Not Quite There Yet | Redefining Career Success & Work-Life Balance for Ambitious Women

In this episode of Not Quite There Yet, we dive deep into a challenge that many ambitious women secretly face in the workplace: conflict avoidance. Joining us is Andrea O'Neill, president of the Mediator Institute of Ireland, founder of Aiken Resolution, and expert dispute resolution practitioner, to talk about shifting our relationship with confrontation.

Andrea shares her personal journey from being a natural people-pleaser to becoming a leading mediator, offering a masterclass on how unaddressed workplace friction impacts a woman’s professional growth. We explore the neuroscience of what happens in our brain when our boundaries are crossed, why we default to a "freeze" response, and how the "volcano effect" of suppressed anger can damage our reputation.

Tune in to discover practical tactics like non-violent communication and the power of a mindful pause to help you reclaim your voice, navigate lateral team dynamics, and regulate your nervous system. Andrea reveals why true leadership isn't about being "tough enough" by corporate standards—it’s about having the self-confidence to protect your work-life balance and redefining career success through conscious engagement and shared humanity.

In this episode of Not Quite There Yet, we sit down with Jordan Zacchini, founder of the marketing agency Co&Co, to demystify personal branding for ambitious women. Jordan shares her journey as an "accidental business owner" who launched her agency right before the pandemic, navigating massive business growth.

We dive deep into how embracing an unfiltered, no-nonsense approach to who you are is the ultimate tool for redefining career success. Jordan shares valuable insights on how to project authenticity, drop personal "breadcrumbs" that attract the right opportunities, and maintain your work-life balance by setting firm boundaries. Tune in to learn why you are not your job title, why imposter syndrome might just be a myth, and how to cultivate the self-confidence to take the high road in your career.

In this "Unplug" special, we explore the evolution of relationships during major life transitions like maternity leave and moving cities. We share vulnerable stories about the challenges of making friends as an adult, giving ambitious women the tools to build a supportive community outside the office. This episode dives into how nurturing genuine, diverse connections helps you maintain your work-life balance while navigating a shifting career landscape. Tune in to discover how building your network gives you the self-confidence required for redefining career success through every life change.

In this episode of Not Quite There Yet, we tackle the complexities of maternity leave and its impact on your career trajectory with guests Dalija Hurley and Evie Larkin. We share vulnerable stories from the tech industry about maintaining your "seat at the table" while navigating the fears of losing momentum. This conversation provides essential tools for ambitious women, focusing on how to manage work-life balance when motherhood and career ambition intersect. Tune in to discover how building a strong support network fuels your professional growth and gives you the self-confidence required for redefining career success on your own terms.

In Episode 10 of Not Quite There Yet, we sit down with Flex author Annie Auerbach to look at how ambitious women can redefine success beyond the traditional 9-to-5. We share vulnerable stories about the pressure to "have it all" and the burnout culture that often stalls professional growth. Annie reveals how embracing a flexible career and creative habits, like walking meetings, can completely transform your work-life balance. Tune in to learn how to adapt your ambition to your life, boosting your self-confidence by redefining career success to fit a "smarter" and "happier" reality.

Welcome to Season 2! Marion and Louise kick off the year by sharing vulnerable stories about navigating pregnancy and career slumps. We dive into the reality behind the scenes, exploring why life’s complexities are essential to both professional and personal growth. This episode introduces our new "Unplugged" series, designed to help ambitious women embrace imperfection while mastering work-life balance. Tune in to boost your self-confidence and learn why redefining career success and being "not quite there yet" is the ultimate catalyst for a meaningful life.

In this episode of Not Quite There Yet, Rumana Shaikh shares vulnerable stories about her journey from India to Ireland and the resilience required to thrive in a new culture. We explore the complexities of building the self-confidence needed for redefining career success as a woman of color, and the determination required to secure a high-level role despite initial setbacks. Rumana’s experience offers a masterclass for ambitious women, showing how ambition and self-belief drive both professional growth and work-life balance in a brand-new environment. Tune in to learn how to carve out your own space in the world.

In this episode of Not Quite There Yet, we break the silence on menstruation in the workplace with coach Samantha Garstin. We dive into vulnerable stories about how ambitious women can sync their workflow with their body's natural energy peaks and dips. By understanding the "four seasons" of your cycle, you can avoid burnout and protect your work-life balance while maintaining momentum. Tune in to discover how cyclical living gives you the self-confidence to work with your body, providing a whole new framework for redefining career success.

In this episode of Not Quite There Yet, tech leader Siobhán Bolger shares vulnerable stories about her journey from aspiring manga artist to software management. We explore how pursuing creative side projects—like video game development—can accelerate professional growth and give ambitious women a creative outlet outside the office. Siobhán offers an interesting look at building the self-confidence needed for redefining career success without sacrificing your personal passions. Tune in for an inspiring take on tech, side hustles, and mastering work-life balance while being a proud "work in progress."

In Episode 5 of Not Quite There Yet, we talk with the founders of Mama Brew about how ambitious women (and their partners!) can embrace imperfect timing. By sharing vulnerable stories of launching a business while juggling a newborn and full-time jobs, they reveal the reality of navigating work-life balance amidst the chaos of family life. This episode explores how prioritizing progress over perfection is essential for redefining career success and building the self-confidence to start exactly where you are.