Girls That Excel

This week, Emily and Elyssa sit down with Susana Venegas, MA, AMFT, a bilingual Marriage & Family Therapist whose story is one of resilience, compassion, and cultural pride. From her family’s immigration journey to her work helping others heal, Susana opens up about what it means to guide people through life’s hardest moments, how social media has reshaped mental health conversations, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

In this episode of Girls That Excel, we sit down with Summer Harness, FNP-BC, CANS, founder of Summer Aesthetics, and Nikki Hassell, PA-C, who leads their Medical Weight Loss & Wellness program. From subtle enhancements with Botox and threads to personalized weight loss journeys with GLP-1s, they share how aesthetics and wellness can empower women to feel confident, radiant, and ready to take on their world. We explore the art of enhancement—not transformation—why looking “polished” at work is more complex than it seems, and what true self-care really means in today’s world.

In this episode, we explore the inspiring journey of Cameron, a dedicated firefighter who overcame dyslexia to excel in his career. Cameron shares his experiences, challenges, and triumphs, offering valuable insights into the world of firefighting and the impact of learning disabilities.

Emily and Elyssa are back after a summer break, introducing new dynamics for Season Two, including the addition of Annah! They reflect on the lessons learned from Season One and discuss the rebranding of the podcast to focus more on storytelling and diverse paths to success. The hosts emphasize that success looks different for everyone and express excitement for the upcoming season filled with interviews and career tips.

In this episode, the hosts discuss the significance of summer jobs and how they shape personal and professional growth. They share their first job experiences, the lessons learned, and the importance of balancing work with fun. The conversation also touches on the value of early work experiences, navigating job expectations, and the impact of work crushes. The hosts reflect on their favorite summer jobs and what they hope for their future children regarding work experiences.

AI is changing the workplace as we know it, but how should we embrace it without losing our humanity? In this episode, Manisha Dhawan, a leader in digital transformation, offers her expertise on the future of work, the ethics of AI, and the responsibility of both tech companies and employees in this brave new world.

Is it really delegation if you just do it yourself? This week, we’re tackling the art of letting go without losing control. We’ll walk through how to delegate with intention, build trust with your team, and stop micromanaging. Plus, we play Would You Delegate or Not? with real workplace scenarios. Spoiler: ordering lunch isn’t as easy as it sounds.

A deep dive into the coworkers who are always “busy”… but never actually working.They’ve always got a meeting, their Slack status is constantly “In Focus Mode,” and yet—somehow—nothing ever gets done. This week, Emily and Elyssa break down the office phenomenon of fake productivity: the people who’ve mastered looking busy while producing zilch. We unpack why this behavior often flies under the radar, how it impacts real performers, and the subtle signs you’re working with a corporate illusionist.

It’s bring-your-dog-to-work day—every day. In this episode, we explore the rise of pet-friendly workplaces, from pawternity leave to in-office pup naps. Are pets the ultimate wellness perk or just a fluffy distraction? Let’s talk it out.

In this episode, we’re diving into the sun-soaked world of Summer Fridays—the ultimate workplace perk that lets you log off early and live your best life (or at least clean your apartment before your friends show up with a bottle of rosé). We break down the history of Summer Fridays, how they actually impact productivity, and—just like on Summer House—who gets to clock out early, and who’s stuck cleaning up the mess.Are they a true step toward work-life balance, or just another illusion of flexibility dressed up in office-approved linen? Plus, we reveal our favorite ways to look busy while mentally packing for the Hamptons. So grab a Loverboy, fake a Zoom emergency, and press play on this week’s episode.