In this solo episode of The Gen Mess with Tess, Tess Brigham explores a surprising social experiment that connected strangers across political divides and why it offers a powerful lesson for today’s leaders in the workplace.

Drawing from her background as a therapist and her coaching work with organizations, Tess unpacks what HR leaders and managers are experiencing in 2026: burnout that isn’t driven by workload or flexibility, but by chronic psychological strain, emotional role overload, and an increasing inability to tolerate discomfort.

Using the “Party Line” experiment as a metaphor, Tess examines how algorithm-driven culture has reshaped our nervous systems, intensified polarization, and made everyday workplace conversations feel high-stakes and unsafe. She breaks down how different generations experience discomfort at work, why psychological safety is often misunderstood, and how avoiding discomfort quietly erodes trust, collaboration, and culture.

This episode reframes discomfort not as a failure of leadership, but as a critical skill organizations must relearn if they want healthy teams, resilient managers, and sustainable workplace cultures.

00:01 — Welcome to The Gen Mess with Tess

Introducing the episode and the theme of learning to live in the mess.

00:58 — The “Party Line” Social Experiment Explained

Two payphones, two cities, and a radical idea: conversation without algorithms.

02:21 — Why Human Connection Changes the Nervous System

Dopamine, cortisol, and why constant conflict keeps us dysregulated.

03:42 — It’s Hard to Demonize a Human Voice

What happens when stereotypes are replaced with real conversation.

04:42 — What We’ve Lost Culturally

Discomfort avoidance, algorithm-driven identity, and polarization.

06:05 — When Beliefs Become Identity

Why disagreement now feels like danger instead of difference.

06:56 — Connection Requires Discomfort

Why real connection—socially and at work—has always been uncomfortable.

08:19 — Why Shaming Hardens People

The psychological cost of humiliation, judgment, and moral certainty.

08:49 — The Workplace Parallel

Why the “Party Line” is a metaphor for modern workplace culture.

09:16 — Generational Relationships to Discomfort

Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z, and how each navigates stress and challenge.

11:36 — Discomfort vs. Harm

Why discomfort is often misinterpreted as trauma or boundary violation.

12:34 — Nervous Systems, Not Moral Failures

Reframing generational conflict at work.

12:34 — The Leadership Skill We Avoid

Curiosity, repair, and staying in the conversation.

14:18 — Discomfort as Leadership Work

Why these “soft skills” are actually advanced leadership competencies.

14:48 — Final Reflection

Discomfort as the doorway to healthier workplaces and human connection.

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In this solo episode of The Gen Mess with Tess, host Tess Brigham addresses a question she hears from HR leaders, managers, and employees alike: Why does work feel so heavy right now, even when things look better on paper?

Drawing from her background as a therapist and her work with organizations, Tess explains the challenges HR leaders are facing in 2026: burnout is no longer just about workload or flexibility, but about chronic psychological strain shaped by generational experiences, unclear expectations, and emotional role overload.

She breaks down how burnout shows up differently for Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen X, how remote and hybrid work have changed trust, communication, and boundaries, and why managers and HR leaders are often carrying emotional responsibilities they were never trained for.

This episode reframes burnout as a human, nervous-system issue - not a performance failure - and offers business leaders a clearer way to think about empathy, accountability, psychological safety, and sustainable workplace culture.

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In this solo episode of The Gen Mess with Tess, Tess Brigham unpacks one of the most emotionally charged conversations happening right now: adult children going no contact with a parent.

Drawing from her work as a therapist and her own lived experience, Tess challenges the oversimplified narratives dominating social media and reframes "no contact" not as a trend, punishment, or failure, but as a response to long-standing emotional disconnection and a lack of acknowledgement.

This episode explores the generational divide shaping these conversations, why intent does not erase impact, and why emotional safety, accountability, and repair matter more than endurance or tradition. Tess also shares a deeply personal story about her relationship with her father, illustrating how acknowledgement - not perfection - creates the possibility for healing.

For leaders, HR professionals, and parents alike, this episode offers a powerful reminder: relationships break down not because people are “too emotional,” but because discomfort is avoided instead of addressed.

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What if the person giving you life advice is, behind the scenes, completely falling apart?

In this deeply moving solo episode of Gen Mess with Tess, Tess Brigham pulls back the curtain, sharing the raw, unfiltered story of a year that shook the very foundations of her life. From the staggering loss of her father to the painful journey of caring for her mother as dementia set in, Tess Brigham—the certified coach and licensed therapist—describes what happens when every piece of her own identity is "activated in crisis mode."

Far from the highlight reels and inspirational soundbites, this episode reveals the messy, complicated realities even therapists and coaches face. Tess Brigham explores generational differences in dealing with grief, mental health, self-reliance, and asking for help—drawing wisdom (and exposing blind spots) from Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. She reflects on the exhausting duality of caring for aging parents while supporting her own child through mental health struggles, and how real-life heartbreak changed her perspective as both a professional and a human being.

Key highlights include:

• The overlooked emotional cost of being the "strong one" in the family
• Generational patterns and how each age group defines asking for help and resilience
• Why anticipatory grief and caretaking are acts of love—and also sources of silent pain
• Lessons Tess Brigham is carrying forward, and the generational beliefs she's choosing to leave behind
• A vulnerable reminder that "hanging tough" means allowing yourself to soften, seek support, and be human

This solo episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating family caregiving, loss, or simply questioning how we all handle life's hardest seasons.

Episode Overview 00:00 – Intro Announcer sets up the show's generational lens

00:31 – Tess Brigham addresses why sharing her own story matters

03:02 – Navigating simultaneous personal crises: parental loss, caregiving, and self-identity

06:33 – The unique grief of losing a parent's mind versus a parent's body

08:40 – Generational patterns: independence, vulnerability, and the cost of stoicism

11:32 – Tess Brigham on what Millennials and Gen Z are teaching the rest of us

13:05 – The realities of “functioning” through grief and anticipatory loss

17:17 – Each generation’s wisdom, and what Tess Brigham plans to carry—and leave behind

20:35 – A gentle call to "hang tough" in a way that honors both strength and softness

Ready to feel seen and understood in the messiest moments of life? Hit play and join the conversation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if finding your dream job actually takes a year—or even longer?

In this eye-opening episode of "Gen Mess with Tess," host Tess Brigham sits down with career strategist Liz Helton to pull back the curtain on the realities of job searching and career transformation in today's ever-evolving workforce. If you've ever wondered why sending off hundreds of applications can feel like shouting into a void, this episode will reveal why—and most importantly, what you can do about it.

Together, Tess Brigham and Liz Helton dig into:

• The shocking length of the modern job search—and why it’s no longer a "three-month process"
• How technology and AI have totally transformed the hiring landscape (for better and worse)
• Actionable strategies for networking that actually work, whether you’re an introvert, a new grad, or making a mid-career pivot
• The key differences in how Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X approach work, fulfillment, and branding themselves
• Why keeping your own “brag book” is essential for beating imposter syndrome and keeping your confidence alive amid career changes
• How AI isn’t taking jobs, but people who know AI are—and how you can upskill right now

You’ll learn practical tips for standing out in a crowded applicant pool, making LinkedIn work for you, and reframing both rejection and uncertainty as essential steps toward meaningful work. Plus, Liz Helton shares her own journey from PR exec to career consultant, and why sometimes your superpower is that thing that feels as natural as breathing.

If you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about your next step—no matter your age—this heartfelt, actionable episode is for you.

Episode Overview with Timestamps:

• [00:00:01] Introduction: Bridging generational gaps at work
• [00:01:16] Meet Liz Helton: From PR to guiding career transformations
• [00:06:44] The evolving job search: Why it takes so much longer now
• [00:08:47] Why everyone feels like they’re “shouting into a void”
• [00:13:13] How to beat interview anxiety and imposter syndrome
• [00:17:44] Building resilience: The emotional side of job hunting
• [00:19:38] Essential networking tips for introverts and extroverts alike
• [00:27:40] AI in the job hunt: What you need to know now
• [00:36:42] How Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X view work differently
• [00:43:01] Liz Helton’s #1 piece of advice for anyone feeling stuck
• [00:46:49] Where to find Liz Helton and free career resources

Tune in to discover why you’re not alone in your career mess—and how you can thrive in it.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the brutal truth is that your corporate job is more likely to slowly kill you with stress than set you up for a dream retirement?

In this episode of Gen Mess with Tess, host Tess Brigham sits down with powerhouse business mentor, international speaker, and award-winning author Katrena Friel for a candid and eye-opening conversation about breaking free from the golden handcuffs—and finding your true value.

Katrena Friel pulls back the curtain on her own journey, from teenage jobs and personal heartbreak to a devastating $30,000 scam—a turning point that sparked her to build her own thriving training and mentoring practice. Together, she and Tess Brigham dissect why so many Gen Xers are “quietly quitting” or burning out, how younger generations are refusing to repeat the cycle of debt and overwork, and why we need to rethink the way we approach careers, money, and even family living.

Key highlights include:

• The shocking downside of “more with less” workplace culture—and Australia’s new laws holding employers accountable for worker burnout and stress
• Katrena Friel’s $30,000 lesson in self-belief (and how that “scam” became the best investment of her life)
• The three inner compasses—mind, heart, and gut—and how to use them to turn self-doubt into an ally
• Why so many “expert” coaches out there deliver nothing but an expensive lesson (and how to spot the real deal)
• Generational shifts: Why Gen Z is saying "no" to the boomer/American dream—and the case for embracing multi-generational homes and decluttering your life to gain headspace
• Building your own brand: What it means to be the product, and how Katrena Friel helps you discover the million-dollar model inside your life experience
• The truth about online programs: Why up to 95% are never completed—and why transformation requires actual mentorship, not just another “passive income” promise

Loaded with tangible advice, real talk, and a bit of industry myth-busting, this episode will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about career success, purpose, and what it takes to build a legacy—on your terms.

Episode Overview by Timestamp:

• [00:00:01] – Welcome and intro to Katrena Friel’s journey
• [00:02:11] – Early jobs and learning to be a self-starter
• [00:05:02] – Miscarriage, grief, and the life-changing $30,000 scam
• [00:08:17] – The unregulated coaching industry and lessons from mistakes
• [00:11:14] – The three inner compasses: Mind, gut, and heart
• [00:16:39] – Why it’s so hard to leave corporate: Golden handcuffs and generational differences
• [00:24:20] – Declutter your life: Practical steps for big change
• [00:27:28] – Rethinking the family home and intergenerational wealth
• [00:31:09] – The career marathon mindset and building your own expertise
• [00:34:09] – “Done for you” programs vs. the myth of the passive online business
• [00:42:59] – How to connect with Katrena Friel and next steps for listeners

Tune in for an episode packed with hard truths, practical strategies, and inspiration to reinvent work and life—no matter your generation!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the secret to building a thriving law firm wasn’t about grinding out endless billable hours—but about rethinking the entire way attorneys work and lead?

In this eye-opening episode of Gen Mess With Tess, host Tess Brigham welcomes law firm growth expert Alay Yajnik for a candid conversation that shakes up everything you thought you knew about legal hustle and business success.

Discover how Alay Yajnik pivoted from running multimillion-dollar Silicon Valley companies to coaching attorneys—and why most lawyers stumble when it comes to building a lasting, profitable business. You’ll learn why working harder doesn’t always mean earning more, and how breaking out of traditional law firm mindsets—from hourly billing to team management and rate setting—is the real game-changer.

Key episode highlights:

• Why technical skills don’t equal business success (and how “The E Myth Revisited” nails the problem for lawyers, therapists, and service pros)
• The biggest pain points holding law firm owners back—hint: it’s not just the “hours in a day”
• How shifting your mindset can help you work smarter, not harder—and finally create the time and income you want
• Navigating generational tensions in the workplace: What attorneys get wrong about Gen Z, and why the newest workforce expects more work-life balance and financial stability than ever
• Real talk about raising rates, burnout, hiring, and having those difficult employee conversations (plus how to screen for clients who are truly ready for change)

Whether you lead a law firm, run a small business, or just want to understand how generational perspectives are upending the way we work, this episode is loaded with actionable insights and relatable stories.

Episode Overview:

• [00:00:31] Tess Brigham: Welcomes Alay Yajnik; his background in law firm growth
• [00:01:23] Alay Yajnik: Story of switching from Silicon Valley to coaching attorneys
• [00:03:08] Discussion: Why attorneys make great clients and what they uniquely struggle with
• [00:05:15] Skills gap between technical expertise and business acumen; "The E Myth Revisited"
• [00:07:16] The real issue: Time, burnout, and working smarter
• [00:09:32] Traditional law firms vs. startup mindset; resistance to change
• [00:12:11] Symptom vs. cure: Time management as a lever for transforming business results
• [00:13:19] Raising rates, money fears, and business growth challenges
• [00:17:27] Navigating client readiness and coaching intake
• [00:18:07] Generational tensions: Gen Z’s approach to work, bonuses, and raises
• [00:22:05] How the cost of living, technology, and burnout are shaping new workplace expectations
• [00:27:04] A deeper look at employee expectations, creativity, and the evolving legal workplace
• [00:36:33] Final reflections: Lessons from coaching lawyers, generational stereotypes, and business owner frustrations
• [00:41:06] How to connect with
• Alay Yajnik and his resources for law firm owners
• [00:43:17]
• Intro Announcer: Show outro and next episode preview

Tune in for an episode that’s more than just law—it’s about building the future of work, one honest conversation at a time.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the only way you could escape your toxic work environment was being hit by a bus—not to die, but just to get a break?

Shocking as it sounds, that’s the level of desperation bestselling author and executive coach Diana Lowe once felt, and she’s not alone. In this riveting episode of "Gen Mess with Tess," Tess Brigham pulls back the curtain on the hidden emotional toll of modern workplaces and the true meaning behind being “hard to handle.”

Join Tess Brigham as she sits down with Diana Lowe—author of "Hard to Handle"—for a raw, honest conversation about surviving abusive bosses, how ‘difficult’ is just a matter of perspective, and why clinical depression became a turning point for radical career reinvention. Together, they untangle how we can learn to live in the mess of work (and life) and find purpose where others might only see crisis.

Key highlights include:

• Diana Lowe’s journey from enduring toxic workplaces in finance, to becoming a champion of emotional intelligence and intentional leadership—even when her own breaking point was a diagnosis of clinical depression.
• Surprising ways we internalize abusive work environments and why so many suffer in silence, secretly hoping for an unexpected event to rescue them.
• The real story behind "Hard to Handle": Why every villain has another side, the value of seeing the strengths in ‘difficult’ coworkers, and why we’re all someone’s ‘Chuck’ at work.
• Generational shifts in the workplace, from tattoos and dress codes (bras at board meetings?) to new norms around mental health—and how leaders can adapt.
• The truth about DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) in organizations: why emotional intelligence—self and other-awareness—is the missing foundation, and how unconscious biases persist, even with the best intentions.

If you’ve ever felt misunderstood at work, frustrated with your boss, or questioned your place in the corporate ladder—this episode will not only validate your experience but give you practical wisdom on how to lead (and live) with more awareness and empathy.

Episode Overview

• 00:00:00 – Tess Brigham introduces Diana Lowe and her unconventional career path
• 00:01:04 – Diana Lowe on surviving bad bosses and finding mission in adversity
• 00:03:05 – Recognizing abuse and the moment depression forced a life change
• 00:06:31 – The origins and real meaning behind “Hard to Handle”
• 00:08:25 – Why ‘difficult’ is always in the eye of the beholder
• 00:12:01 – The case study format of the book and lessons from corporate life
• 00:22:18 – Growth, vulnerability, and choosing whether to stay or go in tough situations
• 00:25:14 – Generational differences: mental health, tattoos, and the bra at work debate
• 00:34:45 – Feedback, personal growth, and the art of building people up
• 00:37:39 – DEI, emotional intelligence, and the nuances of real inclusion
• 00:51:07 – How to connect with Diana Lowe and explore her upcoming projects
• 00:53:04 – Closing thoughts: learning to live in the mess

Don’t miss this episode’s honest, no-fluff take on surviving—and thriving—in the workplace chaos.

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