Working Your Way

We’re excited to bring back this powerful episode featuring Dr. Patrice Johnson, President and CEO of Project Scientist, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming the future for underserved girls in STEAM fields. Dr. Johnson's story exemplifies how passion and purpose can break barriers and empower the next generation of female innovators.

In this episode, Dr. Johnson shares her leadership journey and the unique blend of empathy and effectiveness that drives her work. She reveals how she’s not only shaping the future of young leaders in STEAM but also finding balance and practicing self-care along the way.

Join us for this insightful conversation as Patrice discusses how she’s leading change and creating a blueprint for sustainable leadership in the pursuit of a more equitable world.

Resources:

• Learn more at projectscientist.org
• Connect with Patrice on LinkedIn
• Read "Emotional Agility"
• Read "Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most"
• Enneagram Resources: Any of these would be a good starting point for self-exploration!
• Self At Work Guide: Discovering Your Enneagram Type
• Book Recommendations: The Essential Enneagram or Discovering Your Personality Type 

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA Media

Do you find yourself deeply affected by the emotions of others, often feeling their sadness or joy as if it were your own? Welcome back to "Let's Talk About Labels," a series where we dive into the labels we use to describe ourselves and others. In this episode, we’re exploring what it means to label yourself as an “empath” and how this label can impact our personal and professional lives.

Joining me again is my friend and fellow entrepreneur, Arden Evenson. Together, we unpack the complexities of being an empath—what it truly means, the challenges it presents, and the unique strengths it can offer. We listen to voice notes from our audience, sharing personal stories about empathy and the impact of being highly sensitive to the emotions of others.

We discuss the difference between being empathetic and identifying as an empath, explore the potential for emotional overwhelm, and provide practical strategies for setting boundaries and managing emotional absorption. Tune in as we navigate the benefits and pitfalls of being an empath and learn how to use this sensitivity as a strength without losing yourself in the process.

Resources:

• Connect with Arden on LinkedIn
• Read: Emotional Agility by Susan David

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA Media

How much does your appearance influence your effectiveness at work? For Amanda Knappman, a seasoned marketing executive in the beauty industry, this question is more than just hypothetical—it's been a significant part of her career journey. In this episode, we dive into Amanda's experiences navigating the demands of maintaining a corporate image while staying true to her authentic self.

Amanda shares her path from working in major beauty corporations to thriving in fast-paced startup environments, exploring the lessons she’s learned about finding the right workplace fit. We discuss the impact of critical feedback early in her career, how working for a Korean skincare brand deepened her understanding of her cultural heritage and the ongoing challenge of balancing personal expression with professional expectations. Amanda’s story offers valuable insights into the importance of self-awareness and adaptability in crafting a career that aligns with both personal values and professional goals.

Resources:

• Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA Media

Understanding the deep-rooted patterns that drive our behavior at work is crucial for personal and professional growth. Our past experiences, particularly those from childhood, shape the way we show up in our careers and leadership roles today. From survival instincts to ingrained habits, let’s explore the complex interplay between our history and our present work life.

Joining me is Erin Baute, a behaviorist, business strategist, and Enneagram expert. Erin’s extensive knowledge in personality psychology and somatic practices provides valuable insights into how our early life experiences influence our behavior patterns in and out of work. Whether you’ve struggled with setting boundaries, managing your instincts, or simply understanding why you react the way you do in professional settings, this discussion with Erin will offer clarity and direction.

In our conversation, we discuss the three core survival instincts—self-preservation, social, and sexual (or relational)—and how they manifest in our daily lives and in the workplace. We also tackle the challenges of behavior change, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, slowing down, and making intentional choices to align our habits with our true selves. Tune in for a deep and insightful discussion that will help you better understand and manage the behavioral patterns that shape your professional journey.

We talk about:

• [02:49] The origin of work/life separation or leaving yourself at the door
• [08:48] Why understanding your childhood can give insights into your current work patterns
• [14:45] The three core survival instincts and why they are important to pay attention to
• [16:44] Self-preservation
• [24:10] Social
• [37:45] Sexual/Relational
• [48:18] Applying the Enneagram to your survival instincts to deepen your awareness and understand what helps you create safety
• [54:16] How to make change when it’s hard (and accept that it takes time)
• [01:06:50] Using the Enneagram for change
• [01:10:06] Recognizing when and how to get out of your head and into your body

Resources:

• Learn more at livingtheenneagram.com
• Follow Erin on Instagram: @livingtheenneagram

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA Media

We’re thrilled to revisit our conversation with Annie Costabile, a journalist with the Chicago Sun-Times who covers the Chicago Sky WNBA team. Annie’s journey into journalism was driven by a clear vision of her dream career, but the path to success has been anything but linear. From navigating career setbacks to overcoming personal trials, Annie’s experiences have shaped her into a bold advocate for women's sports media and an industry innovator.

In this episode, Annie reflects on a particularly challenging year that made her reassess her relationship with her work and ultimately transformed her career. Her story is one of perseverance, dedication, and the drive to change the game in media coverage of women's sports. Join us as we revisit Annie’s inspiring journey and learn from her experiences in pursuing a dream career against all odds.

Resources:

• Follow Annie on Instagram: @anniecostabile
• Connect with Annie on LinkedIn
• Listen to Annie’s podcast: Equal Play
• Read "Emotional Agility"
• Forbes: Mapping Your Career Journey With Intention
• HBR: How to Build a Career You Won’t Hate

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA Media

Navigating life's challenges and rediscovering a sense of purpose at work can be a transformative journey. In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Geonetta, Group Product Manager at Aspira, to explore how a major life transition and a challenging work environment pushed him to reevaluate his career and personal life. Andrew shares the deeply personal experience of moving home after starting a family, a decision that brought with it significant professional and personal challenges, including the strain on his health due to a high-stress work environment.

In our conversation, we dive into the importance of acknowledging and managing emotions, the role of self-awareness in creating meaningful connections, and how to build a work culture that supports well-being and authenticity. Andrew’s journey is a powerful reminder that taking a step back, reflecting, and making intentional changes can lead to profound personal and professional growth.

Resources:

• Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn
• Read: The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle
• Read: Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown
• Read: Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink
• Read: Team dynamics: The five keys to building effective teams - Think with Google

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA Media

Do you find yourself striving for flawlessness and getting stuck in the details? Welcome back to "Let's Talk About Labels," where we dive into the labels we often use to describe ourselves and others. In this episode, I'm joined by my friend and fellow entrepreneur, Arden Evenson, to unpack the "Perfectionist" label. We share personal stories about our struggles with perfectionism, discuss how it shows up in our lives and work, and explore its impact on mental health and productivity. Together, we delve into the difference between striving for excellence and the paralyzing fear of not being perfect, offering practical strategies for finding balance and self-compassion. Join us as we explore the complexities behind being a perfectionist and giving yourself some grace.

Resources:

• Connect with Arden on LinkedIn
• Practice self-compassion: centerformsc.org

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA Media

Navigating a career while managing a chronic health condition and invisible disability is no small feat. In this episode, we hear from Alysha-Aubrey Bursey, the Senior Director of Affinity Programs at 1871, as she shares her journey with narcolepsy and its impact on her professional life. Alysha-Aubrey’s story is one of resilience and self-advocacy, offering valuable insights into how to navigate the workplace with honesty and kindness.

Alysha-Aubrey opens up about the importance of creating inclusive environments where marginalized individuals feel seen and valued, and the positive impact it can have on your business. Tune in to learn about the challenges Alysha-Aubrey has faced, the strategies she’s employed to advocate for herself, and the lessons she’s learned about the power of fostering inclusive and supportive workplaces.

Resources:

• Learn more at 1871 Chicago
• Connect with Alysha-Aubrey Bursey on LinkedIn
• 35. Are You a People Pleaser? | Let’s Talk About Labels
• Read: 6 Ways To Be An Authentic Ally At Work
• Read: DEI Deconstructed by Lily Zheng
• Read: Disability Visibility by Alice Wong

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA Media

Ever felt like your work is taking over your personal life? Setting boundaries at work is essential for maintaining balance and protecting your well-being. Let’s dive into the critical topic of boundary-setting and its impact on our overall health and happiness.

Joining me is Christine Kenline, a mindfulness transpersonal counselor and a soon-to-be clinical mental health practitioner. Christine brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the conversation, offering practical tools and insights into managing boundaries effectively.

We tackle the challenges of saying no, the societal and personal factors that make boundary-setting difficult, and share personal stories highlighting these struggles. Christine offers practical advice, including body-based practices and self-reflection techniques. Tune in for valuable insights and actionable advice to help you navigate these complex issues.

We talk about:

• [05:30] Defining what boundaries mean to you and trusting your intuition
• [13:25] Balancing boundaries at work in an always-connected 9-5 world
• [17:21] Recognizing and dealing with moments of burnout and how that relates to boundaries
• [24:14] Learning to say “no” to friends or people in power even when it doesn’t feel safe
• [41:21] How boundaries fall on a spectrum and how that relates to different Enneagram Types
• [53:39] Tools for checking in with your personal boundaries

Resources:

• Follow Christine on Instagram: @christinekenline
• Read: Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Tawwab
• Listen: HBR Podcast - Setting Boundaries at Work
• Read: Boundaries & Protection by Pixie Lighthorse

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA Media

What does it mean to navigate your career authentically while dealing with profound personal loss? Today I’m joined by the incredible Mimi Gonzalez, a community organizer, writer, and the founder of griefsense. Mimi is on a mission to make the conversation around grief, loss, and mortality more accessible and relevant, especially for young people from minoritized backgrounds.

We dive deep into Mimi's journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, exploring how her experiences with grief have influenced her career choices and personal growth. Mimi opens up about the challenges of being a first-generation Afro-Latina in corporate America, the importance of finding and creating safe spaces, and the power of building a personal brand. We also discuss the concept of "griefsense," an intuition Mimi believes is unlocked after experiencing loss which can inspire purpose and creativity. Join us as we talk about the importance of authentic self-expression, the role of community in healing, and how to balance personal well-being with professional aspirations.

Resources:

• Learn more at mimigonzalez.org
• Connect with Mimi Gonzalez on LinkedIn
• Listen: griefsense podcast
• Watch: HINDZ on YouTube
• 32. How can different generations work together? | Career Questions
• 24. How do I define my personal brand? | Career Questions

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA Media