Episode 30 | WAR STORIES: The Corporate Scars That Made Us Stronger | Season 1 Finale

Amy and Meg get brutally honest about the toxic workplace archetypes every leader faces - and share the real stories that shaped their careers. This isn't just storytelling; it's a masterclass in pattern recognition, strategic response, and hard-earned wisdom.

These are REAL experiences from two executives who've navigated decades in corporate America. We're not just sharing war stories - we're breaking down what was actually happening, how we handled it (the good, the bad, and the ugly), and what we'd tell our former selves now.

⏰ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Cold Open - "Airing of Grievances"
00:44 Book Club Anniversary & PeopleSoft Legacy
04:51 The Caregiving Burden During The Holidays (Women in the Workplace Reality)
08:39 Amy's "Undercover Man" Confession
15:11 Season 1 Finale Announcement
17:01 The Credit Thief - When Ideas Get Stolen
22:36 The Diminisher - Toenail Polish & Power Games
40:34 The Gatekeeper - Controlling Access & Visibility
53:01 The Saboteur - Coordinated Workplace Attacks
1:09:01 The Narcissist & The Proxy War - When You're a Pawn
1:18:42 The Wins - How We Became a Force of Two
1:31:50 Season 2 Vision & 2026 Predictions
1:35:11 Thank You & Madison's Maternity Leave

🔑 KEY INSIGHTS & HARD-EARNED WISDOM:
Why some executives have an invisible "unfair advantage" (Amy's stay-at-home husband revelation)
How to recognize when someone is diminishing you - and why it's about their insecurities, not your worth
The crucial difference: gatekeepers you can work around vs. narcissists you must exit from
Why workplace sabotage is often a twisted compliment - you've struck a chord
How to identify proxy wars (when you're collateral damage in someone else's battle)
Strategic advice: "Don't let your enemies know who they are"
The middle schooler test: advise yourself like you'd advise your kid about bullies
Why investing in your own professional development can't depend on your employer
When credentials get weaponized: "If they have to explain how important they are instead of discussing ideas, that's a red flag"
The power of documentation: timestamp your ideas, save your receipts
Sometimes the only winning move is to walk away (and that's not failure)
How gratitude and appreciation unlock more than demands ever will

📚 RESOURCES:
Jess Von Bank on The Women in the Workplace 2025 Report | https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jessvo...

Charlotte Otter’s LinkedIn Post | https://www.linkedin.com/posts/charlo...

Festivus Airing of the Grievances |    • Festivus Airing of Grievances  

🔗 CONNECT:
Amy's LinkedIn:   / amy-wilson-insight  
Meg's LinkedIn:   / megbear  
Meg’s Blog: https://www.megbear.com/blog

Special thanks to our Executive Producer Madison Harney - enjoy maternity leave! And to our book club celebrating 20 years of badass women supporting each other.

These stories shaped us. They don't have to break you.

We'll be back March 2026 for Season 2.

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