Your Career, Your Terms – Ash Ambirge and the Middle Finger Project

With the many changes 2020 brought upon us, I’ve tried looking for a new start and where I want to go in life. I had finally got myself The Middle Finger Project, a book promising to tackle imposter syndrome and help us live a life we want. I read it this year and it’s such a treat. Author Ash Ambirge recounts her life as a follower of expectations, breaking out of the mold, and creating a new career based on her own skills. She is honest and vulgar in her writing and I adore it. It opened my mind on how much the corporate world is changing, but also stagnant. I was blown away at how many of her old beliefs I still hold and feel compelled to start anew. Of course the first step is always the hardest, but Ambirge’s wise words don’t stop at her book. She maintains a blog of the same name to share stories and new sources arriving to help us find our own ways. Ash Ambirge is instantly one of my favorite people now. The Middle Finger Project is available wherever books are sold and new readers are following the blog every day. I’ll be looking to her blog for motivation on my own career goals and I hope you’ll join me too. Let’s start new, innovative career paths together.

Empty Inside – Former Actress Copes with Past Trauma

When an iCarly reboot was announced in Paramount+’s roster, fans were puzzled at the absence of Carly’s best friend, the rowdy rebel Sam Puckett. It turns out Jennette McCurdy, the actress who played Sam in her teens, had a difficult youth as a child actress supporting her large family. This month she formally announced her retirement from acting, with no intention to appear in the new iCarly series. For the past year McCurdy has been vocal about her struggles throughout her career, from eating disorders to harassment on set of some projects. She’s actually more interested in writing and directing. In the meantime, fans can enjoy her content from her YouTube channel and podcast Empty Inside.

Mental health is a heavy subject many have issues with talking about. It’s a treasure to find people open on the topics, from the thoughts we tell ourselves to ways we cope. Jennette McCurdy uses Empty Inside to talk about her own traumas with her guests. She’s invited actress Anna Faris, singer David Archuleta, professor Susan David, and many more who have studied or faced similar struggles as hers. If you’re a fan of McCurdy or are facing your own demons, Empty Inside is a great source to listen to someone who understands and learn better ways to approach our troubles. I know I feel less alone knowing someone I admire has thoughts I can relate to, and take great comfort in learning to heal with her.