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. DEC 15

    The Most Important Career Advice I Heard This Year

    It’s been an incredible year of conversations on Your Career Journey, and I wanted to wrap things up by taking you through the standout moments, themes, and lessons from every guest who joined me. From navigating redundancy… to changing career paths… to leading with purpose… to building confidence… each episode this year brought something special and genuinely useful for anyone building a career with intention. In this episode, I’m pulling together the biggest takeaways, the ideas that genuinely shifted my perspective, the stories that stayed with me, and the practical advice that can help you create a career you’re proud of. Whether you're exploring a pivot, stepping into leadership, rebuilding your confidence, or simply trying to figure out your next step, there’s something in here for you. What you’ll hear: ✨ The themes that kept coming up  ✨ The best advice from this year’s guests ✨  Insights on leadership, confidence, career change, and growth ✨  My personal favourite moments from the show Thank you for being here, for listening, and for being part of this community. I can’t wait to share what’s coming next year. My first episode of 2026 will go live on the 6th January. See you there :)  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

    37 min
  2. DEC 8

    Unlocking Your Potential with Goal Setting | Insights from Keith Abraham

    In this episode, I’m joined by Keith Abraham, a globally recognised speaker, author, and one of the most passionate voices on goal setting you’ll ever come across. Keith shares his unconventional path from leaving school early to building a successful career helping leaders and teams achieve clarity, focus, and meaningful momentum. So what really sits behind effective goal setting?  ✨ Creating emotional and mental connection to your goals  ✨ Getting specific (much more specific than you think!)  ✨ Building the right habits and support systems  ✨ And choosing a mindset that actually helps you move forward Keith breaks down his ‘how formula’, offers practical tools you can start using straight away, and shares powerful stories from his own journey that will leave you feeling inspired and ready to take action. If you want clearer direction, stronger confidence, or a way to bring your next chapter to life, this episode is full of insight and encouragement. To connect with Keith: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithabraham/ Website: keithabraham.com Tools: https://mygoaldriver.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

    46 min
  3. NOV 24

    ✨ Changing Career Direction Without Starting Over. With Kate Greenwood

    What do you do when the career path you’ve been on since university no longer feels right? In this episode, I’m joined by Kate Greenwood, who shares her incredibly honest journey from a traditional career in family law to a leadership role in legal tech and innovation. Kate talks about the reality of stepping away from a clearly defined path, including the identity shift that comes with saying “I’m not sure this is for me anymore.” She also shares how she repurposed her deep knowledge of family law without starting again from scratch, and how that opened the door to a completely new, fulfilling chapter in her career. Today, Kate is leading the integration of AI and technology within her firm, showing what’s possible when you stay curious, have courageous conversations, and recognise the value of your transferable skills. We also dig into: What it really looks like to pivot your career inside your organisationHow technology is reshaping the legal professionThe importance of open dialogue with managers and leadersWhy your skills and experience are far more adaptable than you thinkIf you’re feeling stuck on your current path or wondering what else might be possible for you, this conversation is a brilliant place to start. 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

    51 min
  4. NOV 10

    Leading with Heart: How Emotional Intelligence Transforms Leadership. With Ann Pocock

    What does authentic leadership really look like, and how do we bring more of ourselves to the way we lead? In this episode of Your Career Journey, I’m joined by Ann Pocock, founder of Kinetic Effect and former Corporate Marketing Communications Director, who shares her powerful transition from the corporate world to leadership coaching. Ann and I talk about what it means to lead with emotional intelligence and curiosity. And why self-awareness and adaptability are now essential leadership skills, not nice-to-haves. Ann shares her personal experiences with redundancy, the small but mighty “micro steps” that helped her move forward, and the lessons she’s learned about building a more human approach to leadership. We also explore: ✨ How to navigate the shift from corporate life to self-employment ✨ Why emotionally intelligent leaders create safer, more productive workplaces ✨ How to embed a strengths-based approach into your team culture ✨ What it really takes to lead with authenticity and purpose If you’re reflecting on your own leadership journey, or want to bring more heart and self-awareness into how you work. Then this conversation is a great place to start, with lots of insights, practical advice and suggestions for free resources and next steps. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:20 Career Journey and Transition 04:16 Facing Redundancy and Embracing Change 06:32 Building a Coaching Practice 10:51 Marketing and Self-Leadership 18:37 Holistic Leadership and Emotional Intelligence 25:01 The Intuition in Interview Processes 27:30 The Impact of Rapid Organisational Change 28:36 Managing Stress and Emotional Intelligence 32:38 The Importance of Authentic Leadership 38:24 Practical Steps for Personal Development 43:28 The Journey of Continuous Growth To connect with Ann: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annpocock/ Website: kineticeffect.co  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
  5. OCT 27

    Embracing Diversity and Leading with Purpose | Career Lessons from Celeste Warren

    How do you really make Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work, not just as a policy, but as something that’s lived and felt in an organisation? In this episode, I sit down with Celeste Warren, a globally recognised HR and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) leader with nearly 40 years of experience at some of the world’s largest corporations. Celeste shares her inspiring career journey, from her early days as a journalist, to becoming a global HR executive, to specialising in DEI leadership. She reflects on the powerful influence of her father and how his experiences shaped her own perspective on resilience and inclusion. 💡 What you’ll learn in this episode: ➡️ How Celeste pivoted from journalism to human resources ➡️ What DEI really is, what it isn't and why everybody wins when you get it right ➡️ The lessons she learned from embedding DEI into corporate strategy at Merck ➡️ The challenges and opportunities of rolling out DEI on a global scale ➡️ Why continuous learning and authentic leadership are critical for leaders today ➡️ Her advice for the next generation of professionals stepping into leadership roles Celeste also shares her next chapter: launching her own consulting practice and publishing her book, 'The Truth about Equity', while staying focused on empowering others to embrace diversity and lead with purpose. 📌 Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:10 Celeste's Early Life and Career Beginnings 02:47 Transition to Human Resources 04:53 Career at Merck & Pivot to DEI 09:23 What DEI Really Means 12:11 Embedding DEI in Large Organisations 18:28 Global Perspectives on Inclusion 26:19 Common DEI Challenges & Misunderstandings 39:13 Final Thoughts and Reflections 👉 If you’re a leader, HR professional, or simply curious about how to create more inclusive workplaces, this conversation is packed with practical insights and powerful stories you won’t want to miss. To connect with Celeste: 🌍 Website: https://crwdiversity.com/ 📖 Book: https://crwdiversity.com/#book 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celestewarrenllc/ 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

    42 min
  6. SEP 29

    Navigating Layoffs & Building Career Resilience with Steve Jaffe

    What really happens when you’re laid off, and how do you bounce back stronger? In this episode of Your Career Journey, I speak with Steve Jaffe, a marketing leader whose 25+ year career has taken him from advertising to client-side roles to tech startups. Along the way, he’s faced layoffs (or redundancies, depending on where you’re based) four times. 👉 The first time left him devastated. 👉 By the fourth, he sailed through. So what changed?  Steve shares the mindset shifts, coping strategies, and practical tools he developed. And the “framework” that helped him move from shock to growth, much like navigating the stages of grief. We also dive into: ✨ Why identity and self-worth can’t just be tied to your job title  ✨ The role of relationships and mind-body-spirit balance in building resilience ✨ How to reframe layoffs as a chance to reset and renew  ✨ How to future-proof your career in a rapidly changing world  Whether you’ve been impacted by a layoff, want to prepare for uncertainty, or just need inspiration for your next chapter, this conversation is packed with lessons you can use. Details for Steve's book 'The Layoff Journey' are below: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaffesteve/ https://thestevejaffe.com/ 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:13 Steve's Career Journey 01:59 Experiencing Layoffs 02:36 Coping with Layoffs 02:48 The Layoff Journey Begins 04:19 Learning from Layoffs 05:49 Reframing the Layoff Experience 09:28 Stages of Grief in Layoffs 18:51 Building Coping Skills 22:21 Reframing and Positive Mindset 23:12 The Ship of Theseus: Identity and Change 24:30 Defining Yourself Beyond Your Job 25:55 Reconstruction and Renewal 29:49 Personal Career Pivot 33:31 Future Proofing Your Career 39:31 The Importance of Relationships 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

    43 min
  7. SEP 15

    Nonlinear Career Paths: How Breaking Tradition Leads to Greater Success. With Janice Lee-Fu

    Are you stuck on the traditional career ladder?   Maybe it’s time to rethink what success really looks like. 🚀  In this episode, I sit down with marketing leader Janice Lee-Fu to unpack the power of nonlinear career paths and discuss why they might just be the fastest route to growth, fulfilment, and long-term resilience. Janice’s journey spans engineering, global FMCG brands, executive leadership, e-commerce, and academia. Along the way, she’s learned how curiosity, agility, and resilience open doors you never expect, and why stepping sideways (or even backwards) can propel you further than climbing straight up. 🔥 What you’ll take away:  ✔️ The “rock climbing wall” analogy that redefines career growth  ✔️ Why agility and curiosity drive innovation and long-term success  ✔️ Lessons from FMCG, e-commerce, and highly regulated industries  ✔️ How financial literacy gives marketers a competitive edge  ✔️ Practical leadership strategies to engage and retain next-gen talent  ✔️ Why ditching the linear path can help you stand out in a crowded market Whether you’re a marketer, creative, or professional seeking change, this conversation will give you the tools and the confidence to design a career that’s truly your own. Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction & Janice’s early career 4:00 – Transitioning from engineering to marketing 10:00 – Lessons from FMCG and private equity 18:00 – Leadership, innovation, and team development 25:00 – Navigating regulated industries and crisis moments 32:00 – Hiring for growth vs. risk aversion 38:00 – The importance of curiosity and diverse experience 42:00 – Final advice: Embracing nonlinear career paths If you'd like to connect with Janice: linkedin.com/in/leejanice 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. SEP 1

    Mastering Leadership Skills: 5 Proven Steps to Fast-Track Your Career with Camille Batiste 🚀

    🚀 Ready to transform your career and step into impactful leadership?  In this episode, I'm joined by Camille Batiste to reveal a proven 5-step framework for Mastering Leadership Skills. A game plan that’s already helped countless professionals fast-track their growth and land leadership roles. Camille’s journey from chemical engineer to senior corporate leader offers powerful insights for anyone navigating career transitions, especially if you’re in the “forgotten middle” of your career.  With decades of experience in corporate America, including leadership roles at Honeywell and Archer Daniels Midland, Camille breaks down the essential steps to Mastering Leadership Skills: ✨ Grow Up – Embrace challenges and adapt to achieve growth 🚀 Step Up – Deliver results that make a real impact 👀 Show Up – Build visibility and presence as a leader 🗣 Speak Up – Own your story, voice your ideas, and influence others 📈 Level Up – Prepare for bigger roles and bring others along with you 🎯 Whether you’re a marketer, creative, or ambitious professional aiming for leadership, these strategies will help you navigate change, boost your confidence, and position yourself for success. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:45 Camille's Early Life and Education 01:48 Career Beginnings and Honeywell Experience 03:34 Transition to Archer Daniels Midland 06:35 Motivation for Coaching and Leadership 12:23 Developing a Leadership Framework 25:06 The Importance of Human Interaction 25:26 Visibility and Recognition in the Workplace 27:09 The Power of Speaking Up 30:36 Overcoming Fear and Taking Baby Steps 33:03 Level Up: Preparing for Leadership 34:21 Celebrating Successes and Human Connection 37:18 Learning from Others and Observing 41:44 The Value of Progress Over Perfection Connect with Camille: Website: www.camillebatiste.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camille-batiste/ Feedback link: https://pro.speakerhub.com/speaker-feedback/?qr=bb904e42-a4e6-448e-8fda-65eec1decb1d 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

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.