Hosted by Lindsay Mattes & Ivie Van Lent

In this lively and unfiltered episode, Lindsay Mattes—author, speaker, and founder of Pioneer HR—and her eldest daughter, Ivie Van Lent—queer activist, leftist, and certified witchy weirdo—dig into the origin and meaning behind their bold podcast title: Don’t Be a D!ck.

Lindsay shares the hilarious moment a harassment prevention training turned unforgettable when she blurted out the phrase that became the heartbeat of her book and now this podcast. The phrase stuck because it’s simple, honest, and instantly recognizable—we all know what being a “d!ck” looks like.

Together, Lindsay and Ivie break down the acronym D.I.C.K.—Dismissive/Defensive, Insensitive/Insecure, Callous/Cruel, and Killjoy/Know-it-all—as a tool for recognizing harmful behavior (including our own). They discuss the three types of “d!cks”—intentional, accidental, and conscientious—and how understanding which one you’re being is the first step toward kinder communication.

This episode explores language, accountability, generational differences, and even the reclaiming of taboo words. From personal stories to laugh-out-loud moments, Lindsay and Ivie show that self-awareness and kindness are powerful antidotes to “d!ck behavior.”

• Why “Don’t Be a D!ck” became the perfect title

• How one training room moment shaped a whole movement

• The D.I.C.K. acronym: a guide to understanding your own behavior

• Intentional vs. accidental vs. conscientious d!cks

• Taking accountability without shame

• Reclaiming language and generational differences in “taboo” words

• A preview of future themes like “nice vs. kind”

A funny, honest, and refreshingly human conversation reminding us all: we’re going to mess up—but we can always choose to be kinder.

📲 Follow Lindsay & Ivie on social for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and future episode drops

Lindsay: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaykmattes Facebook: @lindsay.mattes Tiktok: @hrmama6 Instagram: @mamamattes

Ivie: Tiktok: @dandelionwaiting