Your Inner Voice Might Be a Jerk

Your Inner Voice Might Be a Jerk: Supporting Women in the Workplace Webinar Recap
Recap of Lunch and Learn webinar hosted by Claudia St. John, May 2025

Women of Flexo kicked off its new Lunch & Learn season with an energizing session led by Claudia St. John, founder and CEO of The Workplace Advisors. In a time of high stress, uncertainty, and evolving workplace dynamics, Claudia delivered an empowering message: women can take small, meaningful steps to support their own mental health, advocate for better workplace practices, and show each other grace along the way.

The Current Climate: Frozen Labor and Rising Stress
In today’s workplace, conflict is up, engagement is down, and employees are tired – especially women. While 59% of workers report “quiet quitting,” 51% are actively job hunting, and women disproportionately carry the weight of caregiving, workplace stress, and invisible responsibilities. The rollback of remote work and pandemic-era flexibility has his working women particularly hard because women often shoulder the bulk of domestic responsibilities.In male-dominated industries like flexographic printing, the challenge is further compounded by limited mentorship and representation in leadership.

“Women are trying to turn off stress when the job is over,” Claudia noted, “but only 37% feel they can.”

The Internal Dialogue: Your Inner Voice Might Be a Jerk
Perhaps the most resonant moment of the session came when Claudia turned inward, encouraging attendees to reflect on their own internal dialogue.

“The stories we tell ourselves about not being good enough, smart enough, strong enough are rarely true,” she said. “Your internal dialogue might be a jerk.”

Claudia urged women to treat themselves with the same kindness they extend to friends or family. “Would you say that to your child or best friend? No. So why say it to yourself?”

Emotional Intelligence: The Secret Weapon
In a world of chronic stress, developing emotional intelligence (EQ) is a powerful tool. Claudia emphasized that emotional intelligence isn’t about suppressing emotions but recognizing and managing them effectively. One of the simplest strategies? Deep breathing.

“Just three deep breaths can calm your nervous system and start clearing your ‘red’ stress response,” she explained.

Claudia cited James Clear’s book Atomic Habits to highlight the value of incremental change. “You don’t have to meditate every day or become a yoga master overnight,” she reassured attendees. “Just start with kindness to yourself. That’s a habit too.”

What Companies Can Do
Claudia also shared practical strategies for businesses:

• Foster a culture of listening and empathy
  
• Provide mental health resources. Not just for employees, but their families
  
• Offer flexible, creative benefits that acknowledge real-life challenges
  
• Encourage involvement in peer networks like Women of Flexo
  

Peer support, Claudia noted, can be just as critical as formal programs.

A Daily Reset
Claudia closed with her personal mantra, the Reiki Prayer, a simple yet powerful reminder to release worry, embrace kindness, and approach each day with gratitude.

“Just for today, I will not worry.
Just for today, I will not be angry.
Just for today, I will be grateful.
Just for today, I will work honestly.
Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing, including myself.”

High Fives All Around
The webinar wrapped with an outpouring of appreciation in the chat and a message that bears repeating: You are enough. Just for today, and every day, celebrate what you did do—not what you didn’t.