Ep 421: Redefining Success In the Winner-Take-All Economy

Eleven years ago, Sheryl Sandberg’s “Lean In” hit the shelves and became an instant hit. Her feminist manifesto encouraged women to stop holding themselves back from working to reach positions of power and instead lean on other women’s experiences to help them. Now, many women are pushing back on the “lean in” approach that placed so much responsibility on individual women rather than the societal and economic structures around them. They’re also questioning if they really want to have it all in the first place.  In her new book: “Fair Shake: Women And The Fight To Build A Just Economy,” Naomi Cahn and her coauthors explore why our “winner takes all” economy is the root cause of women’s continued economic inequality rather than our individual actions. She also talks solutions, starting with making deeper connections in our communities and reaching out to them for support when we need it.  In Mailbag, we hear from a listener who’s feeling burned out in the healthcare field but knows her coworkers are already short-staffed and doesn't want to leave them in a bind, and Jean’s daughter Julia answers a listener's question on where to find friends that are as career-oriented as she is. Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:03:12 - Interview with Naomi Khan 00:07:51 - Winner Take All Economy 00:10:18 - Intersection of Feminist Theory and Workplace Progress 00:14:43 - The Triple Bind Women Face in the Workplace 00:17:47 - Strategies for Women to Navigate Career Challenges 00:28:08 - Solutions to Combat the Winner-Take-All Economy 00:33:17 - Mailbag Segment Begins Takeaways:  The gender wage gap remains a persistent issue, with women earning an average of 82% of what men earn. The winner-take-all economy, characterized by income inequality and a focus on individual financial success, holds women back in the workplace. Feminist theory is essential in addressing gender equity and dismantling the structures that perpetuate inequality. Systemic changes, such as increasing transparency, strengthening laws, and investing in individuals and communities, are necessary to build a just economy. More money news when you need it! Get the latest and greatest updates on all things investing, budgeting and making money. Subscribe to the HerMoney newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe! The HerMoney with Jean Chatzky podcast is sponsored by Edelman Financial Engines. The podcast team and its host are neither employees nor clients of EFE, however, the show does receive fixed compensation and is a paid endorser and therefore has an incentive to endorse EFE and its planners. To learn more about the sponsorship, please visit PlanEFE.com/HerMoney. Please contact [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast, and to learn more about Airwave, head to www.airwavemedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices