July 21, 2026

Ask Amanda: Navigating Layoffs, Email Anxiety & Mid-Life Career Pivots

34 minutes

Welcome to our first-ever solo episode with host Amanda Goetz! With an impressive career trajectory that spans roles at big corporations, startups, and as an author, Amanda offers invaluable insights into navigating the professional world in this big-sister-style coffee chat. She pulls from her own career path (Ernst & Young → celebrity wedding planner → startup founder → The Knot → CMO at Reale Actives) to give you real, tactical advice on annual reviews, one-on-ones, burnout, job searching, and more.

Consider this your permission slip to stop white-knuckling your career on your own.

Got a question for a future episode? Send it to @girlboss or @theamandagoetz on Instagram.

00:00 Intro

01:43 Amanda’s career journey

03:46 What she'd tell herself during the hardest year of her life

04:40 Her go-to career book recommendation

05:12 How to make the most of one-on-ones with your manager

06:56 Balancing your own opinions with your team's ideas as a leader

10:04 Returning to work after a year-long maternity leave

11:22 How to prepare for your annual review

14:56 Redesigning your career mid-life

17:38 How to know when it's time to leave a job

20:25 Falling back in love with your work

22:51 How to work with someone you don't get along with

24:37 Staying organized (and sane) as a business owner

26:41 Staying motivated during a tough job search

27:36 Managing email and outreach anxiety

28:56 Getting your manager to notice how much you're doing

30:00 Balancing all the hats marketers have to wear

31:31 Outro

Key Takeaways

Use the "start, stop, continue" framework in every one-on-one—it turns feedback into something structured, not confrontational.

Build a weekly "operating rhythm," so your team always knows when to bring you ideas.

Send a "managing up Monday" email each week: top wins, focus areas, and shout-outs. Visibility trumps ability.

Before an annual review, translate your work into business terms your boss can repeat to their boss.

Career changes don't need to be justified in hindsight—just take the next step with the best info you have.

Confront conflict directly instead of triangulating through other people.

"Focus and finish": pick two priorities a day instead of running an endless to-do list.

Networking should start long before you need it—keep a running list of contacts and stay in touch
GUEST LINKS

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theamandagoetz/

Book: https://bookshop.org/a/116169/9781464233258

https://www.amandagoetz.com/

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IG: https://www.instagram.com/girlboss/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@girlboss

Amanda Goetz: https://www.instagram.com/theamandagoetz/

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ABOUT AMBITION 2.0

Powered by Girlboss, Ambition 2.0 is a podcast where we'll be exploring what it really means to "have it all" in work, family, identity, and self… and if it's actually worth it. Each week, you'll hear from hardworking women who've walked the tightrope of ambition. They'll share their costly mistakes, lessons learned, and practical tips for how to have it all and actually love what you have.

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