- 43 minutes 28 secondsWhat Hiring Managers Actually Think (But Will Never Tell You) with Deepali Vyas
If you've ever wondered what actually gets discussed behind closed doors when companies are hiring, promoting, or handing out pink slips, this episode is like a backstage pass.
Amanda Goetz sits down with Deepali Vyas, a veteran executive recruiter and career coach who’s spent 25 years in the boardrooms on Wall Street. She’s also one of the most followed career experts on the internet. She's advised Fortune 500 CEOs, hedge funds, and private equity firms on their most senior hires—and she's here to spill everything they never told you.
The timing couldn't be better. Between mass layoffs, rapid AI expansion, and an unpredictable job market, navigating your career right now feels harder than ever. Deepali breaks down exactly what's changed, what still works, and what you need to stop doing right now—from the resume mistakes that get you filtered out in six seconds (!!!), to why loyalty to a company is not the flex you think it is, to the 5-5-3 networking rule that actually moves the needle when you're on the market.
We're also getting into the closed-door conversations that decide who gets laid off, the one move that makes hiring managers want you more, and the corporate truth that might sting a little: your manager is not your mentor.
If you've been playing checkers with your career, this is your invitation to start playing chess. Tune into the episode to find out how.
Key Takeaways
-
Talent alone won't get you promoted—visibility will.
-
Your manager is not your mentor.
-
Everyone has skills. What separates people is proximity.
-
BLUF: Bottom line up front.
-
Build your external brand while you're still employed.
-
Why you should leave your job when you’re winning.
-
When you're job searching, use the 5-5-3 rule: five texts to people in your network, five days a week, and aim for three meetings.
00:00 Intro
03:12 Deepali's career origin story
05:41 Being underestimated as a superpower
06:13 Talent alone isn't enough: visibility & access matter most
08:14 Managing up & the power memo
13:58 Checkers vs. chess: playing the long game
15:57 Leave when you're winning
17:30 Behind closed doors: what hiring really looks like
20:06 Resumes, layoffs & career resilience
22:54 The 5-5-3 rule
26:46 Becoming indispensable vs. high impact
32:21 Rapid fire: resumes, LinkedIn & interview tips
GUEST LINKS
IG: https://www.instagram.com/the_elite_recruiter/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elite.recruiter
Subscribe to Deepali's newsletter: https://eliterecruiter-newsletter.beehiiv.com/
FOLLOW THE PODCAST
IG: https://www.instagram.com/girlboss/ | TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@girlboss
Amanda Goetz: https://www.instagram.com/theamandagoetz/
https://girlboss.com/pages/ambition-2-0-podcast
SIGN UP
Subscribe to the Girlboss Daily newsletter: https://newsletter.girlboss.com/
For all other Girlboss links: https://linkin.bio/girlboss/
ABOUT AMBITION 2.0
Powered by Girlboss, Ambition 2.0 is a podcast where we'll be exploring what it really means to "have it all" in work, family, identity, and self… and if it's actually worth it. Each week, you'll hear from hardworking women who've walked the tightrope of ambition. They'll share their costly mistakes, lessons learned, and practical tips for how to have it all and actually love what you have.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
28 April 2026, 9:00 am -
- 46 minutes 35 secondsHow to Be a Rich Old Lady: The Beginner’s Guide to Building Wealth with Amanda Holden
Amanda Holden spent years working 13-hour days at a male-dominated finance firm—helping rich men get richer—before she made a bold exit. She saved aggressively, sold her car, and walked away without a plan. That scrappy chapter even earned her the cute nickname “Dumpster Doggy.” 🙃
But it also gave her something most people never get: the space to figure out what she actually wanted. The answer? Teaching women how to invest.
In this episode of Ambition 2.0, Amanda Goetz sits down with Amanda Holden—financial educator, founder of Invested Development, and author of How to Be a Rich Old Lady—to unpack why investing still feels so overwhelming (even for smart, ambitious, high-earning women). Spoiler: it’s not you. The system was designed to gatekeep this information from women.
Amanda breaks down the biggest lies women have been told about money, why the Roth vs. traditional debate is more distracting than helpful, and what a 401(k) actually is (hint: for our millennial listeners, think of it like Caboodles from the ‘90s).
If you’ve ever looked at your retirement account and thought, “I should probably figure that out someday,” this episode is for you!
In this episode:
-
Why ambition isn't just about winning the man's game anymore
-
How Amanda went from finance bro to financial feminist
-
The Caboodles analogy that will change how you think about your retirement account
-
Why the Roth vs. traditional debate is the wrong conversation
-
What a fee-only financial planner actually does (and when you need one)
-
The #1 first step if you feel behind on investing
-
Why "go get your match" is the most important money advice for employees
-
The trad wife economy and the financial risks women need to understand
00:00 Intro
03:59 What drew her to finance and what made her leave
09:29 The mindset shift that helped her walk away from her finance job
11:02 Her scrappy, "Dumpster Doggy" era (which allowed her to quit her 9-5)
13:10 The TL;DR on Invested Development, Amanda’s financial education platform
16:12 Why investing feels so hard, even for smart women
21:01 The biggest lies women have been told about investing
23:49 Roth vs. traditional: why it's the wrong debate
25:13 The Caboodles analogy that explains your 401(k) perfectly
29:28 The first step when you feel overwhelmed by money
30:39 Do you actually need a financial planner?
34:57 The beginner investing move that builds real confidence
40:05 What it actually means to be a rich old lady
43:00 Rapid fire: earning vs. investing, money myths, and more
GUEST LINKS
IG: https://www.instagram.com/dumpster.doggy/
Read How to Be a Rich Old Lady
Check out the Invested Development course: https://amandaholden.podia.com/invested-development
FOLLOW THE PODCAST
IG: https://www.instagram.com/girlboss/ | TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@girlboss
Amanda Goetz: https://www.instagram.com/theamandagoetz/
https://girlboss.com/pages/ambition-2-0-podcast
SIGN UP Subscribe to the Girlboss Daily newsletter: https://newsletter.girlboss.com/ For all other Girlboss links: https://linkin.bio/girlboss/
ABOUT AMBITION 2.0 Powered by Girlboss, Ambition 2.0 is a podcast where we'll be exploring what it really means to "have it all" in work, family, identity, and self… and if it's actually worth it. Each week, you'll hear from hardworking women who've walked the tightrope of ambition. They'll share their costly mistakes, lessons learned, and practical tips for how to have it all and actually love what you have.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
14 April 2026, 9:00 am -
- 42 minutes 42 secondsThe New Rules of Dating for Ambitious Women with Amy Chan
Dating in 2026 can feel… bleak. Everyone is analyzing “red flags,” burned out on dating apps, and building emotional walls to stay safe out there. Sound relatable?
In this episode of Ambition 2.0, Amanda Goetz sits down with relationship expert Amy Chan—founder of Renew Breakup Bootcamp, bestselling author of Breakup Bootcamp, and author of the upcoming book Unsingle: How to Date Smarter and Create Love That Lasts—to talk about what’s actually going wrong in modern dating (especially for ambitious women) and how to date smarter.
Amy breaks down why high-achieving women can accidentally bring “CEO energy” into their love lives—turning dating into a project, over-functioning, and doing 90% of the work. You’ll learn how to stop over-giving, create space so someone can show you who they are, and why it’s not your job to coach someone out of their insecurity.
Plus, Amy shares her “dating funnel” framework (lead generation → evaluation → commitment) and the underrated stage most people skip: the evaluation phase (a.k.a.: dates 3–20, where character is revealed).
If you’re dating right now—or you want a smarter path to partnership—this episode is for you.
You’ll learn:
-
Why modern dating feels broken—and how hyper-fixating on red flags is blocking connection
-
How “CEO energy” can sabotage dating and what to do instead
-
Why it’s not your job to fix or coach a partner out of insecurity
-
What emotional wealth really means (and why it matters more than money)
-
Amy’s “dating funnel” framework and why dates 3–20 are crucial
-
How “ick culture” keeps people single
How to reopen your heart if dating has made you guarded, burned out, or distrustful
00:00 Intro
03:22 Women’s standards are rising—and “survival coupling” is over
05:04 What is the “CEO energy” problem?
07:26 How to leave space and let them show who they are
10:12 Emotional wealth > financial flex: what men can do differently now
14:50 Amy’s dating funnel framework
21:08 The internet’s worst dating advice
GUEST LINKS
Instagram: www.instagram.com/missamychan
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@missamychan
Read Breakup Bootcamp: https://bookshop.org/a/116169/9780062914743
Pre-order Unsingle: https://bookshop.org/a/116169/9781419779848
FOLLOW THE PODCAST
IG: https://www.instagram.com/girlboss/ | TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@girlboss
Amanda Goetz: https://www.instagram.com/theamandagoetz/
https://girlboss.com/pages/ambition-2-0-podcast
SIGN UP
Subscribe to the Girlboss Daily newsletter: https://newsletter.girlboss.com/
For all other Girlboss links: https://linkin.bio/girlboss/
ABOUT AMBITION 2.0Powered by Girlboss, Ambition 2.0 is a podcast where we’ll be exploring what it really means to “have it all” in work, family, identity, and self… and if it’s actually worth it. Each week, you'll hear from hardworking women who’ve walked the tightrope of ambition. They'll share their costly mistakes, lessons learned, and practical tips for how to have it all and actually love what you have.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
20 January 2026, 10:00 am -
- 41 minutes 40 secondsWhy You Can’t Stop Working—And How to Break the Cycle with Malissa Clark
Repeat after us: You can love your job and still be a workaholic.
In this episode of Ambition 2.0, Amanda Goetz sits down with Dr. Malissa Clark, a professor at the University of Georgia, Director of the Healthy Work Lab, and author of Never Not Working: Why the Always-On Culture Is Bad for Business—and How to Fix It, to break down what workaholism can look like in real life (spoiler: it’s not just about working long hours). They get into the sneaky “working light” tasks that we tell ourselves don’t count as work (like sending emails while watching TV or checking Slack between errands), how leaders accidentally create always-on teams, and so much more.
If you’ve ever felt guilty while resting, struggled to stop thinking about work, or worried that your ambition is turning into something unhealthy, this episode is worth a listen.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
00:00 Intro
01:33 What workaholism is (and the four components)
04:32 Early signs your work habits are becoming unhealthy
07:21 What to do if you think you might be a workaholic
11:23 How leaders unintentionally create “always-on” teams
13:26 How to bring boundaries up with your boss
20:46 Redesigning work culture
24:04 Surviving a 40-hour workweek without losing your life
32:56 Rapid fire: urgent emails, Slack, PTO, and commute baths
GUEST LINKSRead Never Not Working: https://bookshop.org/a/116169/9781647825096
FOLLOW THE PODCAST
IG: https://www.instagram.com/girlboss/ | TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@girlboss
Amanda Goetz: https://www.instagram.com/theamandagoetz/
https://girlboss.com/pages/ambition-2-0-podcast
SIGN UP
Subscribe to the Girlboss Daily newsletter: https://newsletter.girlboss.com/
For all other Girlboss links: https://linkin.bio/girlboss/
ABOUT AMBITION 2.0Powered by Girlboss, Ambition 2.0 is a podcast where we’ll be exploring what it really means to “have it all” in work, family, identity, and self… and if it’s actually worth it. Each week, you'll hear from hardworking women who’ve walked the tightrope of ambition. They'll share their costly mistakes, lessons learned, and practical tips for how to have it all and actually love what you have.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
13 January 2026, 10:00 am - 43 minutes 32 secondsFrom Harvard Dropout to VC Powerhouse: How to Bet on Yourself with Alexa von Tobel
In this episode of Ambition 2.0, host Amanda Goetz sits down with Alexa von Tobel—the founder of LearnVest (where she raised $75M and successfully sold it to Northwestern Mutual) and current founder and managing partner of Inspired Capital—to unpack the resilient mindset that has shaped her successful career, from founder to venture-capital veteran.Alexa dropped out of Harvard Business School and poured her life savings into LearnVest, a multimillion-dollar business idea—despite warnings from nearly everyone around her that she was making a big mistake. She did it in the middle of the 2008 economic recession, no less.
Alexa shares why her 90-year-old self (and the fear of regret) fuels her to take big risks, the qualities she looks for when investing in a founder, and practical tips for pitching your business to VCs for the first time. She also shares an unpopular truth: if you’re becoming an entrepreneur for the status or the “quick money,” it’s going to be a rough ride. There’s only one reason why you should start your own business: because you can’t do any other job.
Key takeaways-
Regret is usually about the swings you didn’t take—not the mistakes you made.
-
Raising capital gets easier when you combine mission + proof + obsessive category insight.
-
Feedback is a competitive edge (and ego is the fastest way to lose it).
-
Entrepreneurship shouldn’t be “cool”—it should be inevitable for the person doing it.
- Sustainable ambition comes from doing what you love + what you’re excellent at, then turning the intensity toward your whole life.
00:00 Intro
02:46 Reclaiming ambition as a positive force
04:11 The LearnVest origin story and dropping out during the economic downturn of 2008
07:53 Raising $75M and the difference between capital vs. “world-class” capital
15:24 What founders get wrong in pitches (and what great answers sound like)
24:20 Identity beyond titles, exits, and the founder doom spiral
33:54 Speed round: The one quality she looks for before investing in founders (and the one that’s a major red flag)
GUEST LINKSIG: https://www.instagram.com/alexavontobel/?hl=en
Listen to her podcast here: https://www.inspiredcapital.com/content/podcasts
Learn more about Inspired Capital: https://www.inspiredcapital.com
FOLLOW THE PODCAST
IG: https://www.instagram.com/girlboss/ | TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@girlboss
Amanda Goetz: https://www.instagram.com/theamandagoetz/
https://girlboss.com/pages/ambition-2-0-podcast
SIGN UP
Subscribe to the Girlboss Daily newsletter: https://newsletter.girlboss.com/
For all other Girlboss links: https://linkin.bio/girlboss/
ABOUT AMBITION 2.0Powered by Girlboss, Ambition 2.0 is a podcast where we’ll be exploring what it really means to “have it all” in work, family, identity, and self… and if it’s actually worth it. Each week, you'll hear from hardworking women who’ve walked the tightrope of ambition. They'll share their costly mistakes, lessons learned, and practical tips for how to have it all and actually love what you have.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
6 January 2026, 10:00 am -
- 47 minutes 27 secondsWhat to Do When Productivity Becomes Toxic with Israa Nasir
In this episode of Ambition 2.0, Amanda Goetz sits down with psychotherapist and Toxic Productivity author Israa Nasir to unpack why so many high-achieving women feel constantly behind, overwhelmed, and unable to rest—even when they’re doing “everything right.”
Israa explains how productivity often becomes a coping mechanism for shame, fear, and feeling “not good enough,” and why no system, planner, or habit hack can fix that. Together, they talk about the early warning signs of toxic productivity (including resentment and the phrase “I just need to get through next week”), how unhealed wounds show up at work through perfectionism and feedback sensitivity, and why rest isn’t a reward—it’s a requirement.
They also talk about how convenience culture and “main character energy” are quietly eroding community, why boundaries shouldn’t be rigid walls, and what it really takes to build a sustainable, values-aligned relationship with ambition.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why productivity is often emotional avoidance, not motivation
- The earliest signs your productivity has turned toxic
- How reparenting shows up in your career (feedback, perfectionism, taking up space)
- The 7 types of rest (and no, scrolling doesn’t count)
- Why convenience is costing us connection and how to build community again
00:00 Intro
04:17 When productivity becomes toxic
09:07 Reparenting at work
15:11 Boundaries 101
18:16 Hyper-optimizing “self-improvement”
26:21 Contentment vs complacency (and the “both/and” mindset)
28:06 The 7 types of rest
31:42 Convenience vs connection
38:28 Rapid-fire questions
GUEST LINKS
IG: https://www.instagram.com/well.guide/
Subscribe to Well Guide: https://israanasir.substack.com/
Read Toxic Productivity: https://bookshop.org/a/116169/9781962305358
FOLLOW THE PODCAST
IG: https://www.instagram.com/girlboss/ | TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@girlboss
Amanda Goetz: https://www.instagram.com/theamandagoetz/
https://girlboss.com/pages/ambition-2-0-podcast
SIGN UP
Subscribe to the Girlboss Daily newsletter: https://newsletter.girlboss.com/
For all other Girlboss links: https://linkin.bio/girlboss/
ABOUT AMBITION 2.0Powered by Girlboss, Ambition 2.0 is a podcast where we’ll be exploring what it really means to “have it all” in work, family, identity, and self… and if it’s actually worth it. Each week, you'll hear from hardworking women who’ve walked the tightrope of ambition. They'll share their costly mistakes, lessons learned, and practical tips for how to have it all and actually love what you have.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
23 December 2025, 10:00 am - 37 minutes 38 secondsIs Having a Stay-at-Home Husband the Secret to Success? with Tressie Lieberman
In this episode of Ambition 2.0, host Amanda Goetz sits down with Starbucks' Global Chief Brand Officer Tressie Lieberman to talk about the path that led her through some of the biggest brands in marketing (Pizza Hut → Taco Bell → Chipotle → Yahoo → Starbucks), the mentors who changed her trajectory, and the family system that makes it possible: a true partnership where her husband is the stay-at-home parent.
They get tactical about how to divide the cognitive load, why “Sunday check-ins” are a non-negotiable, and how to navigate the social friction that still shows up when you flip traditional gender roles.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
-
How Tressie went from aiming for “the next level” to owning the CMO path—and what made that shift happen
-
Why curiosity (and doing “the little extra things”) is key in your career
-
How to build a partnership that’s equitable, not score-keeping
-
The practical systems that reduce mental load at home
-
How to handle judgment, weird school dynamics, and “default parent” assumptions when dad stays home
If you’re building an ambitious life—and want a relationship that can grow with it—this episode is a must listen.
00:00 Intro
02:53 The mindset shift that set Tressie’s sights beyond “the next level”
04:02 The mentors who opened doors (including reverse mentoring a CEO)
05:36 How to stand out early: curiosity, doing extra, and teaching what’s next
06:49 Advocating for yourself in executive rooms (and getting over FOE: fear of executives)
09:10 How they chose a stay-at-home partner dynamic
13:59 The at-home teamwork: check-ins, trade-offs, and letting go of perfection and control
17:45 Keeping the marriage strong: date nights, boundaries, and “one blended life”
32:45 Rapid fire: Sunday rituals, go-to Starbucks order, and ideal partnership in one word
GUEST LINKS
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tressielieberman/
FOLLOW THE PODCAST
IG: https://www.instagram.com/girlboss/ | TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@girlboss
Amanda Goetz: https://www.instagram.com/theamandagoetz/
https://girlboss.com/pages/ambition-2-0-podcast
SIGN UP
Subscribe to the Girlboss Daily newsletter: https://newsletter.girlboss.com/
For all other Girlboss links: https://linkin.bio/girlboss/
ABOUT AMBITION 2.0
Powered by Girlboss, Ambition 2.0 is a podcast where we’ll be exploring what it really means to “have it all” in work, family, identity, and self… and if it’s actually worth it. Each week, you'll hear from hardworking women who’ve walked the tightrope of ambition. They'll share their costly mistakes, lessons learned, and practical tips for how to have it all and actually love what you have.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
16 December 2025, 10:00 am -
- 49 minutes 4 secondsHow to Actually Solve Burnout at Work (No, It’s Not Self-Care) with Jennifer Moss
According to workplace culture expert and author Jennifer Moss, burnout in 2025 is actually worse than it was at the height of the pandemic—with roughly half of the global workforce experiencing symptoms. 🙃
In this episode of Ambition 2.0, host Amanda Goetz sits down with Jennifer to unpack why burnout is still rising, why “hardcore culture” and the 996 movement are actually bad for business (and employee morale), and why self-care rituals like a face mask and a Sunday night bath are band-aid solutions for a systems-level problem.
They get into the uncomfortable truth about ageism (both Gen Z and older workers are experiencing bias) and what leaders are getting wrong about “return to office” and productivity.
You’ll also hear a much more hopeful take on the future of work: how to design cultures around hope, purpose, and community, what actually moves the needle on wellbeing and performance, and what employees can do when they’re stuck in a bad culture but can’t just quit (because… rent). They also dig into AI, “boreout,” calendar Tetris, and the simple 20-minute rituals that can quietly transform a team.
Key Takeaways:
-
Burnout is a systems failure, not a self-care issue
-
Ageism is shrinking the workforce more than AI
-
How to assert boundaries with your boss when you’re burned out (and can’t quit)
-
Clear signs you’re burning out
-
Community at work is a performance driver, not a perk
-
3 things every company culture should have to prevent burnout
Whether you’re a manager, an HR leader, or just someone who’s tired, cynical, and wondering, “Is it me… or my job?” this episode will give you language, frameworks, and actionable steps you can take today to redesign the way you work forever.
00:00 Intro
01:30 Redefining ambition without toxic productivity
06:30 Generational divides, ageism & entry-level careers
11:12 Burnout as a systems failure (not a self-care issue)
13:40 Hardcore culture, the 996 movement, and the real cost it has on companies
23:03 What employees can do when they can’t just quit
29:28 Three warning signs you’re sliding into burnout
32:30 The pillars of great culture
38:09 AI, “boreout,” and designing a lower-burnout future of work
GUEST LINKSInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jleighmoss/?hl=en
https://www.jennifer-moss.com/
Why Are We Here? Creating a Work Culture Everyone Wants: https://bookshop.org/a/116169/9781647826130
The Burnout Epidemic: The Rise of Chronic Stress and How We Can Fix It: https://bookshop.org/a/116169/9781647820367
FOLLOW THE PODCAST
IG: https://www.instagram.com/girlboss/ | TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@girlboss
Amanda Goetz: https://www.instagram.com/theamandagoetz/
https://girlboss.com/pages/ambition-2-0-podcast
SIGN UP
Subscribe to the Girlboss Daily newsletter: https://newsletter.girlboss.com/
For all other Girlboss links: https://linkin.bio/girlboss/
ABOUT AMBITION 2.0
Powered by Girlboss, Ambition 2.0 is a podcast where we’ll be exploring what it really means to “have it all” in work, family, identity, and self… and if it’s actually worth it. Each week, you'll hear from hardworking women who’ve walked the tightrope of ambition. They'll share their costly mistakes, lessons learned, and practical tips for how to have it all and actually love what you have.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9 December 2025, 4:01 pm -
- 54 minutes 7 secondsHow to Make Your Own Luck in Your Career with Erika Ayers Badan
In this episode of Ambition 2.0, host Amanda Goetz sits down with Erika Ayers Badan, former CEO of Barstool Sports, current CEO of Food52, bestselling author of Nobody Cares About Your Career, and all-around master of building a career entirely on her own terms.
Erika took Barstool from scrappy outsider to a $550M powerhouse with 5 billion monthly video views and 225 million followers, and now she’s teaching us how to take charge of our own career trajectory.
Erika shows us the real mechanics of career growth: why nobody is coming to save you, how to make your own luck, why “random” career paths are often the most powerful, and the mindset shifts that separate fulfilled professionals from stuck ones.
She also shares candid stories from her time leading one of the most controversial (and successful) media companies in the world, what she’s learned about managing men and underdogs, how to stay emotionally regulated at work, and why she advocates for not bringing your whole self to work (compartmentalization can actually enhance your authenticity).
Erika shares her thoughts on:- Your career is only for you—not for LinkedIn, not for your resume, and not for anyone else’s approval.
- Luck is made, not given: initiative, shameless asking, and momentum matter more than pedigree in the early stages of your career.
- Every job, even the terrible or random ones, contains a skill or lesson you’ll use later.
- Emotional regulation and compartmentalization are leadership superpowers, not repression.
- You don’t have to be the “alpha” to lead; service, empowerment, and clarity are often more effective.
- A great boss can change your entire career trajectory—interview them as much as they interview you.
You’ll also hear Erika’s framework for avoiding energy vampires, deciding which “thankless” tasks are worth it, building a personal board of directors, and creating momentum at any stage of your career—from your second job to the C-suite.
00:00 Intro03:50 The biggest misconception about career progression
09:23 Surviving bad startups and getting the most out of them
14:20 Making your own luck and the power of asking for help
16:36 Personal boards and shameless asks
20:41 How junior employees can stand out and create momentum
23:37 Leading in a male-dominated culture without being the alpha
32:33 Compartmentalization, authenticity, and emotional regulation at work
39:47 Energy vampires, thankless tasks, and protecting your focus
42:37 How to pick a boss and read interviews differently
45:53 Erika’s work at Food52 and Work Life A Girl, and the power of building community
49:15 Rapid-fire questions and Erika’s non-negotiables at work
GUEST LINKS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erika/ & https://www.instagram.com/workwitherika/
Connect with Erika: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikanardini/
Subscribe to her Substack: https://erikaayersbadan.substack.com/
Listen to her podcast, Work: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/work-with-erika-ayers-badan/id1503065691
Join Work Like a Girl: https://www.worklikeagirl.com/
Order her book, Nobody Cares About Your Career: https://bookshop.org/a/116169/9781250320582
FOLLOW THE PODCAST
IG: https://www.instagram.com/girlboss/ | TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@girlboss
Amanda Goetz: https://www.instagram.com/theamandagoetz/
https://girlboss.com/pages/ambition-2-0-podcast
SIGN UP
Subscribe to the Girlboss Daily newsletter: https://newsletter.girlboss.com/
For all other Girlboss links: https://linkin.bio/girlboss/
ABOUT AMBITION 2.0
Powered by Girlboss, Ambition 2.0 is a podcast where we’ll be exploring what it really means to “have it all” in work, family, identity, and self… and if it’s actually worth it. Each week, you'll hear from hardworking women who’ve walked the tightrope of ambition. They'll share their costly mistakes, lessons learned, and practical tips for how to have it all and actually love what you have.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2 December 2025, 10:00 am - 49 minutes 12 secondsWhy High-Functioning Depression Hits Ambitious Women the Hardest with Dr. Judith Joseph
In this episode of Ambition 2.0, Amanda sits down with board-certified psychiatrist, researcher, and viral mental health educator Dr. Judith Joseph, MD, MBA, to talk about a form of depression that often flies under the radar: high-functioning depression.
If you’re the one who “has it together” (the dependable friend, the rock at work, the caregiver who never drops the ball), but feel numb, exhausted, or joyless inside, this conversation is going to hit uncomfortably close to home (in the best way).
Dr. Judith breaks down:
- Why so many high-achieving, caregiving women are especially vulnerable
- The science-backed difference between happiness (external, elusive) and joy (internal, accessible)
- Her framework of the five V’s of healing: validation, venting, values, vitals, and vision
- How people-pleasing and masochistic traits keep you stuck
- The surprising ways trauma, divorce, and “smaller” emotional wounds shape our ambition and burnout
- Why anhedonia (a loss of joy) is a red flag
- How PMDD, postpartum, and perimenopause can amplify everything
They also get into practical tools: how to set limits with toxic people you can’t fully cut them off, how to support a friend with high-functioning depression without shaming them, and why scheduling joy is needed.
If you’ve ever thought, “I’m functioning… but I’m not okay,” this episode will help you name it, understand it, and start to change it.
00:00 Intro
01:39 Judith’s story of realizing she was depressed
03:19 Why high-achieving, caregiving women are vulnerable to high-functioning depression
04:41 The difference between happiness and joy
08:30 The five V’s of healing
11:06 What masochism really means, how it became “people-pleasing,” and why women self-sacrifice
19:27 Venting vs trauma dumping
24:16 How Dr. Judith reclaimed joy through play
33:08 How to support a friend with high-functioning depression
GUEST LINKS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjudithjoseph/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjudithjoseph
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmHQJaOerTsZJfOtiYz4sOg
Read High Functioning: https://bookshop.org/a/116169/9780316577298
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Amanda Goetz: https://www.instagram.com/theamandagoetz/
https://girlboss.com/pages/ambition-2-0-podcast
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ABOUT AMBITION 2.0
Powered by Girlboss, Ambition 2.0 is a podcast where we’ll be exploring what it really means to “have it all” in work, family, identity, and self… and if it’s actually worth it. Each week, you'll hear from hardworking women who’ve walked the tightrope of ambition. They'll share their costly mistakes, lessons learned, and practical tips for how to have it all and actually love what you have.
DISCLAIMER
This episode is sponsored by Bulova
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So, go ahead. Celebrate your milestones. Invest in yourself. Because time is on your side — and it looks so damn good on you.
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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
25 November 2025, 10:00 am - 38 minutes 5 secondsHow to Build Your Million-Dollar Life with Rachel Rodgers
When it comes to money, most of us were taught to work hard, focus on saving, and not take any financial risks. In this episode of Ambition 2.0, Rachel Rodgers (self-made millionaire, founder of Hello Seven, and author of We Should All Be Millionaires and Future Millionaire) is here to replace that belief with something way more powerful.
Rachel and Amanda get into why wealth is built on risk, not by simply “working harder”, how women are socialized to budget instead of build wealth, and the exact mindset and practical moves that helped Rachel go from living in a low-income household as a child to running an eight-figure business.
You’ll hear them talk about:
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Why “making money is easy” is the belief Rachel wishes she’d adopted at 25
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The biggest limiting belief holding ambitious women back
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Why wealth comes after betting on yourself—not just by investing in stocks and real estate
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How to know when it’s time to hire help (EA, VA, house manager, childcare, etc.)
Turning your natural talents and obsessions into income streams
How Rachel designs her life so she can make millions without burning out
00:00 Intro
04:10 Why women are taught to budget—not build wealth
07:30 Failure, risk, and “successful failure”
10:40 Turning your natural talents into income
14:10 When (and why) to hire help instead of doing it all
19:40 Balancing “treating yourself” with long-term financial goals
23:25 Ambition without burnout: Rachel’s non-negotiables
25:30 The power of community, accountability, and momentum
29:41 The money belief Rachel wishes she had learned sooner
31:10 Rapid fire: millionaire habits, splurges, and rich-life rules
GUEST LINKS
Rachel Rodgers: https://www.instagram.com/rachrodgersesq/
Read We Should All Be Millionaires: https://bookshop.org/a/116169/9781400221622
Read Future Millionaire: https://bookshop.org/a/116169/9780310158202
Read Million Dollar Action: https://bookshop.org/a/116169/9781400243686
Hello Seven Co.: https://www.instagram.com/hello7co/
The Rachel Rodgers Show: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/therachelrodgersshow/the-rachel-rodgers-show-entrepreneurship-uncensored
FOLLOW THE PODCAST
IG: https://www.instagram.com/girlboss/ | TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@girlboss
Amanda Goetz: https://www.instagram.com/theamandagoetz/
https://girlboss.com/pages/ambition-2-0-podcast
SIGN UP
Subscribe to the Girlboss Daily newsletter: https://newsletter.girlboss.com/
For all other Girlboss links: https://linkin.bio/girlboss/
ABOUT AMBITION 2.0
Powered by Girlboss, Ambition 2.0 is a podcast where we’ll be exploring what it really means to “have it all” in work, family, identity, and self… and if it’s actually worth it. Each week, you'll hear from hardworking women who’ve walked the tightrope of ambition. They'll share their costly mistakes, lessons learned, and practical tips for how to have it all and actually love what you have.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
18 November 2025, 10:00 am -
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