Can We Move This Up?

Katie McAndrews

The biggest breakthroughs often happen when the plan changes, and it’s time we talk about it. This show explores the human side of creative careers - the pivots, the pressure, and personal growth we all face. In each episode, we connect with an industry expert, a hiring leader, or an entrepreneur to learn about how they got to where they are today! This podcast gets into the real story behind creative journeys, mental health, burnout, and how to stay resilient. Let's go!

  1. Sep 17

    Episode 11: Finding Your Sparkle Again with Hannah Hill

    Burnout does not always look like collapse. Sometimes it looks like sunday scaries, a growing resentment for work you used to love, and realizing your sparkle has dimmed. Hannah Hill gets brutally honest about the moment she knew something was off, and how therapy, boundaries, and a hard reset helped her start getting herself back. If you are a young professional, a high performer, or someone quietly wondering whether your job title is actually worth the cost, this conversation will hit home. Hannah shares how she went from a chatty only child in Plymouth to yearbook editor, self-taught InDesign user, and advertising professional, then took her first job all the way out in Tacoma right before COVID hit. That leap across the country, the pandemic scramble home, and the community she built through it all shaped the leader she is today. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why Hannah was drawn to the advertising world long before she had the language for itHow a high school yearbook room sparked her love of layout, detail, and teamworkWhat moving cross-country for a first job taught her about being alone, adaptable, and braveWhy joining Ad 2 became a turning point that gave her community, leadership experience, and confidenceHow losing her sparkle helped her recognize burnout before it swallowed everythingWhy asking for help can be one of the most important skills in your careerHow to tell the difference between meaningful work and work that simply looks impressiveWhy success is about more than trophies, titles, or the coolest clients Katie and Hannah also get into the real stuff behind staying grounded: family, chosen family, asking for help, and why it is so easy for ambitious people to keep pushing even when they are running on empty. Hannah opens up about last summer’s wedding chaos, her husband’s Achilles injury, and the therapy sessions that helped her stop “ostriching” her problems and face what she actually needed. This episode is a reminder that success is not just trophies, titles, or the coolest client. Sometimes it is a team you trust, work that feels meaningful, and the courage to choose the path that fits who you really are. Essential listening if you are figuring out your next move, questioning the shiny version of success, or trying to get your sparkle back. Hannah Hill is an advertising professional, 32 under 32 winner, and former Ad 2 Minnesota president, recognized nationally for her leadership in the creative community. She brings the perspective of someone who has built a career through curiosity, community, and a willingness to say yes.

  2. Aug 14

    Episode 7: How Amanda Ware Built a Career Around Hype, Confidence, and Follow-Through

    Amanda Ware’s career shift is a masterclass in knowing when to quit, when to pivot, and how to build something better on the other side. From leaving a cushy corporate job with nothing lined up to leading women entrepreneurs at the University of Texas, she shares the scrappy, deeply honest path that turned burnout into purpose. Katie McAndrews sits down with Amanda Ware, who is an Assistant Director at the Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute at UT Austin, where she supports the next generation of women building businesses. But this conversation goes far beyond titles. Amanda opens up about walking away from a role that was draining her, rebuilding her confidence, and discovering that the skills she’d been using her whole life - hype-girling, networking, advocating, and following through - were actually the foundation of her career. You’ll discover: Why Amanda gave up hard caffeine and what it changed about her energy, sleep, and mindsetHow she went from “personality hire” to trusted leader and mentorThe real difference between hustle and unhealthy pressureWhat it took to quit a stable job during a mortgage, wedding planning, and major life changeHow she helps women pitch themselves, negotiate, and speak with confidenceWhy “work-life harmony” resonates more than balanceThe small boundaries that protect her energy, including no Slack on her phone and an 8:21 p.m. phone-off alarm Amanda also shares the childhood ambition, work ethic, and big dreaming that still shape how she leads today. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overextended, or unsure whether your next move is too risky, this episode is a reminder that progress is rarely linear and timing is rarely perfect. Perfect for anyone navigating burnout, career pivots, leadership growth, or the messy middle of building a life and career that actually fit.

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The biggest breakthroughs often happen when the plan changes, and it’s time we talk about it. This show explores the human side of creative careers - the pivots, the pressure, and personal growth we all face. In each episode, we connect with an industry expert, a hiring leader, or an entrepreneur to learn about how they got to where they are today! This podcast gets into the real story behind creative journeys, mental health, burnout, and how to stay resilient. Let's go!