
Squiggly Careers
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

5 snips
Apr 10, 2025 • 8min
#474 Squiggly short: How to Increase Your Impact by Understanding Your Boss
Discover the power of understanding your boss to elevate your impact at work. Learn how to analyze your manager's motivations and communication style for better collaboration. This episode shares practical strategies to improve workplace relationships and enhance feedback loops. Transform the traditional hierarchy into a peer-like dynamic for a more productive environment. Gain insights on adapting your approach to meet your manager’s preferences and boost your career growth!

6 snips
Apr 8, 2025 • 26min
#473 Why Understanding Your Manager Matters For Career Growth
Understanding what drives your manager can significantly boost your career trajectory. The hosts discuss how to profile your manager's style and needs, fostering empathy and strategic communication. They share practical tips for aligning your goals with those of your manager, enhancing job satisfaction and development. By reflecting on your own successes and embracing open communication, you can build stronger relationships and enhance workplace dynamics, paving the way for greater career possibilities.

Apr 3, 2025 • 6min
#472 Squiggly short: If You're Navigating A Toxic Workplace, Try This.
Explore practical tips for coping in a toxic work environment. Discover strategies to minimize stress and find energizers outside of your job. Learn how to take control of your situation and seek support from your community. Build resilience through personal hobbies and mentorship. Empower yourself to navigate even the toughest workplace challenges with confidence and mental clarity.

Apr 1, 2025 • 29min
#471 How To Cope And Stay Confident When Work Gets Toxic
Explore the staggering reality that 1 in 10 people face toxic work environments. Discover the dynamics behind these cultures and hear personal stories that highlight the importance of psychological safety. Learn practical strategies to maintain confidence and motivation, including the power of hobbies as a remedy. Gain insights into building resilience through positive connections and self-care. This conversation dives into actionable tips for documenting experiences and navigating challenges, empowering you to reclaim control over your professional life.

Mar 27, 2025 • 7min
#470 Squiggly Short: Why ‘Finding Your Purpose’ Might Be Holding You Back
Searching for your purpose may be hindering your career growth. Instead, focusing on purposeful work can offer greater flexibility and fulfillment. The hosts present tools to help you define what meaningful work looks like for you, relieving the pressure to have everything figured out. They discuss the importance of a personal approach to workplace purpose, emphasizing individual strengths and values. Reflecting on the impact you want to have in your career can guide your decisions and motivations.

14 snips
Mar 25, 2025 • 22min
#469 Do You Need To Have A Purpose At Work?
Feeling pressured to discover a purpose at work? The hosts tackle the complexity of finding true motivation amidst squiggly career paths. They discuss the difference between having a purpose and feeling purposeful, emphasizing daily engagement over lofty ideals. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on personal values and strengths to carve out their unique career sweet spot. Practical tips like energy audits and feedback solicitation are shared to help identify what truly energizes you. Dive into a journey of self-discovery and career clarity!

Mar 20, 2025 • 7min
#468 Squiggly Short: The Surprising Benefits of Staying Put for Career Growth
In this short, Helen and Sarah are talking about how staying in your role can be really good for your growth. Very often in careers we’re given this narrative that up is the only way, success is about seniority and that we should all be thinking about our next step. This can create a lot of pressure for your progression, particularly if you’re thinking “I like the job that I do and I just want to do more of what I enjoy”. Listen to learn 3 ideas for action to help you grow in your current role.For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email helenandsarah@squigglycareers.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SquigglyCareersMore ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:1. Download our free careers tools https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/2. Sign-up for our Squiggly Careers Skills Sprint https://bit.ly/skillssprint20243. Sign up for Squiggly Careers in Action, a weekly summary of the latest squiggly career tools: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction4. Read our books ‘The Squiggly Career’ and ‘You Coach You’ [www.amazingif.com/books/](http://www.amazingif.com/books/) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 snips
Mar 18, 2025 • 27min
#467 Pressure to Progress? Why Staying Where You Are Is Good For Career Growth
Feeling pressured to climb the career ladder? Discover why staying put can be your secret weapon for growth. Success doesn’t always mean rising through ranks; sometimes, it’s about making an impact in your current role. Learn how job crafting can transform your position and why mentoring others enriches your own skills. Embrace the idea that fulfillment comes from within and find satisfaction without the constant chase for promotions. Redefine your career success and thrive right where you are!

Mar 11, 2025 • 34min
#466 How to focus on outcomes to reduce overwhelm
Feeling overwhelmed is something most of us have experienced. Too many meetings, tasks, and requests—paired with too little time, clarity, and control—can make work feel unmanageable.In this episode, Helen and Sarah share three practical actions to help you regain focus and reduce overwhelm.They explore how shifting your mindset from tasks to outcomes can bring clarity, help you prioritise what truly matters, and create a greater sense of control in your work.For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email helenandsarah@squigglycareers.com More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:1. Download our free careers tools https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/ 2. Sign-up for our Squiggly Careers Skills Sprint https://bit.ly/skillssprint20243. Sign up for PodMail, a weekly summary of the latest squiggly career tools: https://bit.ly/sc-podmail4. Read our books ‘The Squiggly Career’ and ‘You Coach You’ www.amazingif.com/books/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 7, 2025 • 35min
#465 Career Continuers: how to relook at retirement and develop career longevity
This is the fifth and final episode of the Squiggly Career Stage Series – 5 days of podcast episodes and practical tools to help you succeed in your career. We’ve focused on 5 stages where we know people need some extra squiggly support and in today’s episode we’re looking at Squiggly Career Continuers, to help people relook at retirement and develop career longevity. Sarah and Helen share their insights on continuing your career into later life and talk to two people to learn from their expertise; Avivah Wittenberg-Cox a thought leader specialising in gender and generational balance and Andrew Aitken, Economist at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. You can download the free Career Stage Guide to support this episode here https://www.amazingif.com/listen/career-continuers For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email helenandsarah@squigglycareers.com More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers:1. Download our free careers tools https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/ 2. Sign-up for our Squiggly Careers Skills Sprint https://bit.ly/skillssprint20243. Sign up for PodMail, a weekly summary of the latest squiggly career tools: https://bit.ly/sc-podmail4. Read our books ‘The Squiggly Career’ and ‘You Coach You’ www.amazingif.com/books/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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