The Mental Offload Podcast

From the outside, it probably looks like you're doing it all—and doing it well. You've checked all the boxes: crushing it at work, holding things down at home, maybe even taking on a volunteer project or two.  But on the inside? You might be asking yourself: How much longer can I keep going like this? In this week's episode of The Mental Offload , I sit down with Lori Oberbroeckling—senior corpora...

Go getters always manage to get it done. But for some of you, it's often "just in the nick of time".  Are you jumping from one last-minute push to the next late-night sprint? Have you convinced yourself that this is simply the cost of being successful, high-achieving, and in demand? I know, I know. You want to focus on the result: you're meeting deadlines. Getting s*** done. I used to tell myself...

If you've ever found yourself trying to stay calm in a heated meeting—or keeping your cool with a tantruming child—you know: try harder is not the answer. In this week's episode of The Mental Offload , I continue my powerful conversation with nervous system expert Jane Pilger. We dive deep into how you can regulate your nervous system—and help others regulate, too—even in the midst of difficult co...

As working mothers and high achievers, we are trained to keep pushing through—no matter the cost. On top of that, you've probably been told at some point that the best way to be taken seriously as a woman in leadership is not to show any emotion.  That can lead you to keep pushing down your emotions. But those pesky emotions often refuse to be silenced. That's why I recently sat down with nervous...

You start the week with a color-coded calendar, clear priorities, and the best intentions. But by Wednesday, things are already going off the rails. You're already working through lunch, but you're about 4 tasks behind where you intended to be. Loads of high-achievers get sucked in by the same culprit: Magical schedule thinking. Magical schedule thinking is what happens when you underestimate how...

When's the last time you interviewed for a job? Maybe it's been a few years. Or even a few promotions ago.  If so, you need to know that the interview game evolves as your career evolves. At the mid-to-senior level, interviews are no longer about proving you're a go-getter who can do anything.   As you get more senior, interviews are about something different: Showing up as the leader who can driv...

Ever catch yourself spiraling with frustration after a tense meeting... and think, "Why didn't I stop myself sooner?" Or maybe you're trying to create an exercise habit, and find yourself skipping out most of the time. You're not alone.  And these "fails" don't actually mean you're failing. As women who are used to crushing big goals — especially those who've succeeded by pushing through and hustl...

Ever had a colleague who keeps cutting you out of the loop? They conveniently "forget" to invite you to key meetings. They drop you from email chains. Or withhold information that you need to do your best work.  Some of them do this so subtly, you may even start to doubt whether they do it on purpose. But regardless, it's beyond frustrating.  It's impacting your ability to perform.  And it's impac...

We're living through a historic backlash against women and minorities. You don't have to live in the US to feel it.  Global companies are rolling back DE&I initiatives.  Executives are promoting a "work harder and be in the office" ethos. And there's the subtle insinuation that working mothers should be grateful for any flexibility we're given at work. And any "help" we're given at home. As if our...

If you work in a hybrid environment, you know some things are easier: Less time spent commuting. Fewer interruptions. The ability to pop a load of laundry in.  But hybrid work also presents its own difficulties, like: How do I get the right visibility for my work? How can I show strong executive presence over Zoom? How can I build relationships with people who are 3 time zones away? Without face t...

Cinderella syndrome is the ultimate corporate fairy tale. The belief that if you do your work perfectly, take on more responsibilities without complaint... ...one day, Prince Charming (aka a powerful leader in your company) will discover your talent and rescue you. With the glass slipper of a promotion in hand. Women have been fed a version of this corporate fairy tale since childhood. If you want...

Have you ever looked at your life—your job, your routines, maybe even your entire identity—and thought, I want to hit the reset button? That feeling isn't a crisis. It's a calling. To reinvent yourself. But that word, reinvention, comes with some baggage.  We're taught that our careers (and lives!) should follow a linear path. Get the job, climb the ladder, get the kids into a top college, and ret...

Have you ever been so good at what you do that you somehow ended up with all the work? At the office, everyone needs you to proofread the documents before they go to the client.  At home, everyone asks you where to find things. Or how to book a dentist appointment.  You're the safety net, the problem solver, the one who ensures things don't fall apart. And, while you feel good about how competent...

Working parents are in crisis right now. And at the root of it? Systems that penalize working parents, by pretending that we still live in societies where one parent (usually the mother) is on call at home. Childcare in the US is a prime example of this. It costs as much as a second mortgage. The waitlists are ridiculous. And that's assuming you don't live in one of the "childcare deserts" where l...

Most people think time, money, or energy is their most valuable asset. But what if the real key to success and ease is something else? There's something even more critical—and most of us are running dangerously low on it.  That resource is bandwidth. Bandwidth is the combination of your time and mental capacity. It's what allows you to make good decisions, focus, and show up fully.  Without bandwi...

As the year starts, most people are thinking about new goals and activities to add to their calendars. I'm thinking about what to subtract. It sounds a little bit radical. But what if the real key to thriving isn't adding more stuff to your plate, but subtracting? In this week's episode of The Mental Offload Podcast, I discuss how subtraction creates more.   More time. More bandwidth. More relaxat...

Does the thought of walking into a room full of strangers and "working the crowd" make you want to head for the exit?  I'm with you. Networking often feels like it's designed for extroverts: loud conversations, endless small talk, and nonstop people-ing.  If you're an introvert, the traditional advice can feel exhausting and even shame-inducing. You're told to just "get out there" and meet everyon...

Have you ever been in the presence of someone with undeniable charisma ?  They have this magnetic energy that makes people stop and follow their lead. It might seem like a gift they were born with.  But what if I told you charisma isn't magic? Charisma is a skill. And like any skill, it can be developed. In this week's episode of The Mental Offload Podcast, I'm sharing research-backed insights on...

Are you earning what you're capable of—and what you truly want to earn? For many women, the answer is no. We stay stuck in patterns of underearning for reasons that feel outside our control: "This is just what my job pays." "I need flexibility, so I can't ask for more." "I'd have to work so much harder to make more—and I can't." But what if there's more to it than that. Yes, there are structural b...

Let's face it: the idea of "work-life balance" is full of myths and half-truths.  You've probably heard that you just need the right job, better boundaries, or a reduced schedule to find harmony. But if you've tried these solutions and still feel stretched thinner than your worst hair tie, it's not a surprise. These changes alone won't magically create work-life balance. In my latest podcast episo...

When you have a lot on your plate, it's tempting to give up on goals. We wake up, look at our bulging to-do list, and think: my only goal is to survive the next week. Or month. Or year. But when survival becomes the goal, it can be a trap. And our values are the way out. The truth is, traditional goal-setting can dig you deeper into burnout. We pile on ambitious goals and plans, trying to do it al...

Whether you're looking at the business press, or the motivation quotes on Pinterest, you'll often get a one-dimensional look at what it takes to be successful. "Go for GROWTH!"  It's so ingrained in our culture's approach to success, that you can feel like a failure if you're not constantly trying to achieve the Next Big Thing, personally or professionally. I was sitting in my office with a client...

Imagine if you could sit down with your future self—the version of you who has achieved your wildest dreams, overcome your biggest challenges, and is living your best life. What would that conversation be like? How would it transform the decisions you make today?    Last month, we focused on the important relationships you have at home and at work. But there's one relationship we haven't talked ab...

Executive Presence. Most leaders know it's a powerful ingredient for success. It's that bit of leadership sorcery that allows some to command a room, influence key decisions, and inspire confidence. You might be able to get ahead without it, but I don't recommend trying! But can you actually develop executive presence? I've heard leaders describe it as, "you just know it when you see it."  That ma...

The holidays are supposed to be magical.  But let's be honest – scrolling your picture-perfect instagram feed, you're feeling overwhelmed and under-prepared. For working moms, the holidays often feel like a marathon of endless to-dos, "should-dos," and societal expectations. What if you could actually come through the holiday season feeling relaxed, rather than burned out? What if you could create...