We strip away the corporate jargon and expose buzzwords—the art of saying nothing while saying something. We welcome anonymous submissions—whether through calls or letters. Submit your thoughts, and I’ll read selected letters on the podcast, keeping your identity fully confidential.
Listen to the Latest Episode:
Listen to the Latest Episodes
Episode 1#Buzzwords
In this episode, I’m thrilled to welcome my old friend Dr. Jake, with whom I had the pleasure of working at Netflix. With his psychologist's lens, he explores the impact of buzzwords and corporate jargon on mental health, as well as their effects on productivity.
Episode 2#Inclusion
In Episode 2 of our podcast, I’m excited to welcome my friend Autumn, whose sharp wit first captivated me when we worked together at MEC. As a writer and transwoman, she warns that the use of buzzwords can turn “inclusion” into an empty term, stating that it’s ultimately an infrastructure issue.
Episode 3#Reorgs
In Episode 3 of the podcast, I’m joined by Aaron Mitchell, my former boss at Netflix, to tackle the challenging topic of reorgs—a buzzword that often represents the most difficult responsibilities in HR. His first experience? The heart-wrenching decision to let his own father go.
Episode 4#Wellbeing
In this episode of The Unbuzzed Podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Jen Fisher, who shares her journey through cancer, burnout, and the surprising revelation that burnout was the harder battle. Jen’s story is a powerful reminder of the hidden toll burnout takes and why well-being at work is more than just a buzzword. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about resilience, self-care, and redefining success.
Episode 5#Resilience
Jonathan Z. Cohen ran 58 miles and did 1,000 pull-ups for charity—but his real superpower is turning self-doubt into action. On this episode of The Unbuzzed Podcast, we break down how resilience isn’t about being fearless but about facing fears one step at a time. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about persistence, mindset, and what it takes to keep going when everything in you says stop.
Episode 6#Strategy, Part 1
“Strategy” is the word that launches a thousand eyerolls in meetings—and yet it’s the reason people are passed over for promotions or projects. But what does it really mean to be strategic? In this episode, I’m joined by Mauro Gonçalves Filho, a master of strategy who breaks it down so clearly, we needed two sessions. Mauro’s insights are as sharp as his resume, but what makes him unforgettable is his ability to turn a buzzword into a practical, everyday skill. Don’t miss this conversation—it’s a masterclass in thinking smarter, not harder.
Episode 7#Consultant
In this episode, Zayne Imam joins me to unpack the often-maligned term consultant—accused of generating the very buzzwords they’re hired to clarify. With humor and insight, Zayne reveals how good advice turns into jargon and shares his spiritual approach to work, a perspective that challenges how we think about language, purpose, and connection in the workplace. Don’t miss this engaging and thoughtful conversation with someone whose wisdom is anything but buzzworthy.
Episode 8#Strategy Part II
In this episode, I’m once again joined by the insightful Mauro Gonçalves Filho, and we dissect the buzzword “strategy” amid the backdrop of frequent reorgs and the rapid onset of AI. As layoffs and shifting structures become the new normal, we examine what it truly means to be strategic in these uncertain times. We'll examine whether organizational reorgs are the result of careful planning or merely reactions to uncomfortable truths. Tune in for insights that will reshape your understanding of how to navigate your career in these changing times.
Episode 9#Empowerment
What happens when you examine a buzzword that makes your skin crawl? In this episode, I sit down with the inspiring Pallavi Jain to unpack “empowerment,” a term that often leaves me questioning its true essence.
Episode 10#Authenticity
Last year, I had the delight of meeting Matthew, and from our very first conversation, I was thoroughly captivated. His remarkable ability to discuss a vast array of subjects—be it literature, law, economics, politics, or artificial intelligence—through engaging storytelling is truly an art I admire deeply.
Episode 11In the latest episode of The Unbuzzed Podcast, I had the distinct pleasure of conversing with Kory, a millennial whose boldness and transparency compelled me, a Gen Xer, to confront my preconceived notions about his generation as we unbuzzed the term ‘millennial’. While Kory certainly does not represent all millennials, he provided a revealing glimpse into the unapologetic and daring spirit that distinctly sets them apart from my own, more measured approach to work's challenges.
#Millennial
Episode 12Last week, I stepped far outside my comfort zone in conversation with Kory—one of the most unapologetic humans I’ve had the good fortune to meet and now call a friend. This week, I did it again, this time with Tatyana, a fellow Gen Xer whose viral Instagram account, @corporategenxmom, hilariously (and painfully accurately) captures the absurdity of workplace culture.
#GenX
Episode 13#HumanResources (HR)
I am excited to present Episode 13 of The Unbuzzed Podcast, featuring the delightful Jamie Jackson, the self-proclaimed Chief Meme Officer and the clever mind behind the popular accounts Humorous Resources, Millennial Misery, The Chief Meme Officer, and Parody Parenting.
Episode 14#Coaching
Let’s be honest: ‘coach’ is one of those words that’s been stretched, overused, and misapplied so much that it barely resembles its original form. Like the word artisan—which once meant skilled craftsmanship and now applies to everything from overpriced toast to scented candles—coaching has suffered a similar fate. Enter Chris.
Episode 15#Disruptor
What do pasta sauce, Uber, and AI-powered HR tools have in common? If you said absolutely nothing, you haven’t met Howard Moskowitz—a pioneering innovator who transformed how companies understand and predict consumer behavior.
Episode 16#Executive
The word “executive” carries weight. Or at least it thinks it does.
Depending on the room you’re in, it can signal prestige, responsibility, or simply a better parking spot. Lately, we’ve heard it tossed around with the enthusiasm of a tennis ball at a Labrador convention—everyone is expected to have “executive presence,” even frontline staff asking for a well-earned promotion.
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About the Podcast
Welcome to The Unbuzzed Podcast—I’m Nahal Yousefian, and after 20+ years in HR, I’ve seen how buzzwords create nothing but swirl, making you feel dizzy and lost. Buzzwords blur expectations, fuel exclusion, and trick us into thinking someone’s ready for a role when they’re not—even leaders fall for it.
This podcast dives into how these empty words and phrases impact people’s ability to do their jobs, feel valued, and move the work forward. If you’re fed up with buzzwords and want to chat, reach out. Let’s cut through the spin and get back to what actually matters.
One Buzzword at a Time.
Work is about more than the grind. It’s about more than counting down the seconds until it’s time to clock out. Or at least it should be. For most of us, work is a necessity, one that takes up so much of our precious time, so shouldn’t it mean something?
Here at The Bar Raisers, we’re constantly chasing that sense of purpose and the feeling that we’ve left an impact and made a difference for the better. The workplace is often riddled with swirl—where words change meaning, goalposts move, and decision-making feels like a baton race with no one catching the pass, and at times, no one cares. We’re here for everyone who wants to feel like their work day matters, no matter where you’re at in your career or what level you’re at in your workplace. We’re here to help you move forward, grow, and raise the bar.
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The Latest Episode: