Why Not with Em

Everyone told you to chase the name. The prestigious company, the recognizable logo, and the title that looks impressive on paper. But what if the startup nobody's heard of is actually where the real education happens?In this episode, I'm telling the story of my eight years at project44, a company I joined because my previous startup was imploding and I needed out fast. What I didn't know was that those eight years would teach me more about myself, my strengths, and what I was actually capable of than any brand name ever could have.We talk about the rooms you get to be in at a startup that you'd wait a decade to access anywhere else. The career pivots that weren't planned but were necessary. The moment a semi truck showed up at our office because I figured out the APIs a little too well. And the mindset shift that changed everything for me - companies will take what they need from you, so you better be taking what you need from them.This episode was inspired by career coach Janel Abrahami's work on the Great Millennial Career Crisis - the collective realization that the career contract we were promised doesn't exist anymore. If that's hitting close to home right now, this one is for you.Follow Janel on Instagram: @janelabrahamiRead the full article: theeverygirl.com/great-millennial-career-crisis/

You sent in your hardest moments and I'm not shying away from any of them. In this episode, I'm going through real submissions from my listeners - the new job that has you feeling like a complete fraud, carrying the weight of a parent who is declining while holding everything else together, and what to do when it feels like life just won't let up no matter what you do. No perfect answers here. Just honest perspective, some real mindset shifts, and the reminder that you are not as alone in this as you think. The DMs don't lie and neither do I.

In this episode of Why Not with Em, I’m joined by my long-time friend Bree Volpentesta for a conversation that bridges two very different worlds. While I’m in the thick of toddler negotiations in Illinois, Bree is in Arizona, mastering the art of Quiet Resilience.We dive deep into what it actually looks like to show up for yourself when there is no external "anchor", no partner or kids, waking you up or checking your work. Bree shares her journey from being an EA "yes girl" seeing millions of dollars cross her desk to the divine "Why Not" moment when her apartment flooded and she decided to pack her car for a new life out West.We’re getting into:The Corporate Litmus Test: Why the inability to load an office dishwasher is the ultimate sign of corporate chaos.Future Self Favors: How to build the muscle of discipline by making decisions today that "Future You" will thank you for.The Mind-Muscle Connection: Why training your brain is just as intentional as a bodybuilding rep.Multiple Streams of Income: Balancing Corporate to entrepreneur and partner in businesses like Above Average coaching and Trade Fuel coffee.Whether you are feeling "stuck or soft" in your current season or you’re ready to throw some spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks, this episode is your reminder that you were made for more.Connect with BreeCoffee for the Trades: TradeFuel.com

I'm getting real and raw about the total chaos of my life after having my daughter. I was juggling an intense startup job, family dynamics were shifting, and I was deep in the "Why me?" headspace. Why is all of this stuff happening at once? This episode is about the pivot: transforming that question into a radical, optimistic challenge: Why Not Me?My best friend Alexis Larson grills me on:The Resilience Muscle: It's not something you're born with—it’s a skill you build, and it's essential for your overall longevity and mindset.The Unfiltered Parenting Struggle: From my daughter's sleep-strike to realizing the hard work of parenting is the work on yourself (and building a patience muscle that I straight-up don't have).My Journey to Get Un-Stuck: Getting real about needing intentional therapy, going on medication, leaning on my glass-half-full husband Ciaran, and setting boundaries when I felt like I was everyone's mom.The Generational Shift: How we’re taking on the "ocean" of healing family trauma and why we can't expect our two-year-olds to regulate when we can't even regulate our own feelings.The Five-Year Vision: From corporate life to building a coaching series and workshops to help other young moms in business make the most of the situation they're dealt.The message is simple: You have to make changes in your life. You can't keep holding all the plates up. Let’s talk about how to stop mentally blocking the hard stuff and start building the life you want.--I want to hear your "Why Me?" moments. What challenge are you struggling with? Write in and share your story at [email protected] future episodes, I’ll read your situation on the show—totally anonymously—and help you find the little shifts to turn it into a 'Why Not'.