The Breakout Booth

Alexis Booth
  • 4.6 (9)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

I'm Alexis Booth, and welcome to The Breakout Booth!  I was a senior manager at Google, I'm a wife and a mother, and I learned the hard way: if you're not fired up, you're on hold.  I believe success is closer than you think. There's a set of skills and habits you can grow to unlock unbelievable outcomes. In this podcast, we'll explore them through real talk and bold conversation - because I want to help you break out.

Episodes

  1. 10. Build Your Confidence - from the Inside Out

    12/23/2025

    10. Build Your Confidence - from the Inside Out

    "Confidence - no pressure! I'll leave my humbleness outside the booth." And so begins my conversation with Anthony Moseley, Creative Director for the Emmy Award-winning Collaboraction Theatre Company. Confidence is a big word, one most of us struggle to embrace without feeling like we’re stepping over the line into arrogance or being overconfident. In our conversation, Anthony and I move beyond superficial definitions and explore a framework for how you can build your own confidence, sharing stories and deep reflections for each point. If you're struggling to feel confident in some aspect of your life, we walk you through 5 core elements you can develop to help you arrive at my definition of the word: a calm sense of certainty you can do or become anything you want. This is the raw, real conversation you need to start cultivating the kind of unwavering courage and self-belief that will power you through your biggest aspirations and dreams. Are you ready for a confidence boost? Stay in the loop: Sign up for my newsletter at breakoutbooth.comRead this episode's companion newsletter with reflections & highlightsPlease subscribe to support this podcast!In the episode: [0:42] Alexis’ confession about the episode[3:13] Alexis' model of confidence: 5 core elements[4:49] Hi, Anthony![6:09] Anthony goes waaay back with his bio.[12:10] Art and impact with Collaboraction[14:37] Element 1: Self-Love[21:05] Element 2: Intentional learning[28:00] Element 3: Taking action[32:36] Element 4: Deliberate presentation[40:30] Element 5: Purpose[47:55] Advice on how to boost your confidenceReferences: "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take": Wayne GretzkyGrief expert: Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Author: David Foster WallaceFind Anthony: Collaboraction: Website | YouTube | InstagramCollaboraction Radio podcast: Apple | SpotifyShare your reactions + ideas for future episodes!

    54 min
  2. 9. Money and Financial Healing

    12/16/2025

    9. Money and Financial Healing

    “Money is not about how much you have in your bank account, but how you view yourself and the world around you.” Those are the sage words of Leslie Mallman, a seasoned Financial Advisor and Money Healer. In this episode, she joins me for a candid and compassionate discussion on why money feels like such a loaded topic - and how to turn anxiety into agency. We shift from the concept of financial health to financial fitness and explore the idea that your net worth isn't something to diagnose, but rather a state of being you can develop and improve. We then dig into the traps many of us face, from maxed‑out credit cards and lifestyle creep to doom‑scroll headlines that make normal market dips feel catastrophic. We also get real about advisors and incentives, discussing our own negative experiences working with people who we felt weren't fully aligned with our goals. You’ll hear how to filter the noise and anchor your goals on what “enough” means for you. Because if you aren't prioritizing money in alignment with the rest of your life - your health, relationships, career, and personal fulfillment - what's the point of having a big bank account? Stay in the loop: Sign up for my newsletter at breakoutbooth.comPlease subscribe to support this podcast!In this episode: [0:45] Why I made this episode[4:48] Meet Leslie Mallman[13:07] What is money?[17:09] Financial health vs. financial fitness[21:24] Financial healing[28:55] What does a financial advisor do?[31:01] Negative experiences with advisors[39:01] What is "enough" and how it's changed over time[46:56] Common traps that affect financial well-being[52:23] Insights from Leslie's financial healing class[55:15] Power moves that changed our financial fitness[1:04:04] Advice to improve your relationship with moneyReferences: Loud budgetingRecommended resourcesFind Leslie: Financial Advising: fiveoceansadvisors.comFinancial Healing: moneycoachleslie.comShare your reactions + ideas for future episodes!

    1h 14m
  3. 8. How to Navigate a Lasting Career - as a Woman in Tech

    07/24/2025

    8. How to Navigate a Lasting Career - as a Woman in Tech

    Alexis and Alana Karen, an award-winning author who spent over 23 years at Google, explore the question of how to navigate a long and enduring career as a woman in tech. In this raw and honest conversation, they discuss the realities women face in the tech industry and the tools needed to not just survive, but thrive. What does it take to build a lasting career in tech when you're one of only a few women in the room? Behind the glossy media articles questioning whether women can "make it" in tech lies a more nuanced reality, one where resilience, community, and strategic self-advocacy are the keys to navigating a lasting career in tech. After interviewing 80 women across the industry, Alana distilled their collective wisdom into five essential tools, which she describes in her book The Adventures of Women in Tech. In this discussion, Alexis and Alana explore how these skills create staying power in an industry where it can feel like you don't belong. As tech confronts a new wave of challenges, from layoffs to ethical questions about AI, they examine what's changed since Alana first published. Where she originally emphasized belonging, her upcoming fifth-anniversary edition explores agency in an industry where trust has eroded. As for the key to a lasting career? A delicate balance of patience and strategic action, knowing when to endure difficult periods and when to pivot toward growth and change. Stay in the loop: Sign up for my newsletter: breakoutbooth.com/sign-upPlease subscribe to support the podcast!In this episode: [1:27] Background on today's guest, Alana Karen[2:00] Alexis' career journey: the good, the bad, the ugly[12:15] Alana: welcome and introduction[17:13] Why Alana wrote "The Adventures of Women in Tech"[25:10] Five essential tools for women in tech[34:04] The Fifth Anniversary Edition: a sneak peek![43:42] Power moves: career pivots and growth[59:50] Advice for long-term career successFind Alana: Website: alanakaren.com  LinkedInSign up for her NewsletterReferences: Alana’s book: The Adventures of Women in TechAlana’s workbook: The Adventures of Women in Tech WorkbookPrevious episode: Navigating BurnoutJonathan Haidt: The Anxious GenerationAlana's Interview with Sheryl SandbergShare your reactions + ideas for future episodes!

    1h 7m
  4. 7. How to Get Unstuck - Design a Career with Intention

    06/24/2025

    7. How to Get Unstuck - Design a Career with Intention

    Ever felt like you're somehow "stuck" in your career, knowing something needs to change but unsure how to move forward?  Blessing Nnachi, author of a new book titled By Design: A Guide to Creating a Career You Love, joins me to provide a roadmap for anyone feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsatisfied with their current path. Blessing shares how her journey from tech professional to career coach led her to develop a practical framework for living a more intentional life. The centerpiece of our discussion is the "Good Life Triangle,” a powerful model for understanding the tension between freedom, community, and meaning that shapes our life choices, and can help you consider how to make conscious decisions about where you actually want to spend your time and energy. Together, we explore why recognizing you're stuck is the crucial first step toward change, and we unpack common traps that keep us feeling unfulfilled in our careers. The conversation weaves between philosophical insights and practical advice, addressing how different life seasons may require a change in priorities. Whether you're early in your career focusing on skill-building, navigating parenthood while maintaining professional growth, or reassessing your direction mid-career, our discussion offers wisdom applicable to various stages and challenges. As Blessing reminds us, "There's only one today." What will you do with it? Stay in the loop: Sign up for my newsletter @ breakoutbooth.comPlease subscribe to help support this podcast!In this episode: [2:46] Some amazingly terrible jokes to start us off[3:42] Blessing Nnachi: welcome and background[7:22] How Blessing’s book By Design came to life[11:07] The story behind the book’s title[13:57] How to recognize you’re feeling stuck[22:35] Reflecting on Blessing’s vulnerable story from the preface[27:01] The “Good Life Triangle” - what it is, why it’s important[43:11] Balancing priorities and the concepts of tradeoffs & seasons[47:00] Common questions people look for coaching and support on[54:01] Hidden traps that can affect your career[1:00:05] Power moves that changed our career trajectories[1:05:52] Advice for someone who is feeling stuck in their careerFind Blessing: Website: itsbydesign.org InstagramLinkedInReferences: Blessing’s book: By Design: A guide to creating a career you loveElle Luna: The Crossroads of Should & MustShare your reactions + ideas for future episodes!

    1h 12m
  5. 6. Physical Health - Real Talk About Wellness and Balance

    06/04/2025

    6. Physical Health - Real Talk About Wellness and Balance

    Alexis and Nina Black, an expert in physical fitness, explore what physical health actually means - beyond surface-level definitions and unrealistic standards - in a refreshingly authentic and honest discussion. Nina's extraordinary journey from circus performer (complete with sequined costumes and snake-handling shows) to managing 75 coaches across 17 fitness studios provides a fascinating backdrop for our exploration of body image, fitness habits, and self-acceptance. We introduce the powerful concept of "one size fits one," recognizing that physical health isn't a standardized goal but a deeply personal journey that shifts across different phases of life. What worked for you when you were 20 likely won't work the same when you turn 40, and that's perfectly normal. Whether you're struggling to establish sustainable exercise habits, battling negative body image, or simply trying to understand what "healthy" actually means for you personally, this conversation offers validation, perspective, and practical ideas for developing a more compassionate relationship with your physical self. Join us as we redefine physical health as a journey of progress rather than perfection, and where feeling good ultimately matters more than looking good. Stay in the loop: Sign up for my newsletter at breakoutbooth.comIn this episode: [6:24] Nina Black: welcome and episode context[9:47] How and when we talk about physical health[17:22] Nina's background[34:49] What is physical health?[42:43] 6 dimensions of physical health[47:44] Our physical health journeys[1:05:02] Positive experiences with physical health[1:21:00] Nina's personal victory story[1:26:54] Alexis's pregnancy-related physical health challengesFind Nina: InstagramReferences: Circus camps: Camp Big Top | Actor’s GymnasiumShrine Circus: Company site Orangetheory Fitness: Company siteWearable health monitors: Oura | Fitbit | WhoopPaleo-style eating programs: Perfect Health Diet | Whole 30Meal delivery service: FactorShare your reactions + ideas for future episodes!

    1h 32m
  6. 5. Embrace Curiosity for Personal and Professional Growth

    05/20/2025

    5. Embrace Curiosity for Personal and Professional Growth

    Alexis and Linda Moss, an expert in corporate learning, discuss the topic of Curiosity and how it can spark growth throughout your life. Alexis describes three different forms of curiosity: Epistemic curiosity (the drive to acquire knowledge)Empathic curiosity (the drive to understand others’ feelings)Self-directed curiosity (a tool for personal growth)She then explores how fear can hinder curiosity and offers strategies to overcome it. Linda shares insights and reflections based on her experiences at Google and several other tech companies, touching upon the nature of curiosity, its connection to learning, and how to foster curiosity both as an individual and as a manager. Together, Linda and Alexis also explore a broader range of career topics, including career transitions and burnout. They end the episode with an exploration of how hard and soft skills can be developed. Stay in the loop: Sign up for updates & early access! breakoutbooth.comPlease subscribe to support this podcast!In this episode: [1:11] Epistemic Curiosity[2:35] Empathic Curiosity[3:21] Self-Directed Curiosity[4:25] Feeding curiosity is easy; getting curious can be hard[7:25] Linda Moss: welcome & background[9:03] What is curiosity, and when are we most curious?[12:24] What holds us back from curiosity?[22:27] How to foster more curiosity in your life[27:40] Exploring personal career transitions[38:10] How can a manager foster curiosity with their team?[43:41] How Linda supported Alexis through a period of burnout[51:00] Exploring hard & soft skill developmentReferences: Wikipedia: Epistemic CuriosityPsychology Today: Empathic CuriosityPsychology Today: Feeding curiosity stimulates dopamineHarvard Business Review: Why women don’t apply for jobs unless they’re 100% qualifiedIan Leslie: Curious (not highlighted, but a good read)Article: Get curious not furious (not highlighted, but great for parents)Share your reactions + ideas for future episodes!

    58 min
  7. 4. How to Grow Your Career - Build a Path to Professional Success

    05/06/2025

    4. How to Grow Your Career - Build a Path to Professional Success

    Alexis and Sara Shookus, a Director at Google, discuss strategies on how to grow your career and share stories about their journeys. Alexis begins by describing the three stages of career advancement from a talk she developed while she was still at Google, that went viral internally: Do amazing workElevate othersMake others noticeSara then joins the discussion, and the two share insights and reflections based on their experiences at Google and beyond - addressing the performance review process, career moves, personal branding, and balancing career aspirations with the demands of motherhood. Stay in the loop: Sign up for updates & early access! breakoutbooth.comPlease subscribe to support this podcast!In this episode: [2:13] 3 elements for high ratings and promotions[3:50] Do Amazing Work[7:24] Elevate Everyone[12:17] Make Others Notice[16:26] Alexis' reflections on guiding others in their career[17:53] Sara Shookus: welcome & background[22:44] Sara’s reflections on career progression[28:25] Does Sara’s experience align with Alexis’ model?[36:14] How to make horizontal career moves[39:01] Skills people over-index on[47:50] Balancing motherhood and career aspirations[55:38] “Power Moves” - trajectory changing moves[1:04:52] Overarching advice from Sara & AlexisReferences: Brene Brown: The importance of vulnerabilityTanya Reilly: GLUE workJenny Wood: Wild CourageEduardo Briceño: How to get better at the things you care aboutShare your reactions + ideas for future episodes!

    1h 14m
  8. 3. Unlock Your Creative Potential (Spoiler: It's a Critical Skill at Work)

    04/29/2025

    3. Unlock Your Creative Potential (Spoiler: It's a Critical Skill at Work)

    Alexis and Pablo Signori, a creativity expert and seasoned working artist, explore the many applications of creativity - and how you can unlock yours. Together, they tackle the concept of creativity, asserting it's an inherent human ability that can be cultivated, rather than a trait you were born with or lack entirely. They explore the idea and nature of creativity, its relevance beyond traditional art forms, and how to foster it in everyday life and work. The dialogue touches upon personal experiences as they speak about the value of creativity in a professional context, perspectives on art, and the importance of practice and open-mindedness. They also explore strategies to help you unlock your own creative potential. Stay in the loop: Sign up for updates & early access! breakoutbooth.comPlease subscribe to support this podcast!In this episode: [0:47] Creativity is a superpower we all possess[8:08] Creating gray matter in the brain[10:50] What is creativity?[23:35] Talent is distinct from creativity - and success[30:40] Pablo’s key components of art[35:43] The X factor[42:45] How cultivate creativity[50:55] Curiosity feeds creativity[58:34] The creative process - steps in a work context[1:10:33] Power moves[1:17:59] Creativity starts as a commitmentFind Pablo: Pablo’s WebsiteInstagramThe Newb & The Knower podcast: Apple | SpotifyReferences: Alexis' music album, "Begin" (2005): Spotify | ApplePsyPost: Neuroimaging study suggests smartphone addiction may reduce the capacity for creativitySmartphone Addiction: Wiki article | Online Self-Test (SAS)Wikipedia: Grey MatterNature: Habitual use of GPS negatively impacts spatial memoryAdam Grant: Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater ThingsDenis Azabagic: A live performance | AboutSongs : Chaconne (Bach, difficult) | Lágrima (Tárrega, simpler)Julia Cameron: The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher CreativityPablo’s Creativity Tool: NotionShare your reactions + ideas for future episodes!

    1h 20m
  9. 2. Navigating Burnout - An Expert Unpacks my Personal Experience

    04/22/2025

    2. Navigating Burnout - An Expert Unpacks my Personal Experience

    This episode won a 2025 Signal Award for Driveway Moment Podcast - it "demands you keep listening until the end, whether in your driveway or at your door." Other winners in this category include Mel Robbins & The Moth Radio Hour. //// Dr. John Mlinarcik, a psychotherapist and coach with over 45 years of experience, joins me to explore my deeply personal experience navigating burnout. In our conversation, we address what burnout is, what causes it, the path to recovery, and perhaps most notably - what it feels like. I open the episode sharing my realization that I had reached a state of burnout, also examining the periods immediately preceding and following it. Dr. John introduces the three main dimensions of the condition: exhaustion, disconnection, and being ineffective at work. We then discuss predisposing factors and potential solutions to addressing and avoiding burnout. Dr. John concludes the discussion by highlighting the importance of normalizing the experience, recognizing burnout as common and highly relatable. Alexis closes out the episode with a spoken word she wrote, "I am a doer." Stay in the loop: Sign up for my weekly newsletter at breakoutbooth.comPlease subscribe to support this podcast!In this episode: [2:06] Negative connotations of burnout[8:13] Alexis’ first experience with burnout[11:44] "Doers" get burnt out[17:30] Recognizing the signs of burnout[30:12] Dr. John: background[35:01] What is burnout?[40:37] Predispositions to burnout[47:45] The power of mindset and choice[52:42] Treatment for burnout[1:06:11] Normalizing burnout[1:08:54] Break of Art: "I am a doer" (spoken word)Find Dr. John: PCS GlobalReferences: Alexis' poetry: I am a doerWikipedia: What is BurnoutMaslach Burnout Inventory: About | Self TestBrene Brown: The Importance of VulnerabilityArticle: Why do kids ask so many questions?Viktor Frankl: Man’s Search for MeaningAdam Grant: There’s a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called LanguishingEmily & Amelia Nagoski: Burnout: The secret to unlocking the stress cycle (not highlighted in the show, but a FANTASTIC read)Share your reactions + ideas for future episodes!

    1h 13m
  10. 1. The Conditions of Being Human - Learn to Love and Hack your Caveman Brain

    04/14/2025

    1. The Conditions of Being Human - Learn to Love and Hack your Caveman Brain

    Alexis and Kori Linn, a life and career coach, discuss the ways our bodies and brains react to the world - often in ways that don't serve us. They explore several human reflexes and behaviors that are rooted in our evolutionary history but can hinder us in our modern lives.  Alexis explores the concept of stress response, a natural human reflex that is sometimes called the amygdala hijack, highlighting the 4 primary types of reactions a person can experience when they encounter a threatening situation:  Fight: attacking or taking aggressive actions toward a perceived threatFlight: running away from or actively avoiding a perceived threatFreeze: a person's body "plays dead" in a distressing situation, effectively suggesting the person poses no danger to the perceived threatFawn: making an appeal to a perceived threat to prevent harm Kori then discusses several tricky human behaviors, including negativity bias, people-pleasing, and the arrival fallacy. Later, Alexis and Kori describe several "human hacks" you can use in your favor, such as the doorway effect, do-overs, too small to fail, and pausing during a stress response.  Throughout the episode, Alexis and Kori share personal stories and emphasize that while these human responses are inevitable, understanding them can help us navigate our lives more effectively.  Stay in the loop:  Sign up for updates & early access! breakoutbooth.comPlease subscribe to support this podcast!In this episode:  [1:05] Uncovering natural human physiological responses[6:56] What is a stress response?[8:10] Four primary stress responses: Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn[11:00] The “amygdala hijack” interrupts rational thinking[16:21] How to complete the stress response cycle[19:00] Kori Linn: welcome and background[24:04] Hidden trap: Negativity Bias[35:24] Fawning is a relational stress response[42:41] Hidden trap: The Arrival Fallacy[49:31] Hacks: Doorway Effect, Do-overs, Too Small to FailFind Kori:  Kori's Website Get Kori's NewsletterInstagramSatisfied AF podcast: Apple | Spotify References: See for yourself: Fearless honey badger takes on 6 lions!Share your reactions + ideas for future episodes!

    58 min

  11. 04/14/2025 · BONUS

    0. Hello World - and Welcome to the Breakout Booth!

    In this introductory episode, Alexis shares background on who she is, how the podcast came together, and what you can expect in Season 1.  The episode closes with a song she wrote and recorded nearly 20 years ago, but never published - until now! The song is the basis for the podcast's musical introduction.  Stay in the loop: Please subscribe and help support this podcast!Sign up for regular updates at breakoutbooth.comIn this episode: [0:55] Hello World - episode title explained[1:18] Who is Alexis?[2:37] Why a podcast, and why should you listen?[4:35] I believe you can learn and grow[6:04] Notice the tradeoffs you are making[7:48] Self-compassion & support[8:57] Coaching approach for soft skills[11:32] What to expect in Season 1[13:17] “Push” - Official release of Alexis' nearly 20-year old songReferences Growth Mindset (TED talk by Carol Dweck)Share your reactions + ideas for future episodes!

    16 min

  12. SEASON 1 TRAILER

    Podcast Trailer

    I'm Alexis Booth, and welcome to The Breakout Booth!  I was a senior manager at Google, I'm a wife and a mother, and I learned the hard way: if you're not fired up, you're on hold.  I believe success is closer than you think. There's a set of skills and habits you can grow to unlock unbelievable outcomes. In this podcast, we'll explore them through real talk and bold conversation - because I want to help you break out.  Share your reactions + ideas for future episodes!

    1 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

I'm Alexis Booth, and welcome to The Breakout Booth!  I was a senior manager at Google, I'm a wife and a mother, and I learned the hard way: if you're not fired up, you're on hold.  I believe success is closer than you think. There's a set of skills and habits you can grow to unlock unbelievable outcomes. In this podcast, we'll explore them through real talk and bold conversation - because I want to help you break out.

Information

  • Creator
    Alexis Booth
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Alexis Booth
  • Show Website
    The Breakout Booth