Unspoken Career Truths

We're back in your feed every Thursday to be the co-workers you can trust. There's so much changing in the world! And Lauren thinks bell bottoms might make a comeback... so there's a LOT to discuss. This season we're going to be focusing on providing you resources and information on how best to navigate changes and succeed without burning out or selling your soul. Season 2 Trailer...

We’re told to find our purpose, like it’s hiding somewhere waiting to be discovered. But what if purpose isn’t something you find, it’s something you build? In this week’s Wisdom Under Fire, Lauren Livak Gilbert and Cara Wood unpack the pressure behind the phrase “find your purpose” and share how their own definitions have evolved over time. From life-changing realizations to small, everyday choic...

The holidays at the office bring a strange mix of sparkle and strain. One moment you are laughing with coworkers at a team party. The next you are wondering how to set a boundary without feeling like the difficult one. We share the quiet truths about connection at work during a season that can feel louder than usual. By the end, you might find yourself seeing this time of year a little differently...

Not all power is loud or forceful. In this episode of Unspoken Career Truths, Lauren Livak Gilbert and Cara Wood unpack the underestimated art of soft power—the ability to influence through credibility, connection, and authenticity rather than authority. They explore how emotional intelligence, communication, and presence can drive real impact (and why soft power often fuels the biggest shifts beh...

There is a moment many of us recognize. You look at your PTO balance and realize you have not taken a real break in months. Maybe it feels risky to step away. Maybe you worry about the pile waiting when you return. Or maybe rest has become one more thing you have to manage. In this conversation, we unpack the quiet pressures around taking time off, the habits we pick up from teams and past jobs, a...

What happens when “assume best intent” collides with workplace reality? It’s a phrase that’s been echoed everywhere from ancient texts to modern boardrooms. In this episode of Wisdom Under Fire, Cara and Lauren unpack one of the most quoted — and most misunderstood — pieces of modern leadership advice. We found a reframe for the phrase that adds a powerful twist. This is a must-listen for anyone n...

Buckle up for a little acronym therapy. In this episode of Unspoken Career Truths, Lauren Livak Gilbert and Cara Wood dive into the alphabet soup of corporate life and laugh about how we all pretend to know what they mean. Decode the alphabet soup of corporate life: OKRs, KPIs, ROI, CRM, TL;DR and the company-specific acronyms that make you wonder if you missed a secret onboarding. We explore how...

Change is inevitable, often difficult, and it’s also how we grow. Learn to navigate change at work with more resilience, adaptability, and calm. In this episode, we explore what it really means to navigate change at work—from new leaders and shifting teams to evolving technology and workplace culture. Cara and Lauren share stories, humor, and practical frameworks for developing emotional intellige...

Will AI take your job—or make it better than ever? The future of work isn’t about replacement; it’s about reinvention. Learn how to supercharge your career by partnering with AI, not fearing it. In this episode of Unspoken Career Truths , hosts Lauren and Cara dive into one of the most urgent and misunderstood conversations happening in offices everywhere: the role of artificial intelligence at wo...

We've all heard it: “That’s above my pay grade.” In this “Wisdom Under Fire” episode, we debate the hidden implications of this common workplace phrase, from deflecting responsibility to signaling boundaries. Hosts Cara Wood and Lauren Livak Gilbert share strategies for navigating situations where tasks feel too high-profile, unclear, or political. You’ll learn how to respond with professionalism,...

Most of us approach year-end reviews with a deep sigh and a pile of paperwork. But what if you could turn that annual ritual into one of the most valuable career tools you have? In this episode of Unspoken Career Truths, hosts Cara Wood and Lauren Livak Gilbert unpack how to prepare, what to track, and how to use your review conversations to set yourself up for next-level growth. You’ll leave with...

Projects can go awry for all kinds of reasons - but one of the most frustrating ways to fail is scope creep. The expansion of a project or role beyond the initial goals and definitions. In this episode of Unspoken Career Truths, hosts Cara Wood and Lauren Livak Gilbert talk about what it is, why it happens and how to communicate these issues so your projects stay reasonable and meet their targets.

When you've got a big decision on the horizon it can feel overwhleming. Whether it's a career move, a relationship choice, or a personal goal, the weight of the decision-making process can be overwhelming. In this episode of Unspoken Career Truths, hosts Cara Wood and Lauren Livak Gilbert break down how to approach these moments, and how to employ the right framework to get an outcome you can be c...

Is following your passion the golden ticket to success? It’s time for another debate of commonly held wisdom! In this episode of Unspoken Career Truths, hosts Cara Wood and Lauren Livak Gilbert talk about the realities of pursuing what you love versus choosing a stable or well trod path.

If you don’t know your value, it’s hard to expect others to recognize or reward it. In this episode of Unspoken Career Truths, hosts Cara Wood and Lauren Livak Gilbert dive into practical ways to identify, track, and communicate your worth at work. From documenting your impact and asking for feedback to benchmarking your role against the market, you’ll learn strategies to overcome imposter syndrom...

Giving feedback is tricky—done wrong, it stings; done right, it sparks growth.n this episode of Unspoken Career Truths, hosts Cara Wood and Lauren Livak Gilbert break down how to move past vague notes and ego-driven critiques to deliver feedback that empowers. From practical tactics (mirror, don’t weaponize) to a simple framework—Context, Observations, Results, Expectations—they’ll show you how to...

Getting feedback can feel personal — but it’s actually one of the fastest ways to grow. In this episode of Unspoken Career Truths, hosts Cara Wood and Lauren Livak Gilbert unpack how to stay grounded when feedback stings, what to do in the moment, and how to turn critique into clarity.

Does measuring something really guarantee better results? In this Wisdom Under Fire episode of Unspoken Career Truths, hosts Cara Wood and Lauren Livak Gilbert unpack the famous phrase “what gets measured gets managed.” They explore where it came from, why it matters, and how to apply it in today’s workplace. From defining success early to quantifying the unquantifiable and tracking your own wins,...

Layoffs happen. And they impact the entire organization. Whether you’ve been laid off, left behind or you’ve been the one to wield the axe, there are tactics to employ and feelings to feel. In this episode of Unspoken Career Truths, hosts Cara Wood and Lauren Livak Gilbert discuss our experience in these positions and actionable things to do depending on how you are impacted.

Stress is part of life but how you manage it makes all the difference. In this episode of Unspoken Career Truths, hosts Cara Wood and Lauren Livak Gilbert explore the difference between healthy stress and harmful stress, share personal strategies to reduce overwhelm, and reveal simple practices like movement, creativity, and self-check-ins that can help you reset. Whether you’re navigating workpla...

Influence matters more than job titles sometimes. In this episode of Unspoken Career Truths, hosts Cara Wood and Lauren Livak Gilbert break down what true influence looks like and what it doesn’t. Learn how to build credibility, practice empathy, communicate with clarity, and use storytelling to get buy-in without manipulation. Whether you’re early in your career or leading a team, this episode wi...

Is hustle culture driving your success or your burnout? In this episode of Unspoken Career Truths, hosts Cara Wood and Lauren Livak Gilbert debate the hustle culture mentality. From burnout and decision fatigue to redefining productivity and setting boundaries, they explore how to work hard without losing balance. Tune in for practical strategies to build a sustainable career that prioritizes both...

Ever feel like you’re trying to “have it all” but still running on empty? In this episode of Unspoken Career Truths, hosts Cara Wood and Lauren Livak Gilbert explore the concept of “buckets” the areas of life that fuel your energy, identity, and fulfillment. From career and relationships to health, creativity, and purpose, learn how to define your own buckets, keep them balanced, and give yourself...

Business lunches aren’t just about food they’re about first impressions, relationships, and professional etiquette. In this episode of Unspoken Career Truths, hosts Cara Wood and Lauren Livak Gilbert share the do’s and don’ts of dining in a professional setting. From menu prep to table manners, phone etiquette, and whether to order that glass of wine, you’ll learn the unspoken rules that can make...

Forget the buzzwords—soft skills aren’t just nice to have. They’re the superpowers that shape careers. In this episode, hosts Cara Wood and Lauren Livak Gilbert dig into why adaptability, problem-solving, and EQ matter more than you think and how growth mindset research proves these skills are learnable. From interviews to everyday teamwork, learn how to identify your strengths, steal tricks from...