Ever feel like you’re doing everything right at work and somehow still getting blindsided?

In this episode, Lauren and Cara break down the underrated skill that can change everything: managing up. From meetings that go completely off the rails to the invisible dynamics that shape how decisions actually get made, they unpack what’s really going on behind the scenes.

You’ll learn how to:

• Understand what your manager actually cares about (hint: it’s not always what they say)
• Communicate in a way that gets heard—and acted on
• Avoid the “I thought we were aligned” trap
• Set your boss (and yourself) up for success without feeling manipulative

This isn’t about being political or manipulative. It’s about making your work land, your voice count, and your life a whole lot easier.

Is “lead by example” the golden rule of leadership, or is it incomplete?

In this episode of Wisdom Under Fire, Cara and Lauren unpack the origins of this familiar phrase, from ancient philosophy to modern leadership thinking. Part leadership playbook, part reality check, the conversation might make you rethink how you show up every day.

If you answer emails on weekends… your team probably feels like they have to.
If you jump in and do the work… your team won’t forget it.

We share stories from the workplace, questioning whether example is enough, and asking a bigger question: What do people actually follow—your actions or your vision?

If you’ve ever thought, “I want to be a great manager” this episode will crystalize how. We discuss the ins and outs of servant leadership. Lauren and Cara talk about burnout, boundaries, invisible wins, and why leadership isn’t about picking a single style.

If you're navigating early leadership roles, balancing ambition with empathy, or figuring out your management style, this episode will give you a more honest, modern framework for leading.

New leader? Don’t panic, this episode has you covered. Cara and Lauren share the first hurdles you’ll face when managing people, projects, and expectations.

Learn how to prioritize your team, communicate effectively, make critical decisions, and define your leadership style without losing yourself in the process. From navigating relationships with former peers to taking your seat at a new table of other managers, they share practical tips, personal stories, and leadership lessons every new manager needs to thrive.

If networking feels fake or uncomfortable, you’re doing it wrong. This episode covers how to build real connections that open doors—without forcing yourself into someone else’s style. Cara and Lauren discuss a more authentic approach to networking—one rooted in curiosity, small intentional actions, and genuine connection. You’ll learn how to start conversations without the awkwardness, build relationships over time, and use simple strategies to turn everyday interactions into real opportunities.

Resilience isn’t something you are—it’s something you build. Cara and Lauren break down the science, share real-life strategies, and show how to create your own “moat” to handle stress, burnout, and change.

Empathy isn’t just a “nice-to-have.” It’s the skill that separates good managers from great leaders. In this episode, Cara and Lauren explore how empathy drives trust, engagement, and performance at work, even in a world full of automation and AI.

Learn actionable strategies to:

• Understand and respond to the emotions of your team
• Practice active listening and perspective-taking
• Use empathy to navigate cultural, generational, and organizational differences
• Lead with kindness without sacrificing results

From small gestures on the commute to guiding your team through change, this episode shows how empathy creates better workplaces, stronger teams, and more effective leaders.

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.