Noelle Crooks, former employee of Rachel Hollis, discusses toxic workplaces led by powerful women, the illusion of fun in social media-driven environments, and the challenges of identifying and recovering from burnout in the digital age.
The podcast examines the phenomenon of toxic workplaces led by women and the impact on young and ambitious employees.
The interview with author Noelle Crooks explores the allure and dangers of toxic workplaces, emphasizing the need to set boundaries and create healthier work environments.
Deep dives
Toxic Workplaces Led by Women: The Dark Side of the Girl Boss Era
The podcast episode explores the phenomenon of toxic workplaces led by women, specifically in the context of the Girl Boss Era. It delves into the cases of influential women, such as the founder of NastyGal and an influencer like Rachel Hollis, who promoted the concept of female empowerment but were later exposed for toxic behavior. The episode discusses the allure and manipulation tactics used in these toxic workplaces, emphasizing the impact on young and ambitious employees. It touches on the concept of 'drinking the Kool-Aid' and how it can be dangerous when combined with the pressure to succeed and the desire to be relatable. The podcast highlights the importance of recognizing the signs of toxicity and creating healthier work environments.
Under the Influence: A Fictional Take on Toxic Workplaces
The interview with author Noel Crooks focuses on her debut novel, 'Under the Influence,' which explores toxic workplaces, particularly in the context of online media and influencer culture. The book follows the journey of Harper Cruz, a young writer working for a popular influencer. The discussion highlights various themes depicted in the novel, including the lure of exciting job opportunities, the manipulation and charm of toxic bosses, the pressure to achieve success, and the challenges faced by young women pursuing their dreams in a cutthroat industry. The conversation also touches on issues of relatability and the impact of social media on perceptions of success. Through the characters in the book, an authentic portrayal of the toxic work culture and its consequences is presented.
The Allure and Dangers of Toxic Workplaces
The podcast episode dives deeper into the allure and dangers of toxic workplaces, regardless of the industry. It explores how toxic workplaces often adopt a 'family' narrative and create an environment that seems fun and supportive on the surface. However, behind the scenes, manipulation, favoritism, and gaslighting are common experiences. The conversation highlights the impact on employees and the challenges of recognizing toxicity when surrounded by seemingly intelligent and capable colleagues. The episode also touches on the characteristics of toxic workplace leaders, including the pressure to be relatable and the pursuit of the image of having it all. The discussion paints a realistic picture of toxic work environments and emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and fostering healthier workplaces.
The Universality of Toxic Work Environments
The interview with author Noelle Crooks reveals the universality of toxic workplaces, with many readers sharing their personal stories of working in such environments. The discussion highlights how toxic workplaces may target young and ambitious individuals who are seeking opportunities and are more susceptible to manipulation. It touches on the exploitation of personal aspirations, the use of relatability as a tool of manipulation, and the bonds formed between employees in toxic work environments. The episode emphasizes the prevalence of toxic workplaces across various industries and the need to address and confront this issue to create healthier and more supportive work cultures.
On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate Senior Supervising Producer of Audio, Daisy Rosario can’t get toxic female bosses out of her head. She’s joined by Noelle Crooks, author of the new book, Under the Influence and former employee of one Rachel Hollis, so she knows a lot about bad workplaces. They discuss the insidious nature of saying your workplace is “like a family,” why an office dance party is a BAD thing, and how some powerful women leverage their minority status for ill.
In Slate Plus: How to recover from a job that burned you out.
Podcast production by Cheyna Roth and Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.
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