Beth and Carmen record live from Vancouver, discussing the volatile economic landscape where the mining sector is booming with soaring commodity prices, yet the overall environment is experiencing one of the "worst job markets" seen in a long time, driven by widespread layoffs and uncertainty.
The hosts argue that women are not merely leaving the workforce but are actively building a new workforce that rejects the century-old 9-to-5, factory-style model, which does not support the complexities of women's lives and responsibilities. They emphasize that work should provide fulfillment and support, rather than being something that "sucks the life out of you".
A core discussion revolves around security and corporate trauma:
Internal Security: Carmen stresses that job security is often an illusion, especially since companies may replace individuals in a heartbeat. True security is derived internally from an individual's own skills, knowledge, resources, and mindset.
Risk of Voice: The hosts note that women who use their voice, push against the status quo, or advocate for change are at a very high risk of termination.
Confidence and Resilience: They discuss the conditioning that makes it difficult for women to boast or confidently state their personal beliefs and capabilities, which hinders their resilience during transition. Carmen works to unblock clients by addressing common negative thoughts like "I'm not smart enough" or "What if I fail?".
Overcoming Termination: Beth shares her personal experience of being terminated while pregnant, which initially felt shameful but ultimately brought freedom and liberation. She relied on a combination of spite, coaching, and therapy to realize she had done nothing wrong and that the perceived failure was actually a turning point that allowed her to rebuild her career on her own terms.
The episode concludes by encouraging women in transition to seize the opportunity to shape their future careers, separate from what the external system expects of them.
