I'm Natalie Moore. I fell in love with soap operas when I was just five years old, and I still

watch them. Their television's longest scripted series and have zero reruns. Now let me tell you,

soap operas aren't just some silly art form. They are significant. In this season of making,

Stories Without End from WBEZ Chicago. Join me as I share how the genre

began, their social impact, and why these stories endure. Listen wherever you get your podcast.

From WBEZ Chicago, this is Nerdette. I'm Greta Johnson.

We did it.

We made it to another weekend.

Coming up, we will hear from author and indie bookseller Emma Straub all about her lovely new book this time tomorrow.

How do I tell the truest version of this story?

I can.

Time travel was the way.

It was the way to do it.

But first, we're going to talk about something I think we could all benefit from.

This is a conversation about ambition, success, and embracing mediocrity.

As a young woman breaking into journalism, Emil Niazzi said she had no choice but to be ambitious.

I was living by myself. I was obviously paying all of my own bills and I had a steady job and I didn't have any parental monetary support. I only had my job.

Ambition represented security, an escape hatch from poverty, a career path that would

lead to success and recognition. But like many young women of color in the workplace, Emile was

passed over for jobs that she was qualified for. She felt stuck in these toxic workplaces that

weren't giving her as much money as other less qualified people. As much as I felt like I should, you know, quit my job and I realized that in many ways I was

being exploited and that I, you know, I was never going to advance.

...