PTO, Shame and Hot Dogs

PTO, Shame and Hot Dogs

From Drinks After Work with Shannon and Deb by Shannon Tipton

March 4, 2026 · 35 min · Episode 20

About this episode

The episode discusses the complexities of paid time off, including the guilt associated with taking it and the cultural pressures that discourage time off.

Pop the tab on something cold and settle in — it's time for another round of Drinks After Work! This time, we're talking all about: Why unlimited PTO is actually an illusion of flex PTO shame and why we hoard our time off like it's precious (because it is) The unspoken rules that make taking time off feel like a crime How working from home makes PTO guilt even worse Planning, scheduling, and actually honoring your time off In this episode, Shannon and Deborah are joined by special guest Chris Coladonato (aka the Connection Catalyst) to tackle the complicated world of paid time off. From companies that give you PTO then punish you for taking it, to the culture of answering emails at 9 PM that trains everyone to disrespect boundaries, they break down why we're all exhausted and what we can actually do about it. Plus, some surprisingly strong feelings about hot dogs. So sip, swig, or chug — and get ready to: Stop teaching people you're always available (put down the work phone) Plan time to decompress after your vacation ends Set up coverage plans before you leave (so you don't feel guilty) Write an out-of-office that actually protects your inbox Honor your time off instead of just…

People in this episode

Hosts: Shannon Tipton, Deborah

Guest: Chris Coladonato

Topics covered

  • PTO
  • work-life balance
  • time off
  • guilt
  • company culture
  • boundaries

Keywords

  • unlimited PTO
  • PTO shame
  • work from home
  • time off planning
  • email boundaries
  • vacation
  • hot dogs

More episodes of Drinks After Work with Shannon and Deb

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Drinks After Work with Shannon and Deb podcast page.