Did you know that when I first started the podcast, I purposely did not include my last name?

It is a really common practice to put your picture and your full name on the podcast’s cover art, but I felt soooo weird and awkward about even just adding on the “Berman” as the creator. Haha. I have come a LONG way.

I actually completely forgot about this. At the time, I couldn't decide if I wanted people to know it was me creating the podcast. Anonymity sounded great…Afterall, there are a million ‘Julies’ in the world.

I was…

• still considering what I wanted to be when I grew up. (I still am.)

• worried about how people might judge me for doing something completely different. What if they thought (or worse said), “How are you going to do this? You have never done it before.”

• worried that I couldn't do it, or that I wouldn't do it well.

I can't remember exactly when, but sometime during that first year (I think! Lol) I did add in my last name so I got credit as the creator, and I started saying my full name during the introduction.

What I've come to realize now is that we all start from the beginning. It is uncomfortable, messy, and brings up a lot of questions about our competence, intelligence, and more.

Our past experiences and education will help us along the way a lot more than we realize.

If we approach something new with a lightness (that I admit can be hard to muster), it allows for more creativity, messiness, iteration, and fun. We will find our way slowly and surely. When you honor and follow your ideas and where you’re curious…without a doubt, it always leads to something. And most often, it leads to something you could have never originally imagined.

Latest WWCJ Guest: Mary Jo Hoffman

Mary Jo Hoffman shares how she found just as much joy solving math problems as a former aeronautical engineer as she does creating her art with found nature now. She realized that both activities allowed her to find and stay in a state of flow. 

Mary Jo Hoffman presents an intriguing, stunning visual alternative to the daily grind through her one-a-day project that turned into a new career in the creative arts.

🌸 More than 12 years after Mary Jo originally committed to a daily art project where she found something in nature that would inspire her and then photograph it, she is still going strong and hasn’t missed a single day.

🌻 She started sharing these images on her blog Still — one image, daily, of gathered natural objects found near her.

🪻She went from sharing her images on her blog, to collaborations with designers, organizations, and companies like: Martha Stewart,  Midwest Living, the Scottish National Opera, Target Corporation, West Elm, and Better Homes & Gardens.

Mary Jo’s unique career journey shows that we can be epically talented in completely different areas, which just makes me happy and hopeful.

Because a picture is worth a thousand words, I highly encourage you to listen to this episode of “Women with Cool Jobs” first and then go check out her artwork (linked above or in the podcast show notes.) Her work is incredible!

Listen to her on the latest episode of “Women with Cool Jobs”!

CLICK the picture below to listen!

Did you know…? Women who inspired ‘Rosie the Riveter’ were recently honored for service during WWII (80 years later!)

In April 2024, around 30 women got to represent the millions of Rosie the Riveters at the United States Capitol, where they received the congressional gold medal, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors.

You may ask, who is Rosie the Riveter?

During World War II, six million women went into factories and shipyards while men were fighting overseas or serving in other critical jobs in the armed forces. These women filled the jobs that men had left, and they became icons of female empowerment known as ‘Rosie the Riveter.'

CLICK the picture below to watch the coverage on PBS News Hour!

Books I’m Reading: Be Seen by Jen Gottlieb

I absolutely have loved reading Jen Gottlieb's book Be Seen! I am two thirds of the way through, and Jen has managed to entertain while also really making me consider new ways I can show up in the world.

I'm on a journey to being more visible, and I love the stories and super practical tactics and advice she provides. They feel so doable and she walks you through step by step.

This quote in the photo below is such a great example of her funny, brilliant advice. She shares a key reframe for how we can take action when we’re scared, which she based off of Elizabeth Gilbert's original idea in the book Big Magic of taking a road trip with your fear. Fear does not get to sit in the driver seat!

Also, yes, I am one of those people who highlights and writes notes when I read books. Anyone else do this? = )

About “Women with Cool Jobs”

The “Women with Cool Jobs” Podcast started because I (Julie Berman) have always been really curious about the work that people do — not just in knowing the basics like your title, at ABC company, in XYZ industry — but in going DEEP. I want to know the nitty, gritty details and hear the stories of these incredible, inspiring women!

The cool (and ironic) thing about all this is that I ended up creating my OWN cool job all because I'm interested in women and THEIR cool jobs. It’s crazy how things happen.

It’s Only The Beginning…

Thank you so much for being part of the “Women with Cool Jobs” movement — where you get to learn about and learn from real women with really cool jobs!!

Best,

Julie Berman,

Host & Producer of “Women with Cool Jobs”

P.S.S. Stay connected with me on social media (links below) to see what I’m up to between newsletters. = ) If you're loving the podcast or inspired by what I share, please tag me and I will share it out!!