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 "Jen 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.

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

What if everything we thought was “wrong” with Gen Z was actually the outcome of generations striving to do better for their children?

In this solo episode of Gen Mess with Tess, host Tess Brigham turns the tables on common complaints about today’s youth and boldly reveals how every “mess” in the workplace and at home is really generational evolution in real time—and a sign of remarkable progress.

Drawing deeply from her own life as a Gen Xer, therapist, and parent to a Gen Z son, Tess Brigham unpacks the hidden links between generational values, shifting parenting philosophies, and the transformation of work and life. She discusses the evolution from silent survivalists, boomers’ pursuit of success, to Gen X’s badge of independence—and how each generation has tried to heal the wounds of the last, often by swinging the pendulum in new directions.

Key highlights from this episode:

• Why labeling Gen Z as "entitled" or "too sensitive" misses the bigger story of progress
• Tess Brigham’s personal journey parenting a son with mental health challenges—and how it shaped her view of parenting and resilience
• How workplace frustrations with Gen Z are linked to conscious choices Gen X and Millennial parents made to create emotionally safer homes
• The groundbreaking shift: Gen Z prizes wellness, therapy, and boundaries not as luxuries, but as new standards
• A timely message for every parent and leader: Why the generational mess we’re in is not a mistake, but humanity learning to live, not just survive

By the end of the episode, you’ll see generational “mess” through a new lens—one of ongoing evolution, empathy, and hope.

Timestamped Episode Overview:

• 00:00:01 – Tess Brigham sets the stage: generational challenges and introducing
• 00:00:32 –Tess Brigham: Opening thoughts on Gen Z, the new world of work, and the evolution of values
• 00:02:22 – The progression from the Silent Generation to Gen X: how each raised their children to break new ground
• 00:05:21 –Tess Brigham
• reflects on Gen X parenting—its aspirations and overcorrections
• 00:07:00 – Ad break:Tess Brigham
• discusses her work with organizations to “clean up the gen mess”
• 00:07:54 – Personal story: Raising her son Max, the challenges of mental health, and questioning modern parenting
• 00:12:06 – The new parenting paradigm: Responding to the child you have, not the one you imagined
• 00:12:44 – The impact on the workplace: Today’s Gen Zers as products of generational evolution
• 00:13:24 – Generational values: How priorities have shifted over time
• 00:14:19 –Tess Brigham shares about her father’s late-in-life emotional growth and seeing progress across the generations
• 00:15:15 – Looking at Gen Z through a lens of celebration, not criticism
• 00:16:19 –Tess Brigham
• wraps up with a call to embrace the mess as part of evolution
• 00:16:51 –O utro Voiceover: Closes with info about connecting with Tess and future resources

Ready to witness how generational messiness is actually a story of hope and healing? Press play.

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

What if you could overcome a lifelong fear—like a spider phobia—in under ten minutes?

In this episode of "Gen Mess with Tess," host Tess Brigham sits down with Viki Johnston, founder of Accelerate and master practitioner of NLP (neuro linguistic programming), for a fascinating deep-dive into the secrets of learning, growth mindset, and generational shifts in the workplace.

Viki reveals how she conquered her extreme fear of spiders on stage using powerful NLP techniques, sparking a new obsession with the method that now impacts her work coaching managers and teams for light bulb moments of transformation. Together, Tess Brigham and Viki Johnston break down why learning should be fun (not serious!), the dramatic differences NLP can make versus traditional therapy, and how “aha” moments propel people to lasting change.

The episode unpacks what separates good managers from great leaders—hint: it’s more than delegation—and explores the unique challenges (and superpowers) that new Gen Z and millennial managers are bringing to today's workplace. From using AI and ChatGPT for instant answers to balancing remote work and real-life teamwork,

Viki Johnston shares practical strategies for thriving across generations and cleaning up the “Gen Mess.”

Tune in for relatable stories, actionable insights, and a fresh perspective on why letting go of old habits (and sometimes, just saying "I don't know") can be a game-changer for growth—at any stage of your career.

Episode Highlights & Overview:

• [00:00:01] Intro Announcer kicks off the generational challenge theme.
• [00:00:31]Tess Brighamintroduces Viki Johnston and her journey from call centers to founding Accelerate.
• [00:03:51]Viki Johnston shares her passion for creating “light bulb moments.”
• [00:08:39]Tess Brigham dives into NLP and its powerful impact—like curing phobias and rewiring mindsets.
• [00:15:30] How NLP differs from traditional therapy (and why sometimes it’s way faster).
• [00:22:27] Generational dynamics in the workplace: Gen Z, millennials, and boomers.
• [00:26:20] The role of AI, ChatGPT, and the shift toward knowledge-sharing.
• [00:33:28] Good managers vs. great leaders—plus, the art of delegation and empowerment.
• [00:42:00] Myths and misunderstandings about Gen Z, and the key to bridging the gap.
• [00:44:04]Viki Johnston advocates for listening, guidance, and embracing “I don’t know.”
• [00:47:06] Where to find Viki and how Accelerate can support new managers.
• [00:48:38] How to connect with Tess and keep learning.

Whether you’re a new manager, parent, or lifelong learner, this episode will help you see challenges in a whole new way—and maybe even tackle that fear you thought would last forever.

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