Ditching Diet Culture - with Keri Baker, LCSW

Ditching Diet Culture - with Keri Baker, LCSW

In this episode we deep into the societal messaging surrounding body image and its effects on mental health and well-being. Joined by licensed clinical social worker Keri Baker, the conversation sheds light on various aspects of disordered eating, body positivity, and the importance of representation in these spaces.

The Search for Greener Grass - with Yael Iffergan and Adam Forbes

Read on for a recap of the episode. To access the full transcript, click here.

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The Search for Greener Grass: Insights from Yael Iffergan and Adam Forbes

In this episode of our podcast, host Erica D'Eramo sits down with Yael Iffergan and Adam Forbes to discuss the intricacies of career changes and the pursuit of fulfilling work. This conversation dives into personal experiences, common biases, and practical advice for anyone considering a significant career shift.

The Bias of Assuming Opportunities Are Always Better

Introduction to Career Changes

Erica opens the discussion by highlighting a common bias: the assumption that new opportunities are inherently better than the current situation. This mindset can often lead to unrealistic expectations and poor decision-making.

Personal Experiences with Career Pivots

Yael Iffergan shares her journey of realizing that sometimes the problem lies within oneself rather than external factors. Adam Forbes, drawing from extensive interviews, notes that these themes frequently emerge in conversations with people undergoing career changes.

The "Grass is Greener" Mentality

Idealizing Others' Lives

Erica and Adam discuss the dangers of the "grass is greener" mentality, where individuals assume that others have it better. They stress the importance of recognizing and challenging confirmation bias, which can lead to unrealistic expectations.

Recognizing Misleading Idealizations

Adam expresses envy towards those who have started their own businesses, despite not taking steps towards entrepreneurship themselves. He acknowledges that idealized portrayals of successful entrepreneurs can be misleading.

Workplace Dissatisfaction and Setting Goals

Evaluating Alternatives Realistically

Yael agrees with Adam that fantasy expectations in organizations are a red flag. Erica and Adam discuss the necessity of being granular when evaluating new opportunities, emphasizing the importance of honest assessments of both pros and cons.

Prioritizing Personal Values in Career Decisions

Informing Career Decisions

Erica highlights the importance of inventorying personal values and priorities when making career decisions. She discusses the limitations of data in evaluating opportunities and the need to consider non-quantitative risks.

Addressing Familiarity Bias

Erica also points out the bias towards staying in familiar situations and the importance of overcoming this heuristic to make informed decisions.

Career Growth and Decision-Making

Exploring Personal Goals

Yael emphasizes a measured approach to pursuing mental health and personal growth. Adam shares an exercise from a book that helped a woman evaluate job satisfaction, leading to increased objectivity and agency.

Feeling Less Trapped

Adam discusses helping people feel less trapped in their jobs, not necessarily to leave, but to explore and evaluate their current situations objectively.

Networking and Job Satisfaction

Building a Support Network

Erica and Yael discuss the importance of agency and optionality in work life. They note that building a support network is easier when one is happy and fulfilled rather than miserable.

Exploring Career Options

Adam emphasizes the importance of creating options beyond the current job and addresses the fear of missing out (FOMO) as a potential barrier. Erica and Yael also touch on the generational differences in loyalty and job longevity.

Testing Business Ideas

Real-World Experimentation

Adam suggests testing business ideas through shadowing, networking, or practice to gauge viability and personal fit. Erica and Adam discuss the importance of self-reflection and personal growth in entrepreneurship.

Embracing Feedback

Erica and Yael emphasize the need to gather data and be open to feedback to find fulfillment in career decisions.

Career Development and Personal Growth

Data-Rich Environment for Growth

Erica discusses the value of a data-rich environment for coaching, networking, and personal growth. Adam highlights the importance of self-reflection and understanding one's priorities.

Expanding Networks

Erica and Yael agree on the value of informational interviews and expanding one's network to explore new opportunities.

Work-Life Balance and Fulfillment

Setting Boundaries

Erica discusses the importance of warm introductions and clear communication in networking. Yael shares her thoughts on the notion that doing what you love means you'll never work a day in your life.

Fulfillment Beyond Work

Both Erica and Yael emphasize that fulfillment cannot solely come from one's job. They stress the need to create boundaries and prioritize personal needs outside of work to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Finding Purpose and Avoiding Burnout

Thoughtful Decision-Making

Adam discusses feeling trapped in a corporate job due to the high stakes of identity, community, and financial well-being. Erica agrees, noting that people often stay in unhappy jobs for these reasons.

Patience and Reflection

Adam suggests patience in finding the next career step and recommends taking walks and journaling to gain insights.

How to Get In Touch

Adam’s book, Corporate Escapology launches July 2nd and you can also find him on his Corporate Escapologist Substack. You can find Yael over on LinkedIn or at InfiniTalent.net.

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This episode provides valuable insights into the complexities of career changes, highlighting the importance of self-reflection, realistic evaluations, and building a supportive network. Whether you're considering a major career pivot or seeking more fulfillment in your current role, these discussions offer practical advice and food for thought.

The Rooted Renegade - with Rebecca Arnold, JD, CPCC, PCC

Read on for a recap of the episode. To access the full transcript, click here.

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Rebecca Arnold is a professional, certified coach and the founder of Root Coaching & Consulting, LLC, a holistic leadership coaching firm. She’s also the author of The Rooted Renegade: Transform Within, Disrupt the Status Quo & Unleash Your Legacy (Greenleaf Book Group, June 10, 2024). The book is part call to action, part roadmap, and part step-by-step guide to creating a joyful, harmonious life that meets the challenges of our times. 

Her clients are mission-driven leaders seeking holistic success in the fields of education, medicine, law, academia, and social-impact organizations. An attorney by training, Rebecca has a background in education policy. 

But more importantly, she’s known as a “straight-talkin’, big-hearted” coach. In addition, Rebecca is a dog mom, a human mom, and a spunky wife. 

She was a Presidential Management Fellow at the US Department of Education and a special assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education. In those positions, she focused on reform initiatives for high schools and community colleges. She has worked with numerous social-impact organizations in the education and social justice arenas. She holds a JD from Northeastern University and a BA from Brown University.

The Rooted Renegade

Introduction

In this enlightening podcast episode, we delve into the realm of personal growth and leadership development with Rebecca Arnold, a seasoned professional certified coach and author. Through her captivating origin story and insightful discussions, Rebecca sheds light on the transformative power of reconnecting with our inner selves to create systemic change in both our professional and personal lives.

Rebecca Arnold's Journey

Rebecca Arnold kickstarts the conversation by narrating her journey from being a burned-out professional in the policy realm to finding her true calling as a coach. Drawing from her psychology roots, she shares how embracing her passion for coaching has not only revitalized her own career but also empowered her to guide others towards fulfillment and success.

Discovering Rooted Peace

Central to Rebecca's philosophy is the concept of rooted peace—a three-part framework for nurturing well-being in mind, body, and heart. Through her work, she advocates for a holistic approach to success, one that transcends mere external achievements and aligns with our inner values and desires.

Prioritizing Well-being and Intuition

Rebecca delves into the complexities of prioritizing well-being and intuition over external validation, challenging societal norms that glorify titles and monetary gains. Alongside Erica D'Eramo, she explores the profound impact of acknowledging mortality and realigning our life goals to foster genuine fulfillment and purpose.

Cultivating Emotional Intelligence in Toxic Environments

Navigating toxic work environments can take a toll on our emotional well-being. Rebecca emphasizes the importance of practices like mindfulness and gratitude in counteracting negativity and enhancing resilience. By fostering self-awareness and empathy, individuals can cultivate emotional intelligence even in the most challenging of circumstances.

Harnessing Emotional Awareness for Stress Management

Rebecca and Erica delve into the significance of emotional granularity—a nuanced understanding of our emotions—and its role in stress management. By honing our ability to identify and process emotions, we can unlock deeper insights and pave the way for meaningful growth and self-discovery.

Clarifying Personal Goals and Desires

In the pursuit of success, Rebecca encourages listeners to redefine their notions of achievement and articulate their true desires. Rather than fixating on external markers of success, she invites individuals to explore their passions and values, offering practical tools for personal growth and fulfillment.

Conclusion

As the conversation draws to a close, Rebecca Arnold leaves listeners inspired to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery and transformation. With her forthcoming book, "The Rooted Renegade," she promises to equip readers with fifty actionable practices for unlocking their full potential and embracing a life of rooted peace and purpose.

Through Rebecca Arnold's illuminating insights and heartfelt anecdotes, this podcast episode serves as a beacon of hope for anyone seeking to chart a path towards personal growth, resilience, and authentic leadership.