The AscendED Workplace

About The AscendED Workplace

We create systems of accountability to turn generational challenges into leadership wins.

Publisher

AscendED Consulting

Category

business · business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

2 Jul 2025

Latest episode

6 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

10 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Jul 2026

   Supporting Neurodivergent Early Career Talent: From Accommodation to Advantage

   Most managers want to support neurodivergent employees well, but many are unsure how to balance inclusion, accountability, performance standards, and clear expectations. In this episode of The AscendED Workplace, we sit down with Nulty Lynch, an educator, college and career coach, and someone who works extensively with neurodivergent students and early-career professionals. Nulty also brings personal insight as someone who is neurodivergent himself. Together, we discuss how leaders can move beyond simply accommodating neurodivergent employees and begin designing workplace environments where more people can succeed. This conversation is especially important for managers, executives, HR leaders, and team leads who are working with early-career professionals and want to lead with both clarity and care. In this episode, we cover: - How leaders often misunderstand neurodivergence - Why early-career professionals may struggle during the transition from school to work - The difference between accommodation and universal design - How clear expectations and structured feedback benefit everyone - Why accountability and inclusion are not opposites - How managers can support neurodivergent employees without lowering standards - The strengths neurodivergent professionals often bring to the workplace - Practical tools for onboarding, feedback, communication, and performance support At AscendED Consulting, we believe structure creates clarity, and clarity creates room for people to grow. When leaders know what they value most, they can communicate expectations more effectively, hold people accountable more fairly, and create workplace systems that help more team members succeed. Neurodivergent talent does not need lowered expectations. They need clear expectations, thoughtful systems, and leaders who know how to coach people toward success. Learn more about AscendED Consulting: https://www.ascended-consulting.com/ Follow The AscendED Workplace for more conversations on leadership, accountability, early-career talent, workplace culture, and performance development. #LeadershipDevelopment #NeurodiversityAtWork #WorkplaceCulture #EarlyCareerTalent #ManagementTraining #InclusiveLeadership #PerformanceManagement #EmployeeDevelopment #AscendEDWorkplace #UniversalDesign

2. 

   15 Mar 2026

   Raising Workforce Ready Students: A Conversation with Maisie Lynch founder of ForwardReady U

   In this episode of The AscendED Workplace, Adam sits down with Maisie Lynch founder of ForwardReady U, a college and career educator who spent a decade teaching students inside the school system and now works directly with families navigating college and career decisions. Together they explore the growing preparation gap between academic achievement and real-world readiness and what parents, educators, and students can do to close it. This conversation dives into the difference between high-achieving students and truly prepared young adults, the role parents play in developing independence, and the habits that consistently make young professionals stand out in the workplace. This episode is especially valuable for parents, educators, and leaders who want to better prepare the next generation for success beyond graduation. #TheAscendEDWorkplace #WorkforceReadiness #ParentingForSuccess #CareerReadiness #FutureOfWork #LeadershipDevelopment Contact information for Maisie Lynch can be found at ForwardReady U (https://www.forwardreadyu.com/)

3. 

   4 Dec 2025

   HR Strategies That Actually Work with Gen Z. A Conversation with Jack Foust

   Struggling to recruit, manage, or retain Gen Z? You're not alone, and you're not imagining the shift. In this episode of The Ascended Workplace, Rebecca Burtram sits down with HR leader Jack Foust to break down what’s REALLY happening with Gen Z talent and what the most effective HR leaders are doing to adapt. Drawing from years of recruiting, onboarding, and developing young professionals across multiple industries (including the accounting field), Jack reveals: -Why Gen Z is actually the most honest and authentic talent pool -How hybrid onboarding models outperform handholding and sink-or-swim approaches -The 30-60-90 day structure that forces soft-skill growth -The weekly feedback cadence Gen Z requires to stay engaged and on track -How to prevent “promotion expectation shock” with clear development pathways -Why celebrating departures can improve retention -How to bridge cross-generational conflict with simple structural changes -What HR leaders consistently misunderstand about Gen Z Whether you’re a CEO, HR Director, Talent Manager, or firm owner, this episode gives you practical, system-level strategies to develop Gen Z into high-performing, loyal contributors. If your organization is struggling with: -Gen Z communication issues -Soft skills gaps -Unrealistic promotion expectations -Turnover or disengagement -Frustration between younger and older employees -Ineffective onboarding …this conversation will give you immediately actionable solutions.

4. 

   19 Nov 2025

   Restorative Justice to Conflict in the Workplace: What Gen Z Learned from RJ... and What They Didn't

   In this episode, Rebecca turns the mic toward Adam for a candid conversation rooted in his years as a Restorative Justice (RJ) coach in K–12 schools. What began as a well-intentioned approach to repairing harm and strengthening community eventually drifted into something different: a system where accountability blurred, consequences disappeared, and students, particularly Gen Z, walked away with mixed lessons about conflict and responsibility. Adam shares real, behind-the-scenes stories that reveal both the strengths and the shortcomings of how RJ was implemented in many schools. Together, Adam and Rebecca unpack how these experiences shape the way today’s youngest professionals approach conflict, feedback, communication, and accountability at work. Whether you're a leader, HR professional, or simply someone trying to better understand the cultural dynamics Gen Z brings into the workplace, this episode offers grounded insight, and practical takeaways. #TheAscendEDWorkplace #WorkplaceCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #RestorativeJustice #AccountabilityMatters #GenZWorkforce #ConflictResolution #ProfessionalGrowth #OrganizationalLeadership #ModernWorkplace

5. 

   11 Oct 2025

   The Generations At Work: Are We Really That Different?

   Every generation thinks the next one “just doesn’t get it.” But what if generational conflict at work isn’t really about age it’s actually about context? In this episode of The AscendED Workplace, we break down what’s actually new about Gen Z in the workplace and what’s just history repeating itself. From differing views on work ethic to communication breakdowns and tech tension, we unpack why these gaps exist and how leaders can close them. You’ll learn: Why “Gen Z laziness” is often a training gap, not a character flaw The historical cycle of generational misunderstandings How leaders can rebuild accountability and persistence as teachable skills Four strategies to create a workplace where Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z thrive together It’s time to stop asking “What’s wrong with this generation?” and start asking “What shaped them and how can I lead them effectively?” 🎧 Tune in to learn how to transform generational tension into teamwork. #TheAscendEDWorkplace #LeadershipDevelopment #GenZAtWork #MultigenerationalWorkplace #FutureOfWork #WorkplaceCulture #PeopleLeadership #EmployeeEngagement #GenerationalDifferences #TeamDevelopment #AccountabilityCulture #InclusiveLeadership #WorkplaceLearning #LeadershipPodcast

6. 

   13 Aug 2025

   High Expectations + High Support = High Performance

   Are your Gen Z employees underperforming, disengaged, or resistant to feedback? You do not need to lower the standard. You need to raise the support. In this episode of The AscendED Workplace, Adam and Rebecca reveal a truth that many leaders miss. Gen Z is not lazy, entitled, or soft. They are capable of high performance when given the right structure, feedback, and clarity. Designed for CEOs, people leaders, and HR professionals, this episode offers real strategies to help you close the gap between expectations and outcomes by building systems of support that drive growth, accountability, and motivation. We unpack why Gen Z often sees accountability as punishment, how their upbringing shaped their work style, and why they are wired to ask for the “why” behind decisions. If your organization is facing high turnover, low ownership, or inconsistent performance from younger employees, this episode will give you tools to shift the culture and get results without burning out your leadership team. Subscribe for practical strategies at the intersection of accountability, growth mindset, and generational performance. Visit AscendED-Consulting.com to learn how we help companies build real systems that drive high performance. #GenZInTheWorkplace #ManagingGenZ #HowToLeadGenZ #LeadershipStrategiesForGenZ #GenZAccountability #CoachingYoungerEmployees #BuildingAccountabilityCulture #ManagingMillennialsAndGenZ #ExpectationsAndSupport #ImprovingWorkplacePerformance #EmployeeMotivationStrategies #AscendEDConsulting #AccountabilityCulture #GrowthMindsetAtWork #LeadershipPodcastForExecutives #accountabilityislove

7. 

   31 Jul 2025

   How to Build a Culture of Accountability That Actually Works

   Are you constantly putting out fires on your team? Deadlines are missed, people are disengaged, and ownership is unclear. The problem is not laziness. It is lack of clarity In this video, Rebecca and Adam from AscendED Consulting walk you through a four-step accountability system built for CEOs, executives, and leadership teams who need to align culture with performance and drive real results This is not theory. It is a repeatable, practical system that works for modern teams across all generations, including Gen Z What You Will Learn: - How to align your company culture and performance expectations - How to identify the behaviors that matter most for your organization’s success - How to design a custom accountability system using tools like simple self-assessments and behavior-based tracking - How to equip your managers with the clarity and confidence to lead effectively - How to create consistent feedback loops that improve trust, engagement, and retention - How to strengthen leadership decisions around compensation, promotions, and development Who This Is For: - CEOs - Founders - People leaders - Department heads - HR professionals - Executives building high-performing teams If you are leading a team that is quiet quitting, burning out, or missing expectations, this framework will help you bring structure, clarity, and results. This system prevents burnout, improves retention, builds trust, and creates the kind of culture people want to stay and grow in Want Our Help? This four-step system is the foundation of our Gold Package at AscendED Consulting. We work directly with leadership teams to build custom accountability systems that align culture and performance across every level of the organization Visit ascended-consulting.com to learn more. If this video gave you something useful, Like it Subscribe to the channel Share it with a fellow leader who is ready to build a better culture #Accountability #LeadershipDevelopment #CultureStrategy #PerformanceManagement #ExecutiveLeadership #GenZWorkforce #RetentionStrategies #ManagementSystems #OrganizationalHealth #accountabilitysystems #AccountabilityIsLove

8. 

   24 Jul 2025

   No Deadlines, No Drive: How Schools' Deadline Practices Created a Generation Lacking Initiative

   Hosted by Rebecca Burtram & Adam Howard | AscendED Consulting What if the biggest barrier to Gen Z’s performance isn’t motivation but the absence of deadlines in their education? In this episode, we unpack how schools’ shift to “no deadlines, no zeroes” created a generation that struggles with urgency, ownership, and time management. Now, those same students are your employees, and the consequences are hitting your bottom line. As educators turned workplace consultants, we saw this shift firsthand. Well-meaning policies removed structure and unintentionally taught students that time is flexible, expectations are negotiable, and consequences are optional. In this episode you’ll learn: 🔹 How deadline-free schooling trained Gen Z to wait for urgency rather than generate it 🔹 Why inconsistent accountability systems create ambiguity, anxiety, and missed goals 🔹 How to rebuild urgency through structured, fair accountability—not micromanagement 🔹 Practical tools for managers: checkpoint systems, post-mortems, and growth-based consequences 🔹 Why consistency and follow-up are more effective than pressure or scolding Deadlines aren’t about rigidity they’re about rhythm. And when teams have rhythm, they move faster, with confidence, clarity, and purpose. If your team is struggling with missed timelines and lost momentum, this episode will give you the roadmap to reset expectations and build a workplace where accountability drives results. #LeadershipDevelopment #GenZWorkplace #AccountabilityAtWork #FutureOfWork #AscendEDWorkplace #PeopleManagement #DeadlineCulture

9. 

   10 Jul 2025

   The Psychological Benefits of Consistent Accountability in the Workplace

   Hosted by Rebecca Burtram & Adam Howard | AscendED Consulting What if accountability isn’t just about performance but also about mental health, motivation, and retention? In this episode, we break down the science-backed benefits of consistent accountability systems and explain why today’s teams, especially Gen Z, don’t just need feedback and goals. They need clarity, structure, and support to thrive. As former educators turned workplace consultants, we’ve seen firsthand how structure reduces anxiety, boosts confidence, and creates space for growth. You’ll learn: 🔹 How clear expectations reduce stress and decision fatigue 🔹 Why accountability increases motivation, ownership, and team resilience 🔹 The link between structure, emotional safety, and innovation 🔹 What healthy accountability looks like in practice (hint: it's not micromanagement) 🔹 How to use accountability systems as retention tools, not just performance levers

10. 

    2 Jul 2025

    From the Classroom to Boardroom: How School Policies Harmed Gen Z in the Workplace

    Workplace consultants Rebecca Burtram and Adam Howard discuss how lenient school policies have negatively impacted Gen Z's accountability and performance in the workplace, offering solutions for business leaders in this interview episode.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 22 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

31

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact The AscendED Workplace

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.