Work in Progress: Corporate Career Podcast

CJ Jennings-Hope
  • 5.0 (2)
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Welcome to the group chat about corporate life you actually want to be in. Work in Progress is where ambitious professionals get an insider’s take on how work really works, from managing up and navigating office politics to building visibility and bouncing back from burnout. Hosted by CJ Jennings-Hope, she breaks down the unspoken dynamics of your 9-5—the feedback no one gives you, the power plays you didn’t see coming, and the career moves you could be making. If New episodes every Monday. Follow the podcast on Instagram at @workinprogressthepodcast

  1. 08/04/2025

    Worried You’re Next? How to Stay Ready After a Layoff Round

    Layoffs happened and you’re still here. Now what? It’s an awkward place to be. You’re relieved… but also anxious, maybe even a little guilty? This week’s Work in Progress episode is for the ones left behind. We’re talking survivor’s guilt, role security, and how to prep for what’s next without burning out. Learn how to: Interpret the why behind your company’s layoffs Quietly recession-proof your resume, finances, and strategy Turn this moment of fear into future leverage

    19 min

  2. 07/28/2025

    Laid Off? Here’s What to Do First

    Layoffs are everywhere right now—from Big Tech to companies you thought were rock solid. And even if it hasn’t hit you yet, it could. If you’ve been laid off and you’re not sure what to do next, you’re not alone. In this episode of Work in Progress, we walk through three steps to help you get back on your feet—from navigating the emotional fallout, to getting your finances in order, to finding momentum again.

    13 min

  3. 07/14/2025

    The Hidden Cost of Being the Only Woman on the Team

    What happens when you speak up about harassment—and the team goes silent? In this episode, guest host Elsie Rodriguez joins CJ to talk about what it’s really like to be the only woman in a male-dominated workplace. From second-guessing yourself to being punished for standing up, this is the conversation that too many women are having quietly. We’re saying it out loud. Connect with us on social! Instagram: workinprogressthepodcast Threads: workinprogressthepodcast Connect with Elsie and Nothing But Love on Spotify, Apple or over on Instagram: nothingbutlov3_

    47 min

  4. 06/30/2025

    Career Boosting Hobbies | Skill Stacking for Corporate

    Hobbies can super-charge your career. Guest co-host Yvonne Pearson joins CJ to show how museums, concerts and content creation translate into real corporate skills—discipline, delegation and data-driven marketing included. How can museum hopping, concert stalking, and content creation make you a sharper operator at work? In this episode of Work in Progress, guest co-host Yvonne Pearson (Coffee With Yvonne / Pink Dollhouse Marketing) joins CJ to unpack the hidden career ROI of their favorite “side-quests.” From podcasting workflows that streamline delegation to SZA’s pop-up lip-gloss launch that nails experiential marketing, we draw a straight line between play and professional payoff. We cover: Why hobbies build transferable skills—discipline, project management, creative resilience—and how to talk about them in performance reviews. The art-museum cheat code: using gallery walks to spark campaign ideas and inclusive storytelling. Concerts as masterclasses in brand experience (feat. Kendrick Lamar & SZA’s vegan beauty drop). Leveraging AI tools (ChatGPT, Riverside “magic clips”) to automate busywork and protect creative energy. Practical pushback tactics: discovery calls, marketing briefs, and killing misaligned “fun” ideas before they burn budget.  Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows, and hit follow for sharp takes on thriving inside corporate walls.

    31 min
  5. Networking with Coworkers: The Practical Guide

    06/23/2025

    Networking with Coworkers: The Practical Guide

    Flying solo, CJ Jennings-Hope unpacks why carefully-crafted relationships—not oversharing—fast-track your promotions. She introduces the Cup-of-Sugar Rule for knowing when a coworker bond is strong enough to swap favors, then shares a two-topic conversation hack that lets even introverts build strategic visibility without spilling their life story. Stick around for a special announcement on the new formats coming to Work in Progress—and how they’ll help you thrive at work even faster.

    9 min

  6. 06/16/2025

    Building Buy-In: Sell your Ideas at Work

    You finally land a meeting to pitch your big idea—and watch faces glaze over faster than a Teams outage. Turns out the idea isn’t the problem; the delivery is. In this episode of Work in Progress, Courtney Jennings-Hope and co-host Larone Ellison break down corporate storytelling that actually moves the room: Hook → Context → Ask: the three-beat formula that keeps busy execs listening. “Pre-comms”: drop links and background before the meeting so your pitch can stay crisp. Brevity without buzzwords: why shorter sentences = bigger influence. Stop winging it: record yourself, trim the fluff, and own the pause when nerves hit. Listen for the real-world examples (and mishaps) that prove facts alone don’t sell—stories do. When the meeting ends, you’ll know exactly how to frame ideas, set the scene, and close the deal. Follow the podcast at @workinprogressthepodcast https://www.instagram.com/Workinprogressthepodcast Follow CJ on Instagram ⁠Here⁠ or LinkedIn ⁠Here⁠ Follow Larone on Instagram ⁠Here⁠

    26 min
  7. I Want a Six-Figure Job… But My Resume Isn’t Working

    06/09/2025

    I Want a Six-Figure Job… But My Resume Isn’t Working

    We’re chasing six figures—but at what cost? In this episode, Larone and CJ talk through the myth and the math of landing a six-figure job: from resume rewrites and interview ghosting to career pivots and office red flags. Expect stories, strategy, and spicy commentary on capitalism, ChatGPT, and the “gladiator sport” of career progression. Follow the podcast at @workinprogressthepodcast  Follow CJ on Instagram ⁠Here⁠ or LinkedIn ⁠Here⁠ Follow Larone on Instagram ⁠Here⁠ 👀 Topics covered What actually counts as a “six-figure skill”Why marketing gets a bad repHow to translate soft skills into business valueThe real reason you’re not getting callbacks Tap in and take notes. Your salary will thank you.

    37 min

  8. 06/02/2025

    You Might Be the Problem: You Only Think You’re a Good Team Player

    Think you’re great at group projects because you get your work done on time? That might not be the flex you think it is. In this episode, CJ and Larone break down what really makes someone a strong team player—and why doing your part isn’t always enough. From ghosting your project tracker to hiding updates out of fear or perfectionism, they cover the small habits that quietly derail teamwork (and your reputation). Whether you’re neurodivergent, naturally independent, or just burned out on bad collaborators, this episode gives you the real-world tools to show up better in group settings—without becoming the office doormat. We cover: What being a “team player” actually looks like in corporate settings The lone wolf myth—and why it hurts your visibility How communication styles impact collaboration Why perfectionism can make you a bad teammate How to give (and receive) updates without spiraling Real-life examples of team tension—and how to fix it Plus: CJ and Larone share their own teamwork fails, how they’ve grown, and the different approaches they take when team members don’t pull their weight.

    41 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to the group chat about corporate life you actually want to be in. Work in Progress is where ambitious professionals get an insider’s take on how work really works, from managing up and navigating office politics to building visibility and bouncing back from burnout. Hosted by CJ Jennings-Hope, she breaks down the unspoken dynamics of your 9-5—the feedback no one gives you, the power plays you didn’t see coming, and the career moves you could be making. If New episodes every Monday. Follow the podcast on Instagram at @workinprogressthepodcast

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