Hannah Hotline

Hannah is seven months pregnant, and she's about to take a break. In this cozy, unscripted update, she shares why she decided not to record 14 more episodes and columns before the end of the year, and what it took to let go of her habit of pushing through.

She gets honest about her feast-famine pattern of going hard until she burns out, and about reframing "half capacity" as full capacity directed somewhere else. She also covers the moment she realized she was encouraging a pregnant client to take leave early while denying herself the same grace, and why ambition is no longer one of her core values. Along the way, she talks about how resolving her PTSD changed her work ethic, why she's pausing business development, and why she reached out to a perinatal psychologist after stepping away from therapy.

If you're a high performer who's good at pushing through and wondering what happens when you stop, this one's for you. Hannah also shares the timeline for her hiatus: the last episode drops in late December, with a possible return next July.

📩 Got a career dilemma for when Hannah returns? Email [email protected]

Timestamps:

0:45 - Seven months pregnant — the update

1:15 - Breaking my feast-famine cycle

1:45 - "Full capacity just not in my business"

2:15 - The 14-episode plan my body vetoed

3:15 - Why am I not giving myself that grace?

3:45 - Ambition is no longer a core value

4:30 - How resolving PTSD changed her work ethic

6:30 - Pregnant in the workplace

7:00 - Being deliberate with a newborn

7:30 - The support system that makes this possible

8:00 - "This is hard. I hope it's worth it."

#careertransition #pregnancy #motherhoodjourney #highperformer #businesscoach

🚨 Got a career challenge?

Submit your questions and frustrations to the Hannah Hotline!

Email: [email protected]

Gain Access to the free Career Confidence Course: https://www.hannahkissel.com/careerconfidence

Follow Hannah Kissel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahmaekissel/

Connect with Hannah Kissel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahkissel/

Visit Hannah's website: www.hannahkissel.com

-------

Hannah Hotline is sponsored by dominiquejingles — where quirky, clever, and corporate branding is reimagined. A client says, 'We just want something different.' Dominique turns that into a jingle that sticks in your head all day.

DM Dominique on Instagram @dominiquejingles or email [email protected].

Your biggest client is rude to you and your team. Everyone in the industry knows he's like this. And every meeting, you freeze — then spend the rest of the day furious at yourself for staying quiet.

In this episode, Hannah answers a listener who's been swallowing her opinions to protect a major account, with a boss who people-pleases too.

Here's what we want you to hear: your job is not to be agreeable. Your job is to be a partner. And a client spending serious money almost certainly wants a partner with a backbone — not someone who nods along while their strategy quietly fails.

We cover:

- The difference between a freeze response and a fawn (people-pleasing) response - The line between rudeness and abuse - Graded exposure therapy: the one-opinion goal for your next meeting - Why you should forecast what could go right, not just pre-mortem what could go wrong - How small acts of speaking up compound into a completely different professional identity

You don't need a new personality. You need one small, concrete win. That's it.

Timestamps:

01:05 - "I freeze and I people-please" 01:45 - When your boss is a people-pleaser too 02:05 - Freeze vs. fawn: which one is running you? 02:25 - Low psychological safety — the real workplace problem 02:55 - Where this pattern started 03:15 - Rudeness vs. abuse: when to escalate to HR 03:35 - "No client is worth that" 03:45 - The one goal for your next meeting 04:05 - Name the fear: losing the account? Looking small? 04:25 - Stress-testing the fear 04:55 - Prep your boss before you speak up 05:15 - Graded exposure therapy: small doses of discomfort 05:35 - Why small wins compound 05:45 - Pre-mortem vs. positive forecasting 06:05 - How this accelerates your career 06:15 - Reframe: you are the partner, not the appeaser 06:45 - Check your job spec — it's your permission slip 06:55 - Find someone who does this well 07:05 - Don't overcorrect

#DifficultClients #peoplepleasingrecovery #careeradvice #WorkplaceBoundaries #HannahHotline

🚨 Got a career challenge?

Submit your questions and frustrations to the Hannah Hotline!

Email: [email protected]

Gain Access to the free Career Confidence Course: https://www.hannahkissel.com/careerconfidence

Follow Hannah Kissel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahmaekissel/

Connect with Hannah Kissel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahkissel/

Visit Hannah's website: www.hannahkissel.com

-------

Hannah Hotline is sponsored by dominiquejingles — where quirky, clever, and corporate branding is reimagined. A client says, 'We just want something different.' Dominique turns that into a jingle that sticks in your head all day.

DM Dominique on Instagram @dominiquejingles or email [email protected].

You know LinkedIn could open doors. You also know that posting feels like walking onto a stage where everyone's waiting for you to trip. So you don't post. And the gap between the career you want and the career you have keeps growing.

In this episode, Hannah answers a listener who wants to build her expertise in public but is terrified of being judged, laughed at, or seen as stupid.

Here's what we want you to hear first: this is not imposter syndrome. We push back on that label hard. Being afraid to post is a skills gap, you haven't built the muscle yet. And muscles are built by repetition, not by waiting to feel ready.

We cover:

- Why LinkedIn feels more exposing than Instagram or TikTok - The spotlight effect: the fear that everyone is watching you, when almost nobody is - Why "I want to build my personal brand" is a goal that gets you nowhere, and the one question to ask instead - What the fear of "looking stupid" is usually protecting you from (mine traced back to being bullied in high school) - How Internal Family Systems therapy helps you name and soothe the part of you that's scared - The ritual that actually works: a set day, a set time, a 30-minute cap, and a scheduled post - Why you should start with once a week or even once a fortnight and not more

Hannah coached current and former LinkedIn employees through this exact fear. And felt it herself after posting. The price of admission is being embarrassed. The question is whether you want your career to move more than you want to avoid that feeling.

#HannahHotline #LinkedInTips #impostersyndrome #PersonalBrand #CareerAdvice #ThoughtLeadership #HannahKissel

Timestamps:

01:30 - Why LinkedIn feels scarier than Instagram or TikTok 02:15 - The spotlight effect: no one is thinking about you 03:00 - Why this isn't imposter syndrome, it's a skills gap 04:00 - Why I hate the term "personal brand" 05:00 - The one question to ask: why do you want this? 06:15 - The fear of looking stupid and the "silly little girl" part 07:30 - Internal Family Systems: naming the part that's scared 08:45 - The price of admission is being embarrassed 09:30 - LinkedIn is a tool, not a tribunal 10:15 - Build a ritual: Fridays at 3 pm is drafting time 11:30 - Start small — once a week, or even once a fortnight 12:15 - Cap your drafting time at 30–60 minutes 13:00 - Best posting times — and why you don't have to reply to every comment

🚨 Got a career challenge? Submit your questions and frustrations to the Hannah Hotline!

Email: [email protected]

Gain Access to the free Career Confidence Course: https://www.hannahkissel.com/careerconfidence

Follow Hannah Kissel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahmaekissel/

Connect with Hannah Kissel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahkissel/

Visit Hannah's website: www.hannahkissel.com

-------

Hannah Hotline is sponsored by dominiquejingles— where quirky, clever, and corporate branding is reimagined. A client says, 'We just want something different.' Dominique turns that into a jingle that sticks in your head all day.

DM Dominique on Instagram @dominiquejingles or email [email protected].

Your CEO is messaging at 10PM. You're anxious. Your notifications are on. And nobody actually asked you to do any of this.

In this episode of Hannah Hotline, Hannah tackles a letter from "Anxious at 10 PM", a professional whose new CEO, a former management consultant, works late and on weekends, creating an unspoken pressure that's quietly taking over her evenings.

Hannah breaks down Nobel laureate Claudia Goldin's concept of "greedy jobs," explains what C-suite executives are actually doing when they message after hours, and gives you the exact script for a one-on-one conversation that will clear the air fast. If after-hours notifications are running your nervous system, this one's for you.

📩 Got a career dilemma? Email [email protected] to be featured on the podcast and in The Daily Telegraph.

Timestamps:

01:00 — The listener letter: new CEO, late-night Slacks & weekend emails 01:45 — Hannah's verdict: "This definitely seems like a you problem" 02:00 — What are greedy jobs? Claudia Goldin's research explained 02:45 — Why your ex-consultant CEO works like this (and what it means for you) 03:00 — The key question: is responding actually expected of you? 03:15 — The exact script for your next one-on-one with your CEO 04:00 — What C-suite executives are really doing when they message late 04:45 — How to manage the anxiety even after you get clarity 05:00 — Practical tools: notifications, app deletion, phone boundaries 05:30 — How to protect your team's culture when the CEO has none 05:45 — When late-night availability IS the expectation — knowing the difference 06:45 — Reassurance-seeking: why replying at 10 PM is making anxiety worse 07:15 — Breaking the pattern you've already accidentally created

#worklifereality #workboundaries #highperformers #corporatestories #workplaceculture #healthyboundaries #officedrama

You gave 15 years. "Exceeded expectations," every single time. And then one review drops: "not strategic enough." No warning. No conversation. No chance to fix it.

If you've been blindsided at a performance review, this episode is for you. I break down exactly what to do when the feedback feels vague and unfair — and how to turn a gut-punch into a documented plan that protects you.

What we cover:

• Why "not strategic enough" is a red flag — and how to decode it
• The 4-step recovery: take a beat, recalibrate, deconstruct, document
• Exactly what to ask your boss to get specific, measurable feedback
• How to push back on a vague development plan (and win)
• Why you should give feedback to the person who gave you feedback

Timestamps:

01:10 — The listener's story: 15 years, then "not strategic enough" 03:17 — Step 1: Anger is okay — process it 04:20 — Step 2: Take a beat before you respond 04:33 — Step 3: Schedule the "recalibration" conversation 04:50 — Step 4: Deconstruct vague feedback (what does "strategic" mean?) 06:16 — Step 5: Get a specific, documented plan (3-6-9-12 months) 06:46 — Step 6: Growth mindset + find a mentor who's where you want to be 07:35 — Step 7: Give your CEO feedback — you were blindsided 09:01 — The bottom line: decode the criticism into action

#HannahHotline #PerformanceReview #CareerAdvice #AnnualReview #WorkplaceTips #CareerGrowth #HannahKissel

You've quit jobs before. You've been in therapy. You've read the books. And yet you're sitting here thinking: "Is this all there is?"

Sound familiar? In this bonus episode of Hannah Hotline, we break down why most career change advice fails and the 4-step method that actually sticks.

Here's the problem: traditional career coaching is all action, no self-awareness. So you jump into a new job, and the same problems show up again. Therapy and self-awareness alone? All reflection, no action — so you stay stuck where you are.

The answer is doing both, in the right order.

Here's what we cover:

Why "just quit and follow your passion" keeps failing you

Step 1: Holistic career design — how your career fits into your life (not the other way around) Step 2: Understand your sabotage archetype — why the same problems follow you job to job Step 3: Values alignment — make decisions anchored to what you actually care about Step 4: Prototype and stress test — research, network, and test a path before you leap

Timestamps:

00:30 — The listener's story: "I'm miserable, I'm just taking a paycheck" 00:45 — The question everyone's afraid to ask 01:57 — Why traditional career coaching misses the point 02:30 — Why you can't do action OR self-awareness alone 03:57 — Step 1: Holistic career design 05:15 — Step 2: Know your sabotage archetype 06:00 — Step 3: Values alignment 08:15 — Step 4: Prototype and stress test (do them together)

#HannahHotline #CareerChange #CareerAdvice #CareerTransition #CareerCoaching #UnhappyAtWork #findyourpurpose #HannahKissel

You've got the title, the salary, and the golden handcuffs, but you're secretly terrified it's too late to start over. Sound familiar?

In this episode of Hannah Hotline, there's a 50-year-old senior leader who's unfulfilled in her high-paying operations role and scared she's not good enough to do anything else.

There's a reason you feel stuck - and it's not your age. Here's what we cover:

- Why "meaningful work" doesn't have to mean quitting your job (the false binary) - The "career capital" you've been building your whole career — and why it travels - Why confidence comes from action, not from waiting to feel ready - The Odyssey Plan: the 3-career exercise that shows you your options - How to test a new direction with informational interviews before you leap - The financial runway you need (6–24 months) before making the move

Timestamps:

00:48 — The listener's dilemma: the unfulfilled 50-year-old leader 02:20 — It's not too late — push back on the youth-obsessed culture 03:00 — The false binary: meaning vs. money 03:59 — Purpose outside your job: volunteering, boards, side projects 04:29 — Competence fear (Hannah's own story of leaving LinkedIn) 05:15 — Cal Newport's "career capital", you're more than your brand 06:36 — Financial readiness: fixed expenses and your runway 07:26 — Confidence comes from action, not from feeling ready 07:58 — We regret not trying more than we regret failing 08:46 — 15–20 years left — a whole second career 09:42 — The Odyssey Plan: three plans for your next five years 10:27 — Hannah's own wild card (fantasy novelist) 10:56 — Informational interviews: test before you leap 12:12 — The final warning against staying stagnant

#careerchange #findingpurpose #meaningfulwork #midlifecareerchange #hannahhotline #careeradvice #lifetransitions

He's a "great guy" but he calls pregnant teammates "disabled," doles out off-color jokes in your one-on-ones, and swings between warm and erratic so fast you get emotional whiplash. Sound familiar?

In this episode of Hannah Hotline, we break down how to handle a boss who's unpredictable and inappropriate without quitting and without losing yourself. This isn't about managing his moods; it's about protecting your own sanity and career while you're in his orbit.

Here's what we cover:

- Why his behavior is classed as bullying and harassment (even if it's not aimed at you) - The psychology of "hypervigilance" and why you feel on edge all the time - Exactly what to say when he crosses a line (scripts included) - How to get clarity on his inconsistent decisions without confrontation - The one habit that protects you if things escalate: documenting everything

Timestamps:

01:00 — The listener's dilemma: the "great guy" with the off-color comments 02:35 — Why this behavior is bullying and harassment even when it's not aimed at you 04:17 — The power dynamic at play (and why millennials stay quiet) 04:50 — How to speak up: scripts for shutting down inappropriate comments 06:38 — The golden rule: document everything 07:28 — How to manage his inconsistent decisions (get clarity in writing) 08:58 — What's actually in your control (and what's not) 09:17 — The recap: protect yourself, don't manage his moods

#CareerAdvice #workplacebullying #ManagingUp #workplacetoxicity #HannahHotline #toxicworkenvironment #workboundaries

Are you a high performer who constantly says "yes" to new projects? You're not alone. You're likely paying the "competency tax."

In this episode of Hannah Hotline, we break down why being the "reliable one" at work is actively damaging your health and career trajectory.

If you're burnt out, stressed, and feeling punished for your own competence, this episode is your wake-up call. We cover:

• Why high achievers tie their self-worth to performance (and how to stop).
• The difference between being "reliable" and being "promotable."
• Actionable steps to set boundaries when you're overwhelmed.

Timestamps:

01:15 - The Listener's Dilemma: Burnout and Stress

02:15 - What is the "Competency Tax"?

04:30 - The Health Risks of Overwork (WHO Study)

05:15 - Distinguishing Between "Reliable" and "Promotable"

06:45 - Next Step: Documenting Your Capacity

08:45 - Reframing "Selfish" as "Sane"

09:30 - Zooming Out: Finding Joy Outside of Work

#HannahHotline #CareerAdvice #BurnoutPrevention #HighPerformance #CompetencyTax #WorkBoundaries #HannahKissel

Hannah is back with a big announcement, a full rebrand, and an honest conversation about what it actually looks like to simplify your business without guilt.

In this episode, Hannah shares why she's transitioning Big Fucking Dreams to Hannah Hotline, scaling back from weekly to fortnightly episodes, stepping back from Instagram and TikTok, and going all-in on LinkedIn and YouTube. Plus — the 40% business growth she achieved working just 30–35 hours a week, and the universe confirmation that arrived 20 minutes after she made her scariest business decision yet.

If you've ever felt like doing less means failing, this one's for you.

📩 Want a topic covered on Hannah Hotline? Email [email protected]

🌐 Check out the new website and brand refresh! www.hannahkissel.com

Timestamps:

01:15 — The official rebrand

02:30 — Something had to give — and the big announcement 🎉

03:45 — The business analysis that changed everything

04:00 — The full brand refresh: new logo, new website, new energy

05:00 — The B2B pivot: consulting, corporate talks, and public speaking

05:45 — The real cost of running a podcast as a solo operator

06:30 — The decision: letting the Big Fucking Dreams solo episodes go

07:00 — Why Hannah initially said "no" to cutting back — and what changed

08:00 — "Simplify" as a word of the year for someone who doesn't simplify easily

08:15 — The master's degree story: overcomplicating as a pattern

09:00 — Internal Family Systems: the parts that fear being ordinary

09:45 — The mentor conversation and committing to the plan

10:30 — The confirmation: doing less is the right direction

12:00 — Making room for something different

12:30 — What Hannah wants this next season to feel like: spacious, relaxed, luxurious

12:45 — The invitation to you: where can YOU do less?