Bossed Up

How do you balance caring for your aging parents and your career without burning out? We organize so much in our lives, from our workdays to our childcare. The care of our aging parents or other loved ones, however, can blindside the best of us. When this responsibility suddenly falls into your lap while you’re in the thick of leveling up your career, staying on top of daily expectations, and maybe even raising young children, what do you do?Liz O’Donnell was faced with this situation, and after more than a decade in the field, she is a recognized expert on working while caregiving. She is the founder of Working Daughters, which supports women balancing elder care on top of their careers and all the other demands of adult life, and the author of Working Daughter: A Guide to Care for Your Aging Parents While Making a Living. In this episode, she shares her wealth of knowledge about navigating elder care without losing yourself.Discover what to expect if you find yourself caring for an aging loved one, including:Why we aren’t talking more about this widespread issue;Where policy and workplace elder care support are lacking and how they could improve;How to integrate elder care into your life with compassion for yourself;Why a post-caregiving plan can give you back a sense of control and purpose.Related Links:Connect with Liz on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz3point0/Find resources on Working Daughter.com - https://workingdaughter.com/Implement the Caregiving Basics - https://workingdaughter.com/caregiving-basics/Order “Working Daughter: A Guide to Care for Your Aging Parents While Making a Living” - https://workingdaughter.com/book-2/U.S. Department of Labor, “Older Women and Unpaid Caregiving in the U.S.” - https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WB/WBIssueBrief-OlderWomenAndUnpaidCaregiving.pdfDeloitte “Women @ Work 2024” Study - https://www.deloitte.com/content/dam/assets-shared/docs/collections/2024/deloitte-women-at-work-2024-a-global-outlook.pdf?dl=1“The Crisis Facing America's Working Daughters” by Liz O’Donnell - https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/02/working-daughters-eldercare/459249/The Wall Street Journal, “When Caring for Your Parents Comes at a Cost to Your Career” - https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/elder-care-parents-workers-e1fa53f9?mod=world_whatsnews_pos3The Working Daughter Bill of Rights - https://workingdaughter.com/working-daughter-bill-rights/Episode 466, How Gen X Navigates Career Change -  https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode466McKinsey & Co. Women in the Workplace Report - https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/women-in-the-workplaceLevel Up: a Leadership Accelerator for Women on the Rise - https://www.bossedup.org/levelupBossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/

Our world is still conflicted about whether or not it likes assertive women. In recent months, I have received both positive and negative feedback about my outspokenness. When I’m confronted with the opinion that my assertive approach to communication might leave a poor taste in people’s mouths, I still have to fight the urge to hide or get defensive, but I have developed a few skills that make these interactions more productive.The road to owning your voice and raising it confidently when you have something to say can be a long one, especially if you were raised to keep quiet. In this episode, I lay out three tips to help you navigate the situation the next time someone gives you negative feedback about your communication style.Challenge yourself to start putting these tips into action. Listen now to learn:Why it’s better to ask for more information than to get defensive;How to decide whose feedback really matters;Why you don’t have to act on all the feedback you receive.Related Links:Read “The Courage to Be Disliked: The Japanese Phenomenon That Shows You How to Change Your Life and Achieve Real Happiness” by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-courage-to-be-disliked-the-japanese-phenomenon-that-shows-you-how-to-change-your-life-and-achieve-real-happiness-ichiro-kishimi/6691584Get Emilie’s book, “Bossed Up: A Grown Woman's Guide to Getting Your Sh*t Together” - https://www.bossedup.org/bookSPEAK UP: An Assertive Communication Course- https://www.bossedup.org/speakupBossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/

Gen Xers have a wealth of experience and talent to offer the workforce, and yet Millennials and Baby Boomers tend to receive the majority of the media focus and career advice available today. Even Bossed Up doesn’t have as much information for this generation as it could.In doing my part to correct this oversight, I speak with Vince Chan, host of the Chief Change Officer podcast. A Gen Xer herself, Vince supports Gen X professionals as they traverse critical career crossroads. In this episode, Vince shares how the shared traits of this group result in a resilient generation with so much to offer—often more than even they realize.Discover how Gen X navigates career transformation, including:How Gen X’s deep respect for institutions can help them and hold them back;The lifetime of technological shifts Gen Xers have navigatedWhy Gen X needs to set aside a fear of judgment and love themselves more.Related Links:Connect with Vince on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thevincechan/Listen to the Chief Change Officer podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chief-change-officer/id1735006441Episode 176, Changing Careers After 40 - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode176Episode 64, A Feminist Take on F.I.R.E. - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode64Episode 456, How Connection Can Cure What Ails Us - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode456Episode 434, The Economic Imperative of Affordable Childcare - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode434HIRED: my Job Search Accelerator - https://www.bossedup.org/gethiredBossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/

The last week’s historic political events warrant a totally new, unscripted episode. On July 21st, the news that President Biden would no longer pursue re-election and would endorse Vice President Kamala Harris left me excited and energized for the future, feelings that only grew as I spoke with so many women in the week following the announcement. Just imagine what this candidacy could mean for women, particularly women of color and those in leadership positions.In today’s episode, I share my thoughts about what Kamala’s candidacy means for women.Join me to consider the possibilities this election year, including:How we can  embrace the “audacity of hope” and not sit back in silence;How the words we choose when speaking about Kamala’s candidacy - whether we support her or not - says more about how we view women and power overall;Why we should focus on electing the best future president, not the perfect one;And three ways you can join me to take meaningful action today.Related Links:Register to vote - https://vote.gov/Donate to the campaign - https://secure.actblue.com/donate/potuskamalaVolunteer to give support - https://kamalaharris.comLearn more about Rank Choice Voting - https://rcvforcolorado.org/The Audacity Of Hope by Barack Obama - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-audacity-of-hope-barack-hussein-obama/12721004?ean=9781606860731Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/Follow Emilie on Instagram: www.instagram.com/emiliearies

Content warning: this episode briefly touches on alcoholism, substance abuse, and abusive relationships.Why does setting boundaries sound so simple, and yet is so hard to practice? My guests on this episode know that it takes practice to make any difficult communication practice permanent.Jan and Jillian Yuhas are twin relationship and conflict resolution specialists who help leaders, families, and organizations build stronger, growth-oriented relationships and set boundaries that stick. They’re also the authors of a new book, Boundary Badass: A Powerful Method for Elevating Your Value and Relationships.Uncover the benefits of setting values-based boundaries at work and at home:Why it can be harder to set personal boundaries than professional, despite a lot of similarities;How to balance setting boundaries and remaining a high-value employee and leader;The importance of identifying values and boundaries from a place of logic, not emotion;Practicing assertive communication in a society where women’s voices are often misconstrued.Related Links:Learn more about Jan and Jillian - https://www.janandjillian.com/Buy “Boundary Badass: A Powerful Method for Elevating Your Value and Relationships” - https://www.boundarybadass.com/Speak Up: An Assertive Communication Course- https://www.bossedup.org/speakupBossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/Bossed Up EP 251: The Difference Between Assertive V. Aggressive Communication - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode251More Bossed Up Episodes on Assertive Communication - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/category/Assertive+Communication

What would you do differently the second time around? I’m getting the chance to dig deep into this question as I prepare for my second maternity leave this fall. As my due date crawls closer, I have been thinking a lot about what my family’s lives will look like after the baby arrives. In this episode, I highlight three specific ways I’m adjusting my approach and the systemic and personal factors that affect these decisions.How would you navigate these second-baby considerations?What’s changed with saving up for childcare (for me and for Americans everywhere);Why I’m fixating less on birth and more on what comes after;Where I’ve decided to focus my nesting instincts this time around.Related Links:Episode 434, The Economic Imperative of Affordable Childcare - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode434Episode 332, 5 Things to Keep In Mind When Financially Preparing For a Baby - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode332Economic Data Underscores the Need for Significant, Sustained Investment in Child Care and Early Learning - https://www.ffyf.org/resources/2021/12/latest-economic-data-underscores-the-need-for-significant-sustained-investment-in-child-care-and-early-learning/Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/

Initiatives to address pay gaps are spreading across the country. My home state of Colorado is a trailblazer in this quest, and people like today’s guest are spearheading policies that are changing the landscape nationwide. Louise Myrland, the VP of Programs for the Women’s Foundation of Colorado, joins me today to discuss Colorado’s historic pay transparency law, its nationwide impact, and new data showing the profound effects this groundbreaking legislation has had on the careers and lives of women in Colorado - as well as job-seekers everywhere.Leverage Louise’s knowledge of this game-changing policy:Learn your rights as a job seeker;Discover how this legislation expands the rights of already-employed workers, too;Interview tips for navigating outlawed salary questions;The fascinating numbers behind our country’s closing gender wage gap.Related Links:Learn more about The Women’s Foundation of Colorado and access many helpful resources - https://www.wfco.orgExplore Colorado’s Equal Pay for Equal Work Act - https://cdle.colorado.gov/dlss/equal-pay-for-equal-work-actThe Women’s Foundation of Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work 2023 report - https://www.wfco.org/equalpayLearn more about Colorado’s Department of Labor and Employment - https://cdle.colorado.gov/labor-law-stats/demands-complaints-responses-and-settlementsPress release for Equal Pay Day News - https://www.wfco.org/file/Equal-Pay-Day-News-Release-2024-updated.pdfDownload the Bossed Up Negotiation Guide for job seekers - https://www.bossedup.org/negotiationListen to episode 444, Are Pay Transparency Laws Working? - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode444HIRED: my Job Search Accelerator - https://www.bossedup.org/gethiredFind forms for reporting employers on equal pay rights and more here - http://bosssedup.org/takeactionBossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/

What’s the wildest thing that has happened to you at a presentation or workshop? Whether in the audience or on the stage, most of us have experienced something not going according to plan. I had my own experience with this a few weeks ago while giving a keynote in California, during which time a surprising disruption inspired the three tips I’m sharing today on how to keep calm and carry on when something goes awry. Learn from my experience to strengthen your own public speaking skills, including:Why you should address what happened, not ignore it;What to say once the moment has passed;How to empower your audience and yourself to move forward.Related Links:Book me to speak at your company or conference: www.emiliearies.comSpeak Up: A Live Assertive Communication Course for Women in the Workplace - https://www.bossedup.org/speakupBossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/

How do you manage a complex pregnancy while continuing to manage your career? Pregnancy can be complicated, and people who experienced prior reproductive challenges often anxiously wonder just how similar their next experience will be. When these stressors are piled on top of our day-to-day work challenges and the possibility of an unsupportive workplace, things get even more daunting.I’m thrilled to share that I am currently in my second trimester (!!) after past fertility challenges, so this is a topic close to my heart. This was the perfect time to talk with Dr. Nathan Fox about the premise of his new book, and how to manage pregnancy expectations and assertively communicate with both physicians and superiors in the workplace during this time.Dive into this discussion by learning more about:Embracing a joint decision-making approach to medicine that honors both doctor and patient expertise;Identifying the best OB/GYN for your unique health situation;Understanding the risk of recurrence of pregnancy complications;And advocating for your rights as a pregnant person in the workplace.Related Links:Episode 438, The Impact of Stress Reduction on Infertility - https://bossedup.org/podcast/episode438Episode 414, New Rights for Pregnant Workers  - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode414Episode 346, How to Advocate for a Better Work-Life Balance as a Working Parent - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode346Episode 311, How To Talk About Marital Status, Parental Status, And Pregnancy In The Interview - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode311Discover more about Nathan’s Podcast - https://healthfulwoman.comLearn more about Nathan’s practice - https://www.mfmnyc.com/team/nathan-fox/Buy “The Unexpected: Navigating Pregnancy During and After Complications by Emily Oster and Dr. Nathan Fox - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717163/the-unexpected-by-emily-oster-and-nathan-fox-md/Expecting Better by Emily Oster - https://bookshop.org/p/books/expecting-better-why-the-conventional-pregnancy-wisdom-is-wrong-and-what-you-really-need-to-know-emily-oster/15735353?ean=9780143125709Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/

How has your life been affected by a non-compete agreement? Whether you’re painfully familiar with these contract clauses, know someone who is, or just think our free market could be more free, the recent news that non-compete agreements are on their way out the door should give you a boost.Those who have been boxed in by an employer’s non-compete agreement are absolutely not alone—they are baked into around 30 million Americans’ employment contracts. In this episode and blog post, I break down where non-competes came from, the issues they cause, and explore what a future without them might look like.Find out what a world without non-compete agreements might look like:What are they are and how they constrain employees;The widespread impact of these contracts;How will these changes affect the labor market;How will employers protect their intellectual property from now on?Related Links:Statistics from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis - https://www.minneapolisfed.org/article/2023/new-data-on-non-compete-contracts-and-what-they-mean-for-workersNew York Times “The Great American Labor Trap” - https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/11/opinion/ftc-noncompete-clause-rule.htmlJon Stewart’s interview with Lina Khan - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaDTiWaYfcMHIRED: my Job Search Accelerator - https://www.bossedup.org/gethiredBossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/