In Part 2 of Girls That Excel's Surviving the Office series, Emily and Elyssa tackle the highs and lows of working from home. They explore the freedom and flexibility remote work offers, but also dive into the challenges—like staying focused, avoiding isolation, and setting boundaries between work and personal life. With plenty of practical tips for creating a productive home office, managing distractions, and maintaining work-life balance, this episode is packed with advice for thriving in a...

In this fun and relatable episode of Girls That Excel, Emily and Elyssa kick off their 3-part series, Surviving the Office, with Part 1: Surviving the Cubicle. Joined by their social media consultant, Nina, live from her actual cubicle, they dive into the pros and cons of cubicle life. From personal stories about the challenges of working in a small, shared space to real-time tips from Nina on managing distractions and staying productive, this episode offers helpful advice for anyone...

In this revealing episode of Girls That Excel, Emily opens up about her experiences with CPTSD and how it affects her in the workplace, sharing strategies for managing emotions and staying high-performing under pressure. Elyssa, on the other hand, discusses how she compartmentalizes her emotions at work, highlighting both the benefits and potential downsides of keeping feelings separate from professional life. Together, they explore how their different upbringings and life experiences shape...

In this episode of Girls That excel, we sit down with Alejandro Fortunes, also known as Dyebones, the designer-turned-TikTok sensation with over 1.7 million followers. From his hilarious storytelling to building a clothing brand, Alejandro has captivated his audience. In this episode, he opens up about the complexities of parasocial relationships—where fans feel like they know him more than he knows them—and how he navigates the challenges that come with having a massive online following. If...

In this episode of Girls That excel, we’re talking all things spooky and professional! 🎃👻 From choosing the right costume to navigating office party etiquette, we’ll help you strike the perfect balance between fun and professionalism. Avoid common pitfalls like culturally insensitive costumes and inappropriate behavior, and get tips for how to participate without crossing any lines. Whether you love Halloween or dread the office festivities, this episode will guide you through a...

In this episode of Girls That excel, we sit down with Lisa Lipton, a networking queen and powerhouse in Portland’s arts community. As Executive Director of 45th Parallel Universe and Opera Theater Oregon, co-founder of Portland’s first classical music bar, Mendelssohn’s, and an on-air host at All Classical Radio, Lisa shares her secrets to building meaningful connections, balancing multiple roles, and fostering community in the arts. Whether you’re in the arts or just looking to up your...

In this episode of Girls That excel, we tackle the topic of mansplaining—what it is, why it happens, and how to handle it. Joined by Nick Ballenger, we dive into personal stories of being on the receiving end of unsolicited advice, explore the root causes of mansplaining, and break down ways to recognize and address it, whether in the workplace, social settings, or even online. We also share practical tips on setting boundaries, redirecting conversations, and empowering yourself to speak up....

In this episode of Girls That excel, we explore essential self-care strategies for fall. As the season gets busier with work, family, and holiday prep, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. We share practical tips on managing stress, setting boundaries, and preventing burnout, so you can keep excelling at work and in life. Tune in for a real talk on balancing mental and physical health during this cozy pumpkin everything season!

In this episode of Girls That excel, we’re diving deep into the world of Manager 1:1s—those crucial check-ins that can make or break your career progress. We’ll explore why these meetings are so important, what you should say, and how to make the most of them, whether you’re in sales, analysis, or operations. We’ll also cover the essentials of tracking your progress, setting up your own KPIs, and the real deal with SMART goals. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn these meetings into powerful...

In this episode of Girls That excel, we're diving into the reality of dealing with bad coworkers and toxic work environments. From sharing our listeners' most outrageous bad coworker stories to discussing the fine line between annoying behavior and harassment, we tackle it all. What do you do when your workplace doesn’t have HR, HR isn’t taking action, or the company is covering up bad behavior? We explore practical resources and strategies to help protect yourself and others from toxic...

In this episode of Girls That excel, we’re thrilled to introduce our first guest, Cassidy Bek (soon-to-be Ballenger). Cass is not only a dear friend but also the inspiring founder of Excessa, a company dedicated to making exercise accessible and building stronger communities, especially in multi-family housing environments. We’ll dive into her journey from corporate fitness to entrepreneurship, discussing the challenges she’s faced, the strategies she’s used to succeed, and the importance of...

In this episode of Girls That excel, Emily & Elyssa dive into the unglamorous but essential parts of building a career in your 20s. They discuss the realities of working jobs that aren't your passion, the importance of financial stability, and share their wildest first job stories. Whether you're grinding away at a job you don't love or figuring out your next move, this episode is packed with relatable insights and practical advice to help you navigate the ups and downs of early career...

In this teaser episode of Girls That excel, hosts Emily and Elyssa introduce you to the mission behind the podcast: empowering women (and everyone else!) to navigate the business world, overcome challenges, and build successful careers. From job search tips and interview strategies to finding your passion and managing finances, they share why this podcast is a must-listen for anyone aiming to excel. Whether you're starting out in your career or looking for ways to level up, Girls That excel...

In this episode of Girls That excel, we take a deep dive into Emily’s personal experience of being laid off and navigating the challenging job market. Elyssa interviews Emily on the emotional and practical aspects of her journey—from the initial shock to bouncing back stronger than ever. Along the way, we’ll share valuable tips and tricks for not just landing a job, but excelling in your career. Whether you're facing unemployment or looking to advance your career, this episode is packed with...

Welcome to the very first episode of Girls That excel! In this episode, get to know Emily and Elyssa, the dynamic duo we call E². We’re two passionate women on a mission to help you navigate the ups and downs of adulting and excelling in the business world. We’ll share our personal stories, the inspiration behind starting this podcast, and what you can expect from future episodes. Whether you’re fresh out of college or climbing the corporate ladder, we’re here to guide and inspire you. Join...

In this teaser episode of Girls That excel, hosts Emily and Elyssa introduce you to the mission behind the podcast: empowering women (and everyone else!) to navigate the business world, overcome challenges, and build successful careers. From job search tips and interview strategies to finding your passion and managing finances, they share why this podcast is a must-listen for anyone aiming to excel. Whether you're starting out in your career or looking for ways to level up, Girls That excel...