Working Girl

Rachel Mpala
  • 5.0 (4)
  • DOCUMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

In a world on fire, Working Girl brings you the stories of women who refuse to look away — and choose to do the work. Hosted by activist Rachel Mpala, this podcast spotlights women working in the trenches of social justice and nonprofit sectors: from fighting gun violence and homelessness to defending abortion access, dismantling racism, and navigating America’s broken systems. Each week, we go beyond headlines and job titles to ask: What does it really take to stay in the fight for justice — without burning out How do these women protect their joy while doing some of the hardest work in America? And how can you support them? Expect raw conversations, practical insights, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be a woman working at the intersection of purpose, pain, and power. This isn’t corporate career advice anymore.It’s a reckoning — and a rally cry. Topics include: women in nonprofits, activism, burnout, social justice, gender equity, homelessness, gun violence, reproductive rights, healthcare, racism, prison reform, immigration, human rights, education, xenophobia, trans rights, veterans, feminism, progressive leadership

  1. MAR 31

    Housing Is a Human Right with Julia Orduña

    Send us Fan Mail Housing is more than a place to live. It’s a matter of dignity, safety, and survival. In this episode of Working Girl, I sit down with Julia Orduña, Southeast Texas Regional Director at Texas Housers, to unpack the realities of the housing crisis, from rising rent and evictions to disaster recovery and policy reform. But this conversation is also deeply personal. We talk about the emotional toll of housing instability, the lived experiences that shape this work, and why women are often at the center of both the struggle and the solutions. If you’ve ever wondered how housing injustice actually impacts real people and what it means to do this work on the front lines, this episode will stay with you. Listen now and subscribe. Check out the show notes for ways to get involved, learn more, and support the work: http://www.workinggirlpodcast.com Support the show

    53 min

  2. SEASON 2 TRAILER

    Season 2 Trailer

    Send us Fan Mail Working Girl is a podcast about the women doing the work the world depends on and the realities they navigate while doing it. In this season, we shift beyond the traditional workplace to center the voices of women on the front lines of social change. From housing justice to climate advocacy, from healthcare access to immigration, each episode offers an unfiltered look at what it means to fight for a more just world while carrying the weight of it personally. Through candid, deeply human conversations, Working Girl explores the intersection of gender, power, and purpose, highlighting not just the challenges but the resilience, strategy, and conviction it takes to keep going. If you have ever questioned your place in systems that were not built for you or wondered how change actually happens, this is for you. Support the show

    1 min
  3. Season 1 (Gender Bias) - Negotiating Your Worth with Keri-Lynne Shaw

    07/02/2024

    Season 1 (Gender Bias) - Negotiating Your Worth with Keri-Lynne Shaw

    Send us Fan Mail This episode is part of our first season, which focused on gender bias in the corporate world. The show has since evolved to focus on women on the front lines of social justice. Ready to become a stronger negotiator and break free from gender bias? In our season finale of Working Girl, we're thrilled to chat with Keri-Lynne Shaw, Founder of The Salary Bump. KL shares her inspiring journey from a high-pressure career to empowering women like you to confidently advocate for your worth. In this episode, we dive into the art of negotiation, making it feel like a win-win and normalizing those tricky money conversations at work. KL offers priceless insights on proposing salary ranges that fit both market value and your personal goals, while also negotiating for perks beyond just salary. We'll tackle the challenges women face due to historical biases and stereotypes, giving you practical strategies to overcome them. From using HR as an ally to staying on top of market trends and building a fact-based approach to negotiations, KL's tips are a game-changer. We also explore how societal expectations have painted women as poor negotiators and share ways to shift that mindset. With personal stories and professional advice, this episode gives you the tools to confidently stand up for your true value. But we don’t stop at salary. We’ll look at the whole compensation package, from benefits and PTO to personal coaching and memberships. Transparency and preparation are key themes, and we’ll discuss the financial perks of job-hopping versus sticking with one company Join us as we create a community of empowered women, ready to redefine success on their own terms. Support the show

    54 min
  4. Season 1 (Gender Bias) - The Struggle for Respect and Validation in Beauty

    06/18/2024

    Season 1 (Gender Bias) - The Struggle for Respect and Validation in Beauty

    Send us Fan Mail This episode is part of our first season, which focused on gender bias in the corporate world. The show has since evolved to focus on women on the front lines of social justice. We’ve talked about the experiences of working women in the corporate world, but what all of the incredible women working outside of corporate America? Join us as we welcome a seasoned makeup artist from the beauty industry who shares her eye-opening experiences with gender bias. Her story isn't just about her work; it's about overcoming resistance and judgment from others and the subtle and not-so-subtle biases from a diverse clientele that often hails from corporate backgrounds. You'll hear firsthand how ignorance fuels unconscious bias and how she's navigated this complex landscape to build a robust career. Our guest doesn't hold back as she recounts the condescending remarks and judgment-laden comments she's faced, both from men and women alike. From intrusive questions about her finances to dismissive attitudes toward her profession's legitimacy, we explore how societal perceptions can erode self-confidence. Through candid anecdotes and personal experiences, she underscores the importance of recognizing the value of one's work despite societal underestimation and the relentless struggle for respect and validation. We also dive deep into the broader issues of misogyny and unrealistic expectations placed on women in various professional settings. Whether it's outdated views on women's appearances affecting their capabilities or the double standards in dress codes and workplace attire, our conversation sheds light on the pervasive nature of gender-based discrimination. With a focus on creating a more equitable society, we emphasize the need for change and challenge these deeply ingrained norms. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that will leave you reflecting on the everyday realities of gender bias and the ongoing battle for equality. Support the show

    54 min
  5. Season 1 (Gender Bias) - Reality for Women in Finance

    06/11/2024

    Season 1 (Gender Bias) - Reality for Women in Finance

    Send us Fan Mail This episode is part of our first season, which focused on gender bias in the corporate world. The show has since evolved to focus on women on the front lines of social justice. In this episode, we welcome a guest in finance who shares the many struggles women have to face in her industry. She initially sidestepped gender-based assumptions by adopting a unisex nickname at a major investment bank. However, her move to a male-dominated firm revealed the deeper, more insidious layers of bias that women continue to face in finance. Her story highlights the persistent barriers and systemic challenges within male-dominated sectors. From confronting the antiquated practices in corporate America to the token diversity efforts that fall short, we discuss the broader implications of gender bias in the workplace. Hear firsthand accounts of raising concerns with HR only to face silence, and the unequal opportunities for feedback during performance reviews. Our guest also shares her shift to a client-facing role, where female clients were often dismissed and funneled to her, highlighting not only gender bias but the cost of outdated practices on professional growth and client relations. Emotional expression in the workplace is another critical topic we touch upon. Internalized societal norms discourage vulnerability and create additional hurdles for career progression, especially for women. We explore the stigma faced by both women and men when showing emotion at work, and the importance of creating safe spaces for expressing those emotions. Additionally, we discuss managing burnout and the inappropriate responses from higher management, emphasizing the need for heartfelt conversations and support. Through these narratives, we aim to advocate for meaningful change and healthier work environments in male-dominated industries. Support the show

    52 min
  6. Season 1 (Gender Bias) - Embracing Femininity with Samantha Martin

    06/04/2024

    Season 1 (Gender Bias) - Embracing Femininity with Samantha Martin

    Send us Fan Mail This episode is part of our first season, which focused on gender bias in the corporate world. The show has since evolved to focus on women on the front lines of social justice. What if embracing femininity could be the key to breaking gender bias in the workplace? Join us as we engage in a compelling conversation with Samantha Martin, a trailblazing lawyer, speaker, activist, and founder of the Femish Organization. Samantha introduces us to the concept of femmephobia—the systemic regulation and devaluation of femininity that crosses gender boundaries. Drawing from Dr. Rhea Ashley Hoskin's pioneering research, we uncover how this bias impacts not just women but anyone who expresses femininity, and how these insights can shed light on the pervasive issues of gender bias in professional settings. Reflecting on personal experiences and societal influences, Samantha and I discuss how femmephobia shapes our choices from childhood interests to professional attire. We emphasize the importance of empowering traditionally feminine traits and highlight the need for consent and choice in breaking free from gendered expectations. Together, we explore how rigid societal norms undervalue female-dominated professions and discuss the challenges women face in corporate environments where masculine norms often dictate behavior and dress codes. Our conversation also delves into the psychological impacts of gender bias in networking and professional settings. Samantha shares her insights on creating inclusive spaces that allow women to express themselves freely. We conclude by advocating for gender education and awareness, emphasizing the need for unlearning biases and fostering empathy and inclusion. Tune in to this eye-opening episode as we push boundaries, embrace diverse identities, and work towards a more equitable and inclusive world for all. Support the show

    1h 22m
  7. Season 1 (Gender Bias) - Standing Up for Yourself in Tech

    05/28/2024

    Season 1 (Gender Bias) - Standing Up for Yourself in Tech

    Send us Fan Mail This episode is part of our first season, which focused on gender bias in the corporate world. The show has since evolved to focus on women on the front lines of social justice. When the glass ceiling feels more like a concrete barricade, it takes a trailblazer to show us the cracks where the light gets in. Our latest guest, a woman in cybersecurity, has navigated the labyrinth of tech, while championing the cause of women and women of color in the industry. Her journey reveals the resilience required to face gender bias, pay disparities, and the slow trudge towards diversity and inclusion in the corporate world. Our guest shares an incident where her expertise was unjustly questioned, a stark reminder of the gender assumptions still plaguing the industry. Her story is a rallying cry for male allies to join the fight for equality, and for women in tech to demand their worth, negotiate with conviction, and find solidarity in organizations dedicated to closing the gender gap. She also touches on the transformational role of motherhood and the additional complexities it brings to advocating for gender equality in the workplace. As we envisage a future rich with women in tech, our guest imparts parting wisdom for the women just getting started: know your value, set firm boundaries, and deploy your unique strengths to foil imposter syndrome.  Support the show

    50 min
  8. Season 1 (Gender Bias) - When Women’s Work Isn’t Valued

    05/21/2024

    Season 1 (Gender Bias) - When Women’s Work Isn’t Valued

    Send us Fan Mail This episode is part of our first season, which focused on gender bias in the corporate world. The show has since evolved to focus on women on the front lines of social justice. Have you ever stood up in a meeting, only to feel your voice quiver under the weight of a room filled with skeptical stares? This episode of Working Girl puts the spotlight on the silent battles women face in their professional lives, featuring a conversation with a trailblazing guest who has navigated through the murky waters of gender bias across multiple industries. She doesn't just share her story; she arms us with a trove of insights on asserting expertise against doubters, the emotional rollercoaster of salary negotiations, and the art of thriving in spite of workplace challenges. Our guest peels back the curtain on the often-invisible labor that so many women contribute, labor that's crucial yet grossly undervalued. Listen as we exchange experiences that reveal the contrasting work styles and recognition between men and women—ranging from the meticulous to the streamlined—and how these disparities shape our paths to career advancement. We also tackle the complex topic of company culture, examining whether workplace training truly fosters accountability or if it's merely a box-ticking exercise, and we explore the transformative role of mentorship and personal branding in carving out a successful professional narrative. Wrapping up, we delve into the strategies for empowering women within the workplace, championing not only for a seat at the table but also for a voice that resonates with confidence and authenticity. Our guest recounts fostering a supportive environment that embraces diversity of thought and personality, ensuring that even the quietest in the room can share in shaping the narrative. Join us for this empowering call to action, as we aim to inspire listeners to participate in creating respectful and inclusive work environments where everyone's talents—and struggles—are seen and valued. Support the show

    49 min
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Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

In a world on fire, Working Girl brings you the stories of women who refuse to look away — and choose to do the work. Hosted by activist Rachel Mpala, this podcast spotlights women working in the trenches of social justice and nonprofit sectors: from fighting gun violence and homelessness to defending abortion access, dismantling racism, and navigating America’s broken systems. Each week, we go beyond headlines and job titles to ask: What does it really take to stay in the fight for justice — without burning out How do these women protect their joy while doing some of the hardest work in America? And how can you support them? Expect raw conversations, practical insights, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be a woman working at the intersection of purpose, pain, and power. This isn’t corporate career advice anymore.It’s a reckoning — and a rally cry. Topics include: women in nonprofits, activism, burnout, social justice, gender equity, homelessness, gun violence, reproductive rights, healthcare, racism, prison reform, immigration, human rights, education, xenophobia, trans rights, veterans, feminism, progressive leadership

Information

  • Creator
    Rachel Mpala
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Working Girl
  • Show Website
    Working Girl