Beth Castle: When I started at InHerSight in 2019, I felt like I would never run out of story ideas. There was so much ground to cover in the gender equity space—so many company benefits to explore, terms to define, and systems to explain. It was a “the world is your oyster” scenario.
Then things changed. The pandemic began, and the world and workplace shifted. As we hunkered down to weather those evolutions, I distinctly remember our CEO Ursula Mead asking, “What are women saying?” Although we were attuned to women’s wants through ratings on our platform—and that has never changed—we also felt like we were hearing less and less in the news about women’s experiences. And although story ideas were still abundant, because again there is a lot of work to do in gender equity, I personally felt, more and more, like I wasn’t finding the right angle.
In 2024, we sought out solutions to fix that. If 2023 was about elevating our storytelling, then 2024 was about rethinking how we find stories in the first place—namely, turning to our own data and tools in order to hear directly from women. We began surveying our audience more regularly about everything: their careers, their mental health, their relationships, their fears, and their feelings. And we started leveraging our networks to find meaningful ways to approach the conversations people are having now, be they about work or life or something else.
It’s that data, quantitative and qualitative, that has helped me to reconnect with women and feel like I’m saying what needs to be said. That’s relevance. Cara, what are some ways you’ve felt more connected to women this year?
Cara Hutto: I love how you’ve tapped more into data and direct feedback to keep our storytelling relevant. For me, 2024 has also been a year of deepening my connection with women by truly listening to their experiences—whether it’s through our surveys or in conversations with the women in my own life. I attended so many lovely community-building events in New York this year—DIY craft nights, journaling classes, dinner parties…
One thing I’ve noticed is that women are increasingly looking for ways to prioritize their mental health and personal growth while navigating the demands of work. This has really informed my writing, especially around topics like emotional boundaries, managing stress, and creating space for self-reflection. By staying attuned to these conversations on social and IRL—and tapping incredibly smart experts—I feel like I’ve been able to offer authentic insights that really resonate with our audience in a refreshing way. I love when our content is aligned with what women really need right now.
In the spirit of connection, what’s one piece of feedback or advice from our audience this year that really surprised you or changed the way you approach your work?
Beth: I can think of two answers for this. The first thing to surprise me, genuinely, has been the warm responses we’ve received this year to The Pipeline, the newsletter I’ve been writing for a few years now. This is in no way an attempt at false modesty. For me, The Pipeline has always been a way of reflecting on all of the topics our team covers, conversations about work that I have with my network, and my own ponderings amid this chaotic and weird time in history. I often joke that it feels like a diary entry, because it does. I mean, sometimes topics I write about in The Pipeline are thoughts lifted straight from voice memos with my best friends.
But that feedback, that people like it and look forward to it, is what encouraged our team to produce more Pipelines this year—to really take this side-project seriously. And for me personally, it’s been good to consider how my more sentimental side can have an impact on a data-centered platform. You know, there’s the stereotype that people who work with numbers and data are analytical—and they can be. That data can be cold. But I like the idea of humanizing data, especially data from women like me. I want women to see themselves in the numbers they see on our platform, and if my voice can help with that, even better.
My second way of responding here is similar to how you said that going out in your community has helped you see what really matters to women. Beyond our platform, our audience also includes women at different companies and part of different business groups who we support via workshops. I often speak at those events, and it consistently surprises me how much listening and sharing in safe spaces really, really matters to women. I know it from my own lived experiences, I think, but when you hear time and time again that “it means so much that we’re having this conversation,” you begin to see safety and conversation as things you should prioritize. And I think when you, Cara, talk about gathering and reflecting, you touch on that desire, too. Women feel good when they have a community that invites them to think deeply.
I know you see that a lot on our social media channels, especially LinkedIn. Can you think of any interactions you’ve loved this year?
Cara: I love how thoughtful and personal your reflections are in The Pipeline—it’s clear how much of your heart and talent you pour into it. I think that sense of safety described, both through your writing and in those safe spaces where women feel heard, is such a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. Humanizing data and creating dialogue feels like such a meaningful way to bridge the gap between numbers and lived experiences.
When it comes to social media, I’ve definitely seen that same hunger for connection and community. Something that stands out is the collective impact of all the empowering, feel-good campaigns we’ve run this year, like the social spotlights, Pathfinders, and Women of Influence campaigns that all celebrate some of the amazing women at our partner companies. The comments and reshares of these posts are overwhelmingly supportive, with women celebrating each other’s successes. Here are just a few comments (of many) I’ve loved reading:
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“Sarita truly talks the talk and walks the walk of our values: Openness, Ownership, and Optimism. She's always using her voice and position to include and lift others up at the company. With a remote-first culture, it can be difficult to navigate friendships and a sense of belonging when not in-person. But when you have peers like Sarita? No question!”
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“I'm so honored to call you a friend and have been one of many student mentees that have been impacted by your dedication and love for science…..You rock 🫶🏾”
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“I've known Taylor since her freshman year at Berkeley. She's always been a shining star in every setting! So proud to see her flourish as a woman in STEM. <3”
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“‘Taya Leary is the backbone of our Intuit Brand Team’ is an understatement. Thank you for all that you do to keep this ship sailing full speed ahead!”
Seeing our audience engage in such positive ways reminds me how important it is to create content that uplifts and inspires. We all need a little warm and fuzzy moment!
Is there anything that’s sparking your curiosity or excitement as we head into the new year?
Beth: You do such a wonderful job of shepherding our social media campaigns and bringing an upbeat, genuine attitude to our brand on those platforms. It’s lovely to see how community flourishes under your care.
As for the new year, I’m excited by how much our team’s positivity around women and how we can support them. We’ve had years with major learning curves—ones that really defined everything we did and felt—but the general energy of our team right now is: We know what we need to do. It’s nice to trust in our experience.
But before we can look ahead, per tradition, let’s look back. Here are our favorite articles, data points, and quotes from the past year. Plus, Cara has included some end-of-year reflections at the end. Cozy, reminiscent vibes begin now.
The best of the best: 6 favorite must-reads 📖
40 Creative Journaling Prompts for Finding Joy & Fulfillment at Work
Cara: Putting pen to paper is a self-care practice I cherish for both reflection and growth—it’s my way of giving my thoughts the space they need. I love creating resources that inspire our community to use healthy tools for self-discovery and mental wellness, so it was super fun to write this guide on creative journaling prompts. In addition to the 40 creative prompts that’ll help you reflect on your career goals, pinpoint areas for growth, and find more balance in your work and life, take a moment to reflect on these questions as the year wraps up:
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What was the most fulfilling part of your year—personally or professionally—and why?
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What did you do to step out of your comfort zone this year?
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What is one goal you set at the start of the year that you achieved (or came close to achieving)?
Is Everyone Else Happily Remote Without Me? Exploring Social Wellbeing
Beth: Sometime last year, on a call with an InHerSight partner employer, our contact mentioned that their company was focusing on mental health through the different kinds of wellbeing, including social wellbeing. I’d never heard of “social wellbeing” as a standalone term, and definitely not in relation to company policy, but I understood loneliness and how, as a mental crisis, it has impacted our communities. That conversation led to me to write this piece on social wellbeing, the pandemic, and remote work. Not only did writing this article scratch my own itch curiosity-wise, but I like that Dr. Kate Sullivan, the work and wellbeing psychologist featured here, offered actionable advice about creating a social wellbeing plan that works for individuals—because no person is the same. My favorite nugget of wisdom reflects that sentiment: “At work, take advantage of any opportunities for interaction that resonate with you,” Sullivan says. “If you don’t enjoy company softball, don’t join—but consider posting a call for a company Fall Guys tournament online if gaming is your thing, or open a Slack channel for everyone to share Animal Crossing tips and turnip prices.”
4 Signs You’re Overthinking at Work & How to Break the Cycle
Cara: I really enjoyed speaking with clinical mental health counselor Dr. Kendra A. Surmitis and psychologist Dr. Brandon Patallo on this article about overthinking at work and how to break the cycle. It was fascinating to learn how overthinking manifests in our careers—not just in our personal and social lives. One thought Patallo really stuck out to me: “If an employee is obsessing over a potential mistake, slowing down can help them see it as a minor issue rather than a catastrophic failure. After identifying the thought, ‘This mistake will ruin my career,’ they might ask themselves:
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What evidence do I have that this mistake is truly catastrophic?
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Have I made similar mistakes in the past, and how did I handle them?
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What is the likelihood that this one mistake will have long-term consequences?
After reflecting, they might replace their initial thought with a more balanced perspective: ‘Mistakes are a part of growth, and I can address this issue and move forward.’” 🤯 If you’ve found yourself spiraling over small conversations or second-guessing your decisions at work, this article is a must-read.
The Opposite of ‘Main Character Energy’: 5 Signs You Feel Disempowered at Work
Beth: I love any article on our platform that unpacks a term or a feeling, and our contributor Jasmine Matthews, who wrote The Opposite of ‘Main Character Energy’: 5 Signs You Feel Disempowered at Work, does that sharply with the word “disempowerment.” For me, in assigning this article, I wanted to clear up the difference between generic lack of confidence and the feeling of losing touch with yourself, and your power, because you’re working in a system that isn’t designed to support you. They really are two different things, and you can’t begin to combat the latter without acknowledging that “Hey, maybe this isn’t a me problem. Maybe it’s environmental. Maybe it’s systemic. Maybe there are other people who feel the way I do.”
How to Emotionally Detach from Work (& Finally Get a Good Night of Sleep)
Cara: As you said, we dug deep into data from our audience this year, and this article on how to emotionally detach from work and get better sleep was one of the first I wrote using our new polling system. We asked our audience about their sleep habits, and nearly half (48%) reported that work-related stress often interferes with their sleep. It was rewarding to sift through the responses to find valuable self-soothing tips—like scheduling “worry time” before bed—especially since this is such a widespread issue. I also wrote about the importance of nurturing your identity beyond your job, diving into how creative pursuits and third space communities can offer a much-needed reprieve from work-related stress.
Are You Guilty of Virtue Signaling? (Hint: We All Are)
Beth: Whenever I assign something to Stephanie Olsen, I know the article I get back will be chock full of data and experts providing a well-rounded take on the topic at hand. That’s exactly what happened with her piece on virtue signaling this year. I love that this piece asks readers to not only question whether companies are virtue signaling, but also to question themselves. Self-reflection at its finest.
Looking at the numbers: 4 eye-opening stats 📈
Cara: Although there’s no one-size-fits-all career timeline, we continue to default viewing age as a measuring stick for career progress. We gathered personal stories from our audience that reveal the challenges, surprises, and insights that come with navigating career milestones under the weight of societal pressures: 'The Older I Get, The Harder It Feels': 10 Women on Ageism at Work
Beth: Most of the time, changes for women in the workplace come slowly. An extra cent on a man’s dollar every year or two, if you will. But this stat about wearing makeup at work was so surprising and sudden to me given the speed of everything else. I’ve been in the workforce for only about a decade, and when I began, makeup was still very necessary—an unspoken requirement. The pandemic changed a lot of things, big and small, and it’s clear that makeup usage is one of them. Cara expertly covered the topic in Are We Moving Beyond Makeup? Let’s Explore the Evolving Perceptions at Work.
Cara: The constant balancing act of work and personal responsibilities is overwhelming, especially for women who statistically juggle more than their fair share. From identifying your “most important tasks” (MITs) to carving out intentional breaks, we researched expert-backed approaches to help you focus and get sh*t done: How to Turn Down the Noise & Actually Get Work Done
Beth: It’s me, hi, I’m just like other girls. When we asked women in November how they cope with conflict at work, it wasn’t surprising to hear that a plurality love a good venting session—but it did make me ponder whether we could all brush up on our conflict management tactics. Thankfully, our audience offered some practical advice alongside our quantitative data, which I featured in my newsletter here. My favorite tip? “Always check to see how much of your ego is in the way.” Oof, ego always gets me.
Words to work by: 4 career advice quotes that resonate🪄
“Don’t be afraid to speak up and bring solutions to the table. It wasn’t always easy for me un-mute in a room full of men or senior executives—but start small, trust in your gut and expertise, and build from there.” —Kristine Stewart, Director of Product Marketing at VTS
“GOOD MANNERS MATTER.” —Anonymous InHerSight user, but written about here.
“One of my first managers told me, ‘Your career path is your responsibility.’ While this was shocking at the time, it completely changed my outlook on my professional life. Taking responsibility means defining your aspirations, charting a path to achieve them, advocating for yourself, and regularly assessing whether your current situation is serving you.” —Stacy Gong, VP Brand Marketing, Procore Technologies
“Don’t wait for others to follow through or to validate or prioritize your ideas—everyone is busy. If you see value in a project, take ownership, conduct thorough research, provide detailed documentation, influence others, listen to customers, learn from experts, and ask tough questions. Proactivity, ownership, and follow-through will lead to positive outcomes.” —Jennifer Pigott, Senior Product Manager, Health Insurance, Gradient AI
