In this episode of The Corporate Burnouts, Mandy Holt and Mandy Alt unpack what they call the “corporate personality hangover”, the lingering habits, people-pleasing instincts, and emotional masking that follow you long after leaving corporate life. Sparked by a difficult client situation, the Mandys explore how corporate conditioning shows up in conflict, communication, crisis management, and boundary-setting, even when you’re running your own business.

From phone voices and media training to over-apologizing, diffusing situations at your own expense, and struggling to separate professionalism from authenticity, this conversation dives deep into how years of corporate survival shape who we become. They talk honestly about client boundaries, firing the wrong clients, why “the client is always right” mentality causes burnout, and how prolonged masking erodes mental health over time.

The episode also touches on people-pleasing, brand identity, emotional labor, and learning how to be both direct and kind without abandoning yourself. If you’ve left corporate but still feel the reflex to over-perform, over-explain, or swallow your instincts to keep the peace, this episode will help you recognize the hangover, unlearn the damage, and redefine what healthy professionalism actually looks like.

Listen in, reflect on where you might still be masking, share this episode with someone navigating burnout or business ownership, and follow The Corporate Burnouts for honest conversations about work, identity, boundaries, and life after corporate.

And if you’re looking for inspiration and education that leads to actionable change, check out the Become Conference in St. Louis this March 12-13 and come say hi, we’d love to meet you. Here is the link to register for Become now - https://littleblackbook.wildapricot.org/event-6349380

In this episode of The Corporate Burnouts, Mandy Holt and Mandy Alt sit down with Joy Peterson to unpack what burnout really looks like when you’ve spent decades saying yes, grinding nonstop, and tying your entire identity to your job. Joy shares her journey from working 22 years in the service and hospitality industry, rising from server to director of restaurant training, to hitting a breaking point during COVID that forced her to quit without a backup plan.

Together, they explore how burnout sneaks up on high performers, why quitting can sometimes be a health decision, and what it looks like to take intentional time off to reset, recover, and rediscover who you are outside of work. The conversation dives into mental health, boundary-setting, redefining success, transferable skills from service industry careers, and why stepping away career-wise doesn’t mean moving backward.

Joy also shares how she rebuilt her career with clearer boundaries, predictable work hours, and a role that supports her life instead of consuming it. If you’re burned out, questioning your career path, coming from the service or hospitality industry, or wondering whether you’re tired or truly done, this episode offers permission, perspective, and practical reassurance.

Listen in, reflect on what boundaries you need to set, share this episode with someone who’s running on empty, and follow The Corporate Burnouts for honest conversations about work, burnout, and building a life that actually fits.

And if you’re looking for a reset, check out the Become Conference in St. Louis this March 12-13 and come say hi, we’d love to meet you. Here is the link to register for Become now - https://littleblackbook.wildapricot.org/event-6349380?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=3%2F7%2F2026

In this episode of The Corporate Burnouts, Mandy Holt and Mandy Alt kick off 2026 by flipping the usual New Year conversation on its head and focusing on what they’re not doing anymore at work. From people-pleasing, working outside of work hours, and operating on everyone else’s timeline to gatekeeping information, going above and beyond without return, and setting themselves on fire to keep others warm, the Mandys unpack the habits that quietly fuel burnout in corporate life and entrepreneurship.

Drawing from decades of leadership experience and real conversations with listeners, they explore why work is ultimately transactional, how loyalty can be unintentionally exploited, and why boundaries, delegation, and intentional priorities are essential for sustainability. They also share personal shifts around movement, routines, social energy, saying no without guilt, and redefining success in a way that protects time, health, and relationships.

If you’re burned out, feeling resentful at work, or realizing that over-investing hasn’t paid off the way you were promised, this episode will help you name what needs to stop so you can make room for what actually matters.

Listen in, reflect on what you’re done tolerating in 2026, share this episode with someone who needs permission to set boundaries, and follow The Corporate Burnouts for honest conversations about work, burnout, boundaries, and building a healthier way forward.

And if you’re looking for a reset in the new year, check out the Become Conference in St. Louis this March and come say hi, we’d love to meet you. Here is the link to register for Become now - https://littleblackbook.wildapricot.org/event-6349380

In this New Year’s episode of The Corporate Burnouts, Mandy Holt and Mandy Alt reflect on the past year while rethinking everything we’ve been taught about goals, resolutions, and personal growth. From surviving grief and burnout to finding clarity through therapy, intention setting, and honest self-assessment, they unpack what it really looks like to move from survival mode into thriving.

The conversation explores why traditional New Year’s resolutions often fail, how SMART goals create momentum without pressure, and why choosing a single word or intention for the year can be more powerful than any checklist. They share personal goals around health, time management, automation, boundaries, mindset, and letting go of control—especially as careers evolve, kids grow up, and priorities shift.

This episode is a reminder that growth doesn’t require perfection, massive overhauls, or January 1st deadlines, just intentional choices, accountability, and grace for where you are right now. If you’re burned out, rethinking your career, navigating personal change, or simply looking for a healthier way to set goals for the new year, this conversation will help you reset with clarity and purpose.

Listen in, reflect on your own intentions, share this episode with someone who needs it, and follow The Corporate Burnouts for weekly conversations about work, burnout, growth, and building a life that actually feels good.

In this Christmas Day episode of The Corporate Burnouts, Mandy Holt and Mandy Alt keep things light, relatable, and painfully accurate by decoding corporate emails and translating what they actually mean when no one is allowed to say it out loud. From “just checking in” and “per my last email” to “friendly reminder,” “let’s circle back,” and emails that quietly CC your boss, the Mandys break down the passive-aggressive language, unspoken expectations, and emotional landmines baked into professional communication.

Drawing from years of corporate leadership experience, they explore why email tone causes spirals, how paper trails protect people more than they solve problems, and why so many misunderstandings could be avoided with direct conversations, clearer priorities, and a little less corporate fluff. Along the way, they unpack leadership styles, feedback preferences, ADHD productivity realities, and why humor is sometimes the only way to survive professional life.

If you’ve ever reread an email six times, felt personally attacked by “no rush,” or laughed to keep from screaming at your inbox, this episode will make you feel seen.

Listen in, share this with a coworker who needs the laugh, and follow The Corporate Burnouts for honest conversations about work, burnout, communication, and life after corporate.

And if you’re looking for a reset in the new year, check out the Become Conference in St. Louis this March and come say hi, we’d love to meet you. Here is the link to register for Become now - https://littleblackbook.wildapricot.org/event-6349380

In this episode of The Corporate Burnouts, we unpack one of the most confusing (and important) questions professionals and business owners face, especially at the end of the year. Burnout and being done can feel exactly the same, but the solutions couldn’t be more different.

We talk honestly about holiday burnout, corporate exhaustion, loyalty, glass ceilings, financial fear, health insurance handcuffs, and the moment when daydreaming shifts from “how do I fix this?” to “what’s my exit plan?”

This conversation applies whether you work in corporate, own a business, manage a team, or feel stuck in a role that no longer fits your life. We also dig into how vacations, boundaries, and restructuring can help when it’s burnout, and how to recognize when no amount of rest will fix misalignment.

We also share why community, inspiration, and mentorship matter when you’re navigating burnout or big transitions, and invite you to join us at the Become Women’s Conference in March in St. Louis, where you’ll hear from women who’ve faced burnout, pivoted careers, built businesses, and found clarity for what’s next. Mandy will be on a marketing panel discussing podcasting, social media, SEO, and digital marketing, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions specific to your business or career. You can learn more and register here: https://littleblackbook.wildapricot.org/event-6349380?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=3%2F7%2F2026.

If this episode resonates, share it with someone who’s feeling the same way, subscribe to The Corporate Burnouts, and remember, you don’t have to let your work be the thing that makes you unhappy.

In this episode of The Corporate Burnouts, Mandy Holt and Mandy Alt unpack the corporate red flags so many professionals see, but often ignore. From “we’re a family here” culture and open-door policies that don’t actually fix anything, to perks replacing boundaries, loyalty being weaponized, and pay practices that quietly undermine employees, this conversation dives deep into how burnout really happens.

Drawing from years of corporate leadership experience, the Mandys explore why smart, capable people overlook warning signs, how emotional manipulation can show up disguised as opportunity, and when the red flags become too heavy to ignore. They also share the personal moments that finally forced clarity, lost time, shifting priorities, and the realization that work should never cost you your life outside of it.

If you’re questioning your job, feeling stuck, or wondering whether it’s time to reset boundaries, pivot careers, or design something new, this episode will help you name what you’re seeing, stop gaslighting yourself, and give yourself permission to want better. Listen in, reflect honestly, and join the conversation by sharing this episode, leaving a review, and following The Corporate Burnouts for more real talk about work, burnout, and life after corporate.

If you are interested in joining us at the Become Women’s Conference, March 12-13 in St. Louis, where you’ll hear from women who’ve faced burnout, pivoted careers, built businesses, and found clarity for what’s next. You can learn more and register here: ⁠https://littleblackbook.wildapricot.org/event-6349380?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=3%2F7%2F2026⁠.

In this episode of The Corporate Burnouts, Mandy and Mandy sit down for an honest conversation about what it really feels like to get fired. It doesn’t matter whether you saw it coming, never expected it, or still aren’t sure if it was “deserved.” Losing a job can shake your confidence, mess with youridentity, and leave you wondering who you are without a title. Inspired by the book All the Cool Girls Get Fired by Christina O’Neill and Laura Brown, the Mandys talk through the fear,embarrassment, ego bruises, and even the strange sense of relief that sometimes shows up afterward. So many high-achieving women eventually outgrow environments that never fit them in the first place, and this episode leansinto that truth.

The conversation touches on everything from toxic bossesand HR disasters to workplace politics, burnout, and those “is it me or is this place actually unhinged” moments. They spend time breaking down what happens emotionally after a firing, how to rebuild your sense of self, and what it looks like to reenter the job market without dragging all the shame along with you. There’s also a practical side to the discussion, including how to talk about being fired in interviews, questions you should ask to avoid another toxic situation, and why a setback might actually be a setup for somethinghealthier.

The Mandys also pulled in real stories from TikTok. Someare ridiculous, some are painful, and some are so familiar you’ll swear someone has been reading your journal. The point is simple. You’re not the only one who has been blindsided or confused or humiliated by the way a company chose topart ways. And you’re certainly not the only person who has walked away stronger.

If this episode made you laugh, helped you breathe alittle easier, or reminded you that you’re not alone, hit subscribe, leave a review, share it with a friend, and tag us so we can cheer for you during your comeback season.

Want to read All the Cool Girls Get Fired? Here are a few places you can grab a copy:

Amazon: ⁠https://a.co/d/h1e3pC1⁠
Barnes & Noble: ⁠https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/all-the-cool-girls-get-fired-laura-brown/1146922297?ean=9781668067451⁠

If you are interested in joining us at the Become Women’s Conference, March 12-13 in St. Louis, where you’ll hear from women who’ve faced burnout, pivoted careers, built businesses, and found clarity for what’s next. You can learn more and register here: ⁠⁠https://littleblackbook.wildapricot.org/event-6349380?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=3%2F7%2F2026⁠⁠.