Squiggly Careers
The Squiggly Career
Squiggly Careers is a weekly podcast that will help you take control of your career development. Hosted by the founders of Amazing If (https://www.amazingif.com/), Sarah Ellis and Helen Tupper, together they cover all things work: from how to manage stress and overcome your confidence gremlins to micro-aggressions and discovering your strengths. Each episode is full of ideas, actions, hints, and tips that you can put into practice straight away. Every so often they take a break from talking to each other to interview other people who are leading the way in making work better. Past guests include entrepreneur and philanthropist Dame Stephanie Shirley, author of The Joy of Work Bruce Daisley, and neuroscience expert Amy Brann. The Squiggly Careers podcast has been recommended by Harvard Business Review, Stylist, Marie Claire and Management Today.For more ideas, tools and inspiration every week, you can also sign up to their newsletter Squiggly Careers in Action. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 16, 2025 • 46min
End of Year Review: What Our Highs & Lows Taught Us In 2025
Join Helen and Sarah as they reflect on their highs and lows from the past year using the intriguing high-low learning framework. They share memorable moments, including a successful planning retreat and some challenging days marked by illness and tech troubles. Discover their wins from local meetups and the lessons learned from failed LinkedIn posts. As they look ahead, they anticipate exciting new projects and confront recurring frustrations, offering practical tips to help listeners close the year with clarity and intention.
4 snips
Dec 11, 2025 • 6min
Squiggly Shortcut: How to Feel More in Control of Your Career (Even in Uncertain Times)
Navigating your career can feel daunting in a world full of uncertainty. Discover how to declutter your mind and gain clarity by sharing your thoughts with others. Learn a prioritization technique called the Bird and the Worm to balance your immediate actions with long-term goals. Creating a vision board can visualize your ambitions, aligning your choices with your life aspirations. Plus, engage in curious conversations with those in roles you aspire to for valuable insights and direction.
8 snips
Dec 9, 2025 • 28min
How to Reduce Work Stress and Anxiety With Simple Breathing Techniques
Feeling overwhelmed at work? Discover how simple breathing techniques can help you regain calm and focus amidst the chaos. Learn about the powerful effects of breath on stress and emotional control. Dive into practical methods for racing minds, emotional moments, and energizing breath routines. Hear insights on nasal breathing and even how AI can customize quick breathing exercises for you. Get ready to breathe better and tackle your workday with newfound clarity!
10 snips
Dec 4, 2025 • 6min
Squiggly Shortcut: How To Move From Complexity To Clarity
Feeling overwhelmed at work? Discover strategies to clear mental clutter and regain control. Learn the bird-and-worm prioritization technique to balance long-term goals with immediate tasks. Explore the benefits of mind mapping for organizing thoughts. Sharing your challenges, whether with a colleague or AI, can lead to fresh insights. Dive into practical tips to reduce complexity and build confidence as you navigate your career journey.
9 snips
Dec 2, 2025 • 24min
3 Hard Work Conversations & How To Handle Each One with Confidence
Join Amy Gallo, a journalist known for her expertise in workplace conflict, Celeste Headlee, a communication strategist, and Dr. Sunita Sah, a researcher on ethical leadership, as they tackle the art of difficult conversations. They discuss transforming irritation into curiosity and using affirmations to stay grounded. Gallo highlights preempting team conflict, while Headlee shares strategies to counter defensiveness. Sah introduces a framework for speaking up that aligns with personal values, empowering listeners to navigate tensions confidently.
12 snips
Nov 27, 2025 • 6min
Squiggly Shortcut: Discover Hidden Career Opportunities in 5 Minutes a Day
Discover how just five minutes a day can spark significant career growth. Learn to reflect on daily successes to combat self-doubt and build confidence. Explore the power of weekly reviews to pinpoint improvements. Foster a culture of learning by setting team goals. Uncover your strengths by seeking feedback from colleagues. Finally, embrace 'active rest' with creative breaks to enhance resilience and sustain your learning journey. Quick tips that can transform your career without heavy time commitments!
26 snips
Nov 25, 2025 • 39min
The Power of Mattering: How to Feel Valued and Valuable in Your Career
Explore the transformative concept of mattering at work, distinguishing it from mere belonging. Discover how feeling valued boosts motivation and wellbeing. Delve into striking statistics showing many employees feel invisible and how personal moments can shape our sense of significance. Learn three key ingredients that foster mattering: noticing, affirmation, and being needed. Plus, uncover practical actions to help colleagues feel appreciated without pressure. Small gestures can lead to big shifts in workplace dynamics!
11 snips
Nov 20, 2025 • 6min
Squiggly Shortcut: Why We Need To Ban The Word Busy
Exploring the pitfalls of the word 'busy,' the discussion highlights how vague language can cloud clarity and hinder progress. By choosing specific words like 'progress' or 'overloaded,' individuals can better coach themselves toward meaningful actions. Practical tips are shared to turn feelings of overwhelm into clear, actionable steps, including prioritization techniques and the power of intentional language. Emphasizing the importance of reflection, listeners are encouraged to transform their work weeks for the better.
16 snips
Nov 18, 2025 • 31min
7 Types of Rest to Recharge and Do Your Best at Work
Exploring the seven types of rest can transform your work life! Discover how physical, mental, sensory, and creative rest can rejuvenate you. The hosts share personal stories of rest gaps and creative fatigue. Learn how AI can generate a tailored rest profile, revealing surprising insights. Get practical tips for building small, sustainable rituals into your routine and encouraging team discussions on rest. It's all about identifying what you need to recharge and thrive!
7 snips
Nov 13, 2025 • 6min
Squiggly Shortcut: How To Be a Speed Learner in 5 Minutes
Discover how to accelerate your learning at work with five practical strategies. Learn the vital difference between speed and slow learning for busy professionals. Gain instant inspiration through curated content and quick feedback techniques. Use curious questions to tap into insights from colleagues and embrace everyday experiments as learning opportunities. Enhance your interactions with real-time reflection to improve communication skills. Stay curious and keep growing, even in a fast-paced environment!
