Did you know that it's Illegal to NOT allow discussing pay at work? Yeah, we didn't either. Or maybe we forgot. Or were too intimidated to do it. "Pay talk" is one of those elements of corporate culture that has a mythical and dis-equal hold on how we compete in the market. But why not take back the power so it is a "gateway drug" to other things. Like, how do you negotiate pay? Get information about your own net worth? Inspire others to share information? Nicole - who is in the middle of trying to make some career moves herself - interviews Cindy Medina Carson, CEO and Founder of Wager, to find out. Cindy talks about her journey from humble beginnings in working-class Holyoke, Massachusetts, tp policy analyst with the U.S government (where Nicole & Cindy met and have been following each other since!) to working in corporate recruitment and why she felt she had to turn the industry on its head. Cindy's dynamic career progressed as she started matchmaking professionals in similar industries and roles so they had a safe space to discuss their work and salary. They talk how companies pay people, and honesty upfront is essential and why looking for a new job shouldn't always be simply a last resort.  She discusses how to network (Nicole's secret favorite topic/not so favorite skill) and how to stay on top of your own career moves. Nicole dives deep to take Cindy's guidance to heart as she figures out...what next? Find out more about Cindy and WAGER at the below links. Website: wewager.co Twitter: wewager Linkedin: Cindy Media Carson And sign up to her newsletter from her website! If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Here are some options... Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @   b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ We share even more crazy stuff here (you probably thought that was impossible).  Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to  We have so much fun stuff going on...we wouldn't want you to miss out - join the authenticity movement and our community by adding your email just about anywhere @  Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @ We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsuitable for younger audiences.  Tweetable Comments: "I'll talk about anything you want me to talk about." "I think I've always cared about helping people to get where they want to be." "I can't do B.S. The whole recruiting process is B.S." "I just thought 'either I work for someone who is like me or I do something else." "I don't judge companies for how they're going to pay people, I judge them for not being transparent and not being honest upfront." "You were like the matchmaker. One person wants love, another wants a hamburger." "You know you're not in a good place when you're getting annoyed a little more often." "People can give you information, but having a connection creates a much more beautiful thing." "A lot of people think of a job hunt as a last resort, but you're saying it's a tool in our toolbox." "Getting out of our own networks and our own space feels impossible, but it's very important." "I think having wage conversations is a gateway drug." "I want you to talk more and to share more and then you make more." "I had a concern when I started to earn more than the rest of my family that I might start to feel disconnected." "I feel like people think if they improve their resumé everything will fall in to place, but it's a thousand other things." "If you're introverted you don't need to shy away from that in an interview. You can tell them 'look' I'm not the person that will be in the limelight, but I'll be back here doing all these things." "A lot of companies are losing men and women of color, and women at high levels, they're walking away and not coming back. So, how do you retain them? You start having more open and more transparent conversations."