Napping on a Tuesday

In this episode of Napping on a Tuesday, we get into the power dynamics of interviews and share our insights from both sides of the Zoom screen. Interviews should be a two-way street, but too often, they feel like awkward performances. We unpack how to reframe the process in real time and reclaim your agency—even if you find yourself in an interview that feels more like a CIA interrogation. From prepping with purpose to regaining c...

Kelly is thinking about the concept of nihilism and how it might just be able to free us from caring too much about work. If this sounds depressing, stick with us! We discuss nihilism, Buddhist principles, and cynicism. Ultimately, we're hoping some of these concepts can make work a bit easier to bear, and help put the awe into awesome at work. 

Have feedback or want to commiserate? We'd love to hear from you: nappingonatu...

Special guest alert! Our friend Trystin Bailey joins us for a conversation about finding creative flow, work/life balance, the relationship between self connection and values, and how shamanic training and practices shaped his life. Trystin is truly an inspiration and delight, and we hope you enjoy our chat.

Follow Trystin @trystinbailey wherever you might look for him- especially Instagram and LinkedIn. 

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To mark the end of Q1 and the Spring Equinox, we’re taking a moment to reflect on our intentions and themes for 2025—checking in on how things are unfolding since our Portal to 2025 episode back in January.

Kelly shares how her focus on health and wellness is evolving, while Karen dives into transmuting emotions and turning insight into action. 

TL;DR: We’re feeling grounded, hopeful, and aligned—and we hope you are too.

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In this episode, Kelly discusses her struggles with self promotion and Karen walks us through some of the principles of Meredith Fineman's book, Brag Better: Master the Art of Fearless Self-Promotion. We also practice bragging, with mixed results. Here's to not being perfect, getting better and being loud and proud! 

This episode was recorded on March 14, 2025.

Referenced:

Brag Better: Master the Art of Fearless Self- Promot...

In this episode, we're breaking apart the idea of having a "portfolio career". What does it mean to have one, is it more than just a buzzword? What is the portfolio career's relation to creativity and capitalism? We're doing what we do best- yapping- and figuring it out as we go. Thanks for being along for the ride.

This episode was recorded on March 3, 2025.

Head's up: Kelly has a bit of a hot mic in th...

This week we're talking about the dip in self-esteem that comes along with facing unemployment. We talk about networking while unemployed, facing the loss of "social capital",  and fomo. We round out with some self-care tips and reframes to support yourself when you're feeling a little bit like a loser- which you're not, by the way!

*Please note this episode was recorded in November 2024. 

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Hi! We're back, sorry to anyone who's missed us- life happens! 

This week we invited a very special guest to chat with us. We're talking with master hairstylist Nathalie Kalae, owner of Kinetic Salon in Brooklyn, about branching out and launching your own business. Nathalie shares with us what it took to get started, about 'leaning into the ick', and creating a business that aligns with your own personal val...

It's the new year, and we're processing our achievements of 2024, talking about what we're leaving behind, and how we're entering 2025. Themes include: letting go of perfectionism, clean-slating, commitment, being action-oriented, wellness, and cultivating a sense of play. We also touch on our "themes" for 2025 and surprise, surprise- we're both taking an abstract approach!

*Note that th...

The year's almost over. Join us for a quick end of year special where we focus on the good that happened this year, savor some well-deserved rest, and burn the baggage we’d rather leave in 2024. We’ll also celebrate the quirky joy of holiday ephemera, malign folks who don't return their shopping carts, and share a tip to steer holiday gatherings towards joy and away from work.

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In this episode, we talk about the bias that unemployed folks face in the job search. We dip into how we’ve faced this bias head-on with hiring managers as recruiters, and in our own job searches. We also share some advice on taking back your narrative as an unemployed candidate. 

This episode was recorded on November 7th, 2024, a couple days after election day, and we do have a bit of a chat about our post election feelings. If you...

In this episode, we discuss the pros and cons of pay-to-join communities and professional associations. Spoiler alert: Karen thinks everything should be free! We also touch briefly upon 3rd spaces and the loneliness epidemic. Plus, we wistfully remember pre-pandemic corporate America, when it felt like money flowed more freely!

This episode was recorded September 27, 2024. 

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Recorded on August 19, 2024, this episode dives into the challenges of returning to work after extended unemployment. Listeners, please note: this episode includes some optimistic discussion about the 2024 US election.

Karen opens up about her recent job start, sharing honest experiences with imposter syndrome, navigating workplace dynamics, and confronting lingering work-related trauma. Join us as we explore the emotional labor inv...

When everything around you feels uncertain, the best thing you can do is find certainty within yourself. Easier said than done? In this episode, we discuss how we handled the collective unknown of the COVID-19 pandemic and how that experience differs from our individual journeys navigating unemployment. We ask ourselves challenging questions to make the most of uncertainty, constantly remind ourselves to be present, get outside, an...

When you feel as though your experience, expertise, or value as a human gets condensed into a numeric figure, it can feel pretty terrible. The current virtual-first interview model minimizes the complexity of the human condition and trivializes our worth. Whether you’ve felt it as an applicant of one amongst thousands, or even as an employee, it’s not great. 

In this episode we talk about some things we think contribute to...

We talk a bit about the evolutionary psychology behind why we feel what we feel when a friend or former colleague leaves the unemployment bubble. How little gestures can go along way. Success isn’t a commodity. There's more than one word for rejoicing in others' advancements, and how that can equate to success for ourselves too. This episode was recorded on July 15, 2024.

Credit where it's due + where you ca...

Can you hack positivity in your job search?  Sometimes it can be difficult to remain buoyancy in the face of adversity, so we dig into whether or not rejection is redirection; mindfulness, breathing, manifestation, moving our bodies, and other things to ground, reset, and jumpstart positive vibes. Even if that means you’re singing terribly alone in the shower or dancing to spark joy. We mention “woo-woo” at least four times in this...

What is Napping on a Tuesday? We explain how we met, and the “why” behind the podcast. Consider this our thesis statement. 

The concept of self-care as a form of resistance can be credited to the late writer and social activist Audre Lorde, who wrote in her 1988 book “A Burst of Light”:  “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare”.

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Welcome to Napping on a Tuesday, an emotional support podcast for the unemployed, underemployed, and anyone who's ever had a job. 

Join us, launching October 1, 2024. 

Hosted by Karen Young and Kelly Conforti.

Have feedback or want to commiserate? We'd love to hear from you: nappingonatuesday@gmail.com.

You can also join the dialogue and find us on Instagram and TikTok @NappingOnAT...