Squiggly Careers
Squiggly Careers

Squiggly Careers

The Squiggly Career

Overview
Episodes

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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.

Recent Episodes

Part 1: 6 Squiggly Career Trends in 2026 - AI Agents, Disconnection & Employee Influencers
DEC 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/4oZzJ3FIn 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⏱️ Timestamps00:00 Why we’re talking about career trends for 202601:11 How to respond to trends with intention (not fear)03:31 Theme #1: AI agents at work05:11 Practical examples of AI agents you could use08:32 Different reactions to AI — and why that’s okay10:06 How AI can accelerate career development11:26 Theme #2: Connection and disconnection at work12:48 Why being back in the office isn’t the answer14:28 Practical ways to create meaningful connection18:13 Theme #3: The rise of the employee influencer20:30 Risks, inclusion, and finding your own voice24:41 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 MentionedMicrosoft 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 [email protected] 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/🦞 Join our Learn Like a Lobster Sprint: https://bit.ly/4oZzJ3F Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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25 MIN
End of Year Review: What Our Highs & Lows Taught Us In 2025
DEC 16, 2025
End of Year Review: What Our Highs & Lows Taught Us In 2025
🦞 Join our Learn Like a Lobster Sprint: https://bit.ly/4oZzJ3FIn this episode, Helen and Sarah do something they’ve made a tradition at Squiggly Careers: a year in review. This year they're sharing honest reflections using a simple but powerful framework: high–low learning. This chatty, behind-the-scenes episode is designed to help you reflect too. Whether you do this solo, with a learning buddy or as a team, the questions Helen and Sarah use can help you turn reflection into insight — and insight into action.Episode 520🦞 Pre-order Learn Like A Lobster:🇺🇸 PRH US - https://bit.ly/3KxTeBn🇬🇧 Amazon UK - https://amzn.to/3KcRZaR⏱️ Timestamps00:00 End of Year Review02:51 High–low learning explained03:59 Best day vs the worst day of the year14:03 Experiments that worked (and didn’t)28:06 Life outside of work: highs & lows38:43 Highs you're anticipating & lows to avoid in 202646:20 Reflection questions you can use too🎯 What You’ll Learn- How to use high–low learning to reflect on your year- Why experimentation matters (even when it doesn’t work)- How to spot recurring frustrations — and do something about them- Questions to help you close the year with clarity and intentionFor questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email [email protected] 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/🦞 Join our Learn Like a Lobster Sprint: https://bit.ly/4oZzJ3F Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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46 MIN
How to Reduce Work Stress and Anxiety With Simple Breathing Techniques
DEC 9, 2025
How to Reduce Work Stress and Anxiety With Simple Breathing Techniques
🦞 Join our Learn Like a Lobster Sprint: https://bit.ly/4oZzJ3FSometimes work (and life) can feel full-on — especially at this time of year when deadlines, expectations and emotions all seem to intensify. Whether your mind is racing before a meeting, you’re feeling overwhelmed by everything on your plate, or emotions are getting in the way of what you want to say, these simple and science-backed breathing practices can help you reset, refocus and respond with more calm and clarity.Episode 518🦞 Pre-order Learn Like A Lobster:🇺🇸 PRH US – https://bit.ly/3KxTeBn🇬🇧 Amazon UK – https://amzn.to/3KcRZaR🎯 What You’ll Learn• How your breath affects stress, energy, clarity and emotional control at work• Three practical “when–then–why” breathing techniques for real situations (racing mind, overwhelm and emotional moments)• How to use AI to personalise quick breathing resets you can use between meetings or on the move📚 Resources Mentioned:Breathe In Breathe Out by Stuart Sanderman - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Breathe-Out-practical-management-improved/dp/0008543275#:~:text=Since%20tragic%20loss%20brought%20him,way%20you%20think%20and%20feel.Breathpod - https://www.breathpod.com/Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor https://www.mrjamesnestor.com/breath-bookFor questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email [email protected] 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/🦞 Join our Learn Like a Lobster Sprint: https://bit.ly/4oZzJ3F Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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27 MIN