We’re told to find our purpose, like it’s hiding somewhere waiting to be discovered. But what if purpose isn’t something you find, it’s something you build?

In this week’s Wisdom Under Fire, Lauren Livak Gilbert and Cara Wood unpack the pressure behind the phrase “find your purpose” and share how their own definitions have evolved over time. From life-changing realizations to small, everyday choices, they explore how purpose can shift with each season of life.

The holidays at the office bring a strange mix of sparkle and strain. One moment you are laughing with coworkers at a team party. The next you are wondering how to set a boundary without feeling like the difficult one. We share the quiet truths about connection at work during a season that can feel louder than usual.

By the end, you might find yourself seeing this time of year a little differently.

Not all power is loud or forceful. In this episode of Unspoken Career Truths, Lauren Livak Gilbert and Cara Wood unpack the underestimated art of soft power—the ability to influence through credibility, connection, and authenticity rather than authority. They explore how emotional intelligence, communication, and presence can drive real impact (and why soft power often fuels the biggest shifts behind the scenes).