Career by Design: Women, Work & Professional Success

Tiarna Harvey

Career by Design is a transformative narrative podcast hosted by Tiarna Harvey, dedicated to redefining what it means for women to achieve professional success on their own terms. This show offers more than just career advice; it delivers an empowering emotional journey that challenges the traditional corporate ladder and celebrates the diverse paths women take to build fulfilling lives. By blending personal storytelling with strategic insights, Tiarna creates a safe space where listeners can explore their ambitions without apology or limitation. The experience is designed to inspire confidence, providing clarity and courage to those ready to take control of their professional destinies. The series dives deep into essential themes such as leadership development, work-life integration, entrepreneurial mindset, and navigating workplace dynamics as a woman in business. Listeners will discover actionable strategies for salary negotiation, overcoming imposter syndrome, and building resilient careers in competitive industries. Each episode explores real-world stories of women who have successfully pivoted industries, started their own ventures, or mastered the art of setting boundaries. Topics include financial literacy for professionals, the importance of mentorship, and how to cultivate authentic personal branding. Whether you are looking for tips on remote work productivity or seeking inspiration from female founders, this show covers the full spectrum of modern professional growth. This podcast is crafted for ambitious women, aspiring entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders who feel stuck or underrepresented in their current roles. Tiarna Harvey’s warm, empathetic, yet direct voice provides a refreshing perspective that balances practical business acumen with genuine human connection. Episodes are released regularly, offering a consistent rhythm of motivation and education to support your ongoing journey. You will find comfort in knowing that every challenge discussed has been navigated by others before you, creating a sense of community and shared purpose. Join a growing community of women committed to designing careers that reflect their true values and aspirations. Follow and subscribe to Career by Design today to never miss an episode of empowerment and professional insight. Topics: career advice for women, women in business podcast, professional development tips, female entrepreneurship stories, leadership skills training, work life balance strategies, overcoming imposter syndrome, salary negotiation tactics, building a personal brand, career change guidance, women's empowerment network, business success mindset, corporate career growth, remote work productivity, mentorship for women, financial literacy professionals, authentic leadership styles, networking for introverts #WomenInBusiness #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalSuccess #FemaleLeadership #EntrepreneurMindset #WorkLifeBalance #PersonalBranding #CorporateClimb #WomenEmpowerment #BusinessStrategy #MentorshipMatters #GoalSetting #ConfidenceBuilding #NetworkingTips #SelfEmployed #CareerPivot

Episodes

  1. 6m ago

    The Quiet Sting of Being Passed Over: Reclaiming Your Power | Career by Design

    This episode of Career by Design addresses the profound emotional impact of being passed over for a promotion or new role, offering women in business a framework to process rejection and reclaim professional power. Host Tiarna Harvey explores why the sting of being overlooked feels so heavy, validating that this is an emotional event rather than just a logistical setback. Listeners will learn how to stop spiraling into self-interrogation and instead shift their focus from internal doubt to external organizational analysis, understanding that often, being passed over has more to do with company politics, pre-existing molds, or restructuring than actual competence. The conversation dives deep into the dangerous impulse to work harder immediately after rejection, explaining why this reaction signals ambiguity and trains employers to keep you in the background without granting recognition. Instead, the episode advocates for clarity and strategic dialogue. You will discover how to conduct direct, calm, and professional conversations with decision-makers to gather intelligence on specific milestones, turning vague feedback into actionable roadmaps or identifying red flags like opacity and moving goalposts. This approach transforms uncertainty into information, which is presented as true power in the workplace. Furthermore, the episode challenges the linear narrative of career success, encouraging listeners to view their careers as a jungle gym rather than a ladder. It emphasizes the importance of defining your own value outside of corporate validation and titles, fostering resilience and independence. Key takeaways include setting boundaries, documenting achievements, updating resumes even when not actively looking, and protecting joy outside of work to maintain perspective. This guide is essential for ambitious women seeking to navigate office politics, build self-worth independent of external permission, and make informed decisions about staying or leaving a role. If you are ready to turn the sting of rejection into wisdom and redirection, listen now to reclaim your agency and define your next chapter on your own terms. Support this show and access additional resources at the link below. More from Career by Design: https://humanitymedia.org/career-by-design Topics: career advice for women, being passed over for promotion, handling workplace rejection, professional development strategies, women in leadership, office politics navigation, reclaiming professional power, career resilience tips, how to ask for feedback, workplace boundaries, career transition guidance, emotional intelligence at work #careersuccess #womeninbusiness #leadershipdevelopment #workplacerejection #careeradvice #professionalgrowth #selfworth #officepolitics #resilience #empowerment #careercoach #mindsetshift Transcript: https://cdn.humanitymedia.org/transcripts/career-by-design/2026-09-07.txt

  2. 1d ago

    The Strategic Art of Quiet Influence: Lead Without Loudness | Career by Design

    In this episode of Career by Design, host Tiarna Harvey dismantles the myth that leadership requires loudness and visibility. This guide to quiet influence is designed for ambitious women in business, entrepreneurship, and corporate roles who feel pressured to perform rather than lead. You will learn why silence is a strategic asset, not a sign of weakness, and how to cultivate psychological safety within your team by mastering the art of deep listening. The episode explores the mechanics of influence, arguing that true power comes from restraint, clarity, and intentional presence rather than constant vocalization. Tiarna breaks down actionable strategies for building leverage without raising your voice. Key topics include the power of written communication as a tool for clarity and control, helping you bypass interruptions and set agendas before meetings begin. She also covers the importance of grounded body language and physical presence, teaching you how to use stillness and posture to signal authority and calm. By shifting from reactive noise to responsive substance, you can build a reputation based on reliability and character. These techniques are essential for sustainable career growth, helping you avoid burnout while establishing yourself as an indispensable leader who earns trust through empathy and insight. The narrative emphasizes that charisma is fleeting, but character is durable. Through stories of boardroom dynamics and consulting experiences, the episode illustrates how to listen for hidden objections and unspoken tensions, turning observation into strategic advantage. This approach allows you to navigate office politics with grace and integrity, ensuring that your ambition does not come at the cost of your peace. Whether you are navigating remote work, leading hybrid teams, or seeking executive promotion, these principles offer a roadmap for leading with nuance and depth. It is about building a legacy of value, not just volume. Listen now to discover how to reclaim your professional power through the strategic art of quiet influence. If this episode resonates with you, please support the show by sharing it with a colleague or leaving a review. Your support helps us continue providing high-quality content on women, work, and professional success. More from Career by Design: https://humanitymedia.org/career-by-design Topics: quiet influence, leadership without loudness, women in business, strategic listening, professional development, body language for leaders, career advice for women, psychological safety, written communication skills, executive presence, workplace confidence, sustainable ambition, emotional intelligence at work #quietinfluence #leadershipskills #womenthatlead #careergrowth #professionaldevelopment #businessstrategy #executivepresence #mindfulleadership #worklifebalance #careeradvice #softskills #integrityatwork Transcript: https://cdn.humanitymedia.org/transcripts/career-by-design/2026-09-06.txt

  3. 2d ago

    Why Starting Over at 40 Is Your Greatest Strategic Advantage | Career by Design

    This episode of Career by Design challenges the pervasive myth that turning forty marks the end of professional viability. Host Tiarna Harvey argues that starting over at midlife is not a failure, but a strategic advantage rooted in pattern recognition and emotional intelligence. This guide is specifically for women navigating career pivots, those feeling stuck in unfulfilling roles, and professionals who fear they are 'too old' to learn new skills or switch industries. By reframing age as an asset-rich starting point rather than an expiration date, listeners learn how to translate decades of experience into authority in a new context. The narrative explores the psychological barriers to change, such as the fear of looking foolish and the comfort of known misery versus unknown potential. Drawing on real-world examples like Sarah, a corporate lawyer who successfully transitioned into tech conflict resolution, the episode demonstrates how 'human skills'—negotiation, deconstructing complex problems, and managing high-stakes emotions—are universal and highly transferable. The discussion emphasizes that you do not erase your past; you refactor it, applying hard-won lessons to a faster, more aligned server. Key themes include overcoming hustle culture myths, recognizing non-linear career paths, and understanding that pruning old habits is necessary for new growth. Further deepening the conversation, the episode introduces the concept of alignment over progress, urging listeners to prioritize sustainability and longevity over short-term glory. It provides actionable advice for building momentum through small, manageable steps, fostering community, and listening to one’s inner compass. The core question posed is simple yet profound: 'Is this serving you?' This framework helps listeners distinguish between external validation and internal well-being, encouraging them to build careers that respect their humanity. The episode serves as both a motivational manifesto and a practical toolkit for designing a career that fits the individual, not a template. If you are ready to stop apologizing for your history and start leveraging your resilience as a competitive advantage, listen now. Join Tiarna Harvey in redefining what it means to succeed in your forties and beyond. Support the show and access exclusive resources by visiting the link in the description. Your next chapter begins with a single breath and the courage to pivot. More from Career by Design: https://humanitymedia.org/career-by-design Topics: career pivot at 40, midlife career change women, professional restart strategies, pattern recognition in business, non linear career path, transferable skills for women, overcoming career fear, alignment vs progress, sustainable career design, reframing age as asset, women in leadership transitions, career coaching for midlife, building professional confidence, intentional career design #careerpivot #midlifecareer #womeninbusiness #careerchange #professionalgrowth #leadershipdevelopment #mindsetshift #careercoaching #entrepreneurship #selfimprovement #worklifebalance #careeradvice Transcript: https://cdn.humanitymedia.org/transcripts/career-by-design/2026-09-05.txt

  4. 3d ago

    The Fear of Starting Over at Forty: A Strategic Guide | Career by Design

    This episode of Career by Design addresses the profound anxiety many women feel when considering a career pivot or restart at age forty. Host Tiarna Harvey dismantles the societal myth that forty is an expiration date for ambition, reframing it instead as a strategic launchpad powered by decades of accumulated experience. This guide is essential for professional women who feel they have missed the traditional linear timeline of graduate-by-twenty-two and partner-by-forty, offering reassurance that starting over from experience is fundamentally different—and often superior—to starting from scratch. The conversation dives deep into the mechanics of 'strategic intelligence,' explaining how pattern recognition, emotional maturity, and political awareness serve as unfair advantages in the modern workplace. We explore why the fear of starting over is often imposter syndrome in disguise and provide a concrete, three-step framework to move from paralysis to action: auditing transferable skills, defining a specific personal 'why,' and building small pilot projects to test new directions without high risk. The episode also tackles the cultural pressure of hustle culture versus sustainable ambition, encouraging listeners to reject burnout-driven achievement in favor of careers that respect their energy and values. Beyond individual strategy, this episode emphasizes the critical role of community and vulnerability in professional success. By sharing fears and seeking mentors, women can transform isolation into solidarity, creating resilient networks that support long-term growth. The narrative highlights that failure is merely data, not a fatal flaw, and invites listeners to adopt a scientist’s mindset toward their career transitions. Whether you are navigating burnout, seeking purpose, or simply ready to reclaim your narrative, this episode provides the clarity and courage needed to build a legacy that lasts. If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a colleague who needs to hear it. You can support the show and access additional resources by visiting the link in the description. Thank you for listening to Career by Design, where we help women design careers that fit their lives, not the other way around. More from Career by Design: https://humanitymedia.org/career-by-design Topics: career change at 40, women in leadership, midlife career pivot, imposter syndrome advice, professional development for women, starting over after 40, transferable skills audit, sustainable ambition, burnout recovery career, female entrepreneurship guide, career coaching strategies, overcoming fear of failure #careerchange #womeninbusiness #midlifepivot #leadershipdevelopment #impostersyndrome #careeradvice #professionalgrowth #startover #ambition #careerstrategy #womensuccess #mindsetshift Transcript: https://cdn.humanitymedia.org/transcripts/career-by-design/2026-09-04.txt

About

Career by Design is a transformative narrative podcast hosted by Tiarna Harvey, dedicated to redefining what it means for women to achieve professional success on their own terms. This show offers more than just career advice; it delivers an empowering emotional journey that challenges the traditional corporate ladder and celebrates the diverse paths women take to build fulfilling lives. By blending personal storytelling with strategic insights, Tiarna creates a safe space where listeners can explore their ambitions without apology or limitation. The experience is designed to inspire confidence, providing clarity and courage to those ready to take control of their professional destinies. The series dives deep into essential themes such as leadership development, work-life integration, entrepreneurial mindset, and navigating workplace dynamics as a woman in business. Listeners will discover actionable strategies for salary negotiation, overcoming imposter syndrome, and building resilient careers in competitive industries. Each episode explores real-world stories of women who have successfully pivoted industries, started their own ventures, or mastered the art of setting boundaries. Topics include financial literacy for professionals, the importance of mentorship, and how to cultivate authentic personal branding. Whether you are looking for tips on remote work productivity or seeking inspiration from female founders, this show covers the full spectrum of modern professional growth. This podcast is crafted for ambitious women, aspiring entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders who feel stuck or underrepresented in their current roles. Tiarna Harvey’s warm, empathetic, yet direct voice provides a refreshing perspective that balances practical business acumen with genuine human connection. Episodes are released regularly, offering a consistent rhythm of motivation and education to support your ongoing journey. You will find comfort in knowing that every challenge discussed has been navigated by others before you, creating a sense of community and shared purpose. Join a growing community of women committed to designing careers that reflect their true values and aspirations. Follow and subscribe to Career by Design today to never miss an episode of empowerment and professional insight. Topics: career advice for women, women in business podcast, professional development tips, female entrepreneurship stories, leadership skills training, work life balance strategies, overcoming imposter syndrome, salary negotiation tactics, building a personal brand, career change guidance, women's empowerment network, business success mindset, corporate career growth, remote work productivity, mentorship for women, financial literacy professionals, authentic leadership styles, networking for introverts #WomenInBusiness #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalSuccess #FemaleLeadership #EntrepreneurMindset #WorkLifeBalance #PersonalBranding #CorporateClimb #WomenEmpowerment #BusinessStrategy #MentorshipMatters #GoalSetting #ConfidenceBuilding #NetworkingTips #SelfEmployed #CareerPivot