Bossed Up

How could the SAVE Act send us tumbling back to the Suffragette era? This bill that’s pending review in the Senate could jeopardize voting access for up to 69 million American women. It would require all voters to prove citizenship with a passport or birth certificate in order to register to vote, which is a big problem for anyone who’s name has changed since birth—including through marriage—as well as anyone who doesn’t have easy access to such documentation.In this episode, I take a closer look at whether the concern from women and voter rights activists across the country is legitimate or overblown. Spoiler alert: it’s worse than I imagined.Make sure you’re in the know about this major threat, including:The specifics of the SAVE Act;The challenges that make this legislation so alarming to women’s and voter rights activists;How you can make your voice heard to prevent this bill from becoming law.Related Links:5 Calls, “Oppose the SAVE Act (H.R. 22) - A Voter Suppression Bill - Passed House” - https://5calls

How do you deal with feelings of betrayal and resentment in the workplace?Chances are, you have experienced hurt feelings at work. The problem is, much of the corporate world revolves around the idea that the office and boardroom are no place for feelings. So, what do you do when emotional wounds begin to impact your ability to even carry out your job?Tara Mohr has thought long and hard about this question. The author of Playing Big: Practical Wisdom for Women Who Want to Speak Up, Create, and Lead acknowledges that office tension can deeply affect our well-being. She joins me to delve into what her research and years of coaching have revealed about the best way to address hurt feelings honestly and professionally, so you can continue to cultivate holistic satisfaction in your work life and beyond.Discover how to navigate hurt feelings at work mindfully, including:How to accept the reality of hurt feelings, even in the workplace;The four-step framework Tara uses to help her clients address their sense of betr

How might public policy positively impact our drastically declining birth rate?President Trump has suggested that all new parents receive a one-time $5,000 payout in the hopes of encouraging people to have more children. You likely had some kind of strong reaction to this statement. Whether that was surprise at a Republican recommending a social support, concern about forcing people to have more kids, or annoyance at how insignificant an amount is on the table—you’re definitely not alone. It’s clear that people are having fewer babies these days. But it’s the reasons behind this fact that are sometimes in question and need to be addressed. In this episode, I take a closer look at, and share my thoughts on, how policy has—and potentially could—impact plummeting birth rates in the U.S. and beyond. Consider the interplay between public policy and early childhood care, including:The statistical divide between how many kids women want and how many they’re having;The glaring problems that get in the way of having c

Were the 1990s really the “girl power” era of women’s empowerment we remember?If you were “coming of age” or raising young girls 30 years ago, you probably remember the tumult of scantily clad celebs and brand-backed messaging ostensibly celebrating women’s empowerment. Sophie Gilbert, an author and The Atlantic staff writer, dives into just how empowering this period really was in her new book, Girl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women Against Themselves, which drops today.On today’s episode, Sophie leads us through her lightbulb moments and research for the book, exploring the social messaging that planted some pretty problematic ideas in the minds of young and teenage girls and people of all genders. This is an important history to examine, as is the question of how we avoid the same missteps in the future.Start talking about the real past and critical future of feminism, including: How we were fooled into believing sexual power was the only kind we could possess;Why the goal of commercial

How do you leverage your public sector experience to pivot into the private sector?More than 216,000 government employees were laid off last month. If you or someone you love was impacted, today’s episode is for you. If you’re ready to shift into the private sector rather than dive back into public service, press play now. Trust me: the transition isn’t as daunting as it feels.Launch your job search with confidence with today’s practical tips, including:Why you’re not seeing your public sector skills in private sector job postings;How to emphasize your transferable skills so they shine;Why you shouldn’t gloss over your public sector past;What to keep and what to pull for your private sector resume.Related Links:FREE Masterclass: How to Confidently Communicate Your Skills in the Job Search - https://www.bossedup.org/free-job-search-masterclassEpisode 501, “4 Best Practices to Navigate Layoff Anxiety & Uncertainty” - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode501Episode 239, “How to Format Your Resume for the

What happens when your career becomes your whole identity?Passion for our careers can drive us to achieve great things. But a laser focus on the job can become the only thing in our lives, edging out the personal goals, hobbies, and relationships that make us well-rounded human beings. My guest today, psychologist Dr. Janna Koretz, founded Azimuth Psychological to help individuals in high-pressure positions who experience career enmeshment: the complete entrenchment of their identities in their work. Dr. Koretz and I discuss the potential pitfalls of living for work and how recognizing and aligning with our values serves as a compass to help us remain passionate and committed without losing ourselves to our careers.Dive into Dr. Koretz’s insightful take on career enmeshment, including:When single-minded passion for your work becomes problematic;What happens to your identity when your one-and-only focus is forced to shift;The inextricable interplay between values alignment and a satisfying career;Free tools th

How do you manage the stress of looming layoffs? Last month, layoffs across the U.S. rose an astonishing 205% compared to March of last year, for a total of 275,240 job cuts. Stats like these mean layoffs are top of mind for many people these days. You might be finding yourself in limbo right now, wondering if you’re next on the list to receive a pink slip. There’s no question that a concern like that is a major contributor to our overall stress and mental health. The psychological and emotional impact that comes with layoffs is huge, so today, I’m resharing a 2022 episode updated for 2025 with practical strategies for how to address the overall worry that your job is next on the chopping block.Keep your head on straight in this endlessly swerving era with concrete action steps, includingWhy planning ahead beats burying your head in the sand;The vital importance of prioritizing your mental health;How phoning a friend will help keep your feet on the ground;What your past resilience can teach you about your sit

Job searching in the current “white collar recession” can be truly daunting. Today, I’m joined by Dr. Kyle Elliott, a career coach and mental health expert who helps people “own their fabulousness” and elevate their careers. We cover some of our favorite tactics for focusing on what you can control during this tumultuous time so you can propel yourself into the next job opportunity without losing hope. Level up your search with Kyle’s actionable strategies to land your next job:Why it’s no longer enough to be qualified for a job;The drawbacks of the buckshot approach to job applications;What the right amount of resume and cover letter tailoring looks like;How to tactically approach your networking for real results.Related Links:S&P Global, Layoffs surge in US white collar jobs as rates, AI alter office work - https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/articles/2024/11/layoffs-surge-in-us-white-collar-jobs-as-rates-ai-alter-office-work-85986794Business Insider, Americans with a college d

What can your workplace do to celebrate holidays like Women’s History Month the “right” way? Whether you’re proud of how your organization shows support for marginalized groups in the workplace or feel like it could be doing more, my conversation with DEI educator and Ampersand Workspace founder Veronique Porter is just as (if not more) relevant today as when it first aired in May of 2023. Veronique shares what her experience as a Black American woman, her education in international development and American studies and culture, and her work as a facilitator has taught her about the best way to approach this often fraught topic—a way to create company events and initiatives for heritage holidays that uphold both company and employee values and stand to make a real difference.Learn how your organization can host outstanding and inclusive cultural events:Why workplace wokeness doesn’t detract from the financial bottom line (and actually does the opposite);The significance of spending money and resources on herit

How can you reclaim your power in a job that’s just “good enough”?It turns out The Perfect Job isn’t nearly as common as the LinkedIn posts would have us believe. Most of us spend our working hours in a job that’s okay but far from perfect. The good news is that you can thrive in a just-okay career if you embrace the art of “leading yourself.” In this episode, I sit down with Elizabeth Lotardo to talk about this very concept, which doubles as the title of her new book, Leading Yourself. Elizabeth has spent years helping people at all different stages of their careers discover the potential that awaits when they stop pursuing perfection and begin taking charge of the job they’re already in.Learn to maximize the job you already have by uncovering:The reason we feel like we’re failing if we aren’t holding out for the perfect job;Why it can be empowering to “give up on the dream” of getting a paycheck from our passionHow small changes in your day-to-day can make a huge difference;And when you might need to phone

Feel like you’re the only one keeping your friendships going? Recently, I received a letter from a listener about an extremely relatable issue: how to build or rebuild stronger friendships when it seems to be increasingly difficult to do so.You’ve probably experienced some shifts in friend frequency and intensity throughout your adult years. Making plans and finding the right people to share platonic relationships with gets harder as our priorities shift and our lives get more hectic. In this episode, I explore some of the ways I’ve dealt with this increasingly common and publicized problem myself.Spark some hope with these actionable approaches to fixing your friendships:Identify exactly what’s missing from your relationships;Normalize and ritualize casual hosting;Keep resentment from curbing your call for companions.Related Links:I’m Starting to Think You Guys Don’t Really Want a “Village” on Slate - https://slate.com/life/2024/11/parenting-advice-friends-loneliness-village.htmlStuff Mom Never Told You, Can

How do you get what you need from the people in charge?It’s not just people managers who need to be good at influencing conversations; anyone who interacts with a supervisor or even a more dominant personality benefits from learning how to manage up. That’s what I’m covering today with Melody Wilding, the author of a new book, “Managing Up: How to Get What You Need From the People in Charge.”The book combines Melody’s work in emotion research and therapy with her professional development experience to teach everyone—from the new hire to the department director—how to communicate with confidence and comprehensive understanding, regardless of how different their and their boss’s communication styles might be. Improving this skill set has huge positive effects on not just how we rise at work but also how much we enjoy our time there.Hear Melody’s insights to expertly manage your workplace conversations, including:Why you need to get into your boss’s head;How to set boundaries that ensure your time and expertise

You’ve heard of paid family leave—but what about paid prenatal leave? Today’s episode highlights good news for women, workers, and families in the Empire State. As of January 1, 2025, New York enacted a first-of-its-kind new benefit that provides 20 hours of paid prenatal leave benefits to all pregnant private-sector workers.Learn more about this groundbreaking new law and what it could mean for the rest of us:What rights pregnant New York workers are now entitled to;How this benefit came to pass in the New York State House;And how we might advocate for similar legislation nationwide. Related Links:Episode 414, New Rights for Pregnant Workers - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode414Episode 311, How to Talk About Marital Status, Parental Status, and Pregnancy in the Interview - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode311Episode 494, Matrescence and the Transformation of Motherhood - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode494TAKE ACTION with Bossed Up - https://www.bossedup.org/takeactionBossed Up Courage

What do you know about matrescence? Most people will agree that everything changes with parenthood, and that’s what this term covers: the process of becoming a mother. Yet, despite shared private understanding and a large body of recent research on all the physiological and mental effects, many policies and medical processes continue to ignore what mothers have always known.Lucy Jones is a journalist and the author of Matrescene: On The Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Motherhood. In this episode, we delve into what’s lacking in support for matrescence and why, and how ongoing research, policy changes, and sharing information through resources like Lucy’s book can help change the conversation. Whether you’re already a mother, are considering becoming one, or support one in any way, Lucy’s insights will be enlightening and empowering.Discover the details of matrescence and why we need to talk more about it:The origins and importance of having a word for this universal, natural experience;The impact

Today’s episode marks my return from maternity leave, and a lot has happened in the world since I was last behind the mic! I’m kicking off my return with a recap of the past few months and sharing my future vision for the Bossed Up podcast.Tune in to hear my thoughts on election 2024,  transitioning from one child to two, and how the many hats I wear will impact the conversations we cover here in the coming months.Tune in for some hot takes, reflections, and my vision for the future, including:Two observations that stuck out to me most during this campaign cycle;How becoming a “girl mom” has impacted my mindset;And a few experiments I’ll be exploring with the podcast this year.Related Links:Episode 479: America’s Parents Are Not Okay - http://bossedup.org/episode479Episode 477: The Impact of State Abortion Bans on HR Politics - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode477Episode 469: Surprising Trends Impacting Women At Work - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode469Episode 463: A Different Approach To My S

How can positive psychology help curb burnout? We’re a bunch of overachievers here in the Bossed Up community, and burnout is a pretty common thread between us. Burnout is painful, frustrating, and—as my guest on this episode explains—more avoidable than we might think if we’re willing to work on “working happier.”Stella Grizont was named the world’s leading happiness expert by TIME Magazine. She uses her master's in Applied Positive Psychology to help leaders find career fulfillment and organizations engage their employees more deeply. We discuss her recent book and how her approach can help you help yourself, leading to more enjoyment in work and in life.Embrace Stella’s thoughtful approach to positive psychology by uncovering:The impact of negativity bias and a play mindset when navigating uncertainty;How to practice self-compassion when waffling between anxiety and excitement;Learned optimism and the three Ps that can help you cultivate a brighter outlook;Why we should focus on “What do I want to be?” bef

When did you first experience imposter syndrome? So many people resonate with feeling like frauds who sweet-talked their way into their positions and could be found out, socially ostracized, and fired at any moment. Imposter syndrome or impostorism is often seen as a women’s issue, and I am always quick to stress this isn’t the case—it’s a human issue. A recent report provides some new numbers that raise a different question: is impostorism a men’s issue? In this episode, I break down what these findings really reveal.It’s time to refocus the imposter syndrome conversation:Why this is so often considered a women’s issue;What the research says about who really experiences impostorism;Which traits actually lead to feelings of ineptitude.Related Links:The original research on imposter syndrome - https://www.paulineroseclance.com/pdf/ip_high_achieving_women.pdfKorn Ferry’s Workforce 2024 study - https://www.kornferry.com/content/dam/kornferry-v2/featured-topics/pdf/workforce-2024-report.pdfFortune, The Share of F

Why is it so hard to remember that we deserve to be heard? Staying silent in our professional lives can feel like the safe choice, but it can have unintended consequences on our overall career trajectory. In this episode, Elaine Lin Hering shares what her research, experience in mediation and conflict management, and new book "Unlearning Silence" have to say about why so many of us—especially women—are reticent to raise our voices. She highlights the intrinsic connection between wielding our voices—both audibly and through our actions—and recognizing our self-worth. Examine the ways that silence impacts your own life, including:Where does our tendency toward silence stem from?;Why we need to question and dismantle the “babble hypothesis”;Why just talking more isn’t the goal of unlearning silence;How leaders can actively push back against silencing team members.Related Links:Elaine’s book, Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully - https://elainelinhering.com/book/Episode

We need to talk about the impact of the childcare crisis on the workforce! Some people may wonder why this topic matters beyond its impact on families of young children. The truth is, this issue has wide-reaching ramifications for the nation’s economy as a whole, and that deserves our attention whether we have children or not. In this episode, I share what the research and statistics reveal about the direct link between the exorbitant price of childcare and the labor shortage that’s crunching companies across the U.S. Let’s break down why this is a problem everyone should care about:The disproportionate impact of childcare costs on different demographics;The broader ramifications on the economy as a whole;What organizations can do to start making a difference.Related Links:Episode 424, The Jobs of America’s Next Silicon Valley https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode424Episode 434, The Economic Imperative of Affordable Childcare - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode434EPIC- Executives Partnering To Inves

How much do you know about menopause? Though it’s as natural as puberty and affects almost everyone with a uterus, this life stage has long been a taboo subject in polite society. In recent years, though, the conversation has gotten a lot louder. Dr. Jen Gunter has been a leader in this conversation as an obstetrician and gynecologist with more than three decades of experience. Dr. Jen is the author of multiple bestsellers and a popular blog, and the host of the Body Stuff with Dr. Jen Gunter podcast. In our conversation, Dr. Jen and I dig into the myths and symptoms of menopause and how this transition affects women in the workplace.Learn more about this critical transition and its impacts in the workplace, including: Why we are only recently starting to talk about this stage of life;Some misconceptions debunked by the facts about menopause;The complicated history of menopausal hormone therapy; How changes in the workplace could improve this sometimes chaotic experience.Related Links:The Menopause Manifesto: