Hiding in the Bathroom

Welcome to Hiding in the Bathroom! We examine the secret life of leadership, work, and success. From anxiety, work-life balance, figuring out what you want, and building the kind of business you love, we hear from leaders of all stripes. Each week host Morra Aarons-Mele invites her favorite, most interesting friends and colleagues from politics, feminism, business media and psychology on to talk about creating the career and life you want, driving social change, smashing the patriarchy, and what to do when you want to hide in the bathroom. It's like a "nerdy dinner party conversation between two great minds."

Margaret Brennan: the Big Picture of the News 08/20/2018

Margaret Brennan: the Big Picture of the News Hosting CBS News' Face the Nation every Sunday has forced journalist Margaret Brennan to take a step back from the relentless Twitter driven news cycle and think about the bigger picture. We talk through how to process the news in a healthier manner, how to connect the dots, and how to make sense of the changing lives of women in our politics and our workplaces. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/6947554

Fixing Digital in Politics 06/12/2018

Fixing Digital in Politics Morra is joined by strategist Tara McGowan to talk progressive change in the post Cambridge Analytica world. Digital fundraising, organizing, and campaigning are fundamental to how we run for office now, but we're rightly nervous. Social media is a hugely powerful tool, and online fundraising a cash cow enabling grassroots power. As we head into the midterms, Tara and I talk through the path forward for digital strategy and politics. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/6695240

How Do You Fix a Failed System? 05/29/2018

How Do You Fix a Failed System? Kelly Wickham Hurst says "Once writing started to happen for me, there was power there." She used her many years as an educator and the power of her voice to create Being Black at School, which advocates for equity and safety for Black students. This episode will be useful for those wondering how to make the leap from personal writing into activism, or how to take a lifetime of professional knowledge into a brave new place. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/6645065

No Match for Moms 05/22/2018

No Match for Moms From the time she was five, Kelsey Wirth's dad Tim was up for reelection in Congress every two years in a swing district. Kelsey says she grew up in the spirit of both unpredictability and standing up for what you believe in. A successful entrepreneur, she now runs Mothers Out Front, where local moms and grandmothers take on often giant, entrenched utilities and corporate interests. If you're an organizing nerd you'll love listening to how Mothers Out Front has grown! /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/6622065

How Can I Do My Dream Work and Pay the Bills? 05/13/2018

How Can I Do My Dream Work and Pay the Bills? If there's one question I get over and over, it's "How can I pursue a dream career as a content creator/artist/inspirational speaker/influencer and still pay the mortgage?" Is this you? On paper everything is perfect, and yet: you're a talented, well-paid professional seeking a path of much less security, and probably, less income. Karen Walrond is a renowned speaker, coach, author, photographer and blogger. Learn about her shift from engineer and corporate lawyer to multi-hyphenate. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/6588244

The Mothers Are Coming 05/01/2018

The Mothers Are Coming "There is nothing a gun extremist has as much love for as we do for our children." That's the true theory of change behind Moms Demand Action, a 50 state strong movement of over 4 million Americans who demand legislators fix our epidemic of gun violence. What is life like as a grassroots organizer working in the perfect storm of a startup and politics? What's the organizing model that allows Moms Demand to function? Go inside how Moms Demand works, from social media to volunteer guidelines. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/6542577

Introversion, Leadership, and Patriarchy 04/10/2018

Introversion, Leadership, and Patriarchy Gender, age, perception all color how introverts experience the world and how the world experiences us. The final episode of my season on Patriarchy brings things fill circle as we discuss introversion, patriarchy, and leadership. Morra talks with Jennifer Kahnweiler, "champion of introverts," and ask her expert advice on some of the most frequent questions about introversion. What are the top myths about introverts? What's the best meeting style for an introvert? /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/6464379

Cindy Gallop Disrupts Aging 03/05/2018

Cindy Gallop Disrupts Aging Cindy Gallop is a former advertising executive who now runs Make Love Not Porn, a startup rewriting the rules of sex online. Cindy is 57 and she "shouts it from the rooftops."Whether you're a precocious 25 year old in a room full of older executives, a woman over 40 who feels increasingly uneasy, or a 60 something tech nerd feeling squeezed, there is a feeling that we should hide our age. Cindy doesn't do that. She dates younger men. She's a tech entrepreneur. She's a total role model. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/6331422

Black Women Winning Office: Higher Heights is Drafting the Playbook 02/06/2018

Black Women Winning Office: Higher Heights is Drafting the Playbook We have to create the leaders we want, and there is no more promising investment than Black women,” says my guest Kimberly Peeler-Allen, co-founder of Higher Heights, which is building a national infrastructure to harness Black women’s political power and leadership potential. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/6229927

What Does it Mean to Smash the Patriarchy 01/23/2018

What Does it Mean to Smash the Patriarchy Living life through the male gaze has become so normal, we may not even notice. That's why it's important to step back and examine the terms and constructs we use to describe and dissemble a world where men dominate. Dr. Emerald Archer joins me to put her engaging and scholarly lens and helps us think about every day life through the lens of living in patriarchy. Plus, Morra's thoughts on Aziz Ansari. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/6178488

Dealing with predators at work 01/08/2018

Dealing with predators at work Morra recorded this episode with writer, attorney, entrepreneur, founder of #Changetheratio and The List, and feminist thinker Rachel Sklar during the fall 2016 Trump campaign. We talked about sexual predation at work. It's even more relevant right now, in 2018. We talk about the temptation to "grade" severity of your harassment ("it's not that bad"), resisting the temptation to write men off as "handsy" and diminishing outrageous behavior because that's what we've always done. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/6125139

What's Up With Werk? 12/19/2017

What's Up With Werk? Flexible work chips away at the patriarchy in so many ways. But you might assume a hi pressure, hi tech startup couldn't allow for flexibility. Not so says Werk co-founder Annie Dean: "We can't expect our team to meet our deadlines and innovate at the level we expect them to unless we're taking the time to understand the nuance of their personality. Some people don't want to be in the chaos of the small office all the time. Maybe they need time to breathe." /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/5982868

Donna Brazile DGAF 12/11/2017

Donna Brazile DGAF "If you've been told to shut up, keep talking. "I've gotten kicked off the plane. I've gotten knocked down. I've gotten kicked off the same staircase I've already climbed." Discussing her four decade career managing legendary political candidates and legendary egos, email hacks and threats from foreign powers, Brazile downloads the evolution of her influence and provides practical tactics for making change and being heard. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/6034482

22,000 Women are Coming for Donald Trump and the GOP 12/04/2017

22,000 Women are Coming for Donald Trump and the GOP A surge of women have stepped up to run for office. Over 22,000 of them, according to Stephanie Schriock, President of EMILY's List, and super smart political strategist. Curious about running for elected office and what it takes? Stephanie explains it all. Listen in as we talk politics, Trump, and how introverts toying with public service can tackle their hesitancy and run for elected office. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/6009345

The News Industry has a Sexual Harassment Problem. Now What? 11/28/2017

The News Industry has a Sexual Harassment Problem. Now What? Morra Aarons-Mele Talks with Journalist Katherine Goldstein. Katherine was on the fast track to a top leadership position in digital journalism, with senior roles at Huffington Post and Conde Nast before she was 30. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/5982867

Anxiety is a liar 11/14/2017

Anxiety is a liar "I no longer give anxiety decision making power in my life," says Ashley C. Ford. There was a long time when I just leaned into my anxiety, she says, but now, she can separate the feelings from reality and dive in anyway. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/5939073

My Life As An Unhappy Overachiever 11/01/2017

My Life As An Unhappy Overachiever In this exclusive excerpt from the new book Hiding in the Bathroom: An Introvert's Roadmap to Getting Out There (When You'd Rather Stay Home) author and podcast host Morra shares her journey from serial job quitter and anxious overachiever to proud hermit entrepreneur. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/5888613

Awesomely Luvvie: The Vision That Worked 05/09/2017

Awesomely Luvvie: The Vision That Worked Blogger and bestselling author Luvvie Ajayi's secret to building a great career and ensuring there's a team in her corner? Bringing her audience along on her professional journey. On this episode of Hiding in the Bathroom, Luvvie and Morra talk about getting paid what you're worth, creating true diversity at work, and how to turn your vision into reality. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/5420348

Speaking Truth, Finding Power 05/02/2017

Speaking Truth, Finding Power Reporting from throughout the city each day, Chicago Tribune reporter and 2017 Nieman Fellow Lolly Bowean has built a career telling the stories of people you probably aren't used to seeing in the newspaper - and she's rarely stuck in the office! Morra and Lolly talk about rejecting cynicism, why journalism matters, and how to build power inside your organization (finding "the juice") so you can do your best work and tell those stories. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/5420349

Money, Money, Money 04/25/2017

Money, Money, Money Annoying fact: men have more money than women. Cool fact: you can use your money to get ahead. On this episode of Hiding in the Bathroom, finance maven and Ellevest founder Sallie Krawcheck shares her personal finance tips designed to help women everywhere lead the lives they want. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/5420350

What to Wear to Work 04/18/2017

What to Wear to Work Stressed out about what to wear to your next big meeting or work event? Want to build a power look, but not sure how? We've got you covered. Fashion icon Stacy London, former host of What Not to Wear, shares her philosophy on style and career, why fashion is feminist, and why these days she's wearing what she wants. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/5420351

Wheel of Awesome 04/11/2017

Wheel of Awesome Genevieve Jones and Rachel Skidmore work in the "wheel of awesome," creating experimental media for Skybound Entertainment. Morra talks to Genevieve and Rachel about geek and niche culture, how they built their careers, and finding your leadership philosophy. Plus a preview of our conversation with style icon Stacy London. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/5420352

Reaching Financial Wellness 04/04/2017

Reaching Financial Wellness Financial therapist Amanda Clayman wasn't always a money expert. In her twenties, she spiraled into serious credit card debt before she got serious about her money. Now she counsels people on healthy ways to reach financial wellness. Listen as Amanda shares her tips for budgeting for a life you want, managing money with your partner, and building a relationship with money that will serve you for the long term. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/5420353

Building A Not-So-Linear Career 03/28/2017

Building A Not-So-Linear Career A self-proclaimed "math kid," LegalZoom CMO Laura Goldberg started her career in finance so she could pay off her student loans. But she was passionate about the online music industry, so she took her skills to Napster, where she worked as COO before hopping industries again - twice. Morra and Laura talk about the early days of the internet, navigating bro-culture at work and how to propel your career forward while building a life you love. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/5420354

Werk, Werk, Werk 03/21/2017

Werk, Werk, Werk Flexibility isn't just a perk - it's essential for keeping talented women in the workplace and on track for leadership positions. Morra talks to Annie Dean and Anna Auerbach, co-founders of the job site Werk, about their tips for negotiating flexibility, caregiving while working and taking control of your schedule so you can thrive. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/5420355

Radical Self Care 03/14/2017

Radical Self Care When you're creating your own path or starting your own business, it's hard to remember to take care of your body. That's when you burn out (and your business can't afford that). Radical body mover and therapist Sukie Baxter joins Morra to explain how we can change the way we move, avoid burnout, and take up the space we deserve. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/5420356

How To Do Powerful Work 03/07/2017

How To Do Powerful Work How do you know when you're called to do something? When is it time to do meaningful work in the public sphere, and when is it time to let that go? Morra talks to Meighan Stone, Entrepreneurship Fellow at Harvard's Shorenstein Center and former president of the Malala Fund, about the seasons of her career, making big choices from a place of quiet reflection, and the many ways to do powerful work. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/5420357

Reinventing Yourself 02/28/2017

Reinventing Yourself Morra talks to strategy and branding expert Dorie Clark about transforming your career by building a personal brand. We also hear from April Reign, activist and creator of #OscarsSoWhite, about the year in film /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/5420358

Politics, Fake Feminism and Advertising 02/21/2017

Politics, Fake Feminism and Advertising After the election, longtime marketer and creative director Carrie Ingoglia noticed that while people around her were becoming increasingly politically active, the advertising industry remained conspicuously silent. On this episode of Hiding in the Bathroom, Morra and Carrie tackle big questions around politics, morality and fake feminism in advertising. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/5420359

Why Self-Care Matters 02/14/2017

Why Self-Care Matters Self-care: sometimes it feels like a new age buzzword, and other times it's something you really, really, need. Morra talks to non-profit leaders Aliza Sherman, Beth Kanter, and Christine Koh about how to build self-care into your daily routine, avoid burnout, and still be highly effective at work. /episode/index/show/hidinginthebathroom/id/5420360

Hiding in the Bathroom

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