In this episode of Work Besties Who Podcast, Jess and Claude sit down with Athena Desai—a holistic trauma specialist, spiritual coach, and former NPR journalist—who shares her transformational journey from acupuncture and Eastern medicine to soulful, whole-person healing.

Together, they explore the power of embracing your true self, the role of emotional wellness at work, and how navigating difficult conversations with compassion can transform professional and personal relationships.

What You’ll Learn:

• How embracing authenticity leads to personal growth
• Athena’s shift from traditional medicine to holistic healing
• Why self-awareness is essential for work-life balance
• The role of acupuncture in emotional and energetic health
• The power of connection, spirituality, and support systems
• Tips for navigating difficult work conversations with grace

Whether you’re seeking clarity, calm, or deeper connection, this episode offers a warm, real conversation on what it means to live—and lead—with intention.

🔑 Keywords: authenticity, holistic healing, self-discovery, emotional wellness, coaching, acupuncture, self-care, work relationships, spiritual growth

Learn more about Athena Desai here:

Website - https://www.soulfulhealingandcouncil.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/soulfulhealingandcouncil/

LinkedIn = https://www.linkedin.com/in/athena-desai-2b0b789/

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

In this heartfelt and practical solo episode, Jess and Claude get real about what work-life balance actually looks like. Hint: it’s not about doing everything perfectly.

They break down:

• Their personal challenges and wins around time management
• How to spot where your wellness is falling through the cracks
• Tips to reclaim your energy and set better boundaries
• The small shifts that can lead to big transformation

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or just need a moment to regroup, this episode is your nudge to pause, reflect, and prioritize what really matters.

🎧 Tap play, then share with your work bestie. Because surviving the 9-to-5 is way easier when you’ve got someone in your corner.

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You can watch the full episode on Youtube
Follow us on IG , TikTok, Threads and LinkedIn
Please rate, comment and provide suggestions for upcoming episodes

Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband

Episode 55: Using Humor to Heal Workplace Stress with Marcus aka Not Your Average Coward

In this laugh-filled and insightful episode, Jess & Claude sit down with Marcus — content creator, dad of three, and the viral voice behind Not Your Average Coward. They dive into how Marcus went from catastrophe adjuster to comedy relief for burned-out professionals, all while juggling parenting and content creation.

From memes that hit too close to home to breathing exercises that actually help, Marcus shares how humor, boundaries, and community can transform how we cope with modern work life. Whether you're in a cubicle or on a Zoom call, this episode reminds you that laughter is more than a coping mechanism — it's a leadership tool.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Marcus started creating content as a stress relief outlet on Instagram; but really he not so secretly is using this for his auditions for being Survivor!
• His wife (and real-life MVP) inspired his mindset shift and supports his creative journey.
• Humor can build connections, drop guards, and open conversations at work.
• Making fun of stressful situations can be a way to process them.
• Setting clear boundaries is essential for protecting your peace.
• Content creation doesn't have to disrupt family life — it can blend in.
• Walking meetings and breathing techniques help reduce stress.
• Humor isn’t just funny — it’s healing.

Follow Marcus on social:
📸 Instagram | 🎵 TikTok | 📘 Facebook | 🔗 YouTube
@NotYourAverageCoward

And don’t forget to rate, follow, and share if this episode made you laugh, breathe deeper, or finally set that out-of-office!

#WorkBesties #NotYourAverageCoward #WorkplaceWellness #ContentCreatorLife #WorkHumor #SetBoundaries #DadLife #HumorHeals #WorkStress

Send us a text

You can watch the full episode on Youtube
Follow us on IG , TikTok, Threads and LinkedIn
Please rate, comment and provide suggestions for upcoming episodes

Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband