Unspoken Career Truths

Ever wonder why some people can walk into a meeting and change the energy in the room? In this episode, Cara and Lauren break down effective presence: the invisible skill that makes you more influential, persuasive, and memorable at work. Learn how to: Read the room and respond to moods before they derail your team Use your energy intentionally — without faking it — to guide outcomes Balance leade...

Everyone says mentorship matters for career growth. But not every stage of your career calls for a mentor. In this episode, Cara and Lauren break down the difference between mentoring and coaching and how knowing which kind of support you need can shape your professional development. They unpack: The real difference between a mentor and a coach When to seek skill-based coaching vs long-term guidan...

If you’ve ever wondered whether teamwork really makes work better — or just more complicated — this conversation offers a more honest framework. We interrogate the popular phrase “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together” — and asks whether it actually reflects how work, progress, and collaboration function today. Cara and Lauren unpack the historical roots of the sayin...

As AI removes “starter tasks,” remote work reduces organic connection, and career paths become less linear, community is no longer optional—especially for early-career professionals. In this episode, Lauren and Cara break down what community really means, why it drives performance and belonging, and how to build it intentionally. From being generous with context to showing up consistently, we shar...

AI is everywhere. Hybrid work is here to stay. Productivity is under the microscope. So… what still makes good teamwork possible? In this episode, Cara and Lauren take a look at the future of work by focusing on what they don’t want to lose. From great teamwork to shared celebrations, they explore the elements of work culture that never go out of style even as everything else changes. There’s prac...

Navigating a multi-generational workplace isn’t always easy, but it’s more important than ever. In this episode, Lauren and Cara explore the generational divide and share practical strategies for improving workplace communication, setting boundaries, and leveraging the unique strengths of every generation. From understanding why a Gen Z team member prefers texting to why a Boomer might avoid insta...

When new management comes in, it’s hard not to wonder what it means for your job. In response to a listener question, Cara and Lauren unpack a familiar but rarely discussed scenario: a company acquisition, the introduction of an external agency, and the quiet fear that job security might be fragile. This anxiety is valid, but more responsibility can actually signal trust. Learn how a role shift mi...

What does it actually mean to work alongside AI? In this episode we break down the future of work through a clear, practical lens: AI as a coworker, not a replacement. Together, we unpack the difference between generative AI and agentic AI, where automation helps (and where it absolutely shouldn’t), and why humans still own judgment, context, and responsibility. You’ll hear how to think about AI l...

The economy gets blamed for everything—but what does it actually mean for your career? In this episode, we translate today’s biggest economic headlines into real workplace implications. We break down interest rates, inflation, unemployment, and explain how they affect raises, job security, and career decisions. You’ll learn why economic forecasts are always uncertain, how CPI can quietly signal a...

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...