77. The Real Reason Companies Want You Back in the Office
Release Date: 03/03/2025
94. Why Your Personal Brand Matters More Than Your Résumé Hilary Hartling
Secrets of the Career Game
Hilary Hartling doesn’t believe in branding fluff—and after 15 years at Disney working on global campaigns for Pixar, Marvel, and DreamWorks, she’s earned the right to say so. In this episode, Kendall Berg sits down with Hilary to unpack what a personal brand really is (hint: it’s not your color palette). From corporate burnout to building an executive brand agency, Hilary’s story is a masterclass in career reinvention, thought leadership, and waking up excited. She breaks down the actual steps to brand clarity—from strengths mapping to using human design—and offers sharp advice...
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93. 4 Types of Toxic Bosses and How to Handle Them
Secrets of the Career Game
Toxic bosses are more common than you think—and Kendall Berg isn’t afraid to name names and break down the real strategies you need to survive them. From micromanagers who hover over every move to credit-stealers who take your wins and make them theirs, this episode of Secrets of the Career Game reveals what actually works when your manager is the biggest obstacle to your career growth. Kendall explains why emotional distance is the key to survival, how to proactively manage up, and what to do when your boss starts playing games with your reputation. Whether you're dealing with...
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92. Why Staying at One Job Too Long Might be Financial Suicide with Amanda Wolfe
Secrets of the Career Game
Amanda Wolfe built a 300K+ community from her bedroom—but that’s not where her story starts. Growing up in poverty, with parents addicted to drugs, Amanda moved 12 times before sixth grade. She became the first person in her family to graduate college, only to discover that a salary alone wasn’t enough to build financial security. In this candid conversation, Amanda reveals how staying at her first job for 12 years became her biggest financial mistake, how she finally doubled her income, and why most people are financially stuck—even with “good jobs.” Kendall and Amanda break down...
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91. 10 Phrases to Stop Saying at Work (If You Want to Be Taken Seriously)
Secrets of the Career Game
Your words at work matter more than you think. If you’ve ever been told to "work on your communication" or felt unsure how to respond to vague feedback about being "too assertive"—this episode is for you. I’m breaking down 10 common workplace phrases that can quietly sabotage your professional image—and giving you smarter alternatives that build influence, show leadership, and help you play the corporate game strategically. We’re not here for passive-aggressive HR speak. We’re here to sound like leaders. In this episode, we discuss: What are the most common workplace phrases that...
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90. How to Say No at Work (Without Burning Bridges or Burning Out) with Amy Green Smith
Secrets of the Career Game
Kendall Berg pulls no punches in this conversation with certified life coach and communication expert Amy Green Smith. From the outside, high achievers seem like they have it all together—but beneath the promotions and packed calendars is a brewing identity crisis. Amy unpacks why burnout hits the most accomplished professionals the hardest—and how tying your self-worth to your performance is the fastest way to lose yourself. People-pleasing isn’t just a “nice girl” habit. According to Amy, it’s a survival strategy many of us learned as kids—and it’s still running the show in...
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89. The Butterfly Effect of Career Change: Small Shifts, Big Results
Secrets of the Career Game
The smallest move in your career could change everything. That’s the power of the butterfly effect—and it’s already at work whether you realize it or not. In this episode of Secrets of the Career Game, Kendall Berg unpacks how one tiny shift (a certification, a networking event, even a pause after a layoff) can ripple into massive career transformation. Drawing from real client stories and her own experience, Kendall challenges the panic-pivot and demotion route so many professionals take when facing burnout or job loss. Instead, she outlines the career strategy that actually works in...
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88. Secrets of the Career Game: The Career Advice No One Tells You
Secrets of the Career Game
Kendall Berg doesn’t just coach careers—she rewrites the rules of corporate success. At her Tattered Cover book signing and live Q&A, she breaks down the unwritten rules no one teaches you: what leaders really say behind closed doors, how promotions actually happen, and why your job isn’t responsible for your growth—you are. With humor, vulnerability, and hard-won experience, Kendall shares the behind-the-scenes moments that shaped her new book Secrets of the Career Game. From mispronouncing “hierarchical” her entire career to being stuck at the same level for 6 years before...
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Play the Corporate Game or Get Played (Secrets of the Career Game #6)
Secrets of the Career Game
The game is real—and most people are losing. In this final secret of Secrets of the Career Game, Kendall Berg breaks down the ultimate truth of corporate life: if you don’t understand how leadership shapes culture, you will keep getting blindsided. The real culture isn’t in the handbook—it’s in your manager’s behavior. This is the sixth and final episode in our special podcast mini-series. And the book? It’s officially out now. 🎧 Stream this final secret and pick up your copy of Secrets of the Career Game—available wherever books are sold. 📌 In this episode, we discuss: ...
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87. From Customer to CEO: How Natasha Cornstein Transformed Blushington During a Crisis
Secrets of the Career Game
Natasha Cornstein didn’t set out to become a CEO—but when opportunity knocked, she was ready with a curious mind, a humble heart, and a killer red lip. In this episode, Kendall Berg sits down with the powerhouse behind Blushington to unpack how Natasha went from skeptic customer to transformational CEO of a brand redefining beauty for all. With zero experience in the beauty industry and no prior CEO role, Natasha reveals how she prepared for leadership by reading voraciously, staying radically open to feedback, and rejecting the idea of transactional networking. Her philosophy? “Your...
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Leadership Isn’t Enough (Secrets of the Career Game #5)
Secrets of the Career Game
Here’s the truth: managing and leading are not the same. And if you’re only doing one—you’re not getting promoted. In Secret #5 of Secrets of the Career Game, Kendall Berg breaks down the critical difference between management and leadership, and why so many professionals get stuck in middle management because they’ve mastered task execution but never learned how to create vision. Or vice versa. If you’ve ever wondered why you’re not getting tapped for bigger roles, this episode might be the reason. 🎧 Listen to this fifth installment of the 6-part mini-series leading up to the...
info_outlineSome employees are thriving in remote work, while others are struggling. But is returning to the office really the solution? Kendall Berg unpacks the corporate push for Return to Office (RTO) and breaks down the real reasons why companies are calling employees back—spoiler: it’s not just about collaboration.
Kendall shares hard truths about workplace performance, leadership blind spots, and the impact of remote work on career growth. Whether you love working from home or dread the thought of in-person meetings, this episode will make you rethink your stance on RTO. Plus, Kendall reveals what companies aren’t telling you about office mandates, including the hidden financial incentives and power dynamics driving the return-to-office movement.
Discover how the shift back to in-office work affects promotions, productivity, and job satisfaction—and what you can do to stay ahead in your career, no matter where you work.
In this episode, we discuss:
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Why do companies really want employees back in the office?
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Does returning to the office actually improve performance?
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How does RTO impact promotions and career growth?
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What mistakes are managers making when overseeing remote teams?
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Is hybrid work the best compromise, or just another corporate headache?