Bad meetings are not just annoying. They are expensive.

In this episode of Work Besties Who Podcast, Jess and Claude sit down with Jodie Goldberg to talk about how meetings can either build connection, clarity, and trust — or completely drain the room.

Jodie shares why better meetings start with intention, not just an agenda. From setting a clear purpose to creating meeting norms, managing over-talkers, making quieter voices feel heard, and replacing random icebreakers with true relational strategies, this conversation is full of practical ways to make meetings more human and more effective.

We also talk about why not everyone needs to speak out loud to feel included, how physical space impacts participation, and why a great meeting is not about whether it is 15 minutes or 60 minutes — it is about how intentionally it is designed.

If you have ever sat in a meeting thinking, “This could have been an email,” this episode is for you.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why connection at work needs to be intentional
• The difference between icebreakers and relational strategies
• How to create meeting norms that actually help people participate
• What to do when one voice dominates the room
• How to make decision-making meetings more effective
• Why quieter team members may need different ways to contribute
• How better meeting design can lead to stronger collaboration

Your Supportive Work Besties,
Jess & Claude

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Work Besties! Theme Song Written by Ralph Lentini @therallyband