Ever wonder why some people can walk into a meeting and change the energy in the room? In this episode, Cara and Lauren break down effective presence: the invisible skill that makes you more influential, persuasive, and memorable at work.

Learn how to:

• Read the room and respond to moods before they derail your team
• Use your energy intentionally — without faking it — to guide outcomes
• Balance leadership presence with personal boundaries, even in hybrid or remote work
• Turn natural tendencies into strengths, and spot where they might backfire

Whether you’re leading a team, presenting on Zoom, or navigating office dynamics, this episode gives you actionable strategies to influence, inspire, and show up with impact every single day.

Mentioned in this episode: https://www.ted.com/speakers/camille_brown

Everyone says mentorship matters for career growth.

But not every stage of your career calls for a mentor.

In this episode, Cara and Lauren break down the difference between mentoring and coaching and how knowing which kind of support you need can shape your professional development.

They unpack:

• The real difference between a mentor and a coach
• When to seek skill-based coaching vs long-term guidance
• How to ask for mentorship without making it awkward
• How leaders can coach without trying to mentor everyone

If you’re early or mid-career and building your support system intentionally, this episode offers a clear framework for getting the right kind of guidance at the right time.

If you’ve ever wondered whether teamwork really makes work better — or just more complicated — this conversation offers a more honest framework.

We interrogate the popular phrase “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together” — and asks whether it actually reflects how work, progress, and collaboration function today.

Cara and Lauren unpack the historical roots of the saying, explore how collective progress has shaped everything from women’s rights to modern organizations, and examine whether AI meaningfully changes what “working together” even means.

As AI removes “starter tasks,” remote work reduces organic connection, and career paths become less linear, community is no longer optional—especially for early-career professionals. In this episode, Lauren and Cara break down what community really means, why it drives performance and belonging, and how to build it intentionally. From being generous with context to showing up consistently, we share tangible ways to create spaces where you can grow, learn, and feel like you belong—because no one builds a career alone.

AI is everywhere. Hybrid work is here to stay. Productivity is under the microscope. So… what still makes good teamwork possible?

In this episode, Cara and Lauren take a look at the future of work by focusing on what they don’t want to lose. From great teamwork to shared celebrations, they explore the elements of work culture that never go out of style even as everything else changes.

There’s practical advice for leaders and individual contributors alike: understand your company’s policies, set clear expectations, focus on outcomes, and create environments where people feel safe to learn and experiment.

If you’re navigating the future of work and wondering how to hold onto the parts of your job that make it meaningful, this episode is a reminder that the best teams don’t just deliver results, they celebrate wins and trust each other.

Article on real AI impact on the workplace

Navigating a multi-generational workplace isn’t always easy, but it’s more important than ever.

In this episode, Lauren and Cara explore the generational divide and share practical strategies for improving workplace communication, setting boundaries, and leveraging the unique strengths of every generation.

From understanding why a Gen Z team member prefers texting to why a Boomer might avoid instant messaging, they break down real-world examples and actionable tips to help teams work together more effectively. Whether you’re managing a multi-generational team or collaborating across age groups, this conversation offers insight, humor, and guidance for building a workplace where everyone can thrive.

When new management comes in, it’s hard not to wonder what it means for your job.

In response to a listener question, Cara and Lauren unpack a familiar but rarely discussed scenario: a company acquisition, the introduction of an external agency, and the quiet fear that job security might be fragile.

This anxiety is valid, but more responsibility can actually signal trust. Learn how a role shift might be a secret promotion in disguise.

If you’re navigating change, new management, or questioning what your role really means right now, this episode is for you.

Thank you Amy to sending in your question!

Share your questions the the contact us for at unspokencareerthruths.com.

What does it actually mean to work alongside AI?

In this episode we break down the future of work through a clear, practical lens: AI as a coworker, not a replacement. Together, we unpack the difference between generative AI and agentic AI, where automation helps (and where it absolutely shouldn’t), and why humans still own judgment, context, and responsibility.

You’ll hear how to think about AI like a real hire—what guardrails matter, how trust is earned, and why speed without strategy can make things worse, not better. From healthcare and climate prediction to content, leadership, and performance metrics, this conversation reframes AI as a tool that reflects our incentives—for better or worse.

If you’re navigating AI at work and wondering how to stay relevant, ethical, and in control, this episode gives you a grounded way forward.

The economy gets blamed for everything—but what does it actually mean for your career?

In this episode, we translate today’s biggest economic headlines into real workplace implications. We break down interest rates, inflation, unemployment, and explain how they affect raises, job security, and career decisions.

You’ll learn why economic forecasts are always uncertain, how CPI can quietly signal a pay cut, and why “job hugging” is reshaping workplace leverage.

Most importantly, we focus on what you can control: understanding how your role is funded, building transferable skills, and making smart career moves without panic or hype.

Recommended reading: Naked Economics by Charles Wheelan

We're back in your feed every Thursday to be the co-workers you can trust. There's so much changing in the world! And Lauren thinks bell bottoms might make a comeback... so there's a LOT to discuss.

This season we're going to be focusing on providing you resources and information on how best to navigate changes and succeed without burning out or selling your soul.

Season 2 Trailer for Unspoken Career Truths.