FAQs
The Podcast
What is The Messy Middle Matters podcast about?
The Messy Middle Matters brings conversations about work into the open—the ones that are often happening behind closed doors, between trusted colleagues, or not happening at all.
Created and hosted by Indra Klavins, the podcast explores the things that are easy to miss, difficult to name, or rarely discussed, from invisible work and organizational dynamics to leadership, change, AI, and what happens when the way work is supposed to happen meets the way it actually does.
Who is The Messy Middle Matters podcast for?
The Messy Middle Matters is for people who are curious about how work actually works.
Listeners include leaders, operators, individual contributors, builders, and people navigating change in their work or careers. If you've ever noticed something happening beneath the surface, questioned the obvious explanation, or wished people would talk more openly about what was really going on, you'll probably feel at home here.
Why is it called The Messy Middle Matters?
The messy middle is the grey area where much of the real work happens: between what was intended and what actually happens, between a decision and its consequences, between where we were and whatever comes next.
It's often where the most interesting—and important—things are happening, even when no one's paying attention.
Who hosts The Messy Middle Matters?
The Messy Middle Matters was created and is hosted by Indra Klavins, an organizational advisor and speaker whose work focuses on helping people notice and understand the dynamics that are easy to miss.
What is Season Two: Demystifying AI about?
Season Two explores what people need to understand about AI to participate meaningfully in the decisions surrounding its use.
Rather than trying to turn everyone into an AI expert, we’ll explore the language, technology, assumptions, and human questions people encounter as AI becomes part of how we work.
The guiding principle for the season is simple: You don't need to understand how everything works. You do need to understand what decision you're being asked to make.
Who is Season Two: Demystifying AI for?
Season Two is for people making decisions about AI, introducing it into organizations, being asked to use it in their work, or building and explaining AI for others.
The conversations are designed for people who want enough understanding to ask useful questions, evaluate choices, exercise judgment, and participate meaningfully in decisions about AI—without needing to become AI experts.
When does Season Two of The Messy Middle Matters start?
Season Two, Demystifying AI, begins in fall 2026, with new episodes released weekly on Wednesdays.
Where can I listen to The Messy Middle Matters?
The Messy Middle Matters is available on major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, iHeart, PocketCasts, Podbean, Overcast, and other podcast apps.
What kinds of guests are featured on The Messy Middle Matters?
The best conversations begin with people who have noticed something others haven't.
Guests bring experiences or perspectives that help us look differently at work, leadership, organizations, technology, change, or the things people don't often talk about publicly. We're less interested in what's trendy than in conversations that remain useful after the moment has passed.
Can I be a guest on the podcast?
Yes. If your work or experience has changed the way you see something—or given you a perspective people don't often talk about publicly—we'd love to hear from you.
You can learn more about the podcast, our approach, and what makes for a good conversation through our Guest One-Pager.
How long are episodes?
Most episodes are approximately 25–35 minutes, although some conversations run longer when the subject warrants it.
How often are new episodes released?
During Season Two, new episodes of The Messy Middle Matters are released every Wednesday. Follow the podcast on your preferred platform or follow The Messy Middle Matters on social media for new episode announcements.
What is glue work?
Glue work is the coordination and connection work that helps people and efforts come together—things like preserving context, connecting people, mentoring others, preventing problems, and helping decisions stick.
It's essential to how organizations function, but because its value is often indirect or difficult to measure, the people doing it don't always receive recognition for it. Glue work has been part of The Messy Middle Matters conversation from the beginning.
How did The Messy Middle Matters start?
The Messy Middle Matters began as a place for honest conversations about the parts of work people experience every day but don't always talk about publicly.
What started as a podcast has grown into a broader conversation through podcasting, writing, social media, and public speaking—all grounded in the belief that paying better attention to what is happening in the messy middle helps us understand our work, our organizations, and each other more clearly.
Does The Messy Middle Matters offer sponsorship opportunities?
Yes. The Messy Middle Matters welcomes sponsorships and collaborations with organizations that are a good fit for the podcast and its audience. For sponsorship or partnership inquiries, contact podcast@themessymiddlematters.com.
Is there The Messy Middle Matters merchandise?
Yes. Messy Middle Merch includes apparel and other items inspired by the realities of work and some of the language that has emerged from The Messy Middle Matters community, including “Don't make me regret trying to be helpful” and “I Get Stuff Done.”
How can I suggest a topic or give feedback?
Listener feedback and topic suggestions are welcome. You can share ideas through the feedback form.
How can I follow The Messy Middle Matters?
Follow or subscribe to The Messy Middle Matters on your preferred podcast platform, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Threads for new episodes, ideas from the show, and ongoing conversations from the messy middle.
Public Speaking
What does Indra Klavins speak about?
Indra Klavins speaks about the leadership challenges that arise during organizational and technological change, including hidden organizational dynamics, gaps in understanding, and navigating uncertainty.
Her current keynotes include Nobody Asked Us: Understanding the Patterns That Emerge During Organizational Change and Making AI Legible: Helping Leaders Navigate a World No One Fully Understands.
Nobody Asked Us helps leaders recognize hidden organizational dynamics and intervene earlier. Making AI Legible shows leaders how to navigate AI-driven uncertainty by learning alongside their teams and modeling how to lead through constant change.
Who are Indra Klavins' keynotes for?
Indra Klavins' keynotes are designed for leaders and organizations navigating change, complexity, and emerging ways of working.
Depending on the topic, audiences include executives and senior leaders, HR and People teams, people responsible for organizational change or AI adoption, and employees being asked to navigate those changes in their everyday work.
How do I book Indra Klavins to speak?
The best first step is a conversation. Visit indraspeaks.com to explore current keynote topics and speaking information, or contact hello@peopleprocessthings.com.
People |Process | Things
What is People | Process | Things?
People | Process | Things (PPT) is Indra's organizational advisory practice. PPT helps leaders understand why things should work but don't, especially when reasonable solutions have been tried but the expected results aren't following.
What kind of work does People | Process | Things do?
People | Process | Things works with founders, CEOs, executive teams, and investors through organizational diagnostics and executive advisory. Engagements range from rapid Diagnostic Sprints and deeper Immersive Diagnostics to ongoing Strategic Partnerships that may include executive advisory, facilitation, leadership development, and embedded operational support.
How is People | Process | Things different from traditional consulting?
People | Process | Things begins with observation, not a predetermined framework. The work focuses on understanding what's actually producing the problems leaders are seeing before recommending what to do about them. Every recommendation is grounded in the organization's specific context, and support can continue through implementation rather than ending with a report or slide deck.