She’s Been Through It

She’s Been Through It

di Christine Campana

Stagione 1

Career Mentor Yoda Isn't Coming: Build a Personal Board of Directors Instead

What happens when you're standing in the hangar bay of a Navy aircraft carrier, staring at a quarter-million-dollar piece of equipment, and realizing you might have just flooded it? For me, it started with one wrong move. Water everywhere. A full-blown panic spiral. And one very specific question running through my head: Can you get fired for opening a valve? In this episode, I share the biggest mistakes of my engineering career, the mentorship lessons that came from it, and why I believe a lot of traditional career advice around mentorship has completely missed the mark, especially for women in engineering, women in STEM, and early-career professionals. For years, I thought I needed to find one perfect mentor. The person who would magically appear with all the answers. But, they never showed up. What actually changed my career was building something much more powerful: a personal Board of Directors made up of mentors, peers, managers, colleagues, friends, and people who were willing to tell me the truth when I needed it most. In this episode, I cover: ✅ The work mistake that convinced me my career was over ✅ The mentor who talked me off the ledge when I thought I'd ruined everything ✅ Why the best mentors often aren't officially assigned mentors ✅ What great leadership looks like in practice ✅ How to handle career mistakes, setbacks, and embarrassing failures at work ✅ The reality of imposter syndrome in engineering and technical careers ✅ Why traditional mentorship advice has failed many women ✅ How women in STEM can build meaningful support networks ✅ The importance of sponsorship, networking, and professional relationships ✅ Why mentors do not need to be older, senior, or more experienced than you ✅ What I've learned from both exceptional leaders and terrible ones ✅ How to create your own personal Board of Directors for career growth I also talk about believing I needed a formal mentoring relationship when what I actually needed was help solving a real problem. Because the best mentoring conversations rarely start with: "Will you be my mentor?" They usually start with: "Can I get your opinion on something?" This episode offers practical, honest advice about mentorship, leadership development, networking, career advancement, and professional growth. Most importantly, it's a reminder that making a mistake doesn't mean you don't belong. The best mentors don't just help you solve problems. They help you keep perspective when you've lost it. They remind you that one bad day doesn't define an entire career. And sometimes they're simply the person who answers the phone when you're completely freaking out. If this episode resonates with you, please follow, rate, and review the podcast. It helps more people discover honest conversations about engineering, STEM, leadership, mentorship, career growth, workplace challenges, and what it's really like building a career when nobody hands you a roadmap. And I'd love to hear from you: who's on your personal Board of Directors? What mentor, manager, colleague, friend, or unexpected person has had the biggest impact on your career? #WomenInEngineering #WomenInSTEM #Mentorship #Leadership #CareerGrowth #CareerDevelopment #EngineeringCareers #ProfessionalDevelopment #WomenInBusiness #ImposterSyndrome #Networking #CareerAdvice #LeadershipDevelopment #STEMCareers #Podcast #EngineeringLeadership #BusinessPodcast #ProfessionalGrowth #Mentoring #CareerSuccess

You Don't Have to Be Best Friends With Every Woman You Meet

Have you ever met another woman and immediately assumed you'd become friends? Maybe you work in a male-dominated industry and feel an instant sense of relief when another woman walks into the room. Maybe you've found yourself replaying text messages, wondering whether someone likes you, or trying to turn a casual connection into a close friendship because it feels like opportunities for meaningful friendships are rare. In this episode of She's Been Through Some Shit, I'm talking about a realization that took me years to have: not every woman you meet is supposed to become your best friend. As one of the few women in engineering for much of my career, I often assumed that shared experiences automatically meant friendship potential. Same industry? Instant connection. Similar background? Future besties. But eventually I realized I was confusing proximity with compatibility. This episode explores how scarcity can shape the way we approach friendships, why some relationships feel effortless while others feel forced, and how learning to stop chasing every potential friendship actually brought more peace into my life. From engineering conference rooms to horse barns, I'm sharing stories about friendship expectations, people-pleasing, belonging, and the mindset shift that helped me stop asking, "Do they like me?" and start asking a much better question: Do I actually enjoy being around this person when I'm not trying to impress them? We'll talk about: ✓ Why making friends as an adult feels so much harder than it did in your twenties ✓ The friendship scarcity trap and how it affects women ✓ Female friendships and the pressure to instantly connect ✓ Workplace friendships and navigating relationships in male-dominated industries ✓ Why shared demographics don't always create meaningful relationships ✓ Supporting other women without forcing friendships ✓ How to identify friendship compatibility versus obligation ✓ Letting relationships evolve naturally instead of trying to control the outcome ✓ Friendship boundaries, connection, and finding your people ✓ Why fewer meaningful friendships often feel better than dozens of surface-level ones This episode is for anyone who has ever: • Felt lonely in a male-dominated workplace • Wondered why some friendships never seem to click • Struggled with people-pleasing tendencies • Tried too hard to make a friendship work • Felt guilty for drifting away from someone who wasn't actually a good fit • Wanted deeper, more authentic relationships The truth is that not every friendship is meant to last forever. Some people become lifelong friends. Some become work friends. Some become acquaintances you enjoy seeing from time to time. And some are simply people who walk alongside you for a season. Learning to accept that has been one of the most freeing lessons of my adult life. If you've ever felt pressure to turn every promising connection into a close friendship, this conversation is for you. Follow She's Been Through Some Shit for candid conversations about career changes, personal growth, friendship, life transitions, horses, navigating adulthood, and figuring things out one lesson at a time.

I Trained for Bears in Alaska. Nothing Prepared Me for My First Engineering Boss (FBF)

What do Alaska bears and toxic workplaces have in common? More than you'd think. While visiting Alaska, we woke up at 4:30 AM to hike 9.5 miles with 3,500 feet of elevation gain before the rain rolled in. Along the way, I learned that in Alaska you can literally rent bear spray from a 24-hour coffee drive-through. But that experience reminded me of another environment that once felt just as hostile: my first engineering internship. At 19 years old, I was the only young woman in an office where I was told on my first day that my boss didn't want to hire me because he wanted a man instead. Between daily criticism, public humiliation, and constantly questioning whether I belonged in engineering, I spent many lunch breaks hiding in a bathroom stall trying not to cry. This is the story of toxic leadership, workplace discrimination, resilience, women in STEM, engineering internships, career growth, and the lesson that one bad manager does not get to decide your future. If you've ever dealt with a difficult boss, imposter syndrome, workplace bullying, sexism in engineering, or struggled to find confidence early in your career, this story is for you. Subscribe for stories about engineering, career growth, travel adventures, STEM life, leadership lessons, and navigating life's weirdest experiences. 🎥 YouTube: @shesseensomeengineeringshit 📸 Instagram: @shesbeenthroughsomeshit #WomenInEngineering #EngineeringCareer #STEM #CareerAdvice #Leadership #AlaskaTravel #EngineeringInternship #WorkplaceCulture #ToxicBoss #CareerGrowth #WomenInSTEM #PersonalDevelopment #LifeLessons #FemaleEngineer #EngineeringLife

How Adult Friendships End (And How New Ones Begin)

Have you ever looked at a friendship and realized nobody did anything wrong... but you're not the same people anymore? In this episode, I'm talking about something we don't discuss nearly enough: adult friendships, friendship drift, and what happens when relationships quietly fade instead of ending in a dramatic blowup. I share the story of a friendship that's been part of my life for nearly a decade and why I've come to accept that sometimes people grow in different directions. We talk about the difference between gratitude and obligation, how to recognize when you only have history in common, and why not every friendship needs a formal ending. But this episode isn't just about friendships ending. It's also about the friendships that begin from the smallest moments: a handwritten note slipped under a neighbor's door during the pandemic, a random Meetup event, a Friendsgiving invitation, and the surprising ways meaningful connections are built as adults. In this episode we explore: • How adult friendships evolve over time • Friendship breakups without the drama • Why people naturally drift apart • Making new friends as an adult • Long-distance friendships that actually last • Mental health, anxiety, and relationships • Letting go of guilt when friendships change • Why taking small social risks can lead to life-changing connections If you've ever been navigating changing friendships, feeling disconnected from someone you once considered a close friend, wondering how to make friends as an adult, or trying to build meaningful relationships in a busy life, this episode is for you. I'm also on a mission to grow this podcast from 63 followers to 100 followers by September 27, so if this episode resonates with you, hit Follow and share it with a friend who needs to hear it. New episodes cover life in STEM, career growth, relationships, mental health, resilience, and figuring out adulthood one lesson at a time. #AdultFriendships #MakingFriendsAsAnAdult #FriendshipBreakup #PersonalGrowth #MentalHealth #Relationships #LifeLessons #WomenInSTEM #SelfDevelopment #Podcast

The Power Imbalance I Couldn’t Ignore - As an Engineer and a Woman (FBF)

I never thought I'd be the woman saying, "I ended my engagement." For years, I convinced myself that stability meant compatibility. I believed that being the strong one, the logical one, and the dependable one meant I should stay, even when the relationship wasn't right. As an engineer and woman in STEM, I spend my career solving problems, analyzing systems, and trusting data. But in my own relationship, I ignored the warning signs. I tried fixing: ✔️ Communication issues ✔️ Emotional imbalance ✔️ Financial stress ✔️ Family dynamics ✔️ Relationship incompatibility ✔️ The constant feeling that I owed someone my future What I finally realized was this: You cannot engineer compatibility. You cannot force a healthy relationship through effort alone. And you should never stay because of guilt, obligation, or fear of disappointing someone. In this episode of my Women in STEM podcast, I'm sharing: ✨ Why I ended my engagement ✨ The relationship red flags I stopped ignoring ✨ How people-pleasing kept me stuck ✨ What self-advocacy looks like in love ✨ Lessons every ambitious woman should hear ✨ How engineering principles helped me make one of the hardest decisions of my life This conversation is especially for: • Women in engineering • Women in STEM careers • High-achieving women • Women navigating relationships while building their careers • Anyone struggling with self-worth, boundaries, or people-pleasing • Anyone questioning whether stability and compatibility are actually the same thing And yes...I recorded this completely imperfectly. No makeup. No media training. Airport delays. Dry vacation skin. Wild hair. Pure chaos. But I posted anyway. Because the lesson isn't just about ending an engagement. It's about choosing yourself. If you're waiting until you're perfect to start the podcast, launch the business, leave the relationship, advocate for yourself, or share your story...you'll be waiting forever. Your life changes the moment you start trusting yourself. 🎙 Follow for honest conversations about women in engineering, STEM careers, relationships, personal growth, confidence, leadership, self-advocacy, and navigating life as an ambitious woman. Save this episode if you've ever struggled with relationship red flags, people pleasing, or choosing yourself. Share it with someone who needs the reminder that compatibility matters more than comfort.

Off the Clock: The McDreamy Debate, Workplace Survival Tactics & TV Women Who Ruled Everything

In this episode of Off the Clock, I'm discussing favorite female TV icons like Kim Possible, Cristina Yang, Miranda Bailey, Addison Montgomery, and Jessica Pearson, plus my take on the classic McDreamy vs. McSteamy debate from Grey's Anatomy. I also break down the viral Aryna Sabalenka US Open press conference moment and what it says about how the media treats female athletes. Then we're getting into workplace culture, professional boundaries, awkward coworker interactions, women in STEM, and office survival tactics, including the fake Microsoft Teams meetings I've used to avoid unwanted conversations. Finally, I'm sharing current music favorites from Tate McRae, Tinashe, Jhené Aiko, and Christina Aguilera, along with songs you need to add to your playlist. If you're interested in women in engineering, workplace stories, career growth, Grey's Anatomy, Suits, pop culture, music recommendations, female empowerment, and navigating adulthood, this episode is for you. Follow Off the Clock for weekly conversations about work, life, music, pop culture, and everything that happens when we're finally off the clock. Kim Possible appreciation, Cristina Yang, Jessica Pearson being iconic, McDreamy vs. McSteamy debate, Aryna Sabalenka's US Open moment, Women facing double standards in sports and the workplace, Fake Teams meetings as a survival strategy, Workplace boundaries and office culture, Tate McRae recommendations, Tinashe deep cuts, Jhené Aiko favorites, Christina Aguilera's 25-year anniversary performance Aryna: US Open Press Conference Sports Car Greedy Uh Oh Calgary Nasty No Broke Boys No Broke Boys (feat. Disco Lines) 2 On I'm Every Woman Remix (feat. TOKiMONSTA) Sativa Happiness Over Everything Post to Be Pussy Fairy Christina Aguilera 25th Anniversary Performance

I Stayed 10 Years to Prove I Was Good Enough (Part 1)

At 25 years old, I was the lead engineer responsible for compressed air systems on nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. I had a security clearance, a government pension, and the kind of career people spend decades trying to get. So why did I spend years convinced I wasn't good enough? In this episode, I'm sharing the story of the ten years I spent in defense engineering, from being handed major responsibility far too early, to a career-defining meeting that left me questioning my worth, to the health crisis that finally forced me to reconsider everything. We talk about: Being promoted without a pay increase and real support Workplace cultures that mistake criticism for mentorship The hidden psychology behind staying to "prove yourself" How imposter syndrome keeps talented people stuck The physical toll of chronic workplace stress The moment I realized I was allowed to leave How I ultimately reinvented my career and landed in pharma I also reflect on Gloria Steinem's passing and the women whose work made careers like mine possible in the first place. If you've ever stayed in a job because you felt like you had something to prove, this episode is for you. #CareerChange #ImposterSyndrome #BurnoutRecovery #WomenInEngineering #CareerDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #ProfessionalGrowth

Women in Engineering: Quitting Defense for Pharma & The Full Unhinged Exit Interview (FBF)

I'm sharing the full, unfiltered story of the exit interview that finally let me say everything I'd been holding back. This episode covers workplace culture in male-dominated industries, engineering burnout, career change from defense to pharma, and the everyday sexism women in STEM face; from being called "sweetheart" during nuclear machinery briefings to watching less-qualified male colleagues get promoted first. In 2023, I left a government defense engineering job - working on nuclear ships, compressed air systems, and high-pressure platforms - for a role in corporate pharma, after being repeatedly promised a promotion that never came. This episode breaks down what actually happened in that final exit interview: the receipts on cost savings and team output, the double standards in pay grade and recognition, and the moment my boss's boss got emotional hearing it all laid out. Topics covered in this episode include: Women in engineering and STEM workplace culture Government to private sector career transition (defense to pharma) Engineering burnout and unsustainable workloads Gender bias and microaggressions in male-dominated workplaces How to prepare for and navigate a real exit interview Diversity and inclusion gaps in leadership Career change stories in tech and engineering If you've ever been underestimated, overworked, or stuck in an environment where "diversity" means being allowed to speak first in a meeting, this one's for you. It's a reminder that leaving a job that doesn't value you isn't failure - it's one of the smartest engineering decisions you can make. New episodes drop Mondays & Thursdays - subscribe for more real, unfiltered stories from women navigating engineering, STEM careers, and workplace culture. IG: @shesbeenthroughsomeshit

MBA Graduation Is Getting Real, Letting Go of Perfectionism, Puppy Milestones & Life Outside Work

MBA graduation is finally around the corner; a health wake-up call forced me to slow down, and my German Shepherd puppy hit a milestone I'll never forget. In this episode of Off the Clock, the lifestyle podcast about personal growth, work-life balance, career development, and life outside the office, I'm sharing a week that was part chaotic, part funny, and unexpectedly meaningful. We talk about: 🎓 MBA Graduation & Student Life How graduation suddenly feels real Navigating the final stretch of an MBA program Why progress matters more than perfection 💡 Personal Growth & Perfectionism Learning to let go of unrealistic expectations Building confidence through consistency Embracing growth instead of chasing perfection 💧 Health & Wellness The migraine that forced me to listen to my body Simple wellness habits that made a bigger difference than expected Why small health changes often have the biggest impact 🐾 German Shepherd Puppy Life Puppy milestones and early training experiences A memorable 4 a.m. bonding moment The joys and challenges of raising a young dog 📺 TV & Streaming Recommendations The Netflix crime thriller that completely took over my week Why powerful storytelling keeps us emotionally invested Honest binge-watch thoughts and recommendations If you're balancing graduate school, career goals, personal growth, wellness, or simply trying to enjoy life's messy in-between moments, this episode is for you. Topics covered: MBA life, graduate school, personal development, perfectionism, work-life balance, career growth, wellness habits, healthy routines, puppy training, German Shepherd ownership, Netflix recommendations, productivity, and intentional living. Follow Off the Clock for weekly conversations about career, life transitions, personal growth, wellness, and everything that happens after the workday ends.

The Fear of Being Disliked: People-Pleasing, Approval & Authenticity

Have you ever replayed a text for hours because someone's reply felt "off"? A period instead of an exclamation point. A joke that didn't land. And suddenly your brain has built an entire case for why they secretly hate you. If that sounds familiar - welcome. You're among friends. This episode of Off the Clock is a deep, honest look at people-pleasing: why it's rarely about kindness and almost always rooted in fear - fear of rejection, fear of conflict, fear of disappointing people, fear of not being enough. 🧠 Where It Starts: We trace people-pleasing back to childhood - the quiet stories we tell ourselves at six years old that end up shaping our behavior for decades. 👩‍🎓 The "Cool Girl" Era: College, and the art of pretending to have no needs so no one can reject you for having them. 👷‍♀️ Woman in Engineering: Entering a male-dominated field where being liked and being respected get tangled together - and what tradespeople (operators, electricians, welders, pipefitters) taught me about earning real credibility through listening instead of proving. 😰 Anxiety & Appearances: The quiet exhaustion of trying to look put-together, and why authenticity is a harder - and far more rewarding - standard than being liked ever was. In this episode: ✅ Why the fear of being disliked isn't the same as wanting to be liked ✅ How childhood shapes adult people-pleasing patterns ✅ The "cool girl" trap - abandoning your needs before anyone can reject you ✅ Earning credibility and respect as a woman in engineering ✅ What tradespeople taught me about trust and listening ✅ Why anxiety often hides behind a confident exterior ✅ The real difference between being liked and being accepted ✅ Letting go of approval-seeking to choose authenticity instead Chapters: Intro: The Three-Word Email That Ruined Your Afternoon; The Fear of Being Disliked; Where It Started: Childhood, Family, and the Stories We Make Up; The Cool Girl Era: College and Abandoning Your Own Needs; The Engineer Version of People-Pleasing; What Tradespeople Taught Me About Respect; The Need to Belong; Anxiety and Looking Put Together; Conclusion: Being Liked vs. Being Accepted Off the Clock is a mental health and personal growth podcast about the honest stuff so many of us live with but rarely say out loud: self-doubt, career challenges, confidence struggles, and the messy middle of growth. No perfect answers here - just a reminder that you're not navigating this alone. New episodes weekly. If this one resonated, follow Off the Clock on Spotify and YouTube, and leave a rating or review - it genuinely helps new listeners discover the show. If there's a woman in STEM, a friend, or a coworker who needs this today, send it their way. You do not need to be everyone's favorite person. You need to be yourself. That is more than enough. 🎧 Coming up: Switching industries & don't miss Thursday's Off the Clock bonus episode. #PeoplePleasing #WomenInSTEM #WomenInEngineering #Authenticity #SelfWorth #PersonalGrowth #Confidence #Boundaries #ImposterSyndrome #MentalHealthPodcast #OffTheClockPodcast #SelfDoubt #CareerGrowth

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