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The Corporate Burnouts Podcast
The Corporate Burnouts Podcast
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Welcome to The Corporate Burnouts—the podcast built for anyone trying to survive (or escape) the corporate grind. Whether you love your job, hate it, or just feel stuck in the endless cycle of meetings and emails, this is your space.
Hosted by two ex-corporate besties who’ve been through it all, we’re here to share real stories, practical advice, and plenty of laughs.
This podcast is a community. A place where we uplift each other, share hard-earned wisdom, and remind you that you’re not alone in this.
Join us each week as we build a corporate support system that actually has your back.
Hosted by two ex-corporate besties who’ve been through it all, we’re here to share real stories, practical advice, and plenty of laughs.
This podcast is a community. A place where we uplift each other, share hard-earned wisdom, and remind you that you’re not alone in this.
Join us each week as we build a corporate support system that actually has your back.
59 Episodes
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In this special one-year anniversary episode of The Corporate Burnouts, Mandy Alt and Mandy Holt dive into one of the most debated workplace topics, office romance. From dating a coworker to dating your boss, navigating power dynamics, favoritism, jealousy, workplace gossip, and messy breakups, this episode explores the real pros and cons of workplace relationships.With over 60% of people experiencing a workplace romanceand nearly half leading to long-term relationships or marriage, it’s no surprise that office dating is common. But is it worth the risk? The Mandys share personal stories from their restaurant industry days, unpack the psychology behind why workplace relationships feel so intense, and discuss the professional risks that come with mixing business and pleasure. They also break down power imbalances, HR policies, performance reviews, manipulation risks, and the legal and career consequences that can follow when dating crossesprofessional lines.From wild cheating scandals and corporate horror storiesto real examples of marriages that started at work, this episode covers the full spectrum of workplace drama. If you’ve ever had a crush on a coworker, dated your manager, considered disclosing a workplace relationship to HR, orsurvived a messy office breakup, this conversation will feel uncomfortably relatable.As The Corporate Burnouts celebrates one full year and 52consecutive episodes without missing a week, this conversation reflects on growth, risk, personal responsibility, and the lessons learned from corporate life and beyond. If you’re navigating corporate culture, workplace politics,career burnout, or trying to figure out how relationships impact your professional path, this episode is for you.If you would like to see the TikTok video(s) the Mandyswere discussing, here is the link to part 1 of this series. You can find the rest on this creator's channel. https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZThQg7hry/Make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share thisepisode with a friend who needs to hear it. If you or someone you know has a wild workplace romance story, corporate burnout journey, or small business transition story, reach out through thecorporateburnouts.com. We’d love to feature you on an upcoming episode.
Is company loyalty secretly costing you your career?In this episode of The Corporate Burnouts, Mandy Alt and Mandy Holt unpack one of the biggest myths in corporate America, that staying loyal to one company is always the smart move.After decades in corporate careers, the Mandys get real about how the workplace has changed: layoffs, restructuring, shifting leadership, and a loyalty that was never truly two-way. They break down the difference between genuine loyalty and fear disguised as loyalty, and why so many professionals stay stuck out of comfort or uncertainty rather than choice.In this episode, you'll learn:The truth about the "loyalty tax", and what staying put is really costing you financiallyWhy job hopping may actually grow your salary faster than staying loyalHow to tell the difference between alignment and comfortWhy your identity shouldn't be tied to any one companyHow to give yourself permission to explore without the guiltWhether you're feeling stuck, questioning your next move, or wondering if you've simply outgrown where you are, this episode will help you take an honest look at your career and what you actually deserve.New episodes every Thursday. Subscribe so you never miss one!Connect with The Corporate Burnouts:Instagram - @thecorporateburnoutspodcastFacebook - @thecorporateburnoutspodcastYouTube - @thecorporateburnoutspodcastTikTok - @thecorporateburnoutsWebsite - https://www.thecorporateburnouts.com/
In this episode of The Corporate Burnouts, Mandy Alt and Mandy Holt take on one of the most emotionally charged topics in modern work culture: can working moms really “have it all”? From corporate careers and high performance expectations to motherhood, mental load, and burnout, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what it actually feels like to try to be everything to everyone. Mandy and Mandy share raw, honest experiences about balancing career ambition with family life, the constant pressure of perfectionism, and the invisible mental load that keeps working moms in a cycle of stress, guilt, and exhaustion. They unpack the truth behind the idea of “having it all,” explaining how many women are unknowingly trying to live two full lives at once—career-driven professional and fully present parent—without the time, energy, or support to sustain either at a healthy level. The result? Burnout, resentment, and a loss of joy in both work and home life. This episode dives into the real reasons behind that feeling, including societal expectations, comparison, fear of missing out, and the pressure to meet unrealistic standards in every role. Most importantly, they challenge listeners to rethink success, redefine priorities, and make intentional choices about where to focus their energy without guilt or judgment. Whether you’re a working mom, considering leaving corporate, or simply feeling stretched too thin trying to do it all, this episode will help you step back, get honest with yourself, and realize that success isn’t about having everything, it’s about choosing what actually matters. If this conversation resonates with you, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs permission to stop trying to do it all.
In this episode of The Corporate Burnouts, Mandy Alt and Mandy Holt revisit one of their most talked-about topics, quiet quitting vs quiet survival, but this time, they go deeper. After reflecting on their original conversation and listener feedback, they unpack a powerful realization, there isn’t just one version of quiet quitting, there’s a full spectrum. From disengaged employees doing the bare minimum to overextended high performers on the edge of burnout, this episode breaks down the real behaviors happening inside today’s workplace and why so many professionals feel stuckbetween burnout and checking out completely. Mandy and Mandy introduce a game-changing concept, the “intentional high performer”, a middle ground where you can still grow in your career, set boundaries, protect your energy, and stop tying your identity to your job performance. Through honest storytelling and real-life examples from their own corporate experiences, they explore the dangers of people-pleasing, the hidden “hero complex” that fuels burnout, and how high achievers often confuse overworking with value. They also share practical ways to recognize where you fall on the quiet quitting spectrum, how to stop overextending yourself, and how to start making intentional decisions that actually align with your goals, your mental health, and your life outside of work. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, undervalued, burned out, or unsure if you should stay, quit, orjust pull back, this episode will help you reframe everything.You don’t have to choose between being overworked or underperforming. There is a better way. If this episode resonates, make sure to subscribe,leave a review and share it with someone who needs to hear that they can still succeed in their career without sacrificing themselves to it.
In this episode of The Corporate Burnouts, hosts Mandy Alt and Mandy Holt unpack a powerful mindset shift for anyone feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unhappy in corporate life. After attending the BECOME Conference, they reflect on a surprising realization: maybe you don’t actually hate your job… maybe you’re just working in a way that doesn’t align with how you function best.From time management and people-pleasing to lack of control, burnout, and misalignment, this episode dives into the real reasons professionals feel drained at work. Mandy and Mandy share honest experiences from their corporate careers, including juggling expectations, navigating multiple bosses, struggling with productivity, and dealing with tasks that feel meaningless. They also explore practical ways to regain control, set boundaries, align your work with your strengths, and reduce stress without necessarily leaving your job.If you’re experiencing burnout, considering a career change, or simply trying to enjoy your work again, this conversation will help you reframe your perspective and take actionable steps toward a more fulfilling professional life. You’ll walk away realizing you’re not lazy, unmotivated, or broken—you may just be in the wrong structure or approaching your work in a way that isn’t serving you.This episode also highlights key lessons from entrepreneurship, marketing collaboration, productivity strategies, and personal growth, making it a must-listen for corporate professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone navigating career burnout or work-life balance.If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who needs it, subscribe to The Corporate Burnouts, and follow along for weekly conversations on surviving and thriving in corporate life.
In this episode of The Corporate Burnouts Podcast, Mandy Holt and Mandy Alt take a hilarious and painfully relatable dive into one of the most infamous parts of corporate life: meetings that should have been emails. From calendars packed with back-to-back meetings to chaotic conference calls, endless PowerPoint presentations, and the dreaded “meeting after the meeting,” the Mandys unpack the good, the bad, and the absolutely ridiculous realities of corporate meetings. Drawing from their years in corporate environments, they share stories about living and dying by a color-coded calendar, sitting through hours of information that could have been delivered in an email, and the exhausting cycle of meetings that produce more tasks but very few decisions. They also break down what actually makes a productive meeting in the workplace, including why every meeting needs a clear agenda, the right people in the room, a strong leader to keep conversations on track, and the discipline to end early when the work is done. Along the way, they talk about the psychology of corporate culture, the pressure to contribute in meetings, why so many employees take on extra work just to look good, and how the corporate structure can create layers of unnecessary communication. The conversation also touches on the funny and awkward moments that happen in meetings, from technology mishaps and camera disasters to coworkers who just can’t stop talking. If you’ve ever stared at a packed calendar, wondered why you’re in a meeting that has nothing to do with your job, or secretly wished someone would just cancel the call, this episode will feel painfully familiar. Whether you’re still navigating corporate life or you’ve escaped the endless meeting cycle, you’ll walk away with insight into how meetings can be run more efficiently, how to protect your time and energy at work, and why setting boundaries around meetings can make a huge difference in productivity and burnout. If this episode reminds you of a meeting you survived, share it with a coworker who knows exactly what you’re talking about, and follow The Corporate Burnouts Podcast for more honest conversations about corporate culture, workplace burnout, leadership, and life after corporate.
In this episode of The Corporate Burnouts Podcast, Mandy Holt and Mandy Alt dive into one of the most frustrating realities of corporate life: paid time off (PTO). From denied vacation requests and last-minute PTO cancellations to guilt from bosses and the pressure employees feel about stepping away from work, the Mandys unpack the complicated culture surrounding vacation time in the United States. They explore why nearly half of American employees don’t use all of their PTO, how corporate policies like accrued vacation time, manager approval, use-it-or-lose-it policies, and unlimited PTO often create more stress than freedom, and why burnout is often tied directly to the inability to truly disconnect from work. Drawing from their own experiences in corporate leadership, the restaurant industry, and now entrepreneurship, they discuss the emotional and professional trade-offs between traditional corporate benefits and the reality of running your own business or working as a 1099 contractor where paid vacation technically doesn’t exist. Along the way, they break down the psychology behind workplace guilt, favoritism in PTO approval, how vacation culture differs in Europe where workers receive 20–30 days of vacation by law, and whether unlimited PTO is actually a perk or a hidden productivity strategy used by companies. If you’ve ever struggled to get vacation approved, felt guilty about taking time off, wondered whether corporate benefits are worth it, or tried to balance work, burnout, and personal life, this episode will resonate with you. Listen now to join the conversation about PTO culture, workplace expectations, and finding healthier boundaries around work and rest, and don’t forget to follow The Corporate Burnouts and share your own PTO horror stories, workplace frustrations, or terrible boss experiences at thecorporateburnouts.com for a chance to have your story featured in a future episode.And don't forget, there are still a couple of tickets available for the Become Women's Summit in St. Louis March 12-13. Use this link to get your ticket before they sell out! https://littleblackbook.wildapricot.org/event-6349380
In this episode of The Corporate Burnouts, Mandy Holt and Mandy Alt unpack the reality of stepping into leadership, getting promoted, or starting a business, and why the next rung on the ladder isn’t always what you think it will be. From middle management burnout to becoming the boss with noone above you saying “good job,” this honest conversation explores the hidden emotional shift that happens when you move from being the high-performing employee to the leader responsible for everyone else’s success. The Mandys dive into control issues, delegation, micromanaging, loneliness in leadership, resentment overrecognition, and the mindset shift required to find validation in your team’s wins instead of your own applause. They discuss how corporate culture conditions us to chase promotions without questioning whether leadership is actually aligned with our strengths, and why some people are meant to be coaches while others are meant to be stars. If you’re navigating a promotion, building a small business, feeling isolated as a leader, or wondering whether you’re in the right seat on the bus, this episode will challenge your expectations and help you rethink where your fulfillment should come from. Listen in, reflect on whether you need a mindset shift or a role shift, share this episode with someone stepping into leadership, and follow The Corporate Burnouts for real conversations about burnout, business ownership,corporate life, and finding the right path for you.If youw would like to join us at The Become Women's Summit in St. Louis March 12-13, there are only a couple tickets left. Use this link to register today before they sell out! https://littleblackbook.wildapricot.org/event-6349380
In this episode of The Corporate Burnouts, Mandy Holt and Mandy Alt tackle one of the biggest workplace and cultural conversations happening right now: artificial intelligence. From ChatGPT and AI-generated content to AI in hiring, layoffs, resume screening, creativity, mental health, and even drive-thru ordering, this conversation explores both the benefits and the unintended consequences of AI in business and everyday life. The Mandys openly discuss how they use AI for brainstorming, SEO, marketing strategy, schema markup, coding, and workflow efficiency, while also questioning whether reliance on AI is weakening creativity, critical thinking, and human connection. They dive into controversial topics like AI replacing jobs, AI scanning resumes and impacting the job market, environmental concerns around data centers, AI-generated art and music lacking “soul,” AI being used for therapy and validation, and the growing cultural tension around authenticity versus automation. This episode challenges listeners to think critically about how AI is shaping the future of work, education, entrepreneurship, hiring practices, and even personal relationships. If you’ve wondered whether AI is a productivity tool or a creativity killer, whether it’s helping or harming the workforce, or how to use AI responsibly without losing your human edge, this conversation will stretch your perspective. Listen in, reflect on how you’re using AI in your own career and home life, share this episode with someone navigating technology overwhelm, and follow The Corporate Burnouts for honest conversations about work, burnout, culture shifts, and the evolving future of business.And if you’re looking for inspiration and education that leads to actionable change, check out the Become Conference in St. Louis this March 12-13 and come say hi, we’d love to meet you. Here is the link to register for Become now - https://littleblackbook.wildapricot.org/event-6349380
In this episode of The Corporate Burnouts, Mandy Holt and Mandy Alt sit down with Whitney Kenter for an honest conversation about what happens when you do everything “right” on paper but still feel deeply unfulfilled. Whitney shares her journey from building a successful corporate career to realizing that achievement without alignment leads straight to burnout, resentment, and emotional exhaustion. Together, they unpack the quiet warning signs so many high performers ignore, how grief, pressure, and identity become tangled up in work, and why walking away from a stable career can feel both terrifying and freeing. This conversation explores burnout recovery, redefining success, trusting your intuition, and what it actually takes to rebuild a life and career that bring joy instead of constant stress. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a job you’re good at but no longer connected to, questioned whether burnout is a season or a signal, or wondered if it’s possible to start over without losing yourself, this episode offers clarity, validation, and permission to want more. Listen in, reflect on what fulfillment really means for you, share this episode with someone navigating burnout or career transition, and follow The Corporate Burnouts for honest conversations about work, identity, healing, and life beyond corporate expectations.If you liked hearing from Whitney, here are some ways to find her - Website: https://www.gloweconnective.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gloweconnective/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitney-k-glowe/Come see her keynote at the Become Women's Conference: https://littleblackbook.wildapricot.org/event-6349380
In this episode of The Corporate Burnouts, Mandy Holt and Mandy Alt take a deeper look at the viral workplace trend and ask the question no one seems to be answering honestly: are people really disengaging from work, or are they simply trying to survive it? Drawing from lived corporate experience, leadership roles, and burnout recovery, the Mandys unpack how quiet quitting is often less about laziness or lack of ambition and more about self-preservation, boundary-setting, and exhaustion after years of over-performance. They explore how toxic work cultures, unclear expectations, emotional labor, and constant pressure have pushed employees into doing the bare minimum not out of rebellion, but out of necessity. This episode challenges the narrative pushed by hustle culture and corporate leadership, reframes quiet quitting as a signal rather than a problem, and helps listeners identify whether they’re pulling back because they’ve checked out, or because they’re protecting their mental health. If you’ve been accused of quiet quitting, feel guilty for no longer “going above and beyond,” or are questioning your relationship with work altogether, this conversation will help you name what’s really happening, validate your experience, and consider what sustainable work should actually look like. Listen in, reflect on where you might be surviving instead of thriving, share this episode with someone who feels burned out but unseen, and follow The Corporate Burnouts for honest conversations about work, burnout, boundaries, and life after corporate.And if you’re looking for inspiration and education that leads to actionable change, check out the Become Conference in St. Louis this March 12-13 and come say hi, we’d love to meet you. Here is the link to register for Become now - https://littleblackbook.wildapricot.org/event-6349380
In this episode of The Corporate Burnouts, Mandy Holt and Mandy Alt unpack what they call the “corporate personality hangover”, the lingering habits, people-pleasing instincts, and emotional masking that follow you long after leaving corporate life. Sparked by a difficult client situation, the Mandys explore how corporate conditioning shows up in conflict, communication, crisis management, and boundary-setting, even when you’re running your own business. From phone voices and media training to over-apologizing, diffusing situations at your own expense, and struggling to separate professionalism from authenticity, this conversation dives deep into how years of corporate survival shape who we become. They talk honestly about client boundaries, firing the wrong clients, why “the client is always right” mentality causes burnout, and how prolonged masking erodes mental health over time. The episode also touches on people-pleasing, brand identity, emotional labor, and learning how to be both direct and kind without abandoning yourself. If you’ve left corporate but still feel the reflex to over-perform, over-explain, or swallow your instincts to keep the peace, this episode will help you recognize the hangover, unlearn the damage, and redefine what healthy professionalism actually looks like. Listen in, reflect on where you might still be masking, share this episode with someone navigating burnout or business ownership, and follow The Corporate Burnouts for honest conversations about work, identity, boundaries, and life after corporate.And if you’re looking for inspiration and education that leads to actionable change, check out the Become Conference in St. Louis this March 12-13 and come say hi, we’d love to meet you. Here is the link to register for Become now - https://littleblackbook.wildapricot.org/event-6349380
In this episode of The Corporate Burnouts, Mandy Holt and Mandy Alt sit down with Joy Peterson to unpack what burnout really looks like when you’ve spent decades saying yes, grinding nonstop, and tying your entire identity to your job. Joy shares her journey from working 22 years in the service and hospitality industry, rising from server to director of restaurant training, to hitting a breaking point during COVID that forced her to quit without a backup plan. Together, they explore how burnout sneaks up on high performers, why quitting can sometimes be a health decision, and what it looks like to take intentional time off to reset, recover, and rediscover who you are outside of work. The conversation dives into mental health, boundary-setting, redefining success, transferable skills from service industry careers, and why stepping away career-wise doesn’t mean moving backward. Joy also shares how she rebuilt her career with clearer boundaries, predictable work hours, and a role that supports her life instead of consuming it. If you’re burned out, questioning your career path, coming from the service or hospitality industry, or wondering whether you’re tired or truly done, this episode offers permission, perspective, and practical reassurance. Listen in, reflect on what boundaries you need to set, share this episode with someone who’s running on empty, and follow The Corporate Burnouts for honest conversations about work, burnout, and building a life that actually fits. And if you’re looking for a reset, check out the Become Conference in St. Louis this March 12-13 and come say hi, we’d love to meet you. Here is the link to register for Become now - https://littleblackbook.wildapricot.org/event-6349380?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=3%2F7%2F2026
In this episode of The Corporate Burnouts, Mandy Holt and Mandy Alt kick off 2026 by flipping the usual New Year conversation on its head and focusing on what they’re not doing anymore at work. From people-pleasing, working outside of work hours, and operating on everyone else’s timeline to gatekeeping information, going above and beyond without return, and setting themselves on fire to keep others warm, the Mandys unpack the habits that quietly fuel burnout in corporate life and entrepreneurship. Drawing from decades of leadership experience and real conversations with listeners, they explore why work is ultimately transactional, how loyalty can be unintentionally exploited, and why boundaries, delegation, and intentional priorities are essential for sustainability. They also share personal shifts around movement, routines, social energy, saying no without guilt, and redefining success in a way that protects time, health, and relationships. If you’re burned out, feeling resentful at work, or realizing that over-investing hasn’t paid off the way you were promised, this episode will help you name what needs to stop so you can make room for what actually matters. Listen in, reflect on what you’re done tolerating in 2026, share this episode with someone who needs permission to set boundaries, and follow The Corporate Burnouts for honest conversations about work, burnout, boundaries, and building a healthier way forward. And if you’re looking for a reset in the new year, check out the Become Conference in St. Louis this March and come say hi, we’d love to meet you. Here is the link to register for Become now - https://littleblackbook.wildapricot.org/event-6349380
In this New Year’s episode of The Corporate Burnouts, Mandy Holt and Mandy Alt reflect on the past year while rethinking everything we’ve been taught about goals, resolutions, and personal growth. From surviving grief and burnout to finding clarity through therapy, intention setting, and honest self-assessment, they unpack what it really looks like to move from survival mode into thriving. The conversation explores why traditional New Year’s resolutions often fail, how SMART goals create momentum without pressure, and why choosing a single word or intention for the year can be more powerful than any checklist. They share personal goals around health, time management, automation, boundaries, mindset, and letting go of control—especially as careers evolve, kids grow up, and priorities shift. This episode is a reminder that growth doesn’t require perfection, massive overhauls, or January 1st deadlines, just intentional choices, accountability, and grace for where you are right now. If you’re burned out, rethinking your career, navigating personal change, or simply looking for a healthier way to set goals for the new year, this conversation will help you reset with clarity and purpose. Listen in, reflect on your own intentions, share this episode with someone who needs it, and follow The Corporate Burnouts for weekly conversations about work, burnout, growth, and building a life that actually feels good.
In this Christmas Day episode of The Corporate Burnouts, Mandy Holt and Mandy Alt keep things light, relatable, and painfully accurate by decoding corporate emails and translating what they actually mean when no one is allowed to say it out loud. From “just checking in” and “per my last email” to “friendly reminder,” “let’s circle back,” and emails that quietly CC your boss, the Mandys break down the passive-aggressive language, unspoken expectations, and emotional landmines baked into professional communication. Drawing from years of corporate leadership experience, they explore why email tone causes spirals, how paper trails protect people more than they solve problems, and why so many misunderstandings could be avoided with direct conversations, clearer priorities, and a little less corporate fluff. Along the way, they unpack leadership styles, feedback preferences, ADHD productivity realities, and why humor is sometimes the only way to survive professional life. If you’ve ever reread an email six times, felt personally attacked by “no rush,” or laughed to keep from screaming at your inbox, this episode will make you feel seen. Listen in, share this with a coworker who needs the laugh, and follow The Corporate Burnouts for honest conversations about work, burnout, communication, and life after corporate. And if you’re looking for a reset in the new year, check out the Become Conference in St. Louis this March and come say hi, we’d love to meet you. Here is the link to register for Become now - https://littleblackbook.wildapricot.org/event-6349380
In this episode of The Corporate Burnouts, we unpack one of the most confusing (and important) questions professionals and business owners face, especially at the end of the year. Burnout and being done can feel exactly the same, but the solutions couldn’t be more different. We talk honestly about holiday burnout, corporate exhaustion, loyalty, glass ceilings, financial fear, health insurance handcuffs, and the moment when daydreaming shifts from “how do I fix this?” to “what’s my exit plan?” This conversation applies whether you work in corporate, own a business, manage a team, or feel stuck in a role that no longer fits your life. We also dig into how vacations, boundaries, and restructuring can help when it’s burnout, and how to recognize when no amount of rest will fix misalignment. We also share why community, inspiration, and mentorship matter when you’re navigating burnout or big transitions, and invite you to join us at the Become Women’s Conference in March in St. Louis, where you’ll hear from women who’ve faced burnout, pivoted careers, built businesses, and found clarity for what’s next. Mandy will be on a marketing panel discussing podcasting, social media, SEO, and digital marketing, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions specific to your business or career. You can learn more and register here: https://littleblackbook.wildapricot.org/event-6349380?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=3%2F7%2F2026. If this episode resonates, share it with someone who’s feeling the same way, subscribe to The Corporate Burnouts, and remember, you don’t have to let your work be the thing that makes you unhappy.
In this episode of The Corporate Burnouts, Mandy Holt and Mandy Alt unpack the corporate red flags so many professionals see, but often ignore. From “we’re a family here” culture and open-door policies that don’t actually fix anything, to perks replacing boundaries, loyalty being weaponized, and pay practices that quietly undermine employees, this conversation dives deep into how burnout really happens. Drawing from years of corporate leadership experience, the Mandys explore why smart, capable people overlook warning signs, how emotional manipulation can show up disguised as opportunity, and when the red flags become too heavy to ignore. They also share the personal moments that finally forced clarity, lost time, shifting priorities, and the realization that work should never cost you your life outside of it. If you’re questioning your job, feeling stuck, or wondering whether it’s time to reset boundaries, pivot careers, or design something new, this episode will help you name what you’re seeing, stop gaslighting yourself, and give yourself permission to want better. Listen in, reflect honestly, and join the conversation by sharing this episode, leaving a review, and following The Corporate Burnouts for more real talk about work, burnout, and life after corporate. If you are interested in joining us at the Become Women’s Conference, March 12-13 in St. Louis, where you’ll hear from women who’ve faced burnout, pivoted careers, built businesses, and found clarity for what’s next. You can learn more and register here: https://littleblackbook.wildapricot.org/event-6349380?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=3%2F7%2F2026.
In this episode of The Corporate Burnouts, Mandy and Mandy sit down for an honest conversation about what it really feels like to get fired. It doesn’t matter whether you saw it coming, never expected it, or still aren’t sure if it was “deserved.” Losing a job can shake your confidence, mess with youridentity, and leave you wondering who you are without a title. Inspired by the book All the Cool Girls Get Fired by Christina O’Neill and Laura Brown, the Mandys talk through the fear,embarrassment, ego bruises, and even the strange sense of relief that sometimes shows up afterward. So many high-achieving women eventually outgrow environments that never fit them in the first place, and this episode leansinto that truth.The conversation touches on everything from toxic bossesand HR disasters to workplace politics, burnout, and those “is it me or is this place actually unhinged” moments. They spend time breaking down what happens emotionally after a firing, how to rebuild your sense of self, and what it looks like to reenter the job market without dragging all the shame along with you. There’s also a practical side to the discussion, including how to talk about being fired in interviews, questions you should ask to avoid another toxic situation, and why a setback might actually be a setup for somethinghealthier.The Mandys also pulled in real stories from TikTok. Someare ridiculous, some are painful, and some are so familiar you’ll swear someone has been reading your journal. The point is simple. You’re not the only one who has been blindsided or confused or humiliated by the way a company chose topart ways. And you’re certainly not the only person who has walked away stronger.If this episode made you laugh, helped you breathe alittle easier, or reminded you that you’re not alone, hit subscribe, leave a review, share it with a friend, and tag us so we can cheer for you during your comeback season.Want to read All the Cool Girls Get Fired? Here are a few places you can grab a copy:Amazon: https://a.co/d/h1e3pC1 Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/all-the-cool-girls-get-fired-laura-brown/1146922297?ean=9781668067451If you are interested in joining us at the Become Women’s Conference, March 12-13 in St. Louis, where you’ll hear from women who’ve faced burnout, pivoted careers, built businesses, and found clarity for what’s next. You can learn more and register here: https://littleblackbook.wildapricot.org/event-6349380?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=3%2F7%2F2026.
In this episode of The Corporate Burnouts, Mandy and Mandy break down what personal and professional development actually looks like when you’re stuck, overwhelmed, or recovering from burnout. From holiday chaos and family traditions to rebuilding confidence and figuring out who you are outside of your job, they explore the real, human side of growth.The Mandys talk through different types of development, self, professional, creative, parenting, financial, and physical, and how each one plays a role in finding clarity. They share stories from their corporate careers, including development expectations, leadership lessons, networking wins, conference takeaways, and the mindset shifts that helped them rediscover their direction.You’ll hear why therapy matters, how burnout affects your health, how creative hobbies can reset your brain, and how financial education protects your future. They also explain how to request company funding for your own development in a way leadership will actually support.By the end, you’ll feel inspired to choose one development goal, big or small, that moves you toward purpose, confidence, and a healthier career path, whether you're staying in corporate or building something new.If this episode resonates, subscribe, leave a review, and tell us your development goal for this season. And if you are here to get the verbiage (given by Tenice Wehmeyer - guest on episode 39) to use to get your company to pay for your development plans, here it is:Hi [Leader Name],I’d like to request approval to participate in _______________. This program will help me _____________, specifically __________.The coaching structure includes __________________. I will apply the tools immediately, share relevant insights with the team, and keep you updated on progress.The estimated investment is _________. If approved, I’d prefer to begin on _____________.Thank you for your consideration and openness to investing in my growth. Please let me know if you have any questions.Sincerely,“Invested Employee”If you are interested in joining us at the Become Women’s Conference, March 12-13 in St. Louis, where you’ll hear from women who’ve faced burnout, pivoted careers, built businesses, and found clarity for what’s next. You can learn more and register here: https://littleblackbook.wildapricot.org/event-6349380?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=3%2F7%2F2026.























