Career Espresso

By Amanda Owen-Meehan

Career Espresso gives you a weekly shot of career and leadership know-how in under 15 minutes. I’m Amanda, and each week I share real stories and practical ideas to help you handle the challenges ... more

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FAQs about Career Espresso:

How many episodes does Career Espresso have?

The podcast currently has 99 episodes available.

Career Espresso episodes:

May 28, 2025 Episode 90 - Turning self trust into workplace impact
You've built confidence and started speaking up, so why are less qualified colleagues still getting promoted while your ideas disappear into organizational black holes? The problem isn't your confidence. It's the missing strategy between feeling confident and actually getting ahead. This week's episode was made for women who are tired of working twice as hard for half the recognition and are ready to turn their self-trust into career momentum.
What You'll Learn

Your host Amanda reveals the three strategic bridges that turn inner confidence into workplace influence, plus specific scripts for those cringe-worthy moments we all face: when someone hijacks your idea in meetings, your manager takes credit for your work, or that colleague who won't stop interrupting you.

You'll discover why explaining how hard you worked actually hurts your career, how to showcase impact without feeling like you're bragging, and the 15-minute exercise that maps your real value.
Your work can't speak for itself because work doesn't have a voice. You do.

Don't forget to take a look at this week's podsheet to support your learning and exploration of the key themes and topics
Get a full transcript of the episode here
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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23min
May 21, 2025 Episode 89 - Confidence as a craft - Building your professional self trust
Struggling with workplace confidence? You're not alone. In this episode of Career Espresso, Amanda tackles the myth that confidence is something you're born with, revealing how it's actually a skill you can develop through practice.

Research shows that what looks like "natural confidence" is really the result of deliberate practice. This episode explores the three pillars that transform professional self-trust: competence awareness, boundary setting, and resilience through failure.

You'll learn practical strategies to build your confidence muscle, including how to -

➡️ Create an evidence journal to bank your successes➡️ Practice "micro-boldness" with small daily actions➡️ Develop a resilience ritual for bouncing back from setbacks

Plus, we address common confidence traps that hold professionals back and answer frequently asked questions about building self-trust at any career stage.

Whether you speak up first in meetings or prefer to contribute quietly, this episode gives you actionable tools to trust yourself more deeply at work. Your career success starts with trusting yourself first.

Don't forget to take a look at this week's podsheet to support your learning and exploration of the key themes and topics
Get a full transcript of the episode here
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
13min
May 14, 2025 Episode 88 - Building your digital authority - How to stand out online without selling out
Are you struggling to build a professional online presence that feels authentic? In this episode of Career Espresso, Amanda tackles the challenge of developing digital authority without compromising your values or becoming just another "hustle culture influencer."
The reality is clear, having zero online presence is increasingly a liability in today's professional landscape. Research shows that 65% of decision-makers check your online presence before meeting you, and professionals with strong personal brands have 14 times more opportunity than those without. But building digital authority isn't about posting constantly or following trends – it's about providing specific value with a clear point of view.
This episode breaks down practical strategies for busy professionals who want to stand out online authentically -
➡️ Why clarity beats consistency in building genuine authority➡️ How to leverage your specific expertise rather than trying to be a generalist➡️ Practical approaches like the "expertise spotlight" and "slow content method"➡️ Tips for engaging meaningfully with others' content to build relationships
Whether you've been hesitant to post at all or feel trapped in content creation that doesn't feel like you, this episode offers a refreshing middle ground.
Don't forget to take a look at this week's podsheet to support your learning and exploration of the key themes and topics
Get a full transcript of the episode here
Learn how to build an online presence that opens doors professionally without becoming a burden or performance.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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14min
May 07, 2025 Episode 87 - The Adaptation Playbook - Turning workplace change into career opportunity
Facing redundancy or restructuring? Don't panic, it might be your biggest career opportunity. In this episode, Amanda shares her tested three-part framework for not just surviving but thriving during workplace change.

What you'll learn -
➡️ The critical difference between those who stagnate during change and those who advance➡️ A practical three-step framework: Read the landscape, Reposition your value, Rebuild your visibility➡️ How to transform your skills into problem-solving capabilities that remain valuable regardless of job title➡️ Practical techniques to increase your visibility with decision-makers during times of transition

Drawing from personal experience of three career redundancies and coaching hundreds of professionals through organisational change, Amanda breaks down exactly how to spot hidden opportunities while others are frozen by uncertainty.
The episode includes a simple one-page tool to clarify your unique value proposition beyond any job title, helping you approach your next workplace change with confidence rather than fear.

Don't forget to take a look at this week's podsheet to support your learning and exploration of the key themes and topics
Get a full transcript of the episode here
Listen now and turn your next workplace disruption into your biggest career advancement.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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17min
April 23, 2025 Episode 86 - The AI advantage. How to partner with technology without losing your human edge
Worried AI might take your job?
This episode shows you how to make AI your career ally instead of your replacement. In just 20 minutes, you'll learn practical strategies to use AI while strengthening the human skills that truly matter. Discover why the real career threat isn't AI itself—it's refusing to partner with it.
What you'll learn -
➡️ Why AI-confident professionals are twice as likely to get promoted➡️ Three specific ways to develop your AI advantage without becoming a tech expert➡️ Common AI partnership mistakes most people make (and how to avoid them)➡️ A simple 30-minute exercise to identify where AI can enhance your particular role
The research is clear: teams using AI effectively show 40% better creative output and problem-solving. But the advantage only comes when you develop what Harvard researchers call "collaboration intelligence" with technology.

Whether you're in marketing, finance, HR or any other area, this episode provides a practical framework for becoming irreplaceable in an AI-enhanced workplace. You'll walk away with actionable steps to partner with AI while focusing on the uniquely human abilities that will make you more valuable than ever. Stop competing with AI and start collaborating with it. Your career will thank you.

Career Espresso: Your weekly shot of career wisdom.

Don't forget to take a look at this week's podsheet to support your learning and exploration of the key themes and topics
Get a full transcript of the episode here
Love the episode? Help other women discover these career-changing insights by subscribing and leaving a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
14min
April 16, 2025 Episode 85 - The proximity paradox - staying visible in a remote first world

Remote work is here to stay, but is it silently hurting your career? In this essential episode, Amanda tackles the "proximity paradox" – the surprising reality that while remote work offers better work-life balance and higher productivity, it might be damaging your long-term career prospects.

Stanford research reveals remote workers are promoted 35% less often than their in-office counterparts. Your professional network shrinks by about 17% per year when working remotely. Yet 90% of us want to maintain flexible work arrangements.

This episode unpacks why being good at your job is no longer enough in a remote environment. You need visibility – a separate skill that requires intention and strategy.

Amanda breaks down the four types of visibility that matter for your career:

- Results visibility: What you produce
- Process visibility: How you work
- Relationship visibility: Who sees you as a trusted colleague
- Value visibility: How others connect your work to what matters

You'll learn practical strategies to overcome the proximity paradox:

- Design your visibility rhythm with consistent touch points
- Use the right communication channels for different messages
- Master micro-visibility techniques throughout your workday
- Curate and share your impacts effectively

This isn't about self-promotion – it's about ensuring your contributions get the recognition they deserve. In a remote-first world, visibility doesn't happen by accident. It happens by design.

Listen now to transform how you approach remote work and take control of your career trajectory, no matter where you're working.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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13min
April 09, 2025 Episode 84 - Future proofing your career and keeping relevant in a changing workplace
In Episode 84, your host Amanda questions common career advice that might send you in the wrong direction. If conflicting guidance about staying relevant leaves you confused, this episode offers clarity.
Episode Highlights

➡️ Why technical certifications often miss the mark for long-term success➡️ Three capabilities that make you valuable regardless of workplace changes➡️ How to manage your skills like an investment portfolio➡️ A practical 15-minute exercise to help you apply your strengths across different roles

Amanda challenges three major assumptions about future-proofing -
You need to predict the future to prepare for it - Focus on adaptability instead of prediction.Technical skills are what future-proof you - Develop the ability to evaluate and leverage innovations rather than mastering current technology.Future-proofing means adding more - Strategic subtraction is as important as thoughtful addition.

This episode builds on previous conversations about career myths and power dynamics, offering a fresh perspective that values adaptability over prediction.Try Amanda's coffee shot challenge: a 15-minute value translation exercise to see how your strengths apply across different contexts.

Career Espresso: Your weekly shot of career wisdom.

Don't forget to take a look at this week's podsheet to support your learning and exploration of the key themes and topics
Get a full transcript of the episode here
Love the episode? Help other women discover these career-changing insights by subscribing and leaving a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Got questions or want to share your career transformation story? Reach out to [email protected] - we'd love to hear from you!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
13min
April 02, 2025 Episode 83 - The generalist myth - Challenging the idea that you need to ‘do it all’
Are you stretching yourself too thin trying to master every skill in your industry?
In this episode of Career Espresso, host Amanda tackles "The Generalist Myth" – the misguided belief that career success depends on being a jack-of-all-trades. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by job descriptions demanding 15+ different skills or worried that specialising might limit your opportunities, this episode is your wake-up call.
What You'll Learn -

Why spreading yourself across multiple domains leads to "excellence dilution"The surprising research showing specialists are 37% more likely to be promoted than generalistsHow gender expectations push women particularly toward the "do it all" mentalityThe power of finding your unique "genius zone" where your talents, skills, and interests overlapPractical strategies to develop "strategic depth" instead of shallow breadth
Whether you're feeling burnt out from trying to do it all or simply questioning your career development strategy, this shot of career wisdom will transform how you approach your professional growth.
Don't forget to take a look at this week's podsheet to support your learning and exploration of the key themes and topics
Get a full transcript of the episode here
Love the episode? Help other women discover these career-changing insights by subscribing and leaving a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Got questions or want to share your career transformation story? Reach out to [email protected] - we'd love to hear from you!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
12min
March 26, 2025 Episode 82 - The expertise trap - When being the best at your job holds you back
Are your exceptional skills keeping you stuck?
In this episode of Career Espresso, host Amanda tackles the counterintuitive paradox that's holding back talented professionals everywhere: The Expertise Trap.

Discover why the common advice to "keep your head down and do excellent work" might be the biggest career myth preventing your advancement. Through compelling research and real-world examples, Amanda reveals how technical excellence alone isn't enough to climb the career ladder—especially for women in the workplace.
What you'll learn -

The three-part equation for genuine career progression (hint: technical skills are just one piece)Why organisations often promote based on leadership potential rather than technical expertiseFive warning signs that you've fallen into the expertise trap
Whether you're feeling stuck in your current role or want to proactively avoid the expertise trap, this episode delivers actionable insights to transform your approach to career development. "Sometimes the path up means stepping sideways first."
Don't forget to take a look at this week's podsheet to support your learning and exploration of the key themes and topics
Get a full transcript of the episode here
Love the episode? Help other women discover these career-changing insights by subscribing and leaving a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Got questions or want to share your career transformation story? Reach out to [email protected] - we'd love to hear from you!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
19min
March 19, 2025 Episode 81 - The truth about work-life balance (And why we need to reframe it)
Are you constantly struggling to achieve the perfect work-life balance? What if that elusive ideal is actually holding you back from creating the flexible, fulfilling career you truly deserve?

In this episode of Career Espresso, host Amanda challenges the conventional wisdom around work-life balance, revealing why this oversimplified concept might be causing more harm than good in today's interconnected world.
What You'll Discover -

➡️ The surprising history of "work-life balance" and why it's an outdated framework for modern careers

➡️ Revealing statistics from Microsoft's Work Trend Index and McKinsey showing how the pursuit of perfect balance leads to burnout

➡️ Why women are disproportionately affected by work-life balance pressures (42% of women report burnout compared to 35% of men)

➡️ A real-life case study of "Maria," a senior marketing director who transformed her approach to managing career and family

Don't forget to take a look at this week's podsheet to support your learning and exploration of the key themes and topics
Get a full transcript of the episode here
Love the episode? Help other women discover these career-changing insights by subscribing and leaving a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Got questions or want to share your career transformation story? Reach out to [email protected] - we'd love to hear from you!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
...more
12min

FAQs about Career Espresso:

How many episodes does Career Espresso have?

The podcast currently has 99 episodes available.