After 11 years of doing everything right, Shannon Baird walked into a Valentine's Day meeting expecting a raise and walked out laid off. Instead of jumping back into another corporate role, she built the Corporate Exit Method, a framework that helps burned-out corporate women, especially moms, leave on their own terms.

Joanne and Vimala talk with Shannon about how to tell a bad season at work from a real sign it's time to leave, why burnout is a signal rather than the problem, and the "socially transmitted diseases" corporate culture teaches high-achieving women. Shannon explains why finances are really feelings, how to start a side business with your "slice of genius" without burning out, and why she'd go all in on Substack today. She also walks through the four phases of her method: see the truth, get your numbers, build your income, and make the transition.

Your one step this week: figure out your freedom number, the minimum you need each month to leave corporate.

Connect with Shannon:

https://theshannonbaird.com/

https://shannonbaird.substack.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonbaird/

Show notes and full transcript: https://hercareerunplugged.com/episodes/ep-017

A high school counselor once asked Shellee Howard's son why he'd ever want to be a doctor. Shellee took it from there, and he ended up at Harvard on a full ride. Then a stranger at his graduation asked for her help, and College Ready was born.

Joanne and Vimala sit down with Shellee Howard, founder and CEO of College Ready and the 2026 Global Educational Consultant of the Year, to talk about:

- Going from a shy kid to a serial entrepreneur (College Ready is her seventh business)

- The bet with her son that became a book, a bestseller within 24 hours

- Why podcasting beat 32 other marketing techniques for reaching busy parents

- Whether gender really holds women back in business

- What families need to know about AI and college essays

- Why "optional" on a scholarship application never really means optional

College is a business, so approach it like one, not like a trophy.

Connect with Shellee:

Free clarity call + the four buckets of money: https://collegereadyplan.info

College Ready: https://collegereadyplan.com

Show notes and full transcript: https://hercareerunplugged.com/episodes/ep-016

If this episode spoke to you, follow the show and leave a rating. It helps other women find these conversations.

Dr. Gabrielle Pelicci spent 25 years in wellness, hospitality, and higher ed before becoming a TEDx speaker, 3x author, and book coach. She's here to demystify what every woman in tech (and beyond) is avoiding: telling your real story.

In this conversation, Gabby walks us through why a book isn't about perfect prose. It's about visibility, voice, and courage. We talk about the 90-day sprint, why AI is a tool not a threat, how to use voice memos when English isn't your first language, and the concrete playbook that turns a manuscript into TED Talks and paid keynotes.

Plus: Joanne realizes her next career move in real time.

No fluff. Just honest talk about getting your ideas out of your head and into the world.