In this episode, I'm joined by Mandy Mooney — author, corporate communicator, and performer — for a wide-ranging conversation about mentorship, career growth, and how to show up authentically in both work and life.
We talk about her path from performing arts to corporate communications, and how those early experiences shaped the way she approaches relationships, leadership, and personal authenticity. That foundation carries through to her current role as VP of Internal Communications, where she focuses on building connections and fostering resilience across teams.
We explore the three pillars of career success Mandy highlights in her book Corporating: Three Ways to Win at Work — relationships, reputation, and resilience — and how they guide her approach to scaling mentorship and helping others grow. Mandy shares practical strategies for balancing professional responsibilities with personal passions, and why embracing technology thoughtfully can enhance, not replace, human connection.
The conversation also touches on parenting, building independence in children, and the lessons she's learned about optimism, preparation, and persistence — both in the workplace and at home.
If you're interested in scaling mentorship, developing your career with intention, or navigating work with authenticity, this episode is for you. And if you want to hear more on these topics, catch Mandy speaking at Snafu Conference 2026 on March 5th.
Robin notes Mandy has young kids and a diverse career (performing arts → VP of a name-brand company → writing books).
Robin asks: "What are the skills that you want your children to develop, to stay resilient in the world and the world of work that they're gonna grow up in?" Emphasis on meta-skills.
Mandy's response: Core skills
She loves the question, didn't expect it, finds it a "thrilling ride."
Observes Robin tends to "put things out there before they exist" (e.g., talking about having children before actually having them).
Skill 1: Envisioning possibilities
"Envision the end, believe that it will happen and it is much more likely to happen."
Teaching children to see limitless possibilities if they believe in them.
Skill 2: Independence
Examples: brushing their own hair, putting on clothes, asking strangers questions.
One daughter in Girl Scouts: learning sales skills by approaching strangers to sell cookies.
Independence builds confidence and problem-solving abilities for small and big life challenges.
Skill 3: Self-belief / Self-worth
Tied to independence.
Helps children navigate life and career successfully.
Robin asks about teaching self-belief
Context: Mandy's kids are 6 and 9 years old (two girls).
Mandy's approach to teaching self-belief
Combination of:
Words Mandy uses when speaking to them.
Words encouraged for the children to use about themselves.
Example of shifting praise from appearance to effort/creativity:
Instead of "You look so pretty today" → "Wow, I love the creativity that you put into your outfit."
Reason: "The voice that I use, the words that I choose, they're gonna receive that and internalize it."
Corrective, supportive language when children doubt themselves:
Example: Child says, "I'm so stupid, I can't figure out this math problem."
Mandy responds: "Oh wow. That's something that we can figure out together. And the good news is I know that you are so smart and that you can figure this out, so let's work together to figure it out."
Asking reflective questions to understand their inner thoughts:
Example: "What's it like to be you? What's it like to be inside your head?"
Child's response: "Well, you worry a lot," which Mandy found telling and insightful.
Emphasizes coming from a place of curiosity to check in on a child's self-worth and self-identity journey.
Robin sets up the question about professional development
Notes Mandy has mentored lots of people.
Wants to understand:
Mandy's role as VP of Internal Communications (what that means).
How she supports others professionally.
How her own professional growth has been supported.
Context: Robin just finished a workshop for professionals on selling themselves, asking for promotions, and stepping forward in their careers.
Emphasizes that she doesn't consider herself an expert but learns from conversations with experienced people like Mandy.
Mandy explains her role and path
Career path has been "a winding road."
Did not study internal communications; discovered it later.
Finds her job fun, though sometimes stressful:
"I often think I might have the most fun job in the world. I mean, it, it can be stressful and it can't, you know, there are days where you wanna bang your head against the wall, but by and large, I love my job. It is so fun."
Internal communications responsibility:
Translate company strategy into something employees understand and are excited about.
Example: Translate business plan for 2026 to 2,800 employees.
Team's work includes:
Internal emails.
PowerPoints for global town halls.
Speaking points for leaders.
Infusing fun into company culture via intranet stories (culture, customers, innovation).
Quick turnaround on timely stories (example: employee running seven marathons on seven continents; story created within 24 hours).
Storytelling and theater skills are key:
Coaching leaders for presentations: hand gestures, voice projection, camera presence.
Mandy notes shared theater background with Robin: "You and I are both thespian, so we come from theater backgrounds."
Robin summarizes role
Sounds like a mix of HR and sales: supporting employee development while "selling" them on the company.
Mandy elaborates on impact and mentorship
Loves making a difference in employees' lives by giving information and support.
Works closely with HR (Human Resources) to:
Provide learning and development opportunities.
Give feedback.
Help managers improve.
Wrote a book to guide navigating internal careers and relationships.
Mentorship importance:
Mentors help accelerate careers in any organization.
Mandy's career journey
Started studying apparel merchandising at Indiana University (with Kelley School of Business minor).
Shifted from pre-med → theater → journalism → apparel merchandising.
Took full advantage of career fairs and recruiter networking at Kelley School of Business.
"The way that I've gotten jobs is not through applying online, it's through knowing somebody, through having a relationship."
First role at Gap Inc.: rotational Retail Management Training Program (RMP).
Some roles enjoyable, some less so; realized she loved the company even if some jobs weren't ideal.
Mentor influence:
Met Bobby Stillton, president of Gap Foundation, who inspired her with work empowering women and girls.
Took a 15-minute conversation with Bobby and got an entry-level communications role.
Career growth happened through mentorship, internal networking, and alignment with company she loved.
Advice for her daughters (Robin's question)
Flash-forward perspective: post-college or early career.
How to start a career in corporate / large organizations:
Increase "luck surface area" (exposure to opportunities).
Network in a savvy way.
Ask at the right times.
Build influence to get ahead.
Mentorship and internal relationships are key, not just applying for jobs online.
Initial advice:
"Well first I would say always call your mom. Ask for advice. I'm right here, honey, anytime."
Three keys to success:
Relationships
Expand your network.
"You say yes to everything, especially early in your career."
Examples: sit in on meetings, observe special projects, help behind the scenes.
Benefits:
Increases credibility.
Shows people you can do anything.
Reputation
Build a reputation as confident, qualified, and capable.
Online presence:
Example: LinkedIn profile—professional, up-to-date, connected to network.
Be a sponsor/advocate for your company (school, office, etc.).
Monthly posts suggested: team photos, events, showing responsibility and trust.
Offline reputation:
Deliver results better than expected.
"Deliver on the things that you said you were gonna do and do a better job than people expected of you."
Resilience
Not taught from books—learned through experience.
Build resilience through preparation, not "fake it till you make it."
Preparation includes: practicing presentations, thinking through narratives, blocking time before/after to collect thoughts and connect with people.
"Preparation is my headline … that's part of what creates resilience."
Mandy turns the question to Robin:
"I wanna ask you too, I mean, Robin, you, you live and breathe this every day too. What do you think are the keys to success?"
Robin agrees with preparation as key.
Value of service work:
Suggests working in service (food, hospitality) teaches humility.
"I've never met somebody I think even ever in my life who is super entitled and profoundly ungrateful, who has worked a service job for any length of time."
Robin's personal experience with service work:
First business: selling pumpkins at Robin's Pumpkin Patch (age 5).
Key formative experience: running Robin's Cafe (2016, opened with no restaurant experience, on three weeks' notice).
Ran the cafe for 3 years, sold it on Craigslist.
Served multiple stakeholders: nonprofit, staff (~15 employees), investors ($40,000 raised from family/friends).
Trial by fire: unprepared first days—no full menu, no recipes, huge rush events.
Concept of MI Plus: "Everything in its place" as preparation principle.
Connecting service experience to corporate storytelling:
Current business: Zandr Media (videos, corporate storytelling).
Preparation is critical:
Know who's where, what will be captured, and what the final asset looks like.
Limited fixes in post-production, even with AI tools.
Reinforces importance of preparation through repeated experience.
Advice for future children / young people:
Robin would encourage service jobs for kids for months or a year.
Teaches:
Sleep management, personal presentation, confidence, energy.
"Deciding that I'm going to show up professionally … well … energetically."
Emphasizes relentless optimism: positivity is a superpower.
Experience shows contrast between being prepared and unprepared—learning from both is crucial.
Service jobs as formative experience:
Worked as a waitress early in her career (teenager).
Describes it as "the hardest job of my life".
Challenges included:
Remembering orders (memory).
Constant multitasking.
Dealing with different personalities and attitudes.
Maintaining positivity and optimism through long shifts (e.g., nine-hour shifts).
Fully agrees with Robin: service jobs teach humility and preparation.
Optimism as a superpower:
"I totally agree too that optimism is a superpower. I think optimism is my superpower."
Writes about this concept in her book.
Believes everyone has at least one superpower, and successful careers involve identifying and leaning into that superpower.
Robin asks about the book
Why did Mandy write the book?
Inspiration behind the book?
Also wants a deep dive into the writing process for her own interest.
Mandy's inspiration and purpose of the book
Title: "Corporating: Three Ways to Win At Work"
Primary goal: Scale mentorship.
Realized as she reached VP level, people wanted career advice.
Increased visibility through:
Position as VP.
Connection with alma mater (Indiana University).
Active presence on LinkedIn.
Result: Many young professionals seeking mentorship.
Challenge: Not sustainable to mentor individually.
Solution: Writing a book allows her to scale mentorship without minimizing impact.
Secondary goals / personal motivations:
Acts as a form of "corporate therapy":
Reflects on first 10 years of her career.
Acknowledges both successes and stumbles.
Helps process trials and tribulations.
Provides perspective and gratitude for lessons learned.
Fun aspect: as a writer, enjoyed formatting and condensing experiences into a digestible form for readers.
Legacy and contribution:
"I had something that I could contribute meaningfully to the world … as part of my own legacy … I do wanna leave this world feeling like I contributed something positive. So this is one of my marks."
Robin asks Mandy about the writing process:
"What's writing been like for you? Just the, the process of distilling your thinking into something permanent."
Mandy: Writing process and finding the "25th hour"
Loves writing:
"I love writing, so the writing has been first and foremost fun."
Where she wrote the book:
Mostly from the passenger seat of her car.
She's a working mom and didn't have traditional writing time.
Advice from mentor Gary Magenta:
"Mandy, you're gonna have to find the 25th hour."
She found that "25th hour" in her car.
Practical examples:
During birthday party drop-offs:
"Oh good. It's a drop off party. Bye. Bye, honey. See you in two hours. I'll be in the driveway. In my car. If you need anything, please don't need anything."
Would write for 1.5–2 hours.
During Girl Scouts, swim, any activity.
On airplanes:
Finished the book on an eight-hour flight back from Germany.
It was her 40th birthday (June 28).
"Okay, I did it."
Realization moment: "You chip away at it enough that you realize, oh, I have a book."
Robin: On parents and prioritization
Parents told him:
"When you have kids, you just find a way."
Children create:
Stricter prioritization.
A necessary forcing function.
Mandy's self-reflection:
"I believe that I am an inherently lazy person, to be totally honest with you."
But she's driven by deadlines and deliverables.
Kids eliminate "lazy days":
No more slow Saturdays watching Netflix.
"They get up. You get up, you have to feed these people like there's a human relying on you."
Motherhood forces motivation:
"My inherent laziness has been completely wiped away the past nine years."
Writing happened in small windows of time.
Importance of creative outlet:
Having something for yourself fuels the rest of life.
Examples: writing, crocheting, quilting, music.
Creativity energizes other areas of life.
Robin mentions The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss.
Advice from that book:
Have something outside your day job that fuels you.
For Robin:
Physical practice (gym, handstands, gymnastics, ballet, capoeira, surfing).
It's a place to:
Celebrate.
Feel progress.
Win, even if work is struggling.
Example:
If tickets aren't selling.
If newsletter flops.
If client relationships are hard.
Physical training becomes the "anchor win."
Mandy's writing took over two years.
Why?
She got distracted writing a musical version of the book.
There is now:
"Corporating: The Book"
"Corporating: The Musical"
Three songs produced online.
Collaboration with composer Eric Chaney.
Inspiration from book: Time, Talent, Energy (recommended by former boss Sarah Miran).
Concept: we have limited time, talent, and energy.
Advice:
Follow your energy when possible.
If you're flowing creatively, go with it (unless there's an urgent deadline).
You'll produce better work.
She believes:
The book is better because she created the musical.
Musical helps during speaking engagements.
Sometimes she sings during talks.
Why music?
Attention spans are short.
Not just Gen Z — everyone is distracted.
Music keeps people engaged.
"I'm not just gonna tell you about the three ways to win at work. I'm gonna sing it for you too."
Robin on capturing attention
If you can hold attention of:
Five-year-olds.
Thirteen-year-olds.
You can hold anyone's attention.
Shares story:
In Alabama filming for Department of Education.
Interviewed Alabama Teacher of the Year (Katie).
She has taught for 20 years (kindergarten through older students).
Observed:
High enthusiasm.
High energy.
Willingness to be ridiculous to capture attention.
Key insight:
Engagement requires energy and presence.
Mandy's part of a group called Mic Drop Workshop.
Led by Lindsay (last name unclear in transcript) and Jess Tro.
They meet once a month.
Each session focuses on improving a different performance skill.
The session she describes focused on facial expressions.
Exercise they did:
Tell a story with monotone voice and no facial expressions.
Tell the story "over the top clown like, go really big, something that feels so ridiculous."
Tell it the way you normally would.
Result:
Her group had four people.
"Every single one of us liked number two better than one or three."
Why version two worked best:
When people are emotive and expressive:
It's more fun to watch.
It's more entertaining.
It's more engaging.
Connection to kids and storytelling:
Think of how you tell stories to five-year-olds:
Whisper.
Get loud.
Get soft.
Use dynamic shifts.
The same applies on stage.
Musical integration:
Music is another tool for keeping attention.
Helps maintain engagement in a distracted world.
Robin: Hiring for energy and presence
Talks about hiring his colleague Zach Fish.
Technical producer for:
Responsive Conference.
Snafu Conference.
Freelancer Robin works with often.
Why Robin hires Zach:
Yes, he's technically excellent.
But more importantly:
"He's a ball of positive energy and delight and super capable and confident, but also just pleasant to be with."
Robin's hiring insight:
If he has a choice, he chooses Zach.
Why?
"I feel better."
Energy and presence influence hiring decisions.
Zach's background:
Teaches weekly acrobatics classes for kids in Berkeley.
He's used to engaging audiences.
That translates into professional presence.
Robin: Energy is learnable
When thinking about:
Who to hire.
Who to promote.
Who to give opportunities to.
Traits that matter:
Enthusiasm.
Positivity.
Big energy.
Being "over the top" when needed.
Important insight:
This isn't necessarily a God-given gift.
It can be learned.
Like music or performance.
Like anything else.
Mandy reflects on:
The tension between loud voices and quiet voices.
"Oftentimes the person who is the loudest is the one who gets to talk the most, but the person who's the quietest is the one who maybe has the best ideas."
Core question:
How do you exist in a world where both of those things are true?
Parenting lens:
One daughter is quieter than the other.
Important to:
Encourage authenticity.
Teach the skill of using your voice loudly when needed.
It's not about changing personality.
It's about equipping someone to advocate for themselves when necessary
Book is targeted at:
Students about to enter the corporate world.
Early-career professionals.
Intentional writing decision:
Exactly 100 pages.
Purpose:
"To the point, practical advice."
Holds attention.
Digestible.
Designed for distracted readers.
Emotional honesty:
Excited but nervous to reconnect with students.
Acknowledges:
The world has changed.
It's been a while since she was in college.
Advice she's trying to live: Know your audience
Core principle:
"Get to know your audience. Like really get in there and figure out who they are."
Pre-book launch tour purpose:
Visiting universities (including her alma mater).
Observing students.
Understanding:
Their learning environment.
Their day-to-day experiences.
The world they're stepping into.
Communication principle:
Knowing your audience is essential in communications.
Also essential in career-building.
If you have a vision of where you want to go:
"Try to find a way to get there before you're there."
Tactics:
Meet people in those roles.
Shake their hands.
Have coffee.
Sit in those seats.
Walk those halls.
See how it feels.
Idea:
Test the future before committing to it.
Reduce uncertainty through proximity.
What if you don't have a vision?
Robin pushes back thoughtfully:
What about people who:
Don't know what they want to do?
Aren't sure about staying at a company?
Aren't sure about career vs. business vs. stay-at-home parent?
Acknowledges:
There's abundance in the world.
Attention is fragmented.
Implied tension:
How do you move forward without clarity?
How to help someone figure out what's next
Start with questions, not answers
A mentor's primary job: ask questions from a place of curiosity
Especially when someone is struggling with what they want to do or their career direction
Key questions: What brings you joy? What gives you energy? What's the dream? Imagine retirement — what does that look like?
Example: A financial advisor made Mandy and her husband define retirement vision; then work backwards (condo in New Zealand, annual family vacations)
Clarify what actually matters
Distinguish life priorities: Security → corporate job; Teamwork → corporate environment; Variety and daily interaction → specific roles
Mentoring becomes a checklist: Joy, strengths, lifestyle, financial expectations, work environment preferences
Then make connections: Introduce them to people in relevant environments, encourage informational interviews
You don't know what you don't know
Trial and error is inevitable
Build network intentionally: Shadow people, observe, talk to parents' friends, friends of friends
Even experienced professionals have untapped opportunities
Stay curious and do the legwork
Mixing personal and professional identity
Confidence to bring personal interests into corporate work comes from strategy plus luck
Example: Prologis 2021, senior leaders joked about forming a band; Mandy spoke up, became lead singer
CEO took interest after first performance, supported book launch
She didn't always feel this way
Early corporate years: Feel like a "corporate robot," worrying about jargon, meetings, email etiquette, blending in
Book explores blending in while standing out
Advice for bringing full self to work
Don't hide it, but don't force it; weave into casual conversation
Find advocates: Amazing bosses vs terrible ones, learn from both
Mentorship shaped her framework: Relationships, reputation, and resilience
Resilience and rejection
Theater as rejection bootcamp: Auditions, constant rejection
Foundations of resilience: Surround yourself with supportive people, develop intrinsic self-worth, know you are worthy
Creating conditions for success
Age 11 audition story: Last-minute opportunity, director asked her to sing, she sang and got the part
Why it worked: Connections (aunt in play), parent support, director willing to take a chance, she showed up
Resilience is not just toughing it out: Have support systems, build self-worth, seek opportunity, create favorable conditions, step forward when luck opens a door
First show experiences
Robin's first stage production is uncertain; she had to think carefully
At 17, walked into a gymnastics gym after being a cross country runner for ten years, burnt out from running
Cold-called gyms from the Yellow Pages; most rejected her for adult classes, one offered adult classes twice a week
That led to juggling, circus, fencing, capa, rock climbing — a "Cambrian explosion" of movement opportunities
About a year and a half later, walked into a ballet studio in corduroy and a button-up, no ballet shoes; first ballet teacher was Eric Skinner at Reed College, surrounded by former professional ballerinas
First internal college production was his first show; ten years later performed as an acrobat with the San Francisco Opera in 2013, six acrobats among 200 people on stage, four-hour shows with multiple costume changes and backflips
Relationship to AI and the evolving world of work
Mandy never asks her daughters "What do you want to be?" because jobs today may not exist in the future
Focus on interests: plants, how things are built, areas of curiosity for future generations
Coaching her team: Highly capable, competent, invested in tools and technology for digital signage, webinars, emails, data-driven insights, videos
Approach AI with cautious optimism: Adopt early, embrace technology, use it to enhance work rather than replace it
Example: Uses a bot for scheduling efficiency, brainstorming; enhances job performance by integrating AI from day one
Advice: Approach AI with curiosity, not fear; embrace tools to be smarter and more efficient, stay ahead in careers
Mandy will be speaking at Snafu Conference on March 5, discussing rejection and overcoming it.
Author and speaking information: mandymooney.com
LinkedIn: Mandy Mooney
Music available under her real name, Mandy Mooney, on streaming platforms.
