Unspoken Career Truths

Asking for a raise can feel wildly personal. But it’s actually a business conversation, one where knowing your worth, doing your research, and knowing when to stop talking can make all the difference. Lauren and Cara talk about how to ask for more money without making it a referendum on your self-worth, from figuring out what you’re actually worth in the market to helping your manager make the cas...

You know your love language. Your Myers-Briggs type. Your personality type. But what’s your money type? Are you someone who feels safer with money in the bank, or someone who feels trapped when you can't spend it? How much money feels like “enough” to you? And what do you actually value when you spend? Cara and Lauren get into the surprisingly emotional ways we think about spending, saving, gi...

You never know the inside of someone else’s house… but is that actually a saying? Lauren has been using this phrase for years, thanks to her dad. Cara has never heard anyone else say it. So this week, we put it under fire. How much can you really know about someone from what you see? Their house, clothes, car, lawn, lifestyle, social media or the way they spend their money? We talk about appearanc...

Workplaces don't actually measure commitment directly. They infer it from signals. So if you stop performing commitment through availability and sacrifice, you need to make sure you're still demonstrating commitment through results, responsiveness, communication, and visibility. How do you set boundaries at work without looking less committed? Cara and Lauren discuss workplace boundaries,...

You don’t hate your job. Your boss is fine. Your coworkers are fine. Your paycheck is fine. So… why do you keep thinking about leaving? Lauren and Cara unpack that weird career limbo where nothing is technically wrong, but something definitely isn’t right. Is it a rut? Have you outgrown the job? Do you need a new challenge—or do you actually need to stop trying to optimize your entire life? They t...

Should you threaten to quit if your company won't give you a raise? Maybe. But only if you're prepared for your employer to take you seriously. In this episode, Cara and Lauren answer a listener's question about whether giving her boss an ultimatum could get her better treatment at work. They discuss the risks of threatening to quit, how managers may respond when an employee signals th...

You know that feeling when someone your age gets promoted, buys a house, starts a family—or just seems to have their whole life figured out—and suddenly you’re questioning everything? Lauren and Cara unpack the invisible timelines and “shoulds” we carry around about careers, success, relationships and adulthood. They talk about what happens when you hit a milestone you weren’t expecting, and how t...

A workplace can look peaceful on the surface while serious problems go unspoken underneath. Toxic peace happens when teams avoid disagreement, difficult conversations, and new ideas in the name of keeping things comfortable. The result can be stagnation, unresolved problems, and a culture where people stop saying what they really think. In this episode, Cara and Lauren explore the warning signs of...

Unspoken Career Truths is back—and we're going from work to life. What happens when you realize your career is only one part of the life you're trying to build? In Season 3, we are expanding the conversation beyond careers to talk about the stuff that actually shapes your 20s and 30s. Money, health, happiness, friendship, love, work, and everything in between. Expect honest conversations,...

AI-generated resumes. Fake recruiters. Hiring delays that seem to stretch forever. If job hunting feels stranger than it used to, you're not imagining it. In this season finale, Cara and Lauren explore three trends creating frustration for job seekers today: AI-generated resumes, fake job postings and recruiting scams, and the growing problem of employer ghosting and hiring delays. Drawing on thei...

The best career opportunities usually start with a conversation. They never appear on job boards and instead emerge through conversations, relationships, and professional networks built over time. In this episode, we discuss informational interviews : how to start them, what to ask, what not to do, and why these conversations can completely change the direction of your career. We cover: How to rea...

Most candidates spend interview preparation memorizing answers. The best candidates do something different. Learn what hiring managers are really looking for in interviews. In this episode, Cara and Lauren shared their best and toughest interview questions. We discuss how to communicate your thinking process, why real examples matter, and how to pivot so you can own the narrative of your career. I...

Here's a practical framework for understanding industries, employers, skills, and opportunities in a changing job market. The job market feels confusing, contradictory, and honestly a little chaotic. One headline says nobody's hiring. Another says companies can't find talent. This episode will help you move from overwhelm to informed action. Cara and Lauren break down a simple framewor...

Nobody tells you this when you start your career: Doing great work is only part of the job. There’s also the hidden dynamics of personalities and power. In other words, workplace politics. In this episode, Lauren and Cara talk candidly about the office politics nobody explains until you get blindsided by them. From confusing promotions to invisible power structures to difficult personalities, they...

Venting at work can feel productive, cathartic, and even bonding. But over time, chronic negativity can quietly damage your reputation, drain your team, and limit your influence. Cara and Lauren explore the psychology of workplace complaining, why some employees become known as the “department of no,” and how leaders can address toxic venting before it spreads through company culture. We discuss:...

Perfectionism can look productive on the surface (high standards, attention to detail, ambition) but what happens when the pursuit of “perfect” starts fueling anxiety, burnout, and impossible expectations? In this episode, Lauren Livak Gilbert and Cara Wood unpack the psychology of perfectionism, how hustle culture and social media intensified it, and how to go after your own growth and happiness....

We all procrastinate. But how can you gauge why it’s happening and how to move forward on what matters most? In this episode, Cara and Lauren break down the real reason you procrastinate (hint: it’s not laziness). From the neuroscience behind avoidance to practical tools like time blocking and accountability systems, we share how to finally take action on what matters. If you’ve ever felt stuck be...

From nightmare bosses to subtle manipulation, not all toxic bosses look the same! Misreading the signs can cost you your sanity, your confidence, and your career. In this episode, we break down the 3 levels of toxic leadership, how to spot them early, and what to do to get the boss of your dreams. Cara and Lauren unpack real signs, share relatable examples (yes, including our favorite fictional vi...

Ever feel like you’re doing everything right at work and somehow still getting blindsided? In this episode, Lauren and Cara break down the underrated skill that can change everything: managing up. From meetings that go completely off the rails to the invisible dynamics that shape how decisions actually get made, they unpack what’s really going on behind the scenes. You’ll learn how to: Understand...

Is “lead by example” the golden rule of leadership, or is it incomplete? In this episode of Wisdom Under Fire, Cara and Lauren unpack the origins of this familiar phrase, from ancient philosophy to modern leadership thinking. Part leadership playbook, part reality check, the conversation might make you rethink how you show up every day. If you answer emails on weekends… your team probably feels li...

If you’ve ever thought, “I want to be a great manager” this episode will crystalize how. We discuss the ins and outs of servant leadership. Lauren and Cara talk about burnout, boundaries, invisible wins, and why leadership isn’t about picking a single style. If you're navigating early leadership roles, balancing ambition with empathy, or figuring out your management style, this episode will gi...

New leader? Don’t panic, this episode has you covered. Cara and Lauren share the first hurdles you’ll face when managing people, projects, and expectations. Learn how to prioritize your team, communicate effectively, make critical decisions, and define your leadership style without losing yourself in the process. From navigating relationships with former peers to taking your seat at a new table of...

If networking feels fake or uncomfortable, you’re doing it wrong. This episode covers how to build real connections that open doors—without forcing yourself into someone else’s style. Cara and Lauren discuss a more authentic approach to networking—one rooted in curiosity, small intentional actions, and genuine connection. You’ll learn how to start conversations without the awkwardness, build relat...

Resilience isn’t something you are—it’s something you build. Cara and Lauren break down the science, share real-life strategies, and show how to create your own “moat” to handle stress, burnout, and change.

Empathy isn’t just a “nice-to-have.” It’s the skill that separates good managers from great leaders. In this episode, Cara and Lauren explore how empathy drives trust, engagement, and performance at work, even in a world full of automation and AI. Learn actionable strategies to: Understand and respond to the emotions of your team Practice active listening and perspective-taking Use empathy to navi...