Favourite Positions

💬 Summary

In this episode, we speak to Austin Okolo – founder of Gen Z Recruits and a leading voice for Gen Z in the world of work – about turning lived experience into lasting impact.

Austin shares how his entrepreneurial journey began with selling football boots at school and how it evolved into a mission to fix a broken job market. We talk about building confidence from the ground up, creating opportunities where none exist and why visibility and vulnerability are powerful tools for career growth. Austin opens up about the loneliness of leadership, what most people get wrong about Gen Z and why effort still beats everything else.

💡 Takeaways

• Your audience might be you – build what you wish you had
• Confidence comes from repetition, not personality
• Gen Z aren’t lazy – they’re just unwilling to settle for outdated norms
• Recruitment doesn’t have to be transactional – it can be transformational
• Visibility leads to opportunity – show up even when you’re nervous
• Document your journey, don’t wait to be ‘an expert’
• Working in isolation can damage your mental health – community matters
• Personal branding works best when it’s grounded in lived experience
• Employers and employees both need to define their non-negotiables
• The future of work needs to include flexibility and connection

🕒 Chapters

00:00 – Who is Austin Okolo and what does he do?

01:43 – From football boots to fashion to founding a business

03:50 – The rise and fall of Clubhouse and building a real-life community

06:16 – Becoming “Mr Gen Z” and launching Gen Z Recruits

08:57 – Why he started a recruitment agency with no corporate background

11:39 – Starting from scratch: mentorship, prep and long-term thinking

13:15 – The real problems Gen Z face in the job market

16:13 – Are Gen Z expectations really that unrealistic?

17:56 – Rethinking traditional work models and expectations

20:43 – Meeting in the middle: flexibility vs reality

22:48 – The hardest part: loneliness as a founder

24:10 – Why we need to build our own communities after school

26:05 – The hidden cost of working from home

28:15 – How Austin got into the media – and why visibility matters

31:04 – Building confidence by doing hard things

33:35 – Personal branding tips for early-career professionals

35:14 – What not to post online (and how to avoid being cringe)

38:13 – Why Austin didn’t post about Coldplay – and how to stay in your lane

41:08 – What’s next for Gen Z Recruits

42:46 – Austin’s signature advice: reverse engineer your dream role

44:31 – Where to find Austin online

🔗 Follow Austin

LinkedIn – Austin Okolo

Instagram – @austinokoloo

TikTok – @austinokoloo

Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.

💬 Summary

In this episode, we speak to Hannah Sosa – founder of Subtle Series and host of the Awfully Quiet podcast – about redefining career progression for quietly ambitious people.

Hannah shares the inspiration behind her unique career platform, how she balances a full-time corporate career with building her own business, and why she believes introspection is an underrated leadership trait. We discuss everything from self-expression to personal branding, from building networks that work for introverts to why sustainable success starts with tuning into yourself.

💡 Takeaways

• Quiet ambition is still ambition – it just looks different
• Clarity is the foundation of confident self-expression
• You don’t need to perform your ambition to be seen
• Personal branding isn’t about being loud – it’s about being remembered
• Progression is easier when you leave breadcrumbs along the way
• Being an advocate for yourself starts with small, consistent wins
• Balance can mean different things in different seasons
• Introspective leadership is a strength, not a limitation
• Asking the right questions builds deeper team connections
• Careers of the future must allow room for personality diversity

🕒 Chapters

00:00 – Welcome, Hannah! What she does and why she does it

02:44 – The career path that led to Subtle Series

04:52 – Early iterations and finding her audience

05:38 – Balancing corporate life and building a brand

08:25 – What does it mean to be quietly ambitious?

10:19 – Do quieter people avoid leadership roles?

12:00 – Platforming different paths to success

12:57 – Creating a brand that feels calm yet confident

15:27 – Reimagining career learning experiences

16:39 – The transformation Hannah wants for her audience

18:36 – Why clarity must come before action

21:15 – How to build visibility in your own way

23:08 – Demonstrating value without feeling salesy

26:48 – Don’t wait for your manager to do the work

28:41 – Rethinking the ‘rules’ of workplace success

30:51 – Building a personal brand without performing

34:08 – What the future of work could look like

37:14 – What sustainable success means to Hannah

39:22 – How to manage and empower quieter team members

41:13 – Why we all need regular 1:1s with ourselves

44:00 – Closing reflections

🔗 Follow Hannah

https://www.instagram.com/subtleseries/

https://www.subtleseries.com/

https://www.instagram.com/awfullyquietpodcast/

https://www.youtube.com/@Hannah-Sosa

Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.

💬 Summary

In this episode, we speak to Joseph Liu – career consultant, speaker and host of Career Relaunch – about what it really takes to pivot your career, build a personal brand that feels authentic and find confidence through action.

Joseph shares the journey from med school dropout to global speaker, brand strategist and coach. He talks about how to build a narrative that supports your next move, why networking is your most powerful tool in a career shift and how your digital first impression speaks volumes. This episode is packed with practical tools and empowering advice for anyone considering a new chapter.

💡 Takeaways

• Personal branding is about clarity, not self-promotion
• Confidence doesn’t come before action – it grows through doing
• Every interaction reinforces or dilutes your personal brand
• Your narrative needs to convince you first – then others
• Consistency across your LinkedIn is more powerful than volume
• Standing tall can change how you feel
• Start networking before you need anything
• Good outreach is tailored outreach
• Hosting mindset = powerful at events
• Your first impression is usually digital – make it count

🔥 Favourite Soundbites

“The first person you need to convince is yourself”

“Everything you do reinforces or dilutes your brand”

“You won’t be worse off for introducing yourself”

“Confidence is a muscle – you build it by doing”

“Most jobs aren’t advertised – networking is the key”

🔗 Resources + Recommendations

• Joseph’s website: josephliu.co
• Joseph’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephpliu/
• Career Relaunch podcast: careerrelaunch.net
• Book: ABCs of Networking by Thom Singer
• TED Talk: What’s the Work You Can’t Not Do? by Scott Dinsmore
• Book: Presence by Amy Cuddy
• Platforms: Eventbrite, Cheapskate London
• Writing platforms: Substack and Medium

Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.

💬 Summary
In this episode, we speak to Kaya Allen-Bevan – founder of Youth the Gap and Edge of Difference – about what it really means to build inclusive workplaces, protect your energy and keep showing up with purpose.

Kaya opens up about how her own lived experience fuelled her work in advocacy and DEI. From early activism to launching two mission-driven businesses, she shares the realities of what it takes to do this work – emotionally, financially and professionally. We cover everything from unconscious bias to how to spot green flags in a new role, and how self-awareness is your biggest tool for growth.

💡 Takeaways

• Advocacy is about co-creating, not preaching
• You can care deeply and want to be paid – they’re not mutually exclusive
• Self-education is where most change begins
• Bias won’t go away – but awareness helps us navigate it
• Confidence doesn’t come before action, it comes from it
• Honest feedback loops are essential for workplace inclusion
• If the culture doesn’t support you, you don’t need to stay
• Empowering others starts with knowing your own needs
• Self-care isn't optional in meaningful work – it’s how you keep going
• Safe spaces in the workplace don’t just happen – they’re built intentionally

🔥 Favourite Soundbites

🕒 Chapters
00:00 – Meet Kaya and her mission
01:19 – How Edge of Difference came to life
04:10 – Kaya’s personal entry into activism
06:49 – Passion vs. pay: the advocacy tightrope
09:48 – Building confidence through self-care
13:43 – Bias at work: naming it and navigating it
18:47 – Hierarchies, feedback and honest conversations
20:11 – Culture fit vs. culture add
22:11 – How to build safer spaces for feedback
25:41 – What green flags in culture actually look like
30:18 – Diversity + flexibility: what the future needs
34:07 – Holding on to hope in a complex world
37:58 – How to reflect when something isn’t working

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaiaab/

https://www.instagram.com/kaia.ab/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/youththegapcic/

https://www.instagram.com/youththegap/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/edge-of-difference/

Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.

💬 Summary
In this episode, we sit down with Cameron MacRae – Global Director at Bottle Rocket Search – to talk all things work, hiring and how to know if a job is actually right for you.

From front-of-house roles in coworking to global leadership in commercial real estate, Cameron shares a decade’s worth of lessons on what’s changed since Covid, how to protect your energy, and why understanding your own boundaries is the key to landing a role you love – and growing in it.

We also get honest about red flags in interviews (including when a company says “we’re like a family”), burnout from people-pleasing, and the difference between applying for a job and building a career that works for you.

💡 Takeaways

• Culture fit matters – but it’s about values, not vibes
• If a job spec says “we’re like a family” – run
• Front-of-house roles are some of the hardest in the business – and the least flexible
• You don’t need to say yes to everything to prove your worth
• If you’re interviewing, ask why the role exists and what success looks like
• Unlimited annual leave is great – if the culture supports taking it
• Knowing your boundaries is the first step to building a sustainable career
• Recruitment is more like matchmaking than sales – the right recruiter will help you reflect, not just apply
• Being honest (with yourself and others) is the fastest route to career growth

🔥 Favourite Soundbites

🕒 Chapters
02:21 – Meet Cameron: from sport science to global director
06:47 – The jump from student housing to coworking
10:06 – Post-Covid work shifts: what’s changed and what hasn’t
15:02 – Front-of-house roles: the underappreciated MVPs
17:22 – Unlimited leave, burnout and balance
23:10 – People pleasing, boundaries and how to say no
27:33 – Interview advice from someone who’s seen it all
31:01 – Red flags, green flags and spotting the truth
35:34 – What success really looks like (and how to ask about it)
42:03 – What company culture actually means
47:44 – Why younger employees struggle to set boundaries
53:12 – When saying yes too often starts to backfire
57:37 – Recruiters: how to use them, and how to know they’re good
01:00:01 – The power of honesty (with yourself and others)
01:01:00 – Cameron’s final advice: define what matters to you

https://bottlerocketsearch.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-macrae-the-office-space-recruiter/

Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.

💬 Summary
In this episode, we chat to Mary, co-founder of AI Potential, about what it really means to work with AI – and how to use it to get ahead, especially if you’re early in your career or part of an underrepresented group in tech.

Mary talks openly about her journey – from building AI tools to teaching people how to use them with confidence. She makes the case for why AI should be a skill you practise, not just a tool you fear, and how soft skills (which women often excel in) are becoming your biggest asset. This one's packed with insight, especially if you're navigating your next move or leading a team in 2025.

💡 Takeaways

• AI isn’t replacing people – it’s levelling up what people can do
• Women are set to thrive if we value soft skills properly
• Re-skilling and up-skilling aren’t optional anymore
• Think of AI like a gym for your brain: you get better by using it
• Bias exists in AI – and if you’re not questioning it, you’re accepting it
• Managers need to learn with their teams, not just delegate tech stuff
• AI can save you hours of admin – if you know what to ask it
• Using AI doesn’t mean switching off your brain – critical thinking is non-negotiable
• AI could be the confidence boost your career’s been waiting for

🔥 Favourite Soundbites

🕒 Chapters
00:00 – Who is Mary?
00:37 – The AI takeover: real or hype?
04:24 – Surviving (and thriving in) disruption
07:54 – Confidence in AI: how to build it
11:49 – Women, bias + who’s shaping the tech
15:15 – Future-proofing your skills
19:17 – The hidden bias in hiring tools
22:49 – Getting good at working with AI
26:20 – Managers, this bit’s for you
30:06 – Good news: AI saves you time
34:12 – If you’re job hunting, listen to this
37:15 – Mary’s final advice

https://www.linkedin.com/company/ai-potential/?originalSubdomain=uk

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-kemp-ai/

Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.

Episode description:

In this deeply impactful final episode of the Career Unlocked series, Alex sits down with Rose Rowkins, a passionate and experienced Suicide Prevention Trainer. Rose shares her journey from growing up in North West London to becoming a leading advocate for suicide prevention. Throughout the conversation, Rose opens up about her career path, which includes working as a Samaritans volunteer, training prisoners in listening skills, and creating the innovative "Talking about Suicide: 10 Tools" (TAS10) session. Rose also discusses the emotional challenges of her work, the importance of structured training and her commitment to making suicide prevention everyone’s business. Whether you’re interested in mental health, advocacy or simply want to be a better support to those around you, this episode is a must-listen.

Key points discussed:

• Rose’s early life in North West London and how it shaped her love for diverse communities
• Her early career experiences, including volunteering with Samaritans and training in prisons
• The development and impact of the TAS10 session and its importance in suicide prevention
• Insights into the misconceptions and myths around suicide and how to approach sensitive conversations
• Rose’s unique approach to building trust and creating safe spaces in her work
• The challenges and rewards of balancing a demanding career with family life
• The importance of structured training in suicide prevention and Rose’s role in shaping educational programmes
• How personal interests like yoga, singing and travel contribute to Rose’s wellbeing and effectiveness at work
• Practical tools for organisations to integrate wellbeing and suicide prevention into their workplace culture
• Rose’s advice for individuals who are concerned about someone in crisis and how to approach the subject of suicide

Resources and links:

• Connect with Rose: LinkedIn
• Start the Conversation: Website
• Samaritans: Website
• Talking about Suicide: 10 Tools (TAS10): Website

Stay up to date with us on Instagram and LinkedIn:

• Favourite Positions Podcast Instagram
• Alex Young on LinkedIn

As always, please reach out and let us know how you’re finding the series and feel free to send us any suggestions for topics you’d like us to explore in future episodes! Thank you for listening and supporting the platform. We're so grateful that you're here.

Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.

Episode description:

In this thought-provoking episode of Career Unlocked, Alex sits down with Dean Connell, a creative director with over two decades of experience in the interior design industry and the founder of the innovative design consultancy, I-AM.D.C. Dean shares his journey from growing up in inner-city London to becoming a leading voice in sustainable and circular design. He discusses the pivotal moments that shaped his career, including his transition from working at Phones4U to studying interior design at Kingston University and eventually launching his own design consultancy. Dean opens up about his unique philosophy that takes cues from nature to transform traditional workspaces and hospitality environments into sustainable, circular spaces. He also shares his passion for moving beyond 'tick box' sustainability and creating lasting, desirable pieces that transcend functionality. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of design, sustainability and the evolving nature of work.

Key points discussed:

• Dean’s early life in inner-city London and his transition from working at Phones4U to studying interior design
• The importance of focusing on specific skills and developing discipline in one’s career
• Dean’s experiences working as a junior designer and the evolution of his career in the interior design industry
• Founding I-AM.D.C and the inspiration behind challenging the 'take, make, waste' mentality in design
• The integration of circular principles into his work and the importance of creating lasting, repairable and adaptable furniture
• Dean’s approach to moving beyond 'tick box' sustainability and fostering a community committed to circular design
• The impact of technology and innovation on the future of workspace design and how AI and VR may influence the industry
• Dean’s views on the importance of community and user-centered design in creating sustainable and functional workspaces
• Insights into Dean’s most rewarding career moments, including working in Japan and developing the Sessions project
• Upcoming projects and initiatives at I-AM.D.C, including collaborations with Patch co-working spaces

Resources and links:

• Connect with Dean Connell: LinkedIn
• I-AM.D.C: Website
• Patch Co-Working Spaces: Website
• Living With Buildings: The Sessions House Project: Website

Stay up to date with us on Instagram and LinkedIn:

• Favourite Positions Podcast Instagram
• Alex Young on LinkedIn

As always, please reach out and let us know how you’re finding the series and feel free to send us any suggestions for topics you’d like us to explore in future episodes! Thank you for listening and supporting the platform. We're so grateful that you're here.

Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.

Episode description: 
In this episode of 'Favourite Positions: Careers Unlocked,' Alex chats with Molly, Co-Founder of Flexa, to explore her journey from working on a farm during her childhood to creating a groundbreaking platform that redefines flexible working. Molly shares her unique experiences, including a rigorous gap year, her university life at Oxford and her career in investment banking, which ultimately led her to identify a significant gap in the market. Discover the motivation behind Flexa, the challenges Molly faced and how Flexa is changing the future of work for millions. Molly also discusses the impact of flexible working on diversity and inclusion, the importance of employee value propositions and her vision for the future of Flexa. Tune in to gain valuable insights on navigating the evolving landscape of work and fostering a more inclusive, flexible work environment.

Key points discussed:

• Molly's early life and upbringing in London and Somerset
• Her transition from university to investment banking and the intense gap year experiences
• The inspiration and motivation behind starting Flexa
• The challenges faced in the early stages of building Flexa, including the impact of the pandemic
• The role of flexible working in enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion
• The concept of employee value proposition and its significance
• Strategies for companies to introduce flexible working arrangements
• How individuals can identify and negotiate flexible working options
• Staying informed about changes in the future of work
• Future goals for Flexa and the broader vision for the future of work

Resources and links:

• Flexa: Website
• Connect with Molly: LinkedIn
• Recommended study: Nick Bloom’s research on remote and hybrid work
• Articles on flexible working: BBC Worklife, Harvard Business Review

Please stay up to date with us on Instagram and LinkedIn:

• Favourite Positions Podcast Instagram: Favourite Positions Instagram
• Alex Young on LinkedIn: Alex Young LinkedIn

As always, please do reach out and let us know how you’re finding the series and feel free to send us any suggestions for topics you’d like us to explore in future episodes! Thank you for listening and supporting the platform, we're so grateful that you're here.

Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.

Episode description: 

In this episode of Careers Unlocked, Alex chats with Hannah Cox, Director of betternotstop and The Better Business Network. Hannah shares her journey from her challenging childhood in South London to becoming a successful business leader and advocate for sustainability. She opens up about her experiences with bullying, a cancer diagnosis and the loss of family members, all of which shaped her resilience and drive. Discover how Hannah transitioned from running her own club nights at university to founding betternotstop and The Better Business Network, building and supporting a community of organisations around to UK who want to use their business as a force for good. Learn about her ambitious Project Salt Run, where she'll be running 100 marathons in 100 days to raise awareness and funds for those affected by climate change.

Key points discussed:

• Hannah's early life in South London and Hertfordshire
• Impact of bullying and family challenges on her development
• Transition from university to running her own businesses
• Founding betternotstop and The Better Business Network
• Challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Importance of sustainability in business and the benefits of B Corp certification
• The concept of collective action in The Better Business Network
• The Better Business Summit and its impact
• Hannah's motivations and preparations for Project Salt Run
• Advice for business leaders on making a positive social and environmental impact

Resources and Links:

Connect with Hannah: LinkedIn

Project Salt Run Instagram: Project Salt Run

betternotstop: Website

Better Business Network: Website

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

B Corp Certification

Carbon Literacy Project

ClientEarth

Mind Over Mountains

Goodfest

Blue Earth Summit

Stay Up to Date with Us on Instagram and LinkedIn:

• Favourite Positions Podcast Instagram
• Alex Young on LinkedIn

As always, please reach out and let us know how you’re finding the series and feel free to send us any suggestions for topics you’d like us to explore in future episodes! Thank you for listening and supporting the platform, we're so grateful that you're here.

Follow Favourite Positions on LinkedIn and Instagram, connect with Alex here.