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 behind the scenes).
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, and the small ways we learn to give ourselves permission to rest.
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 navigating trust, feedback, and conflict at work or at home.
When should you extend grace, draw boundaries, and how can you better balance empathy with accountability? We tackle how “assuming best intent” can strengthen relationships, reduce emotional reactivity, and build psychological safety — but also why it can’t excuse bad behavior or toxic patterns.
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 acronyms shape communication, inclusion, and credibility at work and when corporate jargon becomes a barrier instead of a shortcut. From the “three tiers of acronyms”, learn how to ask for clarity with confidence and avoid the buzzword trap. It’s equal parts corporate comedy and practical communication guide.
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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 intelligence and adaptability in the face of uncertainty.
You’ll learn how to identify your personal “change style,” lead through transitions with empathy, and practice true change management without burnout. Discover why resistance is a natural first step, how resilience is built through experience, and what it takes to help teams thrive through transformation. Whether you’re managing change or simply surviving it, this episode will help you find steadiness in motion—and maybe even learn to welcome it.
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 work.
Whether you’re experimenting with ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude, or simply wondering what AI means for your job, this episode unpacks how to use it strategically—to think sharper, create faster, and lead smarter—without losing what makes you human.
AI is reshaping the modern workplace, from how we write emails to how we brainstorm, analyze data, and make decisions. But beneath the hype, there’s confusion and fear: Will AI automate everything? Am I falling behind? Lauren and Cara offer a grounded, human-first framework for navigating this transformation.
If you’re curious how to make AI your creative collaborator rather than your competitor, this episode will give you a roadmap. You’ll learn:
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, protect your role, and foster better communication across teams.
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 practical strategies to approach your review with confidence, clarity, and a growth mindset.
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 confident in.
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 syndrome and step into your career with confidence. Perfect for anyone preparing for a promotion, salary negotiation, or simply looking to own their impact.
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 be clear, constructive, and motivating. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your feedback land without crushing confidence, this conversation is for you.
Getting feedback can feel personal — but it’s actually one of the fastest ways to grow. In this Wisdom Under Fire 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, you’ll learn practical ways to make sure your impact doesn’t go unnoticed.
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 workplace pressure or everyday challenges, this episode will give you tools to recognize your triggers and create a stress management plan that actually works.
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 will give you practical strategies to grow your influence and make a lasting impact at work.
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 ambition and well-being.
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 permission to let them shift over time. A quick guide to creating a more fulfilling and sustainable life.