This bonus episode of Control Your Career is a little different, and very intentional.

Julia Toothacre is joined by financial professional and podcast host Natalie Kime for a real, grounded conversation about money, career decisions, and life transitions. This is not a tactical breakdown of investments or retirement accounts. It is a conversation about how money actually shows up in real life.

Natalie brings a deeply human perspective to financial planning, shaped not only by her professional experience, but also by her role as a caregiver to her mom. Together, Julia and Natalie talk about financial control beyond your paycheck and 401k, and why true financial confidence is about priorities, seasons of life, and flexibility.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Why financial planning is about more than numbers

• How caregiving and life changes impact financial decisions

• The connection between career choices and financial stress

• What financial control really means during uncertain seasons

• How to think about money in a way that supports your whole life

This episode is for anyone navigating career decisions while also managing real life responsibilities, changing priorities, and evolving financial goals.

Subscribe to Control Your Career for honest conversations about work, money, and life.

Guest: Natalie Kime Natalie Kime is a financial professional, podcast host, and caregiver who brings clarity, compassion, and real-life perspective to conversations about money, career, and life transitions. As the host of Chat with Nat: Conversations That Count, Natalie creates thoughtful, approachable discussions that help people feel more confident navigating complex financial and professional decisions.

Connect with Natalie: 🎙 Podcast: https://nicklesanddimesfindingfinancialfreedom.buzzsprout.com/ 📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nattykime/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-k-9491091/ 📰 Substack Interview: https://kmhurd.substack.com/p/building-a-financial-legacy-w-natalie-541

Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Visit the website: https://ridethetidecollective.com Free career resources: https://ridethetidecollective.com/free/

Episode Blog: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2026/02/03/financeswithnataliekime/

You are not imagining it. This is a career podcast, and this is a bonus episode about health.

In this episode of Control Your Career, I share my own health journey from the past few years. It's personal, it's slow, and it unfolded alongside work, family, and real life. I talk through what changed, what didn't, and what I had to rethink along the way.

Health started to matter more to me because I could feel it affecting how I showed up. My energy. My confidence. My ability to make clear decisions. I knew I needed an approach that I could actually sustain, not something built on pressure, guilt, or unrealistic expectations.

This episode walks through how that approach took shape over time. How starting small mattered. Why support made a difference. And how my mindset around food, movement, and habits evolved as my life changed.

You'll hear me talk about:

• why health belongs in career conversations

• how health affects capacity and confidence at work

• what starting slow made possible

• where support changed the trajectory

• how habits developed over time

• why realistic goals mattered more than speed

If health messaging has felt overwhelming or disconnected from your reality, this episode offers a more honest perspective.

👉 Subscribe to Control Your Career for grounded conversations about work, life, habits, and growth.

Read The Blog: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2026/01/20/healthjourney/ Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Visit the website: https://ridethetidecollective.com Get career resources: https://ridethetidecollective.com/free/

As 2026 approaches, career goal setting feels more complicated than ever. Between layoffs, AI disruption, shifting industries, and economic uncertainty, many professionals are wondering if traditional goal-setting even makes sense anymore.

In this bonus episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre breaks down how to set realistic, grounded career goals for 2026 without relying on hype, hustle, or unrealistic predictions. Instead of focusing on outcomes you can't control, Julia explains how to shift your attention to goals rooted in skills, behavior, clarity, and adaptability.

This episode is designed to help you move into 2026 with confidence, not pressure.

You will learn how to:

• Understand why traditional goal setting often fails in uncertain markets

• Identify which career goals are actually within your control

• Set flexible goals that adapt as the market changes

• Focus on skills, visibility, and decision-making instead of titles

• Build career momentum without burning yourself out

👉 Subscribe to Control Your Career for practical strategies that help you stay grounded, relevant, and confident in your professional growth.

Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Visit the website: https://ridethetidecollective.com Get your free career tools: https://ridethetidecollective.com/free/

Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2026/01/06/2026careergoals/

You are not crazy for wanting more, and you are not ungrateful for questioning if your current path still fits. Change is a natural part of career growth, but for many mid- to late-career professionals, fear and doubt make the idea of starting over feel impossible.

In this episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre shares how to make a career pivot with strategy, self-awareness, and confidence, no matter how long you have been in the game. Using her five-stage Control Your Career framework, she helps you evaluate your reality, understand your values, and design an intentional plan that makes sense for your life right now.

You will learn how to:

• Identify the fears holding you back from making a change

• Redefine your professional identity without losing what you have built

• Evaluate your financial and personal realities before you leap

• Recognize the difference between reinvention and redirection

• Use realistic strategy to pivot with clarity, not chaos

It is never too late to make a change. You just need a plan that fits your stage of life and your goals.

👉 Subscribe to Control Your Career for more confidence-building strategies and career growth tools that help you take charge of your future.

Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Visit the website: https://ridethetidecollective.com Get your free career tools: https://ridethetidecollective.com/free/

Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/12/10/season12episode14/

Get your Control Your Career Worksheet: https://ridethetidecollective.com/cycworksheet/

Setbacks can shake your confidence, your stability, and your sense of identity. Whether you have been laid off, made a mistake, or received unexpected feedback, losing confidence can feel like losing control.

In this episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre shares how to rebuild your confidence step by step after a setback at work. Using her five-stage Control Your Career framework, Julia walks through how to regain your footing with self-awareness, structure, and small intentional actions that rebuild belief in yourself.

You will learn:

• Why confidence takes a hit after a setback

• How to separate your identity from outcomes

• What to reflect on before taking your next step

• How to find your small wins and regain momentum

• The five practical stages for rebuilding confidence and clarity

Confidence is not about pretending everything is fine. It is about being honest, learning what is in your control, and taking small consistent actions to rebuild your strength.

👉 Subscribe to Control Your Career for more strategies that help you rebuild your confidence, align your goals, and move forward with purpose.

Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Visit the website: https://ridethetidecollective.com Get your free career tools: https://ridethetidecollective.com/free/

Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/12/03/season12episode13/

Get your Control Your Career Worksheet: https://ridethetidecollective.com/cycworksheet/

The world of work is changing faster than ever, and staying relevant can feel overwhelming. Do you really need to take a new course every week, become a thought leader, or completely reinvent yourself to keep up? Absolutely not.

In this episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre breaks down what real relevance looks like and how to maintain it without burnout or pressure. Through her five-stage Control Your Career framework, she shows how to focus on what matters most, staying informed, visible, and valuable without exhausting yourself trying to keep pace with every trend.

You will learn:

• What "relevance" actually means in today's workplace

• How to evaluate your skills and spot changes early

• What to do when your industry shifts or new technology emerges

• How to use your experience and curiosity to stay adaptable

• Practical steps to stay visible and valuable without hustle culture

👉 Subscribe to Control Your Career for more strategies that help you stay confident, current, and in control of your professional growth.

Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/

Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Visit the website: https://ridethetidecollective.com Get your free career tools: https://ridethetidecollective.com/free/

Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/11/26/season12episode12/

Get your Control Your Career Worksheet: https://ridethetidecollective.com/cycworksheet/

Do you hate networking? You are not alone. For many professionals, networking feels forced, fake, and exhausting. In this episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre redefines what networking really is and how to make it authentic, strategic, and aligned to your personality.

Julia breaks down why traditional networking advice fails introverts and overachievers, and she shares a simple approach that helps you connect genuinely without the small talk or awkward coffee chats.

You will learn how to:

• Reframe networking from transactional to relational

• Identify your natural networking style (Connector, Curator, or Consistent)

• Use the five-stage Control Your Career framework to assess and strengthen your network

• Build consistent habits that expand your visibility without draining your energy

• Create meaningful connections that actually support your growth

Networking does not have to feel gross. It can feel natural, intentional, and aligned with who you are.

👉 Subscribe to Control Your Career for more practical strategies that help you navigate your professional growth with clarity and confidence.

Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/

Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Visit the website: https://ridethetidecollective.com Get your free career tools: https://ridethetidecollective.com/free/

Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/11/19/season12episode11/

Get your Control Your Career Worksheet: https://ridethetidecollective.com/cycworksheet/

If you feel drained, unmotivated, or disconnected from your work, you might be tempted to label it burnout. But what if it is actually boredom? In this episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre breaks down the key differences between burnout and boredom, what each means for your well-being, and how to recover and re-engage with your career.

Through her five-stage Control Your Career framework, Julia helps you identify whether you are overextended or under-stimulated and what steps to take next to regain energy, meaning, and motivation at work.

You will learn:

• How burnout and boredom show up differently in your energy and emotions

• Why confusing the two can make things worse

• How to reflect on your environment, workload, and values

• How to realign your goals with what you truly need

• What actions to take for both burnout and boredom recovery

You do not have to stay stuck in exhaustion or indifference. Understanding what is really going on is the first step toward creating sustainable change.

👉 Subscribe to Control Your Career for more conversations about confidence, clarity, and career growth.

Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/

Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Visit the website: https://ridethetidecollective.com Get your free career tools: https://ridethetidecollective.com/free/

Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/11/12/season12episode10/

Get your Control Your Career Worksheet: https://ridethetidecollective.com/cycworksheet/

It is frustrating when your hard work does not lead to the outcome you expected. You showed up, delivered, and still the promotion went to someone else. In this episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre explains how to reset your focus after a missed promotion so you can move forward with clarity, not just frustration.

Using her five-stage Control Your Career framework, Julia walks you through how to process the disappointment, analyze what happened, and decide whether to stay, pivot, or move on. This episode is a practical guide for anyone navigating career setbacks with professionalism and purpose.

You will learn:

• How to separate emotion from information and understand what really happened

• The difference between an assumed promotion and a promised one

• How to evaluate if your environment still aligns with your goals

• What to do when leadership changes or priorities shift

• The mindset and habits that turn rejection into redirection

👉 Subscribe to Control Your Career for more practical career advice on confidence, leadership, and advancement.

Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/

Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/

Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/11/05/season12episode9/

Get your Control Your Career Worksheet: https://ridethetidecollective.com/cycworksheet/

If asking for a raise, a new project, or even clearer boundaries makes you nervous, you are not alone. Most professionals know their worth but freeze when it is time to speak up. In this episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre shares how to ask for what you want with clarity, confidence, and strategy, without feeling aggressive or entitled.

Through her five-stage Control Your Career framework, Julia breaks down how to prepare for uncomfortable conversations, make direct requests, and navigate communication differences between you and your manager.

You will learn:

• Why asking for what you want feels so hard

• How to identify the culture and power dynamics that may be holding you back

• What to do when your workload changes without recognition or compensation

• Communication styles that help you advocate effectively

• The one question that will help you move from fear to action

Being clear about what you need is not demanding, it is part of managing your career strategically. Stop waiting to be noticed and start asking with confidence.

👉 Subscribe to Control Your Career for more conversations about leadership, growth, and strategic career management.

Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/

Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/

Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/10/29/season12episode8/

Get your Control Your Career Worksheet: https://ridethetidecollective.com/cycworksheet/