Favourite Positions

Alex
  • 5.0 (7)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Work has changed and so should the way we think about it. Favourite Positions explores modern careers, leadership and human skills so you can move forward with intention and confidence.  Hosted by Alex Young, the podcast brings honest, thoughtful conversations with founders and leaders who are reshaping how work works. From practical career insight to big ideas about purpose and growth, each episode helps you think differently about your next step, whether you’re early in your career, switching paths or leading others. Favourite Positions is part of a broader platform supporting people and organisations to build careers they love and workplaces that empower them. With no fluff, real-world tools and a community of people who value clarity and curiosity, this is your go-to space for inspiring stories and practical guidance.

  1. 7 JAN

    "Nearly 80% of Europeans feel unprepared to find a job in 2026" Charlotte Davies - Global Consumer Communications and Career Expert at LinkedIn

    Nearly 80% of professionals across Europe say they feel unprepared to find a job in 2026. At the same time, almost half are planning to look for a new role this year. In this short, standalone episode of Favourite Positions, Alex Young is joined by LinkedIn Career Expert Charlotte Davies to unpack what’s driving that uncertainty – and what people can do about it. Charlotte shares insights from LinkedIn’s latest research, alongside practical advice on how professionals can build confidence, develop relevant skills and use their networks more intentionally in an increasingly AI-driven and competitive job market. This is a quick, grounding listen for anyone feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to focus their energy right now. What we cover Why so many people feel unprepared for the job market in 2026The two most common mistakes people make when things feel uncertainHow to build confidence with AI without feeling overwhelmedWhy squiggly, non-linear careers are becoming the normWhat Gen Z is doing differently when it comes to skills and valuesSimple ways to use LinkedIn more intentionally and effectivelyOne mindset shift that helps people feel more resilient about their careersHelpful links mentioned in the episode LinkedIn Job Search GuideJob Match – understand how your skills align with rolesAI-powered job search – search for jobs in your own wordsResume Feedback (Premium) – tailored feedback for specific rolesCover Letter Feature (Premium) – draft personalised cover lettersIf this episode resonated, stay tuned – more short, practical conversations are coming soon. Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.

    17 min

  2. 08/09/2025

    Episode 10: Work In Progress - Alex Young

    💬 Summary In this special solo episode of Work in Progress, Alex takes a step back to reflect on the biggest lessons learned so far from the series. Instead of interviewing a guest, this episode brings together the key themes that have emerged from conversations with leaders, entrepreneurs and career shapers about how work is changing and what it takes to thrive today. From the rise of AI and shifting career paths to the importance of personal brand and self-care, Alex shares insights, stories and practical advice to help you future-proof your career. 💡 Takeaways Work is changing faster than ever – AI isn’t replacing jobs, it’s reshaping themDream jobs aren’t found, they’re built through curiosity, experimentation and valuesPersonal brand is career insurance – even one thoughtful post a month builds credibilitySharing your learning journey makes you memorable and trusted, not just your winsCVs, cover letters and interviews still matter, but they need to work harder than everThriving at work comes down to clarity, connection and visibility once you’re in the roleSuccess without self-care doesn’t last – boundaries, routines and rest are strategicThe most future-proof skills remain human: creativity, empathy, adaptability🕒 Chapters Why this episode is different and what it coversThe biggest shifts in work: remote, balance, and AIDiscovering and pursuing your dream job in a non-linear worldBuilding a personal brand that works for you (including Grace’s example)How to strengthen your CV, cover letter and interview performanceThriving once you’ve landed the role: clarity, connection and visibilityBalancing work with self-care to prevent burnoutClosing reflections on the series and what’s coming nextFollow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.

    17 min

  3. 01/09/2025

    Episode 09: Work In Progress - Olly Haddock

    💬 Summary In this episode of Work in Progress, we speak to Olly Haddock – solicitor, innovation specialist at Weightmans and founder of The Careers Edit – about redefining success, building careers that feel authentic and why networking desperately needs a rebrand. Alongside his legal practice, Olly helps lead innovation projects at Weightmans, creating tech-driven solutions to make law more efficient and client-focused. Through The Careers Edit, he’s built a global community of over 50,000 professionals, known for its fresh approach to events that swap stuffy boardrooms for spaces that encourage real conversations and meaningful connections. We explore why pressure can sometimes be a positive driver, how to pivot when a career path isn’t what you expected, and what the happiest professionals Olly meets have in common. Plus, we dig into the myths of networking, the skills we’ll all need in an AI-driven future, and how younger generations are reshaping the world of work. 💡 Takeaways Pressure isn’t always negative – it can push you to achieve your best workNetworking is really just relationship building – and needs a total rebrandThe happiest professionals see work as more than tasks; it’s about experiences and relationshipsEmployers who empower their people to network externally show real confidence and trustBeing honest with yourself about what you actually want is key to defining successEmployee personal branding is becoming as powerful as company brandingAI will reshape roles – curiosity and self-motivated upskilling will be non-negotiable🕒 Chapters 00:00 – Who is Olly Haddock and how does he introduce himself? 01:23 – The story behind starting The Careers Edit 03:51 – Early career plans and the importance of flexibility 06:54 – Questioning the traditional checklist of success 09:23 – Pressure as a motivator and driver of achievement 11:16 – Why some professionals feel unfulfilled despite appearances 12:15 – Backing instincts: moving into innovation in law 16:34 – What the happiest professionals have in common 18:32 – Co-working, connection, and the value of community 19:41 – Why networking needs a rebrand 22:39 – How careers really progress: word of mouth and relationships 24:42 – Unconventional connections that shaped Olly’s career 26:00 – First steps if your job is draining your energy 28:45 – The rise of portfolio careers, purpose, and flexibility 33:39 – The skills we’ll all need in an AI-driven future 35:27 – How the right people around you shape your career 36:50 – What excites Olly about Gen Z in the workplace 39:02 – Personal branding, hustle culture, and side hustles 40:30 – The widening gap between what people want and what companies offer 43:18 – How employers can support people without massive budgets 45:10 – Rethinking education and career guidance from school onwards 47:28 – Imagining the workplace of the future 48:59 – Olly’s one piece of advice for finding or transforming your dream role 🔗 Follow Olly The Careers Edit: https://www.thecareersedit.com/ The Careers Edit Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecareersedit/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-haddock-2b316a106/ Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.

    46 min

  4. 25/08/2025

    Episode 08: Work In Progress - Emilie Lashmar

    💬 Summary In this episode of Work in Progress, we speak to Emilie Lashmar – brand partner, community builder, and Director of GCUC UK – about the evolving world of work, the role of purpose in retention, and how space design shapes culture. With over 15 years’ experience in brand, marketing, and events, and nearly a decade shaping coworking and creative spaces, Emilie shares her take on the future of flexibility, the difference between performative and authentic values, and what younger generations are really looking for in a workplace. We explore how employers can create environments that work for the whole person, why embedding values into daily decisions matters more than a glossy culture deck, and the small but powerful ways workplaces can foster connection. 💡 Takeaways The future of work is about flexibility – in space, culture, and contractsPurpose isn’t a “nice to have” – it’s a driver for retention and trustYounger generations are courageous in asking for more – and employers should listenEmbedding values into daily operations matters more than publishing them on a wallPay transparency attracts the right talent and builds trustSpace design directly impacts culture, wellbeing, and inclusionUnlimited holiday is often overhyped – it can create uncertainty or guiltAccessibility (physical, digital, and neurodivergent) needs more attentionCreating a “whole person” workplace means thinking beyond work to life needsNetworking works best when it’s generous, authentic, and community-led🕒 Chapters 00:00 – Who is Emilie Lashmar and what does she do? 02:14 – From illustration to coworking and community building 06:16 – Why the future of work excites Emilie 07:20 – Four-day week, pay transparency, and purpose-led business 12:39 – The dangers of resisting change 15:42 – How to spot authentic values vs good marketing 18:24 – Purpose as a retention tool in coworking and creative industries 20:26 – A tangible starting point for becoming values-led 21:44 – Shifting expectations around where and how we work 25:27 – What younger generations really want from work 29:55 – Generational shifts in how we think about work-life balance 30:15 – How space design influences culture and wellbeing 31:47 – Workplace trends: what’s overhyped and what’s under-talked about 33:29 – Is there still a gap between what people want and what companies offer? 34:12 – Emilie’s dream workplace of the future 36:54 – Emilie’s advice for finding or transforming your dream role 🔗 Follow Emilie Website: https://www.lashmar.co.uk/ Brighton Creatives: https://www.brightoncreatives.com/ GCUC UK: https://uk.gcuc.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilie-lashmar/ Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.

    37 min

  5. 18/08/2025

    Episode 07: Work In Progress - Solomon Mehta-Slade

    💬 Summary In this episode of Work in Progress, we speak to Solomon Mehta-Slade – creator of Mental Fitness workshops for organisations, coach, and co-founder of The Change:Maker Collective – about building inner stability so you can thrive at work and beyond. Sol explains how his workshops help people build the mental strength and emotional resilience to perform under pressure, recover quickly from setbacks, and collaborate with more ease. He shares how his own mental health challenges led him to reframe wellbeing as “mental fitness” and why self-worth should never be tied to productivity or job titles. We talk about taming and befriending your inner critic, recognising when your sense of value is coming from output, and how community can make change feel less heavy and lonely. Sol also unpacks what employers often get wrong about wellbeing and offers a vision for workplaces where people can bring their whole selves to work. 💡 Takeaways Mental fitness is proactive – it’s about strengthening your mindset, not just reacting when things go wrongSelf-worth is unconditional – it should never depend on your role, output, or recognitionYou can tame your inner critic by noticing it, naming it, and replacing judgement with discernmentBefriending yourself is as important as silencing negative self-talkMicro-moments of presence can reset your mind – you don’t always need long breaksWork can give you meaning, but it’s risky to make it your sole source of identityCommunity helps you realise you’re not alone in your challengesEmployers need to embed wellbeing into culture, not bolt it on as an afterthoughtThe best workplaces create space for people to be human, not just productiveClarity often comes from action – treat roles and career moves as experiments🕒 Chapters 00:00 – Who is Solomon Mehta-Slade and what does he do? 01:28 – From mindfulness to mental fitness 03:47 – How Sol’s own challenges shaped his work 06:26 – Mental health vs mental fitness 09:30 – The self-worth trap at work 11:14 – Taming and befriending your inner critic 15:15 – The role of work in shaping self-worth 19:10 – Signs your self-worth is tied to productivity 22:21 – Finding micro-moments to reset 24:56 – A practical three-step tool to break negative self-talk 27:02 – Why community and connection matter 29:18 – What employers often get wrong about wellbeing 31:28 – Green flags to look for when job hunting 33:47 – Red flags in workplace culture 36:20 – Designing the ideal workplace for mental fitness 39:09 – Quick-fire: book, myth, daily habit, and best advice 43:24 – Advice for finding or transforming your dream role 🔗 Follow Sol Website: https://www.thealtacademy.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/solomon-mehta-slade/ Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.

    42 min

  6. 11/08/2025

    Episode 06: Work In Progress - Austin Okolo

    💬 Summary In this episode, we speak to Austin Okolo – founder of Gen Z Recruits and a leading voice for Gen Z in the world of work – about turning lived experience into lasting impact. Austin shares how his entrepreneurial journey began with selling football boots at school and how it evolved into a mission to fix a broken job market. We talk about building confidence from the ground up, creating opportunities where none exist and why visibility and vulnerability are powerful tools for career growth. Austin opens up about the loneliness of leadership, what most people get wrong about Gen Z and why effort still beats everything else. 💡 Takeaways Your audience might be you – build what you wish you hadConfidence comes from repetition, not personalityGen Z aren’t lazy – they’re just unwilling to settle for outdated normsRecruitment doesn’t have to be transactional – it can be transformationalVisibility leads to opportunity – show up even when you’re nervousDocument your journey, don’t wait to be ‘an expert’Working in isolation can damage your mental health – community mattersPersonal branding works best when it’s grounded in lived experienceEmployers and employees both need to define their non-negotiablesThe future of work needs to include flexibility and connection 🕒 Chapters 00:00 – Who is Austin Okolo and what does he do? 01:43 – From football boots to fashion to founding a business 03:50 – The rise and fall of Clubhouse and building a real-life community 06:16 – Becoming “Mr Gen Z” and launching Gen Z Recruits 08:57 – Why he started a recruitment agency with no corporate background 11:39 – Starting from scratch: mentorship, prep and long-term thinking 13:15 – The real problems Gen Z face in the job market 16:13 – Are Gen Z expectations really that unrealistic? 17:56 – Rethinking traditional work models and expectations 20:43 – Meeting in the middle: flexibility vs reality 22:48 – The hardest part: loneliness as a founder 24:10 – Why we need to build our own communities after school 26:05 – The hidden cost of working from home 28:15 – How Austin got into the media – and why visibility matters 31:04 – Building confidence by doing hard things 33:35 – Personal branding tips for early-career professionals 35:14 – What not to post online (and how to avoid being cringe) 38:13 – Why Austin didn’t post about Coldplay – and how to stay in your lane 41:08 – What’s next for Gen Z Recruits 42:46 – Austin’s signature advice: reverse engineer your dream role 44:31 – Where to find Austin online 🔗 Follow Austin LinkedIn – Austin Okolo Instagram – @austinokoloo TikTok – @austinokoloo Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.

    43 min

  7. 04/08/2025

    Episode 05: Work In Progress - Hannah Sosovicka

    💬 Summary In this episode, we speak to Hannah Sosa – founder of Subtle Series and host of the Awfully Quiet podcast – about redefining career progression for quietly ambitious people. Hannah shares the inspiration behind her unique career platform, how she balances a full-time corporate career with building her own business, and why she believes introspection is an underrated leadership trait. We discuss everything from self-expression to personal branding, from building networks that work for introverts to why sustainable success starts with tuning into yourself. 💡 Takeaways Quiet ambition is still ambition – it just looks differentClarity is the foundation of confident self-expressionYou don’t need to perform your ambition to be seenPersonal branding isn’t about being loud – it’s about being rememberedProgression is easier when you leave breadcrumbs along the wayBeing an advocate for yourself starts with small, consistent winsBalance can mean different things in different seasonsIntrospective leadership is a strength, not a limitationAsking the right questions builds deeper team connectionsCareers of the future must allow room for personality diversity 🕒 Chapters 00:00 – Welcome, Hannah! What she does and why she does it 02:44 – The career path that led to Subtle Series 04:52 – Early iterations and finding her audience 05:38 – Balancing corporate life and building a brand 08:25 – What does it mean to be quietly ambitious? 10:19 – Do quieter people avoid leadership roles? 12:00 – Platforming different paths to success 12:57 – Creating a brand that feels calm yet confident 15:27 – Reimagining career learning experiences 16:39 – The transformation Hannah wants for her audience 18:36 – Why clarity must come before action 21:15 – How to build visibility in your own way 23:08 – Demonstrating value without feeling salesy 26:48 – Don’t wait for your manager to do the work 28:41 – Rethinking the ‘rules’ of workplace success 30:51 – Building a personal brand without performing 34:08 – What the future of work could look like 37:14 – What sustainable success means to Hannah 39:22 – How to manage and empower quieter team members 41:13 – Why we all need regular 1:1s with ourselves 44:00 – Closing reflections 🔗 Follow Hannah https://www.instagram.com/subtleseries/ https://www.subtleseries.com/ https://www.instagram.com/awfullyquietpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/@Hannah-Sosa Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.

    42 min

  8. 28/07/2025

    Episode 04: Work In Progress - Joseph Liu

    💬 Summary In this episode, we speak to Joseph Liu – career consultant, speaker and host of Career Relaunch – about what it really takes to pivot your career, build a personal brand that feels authentic and find confidence through action. Joseph shares the journey from med school dropout to global speaker, brand strategist and coach. He talks about how to build a narrative that supports your next move, why networking is your most powerful tool in a career shift and how your digital first impression speaks volumes. This episode is packed with practical tools and empowering advice for anyone considering a new chapter. 💡 Takeaways Personal branding is about clarity, not self-promotionConfidence doesn’t come before action – it grows through doingEvery interaction reinforces or dilutes your personal brandYour narrative needs to convince you first – then othersConsistency across your LinkedIn is more powerful than volumeStanding tall can change how you feelStart networking before you need anythingGood outreach is tailored outreachHosting mindset = powerful at eventsYour first impression is usually digital – make it count 🔥 Favourite Soundbites “The first person you need to convince is yourself” “Everything you do reinforces or dilutes your brand” “You won’t be worse off for introducing yourself” “Confidence is a muscle – you build it by doing” “Most jobs aren’t advertised – networking is the key” 🔗 Resources + Recommendations Joseph’s website: josephliu.coJoseph’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephpliu/Career Relaunch podcast: careerrelaunch.netBook: ABCs of Networking by Thom SingerTED Talk: What’s the Work You Can’t Not Do? by Scott DinsmoreBook: Presence by Amy CuddyPlatforms: Eventbrite, Cheapskate LondonWriting platforms: Substack and MediumFollow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.

    42 min
See All (61)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Work has changed and so should the way we think about it. Favourite Positions explores modern careers, leadership and human skills so you can move forward with intention and confidence.  Hosted by Alex Young, the podcast brings honest, thoughtful conversations with founders and leaders who are reshaping how work works. From practical career insight to big ideas about purpose and growth, each episode helps you think differently about your next step, whether you’re early in your career, switching paths or leading others. Favourite Positions is part of a broader platform supporting people and organisations to build careers they love and workplaces that empower them. With no fluff, real-world tools and a community of people who value clarity and curiosity, this is your go-to space for inspiring stories and practical guidance.

Information

  • Creator
    Alex
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    61
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Favourite Positions
  • Show Website
    Favourite Positions