For the past year, Black women have been facing job loss and the most challenging job market we've seen in a long time.

For some of us, navigating this space has presented exhaustion, hopelessness, and fear about our career trajectories and financial stability.

In this podcast episode, Mercedes Swan, the Career Love Coach sets out to inspire some hope by sharing what's going on in the job market for Black Women based on employment data, how this is impacting Black women, and how you can confidently navigate the job market with confidence by leveraging Brilliance Niching!

Start Brilliance Niching: The show featured two resources to help you start defining your Black Woman Brilliance!

• Get the Black Woman Brilliance Niching Workbook to get clear on your niche for your 2026 job search: https://www.mercedesswan.com/offers/8inUpAAF
• Watch the Black Woman Bliss Blueprint Webinar, which highlights Brilliance Niching and a 90-day Job Search Strategy: https://www.mercedesswan.com/bliss

Join the Black Woman Bliss Community

Connect with a supportive group of Black women who are building their dream careers with sisterhood, strategy, and support. The Community features connection circles, group coaching, coworking, and a training portal featuring over 60 lessons!

Join now with a 14-day free trial: https://www.mercedesswan.com/offers/eJeeU6Va/checkout

Work with Mercedes Swan:

Mercedes loves coaching and mentoring Black women who are launching their job search, learning to navigate the workplace with confidence or are planning their 9-5 exit by building a business she loves.

Connect with Mercedes here to explore 1:1 Coaching or Mentoring: https://www.mercedesswan.com/connect

Referenced in the Show

• Economic Policy Institute Blog
• Economic Policy Institute Data
• 2025 Lean In Report
• Logan In the Future
• Tank Rhodes
• Why 300,000 Black Women Were Pushed Out Of The Workforce

Transcripts: https://www.mercedesswan.com/blog/the-state-of-the-job-market-for-black-women

What does it really take to plan 2026 as a Black woman who wants more in her career and business?

In this solo episode, Mercedes gets real about what it means to plan a new year after a hard one, especially when you know you’re meant for more but you’re tired, over it, and done with grind culture.

She walks you through how she’s planning her own 2026 using reflection, the 12 Week Year, and soft, supportive systems so she can build a business and life she actually loves.

Together, we're exploring what it looks like to redesign your goals around who you’re becoming, not just what you think you “should” be doing.

Through honesty, storytelling, and practical strategy, Mercedes reminds you that your Black Woman Bliss Era isn’t about doing more it’s about doing what’s aligned, sustainable, and worthy of the woman you are right now.

🤚🏾 FREE 7-Day Clarity Challenge: Come plan your 2026 with Mercedes and her mama in community starting January 11th. For seven days, you’ll be guided through reflection, vision, and aligned action so you can step into this year with purpose!
Join the challenge: ⁠https://www.mercedesswan.com/clarity-challenge⁠

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

9 to 5 Exit Blueprint (Pay-What-You-Want): ⁠https://www.mercedesswan.com/offers/CNrFmiHw/checkout⁠

Curious About My Systems? My Tech Stack: https://mercedesswan.notion.site/Mercedes-Swan-s-Tech-Stack-21b0ae166516808897caec2fbd1f1b2e?source=copy_link

The 12 Week Year: ⁠https://amzn.to/4pzpN0B⁠

Work 1:1 with Mercedes: ⁠https://www.mercedesswan.com/connect⁠

Blog Guide and Transcript: https://www.mercedesswan.com/blog/2026-planning-for-black-women-goal-setting-12-week-year

What does it really take to build a 45-year legacy in a space not made for you?

In this powerful episode, Mercedes sits down with Ann McNeill, “The Master Builder”, the first Black woman general contractor in Florida and founder of the National Association of Black Women in Construction.

Together, they explore how Black women can find purpose in unexpected places, build confidence that reflects true self-worth, and grow where they’re planted even when we're the only.

Ann shares stories that will inspire and challenge you, from standing up to her boss and unapologetically embodying her newfound confidence by driving off in her white Corvette, to founding five successful businesses and leading a national network of women changing the face of construction.

Through laughter, truth-telling, and legacy-building wisdom, Ann reminds us that everything you’re seeking is seeking you.

During this Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How to stay grounded in your Black Woman Brilliance while navigating male-dominated industries.
• Why your purpose and passion are already within reach and how to align your career with both.
• How to leverage your existing skills instead of waiting for permission to pivot.
• The power of “growing where you’re planted” and why it’s the foundation for elevation.
• How to build confidence at work as a reflection of self, not validation.
• What The McNeill Factor is and how it helps Black women elevate personally, professionally, and spiritually.
• The power of accountability and masterminding with your friends and family.

Build with Ann McNeill: As Ann shares in this episode, you have the power to bring your dreams to life! Connect with Ann and learn more about her transformational programs and resources:

• Discover “The McNeill Factor” — her framework for elevating your mindset, money, and mission: https://annmcneill.com/store
• Work with Ann & Speaking https://annmcneill.com
• Follow Ann on LinkedIn: Ann McNeill, The Master Builder
• Connect with Ann: https://linktr.ee/annmcneill

Step Into Your Black Woman Bliss

You deserve to create a life and career that feels like freedom, alignment, and fulfillment. If you’re ready to quit that toxic job, launch your business, or finally step into your purpose with confidence, join Mercedes for the Black Woman Bliss Blueprint Webinar.

✨ You’ll learn how to:

• Get clear on your Black Woman Brilliance
• Build a career or business rooted in your values and gifts
• Create an exit plan that lets you walk away from burnout and step into your Bliss Era

👉🏾 Register for the free Black Woman Bliss Blueprint Webinar here: https://www.mercedesswan.com/bliss

Ready to Keep Building? Join the conversation and connect with other powerful Black women creating aligned careers, businesses, and lives inside the Career Love Community: https://www.mercedesswan.com/join

In this solo episode, I’m unpacking the hot take that “career coaches are unethical” and talking honestly about what’s really happening in this wild 2025 job market. We dig into the difference between systemic injustice and individual coaches, how manipulative marketing preys on vulnerable job seekers, and what ethical career support can and should look like for Black women. I also share more about the Career Love Mission, career liberation, and how I’m re-building community care through free and accessible support.
If you’ve ever side-eyed the coaching industry (or me 👀 lol), that's okay! This one will help you think more critically and more compassionately about where you invest your time, money, and energy.
🤎 Join the Career Love Community
If you’re a Black woman navigating layoffs, toxic workplaces, underemployment, or you’re just tired of doing this alone, the Career Love Community was built for you. Inside, you’ll find a free tier and a paid membership option with access to:
✓ Job search chats and live support
✓ Peer resume reviews & mock interviews
✓ Accountability pods, networking, and wellness chats
Training resources to help you step into your Black Woman Bliss Era
Learn more and join us here: https://www.mercedesswan.com/join
Start your free trial to the full community experience here: https://www.mercedesswan.com/offers/eJeeU6Va/checkout
🌱 Attend the Black Woman Bliss Blueprint Webinar
Want a deeper dive into the framework I mention in this episode? The Black Woman Bliss Blueprint Webinar walks you through how to:
✓ Get clear on your Black Woman Brilliance
✓ Create an exit plan from a toxic or misaligned job
✓ Start building a career or business that actually feels like freedom
Save your spot for the next session here: https://www.mercedesswan.com/bliss
📅 Book a Free 15-Minute Clarity Chat
If you’re wondering whether coaching, community, or another path is right for you in this season, you can grab a free 15-minute Clarity Chat with me. This is a no-pressure space to talk through where you are, what you’re struggling with in your career or business, and what aligned next steps could look like.
Schedule your clarity chat here: https://calendly.com/mercedesswan/infoShow notes and additional information about choosing a Career Coach: https://www.mercedesswan.com/blog/how-to-choose-an-ethical-career-coach-should-i-work-with-a-career-coach

If you’ve been pushing through workplace burnout, ignoring your body’s signals, or believing that rest is something you have to “earn,” this episode is going to heal your soul! As Black women, we carry generational stories of overwork, perfectionism, and being “the strong one.” But what if the most revolutionary thing we could do for ourselves is to sit our ass down?In this powerful conversation with burnout coach and former teacher turned CEO, Keonna Knight, we explore the truth about rest, resilience, and why Black women deserve lives rooted in ease, joy, and abundance.In this episode, we discuss...✨ The top 4 burnout signs to look out for ✨ How generational trauma and identity shape our relationship with rest✨ Why saying your sacred no can be a radical act of self-love✨ The connection between self-worth, rest, and ease in our careers and businesses✨ How play, joy, and community are essential tools for healing burnout✨ Why rest is not just personal, it’s strategic, cultural, and transformational🍵 About Keonna Knight, Courage & Burnout CoachKeonna Knight, M.Ed., is a courage coach and burnout expert with 6+ years of experience creating unique wellness events for Black Women. This former East Oakland educator turned CEO has created transformative experiences for over 1,500 Black women and visionary leaders to stop over-functioning and start living lives rooted in rest and wellness. Her credentials: a trained therapist, yoga + mindfulness instructor, and successful business owner who gets 9 hours of sleep each night, anchors every offering in God, and loves sharing belly laughs and Thai food with people who feel like home.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healwithkeonna Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@healwithkeonna LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keonnaknight/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healwithkeonna ✨ Explore More: The Come Home Rest RetreatKeonna is hosting Come Home: A Rest Retreat for Black Women in Richmond, VA (October 10–13, 2025). It’s a transformational Christ-centered experience designed to help you reset and reclaim your rest.💌 Learn more and secure your spot: https://goodbyeburnout.org/restretreat🤎Join the Career Love CommunityIf this episode resonated with you, the Career Love Community is your next step to Black Woman Bliss. It’s where high-performing, purpose-driven Black women come together to create careers, businesses, and lifestyles filled with clarity, confidence and ease. As a member, you’ll get:✅ Live group coaching sessions every month✅ Business and career strategy trainings✅ Monthly work groups to learn and grow✅ Access to a supportive sisterhood of Black women who understand your journeyStart free or upgrade for deeper access and walk boldly into your Black Woman Bliss Era.👉🏾 Join the Career Love Community Today: https://www.mercedesswan.com/join🤎 Stay ConnectedFollow me on TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn for more career and business gems:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mercedes.swan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdswanYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFeD9kqBQ53Lg17SaTh1bSQ💌 Email: hello@mercedesswan.comIf this episode spoke, I would so appreciate it if you subscribe, share, and leave a review. It helps The Career Love Podcast reach and empower more Black women. Read the Transcripts: https://www.mercedesswan.com/blog/burnout-in-black-women-sis-sit-yo-ass-down

If you’ve been wondering how to stop playing small in your career or business, this episode of The Career Love Podcast is your personal invitation to take up space.I’m pulling up with real talk on the shifts I’ve been making in my own business — and the truth about how unworthiness can keep us chasing smaller dreams than the ones we’re actually called to. This IS a pep talk, sis but I’m also giving you real strategies, mindset shifts, and permission to stop shrinking your vision and start walking boldly in it.In this episode, we’ll cover:💖 Why ignoring your intuition is costing you big opportunities💖 How unworthiness hides in career decisions and business choices💖 The truth about staying in toxic jobs (and how to break the cycle)💖 My personal journey from playing small to embracing a bigger vision💖 Practical steps you can take today to walk fully in your worth

ACCESS TRANSCRIPTS: https://www.mercedesswan.com/blog/how-to-stop-playing-small-and-start-feeling-worthy💖 JOIN THE CAREER LOVE COMMUNITYIf you loved this conversation, SIS, the true transformation is waiting for you inside the Career Love Community — my space for Black women ready to create aligned careers, businesses, and lifestyles. As a member, you’ll get access to live group coaching, powerful trainings, monthly work groups, and a network of women who get it. Whether you join free or as a paid member, you’ll walk away with the strategy, support, and sisterhood to stop playing small and step into your Black Woman Bliss Era.👉 Start your journey here: https://www.mercedesswan.com/join✨ RESERVE YOUR SEAT FOR THE BLACK WOMAN BLISS WEBINARThis episode ain't everything! In the upcoming Black Woman Bliss Webinar, we’ll go deeper into exactly how to stop playing small and instead build the career, business, and life you’ve been dreaming about. You’ll walk away with a clear vision, actionable steps, and the confidence to claim what’s already yours.💌 Seats are free, but space is limited. Save your spot now: https://www.mercedesswan.com/bliss

🤎 Stay Connected:

Follow me on TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn for more career and business gems

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mercedes.swan⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdswan ⁠

Schedule a Clarity Chat: https://calendly.com/mercedesswan/info

Subscribe & leave a review! If this episode resonated with you, let me know! Your support helps The Career Love Podcast reach and empower more Black women.

Share this with a sister who needs to hear it!

Ready to step into your Black Woman Bliss Era by building a career or business you love? Reach out at ⁠hello@mercedesswan.com

We’re on some HR level #@%$!

In this unfiltered episode, I’m joined by HR’s Agent of Chaos, Francis “Tank” Rhodes and the hot mess that is Human Resources is catching some strays.

From SHRM scandals and toxic leadership to performative DEI and overworked HR teams, we’re naming names (disrespectfully), spilling tea, and calling out the systems that keep workplaces unsafe and inequitable for Black folks.

BASICALLY, BABES, we’re talking about everything wrong with HR.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever been side-eyed by HR, wants in on finding solutions to HR’s biggest issues, or just needs to understand what the helly is actually going on behind the scenes.

Topics we cover:

• Why HR is not your friend”… and what you actually need
• The real reason DEI was set up to fail
• SHRM, HR elitism, and our villain origin stories
• How HR professionals can reclaim integrity and lead with empathy
• Why your work bestie might be your biggest opp (we said what we said!)

Tank is a real one, and this convo was hilarious and raw. So, go ahead, boo… hit the play button.

ACCESS TRANSCRIPTS:

https://www.mercedesswan.com/blog/hr-is-not-your-friend

🤎 Work with Tank as your HR Consultant

Tank is an HR Manager & consultant with seven years of experience in HR Ops, including Talent Acquisition, Performance Management, Employee Relations, Leadership, Benefits Administration, LOA, Compliance, & Inclusion.

Work with Tank: https://beacons.ai/hrsagentofchaos

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hrsagentofchaos/about

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hrsagentofchaos

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhodes19/

🤎 Ready to join the Career Love Community?

This safe, powerful space was created by and for Black women navigating big goals in career, life, and business. With coaching, training, and sisterhood built in, your about to achieve all your big goals. Learn more & join us now: ⁠https://www.mercedesswan.com

🤎 Stay Connected:

Follow me on TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn for more career and business gems

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mercedes.swan⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdswan ⁠

Schedule a Clarity Chat: https://calendly.com/mercedesswan/info

Subscribe & leave a review! If this episode resonated with you, let me know! Your support helps The Career Love Podcast reach and empower more Black women.

Share this with a sister who needs to hear it!

Ready to step into your Black Woman Bliss Era by building a career or business you love? Reach out at ⁠hello@mercedesswan.com