Your Career Journey

Emma Graham

Welcome to ‘Your Career Journey,’ the podcast designed to be your compass through the twists and turns of career development. Whether you're a seasoned professional navigating a career transition, climbing the corporate ladder, looking to return to work after some time away, or just taking your first steps, this show is for you. Each episode dives into real stories from people who have made their mark. We cover career challenges, triumphs, and everything in between, offering practical insights, inspiration and giving you valuable takeaways for your journey. Expect candid conversations with industry experts and thought leaders who've embraced the highs, weathered the lows and emerged with wisdom worth sharing. Join me and let’s explore the multifaceted landscapes of career development, leadership, and growth together. 

  1. APR 27

    Navigating Burnout: The Journey from Corporate Overload to Reinvention

    What does burnout actually look like, and how do you move through it? In this episode, Emma sits down with Isabelle Tremblay, a senior Marketer with 25 years of experience in corporate Canada. Discover how a once thriving workplace culture transformed into a hustle driven environment after multiple mergers. Isabelle shares her experience of managing two executive-level roles at the same time with large brand portfolios, navigating a 20+ person team, and balancing the pressures of a difficult divorce and her daughter’s mental health crisis. This led to her breaking point and the diagnosis of situational stress disorder (burnout) that followed. Isabelle talks through her journey of healing through medication, self-development, and a transformative daily meditation practice that became her lifeline. After leaving the corporate world and redefining success for herself, Isabelle took a new and different path, authoring her book “Love Leads Succeed.” Where she advocates for love and service-based leadership, emotional intelligence, and prioritising mental health over toxic hustle culture. Key Topics Covered: * The impact of corporate culture on mental health * Strategies for overcoming burnout * The importance of emotional intelligence in leadership * Practical tips for prioritising mental health in a demanding work environment This is such an honest and brave conversation. And another example of how the worst thing that’s happened to you might turn out, in hindsight, to be the best thing.  To connect with Isabelle: Website: eyenovating.ca LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/isabelle-tremblay-21109226 YouTube:@LoveLeadSucceed Can you also find episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmmaGrahamCareerCoach/videos Your host, Emma Graham, Career Coach and ex-recruiter, is here to help you with:  💡 Gain clarity on what’s important to you  💡 Confidently communicate your value  💡 Build a personal brand and a strong network  💡 Take a strategic approach to your next move  💡 Navigate the job market effectively  💡 Build career confidence with a repeatable success blueprint 🌐 Explore my coaching programs and free resources:  Website: https://www.egconsulting.au/  LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmagrahamcareercoach/ 🎁 Free Resources:  📄 CV Development Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/cv-advice  📄 LinkedIn Profile Optimisation Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/linkedin-profile-guide 📅 Book Your FREE Career Strategy Discovery Call:  https://calendly.com/emmagrahamconsulting/discovery-call

    30 min
  2. APR 13

    From Overwhelmed to Organised: Reducing the Mental Load & Creating Systems That Actually Work

    Feeling overwhelmed, stretched, and constantly thinking about everything you haven’t done yet? You’re not alone, and a lot of it comes down to the invisible mental load we carry every day. In this episode, I’m joined by productivity and organisation expert Lisa Woodruff to talk about how to move from overwhelm to clarity, reduce mental clutter, and build systems that genuinely make life easier. Lisa’s journey is just as inspiring as her work. After starting her career in teaching and spending years as a stay-at-home mum, turning 40 prompted her to reassess what she wanted next. Inspired by generations of women in her family who had built their own businesses, she started with a simple blog in 2012, which has since grown into courses, products, and a podcast helping thousands of people get organised. In our conversation, we talk about the real reason so many people feel overwhelmed. The invisible labour that sits behind running a household, alongside careers, families, and often caring responsibilities. Lisa shares practical, realistic strategies to help you regain control, including: • How to think about your household like a CEO would run a business • Why systems (not willpower) are the key to staying organised • Where to start when everything feels messy or out of control • Simple ways to organise your time, tasks, and mental load • Why aiming for excellence is far more helpful than chasing perfection • And her popular Sunday Basket method for managing your week with more clarity This episode is a mix of personal story, practical advice, and simple mindset shifts that can make a real difference, whether you’re juggling a career, family life, or just feeling overwhelmed by everything on your plate. If you’re looking for ways to feel more organised, reduce stress, and create systems that actually stick, this one is full of actionable ideas. To connect with Lisa: Website: organize365.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisawoodruff Can you also find episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmmaGrahamCareerCoach/videos Your host, Emma Graham, Career Coach and ex-recruiter, is here to help you with:  💡 Gain clarity on what’s important to you  💡 Confidently communicate your value  💡 Build a personal brand and a strong network  💡 Take a strategic approach to your next move  💡 Navigate the job market effectively  💡 Build career confidence with a repeatable success blueprint 🌐 Explore my coaching programs and free resources:  Website: https://www.egconsulting.au/  LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmagrahamcareercoach/ 🎁 Free Resources:  📄 CV Development Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/cv-advice  📄 LinkedIn Profile Optimisation Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/linkedin-profile-guide 📅 Book Your FREE Career Strategy Discovery Call:  https://calendly.com/emmagrahamconsulting/discovery-call

    48 min
  3. MAR 30

    How to Become a Fractional CMO (Career Path, Skills & Lessons) with Laura Zahariou

    What does it really take to grow from a solo marketer into a strategic leader and eventually step out on your own? In this episode, Laura Zahariou shares her career journey from being the only marketer in mid-sized businesses to building a career as a fractional marketing leader. Early in her career, Laura found herself as a solo marketer reporting directly to CEOs and founders, sitting in conversations about revenue, cash flow, margins, and operations. It gave her strong commercial awareness but also required her to be proactive in developing her marketing skills outside her role. We discuss how mentoring and executive coaching played a huge role in her continued professional development, and the advice she would give others in the same situation. We also talk about what prompted her to leave her corporate career and start her own business. Laura talks us through her thought process and what she's learnt that has surprised her. We explore: • The transition from solo marketer to strategic leader • What a Fractional CMO actually does • The importance of proactive learning and development • Why marketers need to treat networking as a priority (and even set KPIs around it) • The impact of remote work on learning, confidence, and soft skill development • Why in-person connection still matters • Learning to “panic slowly” This episode is full of practical insight for marketers looking to grow, step into leadership, or explore more flexible career paths. To connect with Laura: Website: https://www.growthlanemarketing.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-zahariou-2680696b/ Can you also find episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmmaGrahamCareerCoach/videos Your host, Emma Graham, Career Coach and ex-recruiter, is here to help you with:  💡 Gain clarity on what’s important to you  💡 Confidently communicate your value  💡 Build a personal brand and a strong network  💡 Take a strategic approach to your next move  💡 Navigate the job market effectively  💡 Build career confidence with a repeatable success blueprint 🌐 Explore my coaching programs and free resources:  Website: https://www.egconsulting.au/  LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmagrahamcareercoach/ 🎁 Free Resources:  📄 CV Development Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/cv-advice  📄 LinkedIn Profile Optimisation Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/linkedin-profile-guide 📅 Book Your FREE Career Strategy Discovery Call:  https://calendly.com/emmagrahamconsulting/discovery-call

    44 min
  4. MAR 17

    Marketing Me: Personal Branding, Visibility, and Authenticity with Nina Christian

    How do you position and promote the most important brand you’ll ever work on,  yourself? In this episode, I’m joined by Nina Christian to explore the realities of personal branding, visibility, and building a professional reputation that actually feels authentic. After more than 20 years of building an award-winning marketing agency and working closely with both organisations and individuals, Nina has distilled her experience into her Marketing Me framework and book. Designed to help people communicate their value clearly and confidently. We start by unpacking why the term personal branding can feel uncomfortable for so many people, and where the concept actually comes from, as Nina points out, whether we like the term or not, our personal brand already exists, so we may as well be intentional about shaping it. From there, we dive into the topic everyone seems to be talking about right now: authenticity. What does it actually mean in the context of personal branding? Do you really have to share your whole life online to be visible? Nina also shares why many marketers struggle to market themselves, despite doing excellent work for clients. And how getting clear on your differentiators, messaging, and the right channels (from podcasts to other platforms) can help build both confidence and consistency. We also discuss Nina’s latest insights on key market shifts for 2026, and finish with a simple but powerful reminder: you don’t need everything figured out, you just need to take the next step. If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable with the idea of personal branding, struggled with visibility, or wondered how to talk about your value more clearly, this conversation is full of practical insights. Insights report: https://www.ninachristian.com/insights Website: https://www.ninachristian.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ninachristian Can you also find episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmmaGrahamCareerCoach/videos Your host, Emma Graham, Career Coach and ex-recruiter, is here to help you with:  💡 Gain clarity on what’s important to you  💡 Confidently communicate your value  💡 Build a personal brand and a strong network  💡 Take a strategic approach to your next move  💡 Navigate the job market effectively  💡 Build career confidence with a repeatable success blueprint 🌐 Explore my coaching programs and free resources:  Website: https://www.egconsulting.au/  LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmagrahamcareercoach/ 🎁 Free Resources:  📄 CV Development Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/cv-advice  📄 LinkedIn Profile Optimisation Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/linkedin-profile-guide 📅 Book Your FREE Career Strategy Discovery Call:  https://calendly.com/emmagrahamconsulting/discovery-call

    39 min
  5. MAR 2

    Migrating to Australia in Your 30s: Career Change, Loneliness & Job Market Truths with Ana Asanovic

    Moving countries in your 30s is often portrayed as exciting and full of opportunity, but what does the reality actually look like? In this episode, I'm joined by Ana Asanovic to share her journey from Serbia to Australia as a mature age student, to further her education in Communications and take her career in a new direction Driven by her award-winning travel blog, passion for storytelling, and desire to create meaningful impact, Ana explains why she chose Australia over other destinations and what it really takes to start again professionally and personally later in life. Together, we explore the often unspoken realities of migration, from loneliness and building friendships as an adult, to navigating the Australian job market and overcoming barriers like the “local experience” requirement, accent bias, and explaining transferable skills. Ana shares her honest experience of rebuilding her career from the ground up, including completing unpaid internships, working part-time roles on a student visa, and leveraging networking to progress into senior communications positions. The conversation also highlights the accessibility challenges within professional networking spaces, and Ana’s advocacy work around connection and belonging, including contributing to published works, and creating a marketing and communications co-working day designed to foster genuine community for remote and hybrid professionals. This episode is a powerful reminder that career paths are rarely linear, and that finding the right advice, aligned values, and supportive community can shape not just your career but your overall experience of life in a new country. If you’re considering migrating, changing careers, or rebuilding your professional identity, this conversation offers both practical insight and reassurance that you’re not alone. To connect with Ana: linkedin.com/in/ana-asanovic https://anaasanovic.au/ Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and Acknowledgement 00:28 Life in Serbia Translation Career 00:47 Travel Blogging and Creative Shift 03:40 Why Australia and New Direction 07:06 Early Migration Challenges 08:47 Making Friends and Finding Community 15:09 Australian Experience Job Barrier 24:25 Starting Over Internships and Accents 31:17 Networking Access and Event Costs 34:14 Loneliness Advocacy and Coworking 42:35 Lessons on Values and Career Advice 47:02 Closing Thanks and Takeaways Can you also find episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmmaGrahamCareerCoach/videos Your host, Emma Graham, Career Coach and ex-recruiter, is here to help you with:  💡 Gain clarity on what’s important to you  💡 Confidently communicate your value  💡 Build a personal brand and a strong network  💡 Take a strategic approach to your next move  💡 Navigate the job market effectively  💡 Build career confidence with a repeatable success blueprint 🌐 Explore my coaching programs and free resources:  Website: https://www.egconsulting.au/  LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmagrahamcareercoach/ 🎁 Free Resources:  📄 CV Development Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/cv-advice  📄 LinkedIn Profile Optimisation Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/linkedin-profile-guide 📅 Book Your FREE Career Strategy Discovery Call:  https://calendly.com/emmagrahamconsulting/discovery-call

    49 min
  6. FEB 16

    Building A Life You Love - Not Just A Career - with Briony Cullin

    In this episode, I sit down with digital marketer and SEO consultant Briony Cullin to explore how trusting her intuition led her through a series of bold career and life changes, and ultimately helped her build a business and lifestyle she genuinely loves. Briony shares her journey from studying and practising law to realising it wasn’t the right fit, a chance trip to Japan that unexpectedly changed the course of her life, and her move to Scotland for love. From navigating a new country and culture to transferring her skills into digital marketing at Yelp, Briony talks about the challenges and turning points that shaped her path. The conversation also delves into freelancing, managing chronic illness alongside career ambitions, the evolution of SEO, and the freedom that comes with designing work around your life, not the other way around. This episode is a thoughtful and honest discussion about career reinvention, trusting your instincts, balancing health and ambition, and creating a business that supports the life you want to live. Perfect for anyone considering a career pivot, freelancing, or building a more intentional relationship with work. To connect with Briony: https://www.brionycullin.com/ Can you also find episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmmaGrahamCareerCoach/videos Your host, Emma Graham, Career Coach and ex-recruiter, is here to help you with:  💡 Gain clarity on what’s important to you  💡 Confidently communicate your value  💡 Build a personal brand and a strong network  💡 Take a strategic approach to your next move  💡 Navigate the job market effectively  💡 Build career confidence with a repeatable success blueprint 🌐 Explore my coaching programs and free resources:  Website: https://www.egconsulting.au/  LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmagrahamcareercoach/ 🎁 Free Resources:  📄 CV Development Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/cv-advice  📄 LinkedIn Profile Optimisation Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/linkedin-profile-guide 📅 Book Your FREE Career Strategy Discovery Call:  https://calendly.com/emmagrahamconsulting/discovery-call

    56 min
  7. FEB 2

    Why Sales & Marketing Still Aren’t Aligned (And How to Fix It) with Michelle Michaux

    Today I'm joined by Michelle Michaux, who shares how her unconventional career journey (from banking operations to marketing) gave her a front row seat to how large complex organisations can bridge the gaps between marketing, sales, and delivery. Michelle brings a refreshingly honest perspective on what marketing should be doing inside organisations, why alignment with sales is still one of the biggest challenges in B2B, and why marketers need to get better at articulating their value at the leadership table. Together, Emma and Michelle explore the realities of working inside complex global organisations like Fujitsu, the cultural nuances that shape business decisions, and how marketing can move beyond execution to become a genuine driver of growth. If you care about career growth, influence, strategic thinking and the future of marketing, this episode will give you both practical insight and plenty to reflect on. To connect with Michelle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-michaux/ 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:22 Michelle's Career Journey 02:07 Transition to Marketing 03:11 Running Her Own Consultancy 04:10 Operations Experience and Its Impact 06:59 Sales and Marketing Dynamics 11:21 Challenges in B2B Marketing 15:32 Global Marketing Complexities 18:41 Cultural Insights from Fujitsu 22:58 Personal Anecdotes and Cultural Reflections 24:06 Understanding Cultural Differences 25:02 Marketing's Role in Business Strategy 25:50 Challenges in B2B Marketing 28:06 The Importance of Customer Insight 30:00 The Role of Chief Customer Officers 32:19 Aligning Marketing with Business Goals 34:11 Articulating Marketing Value 43:28 Final Thoughts and Reflections Can you also find episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmmaGrahamCareerCoach/videos Your host, Emma Graham, Career Coach and ex-recruiter, is here to help you with:  💡 Gain clarity on what’s important to you  💡 Confidently communicate your value  💡 Build a personal brand and a strong network  💡 Take a strategic approach to your next move  💡 Navigate the job market effectively  💡 Build career confidence with a repeatable success blueprint 🌐 Explore my coaching programs and free resources:  Website: https://www.egconsulting.au/  LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmagrahamcareercoach/ 🎁 Free Resources:  📄 CV Development Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/cv-advice  📄 LinkedIn Profile Optimisation Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/linkedin-profile-guide 📅 Book Your FREE Career Strategy Discovery Call:  https://calendly.com/emmagrahamconsulting/discovery-call

    46 min
  8. JAN 19

    How To Build an International Marketing Career with Adam Lavrentiadis

    Ever wondered what it really takes to build a global marketing career? How do you go from working in a local market to leading marketing for global brands? In this episode, Adam Lavrentiadis shares his journey from Australia to the global stage, breaking down the mindset, skills, and strategic moves required to build a successful international marketing career. 🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✔️ How Adam built a global marketing career from Australia ✔️ Skills needed to work with international brands ✔️ The difference between local vs global marketing strategies ✔️ How to position yourself for international opportunities ✔️ Career mistakes to avoid in marketing ✔️ Advice for marketers who want to go global Whether you’re an aspiring marketer, brand strategist, or entrepreneur, this conversation reveals real-world insights on scaling your career across borders, adapting to global markets, and standing out in today’s competitive marketing landscape. Timestamps: 00:40 Introduction and Welcome 00:51 Adam's Journey Begins: From Australia to London 02:26 First Steps in Sales: Mambo and Beyond 04:57 Transition to Footwear: Skechers and Converse 12:54 Marketing Aspirations: Moving from Sales to Marketing 21:34 Career Growth: From Converse to Timberland 23:09 Reflecting on Life in a Beautiful Place 24:06 Career Growth at Timberland 26:07 Transitioning to the US 29:00 Challenges of Moving and Networking 34:48 The Importance of Brand in Marketing 40:22 Navigating the Future of Marketing with AI 44:10 Final Thoughts and Advice To connect with Adam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-lavrentiadis/ Website: adamlav.com Can you also find episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EmmaGrahamCareerCoach/videos Your host, Emma Graham, Career Coach and ex-recruiter, is here to help you with:  💡 Gain clarity on what’s important to you  💡 Confidently communicate your value  💡 Build a personal brand and a strong network  💡 Take a strategic approach to your next move  💡 Navigate the job market effectively  💡 Build career confidence with a repeatable success blueprint 🌐 Explore my coaching programs and free resources:  Website: https://www.egconsulting.au/  LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/emmajgraham  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmagrahamcareercoach/ 🎁 Free Resources:  📄 CV Development Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/cv-advice  📄 LinkedIn Profile Optimisation Guide: https://www.egconsulting.au/linkedin-profile-guide 📅 Book Your FREE Career Strategy Discovery Call:  https://calendly.com/emmagrahamconsulting/discovery-call

    49 min

Ratings & Reviews

About

Welcome to ‘Your Career Journey,’ the podcast designed to be your compass through the twists and turns of career development. Whether you're a seasoned professional navigating a career transition, climbing the corporate ladder, looking to return to work after some time away, or just taking your first steps, this show is for you. Each episode dives into real stories from people who have made their mark. We cover career challenges, triumphs, and everything in between, offering practical insights, inspiration and giving you valuable takeaways for your journey. Expect candid conversations with industry experts and thought leaders who've embraced the highs, weathered the lows and emerged with wisdom worth sharing. Join me and let’s explore the multifaceted landscapes of career development, leadership, and growth together. 

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