Career by Design: Women, Work & Professional Success

Tiarna Harvey
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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

  1. Oct 22

    The Secret Life of Your Commute Partner: Finding Connection in Crowds | Career by Design

    In this episode of Career by Design, host Tiarna Harvey explores the hidden emotional landscape of your daily commute, transforming it from a period of isolation into an opportunity for profound human connection. This episode is specifically designed for professional women who feel overwhelmed by the pressure to constantly perform at work and are seeking sustainable ambition through empathy and mindfulness. We delve into the 'mirror effect' of commuting, where seeing others struggle often reflects our own exhaustion, challenging the invisible walls we build around ourselves in public spaces like trains, subways, and cars. Tiarna shares personal anecdotes about witnessing strangers’ fragility—such as a shaking hand or silent tears—and questions whether silence serves us or isolates us further. The discussion moves beyond simple politeness to explore 'micro-moments of grace,' such as a genuine smile, a nod, or holding a door open. These small acts are framed not just as kindness, but as radical acts of rebellion against a culture that prioritizes speed and efficiency over humanity. By breaking the 'glass wall' of digital distraction and engaging with our surroundings, we can combat the loneliness and burnout that plague modern professional life. The episode offers practical takeaways for building resilience through community, even fleeting ones. It encourages listeners to practice intentional presence, noticing details like the sound of rain or the expression on a fellow commuter’s face, rather than scrolling through news feeds to avoid engagement. This shift in perspective helps reframe the commute from a neutral zone of disappearance to a shared space of dignity and mutual support. Learn how to lighten the load for those around you, recognizing that everyone is carrying unseen weights, and discover how these tiny connections can fuel your strength for the challenges ahead. If you are ready to lead with empathy and find strength in shared vulnerability during your daily routine, listen to this episode now. Support the show and join the community of women designing their careers by visiting the link below. More from Career by Design: https://humanitymedia.org/career-by-design Topics: commute mindfulness, professional women success, workplace burnout recovery, empathy in the workplace, sustainable ambition, daily commute psychology, human connection crowds, career by design podcast, tiarna harvey interview, overcoming isolation at work, mindful commuting tips, resilience through community #CareerByDesign #MindfulCommuting #WomenInBusiness #SustainableAmbition #EmpathyAtWork #ProfessionalGrowth #BurnoutRecovery #HumanConnection #LeadershipWithHeart #DailyRoutine #ResilienceBuilding #TiarnaHarvey Transcript: https://cdn.humanitymedia.org/transcripts/career-by-design/2026-10-22.txt

  2. 22h ago

    Trading Paychecks for Purpose: Why I Quit My Six-Figure Job | Career by Design

    In this episode of Career by Design, host Tiarna Harvey explores the profound and often terrifying decision to quit a six-figure job in pursuit of purpose-driven work. This conversation is essential for high-achieving professionals, particularly women in corporate roles, who feel a growing misalignment between their external success and internal fulfillment. We dissect the psychological weight of leaving a lucrative career, addressing the shock faced by colleagues who view such a leap as insanity rather than courage. The episode provides a raw, honest look at the 'quiet erosion of the soul' that occurs when one spends years solving problems that no longer matter, offering validation to those feeling trapped by the traditional corporate treadmill. We dive deep into the mechanics of this transition, moving beyond surface-level advice to tackle the core fears of identity loss and financial insecurity. Tiarna discusses how titles like 'Senior Vice President' serve as armor, and what it means to become a beginner again in creative uncertainty. The narrative emphasizes that vulnerability is not weakness but the birthplace of innovation. Listeners will learn to distinguish between anxiety and intuition, understanding that the discomfort of change is a necessary part of finding genuine interest in your work. We also dismantle the linear definition of success—grades, internships, promotions—and replace it with a spiral model of growth, failure, and pivoting that better suits entrepreneurial and creative paths. Practical strategies are woven throughout the discussion, focusing on building emotional resilience and redefining value from hours logged to impact created. We address the elephant in the room: money. Rather than romanticizing poverty, we offer gritty, realistic advice on budgeting, creating safety nets, and using corporate skills to buy autonomy. The episode highlights the importance of sustainable ambition over hustle culture, encouraging listeners to pace themselves and nourish their unique rhythms. By sharing personal stories of loneliness and eventual community building, we show how to find your tribe among other dreamers and creatives. Ultimately, this episode is a call to action for anyone standing on the edge of a major career change. It invites you to ask yourself what you will regret more: the risk of leaving security or the safety of staying silent. By shifting your focus from resume-defined success to soul-aligned truth, you can build a life that reflects your true self. Listen now to discover how to trade paychecks for purpose, trust your feet to find the next rung, and keep choosing courage in your professional journey. Support the show and join our community of ambitious women by visiting the link below. More from Career by Design: https://humanitymedia.org/career-by-design Topics: quit six figure job, career change for women, corporate burnout recovery, finding purpose in work, entrepreneurial mindset shift, financial planning for creatives, sustainable ambition vs hustle, identity loss after career exit, vulnerability in leadership, creative uncertainty benefits, redefining professional success, emotional resilience career, leaving corporate ladder #careerbydesign #purposeoverpaycheck #womeninbusiness #corporatequit #creativeentrepreneur #mindsetshift #professionalgrowth #sustainableambition #careertransition #authenticwork #leadershipdevelopment #findyourtribe Transcript: https://cdn.humanitymedia.org/transcripts/career-by-design/2026-10-21.txt

  3. 1d ago

    When the Promotion Feels Hollow: Finding Purpose Beyond the Title | Career by Design

    Have you recently received a promotion that left you feeling empty, anxious, or like an imposter in your own life? This episode of 'Career by Design' explores the phenomenon known as the hollow promotion, where external success metrics—such as a corner office, higher salary, and elevated title—fail to deliver the internal fulfillment we were promised. Host Tiarna Harvey addresses the specific loneliness of high-achieving women who realize that the destination was not the promise they were sold, helping listeners understand that this dissonance is not a failure of character but a critical signal flare from their soul indicating a misalignment between their external achievements and internal values. The conversation dives deep into the mechanics of ambition versus meaning, challenging the linear narrative that work hard, get promoted, and be happy. Tiarna discusses how we often adopt desires that aren’t truly ours, chasing titles belonging to our parents, peers, or past versions of ourselves driven by insecurity. She introduces the concept of agency, distinguishing it from authority, and explains how true leadership requires authentic action rather than mimicking the behaviors of leaders who may have caused burnout. Listeners will learn to identify the 'holes' in their professional cup—the tasks and decisions that drain energy—and stop pouring effort into roles that contradict their core identity, leading to cognitive dissonance and physical fatigue. Moving beyond simple career advice, this episode offers a framework for shifting from a 'ladder mindset,' which asks how much higher one can go, to a 'compass mindset,' which asks which direction is true. By focusing on alignment, depth, and connection over competition and breadth, ambitious professionals can reclaim their authenticity within their current structures. The discussion provides actionable steps for setting boundaries, delegating draining tasks, and making small, consistent choices that honor one’s true self. It is a guide for those ready to design a career that supports their life rather than consumes it, ensuring that success feels sustainable and meaningful. If you are navigating the complexities of professional growth, seeking purpose beyond the title, or struggling with the quiet ache of unfulfilled ambition, this episode provides the clarity and courage needed to rebuild your relationship with work. Listen now to discover how to align your daily actions with your deepest values and find genuine fulfillment in your career journey. Support the show and access additional resources via the link below. More from Career by Design: https://humanitymedia.org/career-by-design Topics: promotion anxiety, career fulfillment, imposter syndrome, work life balance, professional alignment, women in leadership, career purpose, burnout recovery, authentic leadership, agency at work, career coaching, meaningful work #careerbydesign #professionalgrowth #womenleadership #mindfulcareer #authenticity #worklifebalance #careercoaching #purposedriven #mentalhealthatwork #leadershipdevelopment Transcript: https://cdn.humanitymedia.org/transcripts/career-by-design/2026-10-20.txt

  4. 2d ago

    How to Listen to Gossip Without Losing Your Integrity | Career by Design

    In this episode of Career by Design, host Tiarna Harvey explores the hidden costs of participating in office gossip and provides actionable strategies for maintaining professional integrity. This guide is essential for ambitious women navigating workplace dynamics who want to protect their energy, avoid burnout, and build a reputation based on trust rather than drama. The episode dissects the psychology behind why colleagues share negative information and how passive listening can inadvertently signal consent to toxic behavior, ultimately eroding team safety and personal peace. Tiarna breaks down the mechanics of these interactions, explaining that when someone vents about others, they are often seeking an accomplice to share their shame rather than genuine support. By accepting this burden, employees trade their mental clarity for someone else’s temporary relief, creating a cycle of anxiety and distrust. The discussion highlights how silence is not neutrality; it allows insecure individuals to elevate themselves at the expense of others, reinforcing unhealthy power hierarchies. Listeners will learn to recognize the physical signs of this stress, such as low-level anxiety, which serves as intuition that their environment has become unsafe or transactional. The core of the episode offers practical, script-based tools for gracefully exiting gossip conversations without becoming the 'office villain.' Tiarna introduces three specific techniques: the direct boundary statement ('I’m not comfortable discussing [Name] when they aren’t here'), the curiosity redirect ('What made you decide to share that with me?'), and the warm subject change that pivots back to professional tasks. These methods allow listeners to maintain relationships while firmly establishing boundaries. By refusing to engage, professionals build a brand of integrity that attracts allies and leadership attention, transforming them into trusted confidants for real problems rather than dumping grounds for petty grievances. This episode is designed for career-focused individuals who value sustainable ambition and authentic connection over shallow social bonding. It emphasizes that protecting your center is not just about self-care but is a critical component of long-term professional success. By choosing responses carefully and letting actions speak louder than whispers, you design a career that honors your soul. Listen to discover how to stop being a conduit for negativity and start building a workspace where respect is the baseline. Support the show and access more resources at the link below. More from Career by Design: https://humanitymedia.org/career-by-design Topics: office gossip, workplace integrity, professional boundaries, career advice for women, toxic work culture, emotional intelligence, workplace communication skills, burnout prevention, leadership development, handling difficult colleagues, career growth strategies, professional reputation, workplace psychology #careersuccess #workplacewellness #integrity #boundaries #womeninbusiness #professionaldevelopment #mindfulleadership #careeradvice #worklifebalance #positiveculture #selfimprovement #ambition Transcript: https://cdn.humanitymedia.org/transcripts/career-by-design/2026-10-19.txt

  5. 3d ago

    When They Steal Your Idea: How to Protect Your Work Without Burning Bridges | Career by Design

    In this episode of Career by Design, host Tiarna Harvey addresses the painful and all-too-common professional crisis of having your ideas stolen by a boss or senior leader. This guide is essential for women in corporate environments who feel their labor is being erased, offering a strategic framework to protect intellectual property without burning bridges or appearing aggressive. The episode moves beyond emotional validation to provide concrete, actionable steps for handling credit theft, emphasizing that ignoring such behavior makes you complicit in your own erasure while establishing clear boundaries protects your career trajectory. Tiarna breaks down the psychology behind why leaders steal credit, often revealing it as a symptom of their own insecurity rather than a personal attack on your worth. She introduces critical strategies for documentation, advising listeners to create comprehensive paper trails including version control timestamps, email chains, and Slack messages to build undeniable evidence of their contributions. The narrative explores the importance of 'radical candor wrapped in professional courtesy,' teaching how to have difficult one-on-one conversations using curiosity instead of accusation. By framing requests for attribution as alignment checks, professionals can save face for their superiors while firmly asserting ownership of their work. Beyond immediate confrontation, the episode outlines systemic defenses against future erasure. Key tactics include bypassing opacity by sharing progress directly with stakeholders via weekly value-add emails, cultivating allies among peers who can corroborate your efforts, and anchoring verbal ideas in permanent written formats like memos and agendas. These methods transform your work from disposable drafts into visible, attributed assets. Finally, Tiarna discusses recognizing toxic cultures where extraction is valued over empowerment, guiding listeners on when to stay and fight versus when to leave with grace and preparation. If you are ready to reclaim your professional identity and ensure your brilliance is witnessed by the right audience, listen to this full episode. Support the show and access additional resources at the link provided below. More from Career by Design: https://humanitymedia.org/career-by-design Topics: credit theft at work, protecting intellectual property, women in leadership, career advice for women, handling difficult bosses, professional boundary setting, workplace gaslighting, corporate politics, how to document work achievements, negotiating credit for ideas, toxic workplace culture, career advancement strategies, office politics survival #careerbydesign #womeninbusiness #workplaceadvice #professionaldevelopment #leadershipskills #careergrowth #empowerment #corporatelife #intellectualproperty #boundariesatwork #careercoach #successmindset Transcript: https://cdn.humanitymedia.org/transcripts/career-by-design/2026-10-18.txt

  6. 4d ago

    Silence the Ping: Reclaim Deep Focus in a Noisy World | Career by Design

    In this episode of Career by Design, host Tiarna Harvey tackles the modern epidemic of digital distraction and teaches women how to silence the ping to reclaim deep focus in a noisy world. This guide is essential for ambitious professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders who feel perpetually exhausted by context switching and the pressure to be constantly available. You will learn why multitasking is a myth that destroys IQ and productivity, and discover practical strategies to protect your attention as your most valuable currency. If you struggle with 'soul leaking'—the mental drain of rapid-task-switching—this episode provides the roadmap to shift from reactive shallow work to intentional, high-impact deep work. Tiarna explores the psychological mechanics behind our addiction to notifications, introducing concepts like 'boreout,' the emptiness felt after days of shallow reactivity. She shares personal anecdotes from her consulting career, illustrating how isolation and silence led to clearer strategy and better client outcomes than speed ever could. The episode offers concrete steps to create friction against distractions, such as turning off non-human notifications and establishing strict boundaries around response times. By treating your focus as sacred, you signal to colleagues and clients that your output has strategic value, transforming you from a mere resource into a respected thought leader. This conversation goes beyond time management; it is about professional identity and self-respect. Learn how to distinguish between reaction and response, allowing you to make slower, more intentional decisions that drive real progress. The takeaways include actionable advice on communicating boundaries with teams, resisting the urge to respond immediately to Slack messages, and cultivating the quiet confidence that comes from sustained concentration. Whether you are building a startup or climbing the corporate ladder, understanding the cost of interruptions is key to sustainable ambition and long-term career success. Listen now to transform your relationship with technology and reclaim your creative power. Support the show and join the community of women designing their careers by visiting the link below. Thank you for trusting Tiarna Harvey with your attention; go be deep, go be still, and choose the long game. More from Career by Design: https://humanitymedia.org/career-by-design Topics: deep work strategies, digital minimalism, context switching costs, professional boundaries, burnout vs boreout, focus and productivity, career success tips, women in leadership, attention management, mindful working, reducing screen time, strategic thinking, work-life balance #deepfocus #digitaldetox #productivityhacks #careeradvice #leadershipskills #mindfulnessatwork #womeninbusiness #intentionalliving #procrastinationtips #mentalclarity #worklifebalance #selfrespect Transcript: https://cdn.humanitymedia.org/transcripts/career-by-design/2026-10-17.txt

  7. 5d ago

    The Quiet Terror of the Two-Week Notice: How to Leave Without Losing Yourself | Career by Design

    This episode of Career by Design addresses the intense emotional and psychological complexity of resigning from a job, specifically targeting high-achieving women who struggle with guilt, fear of burning bridges, and identity loss when leaving their current roles. Host Tiarna Harvey explores the 'quiet terror' that accompanies handing in a two-week notice, validating feelings of betrayal and anxiety as normal responses to breaking professional conditioning. The discussion is essential for professionals seeking to navigate career transitions with integrity while protecting their mental health and nervous system regulation. We dismantle the myth that leaving a job must be seamless or without disruption, arguing that this expectation leads to self-sabotage and overwork during the final fourteen days. Key strategies include setting firm boundaries on capacity, refusing new initiatives, and understanding that your departure creates necessary gaps in human systems. The episode provides actionable advice on managing difficult conversations with supervisors, emphasizing proactive handover documentation over apologetic language. It also guides listeners on preserving genuine peer relationships while establishing healthy social boundaries to prevent burnout before starting a new position. Furthermore, the narrative delves into the existential void that follows resignation, encouraging listeners to reconnect with hobbies, embrace boredom, and redefine success outside of corporate utility. By shifting from reactive anxiety to proactive intention, you can prepare for your next chapter with clarity and confidence. This guide helps you leave with dignity, ensuring that your exit reflects self-respect rather than obligation, allowing you to enter new opportunities with presence and grace rather than carrying old burnout habits forward. Listen to this full episode to learn how to leave without losing yourself, manage professional guilt, and design a career path aligned with your values. Support the show and access additional resources at the link below. More from Career by Design: https://humanitymedia.org/career-by-design Topics: two week notice, resignation anxiety, burning bridges, career transition tips, leaving a job guilt, professional boundaries, high achieving women, workplace mental health, employee offboarding, nervous system regulation, career change stress, manager conversation script, professional development #careersuccess #jobsearch #womeninbusiness #mentalhealthawareness #professionalgrowth #boundarysetting #careeradvice #leadershipskills #worklifebalance #entrepreneurmindset #selfworth #careerchange Transcript: https://cdn.humanitymedia.org/transcripts/career-by-design/2026-10-16.txt

  8. Oct 11

    When Profit Pulls: Navigating Ethics vs. Money in Your Career | Career by Design

    In this episode of Career by Design, host Tiarna Harvey explores the complex intersection of profit and ethics in professional life. This guide is designed for ambitious women navigating high-stakes corporate environments who struggle with moral dilemmas, ethical gray areas, and the pressure to prioritize short-term financial gain over long-term integrity. The discussion provides a framework for maintaining self-respect while pursuing career success, offering practical advice on how to handle situations where commercial pressure conflicts with personal values. The narrative delves into the psychological mechanics of ethical compromise, illustrating how small concessions can lead to a gradual erosion of self-worth and professional reputation. Tiarna shares personal anecdotes from her consulting days to highlight the seductive nature of 'easy' shortcuts and the hidden costs of saying yes when your gut says no. Key themes include defining non-negotiables before crises occur, recognizing the difference between rigid morality and consistent principles, and understanding that true currency in business is trust, not just revenue. The episode emphasizes that building a reputation for honesty opens doors that money cannot force open, creating sustainable ambition rather than burnout. Practical strategies are offered for managing immediate ethical pressures, such as using strategic pauses to avoid reflexive compliance and reframing yourself as a thoughtful partner rather than a mere executor. The importance of cultivating a supportive community of allies who value integrity is highlighted as essential for sustaining ethical courage in isolation-heavy roles. By treating your career as a cohesive story rather than a series of transactions, you can align your daily actions with your long-term legacy. This approach ensures that your peace of mind remains intact, allowing you to wake up excited about your work without the dread of past compromises. Listen to this episode to learn how to navigate the murky middle of business ethics, define your core values, and build a career that honors both your ambition and your conscience. If you find value in these insights, please support the show via the link below to help us continue bringing high-quality content on women, work, and professional success. More from Career by Design: https://humanitymedia.org/career-by-design Topics: career ethics, professional integrity, women in leadership, ethical dilemmas at work, business morality, career advice for women, sustainable ambition, workplace values, executive decision making, corporate culture, personal brand reputation, moral courage, career design, professional development #careerbydesign #ethicalleadership #womeninbusiness #professionalgrowth #integrityatwork #careersuccess #moralcompass #leadershipskills #worklifebalance #authenticity #businessethics #empoweredwomen Transcript: https://cdn.humanitymedia.org/transcripts/career-by-design/2026-10-11.txt

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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

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