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:

• How to test AI tools safely and productively at work
• Why “AI literacy” is the next essential career skill
• How to balance efficiency with empathy in an automated world
• How transparency builds trust when using AI-generated content
• Why your unique human perspective is still your greatest edge

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.