Are You Making a Sacrifice or Taking the Easy Way Out? | Career Truth for Ambitious Women

The Good Student Trap: 5 Habits Holding Smart Women Back at Work

Are your "good student" habits secretly holding your career back? You did everything right. Got the grades. Stayed responsible. Worked hard. Kept your head down. So why does the workplace suddenly feel confusing, frustrating, and exhausting? In this episode of the Thrive Careers Podcast, Olajumoke Fatoki sits down with returning guest Brianne Carlon Rush — COO, hiring leader, and career strategist — to unpack the hidden habits quietly keeping high-achieving women invisible at work. From perfectionism and people-pleasing to approval addiction and overworking, this conversation reveals why the exact behaviours rewarded in school can sabotage your confidence, visibility, and career growth once you're in the workforce. If you're entering the workforce, navigating your first few years, or trying to stop shrinking yourself professionally — this episode will completely change how you approach your career. In This Episode, You'll Learn: * Why perfectionism is quietly costing talented women promotions and opportunities * The "extra credit mindset" that keeps women overworked but overlooked * How to stop being invisible in meetings — and become influential instead * Why employers (including McKinsey) now care more about your thinking than flawless answers * The SHIFT Framework for breaking career-limiting habits * How to use the network you already have to land interviews faster — without cold DMs Connect with Brianne: * Post-Grad Networking Rubric - TheIndependenceLab.com/networking * Subscribe - TheIndependenceLab.com/subscribe * LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannecarlonrush/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannecarlonrush/] * TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@brianneindependencelab [https://www.tiktok.com/@brianneindependencelab] * Insta - https://www.instagram.com/brianneindependencelab/ [https://www.instagram.com/brianneindependencelab/] Subscribe & Share: If this episode spoke to you, share it with a high-achieving woman who needs this reminder: working harder is not the same thing as building a career. Subscribe to the Thrive Careers Podcast for practical career advice, workplace confidence strategies, and real conversations d Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436497/support] If you enjoyed this episode, here are the best ways to keep thriving with us: 🎧 Follow / Subscribe to The Thrive Careers Podcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thrive-careers-podcast/id1789557887 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thrive-careers-podcast/id1789557887] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/73Zh6RI3CDpKsuKfxVEpKv [https://open.spotify.com/show/73Zh6RI3CDpKsuKfxVEpKv] Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/17b0e46d-f8ff-427c-8e71-0d47541c317f/the-thrive-careers-podcast [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/17b0e46d-f8ff-427c-8e71-0d47541c317f/the-thrive-careers-podcast] Show website: https://thethrivecareerspodcast.buzzsprout.com/ RSS feed: https://rss.buzzsprout.com/2436497.rss [https://thethrivecareerspodcast.buzzsprout.com/ RSS feed: https://rss.buzzsprout.com/2436497.rss] 💛 Support the show (starting at $3/month) https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436497/supporters/new [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436497/supporters/new] 📲 Connect with us for daily career insights LinkedIn (Ola): https://www.linkedin.com/in/olajumokefatoki/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/thrivecareershub [https://www.linkedin.com/in/olajumokefatoki/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/thrivecareershub]  (or https://www.instagram.com/thrive_careers_hub/) YouTube: https://www.youtube.c... [https://www.youtube.com/@thrive_careers_podcast]

Nothing Is Working in Your Career? Listen To This Before You Give Up

Nothing is working.  The applications, the interviews, the effort — and still no results. If you've ever felt stuck, behind, or like your career just isn't moving, this episode is for you. Because what if the problem isn't you? What if this phase is actually building something you just can't see yet? In this honest conversation, host Olajumoke Fatoki sits down with Yousra Nawara — communications professional and community organizer — to unpack what career "failure" actually looks like from the inside, and why the moments that feel like dead ends are often the ones doing the most work. You'll discover: * The cover letter move that turned Yousra's biggest rejection into her next job offer * Why community involvement builds the career skills that job applications never test * The self-awareness shift that shortens how long setbacks knock you down * How to keep showing up authentically when the workplace doesn't make room for it Whether you're navigating a career pivot, the Canadian job market as a newcomer, or quietly wondering if your path is taking too long — this one's for you. This is not a "stay positive" conversation. It's an honest look at what it feels like to struggle — and how to keep going anyway. If you're close to giving up, listen to this first. 👉 Share this with someone who needs to hear it today. Connect with Yousra:  LinkedIn: Yousra Nawara  Instagram: @scuttlebutthasit Website: scuttlebutthasit.ca Substack: Prolifically Random — substack.com/@prolificallyrandom Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436497/support] If you enjoyed this episode, here are the best ways to keep thriving with us: 🎧 Follow / Subscribe to The Thrive Careers Podcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thrive-careers-podcast/id1789557887 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thrive-careers-podcast/id1789557887] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/73Zh6RI3CDpKsuKfxVEpKv [https://open.spotify.com/show/73Zh6RI3CDpKsuKfxVEpKv] Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/17b0e46d-f8ff-427c-8e71-0d47541c317f/the-thrive-careers-podcast [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/17b0e46d-f8ff-427c-8e71-0d47541c317f/the-thrive-careers-podcast] Show website: https://thethrivecareerspodcast.buzzsprout.com/ RSS feed: https://rss.buzzsprout.com/2436497.rss [https://thethrivecareerspodcast.buzzsprout.com/ RSS feed: https://rss.buzzsprout.com/2436497.rss] 💛 Support the show (starting at $3/month) https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436497/supporters/new [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436497/supporters/new] 📲 Connect with us for daily career insights LinkedIn (Ola): https://www.linkedin.com/in/olajumokefatoki/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/thrivecareershub [https://www.linkedin.com/in/olajumokefatoki/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/thrivecareershub]  (or https://www.instagram.com/thrive_careers_hub/) YouTube: https://www.youtube.c... [https://www.youtube.com/@thrive_careers_podcast]

Overqualified & Overlooked? The Immigrant Workplace Reality with Dr. Lola Adeyemo

You did the hard part — you got the job. But for many immigrant professionals, that's when the real challenge begins. In this episode of the Thrive Careers Podcast, host Olajumoke Fatoki sits down with Dr. Lola Adeyemo — CEO of EQI Mindset, TEDx speaker, Equal Opportunity Commissioner, and founder of the nonprofit Immigrants in Corporate — for an honest, layered conversation about what workplace life is really like for immigrants navigating corporate culture in North America. Dr. Adeyemo draws on nearly two decades in Fortune 250 STEM companies, her award-winning book Thriving in Intersectionality, and her research across immigrant communities from Africa, Europe, and Asia to explain why so many qualified professionals stay stuck — and what both individuals and organizations can do to change that. 🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER: ✦ The silent suffering behind closed doors — why immigrant professionals keep their heads down and what it's actually costing them mentally and professionally ✦ Visa fear and the underemployment trap — how immigration status keeps people locked in roles far below their qualification level ✦ The overqualified immigrant cycle — why going back to school is often the wrong move and what to do instead ✦ The gap between DEI statements and real inclusion — what companies are getting wrong and why it matters in 2026 ✦ What organizations must actually do — specific structural measures to create workplaces where immigrant professionals can thrive ✦ The curb-cut effect — how designing for the most marginalized employees improves the experience for everyone ✦ What gives Dr. Lola hope — the growing movement of advocates refusing to stay silent ✦ The Nigerian food story — a powerful, simple example of what real belonging looks like in practice 📌 KEY INSIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE: • "Talent is welcome in the US workforce until it becomes a threat." — Dr. Lola Adeyemo • You have enough education. What you need is in-country experience — even if it's unpaid. • Equity is not treating everyone the same. It is recognizing that everyone needs something different. • When you design for the most underserved, you improve the experience for everyone. • Your role as a leader is not to choose how your employees feel belonging. It is to create the environment so th Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436497/support] If you enjoyed this episode, here are the best ways to keep thriving with us: 🎧 Follow / Subscribe to The Thrive Careers Podcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thrive-careers-podcast/id1789557887 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thrive-careers-podcast/id1789557887] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/73Zh6RI3CDpKsuKfxVEpKv [https://open.spotify.com/show/73Zh6RI3CDpKsuKfxVEpKv] Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/17b0e46d-f8ff-427c-8e71-0d47541c317f/the-thrive-careers-podcast [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/17b0e46d-f8ff-427c-8e71-0d47541c317f/the-thrive-careers-podcast] Show website: https://thethrivecareerspodcast.buzzsprout.com/ RSS feed: https://rss.buzzsprout.com/2436497.rss [https://thethrivecareerspodcast.buzzsprout.com/ RSS feed: https://rss.buzzsprout.com/2436497.rss] 💛 Support the show (starting at $3/month) https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436497/supporters/new [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436497/supporters/new] 📲 Connect with us for daily career insights LinkedIn (Ola): https://www.linkedin.com/in/olajumokefatoki/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/thrivecareershub [https://www.linkedin.com/in/olajumokefatoki/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/thrivecareershub]  (or https://www.instagram.com/thrive_careers_hub/) YouTube: https://www.youtube.c... [https://www.youtube.com/@thrive_careers_podcast]

Are You Making a Sacrifice or Taking the Easy Way Out? | Career Truth for Ambitious Women

What happens when life completely derails your career plan? My guest, Adewumi Alphonso had two babies in one year, resumed from maternity leave pregnant, and faced a choice: quit or strategize.  Her decision changed everything. In this raw, no-holds-barred conversation, Adewunmi shares how she navigated back-to-back pregnancies while climbing the corporate ladder, why being a woman is NOT an excuse for poor performance, and the one mindset shift that helped her turn a devastating season into her biggest career comeback. If you're an ambitious woman feeling torn between career and motherhood, this episode will change how you see your choices. 🎧 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: - How to navigate career setbacks without quitting (even when quitting feels easier) - The "100% fallacy" - why you don't need to be perfect in every area of life - How to protect your career during maternity leave (and come back stronger) - The difference between making a sacrifice and taking the easy way out - Why "superwoman" is actually a woman who asks for help - How to have the conversation with your boss when life throws curveballs - What re-entering the workforce after a career break REALLY costs you - Mom guilt vs. career ambition - how to navigate both without resentment 🔥 VIRAL MOMENTS: [05:32] "Being a woman is not an excuse for poor performance" [13:46] The 100% fallacy: You don't need to be 100% everywhere [27:10] How she won a career-defining interview while 8 months pregnant [37:04] "A superwoman is a woman that is helped" [53:35] "It doesn't get easier - I'm showing up for women like you" 💼 ABOUT ADEWUNMI ALPHONSO: Adewunmi is a career strategist, HR professional, and high-performance coach who helps ambitious women navigate career transitions without sacrificing their identities. After having two babies in one year and refusing to quit, she built a thriving career while raising her family - and now teaches other women how to do the same. Connect with Adewunmi: LinkedIn: Adewunmi Alphonso Instagram: @yourhrlady 📌 RESOURCES MENTIONED: - The Wheel of Life framework - Seasons approach to career planning - Track record of excellence strategy 🎙️ ABOUT THRIVE CAREERS PODCAST: Hosted by Olajumoke Fat Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436497/support] If you enjoyed this episode, here are the best ways to keep thriving with us: 🎧 Follow / Subscribe to The Thrive Careers Podcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thrive-careers-podcast/id1789557887 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thrive-careers-podcast/id1789557887] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/73Zh6RI3CDpKsuKfxVEpKv [https://open.spotify.com/show/73Zh6RI3CDpKsuKfxVEpKv] Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/17b0e46d-f8ff-427c-8e71-0d47541c317f/the-thrive-careers-podcast [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/17b0e46d-f8ff-427c-8e71-0d47541c317f/the-thrive-careers-podcast] Show website: https://thethrivecareerspodcast.buzzsprout.com/ RSS feed: https://rss.buzzsprout.com/2436497.rss [https://thethrivecareerspodcast.buzzsprout.com/ RSS feed: https://rss.buzzsprout.com/2436497.rss] 💛 Support the show (starting at $3/month) https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436497/supporters/new [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436497/supporters/new] 📲 Connect with us for daily career insights LinkedIn (Ola): https://www.linkedin.com/in/olajumokefatoki/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/thrivecareershub [https://www.linkedin.com/in/olajumokefatoki/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/thrivecareershub]  (or https://www.instagram.com/thrive_careers_hub/) YouTube: https://www.youtube.c... [https://www.youtube.com/@thrive_careers_podcast]

5 Ways Dress for Success Helps Women Land Jobs (+ Free Workshops) | Podcasthon 2026

Looking for career support as a woman or non-binary individual entering or re-entering the workforce? This Podcasthon 2026 special episode reveals 5 powerful ways Dress for Success Canada Foundation helps people land jobs—plus how to access their free workshops from anywhere in Canada. 🎯 What You'll Learn: * Professional attire programs that restore dignity and confidence (9,290 individuals served in 2025) * Career development skills that go beyond resume writing * Support networks that don't end after you get the job offer * Connections to diversity-focused employers actively hiring * FREE national online workshops you can access right now (no client status required) 💼 Who This Episode Helps: ✓ Women and non-binary individuals seeking employment or career advancement ✓ Newcomers to Canada navigating the job market ✓ Career pivoters looking for structured support ✓ Anyone facing barriers to employment ✓ Job seekers who need professional attire but can't afford it 📍 How to Access Services: Dress for Success Canada Foundation serves women and non-binary individuals through 13 affiliates across Canada: Vancouver, Kelowna, Central Alberta, Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Orillia & Barrie, Ottawa, Toronto, Kingston, Montreal, and Halifax. IMPORTANT: Many affiliates accept self-referrals — you do NOT need an agency referral to access support. You can contact your nearest affiliate directly. Services are FREE and include: → Professional clothing for interviews and employment → Career coaching and job search support → Financial literacy programs → Leadership development opportunities → Ongoing mentorship and community No income requirements. Also accepted: referrals from 600+ partner agencies. Founded in 2017, with affiliates serving since 1999, they're part of a global network of 139 affiliates in 22 countries. Dress for Success Canada Foundation: https://dressforsuccesscanadafoundation.org [https://dressforsuccesscanadafoundation.org] Charitable Registration: 775960289 RR0001 💬 Let's Connect: If this episode helped you, share it with someone who needs career support right now. Tag us and Dress for Success Canada on social media! 🎧 More Episodes: Subscribe to Thrive Careers Po Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436497/support] If you enjoyed this episode, here are the best ways to keep thriving with us: 🎧 Follow / Subscribe to The Thrive Careers Podcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thrive-careers-podcast/id1789557887 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thrive-careers-podcast/id1789557887] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/73Zh6RI3CDpKsuKfxVEpKv [https://open.spotify.com/show/73Zh6RI3CDpKsuKfxVEpKv] Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/17b0e46d-f8ff-427c-8e71-0d47541c317f/the-thrive-careers-podcast [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/17b0e46d-f8ff-427c-8e71-0d47541c317f/the-thrive-careers-podcast] Show website: https://thethrivecareerspodcast.buzzsprout.com/ RSS feed: https://rss.buzzsprout.com/2436497.rss [https://thethrivecareerspodcast.buzzsprout.com/ RSS feed: https://rss.buzzsprout.com/2436497.rss] 💛 Support the show (starting at $3/month) https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436497/supporters/new [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2436497/supporters/new] 📲 Connect with us for daily career insights LinkedIn (Ola): https://www.linkedin.com/in/olajumokefatoki/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/thrivecareershub [https://www.linkedin.com/in/olajumokefatoki/ Instagram: https://bit.ly/thrivecareershub]  (or https://www.instagram.com/thrive_careers_hub/) YouTube: https://www.youtube.c... [https://www.youtube.com/@thrive_careers_podcast]