Hannah Hotline

"How you do money is how you do everything." If you've ever frozen when you should have acted, avoided looking at your bank account, or made a financial decision out of fear. This episode is going to hit differently.

Hannah sits down with Julia Scott, Sydney-based financial advisor, wealth mentor, chartered accountant, and founder of Love Luck Wealth and the upcoming FinTech platform Jane, to talk about the real reason so many high-performing women are secretly sabotaging themselves financially. This is not your standard money podcast. Julia brings together financial expertise and emotional intelligence to explain why the traditional finance industry was built for men, why women freeze instead of act, and what to actually do about it.

In this episode, they cover:

• Why self-sabotage shows up in your finances — and how to catch it
• The uncomfortable truth about women's historical relationship with money
• Julia's personal story: the divorce that tested everything she knew about finance — and why it became her mission
• Why you should never make a financial decision from a place of fear
• The case for prenuptial agreements (even if you're not wealthy)
• How to financially prepare for having children
• The 6–12 month safety cushion rule — and why most people skip it
• Practical tools for dealing with financial stress and anxiety
• The "50 ways to make money" exercise that unlocks creative income thinking
• Why perfectionism is an energy leak — and how to stop it costing you
• Raising your frequency to meet your financial goals (yes, there's science behind this)

Two thirds of the world's wealth is forecast to be in women's hands. The question is, are you ready to hold yours?

About Julia Scott

Julia Scott is a Chartered Accountant, wealth educator, and founder dedicated to helping women build financial confidence and long-term wealth.

After beginning her career advising ultra-high-net-worth families, Julia saw firsthand that many capable women had been left out of the financial conversations shaping their futures. Determined to change that, she founded Love Luck Wealth, where she teaches women how to overcome money blocks, invest wisely, and build meaningful wealth.

Julia is also the founder of Money by Jane, an upcoming financial platform designed to give women easier access to banking, investing, and financial education. Her work is driven by a simple belief: when women understand money, they change the trajectory of their lives and the generations that follow.

She lives in Sydney Australia and is passionate about empowering women everywhere to feel confident, capable, and in control of their financial future.

Connect with Julia

Love Luck Wealth: https://www.loveluckwealth.com/

[email protected]

Being made redundant isn't just losing a pay cheque, it's being told you're no longer part of the tribe. And when your identity is tied to your work, that hits hard.

In this episode, Hannah responds to a listener who was recently made redundant, loved her job, is now terrified of falling behind in an AI-disrupted market, and is completely frozen when it comes to networking. Hannah breaks down exactly why this happens, and gives you a no-fluff framework to move through it — without white-knuckling it back to the market before you're ready.

In this episode, Hannah covers:

- Why redundancy can feel genuinely traumatic (and why that's not dramatic) - The grieving process and why skipping it will cost you later - How to tackle "the ick" around reaching out to your network - The "weak ties" research that proves your second-degree network is your biggest asset right now - Why you don't need to ask anyone for a job — and what to say instead - The small goals strategy that builds momentum without overwhelming you - How to use every networking conversation as live AI research

Timestamps:

00:55 — Today's listener question 02:00 — Why redundancy hits so hard (it's not just a job, it's identity) 03:15 — Step 1: Give yourself permission to grieve and how to do it without spiralling 04:50 — Step 2: The "ick" around networking and why it's not what you think 06:30 — Step 3: Set tiny, achievable goals and actually reward yourself 07:30 — Step 4: Use your networking conversations as live AI market research

📩 Got a question for the Hannah Hotline? Email [email protected]

#careercoaching #redundancy #howtorebuildconfidence #careeradvice #hannahkissel

In this episode, we unpack the sunk cost fallacy, the mental trap that keeps people stuck in jobs, relationships, projects, and decisions simply because they've already invested so much time, money, or energy.

We explore why walking away can feel so hard, even when something is no longer working, and how identity, fear, loyalty, and past effort can cloud clear decision-making. Through personal stories and real-world examples, this episode helps you recognize when you're holding on for the wrong reasons and how to make better choices based on where you want to go next, not just what you've already spent.

If you've ever thought, "I can't leave now. I've already put too much into this," this conversation is for you.

Key Takeaways:

- What the sunk cost fallacy actually is - Why smart people stay stuck in the wrong things - How this shows up in careers, relationships, and personal goals - The role of identity, fear, and loyalty in bad decisions - Practical ways to break out of the trap - How to evaluate whether it's time to stay, pivot, or walk away

Timestamps:

1:35 – What the sunk cost fallacy actually means 2:35 – Real-life example: staying because of past investment 3:35 – Why people stay stuck in jobs they've outgrown 4:45 – How sunk cost shows up in more than just careers 5:30 – The personality patterns most affected by this trap 6:35 – Strategy #1: Set a decision deadline 7:30 – Strategy #2: The "Would I choose this today?" test 8:35 – Strategy #3: Calculate the cost of staying 9:45 – Strategy #4: Get an outside perspective 11:25 – Final thoughts and how to move forward

Loved this episode? Leave a comment below with what resonated most! Rate & review the show on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. It helps more big dreamers find us! Share this episode on your stories and tag Hannah! Slide into Hannah's DMs on Instagram or LinkedIn, she loves hearing from listeners!

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

The Truth About Imposter Syndrome: https://open.spotify.com/episode/129YgMPuJWGLQK5VB9CncR?si=a352646dfec6411a

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

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

Quiz: Discover Your Career Alignment Score: https://hannahkisselcareerquiz.scoreapp.com

#highperformer #sunkcostfallacy #careertransition #bigdreamer #workplaceadvice #careerdecision #hannahkissel

You're delivering excellent work, taking on more responsibilities, and getting glowing performance reviews, so why is your salary still lagging behind?

In this episode, Hannah responds to a listener who's 15K below the median for her level despite supporting nine executives and receiving zero critical feedback. Hannah breaks down exactly how to build a business case that gets results, even after you've already heard "no."

Key Takeaways 1. If you don't advocate for yourself, no one else will 2. The $15K gap is bigger than it looks 3. Build a business case, not a conversation 4. The business case framework 5. Schedule a dedicated meeting and don't back out 6. A "soft no" is not a final no 7. Over-delivering without being compensated is a pattern, break it

Timestamps: 00:45 - The most common salary question Hannah gets 01:00 - Two issues at play: practical skills vs. confidence and self-worth 01:30 - Listener question: underpaid HR Director, soft no from her boss 02:55 - Hannah's response: why you must re-approach this negotiation 04:10 - Step 1:Build your business case (the one-pager framework) 08:35 - How have YOU approached salary negotiation? 09:05 - Step 2:How to actually have the conversation 10:30 - Mindset: reinforcing your self-worth before you walk in the room

🚨 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

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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].

#salarynegotiation #underpaid #howtonegotiatesalary #highperformer #peoplepleasingrecovery #bigdreamer #hannahkissel

Rejection hurts, but it doesn't have to stop you.

In this episode, Hannah Kissel gets real about something she faces literally every single day as an entrepreneur and coach: rejection. If you've ever struggled with the fear of rejection or felt like being turned down means you're not good enough, this episode is for you.

Hannah breaks down the neuroscience behind why rejection feels so painful (hint: your brain thinks you're being kicked out of the tribe), and walks you through powerful mindset tools to help you bounce back faster, build resilience, and keep putting yourself out there — even when it's hard.

Whether you're job hunting, growing a business, navigating dating, or just trying to show up as your most ambitious self, learning how to deal with rejection is one of the most important skills you'll ever build. Because here's the truth: the more you go after big dreams, the more rejection you'll face.

That's not failure — that's proof you're in the game.

🎯 In this episode, Hannah covers:

- Why getting rejected is actually a sign you're doing it right - The brain science behind why rejection feels like a threat to your survival - 4 practical mindset tools to make rejection easier - Why your growth mindset is your biggest asset when facing rejection - How diversifying your identity beyond your career builds emotional resilience

If this episode resonates with you, share it on your stories, rate and review the show on Spotify, and drop a comment — Hannah reads them and uses your feedback to shape future episodes!

Timestamps:

00:27 — Introduction: Even coaches have bad days (and that's okay) 02:30 — Community shoutout & how to support the show 03:30 — Reframing rejection: Why getting rejected means you're doing it right 04:40 — The neuroscience of rejection: Why your brain treats it like a survival threat 06:10 — Focus on the process, not the outcome (the paperclip/pompom jar trick) 09:00 — Pause & understand your internal triggers (Internal Family Systems) 11:15 — Reconnect with your "why" 13:15 — Embrace a growth mindset (Carol Dweck's work) 15:10 — Why your career can't be your whole identity — and how to build emotional buffers

Key Takeaways:

1. Rejection = proof of effort. 2. Your brain is wired to fear rejection. 3. Focus on the process, not the outcome. 4. Understand what's getting triggered inside you. 5. Know your "why." 6. A growth mindset is your superpower. 7. Get a life outside your work.

Loved this episode? Leave a comment below with what resonated most! Rate & review the show on Spotify — it helps more big dreamers find us! Share this episode on your stories and tag Hannah! Slide into Hannah's DMs on Instagram or LinkedIn — she loves hearing from listeners!

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

The Truth About Imposter Syndrome: https://open.spotify.com/episode/129YgMPuJWGLQK5VB9CncR?si=a352646dfec6411a

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

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

Quiz: Discover Your Career Alignment Score: https://hannahkisselcareerquiz.scoreapp.com

#fearofrejection #highperformer #dealingwithrejection #rejectiontosuccess #effortmatters #hannahkissel #bigdreamer

Is work-life balance the secret to a fulfilling life or a one-way ticket to mediocrity?

Join Hannah as she tackles one of the most provocative debates in high-performance culture head-on. Spoiler: it's not black and white.

In this episode, she breaks down the difference between toxic ambition and healthy ambition, unpacks the concept of "greedy jobs," and gives you a practical framework for achieving excellence without burning your life to the ground.

Key Takeaways:

1. Work-life balance and exceptionalism are not mutually exclusive 2. Toxic ambition has a look — do you recognise it? 3. Healthy ambition is the goal 4. Define success for yourself — or someone else will define it for you 5. You don't have to be exceptional at everything — just one or two things 6. Diversify your self-worth beyond your career 7. If you must sacrifice, do it intentionally

Timestamps:

01:30 - The entrepreneurship rhetoric: "sacrifice everything" 02:30 - Emil Barr's Wall Street Journal op-ed (the 22-year-old with two $20M companies) 03:30 - What are "greedy jobs"? 05:00 - Can you achieve excellence with balance? 05:30 - The key to exceptionalism: choose your lane 06:00 - Why you MUST define success on your own terms 06:30 - Hannah's personal burnout story at 30 07:00 - Toxic ambition vs. healthy ambition 07:30 - 5 signs you're operating in toxic ambition 08:30 - The 85-year Harvard study on happiness & relationships 09:00 - The Wheel of Life, a holistic view of success 09:30 - Why tying self-worth to work performance is dangerous 10:30 - How to choose one or two things to be truly exceptional at 11:00 - Seasons of sacrifice: conscious vs. unconscious overwork 12:00 - Client story: reinvesting in life after burnout 13:00 - Wrap-up + Life & Work Transformation program

References Mentioned:

"Work-Life Balance Will Keep You Mediocre" — op-ed by Emil Barr, Wall Street Journal "Greedy Jobs" — research by Nobel Prize-winning economist Claudia Goldin Harvard Study of Adult Development — 85-year study concluding that relationship quality is the #1 predictor of happiness Wheel of Life — framework covering: career/financial, relationships, health, purpose, autonomy, joy, community & spirituality

**Loved this episode?

If this resonated, share it with a high-achiever in your life who might be running on fumes. And if you're ready to build ambition that actually works for you, check out Hannah's Life & Work Transformation program.

In this episode, Hannah shares a powerful mindset shift that high performers often struggle with: the myth of feeling "ready."

After a major career milestone—becoming a columnist for The Daily Telegraph—Hannah reflects on the idea that confidence, readiness, and clarity rarely come before action. Instead, they are built through action and experience.

If you've ever told yourself you'll start the business, make the career move, apply for the opportunity, or take the next step once things calm down or once you feel more confident, this episode is for you.

Hannah explores the psychology behind perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and the fear of social judgment—along with practical frameworks to help you take action before you feel ready.

This conversation is especially valuable for high performers navigating career transitions, entrepreneurship, leadership growth, or major life decisions.

Key Takeaways

• Readiness is not a feeling—it's a decision. Waiting to feel ready can keep you stuck indefinitely.
• Confidence is built through repetition and action, not before it.
• High performers often delay change by waiting for the "perfect time" that never comes.
• Fear of embarrassment or judgment can subconsciously prevent you from taking bold steps.
• Your identity shapes your behavior—who you believe you are determines the risks you're willing to take.
• Mapping multiple life paths can help you evaluate whether you're optimizing for safety or adventure in your current phase of life.
• Small experiments and informational conversations can help you test new directions without major risk.

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

The Truth About Imposter Syndrome: https://open.spotify.com/episode/129YgMPuJWGLQK5VB9CncR?si=a352646dfec6411a

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

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

Quiz: Discover Your Career Alignment Score: https://hannahkisselcareerquiz.scoreapp.com

Why do some of the most capable, high-performing professionals feel like frauds behind closed doors?

In this episode, Hannah Kissel responds to a listener working at a top tech company who is widely seen as calm, confident, and highly competent — yet privately feels anxious, ashamed, and emotionally exhausted.

Despite promotions, glowing feedback, and exceptional executive presence, the listener is caught in relentless self-doubt, rumination, and fear of being "found out." Hannah unpacks the psychology of true imposter syndrome, explaining why it's especially common among high performers and women in elite environments — and how perfectionism, nervous-system dysregulation, and early responsibility patterns quietly fuel it.

Using Internal Family Systems (IFS), behavioral exposure, and leadership-level mindset shifts, this episode offers practical, compassionate strategies for separating performance from self-worth — and for reclaiming confidence without burning out.

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Key Takeaways:

- Imposter syndrome often coexists with real competence and success - Promotions and performance data matter — your fear isn't proof - True imposter syndrome is psychological, not skill-based - Early responsibility can wire competence with survival - Perfectionism and reassurance-seeking reinforce anxiety - Reducing compulsive checking builds confidence over time - Nervous-system regulation is as important as mindset - Joy and play are not indulgences — they are stabilizers - Confidence grows when self-worth is no longer performance-dependent

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Timestamps:

00:02:30 – Normalizing imposter syndrome in elite environments 00:03:00 – Skill gaps vs. true imposter syndrome 00:03:30 – Promotions, performance, and proof you're actually capable 00:04:30 – Internal Family Systems: polarized inner parts explained 00:05:00 – The competent part vs. the "fraud" part 00:06:00 – Where imposter syndrome often originates 00:06:30 – Early responsibility, caretaking, and competence as survival 00:07:00 – The "younger part" that's stuck in time 00:08:00 – Why secrecy fuels shame and isolation 00:09:00 – Journaling and parts work as a healing tool 00:09:30 – Perfectionism, rumination, and compulsive checking 00:10:30 – Exposure therapy: reducing reassurance-seeking behaviors 00:11:00 – Validation addiction and asking others when you already know 00:11:30 – Trusting your own competence again 00:12:00 – Nervous system regulation after work 00:12:30 – The missing ingredient: joy, play, and fun

#impostersyndrome #highperformer #worklifebalancetips #hannahkissel

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🚨 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

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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].

Thinking about leaving corporate for entrepreneurship — but unsure if you're actually ready?

In this episode, Hannah breaks down the three non-negotiables you need in place before you quit your corporate job and start a business. Drawing from her own transition after years in big tech, as well as coaching dozens of high performers through career pivots, Hannah gets brutally honest about what makes this leap successful — and what quietly derails it.

This isn't motivational fluff. It's a grounded, strategic conversation about mindset, money, and courage, and why skipping any one of these can cost you years of momentum, confidence, and financial stability.

If you're ambitious, capable, and feeling called toward entrepreneurship — but battling fear, doubt, or timing questions — this episode will help you make the decision from clarity, not fantasy.

Timestamps:

01:30 – Why leaving corporate requires a different framework 02:00 – The 3 non-negotiables for going out on your own 03:00 – Why mindset is the biggest predictor of success 03:30 – Belief, resilience, and evidence from past wins 04:00 – A personal story: leaving corporate income behind 04:30 – Why you are the determining factor 05:30 – Why mindset issues must be addressed before quitting 06:00 – Growth mindset vs. fixed mindset in business 06:30 – Why entrepreneurship requires rapid skill acquisition 07:30 – Resources for building a rock-solid mindset 09:00 – Understanding fixed vs discretionary costs 10:00 – Money clarity as a leadership skill 11:00 – Why timing and season of life matter 11:30 – Trade-offs: wealth building vs business building 12:00 – Opportunity cost of waiting too long 13:30 – The emotional cost of visibility 14:30 – Why wanting the outcome must outweigh fear 16:00 – Why community accelerates confidence 17:00 – Final encouragement + next steps

Key Takeaways:

- Entrepreneurship amplifies your mindset — both strengths and fears - Believing you can succeed is a measurable predictor of success - Growth mindset is essential when learning dozens of new skills - Financial runway creates safety, clarity, and better decisions - One year of living expenses is a strategic buffer, not pessimism - Timing and season of life matter more than motivation - Courage isn't confidence — it's acting with fear - Visibility and embarrassment are part of the process - Identity drives outcomes more than tactics

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

The Truth About Imposter Syndrome: https://open.spotify.com/episode/129YgMPuJWGLQK5VB9CncR?si=a352646dfec6411a

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

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

Quiz: Discover Your Career Alignment Score: https://hannahkisselcareerquiz.scoreapp.com

#careertransitions #highperformer #startingabusiness #bigdreamer #hannahkissel

In this personal Kiss & Tell episode of Big F*cking Dreams, Hannah shares an honest behind-the-scenes reflection on excellence, ambition, identity, and growth — and what it really looks like to raise your standards without returning to burnout.

From becoming unexpectedly obsessed with Heated Rivalry, to re-examining her relationship with excellence after burnout recovery, to rethinking how pain-based thinking shapes work, marketing, and personal goals — this episode is a candid look at how high performers evolve when they stop swinging between over-pushing and pulling back.

Key Takeaways:

• Burnout doesn't mean excellence is gone — it means capacity needs rebuilding
• You can raise your standards without self-punishment
• Excellence and sustainability are not opposites
• Showing up at 70% is still leadership
• Passion often reveals identity, not distraction
• Focusing on pain keeps you stuck; focusing on transformation moves you forward
• What you pay attention to shapes what you create
• Ambition works best when paired with self-trust and internal safety

Timestamps:

01:00 – A new (unexpected) obsession: Heated Rivalry 01:30 – A personal branding exercise that revealed a core truth 02:00 – Passion, intensity, and identity 02:30 – Falling into obsession — and what it reveals 03:00 – Why simple, focused storytelling works 04:30 – Courage, visibility, and self-acceptance 05:00 – Why this story mattered so deeply 06:00 – Shifting into excellence: watching the Taylor Swift documentary 06:30 – Rigor, discipline, and demanding excellence 07:00 – Burnout at 30 and stepping away from work 07:30 – Trauma recovery and rebuilding capacity 08:00 – Entrepreneurship after burnout 09:00 – "Just put it out" vs. "hold a higher standard" 10:00 – Raising the bar in content and leadership 10:30 – Excellence as identity — done healthily 11:30 – Living in the gray, not extremes 12:00 – Showing up at 70% instead of not at all 12:30 – Discipline without punishment 13:00 – The tension between excellence and consistency 13:30 – Why showing up still matters 14:00 – Pain-based vs. attraction-based marketing 14:30 – Trauma shaping how we see the world 15:00 – The reticular activating system explained 15:30 – Why focusing on what you don't want backfires 16:00 – Shifting toward transformation and desire 16:30 – Helping people change their internal operating system 17:00 – Re-orienting toward possibility and growth

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

The Truth About Imposter Syndrome: https://open.spotify.com/episode/129YgMPuJWGLQK5VB9CncR?si=a352646dfec6411a

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

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

Quiz: Discover Your Career Alignment Score: https://hannahkisselcareerquiz.scoreapp.com