The Career Strategist

Sarah Caminiti
  • 5.0 (4)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

You’re not broken. You’re not behind. You’ve just been defined by someone else for too long. It’s time to take that power back. The Career Strategist is where clarity meets strategy. Hosted by Sarah Caminiti, each episode is a deep, honest look at what’s really holding you back in your career—and how to move forward without changing who you are. Whether you’re navigating leadership, burnout, visibility, or your next big pivot, this show hands you the language and tools you were never taught. You’ll learn how to articulate your value, own your expertise, and stop shrinking to make others comfortable. Expect real strategy. No fluff. No performative advice. Just career truth-telling for people who are ready to lead, ask for more, and define success on their terms. New episodes every other week.

  1. 23H AGO

    Where Strategy Begins

    Text me with feedback or questions! You have been doing the work. Showing up, saying yes, absorbing more than your share, telling yourself it will pay off eventually. And nothing has changed. Not because you are not good enough. Because you have been making career decisions on autopilot, and those decisions have been compounding against you. In this episode, Sarah shares the moment she realized she had been underpaid for years, not because of one bad negotiation, but because of hundreds of small choices she made without a framework. She breaks down three tools she now uses for every major career decision: how to assess whether an opportunity is actually set up for your success, how to read timing so you stop making moves out of panic, and how to filter the advice that is quietly keeping you stuck. If you have ever been told "not yet," if you have ever watched someone else present your idea, if you have ever stayed quiet when you should have spoken up, this episode is where you stop reacting and start deciding on purpose. Show Notes: Sarah calls this the difference between being patient and being compliant. "If your strategy requires silence, that is not strategy. That is survival." This episode introduces three frameworks for making career decisions from clarity instead of fear. The Room AssessmentStrategic Timing IntelligenceThe Influence FilterKey Quotes "I wasn't being strategic. I was being managed. And I had taught them exactly how to do it." "Equity without advocacy is just free labor." "Strategic thinking is not about having unlimited choices. It is about seeing the choices you actually have and making them deliberately instead of by default." "Real power lives not in being indispensable to everyone, but in being irreplaceable to the right people." Continue the Series Episode 1: The Right to Define Yourself established what happens when you let others define you before you define yourself.Episode 2: How Power Moves introduced the room framework and how power dynamics determine which rooms you get access to.Episode 3: Finding What You Stand For gave you the tools to excavate your core values from the data your frustration and energy have been generating all along.Episode 4: Where Strategy Begins (this episode) turns that clarity into leverage through three decision-making frameworks.Next, Episode 5 takes these frameworks into the interview room, where you stop auditioning and start evaluating whether they deserve your talent.The RVA Blueprint If this episode hit close to home, the RVA Blueprint is Sarah's one-on-one strategic analysis: Reflect, Validate, Align. It is not a personality test. It is deliberate detective work built around your lived experience, designed to identify your real core values, map where they have been honored or violated, and build a focused action plan. Delivered as a comprehensive PDF within thirty days of your intake. $197. --- Follow The Career Strategist wherever you listen. If you know someone who has been patient long enough, send them this episode. The Career Strategist is hosted by Support the show You were never satisfying anyone by satisfying everyone. Stop satisfying everyone. I'm Sarah Caminiti. This is The Career Strategist. If this episode helped you see something more clearly, send it to someone who needs to hear it. And if you haven't yet — subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next.

    28 min

  2. FEB 18

    Finding What You Stand For

    Text me with feedback or questions! Your values aren't preferences you pick from a menu. They're patterns that have been driving your choices all along — especially under pressure. The problem is, you're too close to your own patterns to see them. In this episode, Sarah breaks down how to excavate your real core values and turn them into language precise enough to guide every career decision you make. Sarah shares how she accidentally discovered her own values while writing a business plan for someone else's company, why generic values like "empowerment" and "integrity" aren't precise enough to protect you, and what it actually feels like when you're in a role that honors what you stand for versus one that violates it. This episode moves between the moments that break you down and the ones that light you up — because both are showing you exactly who you are. In this episode: Why you can't find your values through reflection alone — and what to do insteadThe difference between surface-level values and precise values that actually guide decisionsHow to recognize value violations before they cost you your health, your confidence, or your timeWhat alignment really feels like — and why more complexity with the right fit means less exhaustionThree practices to start this week: a fury log, energy tracking three layers deep, and testing one values-based boundaryIf this episode resonates and you're ready for precision instead of guesswork, the RVA Blueprint is a fully customized strategic analysis where Sarah helps you identify your real core values with precise language, map where they've been violated or honored, and build a focused action plan. Special pricing to celebrate the podcast release, delivered within 30 days.  New episodes weekly. Follow The Career Strategist wherever you listen. Support the show You were never satisfying anyone by satisfying everyone. Stop satisfying everyone. I'm Sarah Caminiti. This is The Career Strategist. If this episode helped you see something more clearly, send it to someone who needs to hear it. And if you haven't yet — subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next.

    27 min

  3. FEB 11

    How Power Moves

    Text me with feedback or questions! You've felt it — the meeting where your ideas get built on without credit, the  praise that somehow makes you smaller, the feedback that comes without names or specifics. That's power moving, and it rarely announces itself. In this episode, Sarah breaks down the hidden power dynamics that shape your career before you even realize the game is being played. She introduces the "cardigan" — the polite power move that's cashmere on the outside, barbed wire underneath — and walks through the most common types: the moving target, the whispered warning, and claimed credit. You'll learn a practical framework for reading any professional space (green, yellow, or red rooms), how to recognize when you've been cast in roles that serve the system instead of you — the fixer, the buffer, the daughter, the translator — and three strategic shifts you can make this week to stop shrinking and start reshaping the dynamic. This episode is for anyone who's ever walked out of a room feeling smaller than when they walked in and wondered if they imagined it. You didn't. Subscribe to The Career Strategist and leave a review if this episode gave you language for something you've been feeling but couldn't name. Key takeaways: Power isn't just titles and corner offices — it's who gets to be comfortable, who gets forgiven, and who has to manage everyone else's reactionsThe "cardigan" is a polite power move that looks supportive on the surface but contains you underneath — learn to spot the moving target, whispered warnings, and claimed credit patternsEvery professional space is a green, yellow, or red room — naming the colorgives you back strategic choice about how much energy to invest If you've been cast as the fixer, the buffer, the daughter, or the translator, you're propping up someone else's comfort at the cost of your own growthThree shifts to try this week: stop auto-volunteering, name the real decision maker, and replace "happy to help" with "I deliver [specific outcome]"Resources Mentioned  The double bind research on women in leadership The Career Strategist Episode 1: Defining yourself before someone else doesConnect with Sarah LinkedIn / website  Support the show You were never satisfying anyone by satisfying everyone. Stop satisfying everyone. I'm Sarah Caminiti. This is The Career Strategist. If this episode helped you see something more clearly, send it to someone who needs to hear it. And if you haven't yet — subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next.

    36 min

  4. FEB 4

    The Right To Define Yourself

    Text me with feedback or questions! Episode 1: The Right to Define Yourself You walk into a room with years of experience, nuanced thinking, and complex capabilities. Within minutes, you've been reduced to something manageable. "She's so detail-oriented." "Such a team player." "Really approachable." This is flattening. And you've been letting it happen. In this episode, I break down exactly how flattening works—the daily patterns, the language traps, the performance of being smaller than you are. More importantly, I give you three strategic shifts you can practice this week to start resisting it. This isn't about hoping things get better. It's about the tactical skills you need to demand better and create it yourself. In this episode: What flattening actually looks like (and why you don't recognize it's happening)The cost of being "easy to work with"Professional masking: why you're exhausted from being someone you're notThe three strategic shifts that change everythingWhy gratitude became the cage I built around my own growthHow to start claiming authority you've already earnedThree actions you can take tomorrow: Practice accurate self-representation - Write how you'd introduce someone else with your exact experience. The gap between that and how you introduce yourself? That's the flattening you've internalized.Stop apologizing for your presence - Catch yourself saying "sorry" when nothing requires an apology. Practice occupying space without apologizing for it first.Say no without elaborate justifications - "That won't work for me" is a complete sentence. People who respect boundaries don't need explanations.Every episode of The Career Strategist gives you three actions you can take immediately. If something doesn't work for you, that doesn't mean you're doing it wrong—it means your context is different. Let me know. This is meant to be a conversation. Season 1 taught me I could be public. Season 2 is me being powerful. Support the show You were never satisfying anyone by satisfying everyone. Stop satisfying everyone. I'm Sarah Caminiti. This is The Career Strategist. If this episode helped you see something more clearly, send it to someone who needs to hear it. And if you haven't yet — subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next.

    28 min
  5. Creating Space for Growth: Why Purpose Matters with Suneet Bhatt

    11/12/2024

    Creating Space for Growth: Why Purpose Matters with Suneet Bhatt

    Text me with feedback or questions! The best story you ever told wasn't memorized, it was just known and felt very deeply... Discover the transformative journey of personal growth and purpose as we welcome Suneet Bhatt, the founder of My Authentic Journey, to the final episode of the podcast. Unearth the four significant eras of life, as inspired by geologic eras themselves, and learn how to embrace each phase—from the carefree days of childhood to the legacy-focused years. Suneet shares how vulnerability and presence can guide us through these stages, encouraging us to be intentional in our growth, allowing past experiences to mold but not define us. Expect actionable insights that will empower you to navigate life's transitions with clarity and purpose. In an unexpected twist, find out how a job at Victoria's Secret and a quirky, poorly-drawn alpaca became pivotal in recognizing inherent leadership qualities and the significance of community. Suneet unfolds his creative journey, offering a fresh perspective on nurturing innate abilities and their impact on personal education and growth. This episode delves into the organic unfolding of purpose and the importance of patience in teaching methodologies, all while planting seeds of knowledge that flourish over time. As we explore the evolving landscape of education, we acknowledge how career paths have evolved how that impacts the college experience. We also look into the power of EOS, transformative power of digital tools in enhancing productivity and the importance of decoupling personal identity from professional alignment. Wrap up the first season of Epochal Growth with us, and get ready for more transformative narratives in the upcoming season in 2025. Stay connected through LinkedIn and the ElevateCX Slack community, and don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for all the latest updates. Support the show You were never satisfying anyone by satisfying everyone. Stop satisfying everyone. I'm Sarah Caminiti. This is The Career Strategist. If this episode helped you see something more clearly, send it to someone who needs to hear it. And if you haven't yet — subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next.

    1 hr
  6. Business as Art: Redefining Leadership and Cultivating Authenticity with Craig Crisler

    11/05/2024

    Business as Art: Redefining Leadership and Cultivating Authenticity with Craig Crisler

    Text me with feedback or questions! What if business could be more like art? Join me for a special birthday episode of Epochal Growth, where Craig Crisler, CEO and co-founder of SupportNinja, shares his unique journey from serial entrepreneurship to leading with humility and authenticity. Craig's personal story of recovery deeply influences his approach to leadership, bringing a fresh perspective on creating value in business through genuine relationships. Together, we explore the idea of business as an art form, where thoughtful interactions can have a lasting impact, much like a masterpiece. Craig and I dig into the unconventional paths of leadership within the outsourcing industry, emphasizing the importance of surrounding yourself with smarter individuals to drive growth and innovation. We share insights from our career journeys, highlighting how diverse experiences contribute to a unique leadership style. As SupportNinja grew, he remained committed to redefining traditional BPO models and embracing global collaboration, which has been pivotal in enhancing business practices and outcomes. Our candid discussion sheds light on the complex dynamics of customer experience (CX) and the significance of integrating it into the core business strategy. The episode takes a heartfelt turn as we discuss finding alignment and fulfillment in both personal and professional life. Craig draws a beautiful analogy to the Beatles' harmonious era, describing a stage where everything feels in sync. We explore the joy and contentment that come from aligning our passions and efforts with our true selves, despite challenges. Craig's analogy of a band creating great music encapsulates the essence of striving for balance and fulfillment, celebrating the peace that comes with living and working authentically. Support the show You were never satisfying anyone by satisfying everyone. Stop satisfying everyone. I'm Sarah Caminiti. This is The Career Strategist. If this episode helped you see something more clearly, send it to someone who needs to hear it. And if you haven't yet — subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next.

    52 min
  7. What's Your Ripple? Leaving an Impact with Greg Collins

    10/29/2024

    What's Your Ripple? Leaving an Impact with Greg Collins

    Text me with feedback or questions! Discover the transformative insights of Greg Collins, Vice President of Revenue at Boldr, as he shares his journey from SaaS to BPOs.  Learn how stepping outside conventional roles can lead to joy and growth in both personal and professional realms. Greg's conversation encourages us to focus on the intersection of talents and passions, offering guidance on creating a more fulfilling career path rather than merely chasing titles or companies. Struggling with overcommitment and the pressure to please? Greg illuminates the importance of setting and communicating personal boundaries, introducing the concept of FOG—fear, obligation, and guilt—as a framework for decision-making. The episode underscores the power of radical candor in communication, emphasizing the need for caring enough to engage in conflict when necessary. Real-world anecdotes highlight how understanding one's needs and creating a supportive environment can lead to better leadership and healthier work-life balance. Finally, we explore the significance of KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) in fostering meaningful team conversations, rather than just measuring success. Greg shares how setting a Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) can inspire a culture of curiosity and collaboration. We discuss the value of cultural fit and leadership transparency, offering strategies for evaluating these aspects during job searches. We close the conversation asking everyone to think about the ripple effect they make in their daily work and life. Those small ripples can change the world.  This episode provides reassurance on navigating career transitions and underscores the power of maintaining a supportive network amidst an ever-evolving job market. Support the show You were never satisfying anyone by satisfying everyone. Stop satisfying everyone. I'm Sarah Caminiti. This is The Career Strategist. If this episode helped you see something more clearly, send it to someone who needs to hear it. And if you haven't yet — subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next.

    47 min
  8. Epochal Growth x The Supportive Crossover: Self-Service is the Future

    10/22/2024 · BONUS

    Epochal Growth x The Supportive Crossover: Self-Service is the Future

    Text me with feedback or questions! In this special crossover episode, Sarah Caminiti teams up with Mat Patterson, host of Help Scout's The Supportive, to dive into one of the hottest topics in customer service: the future of self-service and AI. As businesses evolve, so does the way we support customers, and self-service is quickly becoming the go-to solution. But what does that mean for support teams, leadership, and customer experience? Bring a notebook and listen as Mat breaks down the critical role self-service plays in streamlining operations, enhancing customer satisfaction, and freeing up your team for more complex, impactful work. From ancient vending machines to modern AI tools, Mat explores how tech is reshaping customer interactions and why human empathy remains irreplaceable. Sarah also jumps in throughout the episode to offer her leadership insights on how to navigate the transition to AI-powered self-service without losing the personal touch that defines great support. If you’re a leader, CX professional, or just curious about the future of work, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways on using AI and self-service to empower your team and elevate your customer experience. Tune in for a forward-thinking conversation that will change the way you approach customer service, strategy, and leadership in the age of AI! Support the show You were never satisfying anyone by satisfying everyone. Stop satisfying everyone. I'm Sarah Caminiti. This is The Career Strategist. If this episode helped you see something more clearly, send it to someone who needs to hear it. And if you haven't yet — subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next.

    25 min
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5
out of 5
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About

You’re not broken. You’re not behind. You’ve just been defined by someone else for too long. It’s time to take that power back. The Career Strategist is where clarity meets strategy. Hosted by Sarah Caminiti, each episode is a deep, honest look at what’s really holding you back in your career—and how to move forward without changing who you are. Whether you’re navigating leadership, burnout, visibility, or your next big pivot, this show hands you the language and tools you were never taught. You’ll learn how to articulate your value, own your expertise, and stop shrinking to make others comfortable. Expect real strategy. No fluff. No performative advice. Just career truth-telling for people who are ready to lead, ask for more, and define success on their terms. New episodes every other week.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Caminiti
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Career Strategist
  • Show Website
    The Career Strategist