Squiggly Careers

The Squiggly Career
  • 5.0 (52)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Squiggly Careers is a weekly podcast that will help you take control of your career development. Hosted by the founders of Amazing If (https://www.amazingif.com/), Sarah Ellis and Helen Tupper, together they cover all things work: from how to manage stress and overcome your confidence gremlins to micro-aggressions and discovering your strengths. Each episode is full of ideas, actions, hints, and tips that you can put into practice straight away.  Every so often they take a break from talking to each other to interview other people who are leading the way in making work better. Past guests include entrepreneur and philanthropist Dame Stephanie Shirley, author of The Joy of Work Bruce Daisley, and neuroscience expert Amy Brann.  The Squiggly Careers podcast has been recommended by Harvard Business Review, Stylist, Marie Claire and Management Today. For more ideas, tools and inspiration every week, you can also sign up to their newsletter Squiggly Careers in Action. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 22H AGO

    Skills Sprint: How to Learn From Feedback (Even When It’s Uncomfortable)

    This is Day 2 of the Learn Like a Lobster skill sprint, and today Helen and Sarah focus on one of the hardest - and most important - career skills: how to give and receive tough feedback. Learning doesn’t just happen after the difficult moment has passed - some of the most powerful development happens while things feel uncomfortable. In this episode, Helen and Sarah explore how to learn in the hard moments — particularly when feedback feels awkward, emotional, or risky. 🦞 Join our Learn Like a Lobster Sprint: https://bit.ly/4oZzJ3F 🦞 Pre-order Learn Like A Lobster: 🇺🇸PRH US - https://bit.ly/3KxTeBn 🇬🇧 Amazon UK - https://amzn.to/3KcRZaR ⏱️ Timestamps (00:00) Lobsters grow in hard moments (02:00) The fear of asking, giving & receiving feedback (08:15) The “say the hard thing” framework (05:55) Organisational silence (06:54) A real feedback conversation (09:12) Inspiration & 24hr action 🎯 What You’ll Learn Why tough feedback moments are powerful learning opportunitiesA practical framework for navigating difficult conversationsHow speaking up unlocks learning for individuals and teams 📚 Resources Mentioned Say the Hard Thing Scenario Planner - https://www.saythehardthing.ai/Margaret Heffernan on Organisational Silence - https://heffernanm.substack.com/p/the-silence-is-deafeningSophie Williams on challenging the unquestionable - https://www.amazingif.com/listen/progression-with-sophie-williams/Learn Like a Lobster Profiler: https://www.learnlikealobsterprofiler.com/ For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email helenandsarah@squigglycareers.com More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers: 📩 Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/ 🦞 Join our Learn Like a Lobster Sprint: https://bit.ly/4oZzJ3F 📮 Get Squiggly Careers in Action in your inbox: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction 📚 Read our books: The Squiggly Career and You Coach You: https://www.amazingif.com/books/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    11 min

  2. 1D AGO

    Skills Sprint: How to Learn as You Go (Without Finding More Time)

    Today, Helen and Sarah are kicking off the Learn Like A Lobster skill sprint with Day 1: Learn As You Go. In this episode, Helen and Sarah explore how you can keep learning as part of your everyday, without having to find more time. They share practical ways to collect data for your growth - including understanding your strengths, tracking your listen-talk ratio, and optimising your productivity - to gain clarity, confidence, and actionable insights. By combining self-reflection with simple data-gathering techniques, you’ll discover how small adjustments in what you already do can accelerate your career and help you be known for the impact you actually want to make. 🦞 Join our Learn Like a Lobster Sprint: https://bit.ly/4oZzJ3F 🦞 Pre-order Learn Like A Lobster: 🇺🇸PRH US - https://bit.ly/3KxTeBn 🇬🇧 Amazon UK - https://amzn.to/3KcRZaR ⏱️ Timestamps (00:00) Welcome (00:57) Lobsters never stop growing (02:02) Learn as you go: how to collect data (03:07) What do you want to be know for? (06:26) Your listen-talk ratio (08:49) Knowing your notifications (10:30) Inspiration & 24hr action 🎯 What You’ll Learn Why career growth is continuous and how to embrace learning as you goHow to collect data on your strengths, listening, and productivityWays to reflect on your impact and align it with your career goals 📚 Resources Mentioned Learn Like a Lobster Profiler – https://www.learnlikealobsterprofiler.com/ Poised App – https://poised.comFireflies AI – https://fireflies.ai For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email helenandsarah@squigglycareers.com More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers: 📩 Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/ 🦞 Join our Learn Like a Lobster Sprint: https://bit.ly/4oZzJ3F 📮 Get Squiggly Careers in Action in your inbox: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction 📚 Read our books: The Squiggly Career and You Coach You: https://www.amazingif.com/books/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    12 min

  3. 5D AGO

    Squiggly Shortcut: 5 Questions That Will Transform Your Career Conversations

    January is always a good moment to pause, think about the big picture and zoom out when we're thinking about the future and direction of our career. In today's shortcut, Sarah shares 5 questions to help you have useful career conversations whether that's with your manager, a friend or with yourself. Episode 525 🦞 Join our Learn Like a Lobster Sprint: https://bit.ly/4oZzJ3F 🦞 Pre-order Learn Like A Lobster: 🇺🇸PRH US - https://bit.ly/3KxTeBn 🇬🇧 Amazon UK - https://amzn.to/3KcRZaR For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email helenandsarah@squigglycareers.com More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers: 📩 Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/ 🏃‍♀️ Join the Skills x AI Sprint: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNQl9gsac8BXnWe2qoGuHkLKwsygjP_Ma&si=l7kODG3JpopH0Irz 📮 Get Squiggly Careers in Action in your inbox: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction 📚 Read our books: The Squiggly Career and You Coach You: https://www.amazingif.com/books/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    6 min

  4. JAN 13

    Spaciousness – How to manage your attention, not your time

    🦞 Join our Learn Like a Lobster Sprint: https://bit.ly/4oZzJ3F In this episode, Helen and Sarah explore the idea of spaciousness at work — a powerful alternative to constant busyness that’s less about managing time and more about managing attention. Borrowing brilliance from Megan Reitz and her research on spaciousness, they unpack why doing more isn’t always the answer, and how creating space can help you think better, feel calmer, and work more meaningfully. Episode 524 🦞 Pre-order Learn Like A Lobster 🇺🇸 PRH US - https://bit.ly/3KxTeBn 🇬🇧 Amazon UK - https://amzn.to/3KcRZaR ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 What is spaciousness (and what it’s not) 03:40 Why spaciousness is about attention, not time 06:37 The four dimensions of spaciousness 08:35 From “doing mode” to spacious ways of working 13:08 How tech, meetings and metrics keep us busy 18:47 Why we self-sabotage spaciousness 19:30 The 45-minute focus experiment 21:00 Interconnection and mapping your work system 24:05 Letting go of “shoulds” at work 27:06 What you want to feel proud of this year 29:05 Staying curious and open (even when you’re sceptical) 31:13 Measuring learning instead of just outcomes 🎯 What You’ll Learn - What spaciousness really means at work - Why being busy can block curiosity and insight - The four dimensions of spaciousness and how they show up - Practical experiments to create more focus and clarity 📚 Resources Mentioned Megan Reitz’s research on Spaciousness: https://www.meganreitz.com/spaciousness #165 Setting Yourself Up For Success – How to speak up at work with Megan Reitz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozgO1R1IL3w AI tools for summarising reports (Claude) Episode on noticing: https://youtu.be/rid3L_XdePQ For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email helenandsarah@squigglycareers.com More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers: 📩 Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/ 🏃‍♀️ Join the Skills x AI Sprint: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNQl9gsac8BXnWe2qoGuHkLKwsygjP_Ma&si=l7kODG3JpopH0Irz 📮 Get Squiggly Careers in Action in your inbox: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction 📚 Read our books: The Squiggly Career and You Coach You: https://www.amazingif.com/books/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min

  5. TRAILER

    Sign up the Squiggly Careers 'Learn Like A Lobster' Sprint 2026 🦞

    🦞 Join our Learn Like a Lobster Sprint: https://bit.ly/4oZzJ3F Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 min

  6. JAN 6

    How To Reset Your Team To Achieve More Together

    🦞 Join our Learn Like a Lobster Sprint: https://bit.ly/4oZzJ3F I In this episode, Helen and Sarah explore how to reset your team so you can achieve more together. Borrowing brilliance from Colin Fisher and his book Collective Edge, they unpack what really makes teams outperform, and why having lots of smart people isn’t enough on its own. This episode is all about practical resets you can do with the team you’re in right now. From building task-based trust, to putting structure before coaching, to making the implicit explicit, Helen and Sarah share simple actions, real examples, and questions you can use to help your team work better — whether you’re a team of two or twenty-two. Episode 523 🦞 Pre-order Learn Like A Lobster 🇺🇸 PRH US - https://bit.ly/3KxTeBn 🇬🇧 Amazon UK - https://amzn.to/3KcRZaR ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 What does “collective edge” really mean? 01:44 Why smart individuals don’t always make great teams 03:10 From radical team redesign to regular team resets 06:19 Reset #1: From relationship trust to task-based trust 07:52 Why structure matters more than coaching 10:49 Reset #2: From assumed to agreed ways of working 14:49 A practical tool to create clarity in your team 18:13 Collaboration overload and communication resets 22:06 Making the implicit explicit at work 26:14 Creating shared “we’re on the same page” statements 31:13 How often teams should reset 🎯 What You’ll Learn - What “collective edge” teams do differently - Why task-based trust matters more than you might think - How better structure can improve team performance - Simple ways to reset communication and collaboration 📚 Resources Mentioned The Collective Edge by Colin Fisher — https://www.amazon.co.uk/Collective-Edge-Unlocking-Secret-Groups/dp/1398533459 The Fresh Start Effect Katy Milkman — https://www.katymilkman.com/journal-articles/the-fresh-start-effect-temporal-landmarks-motivate-aspirational-behavior McKinsey Article — https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-books/author-talks-getting-group-dynamics-right Colin Fisher on Eat Sleep Work Repeat — https://eatsleepworkrepeat.com/what-gives-a-team-the-collective-edge/ For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email helenandsarah@squigglycareers.com More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers: 📩 Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/ 🏃‍♀️ Join the Skills x AI Sprint: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNQl9gsac8BXnWe2qoGuHkLKwsygjP_Ma&si=l7kODG3JpopH0Irz 📮 Get Squiggly Careers in Action in your inbox: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction 📚 Read our books: The Squiggly Career and You Coach You: https://www.amazingif.com/books/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    32 min

  7. 12/30/2025

    Part 2: 6 Squiggly Careers Trends in 2026 – Redundancy, Accountability & Why Learning Matters More Than Promotions

    🦞 Join our Learn Like a Lobster Sprint: https://bit.ly/4oZzJ3F In this episode, Helen and Sarah share part two of their career trends and themes for 2026, focusing on what’s most likely to shape how you work, grow, and stay resilient in the year ahead. This conversation tackles some of the tougher (but very real) topics at work — from restructures and redundancies, to the tension between autonomy and accountability, and why learning needs to be recognised as real career progression. This episode is all about practical, proactive actions you can take now — so you feel more prepared, more confident, and more in control of your career, whatever 2026 brings. Whether you’re an individual contributor, a manager, or a leader, Helen and Sarah share questions, tools, and real examples to help you future-proof your career and your team. Episode 522 🦞 Pre-order Learn Like A Lobster 🇺🇸 PRH US – https://bit.ly/3KxTeBn 🇬🇧 Amazon UK – https://amzn.to/3KcRZaR ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Why career uncertainty is rising in 2026 05:16 Trend #4: Restructures and redundancies 08:10 What to do now so your future self thanks you 11:14 Staying resilient when things feel out of your control 13:01 Trend #5: Autonomy vs accountability at work 15:36 Why clarity matters more than control 16:34 A practical tool to improve accountability in teams 19:49 How to assess autonomy and accountability in your role 21:41 Trend #6: Learning that gets recognised and rewarded 23:05 Why learning should count as progression 26:14 Learning loudly and leading by example 28:30 Making learning visible in 2026 🎯 What You’ll Learn - How to prepare for restructures and redundancies without panicking - Why autonomy and accountability don’t have to be in conflict - How clarity creates better performance in teams - Why learning should be recognised as progression — not just promotion 📚 Resources Mentioned Free Redundancy Reset Toolkit: https://www.amazingif.com/redundancy-reset-2/ For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email helenandsarah@squigglycareers.com More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers: 📩 Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/ 🏃‍♀️ Join the Skills x AI Sprint: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNQl9gsac8BXnWe2qoGuHkLKwsygjP_Ma&si=l7kODG3JpopH0Irz 📮 Get Squiggly Careers in Action in your inbox: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction 📚 Read our books: The Squiggly Career and You Coach You: https://www.amazingif.com/books/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    28 min

  8. 12/23/2025

    Part 1: 6 Squiggly Career Trends in 2026 - AI Agents, Disconnection & Employee Influencers

    🦞 Join our Learn Like a Lobster Sprint: https://bit.ly/4oZzJ3F In this episode, Helen and Sarah kick off a two-part series exploring six Squiggly Career trends for 2026 — not as distant predictions, but as realistic changes that are already shaping how we work and build our careers. Rather than watching trends happen to you, this conversation is about anticipating what’s coming and choosing how to respond. Helen and Sarah explore three themes that are likely to affect everyone, whatever your role or industry: the rise of AI agents at work, the tension between connection and disconnection, and the growing influence of employees as visible advocates for their organisations. As always, you'll hear honest reflections (including mixed feelings about AI), and simple actions you can experiment with now — so you feel more intentional, confident, and in control as 2026 approaches. Episode 521 🦞 Pre-order Learn Like A Lobster 🇺🇸 PRH US – https://bit.ly/3KxTeBn 🇬🇧 Amazon UK – https://amzn.to/3KcRZaR ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Why we’re talking about career trends for 2026 01:11 How to respond to trends with intention (not fear) 03:31 Theme #1: AI agents at work 05:11 Practical examples of AI agents you could use 08:32 Different reactions to AI — and why that’s okay 10:06 How AI can accelerate career development 11:26 Theme #2: Connection and disconnection at work 12:48 Why being back in the office isn’t the answer 14:28 Practical ways to create meaningful connection 18:13 Theme #3: The rise of the employee influencer 20:30 Risks, inclusion, and finding your own voice 24:41 What’s coming in Part 2 🎯 What You’ll Learn - What AI agents are — and how they could support your work - How to experiment with AI without feeling overwhelmed - Why loneliness at work is rising (and what actually helps) - Simple ways to build connection in hybrid working - What “employee influence” means for careers and organisations 📚 Resources Mentioned Microsoft Copilot and AI agent tool: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot/copilot-101/copilot-ai-agents For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email helenandsarah@squigglycareers.com More ways to learn about Squiggly Careers: 📩 Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/ 🏃‍♀️ Join the Skills x AI Sprint: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNQl9gsac8BXnWe2qoGuHkLKwsygjP_Ma&si=l7kODG3JpopH0Irz 📮 Get Squiggly Careers in Action in your inbox: https://bit.ly/SquigglyCareersInAction 📚 Read our books: The Squiggly Career and You Coach You: https://www.amazingif.com/books/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    25 min
See All (537)

Trailers

Hosts & Guests

5
out of 5
52 Ratings

About

Squiggly Careers is a weekly podcast that will help you take control of your career development. Hosted by the founders of Amazing If (https://www.amazingif.com/), Sarah Ellis and Helen Tupper, together they cover all things work: from how to manage stress and overcome your confidence gremlins to micro-aggressions and discovering your strengths. Each episode is full of ideas, actions, hints, and tips that you can put into practice straight away.  Every so often they take a break from talking to each other to interview other people who are leading the way in making work better. Past guests include entrepreneur and philanthropist Dame Stephanie Shirley, author of The Joy of Work Bruce Daisley, and neuroscience expert Amy Brann.  The Squiggly Careers podcast has been recommended by Harvard Business Review, Stylist, Marie Claire and Management Today. For more ideas, tools and inspiration every week, you can also sign up to their newsletter Squiggly Careers in Action. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    The Squiggly Career
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    537
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Amazing If b257c680-9883-11f0-b281-4717820a919a
  • Show Website
    Squiggly Careers

More From Pixiu

You Might Also Like