Podcast thumbnail for Rails Optional

Rails Optional

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by Deb Haas & Nicole Eisdorfer

5.0(1 reviews)
9 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸

Podcast Overview

Rails Optional is what happens when two neurodivergent former HR pros stop pretending corporate made sense and start building something better, out loud. We’re Nicole and Deb—both in corporate recovery, both allergic to bullshit, and both deeply curious about how work, brains, and systems could function if they weren’t quietly draining the life out of everyone. We talk corporate recovery, ADHD entrepreneurship, AI that doesn’t suck, and how to build a life and business that don’t drain you—one tangent at a time. Expect sharp systems thinking and “oh god, same” stories from people who’ve seen behind the corporate curtain and are done pretending the emperor has clothes. We go deep, we go sideways, and we’re absolutely fine with both. This isn’t another “everything is broken, lol” late-stage capitalism podcast. It’s a slightly feral corner of the internet where we’re allowed to be brilliant and ridiculous in the same breath, where we say the quiet parts out loud, and where “stop pretending corporate made sense” is the starting point, not the punchline. Whether we make you nod along, rage-text a friend, or finally exhale because someone is naming what you’ve been living, you’ll have a reaction—and that’s exactly where the magic happens. <br /><br /><a href="https://railsoptional.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">railsoptional.substack.com</a>

Language

🇺🇲

Publishing Since

1/10/2026

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Recent Episodes

Episode thumbnail for Season 1, Episode 9

June 17, 2026

Season 1, Episode 9

<p>Episode 9 of season 1, Deb and I talked through process, tech, data and culture debt and how culture isn't just the result of process, tech and data debt - but also something that itself makes it harder to see and address the debt. There's a fairy tale, there's actually shockingly few rabbit holes. There's a solid takedown of Workday because who really likes Workday?corporate fairy tale shared in full here: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://open.substack.com/pub/railsoptional/p/a-corporate-transformation-fairy?r=56z5sz&amp;utm_campaign=post&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;showWelcomeOnShare=true" target="_blank">https://open.substack.com/pub/railsoptional/p/a-corporate-transformation-fairy?r=56z5sz&amp;utm_campaign=post&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;showWelcomeOnShare=true</a></p><p><br /><br />This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://railsoptional.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=CTA_1" target="_blank">railsoptional.substack.com</a></p>

Episode thumbnail for Rails Optional Live Ep. 8: Unlearning

May 18, 2026

Rails Optional Live Ep. 8: Unlearning

<br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://railsoptional.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">railsoptional.substack.com</a>

Episode thumbnail for Rails Optional Ep. 7: Curiosity Didn't Kill The Cat

April 24, 2026

Rails Optional Ep. 7: Curiosity Didn't Kill The Cat

<br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://railsoptional.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">railsoptional.substack.com</a>

9 total episodes available

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Frequently asked questions

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What is Rails Optional?

Rails Optional is what happens when two neurodivergent former HR pros stop pretending corporate made sense and start building something better, out loud. We’re Nicole and Deb—both in corporate recovery, both allergic to bullshit, and both deeply curious about how work, brains, and systems could function if they weren’t quietly draining the life out of everyone.

We talk corporate recovery, ADHD entrepreneurship, AI that doesn’t suck, and how to build a life and business that don’t drain you—one tangent at a time. Expect sharp systems thinking and “oh god, same” stories from people who’ve seen behind the corporate curtain and are done pretending the emperor has clothes. We go deep, we go sideways, and we’re absolutely fine with both.

This isn’t another “everything is broken, lol” late-stage capitalism podcast. It’s a slightly feral corner of the internet where we’re allowed to be brilliant and ridiculous in the same breath, where we say the quiet parts out loud, and where “stop pretending corporate made sense” is the starting point, not the punchline. Whether we make you nod along, rage-text a friend, or finally exhale because someone is naming what you’ve been living, you’ll have a reaction—and that’s exactly where the magic happens. <br /><br /><a href="https://railsoptional.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">railsoptional.substack.com</a>

How often does this podcast release new episodes?

This podcast updates daily.

Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

Information about guest appearances is not available.

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