In this episode of Ambition 2.0, host Amanda Goetz sits down with Starbucks' Global Chief Brand Officer Tressie Lieberman to talk about the path that led her through some of the biggest brands in marketing (Pizza Hut → Taco Bell → Chipotle → Yahoo → Starbucks), the mentors who changed her trajectory, and the family system that makes it possible: a true partnership where her husband is the stay-at-home parent.

They get tactical about how to divide the cognitive load, why “Sunday check-ins” are a non-negotiable, and how to navigate the social friction that still shows up when you flip traditional gender roles.

In this episode, you’ll learn:


  
How Tressie went from aiming for “the next level” to owning the CMO path—and what made that shift happen



  
Why curiosity (and doing “the little extra things”) is key in your career



  
How to build a partnership that’s equitable, not score-keeping



  
The practical systems that reduce mental load at home



  
How to handle judgment, weird school dynamics, and “default parent” assumptions when dad stays home




If you’re building an ambitious life—and want a relationship that can grow with it—this episode is a must listen.



00:00 Intro

02:53 The mindset shift that set Tressie’s sights beyond “the next level” 

04:02 The mentors who opened doors (including reverse mentoring a CEO)

05:36 How to stand out early: curiosity, doing extra, and teaching what’s next

06:49 Advocating for yourself in executive rooms (and getting over FOE: fear of executives)

09:10 How they chose a stay-at-home partner dynamic

13:59 The at-home teamwork: check-ins, trade-offs, and letting go of perfection and control

17:45 Keeping the marriage strong: date nights, boundaries, and “one blended life”

32:45 Rapid fire: Sunday rituals, go-to Starbucks order, and ideal partnership in one word



GUEST LINKS

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tressielieberman/ 



FOLLOW THE PODCAST

IG: https://www.instagram.com/girlboss/ | TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@girlboss 

Amanda Goetz: https://www.instagram.com/theamandagoetz/ 

https://girlboss.com/pages/ambition-2-0-podcast 



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Subscribe to the Girlboss Daily newsletter: https://newsletter.girlboss.com/ 

For all other Girlboss links: https://linkin.bio/girlboss/ 



ABOUT AMBITION 2.0

Powered by Girlboss, Ambition 2.0 is a podcast where we’ll be exploring what it really means to “have it all” in work, family, identity, and self… and if it’s actually worth it. Each week, you'll hear from hardworking women who’ve walked the tightrope of ambition. They'll share their costly mistakes, lessons learned, and practical tips for how to have it all and actually love what you have.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ambition 2.0

Girlboss

Is Having a Stay-at-Home Husband the Secret to Success? with Tressie Lieberman

DEC 16, 202536 MIN
Ambition 2.0

Is Having a Stay-at-Home Husband the Secret to Success? with Tressie Lieberman

DEC 16, 202536 MIN

Description

In this episode of Ambition 2.0, host Amanda Goetz sits down with Starbucks' Global Chief Brand Officer Tressie Lieberman to talk about the path that led her through some of the biggest brands in marketing (Pizza Hut → Taco Bell → Chipotle → Yahoo → Starbucks), the mentors who changed her trajectory, and the family system that makes it possible: a true partnership where her husband is the stay-at-home parent. They get tactical about how to divide the cognitive load, why “Sunday check-ins” are a non-negotiable, and how to navigate the social friction that still shows up when you flip traditional gender roles. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Tressie went from aiming for “the next level” to owning the CMO path—and what made that shift happen Why curiosity (and doing “the little extra things”) is key in your career How to build a partnership that’s equitable, not score-keeping The practical systems that reduce mental load at home How to handle judgment, weird school dynamics, and “default parent” assumptions when dad stays home If you’re building an ambitious life—and want a relationship that can grow with it—this episode is a must listen. 00:00 Intro 02:53 The mindset shift that set Tressie’s sights beyond “the next level”  04:02 The mentors who opened doors (including reverse mentoring a CEO) 05:36 How to stand out early: curiosity, doing extra, and teaching what’s next 06:49 Advocating for yourself in executive rooms (and getting over FOE: fear of executives) 09:10 How they chose a stay-at-home partner dynamic 13:59 The at-home teamwork: check-ins, trade-offs, and letting go of perfection and control 17:45 Keeping the marriage strong: date nights, boundaries, and “one blended life” 32:45 Rapid fire: Sunday rituals, go-to Starbucks order, and ideal partnership in one word GUEST LINKS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tressielieberman/  FOLLOW THE PODCAST IG: https://www.instagram.com/girlboss/ | TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@girlboss  Amanda Goetz: https://www.instagram.com/theamandagoetz/  https://girlboss.com/pages/ambition-2-0-podcast  SIGN UP Subscribe to the Girlboss Daily newsletter: https://newsletter.girlboss.com/  For all other Girlboss links: https://linkin.bio/girlboss/  ABOUT AMBITION 2.0 Powered by Girlboss, Ambition 2.0 is a podcast where we’ll be exploring what it really means to “have it all” in work, family, identity, and self… and if it’s actually worth it. Each week, you'll hear from hardworking women who’ve walked the tightrope of ambition. They'll share their costly mistakes, lessons learned, and practical tips for how to have it all and actually love what you have. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices