{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Corporating: Navigating Career and Life with Mandy Mooney","description":"In this episode, I\u2019m joined by Mandy Mooney \u2014 author, corporate communicator, and performer \u2014 for a wide-ranging conversation about mentorship, career growth, and how to show up authentically in both work and life.   We talk about her path from performing arts to corporate communications, and how those early experiences shaped the way she approaches relationships, leadership, and personal authenticity. That foundation carries through to her current role as VP of Internal Communications, where she focuses on building connections and fostering resilience across teams.   We explore the three pillars of career success Mandy highlights in her book Corporating: Three Ways to Win at Work \u2014 relationships, reputation, and resilience \u2014 and how they guide her approach to scaling mentorship and helping others grow. Mandy shares practical strategies for balancing professional responsibilities with personal passions, and why embracing technology thoughtfully can enhance, not replace, human connection.   The conversation also touches on parenting, building independence in children, and the lessons she\u2019s learned about optimism, preparation, and persistence \u2014 both in the workplace and at home.   If you\u2019re interested in scaling mentorship, developing your career with intention, or navigating work with authenticity, this episode is for you. And if you want to hear more on these topics, catch Mandy speaking at Snafu Conference 2026 on March 5th. 00:00 Start 02:26 Teaching Self-Belief and Independence Robin notes Mandy has young kids and a diverse career (performing arts \u2192 VP of a name-brand company \u2192 writing books). Robin asks: \u201cWhat are the skills that you want your children to develop, to stay resilient in the world and the world of work that they're gonna grow up in?\u201d Emphasis on meta-skills. Mandy\u2019s response: Core skills She loves the question, didn\u2019t expect it, finds it a \u201cthrilling ride.\u201d Observes Robin tends to \u201cput things out there before they exist\u201d (e.g., talking about having children before actually having them). Skill 1: Envisioning possibilities \u201cEnvision the end, believe that it will happen and it is much more likely to happen.\u201d Teaching children to see limitless possibilities if they believe in them. Skill 2: Independence Examples: brushing their own hair, putting on clothes, asking strangers questions. One daughter in Girl Scouts: learning sales skills by approaching strangers to sell cookies. Independence builds confidence and problem-solving abilities for small and big life challenges. Skill 3: Self-belief \/ Self-worth Tied to independence. Helps children navigate life and career successfully. Robin asks about teaching self-belief Context: Mandy\u2019s kids are 6 and 9 years old (two girls). Mandy\u2019s approach to teaching self-belief Combination of: Words Mandy uses when speaking to them. Words encouraged for the children to use about themselves. Example of shifting praise from appearance to effort\/creativity: Instead of \u201cYou look so pretty today\u201d \u2192 \u201cWow, I love the creativity that you put into your outfit.\u201d Reason: \u201cThe voice that I use, the words that I choose, they're gonna receive that and internalize it.\u201d Corrective, supportive language when children doubt themselves: Example: Child says, \u201cI\u2019m so stupid, I can't figure out this math problem.\u201d Mandy responds: \u201cOh wow. That's something that we can figure out together. And the good news is I know that you are so smart and that you can figure this out, so let's work together to figure it out.\u201d Asking reflective questions to understand their inner thoughts: Example: \u201cWhat's it like to be you? What's it like to be inside your head?\u201d Child\u2019s response: \u201cWell, you worry a lot,\u201d which Mandy found telling and insightful. Emphasizes coming from a place of curiosity to check in on a child\u2019s self-worth and self-identity journey. 04:30 Professional Journey and Role of VP of Internal Comms Robin sets up the question about professional development Notes Mandy has mentored lots of people. Wants to understand: Mandy\u2019s role as VP of Internal Communications (what that means). How she supports others professionally. How her own professional growth has been supported. Context: Robin just finished a workshop for professionals on selling themselves, asking for promotions, and stepping forward in their careers. Emphasizes that she doesn\u2019t consider herself an expert but learns from conversations with experienced people like Mandy. Mandy explains her role and path Career path has been \u201ca winding road.\u201d Did not study internal communications; discovered it later. Finds her job fun, though sometimes stressful: \u201cI often think I might have the most fun job in the world. I mean, it, it can be stressful and it can't, you know, there are days where you wanna bang your head against the wall, but by and large, I love my job. It is so fun.\u201d Internal communications responsibility: Translate company strategy into something employees understand and are excited about. Example: Translate business plan for 2026 to 2,800 employees. Team\u2019s work includes: Internal emails. PowerPoints for global town halls. Speaking points for leaders. Infusing fun into company culture via intranet stories (culture, customers, innovation). Quick turnaround on timely stories (example: employee running seven marathons on seven continents; story created within 24 hours). Storytelling and theater skills are key: Coaching leaders for presentations: hand gestures, voice projection, camera presence. Mandy notes shared theater background with Robin: \u201cYou and I are both thespian, so we come from theater backgrounds.\u201d Robin summarizes role Sounds like a mix of HR and sales: supporting employee development while \u201cselling\u201d them on the company. Mandy elaborates on impact and mentorship Loves making a difference in employees\u2019 lives by giving information and support. Works closely with HR (Human Resources) to: Provide learning and development opportunities. Give feedback. Help managers improve. Wrote a book to guide navigating internal careers and relationships. Mentorship importance: Mentors help accelerate careers in any organization. Mandy\u2019s career journey Started studying apparel merchandising at Indiana University (with Kelley School of Business minor). Shifted from pre-med \u2192 theater \u2192 journalism \u2192 apparel merchandising. Took full advantage of career fairs and recruiter networking at Kelley School of Business. \u201cThe way that I've gotten jobs is not through applying online, it's through knowing somebody, through having a relationship.\u201d First role at Gap Inc.: rotational Retail Management Training Program (RMP). Some roles enjoyable, some less so; realized she loved the company even if some jobs weren\u2019t ideal. Mentor influence: Met Bobby Stillton, president of Gap Foundation, who inspired her with work empowering women and girls. Took a 15-minute conversation with Bobby and got an entry-level communications role. Career growth happened through mentorship, internal networking, and alignment with company she loved. Advice for her daughters (Robin\u2019s question) Flash-forward perspective: post-college or early career. How to start a career in corporate \/ large organizations: Increase \u201cluck surface area\u201d (exposure to opportunities). Network in a savvy way. Ask at the right times. Build influence to get ahead. Mentorship and internal relationships are key, not just applying for jobs online. 12:15 Career Advice and Building Relationships Initial advice: \u201cWell first I would say always call your mom. Ask for advice. I'm right here, honey, anytime.\u201d Three keys to success: Relationships Expand your network. \u201cYou say yes to everything, especially early in your career.\u201d Examples: sit in on meetings, observe special projects, help behind the scenes. Benefits: Increases credibility. Shows people you can do anything. Reputation Build a reputation as confident, qualified, and capable. Online presence: Example: LinkedIn profile\u2014professional, up-to-date, connected to network. Be a sponsor\/advocate for your company (school, office, etc.). Monthly posts suggested: team photos, events, showing responsibility and trust. Offline reputation: Deliver results better than expected. \u201cDeliver on the things that you said you were gonna do and do a better job than people expected of you.\u201d Resilience Not taught from books\u2014learned through experience. Build resilience through preparation, not \u201cfake it till you make it.\u201d Preparation includes: practicing presentations, thinking through narratives, blocking time before\/after to collect thoughts and connect with people. \u201cPreparation is my headline \u2026 that\u2019s part of what creates resilience.\u201d Mandy turns the question to Robin: \u201cI wanna ask you too, I mean, Robin, you, you live and breathe this every day too. What do you think are the keys to success?\u201d Robin agrees with preparation as key. Value of service work: Suggests working in service (food, hospitality) teaches humility. \u201cI've never met somebody I think even ever in my life who is super entitled and profoundly ungrateful, who has worked a service job for any length of time.\u201d Robin\u2019s personal experience with service work: First business: selling pumpkins at Robin\u2019s Pumpkin Patch (age 5). Key formative experience: running Robin\u2019s Cafe (2016, opened with no restaurant experience, on three weeks\u2019 notice). Ran the cafe for 3 years, sold it on Craigslist. Served multiple stakeholders: nonprofit, staff (~15 employees), investors ($40,000 raised from family\/friends). Trial by fire: unprepared first days\u2014no full menu, no recipes, huge rush events. Concept of MI Plus: \u201cEverything in its place\u201d as preparation principle. Connecting service experience to corporate storytelling: Current business: Zandr Media (videos, corporate storytelling). Preparation is critical: Know who\u2019s where, what will be captured, and what the final asset looks like. Limited fixes in post-production, even with AI tools. Reinforces importance of preparation through repeated experience. Advice for future children \/ young people: Robin would encourage service jobs for kids for months or a year. Teaches: Sleep management, personal presentation, confidence, energy. \u201cDeciding that I'm going to show up professionally \u2026 well \u2026 energetically.\u201d Emphasizes relentless optimism: positivity is a superpower. Experience shows contrast between being prepared and unprepared\u2014learning from both is crucial. 16:36 The Importance of Service Jobs and Resilience Service jobs as formative experience: Worked as a waitress early in her career (teenager). Describes it as \u201cthe hardest job of my life\u201d. Challenges included: Remembering orders (memory). Constant multitasking. Dealing with different personalities and attitudes. Maintaining positivity and optimism through long shifts (e.g., nine-hour shifts). Fully agrees with Robin: service jobs teach humility and preparation. Optimism as a superpower: \u201cI totally agree too that optimism is a superpower. I think optimism is my superpower.\u201d Writes about this concept in her book. Believes everyone has at least one superpower, and successful careers involve identifying and leaning into that superpower. Robin asks about the book Why did Mandy write the book? Inspiration behind the book? Also wants a deep dive into the writing process for her own interest. Mandy\u2019s inspiration and purpose of the book Title: \u201cCorporating: Three Ways to Win At Work\u201d Primary goal: Scale mentorship. Realized as she reached VP level, people wanted career advice. Increased visibility through: Position as VP. Connection with alma mater (Indiana University). Active presence on LinkedIn. Result: Many young professionals seeking mentorship. Challenge: Not sustainable to mentor individually. Solution: Writing a book allows her to scale mentorship without minimizing impact. Secondary goals \/ personal motivations: Acts as a form of \u201ccorporate therapy\u201d: Reflects on first 10 years of her career. Acknowledges both successes and stumbles. Helps process trials and tribulations. Provides perspective and gratitude for lessons learned. Fun aspect: as a writer, enjoyed formatting and condensing experiences into a digestible form for readers. Legacy and contribution: \u201cI had something that I could contribute meaningfully to the world \u2026 as part of my own legacy \u2026 I do wanna leave this world feeling like I contributed something positive. So this is one of my marks.\u201d   21:37 Writing a Book and Creative Pursuits Robin asks Mandy about the writing process: \u201cWhat's writing been like for you? Just the, the process of distilling your thinking into something permanent.\u201d Mandy: Writing process and finding the \u201c25th hour\u201d Loves writing: \u201cI love writing, so the writing has been first and foremost fun.\u201d Where she wrote the book: Mostly from the passenger seat of her car. She\u2019s a working mom and didn\u2019t have traditional writing time. Advice from mentor Gary Magenta: \u201cMandy, you're gonna have to find the 25th hour.\u201d She found that \u201c25th hour\u201d in her car. Practical examples: During birthday party drop-offs: \u201cOh good. It's a drop off party. Bye. Bye, honey. See you in two hours. I'll be in the driveway. In my car. If you need anything, please don't need anything.\u201d Would write for 1.5\u20132 hours. During Girl Scouts, swim, any activity. On airplanes: Finished the book on an eight-hour flight back from Germany. It was her 40th birthday (June 28). \u201cOkay, I did it.\u201d Realization moment: \u201cYou chip away at it enough that you realize, oh, I have a book.\u201d Robin: On parents and prioritization Parents told him: \u201cWhen you have kids, you just find a way.\u201d Children create: Stricter prioritization. A necessary forcing function. Mandy\u2019s self-reflection: \u201cI believe that I am an inherently lazy person, to be totally honest with you.\u201d But she\u2019s driven by deadlines and deliverables. Kids eliminate \u201clazy days\u201d: No more slow Saturdays watching Netflix. \u201cThey get up. You get up, you have to feed these people like there's a human relying on you.\u201d Motherhood forces motivation: \u201cMy inherent laziness has been completely wiped away the past nine years.\u201d Writing happened in small windows of time. Importance of creative outlet: Having something for yourself fuels the rest of life. Examples: writing, crocheting, quilting, music. Creativity energizes other areas of life. Robin mentions The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss. Advice from that book: Have something outside your day job that fuels you. For Robin: Physical practice (gym, handstands, gymnastics, ballet, capoeira, surfing). It\u2019s a place to: Celebrate. Feel progress. Win, even if work is struggling. Example: If tickets aren\u2019t selling. If newsletter flops. If client relationships are hard. Physical training becomes the \u201canchor win.\u201d Mandy\u2019s writing took over two years. Why? She got distracted writing a musical version of the book. There is now: \u201cCorporating: The Book\u201d \u201cCorporating: The Musical\u201d Three songs produced online. Collaboration with composer Eric Chaney. Inspiration from book: Time, Talent, Energy (recommended by former boss Sarah Miran). Concept: we have limited time, talent, and energy. Advice: Follow your energy when possible. If you\u2019re flowing creatively, go with it (unless there\u2019s an urgent deadline). You\u2019ll produce better work. She believes: The book is better because she created the musical. Musical helps during speaking engagements. Sometimes she sings during talks. Why music? Attention spans are short. Not just Gen Z \u2014 everyone is distracted. Music keeps people engaged. \u201cI'm not just gonna tell you about the three ways to win at work. I'm gonna sing it for you too.\u201d Robin on capturing attention If you can hold attention of: Five-year-olds. Thirteen-year-olds. You can hold anyone\u2019s attention. Shares story: In Alabama filming for Department of Education. Interviewed Alabama Teacher of the Year (Katie). She has taught for 20 years (kindergarten through older students). Observed: High enthusiasm. High energy. Willingness to be ridiculous to capture attention. Key insight: Engagement requires energy and presence. 28:37 The Power of Music in Capturing Attention Mandy\u2019s part of a group called Mic Drop Workshop. Led by Lindsay (last name unclear in transcript) and Jess Tro. They meet once a month. Each session focuses on improving a different performance skill. The session she describes focused on facial expressions. Exercise they did: Tell a story with monotone voice and no facial expressions. Tell the story \u201cover the top clown like, go really big, something that feels so ridiculous.\u201d Tell it the way you normally would. Result: Her group had four people. \u201cEvery single one of us liked number two better than one or three.\u201d Why version two worked best: When people are emotive and expressive: It\u2019s more fun to watch. It\u2019s more entertaining. It\u2019s more engaging. Connection to kids and storytelling: Think of how you tell stories to five-year-olds: Whisper. Get loud. Get soft. Use dynamic shifts. The same applies on stage. Musical integration: Music is another tool for keeping attention. Helps maintain engagement in a distracted world. Robin: Hiring for energy and presence Talks about hiring his colleague Zach Fish. Technical producer for: Responsive Conference. Snafu Conference. Freelancer Robin works with often. Why Robin hires Zach: Yes, he\u2019s technically excellent. But more importantly: \u201cHe's a ball of positive energy and delight and super capable and confident, but also just pleasant to be with.\u201d Robin\u2019s hiring insight: If he has a choice, he chooses Zach. Why? \u201cI feel better.\u201d Energy and presence influence hiring decisions. Zach\u2019s background: Teaches weekly acrobatics classes for kids in Berkeley. He\u2019s used to engaging audiences. That translates into professional presence. Robin: Energy is learnable When thinking about: Who to hire. Who to promote. Who to give opportunities to. Traits that matter: Enthusiasm. Positivity. Big energy. Being \u201cover the top\u201d when needed. Important insight: This isn\u2019t necessarily a God-given gift. It can be learned. Like music or performance. Like anything else. 31:00 The Importance of Positive Work Relationships Mandy reflects on: The tension between loud voices and quiet voices. \u201cOftentimes the person who is the loudest is the one who gets to talk the most, but the person who's the quietest is the one who maybe has the best ideas.\u201d Core question: How do you exist in a world where both of those things are true? Parenting lens: One daughter is quieter than the other. Important to: Encourage authenticity. Teach the skill of using your voice loudly when needed. It\u2019s not about changing personality. It\u2019s about equipping someone to advocate for themselves when necessary Book is targeted at: Students about to enter the corporate world. Early-career professionals. Intentional writing decision: Exactly 100 pages. Purpose: \u201cTo the point, practical advice.\u201d Holds attention. Digestible. Designed for distracted readers. Emotional honesty: Excited but nervous to reconnect with students. Acknowledges: The world has changed. It\u2019s been a while since she was in college. Advice she\u2019s trying to live: Know your audience Core principle: \u201cGet to know your audience. Like really get in there and figure out who they are.\u201d Pre-book launch tour purpose: Visiting universities (including her alma mater). Observing students. Understanding: Their learning environment. Their day-to-day experiences. The world they\u2019re stepping into. Communication principle: Knowing your audience is essential in communications. Also essential in career-building. If you have a vision of where you want to go: \u201cTry to find a way to get there before you're there.\u201d Tactics: Meet people in those roles. Shake their hands. Have coffee. Sit in those seats. Walk those halls. See how it feels. Idea: Test the future before committing to it. Reduce uncertainty through proximity. What if you don\u2019t have a vision? Robin pushes back thoughtfully: What about people who: Don\u2019t know what they want to do? Aren\u2019t sure about staying at a company? Aren\u2019t sure about career vs. business vs. stay-at-home parent? Acknowledges: There\u2019s abundance in the world. Attention is fragmented. Implied tension: How do you move forward without clarity? 35:13 Mentorship and Career Guidance How to help someone figure out what\u2019s next Start with questions, not answers A mentor\u2019s primary job: ask questions from a place of curiosity Especially when someone is struggling with what they want to do or their career direction Key questions: What brings you joy? What gives you energy? What\u2019s the dream? Imagine retirement \u2014 what does that look like? Example: A financial advisor made Mandy and her husband define retirement vision; then work backwards (condo in New Zealand, annual family vacations) Clarify what actually matters Distinguish life priorities: Security \u2192 corporate job; Teamwork \u2192 corporate environment; Variety and daily interaction \u2192 specific roles Mentoring becomes a checklist: Joy, strengths, lifestyle, financial expectations, work environment preferences Then make connections: Introduce them to people in relevant environments, encourage informational interviews You don\u2019t know what you don\u2019t know Trial and error is inevitable Build network intentionally: Shadow people, observe, talk to parents\u2019 friends, friends of friends Even experienced professionals have untapped opportunities Stay curious and do the legwork Mixing personal and professional identity Confidence to bring personal interests into corporate work comes from strategy plus luck Example: Prologis 2021, senior leaders joked about forming a band; Mandy spoke up, became lead singer CEO took interest after first performance, supported book launch She didn\u2019t always feel this way Early corporate years: Feel like a \u201ccorporate robot,\u201d worrying about jargon, meetings, email etiquette, blending in Book explores blending in while standing out Advice for bringing full self to work Don\u2019t hide it, but don\u2019t force it; weave into casual conversation Find advocates: Amazing bosses vs terrible ones, learn from both Mentorship shaped her framework: Relationships, reputation, and resilience Resilience and rejection Theater as rejection bootcamp: Auditions, constant rejection Foundations of resilience: Surround yourself with supportive people, develop intrinsic self-worth, know you are worthy Creating conditions for success Age 11 audition story: Last-minute opportunity, director asked her to sing, she sang and got the part Why it worked: Connections (aunt in play), parent support, director willing to take a chance, she showed up Resilience is not just toughing it out: Have support systems, build self-worth, seek opportunity, create favorable conditions, step forward when luck opens a door 44:18 Overcoming Rejection and Building Resilience First show experiences Robin\u2019s first stage production is uncertain; she had to think carefully At 17, walked into a gymnastics gym after being a cross country runner for ten years, burnt out from running Cold-called gyms from the Yellow Pages; most rejected her for adult classes, one offered adult classes twice a week That led to juggling, circus, fencing, capa, rock climbing \u2014 a \u201cCambrian explosion\u201d of movement opportunities About a year and a half later, walked into a ballet studio in corduroy and a button-up, no ballet shoes; first ballet teacher was Eric Skinner at Reed College, surrounded by former professional ballerinas First internal college production was his first show; ten years later performed as an acrobat with the San Francisco Opera in 2013, six acrobats among 200 people on stage, four-hour shows with multiple costume changes and backflips Relationship to AI and the evolving world of work Mandy never asks her daughters \u201cWhat do you want to be?\u201d because jobs today may not exist in the future Focus on interests: plants, how things are built, areas of curiosity for future generations Coaching her team: Highly capable, competent, invested in tools and technology for digital signage, webinars, emails, data-driven insights, videos Approach AI with cautious optimism: Adopt early, embrace technology, use it to enhance work rather than replace it Example: Uses a bot for scheduling efficiency, brainstorming; enhances job performance by integrating AI from day one Advice: Approach AI with curiosity, not fear; embrace tools to be smarter and more efficient, stay ahead in careers 53:05 Where to Find Mandy Mandy will be speaking at Snafu Conference on March 5, discussing rejection and overcoming it. Author and speaking information: mandymooney.com LinkedIn: Mandy Mooney Music available under her real name, Mandy Mooney, on streaming platforms.   ","author_name":"Snafu w\/ Robin Zander","author_url":"http:\/\/www.robinpzander.com\/","html":"