Weekender #177

📊 TA team’s go-to guide for effortless project management with monday.com.

🤖 This beginner’s guide to ChatGPT makes it easy to dive into AI.

💼 Work-life balance lessons from eight inspiring women.

🛡️ Stay safe on solo trips with these 14 must-have safety items.

March is Women’s History Month, a time to reflect on the trailblazing women who have shaped our world. But while we honor the past, we also want to celebrate the women who are inspiring us right now. From reality TV stars to activists, political leaders to fictional icons, these are the women who remind us to be bold, resilient, and unapologetically ourselves.

Here’s who’s been on our minds lately:

Joanna: Kellie Gerardi — Blasting Through Barriers 🚀

I love following Kellie Gerardi on IG—she’s making space history! What’s not to love? I really admire how she’s built a massive social following, and despite the inevitable haters, she carries herself with grace, intelligence, and unwavering confidence. (I, on the other hand, love when she puts her haters on blast 🤭.)

Kellie isn’t just an astronaut; she’s a storyteller, a boundary-pusher, and a role model for young girls beyond STEM. She doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff either. She recently shared her IVF journey (and unfortunate loss), opening up about a topic that’s still too often whispered about. She makes it clear that ambition and vulnerability can coexist and that going after your dreams—whether in science, motherhood, or life—is always worth it, even when it’s scary.

She’s living proof that women don’t have to fit into a single mold. You can be a scientist and a content creator, a space explorer and a mom, a leader and still figuring things out. Watching her navigate it all makes me feel like I can chase my own big, bold goals—no matter how out-of-this-world they seem. (Oh, and we’re the same age!)

Cameron: Michelle Obama – Power, Poise, and Purpose

Michelle Obama has always been an inspiration to me—graceful yet bold, intelligent yet deeply relatable. From her time as First Lady to her work as an advocate, speaker, and author, she has continually shown what it means to lead with both strength and compassion.

I wasn’t old enough to fully grasp the depth of her impact while she was in the White House, but reading Becoming changed that. Her journey—from growing up on the South Side of Chicago to breaking barriers at Princeton and Harvard—resonated deeply. She has championed education for girls, supported military families, and made healthy living a national conversation.

And let’s talk about that moment—the “when they go low, we go high” speech? Chills. Every. Time.

Michelle Obama proves that you can be powerful and kind, outspoken and elegant. She inspires me to stand up for what I believe in, lead with confidence, and always keep pushing forward, no matter the obstacles.

Thania: Lindsay Hubbard – Reality TV Resilience

Okay, so maybe it’s no shocker that my pick is a reality TV star. But hear me out—Lindsay Hubbard from Summer House has shown a level of strength and vulnerability that’s hard to come by, especially under the intense glare of reality TV cameras.

Lindsay and her fiancé, Carl, had a picture-perfect best friends to lovers story that completely unraveled in front of America. Two months before their wedding, he blindsided her by calling off their engagement—on camera. It’s bad enough going through a painful breakup, but to do it publicly, in a documentary-style setting, where every raw moment is scrutinized? Brutal.

What struck me was how she handled it. Lindsay didn’t retreat, didn’t let humiliation consume her—she showed up. She was honest about her pain, shared her healing process with the world, and ultimately came out the other side stronger. A year later, she’s in a new relationship, a new mom, and proving that things fall apart so better things can come together. Watching her navigate heartbreak with grace and resilience reminded me that sometimes, the hardest moments shape us into the people we’re meant to become.

Kristel: Malala Yousafzai – Fearless Advocate for Education

I first stumbled across Malala Yousafzai when I read I Am Malala, and it changed my perspective on courage.

Malala was just a girl in Pakistan who wanted an education, but in standing up for that right, she became a global force for change. After surviving a Taliban attack at 15, she didn’t retreat—she amplified her voice. Instead of letting fear define her, she turned her survival into a mission, advocating for girls’ education worldwide.

What inspires me most is her unwavering commitment. She could have stepped away, lived a quiet life, but she chose to keep fighting. She’s still traveling to countries where young girls risk everything to go to school, still speaking out against gender apartheid, still reminding us that access to education should never be a privilege—it should be a right.

If Malala can stand up against the odds and keep pushing, I figure I’ve got no excuse not to go after my own dreams with that same fire.

Carri: Carrie Bradshaw – The Fictional Woman Who Made Writing Cool

I know, I know—Carrie Bradshaw isn’t real. But as a writer, she played a major role in shaping my love for storytelling.

Before dating apps and ghosting became part of our everyday lexicon, Carrie was out there chronicling the highs and lows of single life with brutal honesty. She made it okay to put raw, unfiltered emotions onto the page, to write about love and heartbreak without sugarcoating it.

What she taught me is that writing isn’t just about storytelling—it’s about connection. Taking the awkward, painful, hilarious moments of life and turning them into something relatable is an art form. She made writing feel glamorous, even when it was just a girl sitting at her laptop, pouring her heart out.

More than anything, Carrie was a reminder that women’s voices matter. In a world that often tells women to soften their edges, to quiet down, or to be less complicated, she proved that bold, unfiltered storytelling has the power to shape culture. And isn’t that the dream of every writer?

Women’s History Month is a time to honor the past—but it’s also about recognizing the women making history right now. Whether they’re on reality TV, in politics, fighting for change, or even fictional characters who have shaped the way we see the world, women’s stories matter.

Snapchat isn’t just a place for filters and fun; it’s an untapped goldmine for businesses who know where to look. With millions of daily active users—mostly Gen Z and Millennials—Snapchat is a powerhouse in the advertising world, and if your business isn’t already there, you’re watching your competition rise while you’re stuck in the slow lane.

Here’s the kicker: Snapchat users aren’t just scrolling—they’re engaging. Opening the app an average of 40 times a day, your ad has multiple chances to hit them. Whether it’s immersive full-screen ads, snappy story placements, or native ads that blend seamlessly into their feeds, Snapchat guarantees your brand will be remembered.

What’s even better? Snapchat ads deliver results. We’re talking higher ROI, lower costs, and direct access to the youngest, most spend-happy generation. Snap’s ad platform isn’t just about brand awareness—it’s about turning that awareness into action.

Need more convincing? With Snapchat’s Snap Pixel, you can track exactly how your ads are performing, optimize in real-time, and watch as your leads and sales grow. But don’t wait too long to jump in—the longer you delay, the more market share you’re handing over to your competitors.

❗ Here’s a no-brainer: Spend $350, get $375 in ad credits. No risk, just rewards.

If you’re serious about growth, the clock’s ticking. Stop waiting. Start advertising.

📚 Read: The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins

This empowering book explores the concept of letting go—of control, expectations, and the need to force outcomes. Mel Robbins and her daughter Sawyer deliver a refreshing perspective on embracing what’s meant for you by simply allowing things (and people) to be. A thought-provoking read for anyone seeking more peace and clarity in life.

📺 Watch: Paradise

Set in an exclusive, seemingly idyllic community for the world’s elite, Paradise takes a thrilling turn when a shocking murder disrupts the tranquility. As investigators uncover secrets beneath the surface, alliances shift, and the true nature of this utopia is called into question. With a star-studded cast, including Sterling K. Brown and James Marsden, this gripping Hulu original blends mystery, drama, and high-stakes intrigue.

🎧 Listen: We’re Your Girls (Podcast)

Hosted by former Miss New York Taryn Delanie Smith and her bestie Tiffani Charisse, We’re Your Girls is the ultimate comedy podcast filled with real talk, hilarious shenanigans, and heartwarming sisterhood. Tune in every Friday night as they dive into life, love, and all the messy, magical moments in between—because finding your ride-or-die crew is what it’s all about. Grab your favorite drink, hit play, and get ready to laugh until you cry.

Managing HR tasks like time-off approvals, onboarding, and payroll is exhausting. Add IT issues, compliance requirements, and global payroll headaches to the mix, and it’s no surprise you’re feeling overwhelmed.

Rippling integrates HR, IT, and payroll into one seamless system that will help you reclaim your workday.

Here’s how Rippling helps you:

• Simplify Admin Tasks: Automate benefits enrollment, device management, and compliance in just a few clicks.
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Why Rippling is worth exploring:

• One Dashboard: Access all HR, IT, and payroll needs in one place—no more juggling multiple platforms.
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• Powerful Automation: Automate everything from onboarding to offboarding, so you can focus on what matters most.

Learn about Rippling today and get a $100 gift card.

Tater Tot, the 9-year-old English Bulldog, is a true character. His favorite pastime? Falling asleep in the most bizarre positions. Forget the classic dog bed—Tater Tot prefers to snooze on his back and with his tongue out, like a cozy potato. But Tater Tot isn’t just a sleepy spud. He’s a big fan of sunbathing and soaking up rays.

And napping? Yes, Tater Tot invented it. He naps and wakes up, only to promptly doze off again. Lastly, Tater Tot has a coconut obsession and has reached expert level of cracking them open (spoiler: it’s harder than it looks).

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