy and organizing Join the conversation at Hello Monday Office Hours. Catch us Wednesday at 3 PM ET on the LinkedIn News Page. See you there.