Bossed Up

How do you rest and recharge when the world feels chaotic? After an unexpectedly hectic December, the Bossed Up podcast is back with a look at what recharging really requires—and it’s not quitting everything or carrying on as usual. I’ve come to realize that the sweet spot, at least for me, is somewhere in the middle. This episode breaks down the balance I’m seeking to find this year, and I’d love to hear how it compares to your approach to the New Year. Between seriously scary news cycles and never-ending schedules, it’s all too easy to overlook gratitude in lieu of existential dread and getting everything done. Consider this your invitation to take a beat, drop a ball (or two), and approach 2026 with a healthy dose of self-compassion.Join me in recalibrating for 2026 so we can recharge for real:How we can strike a balance between pushing forward and being present;The role gratitude plays in staying realistic about the future;When and where to decenter social media and lean into the analog;A reminder to give your personal calendar a bit of love.Related Links:TAKE ACTION - https://www.bossedup.org/takeactionGet a copy of The Husbands by Holly Gramazio - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-husbands-a-read-with-jenna-pick-a-novel-holly-gramazio/658e8495219fe107EP 525 “Resisting Despair: Coping Tools for a Declining Democracy” - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode525Try out the BePresent app - https://www.bepresentapp.com/Bossed Up job search resources - https://www.bossedup.org/free-resources/job-searchThe Definitive Guide to Negotiating as a Woman - https://www.bossedup.org/negotiationBossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How can you advocate for yourself when you’re operating in a broken system? We’re gearing up to face even more unprecedented times in 2026. And recent research shows, unsurprisingly, that inclusive and DEIB policies continue to be phased out while hostile work environments expand. Many of us are all too familiar with the lack of resources out there to help us cope with all this, especially options specific to Black women and Women of Color, who face the brunt of this ongoing shift.That’s the landscape that prompted Sarah Boyd to found The Formation, an app that serves up “real talk, real resources, and real tight-knit community” for Black women navigating the realities of corporate America. She joins me to break down her evidence-backed recommendations for how we should protect ourselves while we fight the bigger fight of fixing our broken systems.Start documenting everything and finding your career clarity as we cover:How corporate changes are impacting Black women and Women of Color;Why you need to keep your work receipts—all of them;How to frame your stretch work and find your ideal audience;The innate gap-filling gift so many women have, and how to maximize it.Related Links:Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahwilliamsboyd/The Formation community - https://www.weareyourformation.com/The DISRUPT program - https://www.weareyourformation.com/our-programWomen in the Workplace 2025 - https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/women-in-the-workplaceLanguage Bias in Performance Feedback 2024, Textio - https://textio.com/feedback-bias-2024“Get Unstuck: Make a Plan to Move Your Career Forward”, LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/learning/get-unstuck-make-a-plan-to-move-your-career-forwardBossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A recent report reveals the gender wage gap is worsening, with women earning just 76 cents for every dollar men make, leading to an annual shortfall of around $14,640. The revocation of federal pay-discussion protections has exacerbated this issue. Mothers and women of color particularly face tougher disparities, impacting over 36 million households. The host shares three actionable strategies to combat the gap: negotiate your salary, advocate for pay transparency, and support systemic reforms. A call to action encourages community engagement and sharing of experiences.

Rachel Shaw, a workplace inclusion strategist and author of "The Disabled Workforce," dives into vital aspects of disability accommodations in the professional realm. She highlights the importance of structured processes and genuine care from managers to address accommodation requests effectively. Rachel also sheds light on the often misunderstood costs of accommodations, revealing they typically average under $300. The discussion includes crucial insights on the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and the rights it provides, emphasizing advocacy and privacy in requesting assistance.

Navigating career compromises can feel daunting, but reframing them as steps to success is key. The myth of 'having it all' is examined, revealing the unrealistic expectations it creates. Listeners discover the importance of aiming high while accepting imperfect opportunities to avoid paralysis. Balancing gratitude for current roles with aspirations of growth is emphasized. Additionally, practical strategies for tracking long-term career goals and accepting trade-offs help reduce anxiety and foster contentment.

Jillian Johnsrud, author of "Retire Often" and a mini-retirement coach, shares her transformative journey from burnout to enthusiasm through frequent sabbaticals. She discusses the mental health benefits of taking month-long breaks and how they can restore creativity in an AI-driven job market. Jillian offers practical tips for negotiating time off, particularly for women, and emphasizes that mini-retirements can be more affordable than expected. Her insights inspire listeners to reclaim their time and rethink traditional work models.

The podcast tackles the alarming rise in Black unemployment, particularly among women, revealing how public sector cuts disproportionately affect them. It discusses the relationship between DEI program rollbacks and hiring practices, highlighting systemic barriers. The data paints a clear picture of economic disparity, urging listeners to advocate for equity and opportunity. Practical actions are encouraged, such as supporting Black-owned businesses and participating in voting. Ultimately, it stresses the need for collective community leadership and sustained advocacy.

We tell women to negotiate harder, lean in, and ask for what they’re worth. But what if the system was designed to make that impossible? Economist Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman calls it the double tax—the compounded price of racism and sexism that drains women of color’s time, money, and energy just to show up and succeed.In this episode, we unpack how that hidden tax shows up at work—from policing what it means to be “presentable” to the unconscious stereotypes women of color navigate before they even get the job —and what it means for the ways women negotiate, lead, and thrive. Anna breaks down the numbers and the stories behind them, revealing why individual fixes aren’t enough and what real equity could look like when we stop asking women to bear the cost alone. Tune in now to learn: Listen in to learn:Just how widespread the “double tax” really is;The deeply ingrained politics of presentability every woman navigates;How biases and stigmas follow women of color throughout their careers;Why building connection is the foundational step we needRelated Links:The Double Tax by Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman - https://annagifty.com/Connect with Anna on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/annagifty/Follow Anna on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/itsafronomics/Follow Anna on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/itsafronomics.bsky.social/Episode 322, How to be a Leader People Actually Like - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode322Episode 456, How Connection Can Cure What Ails Us - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode456Episode 497, Where Have All the Good Friends Gone? - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode497HIRED: a job search accelerator video course - https://www.bossedup.org/hired/Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Feeling overwhelmed by a constant stream of distressing news? Discover how deliberate misinformation can destabilize democracy and how to counteract its effects. Learn to prioritize your basic needs to cope with political stress and build financial safety for peace of mind. Set limits on media consumption to combat doomscrolling, and focus on finding meaning and joy as acts of resistance. Engage with your community, take collective action, and connect with others to inspire change. Together, we can lift each other through challenging times.

Loren Greiff, founder of Portfolio Rocket and former recruiter, shares her expertise on overcoming the 'overqualified' label in job interviews for experienced leaders, especially those over 40. She emphasizes the importance of transitioning from passive applications to actively campaigning for oneself. Loren encourages listeners to identify their unique unfair advantage and articulate it confidently. She also highlights the need for future-oriented narratives in resumes and interviews, urging candidates to proactively address fears that employers may have about their experience.