Alexis and Alana Karen, an award-winning author who spent over 23 years at Google, explore the question of how to navigate a long and enduring career as a woman in tech. In this raw and honest conversation, they discuss the realities women face in the tech industry and the tools needed to not just survive, but thrive.

What does it take to build a lasting career in tech when you're one of only a few women in the room? Behind the glossy media articles questioning whether women can "make it" in tech lies a more nuanced reality, one where resilience, community, and strategic self-advocacy are the keys to navigating a lasting career in tech.

After interviewing 80 women across the industry, Alana distilled their collective wisdom into five essential tools. They explore how these skills create staying power in an industry where it can feel like you don't belong.

As tech confronts a new wave of challenges, from layoffs to ethical questions about AI, they examine what's changed since Alana first published her book. Where she originally emphasized belonging, her upcoming fifth-anniversary edition explores agency in an industry where trust has eroded. As for the key to a lasting career? A delicate balance of patience and strategic action, knowing when to endure difficult periods and when to pivot toward growth and change.

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In this episode:

• [1:27] Background on today's guest, Alana Karen
• [2:00] Alexis' career journey: the good, the bad, the ugly
• [12:15] Alana: welcome and introduction
• [17:13] Why Alana wrote "The Adventures of Women in Tech"
• [25:10] Five essential tools for women in tech
• [34:04] The Fifth Anniversary Edition: a sneak peek!
• [43:42] Power moves: career pivots and growth
• [59:50] Advice for long-term career success

Find Alana:

• Website: alanakaren.com  
• LinkedIn
• Sign up for her Newsletter

References:

• Alana’s book: The Adventures of Women in Tech
• Alana’s workbook: The Adventures of Women in Tech Workbook
• Previous episode: Navigating Burnout
• Jonathan Haidt: The Anxious Generation
• Alana's Interview with Sheryl Sandberg

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Ever felt like you're somehow "stuck" in your career, knowing something needs to change but unsure how to move forward? 

Blessing Nnachi, author of a new book titled By Design: A Guide to Creating a Career You Love, joins me to provide a roadmap for anyone feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsatisfied with their current path.

Blessing shares how her journey from tech professional to career coach led her to develop a practical framework for living a more intentional life. The centerpiece of our discussion is the "Good Life Triangle,” a powerful model for understanding the tension between freedom, community, and meaning that shapes our life choices, and can help you consider how to make conscious decisions about where you actually want to spend your time and energy.

Together, we explore why recognizing you're stuck is the crucial first step toward change, and we unpack common traps that keep us feeling unfulfilled in our careers. The conversation weaves between philosophical insights and practical advice, addressing how different life seasons may require a change in priorities.

Whether you're early in your career focusing on skill-building, navigating parenthood while maintaining professional growth, or reassessing your direction mid-career, our discussion offers wisdom applicable to various stages and challenges.

As Blessing reminds us, "There's only one today." What will you do with it?

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In this episode:

• [2:46] Some amazingly terrible jokes to start us off
• [3:42] Blessing Nnachi: welcome and background
• [7:22] How Blessing’s book By Design came to life
• [11:07] The story behind the book’s title
• [13:57] How to recognize you’re feeling stuck
• [22:35] Reflecting on Blessing’s vulnerable story from the preface
• [27:01] The “Good Life Triangle” - what it is, why it’s important
• [43:11] Balancing priorities and the concepts of tradeoffs & seasons
• [47:00] Common questions people look for coaching and support on
• [54:01] Hidden traps that can affect your career
• [1:00:05] Power moves that changed our career trajectories
• [1:05:52] Advice for someone who is feeling stuck in their career

Find Blessing:

• Website: itsbydesign.org 
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

References:

• Blessing’s book: By Design: A guide to creating a career you love
• Elle Luna: The Crossroads of Should & Must

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Alexis and Nina Black, an expert in physical fitness, explore what physical health actually means - beyond surface-level definitions and unrealistic standards - in a refreshingly authentic and honest discussion.

Nina's extraordinary journey from circus performer (complete with sequined costumes and snake-handling shows) to managing 75 coaches across 17 fitness studios provides a fascinating backdrop for our exploration of body image, fitness habits, and self-acceptance.

We introduce the powerful concept of "one size fits one," recognizing that physical health isn't a standardized goal but a deeply personal journey that shifts across different phases of life. What worked for you when you were 20 likely won't work the same when you turn 40, and that's perfectly normal.

Whether you're struggling to establish sustainable exercise habits, battling negative body image, or simply trying to understand what "healthy" actually means for you personally, this conversation offers validation, perspective, and practical ideas for developing a more compassionate relationship with your physical self. Join us as we redefine physical health as a journey of progress rather than perfection, and where feeling good ultimately matters more than looking good.

Stay in the loop:

• Sign up for my newsletter at breakoutbooth.com

In this episode:

• [6:24] Nina Black: welcome and episode context
• [9:47] How and when we talk about physical health
• [17:22] Nina's background
• [34:49] What is physical health?
• [42:43] 6 dimensions of physical health
• [47:44] Our physical health journeys
• [1:05:02] Positive experiences with physical health
• [1:21:00] Nina's personal victory story
• [1:26:54] Alexis's pregnancy-related physical health challenges

Find Nina:

• Instagram

References:

• Circus camps: Camp Big Top | Actor’s Gymnasium
• Shrine Circus: Company site 
• Orangetheory Fitness: Company site
• Wearable health monitors: Oura | Fitbit | Whoop
• Paleo-style eating programs: Perfect Health Diet | Whole 30
• Meal delivery service: Factor

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Alexis and Linda Moss, an expert in corporate learning, discuss the topic of Curiosity and how it can spark growth throughout your life.

Alexis describes three different forms of curiosity:

1. Epistemic curiosity (the drive to acquire knowledge)
2. Empathic curiosity (the drive to understand others’ feelings)
3. Self-directed curiosity (a tool for personal growth)

She then explores how fear can hinder curiosity and offers strategies to overcome it.

Linda shares insights and reflections based on her experiences at Google and several other tech companies, touching upon the nature of curiosity, its connection to learning, and how to foster curiosity both as an individual and as a manager. Together, Linda and Alexis also explore a broader range of career topics, including career transitions and burnout. They end the episode with an exploration of how hard and soft skills can be developed.

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• Sign up for updates & early access! breakoutbooth.com
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In this episode:

• [1:11] Epistemic Curiosity
• [2:35] Empathic Curiosity
• [3:21] Self-Directed Curiosity
• [4:25] Feeding curiosity is easy; getting curious can be hard
• [7:25] Linda Moss: welcome & background
• [9:03] What is curiosity, and when are we most curious?
• [12:24] What holds us back from curiosity?
• [22:27] How to foster more curiosity in your life
• [27:40] Exploring personal career transitions
• [38:10] How can a manager foster curiosity with their team?
• [43:41] How Linda supported Alexis through a period of burnout
• [51:00] Exploring hard & soft skill development

References:

• Wikipedia: Epistemic Curiosity
• Psychology Today: Empathic Curiosity
• Psychology Today: Feeding curiosity stimulates dopamine
• Harvard Business Review: Why women don’t apply for jobs unless they’re 100% qualified
• Ian Leslie: Curious (not highlighted, but a good read)
• Article: Get curious not furious (not highlighted, but great for parents)

Share your reactions + ideas for future episodes!

Alexis and Sara Shookus, a Director at Google, discuss strategies on how to grow your career and share stories about their journeys.

Alexis begins by describing the three stages of career advancement from a talk she developed while she was still at Google, that went viral internally:

1. Do amazing work
2. Elevate others
3. Make others notice

Sara then joins the discussion, and the two share insights and reflections based on their experiences at Google and beyond - addressing the performance review process, career moves, personal branding, and balancing career aspirations with the demands of motherhood.

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• Sign up for updates & early access! breakoutbooth.com
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In this episode:

• [2:13] 3 elements for high ratings and promotions
• [3:50] Do Amazing Work
• [7:24] Elevate Everyone
• [12:17] Make Others Notice
• [16:26] Alexis' reflections on guiding others in their career
• [17:53] Sara Shookus: welcome & background
• [22:44] Sara’s reflections on career progression
• [28:25] Does Sara’s experience align with Alexis’ model?
• [36:14] How to make horizontal career moves
• [39:01] Skills people over-index on
• [47:50] Balancing motherhood and career aspirations
• [55:38] “Power Moves” - trajectory changing moves
• [1:04:52] Overarching advice from Sara & Alexis

References:

• Brene Brown: The importance of vulnerability
• Tanya Reilly: GLUE work
• Jenny Wood: Wild Courage
• Eduardo Briceño: How to get better at the things you care about

Share your reactions + ideas for future episodes!

Alexis and Pablo Signori, a creativity expert and seasoned working artist, explore the many applications of creativity - and how you can unlock yours.

Together, they tackle the concept of creativity, asserting it's an inherent human ability that can be cultivated, rather than a trait you were born with or lack entirely. They explore the idea and nature of creativity, its relevance beyond traditional art forms, and how to foster it in everyday life and work.

The dialogue touches upon personal experiences as they speak about the value of creativity in a professional context, perspectives on art, and the importance of practice and open-mindedness. They also explore strategies to help you unlock your own creative potential.

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• Sign up for updates & early access! breakoutbooth.com
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In this episode:

• [0:47] Creativity is a superpower we all possess
• [8:08] Creating gray matter in the brain
• [10:50] What is creativity?
• [23:35] Talent is distinct from creativity - and success
• [30:40] Pablo’s key components of art
• [35:43] The X factor
• [42:45] How cultivate creativity
• [50:55] Curiosity feeds creativity
• [58:34] The creative process - steps in a work context
• [1:10:33] Power moves
• [1:17:59] Creativity starts as a commitment

Find Pablo:

• Pablo’s Website
• Instagram
• The Newb & The Knower podcast: Apple | Spotify

References:

• Alexis' music album, "Begin" (2005): Spotify | Apple
• PsyPost: Neuroimaging study suggests smartphone addiction may reduce the capacity for creativity
• Smartphone Addiction: Wiki article | Online Self-Test (SAS)
• Wikipedia: Grey Matter
• Nature: Habitual use of GPS negatively impacts spatial memory
• Adam Grant: Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things
• Denis Azabagic: A live performance | About
• Songs : Chaconne (Bach, difficult) | Lágrima (Tárrega, simpler)
• Julia Cameron: The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity
• Pablo’s Creativity Tool: Notion

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Alexis and Dr. John Mlinarcik, a psychotherapist and coach with over 45 years of experience, explore Alexis' deeply personal experience navigating burnout. 

In this conversation, they address what burnout is, what causes it, the path to recovery, and perhaps most importantly - what it feels like.

Alexis begins by sharing how she realized she had reached a state of burnout, also examining the periods immediately preceding and following it. Dr. John introduces the three main dimensions of the condition: exhaustion, disconnection, and being ineffective at work. Alexis and Dr. John then discuss predisposing factors and potential solutions to addressing and avoiding burnout.

Dr. John concludes the discussion by highlighting the importance of normalizing burnout, recognizing it as a common and highly relatable experience.

Alexis closes out the episode with a spoken word she wrote, "I am a doer."

Stay in the loop:

• Sign up for updates & early access! breakoutbooth.com
• Please subscribe to support this podcast!

In this episode:

• [2:06] Negative connotations of burnout
• [8:13] Alexis’ first experience with burnout
• [11:44] "Doers" get burnt out
• [17:30] Recognizing the signs of burnout
• [30:12] Dr. John: background
• [35:01] What is burnout?
• [40:37] Predispositions to burnout
• [47:45] The power of mindset and choice
• [52:42] Treatment for burnout
• [1:06:11] Normalizing burnout
• [1:08:54] Break of Art: "I am a doer" (spoken word)

Find Dr. John:

• PCS Global

References:

• Alexis' poetry: I am a doer
• Wikipedia: What is Burnout
• Maslach Burnout Inventory: About | Self Test
• Brene Brown: The Importance of Vulnerability
• Article: Why do kids ask so many questions?
• Viktor Frankl: Man’s Search for Meaning
• Adam Grant: There’s a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called Languishing
• Emily & Amelia Nagoski: Burnout: The secret to unlocking the stress cycle (not highlighted in the show, but a FANTASTIC read)

Share your reactions + ideas for future episodes!

Alexis and Kori Linn, a life and career coach, discuss the ways our bodies and brains react to the world - often in ways that don't serve us. They explore several human reflexes and behaviors that are rooted in our evolutionary history but can hinder us in our modern lives. 

Alexis explores the concept of stress response, a natural human reflex that is sometimes called the amygdala hijack, highlighting the 4 primary types of reactions a person can experience when they encounter a threatening situation: 

1. Fight: attacking or taking aggressive actions toward a perceived threat
2. Flight: running away from or actively avoiding a perceived threat
3. Freeze: a person's body "plays dead" in a distressing situation, effectively suggesting the person poses no danger to the perceived threat
4. Fawn: making an appeal to a perceived threat to prevent harm 

Kori then discusses several tricky human behaviors, including negativity bias, people-pleasing, and the arrival fallacy. Later, Alexis and Kori describe several "human hacks" you can use in your favor, such as the doorway effect, do-overs, too small to fail, and pausing during a stress response. 

Throughout the episode, Alexis and Kori share personal stories and emphasize that while these human responses are inevitable, understanding them can help us navigate our lives more effectively. 

Stay in the loop: 

• Sign up for updates & early access! breakoutbooth.com
• Please subscribe to support this podcast!

In this episode: 

• [1:05] Uncovering natural human physiological responses
• [6:56] What is a stress response?
• [8:10] Four primary stress responses: Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn
• [11:00] The “amygdala hijack” interrupts rational thinking
• [16:21] How to complete the stress response cycle
• [19:00] Kori Linn: welcome and background
• [24:04] Hidden trap: Negativity Bias
• [35:24] Fawning is a relational stress response
• [42:41] Hidden trap: The Arrival Fallacy
• [49:31] Hacks: Doorway Effect, Do-overs, Too Small to Fail

Find Kori: 

• Kori's Website 
• Get Kori's Newsletter
• Instagram
• Satisfied AF podcast: Apple | Spotify 

References:

• See for yourself: Fearless honey badger takes on 6 lions!

Share your reactions + ideas for future episodes!

In this introductory episode, Alexis shares background on who she is, how the podcast came together, and what you can expect in Season 1. 

The episode closes with a song she wrote and recorded nearly 20 years ago, but never published - until now! The song is the basis for the podcast's musical introduction. 

Stay in the loop:

• Please subscribe and help support this podcast!
• Sign up for regular updates at breakoutbooth.com

In this episode:

• [0:55] Hello World - episode title explained
• [1:18] Who is Alexis?
• [2:37] Why a podcast, and why should you listen?
• [4:35] I believe you can learn and grow
• [6:04] Notice the tradeoffs you are making
• [7:48] Self-compassion & support
• [8:57] Coaching approach for soft skills
• [11:32] What to expect in Season 1
• [13:17] “Push” - Official release of Alexis' nearly 20-year old song

References

• Growth Mindset (TED talk by Carol Dweck)

Share your reactions + ideas for future episodes!

I'm Alexis Booth, and welcome to The Breakout Booth! 

I was a senior manager at Google, I'm a wife and a mother, and I learned the hard way: if you're not fired up, you're on hold. 

I believe success is closer than you think. There's a set of skills and habits you can grow to unlock unbelievable outcomes. In this podcast, we'll explore them through real talk and bold conversation - because I want to help you break out. 

Share your reactions + ideas for future episodes!