Bossed Up

What if the best way to keep AI from taking your job is to make it work for you? The public has a lot of hot takes on AI, especially as it impacts women. It’s a source of unlimited potential or the destruction of work as we know it. We need to be embracing it wholeheartedly or avoiding it at all costs. As usually, the levelheaded answers to these questions fall somewhere in the middle. In this episode, communications pro Shira Fine joins me to share her experience implementing AI into her business and her take on how we can do the same without overshadowing our expertise or erasing our jobs. Start leveraging AI without selling your soul to Big Tech: How to make the chatbot work for you without training it on your data; The erroneous assumptions we make when we let AI intimidate us; Why it isn’t cheating to use AI for your repeatable tasks; The promise and limitations of this ever-evolving technology. Related Links: Connect with Shira on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirafine/ Find out more about Shira’s firm, Bryson Gillette - https://www.brysongillette.com Episode 540, “The Double Disadvantage: AI, Women, and the Future of Work” - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode540 Episode 542, “Why AI is Giving Women the Ick” - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode542 Episode 546, “The Hidden Force Keeping Women From Using AI” - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode546 LEVEL UP with Bossed Up - https://www.bossedup.org/levelup Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/ Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How do you know if you’re on the right financial track for retirement? Once you hit the midway point of your career, when you’re feeling settled enough (or maybe just exhausted enough) to start looking ahead, retirement is a good thing to start thinking about. But in this current economic climate, financial futures feel more uncertain than ever. Will your savings actually enable you to retire when you want? If you’re worried at all about your prospects, a financial advisor is a good place to start. Lorie Jones is the owner of Fearless Financial Advisors. She takes a practical and compassionate approach to helping high-income and entrepreneurial women sort out their money questions and build financial confidence. Women are unique when it comes to job security, investing, and spending. Lorie brings both extensive education and first-hand experience to the table to offer some hard-won and practical advice. Map out your financial future so you know where you stand today: Why it’s never too early to start investing and planning; The split financial focus: surviving today vs saving for tomorrow; How unpaid caregiving changes women’s financial realities; How to think about the threat of AI job loss. Related Links: Connect with Lorie on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/loriejones Work with Lorie - https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/ Listen to the Fearless Females podcast - https://fearlessfinancialadvisors.com/fearless-females/all-episodes/ Forbes, Why Women are Better (Investors) Than Men - https://www.forbes.com/sites/timmaurer/2023/04/30/why-women-are-better-investors-than-men/ Episode 386, How to Boost Your Energy With the Power of Nutrition - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode386 Episode 326, How to Reach Your Financial Goals as a Woman - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode326 Episode 402, How to Financially Prepare for Layoffs - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode402 Episode 512, Your Emotions Around Money Matter More Than You Think - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode512 Episode 538, Rebalance Your Career Portfolio - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode538 Episode 540, The Double Disadvantage: AI, Women, and the Future of Work - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode540 TAKE ACTION with Bossed Up - https://www.bossedup.org/takeaction Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/ Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What do uneven benefits changes from mega corporations tell us about how these workplaces value women? In the past few months, both Deloitte and Zoom have publicly announced significant changes to particular portions of their employee benefits packages. These adjustments amount to telling certain employees (mostly women) that they matter less than others. By slashing paid family and medical leave and paid time off for “support roles,” Deloitte is effectively hamstringing the predominantly female portion of their staff - those workers in positions like finance, admin, and HR (and the changes also impact IT and marketing). Comparatively, they confirmed that no deductions will befall employees in client-facing positions. In this episode, I break down what companies are saying when they curb vital childcare and parental benefits for the portion of their workforce that shoulders the bulk of caregiving responsibilities. Learn more about this “gender-scrubbing” form of sexism that perpetuates workplace inequity, including: How companies use language to erase women from the narrative; The dangerous precedent that a change like this sets; Why not all two-tier benefit structures are made equal; Four steps you can take to make your voice heard. Related Links: Episode 451, The Impact of Return-to-Office Mandates on Working Moms - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode451 Episode 540, The Double Disadvantage: AI, Women, and the Future of Work - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode540 CXM, Deloitte’s Two-Tier Benefits Cut: Smart Cost Management or a Signal About Who Matters? - https://cxm.world/employee-experience/deloittes-two-tier-benefits-cut-smart-cost-management-or-a-signal-about-who-matters/ HR Executive, PTO pullback: Did Deloitte, Zoom just set a new precedent? - https://hrexecutive.com/pto-pullback-did-deloitte-zoom-just-set-a-new-precedent/ Inc, The Great Rollback Has Begun: Deloitte and Zoom Take the Lead in Slashing the Most Coveted Benefits - https://www.inc.com/kaylawebster/the-great-rollback-has-begun-deloitte-and-zoom-take-the-lead-in-slashing-the-most-coveted-benefits/91333534 HRDive, Deloitte, Zoom benefit cuts threaten employee trust and retention, experts say - https://www.hrdive.com/news/deloitte-zoom-benefits-cuts-a-risk-to-employee-trust-retention/818818/ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 39 Percent of Manages in 2015 Were Women - https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2016/39-percent-of-managers-in-2015-were-women.htm Susan Colantuono, They Erased the Word “Women.” That Was the Point - https://www.bebusinesssavvy.com/p/they-erased-the-word-women-that-was Bipartisan Policy Center, Paid Family Leave Across OECD Countries - https://bipartisanpolicy.org/explainer/paid-family-leave-across-oecd-countries/ Businesswire, Child Care Overtakes Retirement as a Top Workplace Benefit – But Employers Are Falling Behind, According to New KinderCare Research - https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260219275404/en/Child-Care-Overtakes-Retirement-as-a-Top-Workplace-Benefit-But-Employers-Are-Falling-Behind-According-to-New-KinderCare-Research U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Women in the labor force, 2024: occupation employment profiles of women and men by age - https://www.bls.gov/opub/reports/womens-databook/2024/home.htm U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Household Data, Employed people by occupation, sex, and age - https://www.bls.gov/web/empsit/cpseea19.pdf New America, A Chapter of “Paid Family Leave: How Much Time Is Enough?”, Economic Impact - https://www.newamerica.org/insights/paid-family-leave-how-much-time-enough/economic-impact/ TAKE ACTION with Bossed Up - https://www.bossedup.org/takeaction Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/ Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When’s the last time you got caught up in a mental spiral, going over and over a past event or constantly reimagining a future one? Research shows we’re more prone to this habit than ever. That cycle that peaks your anxiety and distracts you from what’s happening at the moment is called rumination, and my guest wrote a book all about it. Donna Jackson Nakazawa is an acclaimed science journalist whose new book, “Mind Drama: The Science of Rumination and How to Outwit Your Inner Defeatist,” explores the neuroscience behind why we fall into these repetitive patterns. Her knowledge of the topic is informed by all the latest research, and she has even developed her own framework for dealing with it; I experience that approach first-hand, right in the middle of our conversation. This episode is essential listening for anyone who wants the tools to break out of those stressful spirals once and for all. Stop spiraling and ramp up your power over your own mind: The role your childhood plays in shaping the stories you tell yourself; Find your voice by naming and relinquishing your negative thought patterns; Why rumination isn’t just overthinking; The radical reparenting approach to rewiring your mind. Related Links: Learn more about Donna’s work - https://donnajacksonnakazawa.com/ Subscribe to Healing Together on Substack - https://donnajacksonnakazawa.substack.com/ Mind Drama: The Science of Rumination and How to Outwit Your Inner Defeatist, by Donna Jackson Nakazawa - https://donnajacksonnakazawa.com/books/mind-drama-science-of-rumination/ Girls on the Brink by Donna Jackson Nakazawa - https://donnajacksonnakazawa.com/books/girls-on-the-brink/ Bossed Up: A Grown Woman’s Guide to Getting Your Sh*t Together by Emilie Aries - https://www.bossedup.org/book Episode 548, Why Adding to My Plate Eased My Burnout - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode548 SPEAK UP: A Live Assertive Communication Course for Women in the Workplace - https://www.bossedup.org/speakup Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/ Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How do you do more without burning out? People often ask me how (and why) I do so many things. From running multiple businesses to raising two young children, from the outside I understand how my life can seem chaotic and primed for collapse. But what if my latest “side hustle” isn’t the final nail in the exhaustion coffin? What if it’s the very thing keeping me from burnout? In today’s episode, I get real about the how and why behind my newest business endeavor. Are you one of those people who finds your daily grind exhausting, not because of the physical or mental toll but because some intangible piece is still missing for contentment? Then this hot take might resonate: sometimes adding to your plate - not subtracting - is the key to increasing your engagement. Let’s break down how realigning your priorities may be key to contentment - no matter what era you’re in now: Build a busy schedule that’s actually restorative; Get real about time management and tradeoffs; Why motherhood isn’t a reason to step out of a full life; The science behind getting physical when your job is mostly intellectual. Related Links: Episode 538, Rebalance Your Career Portfolio - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode538 Episode 539, Managing Through the Millennial Career Crisis - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode539 “Mind Drama: The Science of Rumination and How to Outwit Your Inner Defeatist” by Donna Jackson Nakazawa - https://donnajacksonnakazawa.com/books/mind-drama-science-of-rumination/ LinkedIn Learning Course, “Get Unstuck: Make a Plan to Move Your Career Forward” - https://www.linkedin.com/learning/get-unstuck-make-a-plan-to-move-your-career-forward Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/ Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What can you do to improve your executive presence? Perception of your leadership abilities directly impacts your career trajectory, for better or worse. You’ve likely heard of executive presence before, but even though it often comes up in the context of something to improve, it’s difficult for many people to identify a clear path to make that improvement. My guest, Dr. Alexa Chilcutt, is an executive communication expert at Johns Hopkins University and wrote the book, “The Presence Principle.” In it, she offers a 3-step framework to demystify this confusing but vital professional trait once and for all. Alexa joins me on the podcast to get into the weeds about what executive presence is and how we can cultivate it to become more impactful leaders. Give your career trajectory a boost with Alexa’s research-backed perspective: What executive presence is, and what it’s not; Why you don’t have to impersonate the traditional leader archetype to succeed in your career; The impact of initial and enduring impressions; The three-adjectives activity that will pump up your leadership presence progress. Related Links: Connect with Dr. Alexa Chilcutt on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexa-chilcutt-phd/ Order “The Presence Principle” from Routledge - https://www.routledge.com/The-Presence-Principle-Embodying-Executive-Presence-to-Lead-with-Impact/Chilcutt-DuPont/p/book/9781041021964 Sally Williamson, “Executive Presence Is a Top Priority for Leadership” - https://sallywilliamson.com/executive-presence-top-priority-leadership/ Coqual, “Executive Presence Key Findings” - https://coqual.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/26_executivepresence_keyfindings-1.pdf Episode 407, How to Delegate Without Feeling So Bad About It - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode407 Episode 491, Debunking Imposter Syndrome as a Women's Issue - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode491 Episode 447, Job Search Success: How to Optimize your LinkedIn Profile Skills Sections - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode447 Episode 298, How to Maximize Your Time to Get Things Done - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode298 LEVEL UP: a Leadership Accelerator for Women on the Rise - https://www.bossedup.org/levelup Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/ Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What does attribution bias have to do with women adopting AI? Research has shown that women are more reluctant to embrace these new technologies than men and that this discrepancy is creating a whole new kind of workforce gap. One big reason for this reticence is a belief that using AI is somehow “cheating.” As an April 2026 study from Lean In shows, this assumption is backed up by a whole lot of concrete evidence. If you’ve been avoiding AI and can’t quite put your finger on why, this episode might shed some light. Women are no strangers to attribution bias, and the ever-growing rise of this tech is a whole new field for unequal expectations to play out on. Workers who use AI tools see big productivity and career benefits. However, we can’t just dive into AI and expect the playing field to even itself out. We must also address the root causes of women’s reluctance and opposition to this new technology. Fight the bias and reap the career rewards by learning more about: The glaring difference in how credit and blame are assigned to men versus women; How competence penalties are unequally doled out for female AI users; The internal factors at play when we see AI as “cheating”; Three ways you can start to push back against the attribution bias and the AI gender gap. Related Links: LinkedIn Learning Course, “Get Unstuck: Make a Plan to Move Your Career Forward” - https://www.linkedin.com/learning/get-unstuck-make-a-plan-to-move-your-career-forward Lean In, New research: Women use AI less often at work and get less credit - https://leanin.org/research/ai-women-gender-gap-data HBR, Research: The Hidden Penalty of Using AI at Work - https://hbr.org/2025/08/research-the-hidden-penalty-of-using-ai-at-work Lean In, The AI gender gap: How women can break through - https://leanin.org/research/ai-women-gender-gap Episode 540, The Double Disadvantage: AI, Women, and the Future of Work - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode540 Episode 542, Why AI is Giving Women the “Ick” - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode542 Episode 543, Why Your Resume Isn’t Working (and What to Do Instead) - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode543 Bossed Up: A Grown Woman's Guide to Getting Your Sh*t Together - https://www.bossedup.org/book Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/ Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How do you manage your anxiety-driven overachieving without losing your competitive edge? There’s a good chance that, if you’re an avid Bossed Up listener, the spiral of the do-it-all overachiever is familiar to you. You’re stressed out, maybe burnt out, and potentially navigating anxiety, too.. Maybe you fear that seeking more balance means losing the drive that makes you successful and sought-after. Dr. Lindsay Pfister-Kerr is a recovering anxiety-driven perfectionist turned coach and the author of “From Perfectionist to Empowered: A Makeover Guide.” She’ll be the first to tell you that you don’t have to choose one or the other. In this episode, she speaks with me about the reverberating impact our perfectionism and stress have on those around us and how we can make moves toward a better balance without giving up our high-achiever status. Lindsay’s insights will give you hope that you can step out of the stress of perfectionism and embrace a more intentional, fulfilling life. Create empowerment without abandoning your ambition: How mindfulness and the right questions can make you better at your job; Small, simple steps that lead to big mindset changes; The stress cycle you create when you’re always operating at 110%; How to recognize toxic perfectionism. Related Links: Connect with Lindsay on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaypfister/ Learn more about Lindsay’s work - https://www.lpkcoaching.com/ Buy “From Perfectionist to Empowered: A Makeover Guide” - https://www.lpkcoaching.com/book Download Lindsay’s 3-minute reset - https://www.lpkcoaching.com/free-resources Episode 333, An Honest Look Into Motherhood and Mental Health - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode333 Episode 494, Matrescence and the Transformation of Motherhood - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode494 Episode 530, Disability Accommodations: What All Leaders Need to Know - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode530 HIRED Job Search Accelerator - https://www.bossedup.org/gethired Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/ Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How can a strong value proposition help you stand out in your job search? If you can’t explain how your skills and experience make you perfect for a position, you’ll have a hard time convincing a hiring team to choose you. That’s why, whether you’re looking to rise in the ranks at your current organization or go in an entirely new direction, selling yourself with clarity and confidence is essential. In this episode, I walk you through building a powerful value proposition, from brainstorming and data collection to getting outside support. You have all the experience you need to write the perfect sales pitch, one that sums up why your past experience and impact make you the best choice for that exciting new job or promotion. Get confident and concise with your value proposition: Why your past experiences play in, regardless of how much you plan to pivot; How to utilize AI as a useful tool, but never as the final say; How to keep your humility from dampening your sales pitch; Using assessments and aptitude tests to beef up your value vocabulary. Related Links: Episode 543, Why Your Resume Isn’t Working (and What to Try Instead) - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode543 Episode 542, Why AI is Giving Women the “Ick” - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode542 Episode 540, The Double Disadvantage: AI, Women, and the Future of Work - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode540 Episode 522, Know Your Aptitudes to Direct Your Career with Confidence - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode522 LinkedIn Learning, Get Unstuck: Make a Plan to Move Your Career Forward - https://www.linkedin.com/learning/get-unstuck-make-a-plan-to-move-your-career-forward/ HIRED: A Job Search Accelerator to Land Your Dream Job - https://www.bossedup.org/gethired U.S. Department of Labor career assessments - https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Assessments/self-assessments.aspx?frd=true Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/ Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How can you leverage your strengths, values, and AI tools to make the job search a bit less daunting? The job market in 2026 is chaotic and confusing. Job seekers are sending out hundreds of resumes and getting only a few interviews in return. But finding your dream job is still possible, and Sam DeMase can help you make that happen. Sam is ZipRecruiter’s first career expert, and she goes by “Your Career Bestie” on social media. Our conversation spans everything from the human/AI skill dichotomy to moving on without guilt. Sam shares great advice on navigating current job market trends, the challenges job seekers are facing right now, and approaches you can take to avoid the endless apply-and-get-ghosted spiral so many people are experiencing. Tune in to learn how to transform your job search: The trends employers are looking for in applicants; How you can make the most of an AI agent as you prepare your applications; Why it’s time to “own your superpowers” on your resume; How to avoid “job catfishing.” Related Links: Connect with Sam on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/apowermood/ Connect with Sam on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@apowermood Follow ZipRecruiter on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ziprecruiter/ LinkedIn Learning Course, “Get Unstuck: Make a Plan to Move Your Career Forward” - https://www.linkedin.com/learning/get-unstuck-make-a-plan-to-move-your-career-forward Ezra Klein, “How Fast Will A.I. Agents Rip Through the Economy?” - https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/24/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-jack-clark.html Episode 542, “Why AI is Giving Women the ‘Ick’” - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode542 Episode 540, “The Double Disadvantage: AI, Women, and the Future of Work” - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode540 Episode 539, “Managing Through The Millennial Career Crisis” - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode539 Harvard Business School, “Global Evidence on Gender Gaps and Generative AI” - https://www.hbs.edu/ris/Publication%20Files/25023_52957d6c-0378-4796-99fa-aab684b3b2f8.pdf Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/ Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Does using AI to optimize your schedule or do your research give you a distinct sense of unease? There’s something innate keeping women from incorporating new automation tools into their workflows, and it’s not just a lack of interest. Many are describing it as actual repulsion, and I want to understand why. Women are facing a double disadvantage: they’re more likely to lose their jobs to AI, and they’re less likely to get jobs that the AI revolution will create. That significant gender gap deserves much closer exploration. So let’s dig deeper into why so many women are saying no to automated agents and what that means for our impending AI future. Let’s unpack why AI is giving women “the ick” together, including: How the billion-dollar AI industry highlights the invisible nature of “women’s work”; Why women are perfectly positioned to see an often-overlooked truth about AI What the studies say about why women aren’t adopting AI as readily as men; Why the transformation to ideal AI agent manager isn’t going to happen overnight. Related Links: Abi Awomosu, “They Built Stepford AI and Called It ‘Agentic’” - https://abiawomosu.substack.com/p/they-built-stepford-ai-and-called Episode 540, “The Double Disadvantage: AI, Women, and the Future of Work” - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode540 Harvard Business School, “Global Evidence on Gender Gaps and Generative AI” - https://www.hbs.edu/ris/Publication%20Files/25023_52957d6c-0378-4796-99fa-aab684b3b2f8.pdf Pew Research, “The ‘Leisure Gap’ Between Mothers And Fathers” - https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2013/10/17/the-leisure-gap-between-mothers-and-fathers/ Tressie McMillan Cottom at the Urban Consulate - https://www.instagram.com/reels/DUlNVvmka05/ Listen to “There Are No Girls on the Internet” - https://www.tangoti.com/ Mara Bolis, “The AI Gender Gap Paradox” - https://ssir.org/articles/entry/ai-gender-gap-paradox Anne-Marie Slaughter, “Unfinished Business: Women, Men, Work, Family” - https://bookshop.org/p/books/unfinished-business-women-men-work-family-anne-marie-slaughter/aa05ce9043ac07ad Ezra Klein, “How Fast Will A.I. Agents Rip Through the Economy?” - https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/24/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-jack-clark.html The Conversation, “Grok 4’s new AI companion offers up ‘pornographic productivity’” - https://theconversation.com/grok-4s-new-ai-companion-offers-up-pornographic-productivity-260992 EdX, “How to Close the Gender Gap in AI Jobs” - https://www.edx.org/resources/closing-ai-gender-gap LinkedIn Learning Course, “Get Unstuck: Make a Plan to Move Your Career Forward” - https://www.linkedin.com/learning/get-unstuck-make-a-plan-to-move-your-career-forward Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/ Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For many of us, the standard workday is a constant stream of alerts: messages on the team group chat, texts from your child’s daycare, emails from your boss, co-workers popping by to chat in person. It’s enough to set even the most focused professional on edge. When Alex Gilbert, an expert in neurodiversity advocacy for working adults, started Cape-Able Consulting, she intended to help put an end to masking at the office. She helps individuals and companies create environments where employees don’t have to pretend that hectic, nonstop-notification work environment is actually working for them. You don’t need a diagnosis to feel overstimulated on the job or to put Alex’s tips into action to help improve your workplace—for yourself and everyone around you. Put an end to white-knuckling your way through the workday with Alex’s insights: Why work is even harder for neurodiverse women; The parallels between neurodiversity and high-achieving personalities; How implementing the right AI tools in the workplace can level the playing field for every employee; Whether or not you need to disclose your diagnosis as you advocate for your needs. Related Links: Connect with Alex on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-gilbert-ceo/ Cape-Able Consulting - https://www.capeableconsulting.com/ The I Am Cape-Able Podcast - https://www.capeableconsulting.com/iamcapeablepodcast Episode 315, “How to Talk About Disability or Chronic Illness in the Job Interview” - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode315 Episode 390, “How To Manage ADHD In The Workplace” - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode390 LinkedIn Learning Course, “Get Unstuck: Make a Plan to Move Your Career Forward” - https://www.linkedin.com/learning/get-unstuck-make-a-plan-to-move-your-career-forward Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/ Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s no secret that AI is transforming the workforce. Countless op-eds and studies have been published in the past few years, but wherever you stand on using AI, one thing is abundantly clear: women’s jobs are at risk. Furthermore, there’s a double disadvantage at play that we aren’t talking about enough: the AI revolution is threatening the jobs many of us do, and most of us don’t benefit from the new jobs it’s creating. That phenomenon is calling us to an action we might not want to take. We need to get familiar with AI. Not to become staunch proponents, and not to help our companies hand our hard-earned jobs over to the robots. Instead, in this episode, I argue that educating ourselves is how we’ll maintain our agency and level up in the workplace. Find out why getting AI-savvy doesn’t mean giving up your professional advantage: Why AI transformation is expected to impact women more; Why we don’t seem to be reaping the benefits of that transition; How you can take control of the AI impact on your career. Related Links: Matt Schumer, “Something Big is Happening” - http://linkedin.com/pulse/something-big-happening-matt-shumer-so5he International Labour Organization, “Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure” - https://www.ilo.org/publications/generative-ai-and-jobs-refined-global-index-occupational-exposure Anthropic, “Labor Market Impacts of AI: A New Measure and Early Evidence” - https://www.anthropic.com/research/labor-market-impacts Harvard Business School, “Global Evidence on Gender Gaps and Generative AI” - https://www.hbs.edu/ris/Publication%20Files/25023_52957d6c-0378-4796-99fa-aab684b3b2f8.pdf Deloitte, “Women and Generative AI” - https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/technology/technology-media-and-telecom-predictions/2025/women-and-generative-ai.html Little Black Book, “Women Don’t Need Rescuing”: Navigating the AI Gender Gap in an Industry That’s Obsessed” - https://lbbonline.com/news/ai-gender-gap-advertising World Economic Forum, “How AI is worsening workplace gender gaps and how we can course correct” - https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/05/how-ai-is-worsening-workplace-gender-gaps-and-how-we-can-course-correct-7828b8eae9/ Tressie McMillan Cottom at the Urban Consulate - https://www.instagram.com/reels/DUlNVvmka05/ LinkedIn Learning Course, “Get Unstuck: Make a Plan to Move Your Career Forward” - https://www.linkedin.com/learning/get-unstuck-make-a-plan-to-move-your-career-forward Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/ Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you’re disillusioned with your current job, you’re far from alone. Turns out, a whole generation is looking for a better road to career “success.” In the face of all this well-deserved disillusionment, I sought out the person behind the trending “millennial career crisis” hashtag to really get to the bottom of what the phenomenon is and why it seems to be affecting my generation especially. Janel Abrahami is a career coach whose background in organizational psychology and corporate HR, and her own career crisis, make her the ideal advisor and spokesperson for forging a better path. Janel argues that, thanks to a heap of daunting factors, a “successful career” looks a lot different than it did in our parents’ day. She joins me to break down her six pathways that help us take back ownership of our careers in the face of despair and disillusionment Retake control and design your own success: Six pathways that let you choose your own adventure; Why career dissatisfaction seems to be hitting millennials hard right now; The importance of resting before we jump and strategizing before we build; The broken social construct facing everyone working today. Related Links: Connect with Janel on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelabrahami/ Learn more about Janel - https://janelabrahami.com/ Follow Janel on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/janelabrahami/ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter, “Going Places” - https://janelabrahami.beehiiv.com/ Episode 535, “The Women’s Ambition ‘Gap’ is a Myth” - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode535 Episode 538, “Rebalance Your Career Portfolio” - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode538 Episode 528, “Start Planning Your First Mini-Retirement” - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode528 LinkedIn Learning Course, “Get Unstuck: Make a Plan to Move Your Career Forward” - https://www.linkedin.com/learning/get-unstuck-make-a-plan-to-move-your-career-forward HIRED: A Job Search Accelerator to Land Your Dream Job - https://www.bossedup.org/gethired “The Art of Gathering” by Priya Parker - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-art-of-gathering-how-we-meet-and-why-it-matters-priya-parker/6cf339d7407925e3 Jim Carey’s story about his father’s career choice - https://youtu.be/FSY-hDlx5yk?si=0PupcGJzx2LCNBLu&t=19 Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/ Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How could you diversify your income streams by pursuing your interests? Anyone who knows me knows I have a lot going on—I run Bossed Up, I have a corporate day job, I’m a parent…and that’s not even half of it. But I firmly believe that expanding your career portfolio is a wise move, for your finances and your energy sustainability. Especially in the current wildly unstable job market, why focus all your time, energy, and interest on a single job? By doing so, you run the risk of being left at loose ends if, heaven forbid, your job falls through. In this episode, I share my own exciting new business venture, along with some helpful tips for exploring your own side hustles and hobby monetization. If you’ve ever considered becoming a multi-hyphinate—or know someone who’s on that path—you’re going to love this one. Mitigate your income risk and diversify your time and energy: The two pie charts that sum up your career portfolio; How to find more time for your side hustle without exhausting yourself; Three ways you can start to explore doing more, safely and strategically. Related Links: Matt Schumer’s essay “Something Big is Happening” - https://x.com/mattshumer_/status/2021256989876109403 Episode 536, Strategic Detachment: A Trend for Surviving and Thriving - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode536 “The Lean Startup” by Eric Reis - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-lean-startup-how-today-s-entrepreneurs-use-continuous-innovation-to-create-radically-successful-businesses-eric-ries/3cb6bdcf8f1bebc2 My NEW LinkedIn Learning Course: Get Unstuck: Make a Plan to Move Your Career Forward - https://www.linkedin.com/learning/get-unstuck-make-a-plan-to-move-your-career-forward-30720060 Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/ Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What are the leadership qualities that inspire people to follow you? There is no shortage today of people in power leading through force and intimidation. This frightening reality should serve to remind us how essential it is that the people we choose to follow lead with empathy and compassion, not coercion. Tamra Ryan is a nationally recognized speaker, author, and leadership expert who redefines what it means to lead with purpose and care. In this episode, she and I discuss how leaders can inspire a following through courage and conviction, as well as compassion. Tamra has a long history of empowering others to lead, and her perspectives and recommendations for what that requires are what we need to keep pushing for a better world, right now. Build your own “followship” with the virtues that really make an impact: Why it’s just as important to give grace as it is to speak your mind; The four elements of leadership that capture hearts and minds; And how to stick to your convictions as a leader, even in today’s delicate climate. Related Links: Learn more about Tamra - https://www.tamraryan.com/about Connect with Tamra on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamraryan/ Learn more about Women’s Bean Project - https://www.womensbeanproject.com/ Learn more about the Common Sense Institute - https://www.commonsenseinstituteus.org/colorado/about/fellows/tamra---ryan Episode 352, “Self-Advocacy Hacks for a Toxic Workplace” - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode532 Episode 536, “Strategic Detachment: A Trend for Surviving and Thriving” - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode536 Episode 525, “Resisting Despair: Coping Tools For A Declining Democracy” - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode525 SPEAK UP: A Live Assertive Communication Course - https://www.bossedup.org/speakup Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/ Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What would change if you stopped agreeing to take on everything at work? If you have perfectionist and overachiever tendencies like I do, it’s possible this question has never even occurred to you. In the race to the top, it can feel like everything is urgent and our responsibility. But there’s a better way. A new trend floating around social media recently caught my attention, and it’s called “strategic detachment.” In this episode, I take a look at a more thoughtful approach to workload management and delegation, especially as it applies to team leaders. The professional landscape is transforming so rapidly in so many ways—this might just be the trend we need to survive 2026. Hop off the overachieving hamster wheel and onto your true career trajectory. Tune in to learn: The unintended consequences leaders create when they won’t step back; What strategic detachment really means (and what it doesn’t); Why you might need to examine your fear to avoid burning out. Related Links: Episode 403, How First-Time Managers Can Embrace Coaching - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode403 Episode 368, What Quiet Quitting Can Help…or Hurt - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode368 LEVEL UP: a Leadership Accelerator for Women on the Rise - https://www.bossedup.org/levelup Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/ Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How often have you heard the rhetoric that if you want success badly enough, if you work hard enough, you’ll find success? As women, we grow up with a promise—from little girls who can “be whatever we want to be” to full-grown “girl bosses,” the world is our equal-opportunity oyster. But the data doesn’t prove this out. It’s that data Stefanie O’Connell breaks down and picks apart in her new book, The Ambition Penalty, and in our honest and research-backed conversation. As her book’s tagline says, “corporate culture tells women to step up―and then pushes them down.” Whether this feels all too real to you or you’re skeptical, Stefanie’s exploration of the metrics and the myths will get you thinking about how you challenge inequality in every environment where it still thrives. Stop blaming yourself and start challenging the status quo: Why prioritizing self-optimization can backfire; The systems we should be holding accountable for the ongoing inequality; The problem with the male victimhood narrative; What happens when we model healthy power and gender dynamics to our children? Related Links: Listen to Episode 408, Women and the Ambition Penalty - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode408 Connect with Stefanie on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanieoconnell/ Pre-order The Ambition Penalty - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-ambition-penalty-how-corporate-culture-tells-women-to-step-up-and-then-pushes-them-down-stefanie-o-connell/bf6de978036a09ff Subscribe to Too Ambitious on Substack - https://tooambitious.substack.com/ Follow Stefanie on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stefanieoconnell/ TAKE ACTION with Bossed Up - https://www.bossedup.org/takeaction Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/ Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When someone at work shares an opinion you don’t agree with, what’s your response? Do you move on with an agreeable nod, or do you push back? All too often, we take the former route. So many of us are taught not to rock the boat by expressing disagreement. But here’s my hot take: you can share your honest and dissenting opinion in a way that wins you major leadership points. In fact, I firmly believe that disagreeing shouldn’t be as rare as it is, especially from those in leadership positions. Disagreeing without being disagreeable changes how people perceive you and can open some promising doors for both your career and your team’s future. So let’s embrace these three steps to highlight your critical thinking skills and earn respect: Ask this key follow-up question that directs your dissent; Embrace an accessible hack for the hard part: sharing your hot take And finally, the thoughtful structure that showcases your thought leadership. Related Links: SPEAK UP: A Live Assertive Communication Course for Women in the Workplace - https://www.bossedup.org/speakup Buy Bossed Up, the book - https://www.bossedup.org/book Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/ Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How do you rest and recharge when the world feels chaotic? After an unexpectedly hectic December, the Bossed Up podcast is back with a look at what recharging really requires—and it’s not quitting everything or carrying on as usual. I’ve come to realize that the sweet spot, at least for me, is somewhere in the middle. This episode breaks down the balance I’m seeking to find this year, and I’d love to hear how it compares to your approach to the New Year. Between seriously scary news cycles and never-ending schedules, it’s all too easy to overlook gratitude in lieu of existential dread and getting everything done. Consider this your invitation to take a beat, drop a ball (or two), and approach 2026 with a healthy dose of self-compassion. Join me in recalibrating for 2026 so we can recharge for real: How we can strike a balance between pushing forward and being present; The role gratitude plays in staying realistic about the future; When and where to decenter social media and lean into the analog; A reminder to give your personal calendar a bit of love. Related Links: TAKE ACTION - https://www.bossedup.org/takeaction Get a copy of The Husbands by Holly Gramazio - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-husbands-a-read-with-jenna-pick-a-novel-holly-gramazio/658e8495219fe107 EP 525 “Resisting Despair: Coping Tools for a Declining Democracy” - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode525 Try out the BePresent app - https://www.bepresentapp.com/ Bossed Up job search resources - https://www.bossedup.org/free-resources/job-search The Definitive Guide to Negotiating as a Woman - https://www.bossedup.org/negotiation Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/ Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.