Women and Work
The workplace can feel very different for women than for men. Women often feel they have to prove themselves, that they’re evaluated by how they look, or that their opinions are not respected. They feel Mom Guilt for leaving their kids while they pursue a career and worry about taking a job that fuels their passion instead of their pocketbook. We examine these real life challenges of women who are climbing the corporate ladder, growing their own business, and navigating the complex juggle of work and family. We explore how women like you can make work fit your life, not the other way around.
Episodes
30 episodes
Women and Work: Lisa Giruzzi
Awareness. Transformation. Clarity.For Lisa Giruzzi, power didn’t come from proving herself — it came from realizing she never had to.After years of walking into boardrooms “guns blazing,” ready to defend her worth, Lisa discove...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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50:06
Women and Work: Dr. Felicia Dortch-Greer
Courage. Reinvention. Purpose.Dr. Felicia Dortch-Greer’s life has never followed a straight line.A nurse of 27 years, a mother of four, and a survivor of domestic abuse — she rebuilt her world one bold decision at a time.Whe...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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37:52
Women and Work: Alexa Starks
She didn’t leave corporate life — it left her.When Alexa Starks returned from maternity leave, she found herself in a culture that expected her to “bounce back” overnight — no re-onboarding, no support, no understanding.Instead ...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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29:37
Women and Work: Holli Beth Clauser
Ever had life completely fall apart — only to realize it was pushing you toward your purpose?That’s exactly what happened to Holli Beth Clauser.She was a young mom navigating the unpredictable world of raising two children — both wi...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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36:36
Women and Work: Maximiliane Mihajlovic
Maximiliane Mihajlovic was only 16 when she began chasing her dream as an actress. But somewhere along the way, she gave it up—pressured by a boyfriend who told her it wasn’t safe, practical, or worthy of her future. That decision led her down ...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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1:01:33
Women and Work: Jerria Donelson
Denied. Overlooked. Told she was “too much.That was Jerria Donelson’s reality, even with two master’s degrees and years of experience. She was qualified — more than qualified — but still shut out of opportunities simply because she’s a ...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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27:23
Women and Work: Suzy Carbrey
She thought she had found her calling as a speech-language pathologist.But the reality was long hours, holidays away from family, and endless pressure from insurance rules.Then came burnout.Suzy Carbrey had always been entrepren...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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25:00
Women and Work: Dr. Sakira Jackson
Dr. Sakira Jackson’s story is one of resilience and bold choices. Growing up in Illinois with entrepreneurship in her blood, she rose through the ranks in sales before facing a defining moment: when her boss told her to choose between her job a...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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28:02
Women and Work: Marisa Ciesluk
What happens when you land your dream job—only to realize it’s breaking you? Marisa Ciesluk had everything she thought she wanted: a senior leadership role, a growing family, and a thriving career. But behind the scenes, she was burned out, cry...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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34:44
Women and Work: Katie Dunn
What happens when you pour 25 years into a career… only to be told you’ll never move up? Katie Dunn faced that moment after leading the biggest deal of her career. Instead of giving up, she built a new path—one focused on empowering women and u...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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31:37
Women and Work: Rebecca Torres
Rebecca Torres lost her best friend at 13, her mom, dad, and brother in later years — yet she refused to be defined by grief. After nearly 20 years as a recruiter, including at Amazon, she turned her pain into purpose, becoming a mindset coach ...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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42:22
Women and Work: Marisa Mann
Marisa Mann spent decades climbing the corporate ladder, working at firms like JP Morgan, Accenture, and other top consulting firms — often being the only woman at the table. Despite being a top performer, she waited five years for a promotion ...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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26:13
Women and Work: Susan MacNicol
When Susan MacNicol’s corporate job disappeared just days before she returned from maternity leave, she faced a choice: start over in the corporate grind or build something of her own. With a 3-month-old baby and no job, she launched her own ma...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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36:14
Women and Work: Noelani Mitchell
Noelani Mitchell, mom of six and former nurse, opens up about her powerful journey from single motherhood and working multiple jobs to building a business that gave her time, freedom, and presence with her family. Raised with a strong message a...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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22:02
Women and Work: Andrea Pikscher
Andrea Pikscher, mom of three and founder of her own social media business, shares her powerful journey from juggling it all to learning how to ask for — and accept — help. From postpartum depression to starting her own company, Andrea opens up...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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25:10
Women and Work: Laurie Swanson
Laurie Swanson went from being excluded in the boys’ club of tech to building her own multimillion-dollar recruiting firm — all while navigating motherhood, leadership, and personal growth. In this episode, she shares how she overcame workplace...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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46:32
Women and Work: Caroline Sanchez Crozier
Caroline Sanchez Crozier, a Latina immigrant and pioneer in tech, shares her incredible journey from corporate CPA to entrepreneur to nonprofit founder. She explains how she accidentally found her passion for technology, built a company partner...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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21:46
Women and Work: Bonnie Lee Kunkel
Bonnie Lee Kunkel, a seasoned attorney and former elected official, reflects on her decades-long career navigating gender bias, caregiving responsibilities, and finding purpose in unexpected places. From being the only woman in the courtroom to...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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20:50
Women and Work: Krystina Lee
Krystina Lee opens up about the isolation of modern motherhood and how raising kids without nearby support has changed everything. In this episode, she reflects on family, burnout, and the growing need for connection among moms.Diane ...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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11:34
Women and Work: Erica Bishaf
Erica Bishaf is a single mom, market strategist, and two-time tech founder who walked away from a full-time job—with zero income lined up—to build her dream. In this candid conversation, she opens up about the juggle between motherhood and entr...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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15:22
Women and Work: Delaine Blazek
In this inspiring episode of Women and Work, Delaine Blazek shares how she went from therapist to sales powerhouse—and why she walked away from a toxic tech culture even after hitting #1 on the sales board.She talks candidly about sexism...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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22:50
Women and Work: Michelle Fadeley
Michelle Fadeley, a marketing executive, community advocate, and longtime feminist leader, shares her path from navigating male-dominated industries to helping ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in Illinois—in our Women and Work podcast...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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25:21
Women and Work: Lynette Correa-Velez
Lynette Correa Vélez, a career coach, tech entrepreneur, and mom of one, shares her journey from getting laid off during the Great Recession to launching a social impact startup—and ultimately building a platform aimed at closing the global wom...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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38:01
Women and Work: Holly O'Donnell
In this episode, we talk with Holly O’Donnell, a leadership consultant and mom of one, about walking away from corporate America after becoming a parent—and accidentally launching a business that took off faster than she imagined. From a demand...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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18:55
Women and Work: Brittney Keller
In this episode, we talk with Brittney Keller, a marketing leader and mom of two, about navigating leadership in a male-dominated industry while balancing the complex demands of working parenthood. From being mistaken for an intern in her first...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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22:57