Ditching ‘Professionalism’: How Work Norms Hold Us Back with Becky Mollenkamp

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What if everything you’ve been taught about work, success, and professionalism is actually holding you back? In this episode of Here's What I Learned, I sit down with Becky Mollenkamp, an accountability coach and intersectional feminist, to unpack the hidden ways oppressive work norms shape our businesses—and how to break free from them.

Becky shares her journey of unlearning corporate conditioning, rejecting the toxic hustle mindset, and embracing a version of success that actually feels good. We talk about why professionalism is often just a gatekeeping tool rooted in white supremacy, how internalized oppression keeps us stuck in outdated business norms, and why so many entrepreneurs struggle to fully embrace the freedom of self-employment.

Topics:

• Stress Relief and Community Inspirations (1:15)
• Professionalism and Internalized Oppression (5:47)
• Challenges of Corporate Work (8:14)
• Starting the Feminist Podcast Collective (19:52)

About Our Guest: Becky Mollenkamp

Becky Mollenkamp is an accountability coach for high-achieving business owners, helping them stay focused on their goals without burning out or sacrificing their values. With nearly 20 years of self-employment under her belt, she has first-hand experience in unlearning oppressive work norms and building a business that truly aligns with her life. Becky is also the co-founder of the Feminist Podcast Collective, a community of podcasters committed to challenging traditional narratives and amplifying diverse voices.

Find Becky at beckymollenkamp.com

Resources & Links

🔹 Learn more about the Feminist Podcast Collective

 🔹 Check out Becky’s Feminist Founders Newsletter & Membership

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• Find the complete show notes and transcripts at jackihayes.co

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Credits:

Intro and Outro Music: Atomic by Alex-Productions |https://onsound.eu/

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Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US