A couple of months ago at a women-in-business networking meeting, one participant started talking about feelings of intense self-doubt that develop in certain work situations. The rest of the women in the group nodded and confirmed they’d had similar experiences. Some shared their own stories of this phenomenon, popularly known as imposter syndrome, and…
Travel has been catnip to writers for as long as writers have sought the perspective-opening qualities of exploring other worlds . . . which was pretty much since people first realized they could leave their homes and take a walk to visit places across the village. I travel often for work, but I…
Anyone who travels frequently and wants to maintain some semblance of style knows how challenging it is to pack without a) grossly overpacking or b) dreading opening your suitcase to the same five or six items you’ve already worn to death. Enter Encircled, a collection of uniquely versatile everyday wardrobe essentials and multiway travel…
In some parts of the country—namely Kansas City, Memphis, South Carolina, and pretty much anywhere in Texas—barbecue isn’t just a tasty cuisine, it’s also a spectator sport. Festivals are planned and thousands gather to watch the most dedicated to their grilling craft compete for bragging rights, and sample the delicious results. So while Berkshire…
When Alice Finn watched the 2016 financial thriller Equity, she was struck by a scene at a professional women’s mentoring meeting. Main character Naomi is asked, “What’s that thing that really makes you want to get up in the morning?” She replies, “I like money.” While Naomi goes on to explain…
The positive aspects of working from a home office are many: You can start and finish the day whenever you want. You can take a walk, break, or nap at any time, and don’t have to check in with anyone. Don’t feel like getting out of your sweatpants? Don’t bother. There are fewer…
Workshop leader, manuscript coach, and author Dara Lurie has an uncanny sense for the topical, even when she’s exploring themes that are deeply personal to her, like interracial identity, body image, and addiction. A graduate of Vassar College and Hunter College, she has worked as a legal assistant, a bartender, an actor,…
I just came back from a conference in California where a significant number of the speakers and attendees were influencers or aspiring influencers—people with many thousands, sometimes many hundreds of thousands—of followers on social media, and who often make a living through paid “collaborations.” Although I was speaking at the conference (for a second…
Sometimes you just have to close your eyes and take the leap. That’s what artist Sarah Pike discovered a few years ago. After dedicating a large portion of her career to academia, the convergence of an economic downturn, university politics, and a serendipitous conversation with a colleague sparked an idea. She left behind the safety…
Bad English Is Bad for Business. Here’s How to Fix It. While it’s true that a great idea transcends languages, a great idea marketed poorly is likely to get the cold shoulder from customers. If your business is based in the U.S. and English is your native language, you have an advantage . . ….