Simplify My Soda: A Crispy Coke RTO Love Story

I have a habit of saying the obvious things most workplaces avoid.

Hi, I’m Lauren Howard. You can call me L2. Like other people do.

In this episode of Different, Not Broken, I break down why basic human standards at work get treated like radical ideas, why return to office policies are deeply ableist, and why so much “innovative leadership” is really just common sense wrapped in better language.

This episode is about simplifying what’s been overcomplicated for years.

You’ll hear:

1. Why psychological safety isn’t a perk
2. How bad management hides behind complexity
3. The real reason companies are pushing return to office
4. Why clarity often gets mistaken for controversy
5. What actually changes when you treat people like humans

Once you’ve been inspired to brag, here’s where you can do it!

https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/voicemail

Useful stuff

Stuff that helps you become awesome even if you’re different: https://stan.store/elletwo

My grown up job: https://lbeehealth.com/

Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 – Why saying the obvious sounds “radical”

02:08 – The bare minimum we’ve stopped expecting at work

03:47 – Psychological safety isn’t a perk

04:38 – Why return to office is deeply ableist

06:36 – The real reason companies want people back in offices

07:46 – Bad management disguised as productivity

09:05 – Treat people like humans and they quit less

10:36 – Listener brag: feeling on top of life

11:15 – Why I hate “love languages”

11:49 – The science and art of a crispy Coke

13:49 – Big bubbles, bad Coke, and betrayal

15:31 – Freestyle machines are not acceptable

17:59 – Small Talk Listener Question: grieving a late neurodivergent diagnosis

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