Even the most capable leaders fall into this trap:

You evolve professionally—get promoted, shift roles, step into a new organization—but keep showing up the same way you always have.

You end up trusted for execution. Valued for your solid judgment. Respected for your work ethic.

But still, something’s off.

You’re not quite getting the traction you expected. You’re recommendations are getting overlooked. You’re still getting treated as a “junior”, even when your title is “senior”.

It’s so frustrating—because you think you’re doing all the right things, but they’re getting the wrong reaction.

That’s exactly the problem.

Your executive presence and personal brand can’t stay frozen in time. As your career evolves, so must the way you show up.

In this week’s episode of The Mental Offload Podcast, we’ll dive deeper into five key moments when it’s critical to reassess your leadership brand and executive presence — and how high-performing women often miss these cues.

Have you ever heard yourself saying things like:

• “I don’t need to ‘manage my brand’—my work speaks for itself”

• “Why am I getting so much pushback, when I know I’m the expert?”

• “I just returned from mat leave and everyone seems to be treating me differently”

These are clues that it might be time to evolve.

We’re talking about the difference between being seen as competent and being seen as a leader.

And why smart, experienced women sometimes cling to a personal brand that’s too junior.

What You'll Learn:

• Why your personal brand isn’t about image—it’s about how others describe you when you’re not in the room

• The 5 professional moments where a “set it and forget it” brand will quietly hold you back

• How to shift your executive presence without losing your authenticity

• Specific language and behavior cues that support your brand at the next level

This isn’t only about performance. It’s about power — and how you can use yours with confidence and impact.

For more information, visit The Mental Offload.

There’s no sugar-coating it. Most jobs are relentless.

Even greedy.

You’re not imagining it. It’s very real. (In fact, Claudia Goldin won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Economics for her work highlighting the impact of demanding jobs on the careers and earnings of women.)

One potential solution: going part-time.

For many women, this is the holy grail of work arrangements.

A little less pressure at work, a little more space to breathe at home.

It sounds so reasonable.

And when you're running on fumes, it's hard not to dream about a schedule that doesn’t have you overstretched to the point of burnout.

But the reality of part-time isn’t always what it’s painted to be.

Going part-time doesn’t always lead to less stress — and in some cases, it can make work-life balance even harder.

This week on the podcast, I’m pulling back the curtain on what really happens when high-achieving women shift to part-time work. Not to scare you, but to prepare you — so you can make your next move with clear-eyed confidence, not wishful thinking.

Over the years, I’ve coached dozens of brilliant women through this very decision. Some chose to go part-time with no regrets. Others looked at the reality and decided it wasn’t going to be the quick fix they were hoping for.

What made both these groups happy about their choices? Not luck. Strategic decisions.

If you’ve been contemplating (or fantasizing) about going part-time, you’ll want to tune in for this.

What You'll Learn:

• Why part-time roles often don’t reduce your workload — and 2 other common pitfalls

• A decision-making framework to help you assess if part-time is really the right path for you

• What to say (and ask) at work and at home so your “part-time” life doesn’t become “double time” under a different name

• A smart way to go “pretend part-time”, without a single tough negotiation on hours

For more information, visit The Mental Offload.

If you’re a working mother with a demanding job, you’ve probably asked yourself:

Is this sustainable?

Am I doing enough?

How do successful moms make this all work?

One journalist has some answers to share. This week, I’m joined by Joann Lublin, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Wall Street Journal contributor, and author of Power Moms: How Executive Mothers Navigate Work and Life.

Joann has been studying working mothers for decades. She’s seen firsthand how the expectations, demands, and even the guilt have evolved across generations. She’s lived it, too.

In fact, back in 1980, she wrote an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal about her experiences as a working mother. Her piece ruffled quite a few feathers – some hate mail even suggested she should never have had kids – and the blowback almost led her to quit her prestigious job.

The times have changed, but even today, the core struggle remains: How do we build meaningful careers and be present for the people who matter most?

What’s striking about Joann’s work is that she didn’t just speak to one kind of mom. She interviewed high-achieving women across a range of industries, backgrounds, and family setups—along with their adult daughters—to understand what actually helps working mothers work best.

And she’s clear: The idea of “balance” is due for an upgrade.

In this conversation, Joann shares hard-won insights and surprising findings from women who’ve made it to the top—and stayed grounded.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to build a life that honors your ambitions for your career and your family, listen in.

What You'll Learn:

• Why “balance” is the wrong goal (and what to aim for instead)

• 4 proven ways to ditch the mom guilt

• How today’s ambitious mothers differ from their trailblazing predecessors

This episode is packed with practical takeaways, while staying candid about the systems we’re working within.

For more information, visit The Mental Offload.