Favourite Positions

Alex
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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. 4 days ago

    Episode 07: The Modern Career Playbook - Charlotte Davies

    In this episode of The Modern Career Playbook, Alex speaks with Charlotte Davies about the changing reality of early careers, the future of work and what it actually takes to build a career in today’s increasingly competitive and unpredictable job market. Charlotte leads Global Consumer Communications Programmes at LinkedIn and is also a LinkedIn Career Expert, advising professionals on career transitions, personal branding and how to use LinkedIn to unlock opportunity. Together, Alex and Charlotte unpack insights from LinkedIn’s 2026 Grad Guide and discuss why traditional career paths are becoming less linear, why networks matter more than ever and how young people are increasingly creating opportunities for themselves through side projects, portfolios and practical experience. This is a practical and reassuring conversation about adaptability, visibility, AI, confidence and building a career that feels future-relevant in a rapidly changing world of work. In this episode, Alex and Charlotte discuss: why success and credibility look very different to previous generationshow careers are becoming more fluid and less tied to traditional ladderswhy networks and visibility now matter so much in early careersthe growing importance of showing proof of skills, not just listing them on a CVhow Gen Z are creating opportunities through side hustles, projects and portfolioswhy comparison culture can make career uncertainty feel even harderthe role AI is beginning to play in productivity, communication and career developmentwhy adaptability and resilience are becoming essential workplace skillshow to approach networking if you find it intimidating or overwhelmingwhy curiosity and continuous learning matter more than having everything figured out Key statistics from LinkedIn’s 2026 Grad Guide: 32% of Gen Z say not having the right network is the biggest barrier to landing an entry-level role26% are creating opportunities through side hustles, businesses or personal projects16% are building apps, websites or portfolios to showcase their skills24% are taking roles outside their field to gain practical, in-demand experience66% of young office workers are considering a switch into skilled trades Key takeaways: Careers are becoming less linear and more skills-based.Networks are increasingly important in helping people access opportunity.Showing evidence of what you can do matters just as much as qualifications.AI is most powerful when used alongside human judgement, creativity and communication skills.Networking does not need to be performative to be valuable.Staying curious and adaptable is becoming one of the most important career advantages. Connect with Charlotte: LinkedIn Resources mentioned: LinkedIn’s 2026 Grad Guide Follow Favourite Positions: InstagramLinkedInWebsite About the series: The Modern Career Playbook is a series of conversations with credible leaders and specialists exploring what progression, leadership and career development actually look like today. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone navigating their next career step or trying to make sense of the future of work.

    34 min

  2. 20 May

    Episode 06: The Modern Career Playbook - Alice Benham

    In this episode of The Modern Career Playbook, Alex speaks with Alice Benham about strategy, messy action and what it really takes to turn a big vision into daily action. Alice is a business strategist, speaker, entrepreneur, founder of On Paper and host of the chart-topping podcast Starting The Conversation. She started her business at 17 and has spent the last decade helping entrepreneurs get clear on where they want to go, what needs to change and how to build businesses that support their lives as well as their ambitions. This is an honest and practical conversation about confidence, burnout, goal setting, slow growth and why building something meaningful often requires you to take action before you feel fully ready. In this episode, Alex and Alice discuss: how Alice started her business at 17 and found confidence through actionwhy naive optimism can be a powerful starting pointhow Alice’s definition of success, credibility and confidence has changed over timethe early burnout that reshaped how she thinks about sustainable growthwhy saying yes to everything is not always the best route to opportunityhow to know when to say no, even when something looks excitingthe difference between vision and goalswhy quarterly goals can help turn big ideas into practical actionthe importance of visible goals, imperfect implementation and bounce back ratewhy people often give up in the gap between taking action and seeing resultshow identity, structure and small wins can support meaningful changewhy ambitious people often overestimate what they can achieve in the short termhow to define success by looking honestly at what is not workingwhy external milestones do not always create internal fulfilmentthe importance of sharing both the highs and lows of businesswhy messy action is often the most important first step Key takeaways: Confidence often comes through action, not before it.A vision is the destination, but goals are the practical steps that help you move towards it.Growth is easier to sustain when your plans are aligned with your actual capacity.Consistency matters, but your ability to bounce back matters too.The gap between taking new action and seeing results is often the hardest part of change.Success needs to feel good on the inside, not just look good from the outside.Messy action can create the momentum, clarity and confidence you are waiting for. Connect with Alice: WebsiteLinkedInYouTubeON ITInstagramStarting The Conversation podcast Follow Favourite Positions: InstagramLinkedInWebsite About the series: The Modern Career Playbook is a series of conversations with credible leaders and specialists exploring what progression, leadership and career development actually look like today. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who has a big idea, is navigating a period of growth or needs a reminder that they do not need to feel fully ready before taking the next step.

    44 min

  3. 13 May

    Episode 05: The Modern Career Playbook - Anne-Sophie Fluri

    In this episode of The Modern Career Playbook, Alex speaks with Anne-Sophie Fluri about focus, resilience, performance and what it really takes to build a career that feels both ambitious and sustainable. Anne-Sophie is a neuroscientist who brings together 12 years of experience across academia and industry to help individuals and teams better understand how the brain works, and how that knowledge can be used to improve the way we work. Through talks, workshops and consulting, she translates neuroscience into practical tools that help people feel more focused, supported and mentally fit. This is a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation about career pivots, self-trust, overcommitting, productivity, ambition and the importance of building a working life that does not come at the expense of your wellbeing. In this episode, Alex and Anne-Sophie discuss: how Anne-Sophie’s definition of success has changed over timecareer pivots, failed ideas and learning to trust yourself through changewhy doing lots of different things can still be part of finding the right paththe neuroscience behind focus, performance and resiliencewhy idle time matters more than most people realisehow to handle overthinking, rumination and emotional distraction at workpractical ways to create more space between meetings and tasksthe difference between being busy and actually moving forwardwhat helps people stay connected to their bigger goalswhy integrity matters when building a lasting and sustainable career Key takeaways: Being constantly busy is not the same as making meaningful progress.Some of the most important parts of performance happen in quieter moments.Idle time can help the brain process information, integrate ideas and improve focus.Sustainable ambition requires self-awareness, boundaries and a clearer sense of what actually matters.Building a career with integrity may not always be the fastest route, but it can create more trust, peace and long-term fulfilment. Connect with Anne-Sophie: InstagramLinkedInNewsletterWebsite Follow Favourite Positions: ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ About the series: The Modern Career Playbook is a series of conversations with credible leaders and specialists exploring what progression, leadership and career development actually look like today. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who’s figuring out how to grow in their career, lead people more effectively, or simply feel more confident at work.

    45 min

  4. 6 May

    Episode 04: The Modern Career Playbook - Teri Thomas

    In this episode of The Modern Career Playbook, Alex speaks with Teri Thomas about personal brand, visibility and what it really takes to build a credible, fulfilling and future-relevant career today. Teri is the founder of Beyond & Co, a business specialising in growth through people-led marketing. She works with leaders and founders to help them use their voice, perspective and presence more intentionally, not as a form of self-promotion, but as a way to build trust, create value and drive growth. This is a thoughtful and practical conversation about how careers evolve, why doing good work is not always enough on its own, and how clarity, visibility and authentic communication can shape progression, leadership and opportunity. In this episode, Alex and Teri discuss: how Teri’s definition of success, confidence and credibility has changed over timewhy talented people are often under-leveraging themselveswhy doing good work alone is not always enough for progressionwhat personal brand really means and why it is often misunderstoodhow to think about authentic visibility without falling into performative self-promotionthe relationship between personal brand, leadership and growthemployee-generated content and why businesses are paying more attention to ithow AI is changing the way people communicate, create and show up at workwhy leaders need to protect their own voice and thinking in an AI-shaped worldwhere to start if you know you have more to offer but struggle to articulate your value Key takeaways: Personal brand is not about self-promotion. It is about clarity, trust and value.Doing strong work matters, but people also need to understand the value you bring.Visibility is most powerful when it feels aligned, intentional and authentic.AI can be a useful tool, but it should not replace your perspective, judgment or voice.Careers often progress faster when people learn to articulate their value clearly and consistently. Connect with Teri: Beyond & CoLinkedInTeri's InstagramBeyond & Co's Instagram Mentioned in this episode: The Squiggly Career BookHattie Crisell, In Writing Podcast Follow Favourite Positions: ⁠Instagram⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Website⁠ About the series: The Modern Career Playbook is a series of conversations with credible leaders and specialists exploring what progression, leadership and career development actually look like today. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who’s figuring out how to grow in their career, lead people more effectively, or simply feel more confident at work.

    49 min

  5. 29 Apr

    Episode 03: The Modern Career Playbook - Dr Hayley Dawson

    In this episode of The Modern Career Playbook, Alex speaks with Dr Hayley Dawson about why being good at your job is not always enough on its own, and why the human side of work matters more than ever. Hayley is the founder of Let’s Talk Human Skills, creator of Human Skill School, and host of Let’s Talk. Her work focuses on helping people communicate more clearly, collaborate more effectively and build stronger working relationships, so they can feel more confident and make a greater impact at work. This is a thoughtful and practical conversation about communication, collaboration, confidence and career development. Hayley puts into words something many people feel but do not always know how to name - that the way we handle people, relationships and difficult moments at work shapes far more than we realise. In this episode, Alex and Hayley discuss: why technical ability alone is not always enough for career progressionwhat human skills actually are and why they matterthe difference between technical, operational, human and human-machine interaction skillswhy durable skills like communication and relationship-building matter even more in an AI-shaped worldhow to become more confident in meetings, emails and difficult conversationsthe role of managers in helping people build stronger human skillsthe value of feedback in the momentwhy small actions and “micro moves” can transform working relationshipswhy work friends matter, not just professionally, but personally too Key takeaways: Being technically strong is important, but it is often human skills that shape trust, visibility and progression.Communication, relationship-building and collaboration are durable skills that will remain valuable even as work changes.Small day-to-day actions can have a huge impact on how relationships at work develop.Managers can play a big role by giving feedback in the moment rather than waiting for formal reviews.Building friendships at work can make working life more meaningful, supportive and fulfilling. Connect with Hayley: Let’s Talk Human SkillsHuman Skill SchoolNewsletterInstagramLinkedIn Follow Favourite Positions: InstagramLinkedInWebsite About the series: The Modern Career Playbook is a series of conversations with credible leaders and specialists exploring what progression, leadership and career development actually look like today. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who’s figuring out how to grow in their career, lead people more effectively, or simply feel more confident at work.

    46 min
  6. Rezilien’s Live Debate: What breaks change first: human behaviour or organisational complexity?

    27 Apr

    Rezilien’s Live Debate: What breaks change first: human behaviour or organisational complexity?

    In the second episode of the Rezilien × Favourite Positions live debate series, Lily Kyriacou and Alex Young bring together leaders working across operations, digital engineering and transformation to explore a question that sits at the heart of modern execution: What breaks change first: human behaviour or organisational complexity? As organisations operate in what Lily describes as a state of rolling turbulence, where technological shifts, new operating models, changing investor expectations and restructures are all happening at once, strategies can look strong on paper while outcomes still fall short. So what is actually breaking in the process, and why? This live debate explores the tension between change fatigue, uncertainty and resistance on one side, and organisational complexity, structures, incentives and layers on the other. The conversation asks whether change breaks because people do, or whether organisations are still creating conditions that make successful change harder than it needs to be. Joined by Matt Deadman, Chloe Holt and Ella Blakstad, Lily and Alex unpack how culture, leadership behaviour, communication, accountability and clarity all shape whether change lands well or begins to wobble. The discussion also explores what AI is exposing in organisations, why ambiguity is becoming the norm for leaders and how value creation at work is beginning to shift. Guests Matt Deadman - COO EMEA at Naviam Chloe Holt - Chief Client Officer at Godel Technologies Europe Ella Blakstad - Senior Manager at Accenture Hosts ⁠Lily Kyriacou⁠ - Founder of Rezilien ⁠Alex Young⁠ - Host of Favourite Positions About the series The Rezilien × Favourite Positions live debate series brings together credible leaders and specialists to explore what it really takes for people and organisations to perform through constant change. Across each conversation, the series examines the tensions shaping modern work, from adaptability, burnout and leadership to execution risk, organisational design and the human realities of AI-driven transformation. Rezilien was founded by Lily Kyriacou to turn execution from a vague art into a hard science. After 10+ years wrestling with the same execution failures while driving growth and transformation, she built what she wishes she’d had on sleepless nights. A decision‑support tool that shows CEOs whether their operating model can really deliver the growth strategy, helps them design and stress‑test treatment plans grounded in hard evidence and ROI, and tracks whether those changes are actually working. At its core, Rezilien is about stripping out bias, instinct, and the loudest voice in the room from critical execution decisions, so change is led by evidence rather than opinion. Favourite Positions is a podcast and platform founded by Alex Young, focused on honest, practical conversations about careers, leadership and the future of work. Together, this series is designed to create more useful, open and commercially relevant conversations about what it really takes to lead people well in a world of perpetual change. Follow Rezilien on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ and connect with Lily ⁠here⁠. Follow Favourite Positions on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ and connect with Alex ⁠here⁠. Referenced materials MIT Sloan - When humans and AI work best together - and when each is better alone MIT Sloan - New MIT Sloan research suggests AI more likely to complement, not replace, human workers Harvard Business Review - What Everyone Gets Wrong About Change Management McKinsey - The human side of generative AI: Creating a path to productivity PwC - How culture can create value during M&A integration

    1hr 15min

  7. 22 Apr

    Episode 02: The Modern Career Playbook - Lead Meredith

    In this episode of The Modern Career Playbook, Alex speaks with Leah Meredith about building a creative career, staying true to your values and creating work that feels both commercial and personal. Leah is the founder and creative director of Haus of Hyde and chief brand officer at Faves. In this conversation, she shares her journey from teaching into creative entrepreneurship, what she has learned about building brands and businesses with intention, and why modern careers often look far less linear than people expect. This is an honest and insightful conversation about creativity, self-belief, commercial growth and the importance of protecting what makes your work feel like yours. In this episode, Alex and Leah discuss: Leah’s journey from teaching into creative business ownershipbuilding Haus of Hyde and Faveswhat it means to have a multi-dimensional careerwhy modern careers are often non-linearbalancing creativity with commercial thinkingthe pressures facing people in creative industries todaycomparison, confidence and building work that feels true to youhow to grow without diluting your valuesKey takeaways: Careers do not need to follow a traditional or linear path to be credible.Creativity and commerciality do not need to be in conflict.Growth is most sustainable when it is rooted in clear values.Comparison can be deeply distracting, especially in creative work.The most compelling work usually comes from staying close to your own perspective and strengths.Connect with Leah: InstagramHaus of HydeFavesFaves newsletterFollow Favourite Positions: InstagramLinkedInWebsite About the series: The Modern Career Playbook is a series of conversations with credible leaders and specialists exploring what progression, leadership and career development actually look like today. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone figuring out their own next step, and follow along for the rest of the series. Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.

    37 min
  8. Rezilien’s Live Debate: Is Human Adaptability Nearing Its Limit or Are We Only Just Scratching the Surface?

    20 Apr

    Rezilien’s Live Debate: Is Human Adaptability Nearing Its Limit or Are We Only Just Scratching the Surface?

    In the first episode of the Rezilien × Favourite Positions live debate series, Lily Kyriacou and Alex Young bring together leaders working across AI, transformation, people and organisational change to explore a question sitting at the centre of modern work: Is human adaptability nearing its limit, or are organisations failing to create the conditions in which it can thrive? As change continues to accelerate through AI adoption, restructures, new ways of working and rising performance pressure, many organisations are still seeing execution strain, burnout, confusion and misalignment. So what is actually going wrong? This live debate explores whether the real issue is human resistance, or whether many organisations are still trying to manage modern change with outdated structures, weak communication, poor change discipline and rigid ideas of what work should look like. Joined by David Fearne, Rebecca Tovey and Fintan Canavan, Lily and Alex unpack what happens when transformation becomes constant rather than occasional, and why adaptability may be less about asking more of people and more about redesigning work, leadership and accountability around the reality of perpetual change. A few of the strongest ideas from the conversation include the importance of a growth-first mindset, the need to make change everyone’s accountability, the risk of treating AI like a simple software rollout and the idea that organisations may be reaching the limits of managing change in the same way they always have. Guests David Fearne - Vice President of AI at NTT DATA Rebecca Tovey - Group Director, People, Transformation and Change at Amdaris Fintan Canavan - Associate Director at Protiviti UK Hosts Lily Kyriacou - Founder of Rezilien Alex Young - Host of Favourite Positions About the series The Rezilien × Favourite Positions live debate series brings together credible leaders and specialists to explore what it really takes for people and organisations to perform through constant change. Across each conversation, the series examines the tensions shaping modern work, from adaptability, burnout and leadership to execution risk, organisational design and the human realities of AI-driven transformation. Rezilien was founded by Lily Kyriacou to turn execution from a vague art into a hard science. After 10+ years wrestling with the same execution failures while driving growth and transformation, she built what she wishes she’d had on sleepless nights. A decision‑support tool that shows CEOs whether their operating model can really deliver the growth strategy, helps them design and stress‑test treatment plans grounded in hard evidence and ROI, and tracks whether those changes are actually working. At its core, Rezilien is about stripping out bias, instinct, and the loudest voice in the room from critical execution decisions, so change is led by evidence rather than opinion. Favourite Positions is a podcast and platform founded by Alex Young, focused on honest, practical conversations about careers, leadership and the future of work. Together, this series is designed to create more useful, open and commercially relevant conversations about what it really takes to lead people well in a world of perpetual change. Follow Rezilien on LinkedIn and Instagram and connect with Lily here. Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram and connect with Alex here. Referenced materials McKinsey - Why managing culture is critical for value creation in M&A PwC - How culture can create value during M&A integration Harvard Business Review - A Guide to Building a Unified Culture After a Merger or Acquisition MIT Sloan - When humans and AI work best together - and when each is better alone MIT Sloan - New MIT Sloan research suggests AI more likely to complement, not replace, human workers

    1hr 3min
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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
    73
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Alex
  • Show Website
    Favourite Positions