# Simplify My Soda: A Crispy Coke RTO Love Story

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/different-not-broken-7281363/simplify-my-soda-a-crispy-coke-rto-love-story
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/different-not-broken-7281363/simplify-my-soda-a-crispy-coke-rto-love-story.md
Podcast: [Different, Not Broken](https://stenobird.com/podcast/different-not-broken-7281363)
Published: 2026-01-21T10:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://differentnotbrokenpodcast.com/episode/simplify-my-soda-a-crispy-coke-rto-love-story
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/3c649a41-7e34-4a65-a821-d943f2d24988.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/different-not-broken-7281363/episodes/simplify-my-soda-a-crispy-coke-rto-love-story
Duration seconds: 1537

## Resource

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: Why psychological safety isn’t a perk How bad management hides behind complexity The real reason companies are pushing return to office Why clarity often gets mistaken for controversy 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 Mentioned in this episode: Join Quirky Brag on yourself Wanna brag on yourself for something you've done which you're proud of? https://differen…

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## Transcript

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