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Welcome back to the Communications Business Advisor podcast. In this solo episode, Tara shares an update, perspective, and invitation. Because right now, if there's one way to describe the collective experience of communications leaders, it's this … it's a lot.
The world feels heavy. The mental swivel factor is high. We are absorbing headlines, advising executives, managing reputational risk, running teams, parenting, partnering, and trying to remain reasonably stable humans.
Tara shares a personal story about a crisis in her own family that revealed something important about high-functioning leaders: when things get overwhelming, many of us isolate. We narrow the world. We close ranks. We "handle it."
But while isolation can often feel like control, it actually makes the load heavier.
And for women in communications leadership, that isolation is frequently normalized.
This episode explores why connection, not withdrawal, is what allows us to move forward.
In this episode, Tara explores:- The "mental swivel" reality of modern communications leadership
- Why high-functioning women default to isolation during crisis
- The difference between professional processing and emotional processing
- How isolation slowly becomes normalized in leadership roles
- Why communications leadership is uniquely heavy right now
- The cost of carrying complexity alone
- Why connection is not weakness, but a leadership strategy
- How peer spaces reduce the invisible weight of this work
- What authentic leadership looks like during polarized and uncertain times
Tara also shares an update on the Raise the Tide ecosystem and why it exists — not as generic professional development, but as intentional connection and growth for women in communications leadership and emerging leadership..
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Shoreline: The brand new, Raise the Tide community space for connection and ongoing growth in any location or professional environment (agency, consultant, in-house, non-profit). For listeners interested in exploring Shoreline, Tara shares a limited-time discount code for early members (code: NEWCREW)
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Surge: The deeper, more intensive leadership experience for in-house women leaders and emerging leaders with coaching, mentorship, and an in-person retreat. After the upcoming April retreat, Surge membership will close for at least six months to allow the group to deepen.
Learn more at raisethetide.com.
Visit taramcdonagh.com to learn more about working with Tara or sign up for her newsletter on advancing as a Communications Business Advisor:, Level Up: Be Extra and her Raise the Tide™ emails for women in the field Raise the Tide emails for women in the field.
Until next time, keep advising. Always keep advising.
