What if the biggest barrier to women’s success isn’t confidence, ambition, or negotiating skills?
In this episode, I’m joined by Stefanie O’Connell, award-winning journalist and author of The Ambition Penalty, to unpack the hidden systems that continue to hold ambitious women back, even as we’ve become more educated and accomplished than ever.
Together, we explore:
* Why the gender gap isn’t caused by a lack of ambition
* The myths we’ve been told about women in the workplace
* Why self-improvement alone can’t solve systemic problems
* How community creates more change than individual achievement
* What it really takes to build workplaces and cultures that work for everyone
This conversation challenges the narratives we’ve accepted for decades and offers a new way of thinking about ambition, burnout, leadership, and collective action.
If you’ve ever wondered why doing everything “right” still doesn’t always lead to equal opportunities, this episode is for you.
If this conversation gave you a new perspective on ambition, leadership, and the systems shaping our lives, I’d love to hear what resonated with you.
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Connect with Stefanie O’Connell
* Instagram: @stefanieoconnell
* Book: The Ambition Penalty
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Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode of Like Nobody’s Business.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit emilyinyourbusiness.substack.com
