Ambition 2.0

Repeat after us: You can love your job and still be a workaholic. In this episode of Ambition 2.0, Amanda Goetz sits down with Dr. Malissa Clark, a professor at the University of Georgia, Director of the Healthy Work Lab, and author of Never Not Working: Why the Always-On Culture Is Bad for Business—and How to Fix It, to break down what workaholism can look like in real life (spoiler: it’s not just about working long hours). They get into the sneaky “working light” tasks that we tell ourselves don’t count as work (like sending emails while watching TV or checking Slack between errands), how leaders accidentally create always-on teams, and so much more.  If you’ve ever felt guilty while resting, struggled to stop thinking about work, or worried that your ambition is turning into something unhealthy, this episode is worth a listen.  In this episode, you’ll learn:  00:00 Intro  01:33 What workaholism is (and the four components) 04:32 Early signs your work habits are becoming unhealthy 07:21 What to do if you think you might be a workaholic  11:23 How leaders unintentionally create “always-on” teams 13:26 How to bring boundaries up with your boss 20:46 Redesigning work culture 24:04 Surviving a 40-hour workweek without losing your life 32:56 Rapid fire: urgent emails, Slack, PTO, and commute baths GUEST LINKS Read Never Not Working: https://bookshop.org/a/116169/9781647825096  https://www.malissaclark.com/  FOLLOW THE PODCAST IG: https://www.instagram.com/girlboss/ | TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@girlboss  Amanda Goetz: https://www.instagram.com/theamandagoetz/  https://girlboss.com/pages/ambition-2-0-podcast  SIGN UP Subscribe to the Girlboss Daily newsletter: https://newsletter.girlboss.com/  For all other Girlboss links: https://linkin.bio/girlboss/  ABOUT AMBITION 2.0Powered by Girlboss, Ambition 2.0 is a podcast where we’ll be exploring what it really means to “have it all” in work, family, identity, and self… and if it’s actually worth it. Each week, you'll hear from hardworking women who’ve walked the tightrope of ambition. They'll share their costly mistakes, lessons learned, and practical tips for how to have it all and actually love what you have. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this engaging discussion, Alexa von Tobel, a Harvard dropout who founded and sold LearnVest, shares her journey from entrepreneur to venture capitalist. She emphasizes that true entrepreneurial passion comes from necessity, not status or quick wealth. Alexa reveals that raising capital gets easier with a compelling mission and deep market understanding. She also stresses the importance of embracing feedback and maintaining ambition as a positive force. With practical advice and reflections on sustainable success, Alexa inspires aspiring founders to build purposefully.

Join psychotherapist Israa Nasir, author of *Toxic Productivity*, as she unpacks the hidden dangers of relentless achievement. She reveals how productivity often masks deeper emotions like shame and fear. Israa highlights early warning signs of toxic productivity and the importance of authentic boundaries. Additionally, she introduces the seven types of rest needed for true well-being and critiques our convenience culture undermining community. With actionable tips, Israa guides listeners toward a sustainable relationship with their ambition.

Join Tressie Lieberman, Starbucks' Global Chief Brand Officer, as she shares her journey from iconic brands like Pizza Hut and Taco Bell to redefining family dynamics. Tressie emphasizes the importance of curiosity and mentorship in career growth. She discusses creating an equitable partnership with her stay-at-home husband, implementing Sunday check-ins, and dealing with societal expectations. From tactical household management to blending work and family life, her insights provide a refreshing perspective on modern success and collaboration.

According to workplace culture expert and author Jennifer Moss, burnout in 2025 is actually worse than it was at the height of the pandemic—with roughly half of the global workforce experiencing symptoms. 🙃 In this episode of Ambition 2.0, host Amanda Goetz sits down with Jennifer to unpack why burnout is still rising, why “hardcore culture” and the 996 movement are actually bad for business (and employee morale), and why self-care rituals like a face mask and a Sunday night bath are band-aid solutions for a systems-level problem.  They get into the uncomfortable truth about ageism (both Gen Z and older workers are experiencing bias) and what leaders are getting wrong about “return to office” and productivity. You’ll also hear a much more hopeful take on the future of work: how to design cultures around hope, purpose, and community, what actually moves the needle on wellbeing and performance, and what employees can do when they’re stuck in a bad culture but can’t just quit (because… rent). They also dig into AI, “boreout,” calendar Tetris, and the simple 20-minute rituals that can quietly transform a team.  Key Takeaways:  Burnout is a systems failure, not a self-care issue  Ageism is shrinking the workforce more than AI How to assert boundaries with your boss when you’re burned out (and can’t quit) Clear signs you’re burning out  Community at work is a performance driver, not a perk 3 things every company culture should have to prevent burnout Whether you’re a manager, an HR leader, or just someone who’s tired, cynical, and wondering, “Is it me… or my job?” this episode will give you language, frameworks, and actionable steps you can take today to redesign the way you work forever. 00:00 Intro 01:30 Redefining ambition without toxic productivity 06:30 Generational divides, ageism & entry-level careers 11:12 Burnout as a systems failure (not a self-care issue) 13:40 Hardcore culture, the 996 movement, and the real cost it has on companies 23:03 What employees can do when they can’t just quit 29:28 Three warning signs you’re sliding into burnout 32:30 The pillars of great culture 38:09 AI, “boreout,” and designing a lower-burnout future of work GUEST LINKS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jleighmoss/?hl=en  https://www.jennifer-moss.com/  Why Are We Here? Creating a Work Culture Everyone Wants: https://bookshop.org/a/116169/9781647826130 The Burnout Epidemic: The Rise of Chronic Stress and How We Can Fix It: https://bookshop.org/a/116169/9781647820367 FOLLOW THE PODCAST IG: https://www.instagram.com/girlboss/ | TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@girlboss  Amanda Goetz: https://www.instagram.com/theamandagoetz/  https://girlboss.com/pages/ambition-2-0-podcast  SIGN UP Subscribe to the Girlboss Daily newsletter: https://newsletter.girlboss.com/  For all other Girlboss links: https://linkin.bio/girlboss/  ABOUT AMBITION 2.0 Powered by Girlboss, Ambition 2.0 is a podcast where we’ll be exploring what it really means to “have it all” in work, family, identity, and self… and if it’s actually worth it. Each week, you'll hear from hardworking women who’ve walked the tightrope of ambition. They'll share their costly mistakes, lessons learned, and practical tips for how to have it all and actually love what you have. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this engaging discussion, Erika Ayers Badan, the former CEO of Barstool Sports and current CEO of Food52, sheds light on crafting your own career luck. She emphasizes the importance of initiative over pedigree, sharing how diverse experiences build valuable skills. Erika reveals the power of emotional regulation in leadership, advocating for compartmentalization as a tool for authenticity. With insights on embracing career randomness and the significance of the right boss, she inspires listeners to take charge of their professional journeys.

In this episode of Ambition 2.0, Amanda sits down with board-certified psychiatrist, researcher, and viral mental health educator Dr. Judith Joseph, MD, MBA, to talk about a form of depression that often flies under the radar: high-functioning depression. If you’re the one who “has it together” (the dependable friend, the rock at work, the caregiver who never drops the ball), but feel numb, exhausted, or joyless inside, this conversation is going to hit uncomfortably close to home (in the best way). Dr. Judith breaks down: Why so many high-achieving, caregiving women are especially vulnerable The science-backed difference between happiness (external, elusive) and joy (internal, accessible) Her framework of the five V’s of healing: validation, venting, values, vitals, and vision How people-pleasing and masochistic traits keep you stuck The surprising ways trauma, divorce, and “smaller” emotional wounds shape our ambition and burnout Why anhedonia (a loss of joy) is a red flag  How PMDD, postpartum, and perimenopause can amplify everything They also get into practical tools: how to set limits with toxic people you can’t fully cut them off, how to support a friend with high-functioning depression without shaming them, and why scheduling joy is needed. If you’ve ever thought, “I’m functioning… but I’m not okay,” this episode will help you name it, understand it, and start to change it. 00:00 Intro 01:39 Judith’s story of realizing she was depressed 03:19 Why high-achieving, caregiving women are vulnerable to high-functioning depression 04:41 The difference between happiness and joy 08:30 The five V’s of healing 11:06 What masochism really means, how it became “people-pleasing,” and why women self-sacrifice 19:27 Venting vs trauma dumping  24:16 How Dr. Judith reclaimed joy through play 33:08 How to support a friend with high-functioning depression GUEST LINKS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjudithjoseph/?hl=en  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjudithjoseph  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmHQJaOerTsZJfOtiYz4sOg  Read High Functioning: https://bookshop.org/a/116169/9780316577298  https://drjudithjoseph.com/ FOLLOW THE PODCAST IG: https://www.instagram.com/girlboss/ | TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@girlboss  Amanda Goetz: https://www.instagram.com/theamandagoetz/  https://girlboss.com/pages/ambition-2-0-podcast  SIGN UP Subscribe to the Girlboss Daily newsletter: https://newsletter.girlboss.com/  For all other Girlboss links: https://linkin.bio/girlboss/  ABOUT AMBITION 2.0 Powered by Girlboss, Ambition 2.0 is a podcast where we’ll be exploring what it really means to “have it all” in work, family, identity, and self… and if it’s actually worth it. Each week, you'll hear from hardworking women who’ve walked the tightrope of ambition. They'll share their costly mistakes, lessons learned, and practical tips for how to have it all and actually love what you have. DISCLAIMER This episode is sponsored by Bulova Crafted with over a century of heritage, the Bulova Rubaiyat collection fuses timeless design with modern femininity. From diamond-studded dials to sleek gold and silver finishes, these timepieces are proof that luxury should be anything but quiet. So, go ahead. Celebrate your milestones. Invest in yourself. Because time is on your side — and it looks so damn good on you. Discover the Bulova Rubaiyat collection at bulova.com. And get 30% off sitewide until November 28, 2025. https://bulova.sjv.io/c/3557746/3398415/16604 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this engaging discussion, Rachel Rodgers—a self-made millionaire and founder of Hello Seven—shares insights on building wealth beyond traditional saving. She tackles the cultural barriers women face in financial risk-taking and emphasizes that true wealth comes from betting on yourself. Rachel advises auditing your skills to monetize passions, and reveals how to make smart decisions about hiring help to boost productivity. With her focus on community and accountability, Rachel inspires ambitious women to redefine their money mindset and embrace prosperity.

Amina AlTai, an executive coach and author of The Ambition Trap, dives deep into redefining ambition away from titles and paychecks. She discusses the cyclical nature of ambition, highlighting the importance of rest and self-awareness. Amina unveils the five core wounds driving overachievers and emphasizes the need to separate true motivations from ego-driven goals. With insights on toxic individualism and the power of collaboration, she encourages listeners to rethink ambition as a sustainable, joyful journey that aligns with personal purpose.

Eve Rodsky, a New York Times bestselling author and expert on partnership equity, joins to discuss the often-overlooked concept of invisible labor. She shares a personal story about the emotional toll of unpaid household tasks and how they affect ambition. Eve redefines success through systems, boundaries, and communication, urging women to carve out 'unicorn space'—time for creativity and joy. She presents the Fair Play framework as a tool to reset relationship dynamics and emphasizes that reclaiming time is essential for sustainable fulfillment.