Hannah Hotline

Hannah Kissel
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Hannah Hotline is your mid-week hit of personal and professional development. Professional Certified Coach Hannah Kissel unpacks listeners' career dilemmas and brings them research-backed advice to help you develop to your highest professional potential without burning out. Submit your Hannah Hotline question at hello@hannahkissel.com to be featured on the podcast.

  1. 4d ago

    94: Managing Up: How to Handle an Unpredictable Boss

    He's a "great guy" but he calls pregnant teammates "disabled," doles out off-color jokes in your one-on-ones, and swings between warm and erratic so fast you get emotional whiplash. Sound familiar? In this episode of Hannah Hotline, we break down how to handle a boss who's unpredictable and inappropriate without quitting and without losing yourself. This isn't about managing his moods; it's about protecting your own sanity and career while you're in his orbit.  Here's what we cover: - Why his behavior is classed as bullying and harassment (even if it's not aimed at you) - The psychology of "hypervigilance" and why you feel on edge all the time - Exactly what to say when he crosses a line (scripts included) - How to get clarity on his inconsistent decisions without confrontation - The one habit that protects you if things escalate: documenting everything Timestamps: 01:00 — The listener's dilemma: the "great guy" with the off-color comments 02:35 — Why this behavior is bullying and harassment even when it's not aimed at you 04:17 — The power dynamic at play (and why millennials stay quiet) 04:50 — How to speak up: scripts for shutting down inappropriate comments 06:38 — The golden rule: document everything 07:28 — How to manage his inconsistent decisions (get clarity in writing) 08:58 — What's actually in your control (and what's not) 09:17 — The recap: protect yourself, don't manage his moods #CareerAdvice #workplacebullying #ManagingUp #workplacetoxicity  #HannahHotline #toxicworkenvironment #workboundaries

    94: Managing Up: How to Handle an Unpredictable Boss

  2. Aug 4

    93: The Reward for Doing Well at My Job is More Unpaid Work

    Are you a high performer who constantly says "yes" to new projects? You're not alone. You're likely paying the "competency tax."  In this episode of Hannah Hotline, we break down why being the "reliable one" at work is actively damaging your health and career trajectory.  If you're burnt out, stressed, and feeling punished for your own competence, this episode is your wake-up call. We cover: Why high achievers tie their self-worth to performance (and how to stop). The difference between being "reliable" and being "promotable." Actionable steps to set boundaries when you're overwhelmed.   Timestamps: 01:15 - The Listener's Dilemma: Burnout and Stress 02:15 - What is the "Competency Tax"? 04:30 - The Health Risks of Overwork (WHO Study) 05:15 - Distinguishing Between "Reliable" and "Promotable" 06:45 - Next Step: Documenting Your Capacity 08:45 - Reframing "Selfish" as "Sane" 09:30 - Zooming Out: Finding Joy Outside of Work   #HannahHotline #CareerAdvice #BurnoutPrevention #HighPerformance #CompetencyTax #WorkBoundaries #HannahKissel

  3. Jul 28

    92: Giving Yourself Permission to Do Less (+ Big Announcements!)

    Hannah is back with a big announcement, a full rebrand, and an honest conversation about what it actually looks like to simplify your business without guilt. In this episode, Hannah shares why she's transitioning Big F*****g Dreams to Hannah Hotline, scaling back from weekly to fortnightly episodes, stepping back from Instagram and TikTok, and going all-in on LinkedIn and YouTube. Plus — the 40% business growth she achieved working just 30–35 hours a week, and the universe confirmation that arrived 20 minutes after she made her scariest business decision yet. If you've ever felt like doing less means failing, this one's for you.   📩 Want a topic covered on Hannah Hotline? Email hello@hannahkissel.com 🌐 Check out the new website and brand refresh! www.hannahkissel.com   Timestamps: 01:15 — The official rebrand  02:30 — Something had to give — and the big announcement 🎉 03:45 — The business analysis that changed everything 04:00 — The full brand refresh: new logo, new website, new energy 05:00 — The B2B pivot: consulting, corporate talks, and public speaking 05:45 — The real cost of running a podcast as a solo operator 06:30 — The decision: letting the Big F*****g Dreams solo episodes go 07:00 — Why Hannah initially said "no" to cutting back — and what changed 08:00 — "Simplify" as a word of the year for someone who doesn't simplify easily 08:15 — The master's degree story: overcomplicating as a pattern 09:00 — Internal Family Systems: the parts that fear being ordinary 09:45 — The mentor conversation and committing to the plan 10:30 — The confirmation: doing less is the right direction 12:00 — Making room for something different 12:30 — What Hannah wants this next season to feel like: spacious, relaxed, luxurious 12:45 — The invitation to you: where can YOU do less?

    92: Giving Yourself Permission to Do Less (+ Big Announcements!)

  4. Jul 21

    91: Stop Settling for Less: The Salary Negotiation Playbook

    "You're not getting a raise because you never asked for one." You've been crushing it at work for years. You show up early, deliver exceptional results, and you're genuinely good at what you do. Then you find out your new male colleague, doing the exact same job, is making $35K more than you. Your stomach drops. The resentment sets in.  Here's the uncomfortable truth: Most women don't negotiate their pay, and companies know it.  In this Hannah Hotline episode, we're breaking down exactly why this happens, why companies do it, and most importantly, the step-by-step strategy to fix it.  You'll learn why salary negotiation isn't about being "greedy" or "difficult." It's about understanding how companies actually budget, what your real market value is, and how to present a business case so strong they have to listen.  In this episode, we cover: - Why companies pay new hires more than loyal existing employees (and how to use this knowledge). - The critical question: "When was the last time you negotiated?" - The difference between negotiating vs. demanding and why phrasing matters. - How to build a business case for a raise using market data and performance metrics. - Managing workplace resentment without burning bridges   Timestamps: 00:45 Initial Reaction: Why Resentment Hits Hard 01:30 The Real Reason Companies Pay New Hires More 02:20 Gender Pay Gap Context  03:00 The Negotiation Gap: When Was the Last Time You Asked? 04:00 Loyalty vs. Salary: The False Trade-Off 04:30 The Business Case Approach (How to Frame It) 05:15 Market Rate Research: Know Your Worth 05:45 Performance Metrics: Build Your Argument 06:15 Skill Gaps: Addressing Legitimate Differences 06:30 The Exact Language to Use (Avoid "Too Emotional" Labels) 07:10 Timeline Matters: Get a Clear Answer 07:45 Managing Resentment Toward the System (Not the Person) 08:15 When to Walk: Knowing When Your Current Company Won't Pay   📩 Got a salary negotiation scenario?  Email hello@hannahkissel.com Free Career Confidence Course (includes salary negotiation guide): www.hannahkissel.com #salarynegotiation #careerconfidence #womenintech #negotiationtips  #HannahHotline #careerguide #HannahKissel

    91: Stop Settling for Less: The Salary Negotiation Playbook

  5. Jul 14

    90: Overcoming Fawning: How to Set Boundaries in Your Career

    "Stop protecting the people who treat you poorly." Are you the person who jokes about being a "people pleaser" but goes home feeling drained, anxious, and deeply resentful? You might not just be "nice"—you might be experiencing the "fawn" trauma response.  Most of us know fight, flight, or freeze, but fawning is the lesser-known, often more dangerous response where you literally prop up people who don't deserve it just to survive the interaction.  In this episode, we're doing the "s****y work" of peeling back those layers to understand why you learned to sacrifice your own needs just to avoid conflict. If you're tired of self-gaslighting and are ready to stop setting yourself on fire to keep others warm, this is your wake-up call. Here, we explore: - What the fawn trauma response actually looks like in high-performance careers. - How to differentiate your adult self from the "exile" parts of you that learned people-pleasing as a survival mechanism. - Tactical ways to set boundaries and pause before you say "yes." - How to detach from the outcome when setting boundaries (spoiler: their reaction is theirs, not yours). - Moving toward a freer, more fulfilled life by embracing authentic relationships  Timestamps: 01:17 Personal Story: Hannah's Workplace Fawning 02:45 Defining Fawning & Why It Happens 03:38 Taking Action: Stopping the Cycle 04:42 Why We Self-Gaslight at Work 06:15 The IFS Approach to People-Pleasing 07:00 Managers vs. Exiles: How Our Parts Work 08:30 Connecting Old Survival Strategies to Today 09:15 The Power of the Pause 10:33 How to Find "Expanders" to Model Boundaries 12:30 Detaching from Other People's Reactions 14:10 Why This Work is Uncomfortable (But Worth It) 15:10 The Freedom of Authentic Relationships 15:55 The "Cruise Ship" Analogy for Change 16:18 Life & Work Transformation Program Info #fawntraumaresponse #internalfamilysystems #peoplepleasing #selfrespect #healthyboundaries #authenticrelationships #workplaceculture #careeradvice

    90: Overcoming Fawning: How to Set Boundaries in Your Career

  6. Jul 7

    89: My Boss is Addicted to AI and It's Going to Ruin Our Company

    Ever felt like your boss is taking instructions from a chatbot? In this episode of Hannah Hotline, we're tackling a listener's story about a CEO who is completely obsessed with using AI in business, even when it's clearly producing garbage. When your leadership team treats AI-generated projections as gospel, it doesn't just create frustration; it kills team morale. Hannah unpacks the messy reality of workplace AI adoption and why so many leaders are using tech as a shortcut to avoid making real decisions. If you're struggling with an AI-obsessed boss and don't know how to speak up without sounding like a Luddite, this episode gives you the tactical roadmap you need to regain control. In this episode, we explore: Why leaders look for shortcuts and how it leads to a bad AI strategy. The difference between using AI for efficiency and outsourcing your core judgment. How to push back against tech-obsessed leadership without risking your career. Tactical ways to introduce "human validation" steps into your workflow. Knowing when to fight for the right decision and when to protect your own mental health.   #WorkplaceAI #LeadershipTips #AIinBusiness #CareerAdvice #HannahKissel #CorporateCulture   📩 Got a "Hannah Hotline" scenario you're stuck in?  Email hello@hannahkissel.com Free Career Confidence Course: www.hannahkissel.com

    89: My Boss is Addicted to AI and It's Going to Ruin Our Company

  7. Jun 30

    88: How to Remain Creative in Motherhood

    In this episode, Hannah sits down with Andrea Bombino - motherhood and career coach, matrescence expert, and longtime friend - to unpack the developmental transition into motherhood that almost no one talks about: matrescence. Coined in the 1970s and only recently brought back into the mainstream, matrescence describes the profound physical, psychological, and identity-level transformation that happens when a woman becomes a mother. Andrea breaks down why Western culture fails to recognize this transition the way it recognizes adolescence, and why high-achieving women in particular struggle to accept a season of life that doesn't match their old definition of success. This conversation goes deep into ambition after motherhood, the guilt of slowing down, burnout recovery, values-based decision making, and why creative hobbies — even five minutes of painting or journaling — are non-negotiable for staying grounded. If you're a working mother, an executive navigating parental leave, or simply someone redefining what success looks like in this season of your life, this episode is essential listening. Connect with Andrea Bombino: www.andreabombino.com www.LinkedIn.com/in/andreabombino/ Instagram: @andreabombino_ https://open.substack.com/pub/andreabombino 📩 Got a Big F*****g Dreams topic you want covered? Email hello@hannahkissel.com   #matrescence #motherhoodjourney #identitymothers #workingmama #workingmom #workingwomen #maternityleave #womenintransition #parentingsupport  Timestamps: 00:30 — Welcome Andrea Bombino to Big F*****g Dreams 01:30 — What is matrescence? Definition and origins of the term 03:00 — Why matrescence was rediscovered through postpartum depression research 04:00 — The different domains of matrescence: physical, relational, career, identity 05:30 — Why society treats teenage development with grace but not motherhood 06:30 — Western capitalist culture vs. how other cultures honor postpartum recovery 08:00 — Hyper-independence and the resistance to accepting support 09:30 — The shift in ambition: why some high-achieving women want to pause their careers 10:30 — Andrea's personal panic when she found out she was pregnant after a promotion 11:30 — "Pregnancy is the shortest ramp-up time for a career change" 12:30 — How ambition shifts and sharpens instead of disappearing 16:00 — Acceptance, impatience, and burnout recovery 18:00 — The invisible labor of motherhood and lack of recognition 20:30 — A constant practice in acceptance: choosing values over old definitions of success 25:00 — Behind the curtain: what "having it all together" actually requires 28:30 — Andrea's hobbies and the prioritization of fun in motherhood 30:00 — How career achievement became Andrea's sole measure of self-worth 33:30 — Finding healing through watercolor painting with her daughter 36:00 — The neuroscience of making things with your hands and lowering cortisol 39:00 — "Life is meant to be lived" — redefining what brings you joy 41:00 — The eighth-grade memory that shaped Andrea's relationship with happiness 43:00 — Why prioritizing hobbies as a mom is not selfish — bringing kids into the joy 46:00 — Moving to Italy, taking risks, and living life on your own terms 48:00 — "Do it your own way" — permission to change your mind 49:30 — Becoming more confident in who you are, the longer you're a mother 50:00 — Where to find Andrea Bombino + final thoughts

    88: How to Remain Creative in Motherhood

  8. Jun 22

    87: Fired for Being Honest: How to Handle Injustice at Work

    "I told the CEO the truth, and then I was fired." If you have a strong sense of justice and integrity, you've likely felt the sting of corporate politics. You see a problem, you fix it, and instead of being rewarded, you're sidelined or pushed out. In this episode, Hannah breaks down the high-performer's "Integrity Trap." She explains how to navigate these environments without sacrificing your soul, and when to realise that the system you are fighting isn't just broken - it's designed to exclude people like you. The bottom line: Integrity is your greatest asset. Don't waste it on an organisation that doesn't deserve it. 🚨 Got a career challenge?  Submit your questions and frustrations to the Hannah Hotline Email: hello@hannahkissel.com If you've been burned by corporate politics, you're not the problem—the system is. If you're ready to stop being 'the inconvenient one' and start building a career that actually values your integrity, grab my free Career Confidence Course at www.hannahkissel.com and let's get you aligned.   Timestamps: 01:30 — The "Good Operator" fallacy: Why honesty is sometimes a liability 03:00 — Why power trumps competence in corporate environments 04:30 — "Inconvenient to power": Recognising the dynamic 06:00 — Tactical advice: Presenting data without being confrontational 07:30 — Self-preservation vs. Selfishness 09:00 — When to stop trying to fix a broken ship 11:00 — If you're always getting fired for honesty, consider a different model   Hannah Hotline is sponsored by dominiquejingles — where quirky, clever, and corporate branding is reimagined. A client says, 'We just want something different.' Dominique turns that into a jingle that sticks in your head all day. DM Dominique on Instagram @dominiquejingles or email dominiqueenglish04@gmail.com

    87: Fired for Being Honest: How to Handle Injustice at Work
See All (93)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Hannah Hotline is your mid-week hit of personal and professional development. Professional Certified Coach Hannah Kissel unpacks listeners' career dilemmas and brings them research-backed advice to help you develop to your highest professional potential without burning out. Submit your Hannah Hotline question at hello@hannahkissel.com to be featured on the podcast.

Information

  • Creator
    Hannah Kissel
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    93
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    Hannah Hotline

You Might Also Like