Functioning at work often requires people to separate who they are from how they’re expected to show up. In this episode, I sit down with retail executive Shannon Flanagan to explore what that separation looks like in practice when you’re navigating Bipolar Type II. We talk about the day-to-day reality — the pressure to perform consistently, the experience of self-editing in the workplace, and the tradeoffs that come with deciding how much of yourself to disclose at work. Shannon also shares how these dynamics have shaped her leadership journey, including moments where being open about her diagnosis led at work came with both connection and consequence.

Shannon is the founder of Retail Women in Tech (RWIT), a global nonprofit focused on increasing access, representation, and leadership pathways for women across retail and technology. Prior  ...