Taking Ctrl with Chloe and Gemma

In this episode, we chat with Cisco Sara about what really drives success in Product Marketing – relationships.

From building trust across product and design teams to influencing without formal authority, Cisco shares real-world experiences and hard-won lessons on how strong internal relationships can make or break your go-to-market strategy. It’s an honest, insightful conversation about working in the messy middle, finding your voice, and partnering with empathy.

Whether you’re a PMM, PM, or just navigating cross-functional chaos, this episode will help you reframe collaboration as your biggest advantage.

Connect with Cisco

🔗 LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/in/ciscosara⁠

📱 TikTok: @c15co

Connect with Us!

🎙️ Chloe’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chloeleatherdale

🎙️ Gemma’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gemma-a-jackson

📸 Instagram: @takingctrlpodcast

📱 TikTok: @takingctrlpodcast

Episode Breakdown

Meet Cisco Sara

• His path into product marketing
• The creative skills he brought with him — and what he had to learn on the fly

The Relationship Advantage

• Why internal relationships are the foundation of great product marketing
• How to build trust and influence in fast-paced product teams

Influence Without Authority

• Tactics for aligning with product, design, and engineering
• Navigating tricky feedback loops and staying collaborative under pressure

Showing Up With Empathy

• The soft skills that help you thrive in cross-functional roles
• Why relationship-building is a long game and totally worth it

Portfolios aren’t what they used to be. In this episode, we (Gemma & Chloe) dive into the evolving role of portfolios across creative, tech, and product careers. From physical lookbooks to PDF dumps and personal blogs, we unpack how our own portfolios have changed—and what we now look for when hiring.

Whether you’re a designer, marketer, or product manager, your portfolio can either open doors or get lost in the noise. We talk about storytelling, structure, tailoring for roles, and the biggest red flags we see when reviewing portfolios. Plus, how personal branding, case study libraries, and even this podcast count as part of your digital footprint.

Connect with Us!

🎙️ Chloe’s LinkedIn: Chloe Leatherdale

🎙️ Gemma’s LinkedIn: Gemma Jackson

📸 Instagram: @takingctrlpodcast

📱 TikTok: @takingctrlpodcast

Our Portfolio Journeys

• Chloe’s evolution from textile zines to digital showcases.
• Gemma’s pivot from design school to SaaS and freelancing.
• What we used, what worked, and what flopped.

From Print to Process

• Why finished outputs used to matter most—and why that’s changed.
• Case studies, storytelling, and showing your thinking.

Tailoring Your Portfolio

• How Chloe keeps 15+ case studies in a “swap in/out” library.
• Why Gemma built a no-visual PDF portfolio to land a UX role.
• The power of picking 2–3 stories that match the job, not just your past.

The Rise of Personal Branding

• How blogs, podcasts, and LinkedIn are replacing old-school portfolios.
• Why sharing your voice now matters as much as sharing your work.
• Being Googleable is part of the game.

Hiring Real Talk

• What we notice reviewing 100s of portfolios.
• What instantly gets a “no”—and what stands out.
• Why bad UX in your portfolio can cost you a UX job.

Common Mistakes We See

• Unclear storytelling and no visible process.
• Wedding photos as headshots (yes, really).
• Too many projects, not enough clarity.

Final Thoughts

• You don’t need a perfect portfolio, you need a relevant one.
• Your story matters—make it easy for someone to understand it.
• Personalisation beats perfection, every time.

Speaking with confidence can change everything — from career growth to personal influence. In this episode, we sit down with Melanie Surplice, a passionate public speaker and Toastmasters enthusiast, to break down the secrets of effective communication. We explore real-world strategies for overcoming nerves, structuring impactful speeches, and handling unexpected challenges. Whether you're prepping for a big presentation, leading meetings, or just want to feel more at ease speaking up, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you own the stage.

Connect with Us!

🎙️ Chloe's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloeleatherdale/

🎙️ Gemma's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-a-jackson/📸 Instagram: @takingctrlpodcast📱 TikTok: @takingctrlpodcast

Episode Breakdown

Meet Melanie Surplice

• Her journey from nervous speaker to confident communicator

• How Toastmasters helped transform her skills

Speaking with Confidence

• How to structure a talk for impact & engagement
• Managing nerves & handling unexpected situations

Practical Tips for Real-Life Speaking

• How to prepare effectively for speeches & presentations
• The power of feedback & practice in building confidence

Growing Your Communication Skills

• How to keep improving beyond Toastmasters & formal training
• The best resources for mastering public speaking

Connect with Mel:

Linked In: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniesurplice/

The Talkative Toastmaster: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2272273/episodes

AI is moving fast—are you keeping up? In this episode, we sit down with Fiona Wilhelm to unpack the rapid rise of AI agents, the explosion of AI startups, and what it all means for businesses, careers, and the future of work. From the big shifts happening since last year to the growing role of small startups in shaping AI, we cut through the noise and get real about what’s next. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, tech enthusiast, or just trying to future-proof your career, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

Connect with Us!

🎙️ Chloe's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloeleatherdale/

🎙️ Gemma's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-a-jackson/📸 Instagram: @takingctrlpodcast📱 TikTok: @takingctrlpodcast

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Episode Breakdown

- Fiona’s Back!

- Catching up on our last AI chat & what’s changed since.

- Why AI is moving faster than ever & what that means for us.

- AI’s Big Shift Since Christmas

- AI has taken a major leap in just a few months.

- Comparing this moment to the early days of the internet.

- Why businesses & individuals need to keep up.

- The Rise of AI Agents & Startups

- 2025 is being called "The Year of Small" for AI startups.

- AI agents are revolutionizing industries—how they work & why they matter.

- 25% of AI agents are being built by startups—what this means for innovation.

- Human vs. AI – Where Do We Fit?

- What jobs are at risk & which will thrive?

- AI as a tool to enhance human work, not replace it.

- Why emotional intelligence & human oversight are more valuable than ever.

- Creativity & AI – Finding the Balance

- AI-generated content is everywhere—but is it losing its spark?

- The risk of AI making everything sound the same.

- How to use AI as a creative assistant without losing originality.

- The Future of Work – Skills You Need

- Emotional intelligence, ethics, & strategic thinking are key.

- How AI is shifting workplace roles & expectations.

- The most in-demand skills for an AI-driven world.

- AI in Schools – A Real-World Story

- A school introduced AI—what happened & what they learned.

- Why students initially resisted & how trust played a huge role.

- Lessons businesses can take from this experiment.

- AI at Work – Embracing Change

- Small AI experiments can create major efficiency boosts.

- Why companies shouldn’t wait to start integrating AI.

- Practical ways to introduce AI into teams today.

- Reimagining Careers with AI

- What tasks can be automated & what still needs a human touch?

- How to shift your role & make AI work for you.

- Thinking of AI as an opportunity rather than a threat.

- AI Compliance & Ethics

- AI adoption is growing, but compliance & regulation are lagging.

- Why responsible AI development is a must for businesses.

- Inside Fiona’s work with Natural Velocity & their mission.

- Cybersecurity & AI Risks

- AI is also being used by cybercriminals—how do we protect ourselves?

- The rising cost of ignoring AI-driven threats.

- What businesses & individuals can do to stay secure.

- Staying Ahead in AI

- AI is evolving rapidly—how do we keep up without burnout?

- Fiona’s strategy for intentional AI learning & avoiding hype.

- Why networking & staying connected are more important than ever.

- Final Thoughts

- AI isn’t slowing down—how do we stay ahead of the curve?

- Key takeaways on adapting, learning, & leveraging AI.

- Why staying curious & open-minded is the best strategy.

🎙️Episode Summary

Lauren Dolman shares her inspiring journey of resilience, authenticity, and empowerment. From her transition between industries to publishing her book, Lauren provides thoughtful insights on overcoming challenges, supporting others, and fostering meaningful career growth. This episode is a must-listen for professionals at any stage of their journey who want to lead with confidence and purpose.

📖 'Your CEO's Full of Sh!t' by Lauren Dolman is available for purchase at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Connect with Taking Ctrl:

🔍 In this episode, we explore:

💡 Key Takeaways:

✨ Standout Moments:

🎯 Perfect for:

Connect with Taking Ctrl:

In this Episode:

Connect with Fiona:

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiona-wilhelm-22500522/

Follow us on Socials!

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- What is Tall Poppy Syndrome?

- How can this impact our careers and attitude to success?

- How can we support those around us?

- How can we support ourselves?

Acknowledgment of Country:

We're super excited to have guest Peace Mitchell join us on Taking Ctrl!

Peace Mitchell is a Publisher ,TEDx speaker, entrepreneur and Author. She is also the co-founder of The Women Changing the World Awards, The Women's Business School, AusMumpreneur & WCW Press.

Peace believes that investing in women is the most powerful way to change the world and is passionate about connection. By bringing women together through the Women's Business School she has helped thousands of women to achieve their dream of running successful and profitable businesses.

Links mentioned in this episode:

www.linkedin.com/in/peacemitchell

www.linkedin.com/company/women-changing-the-world-press

www.ausmumpreneur.com

www.thewomensbusinessschool.com

www.ted.com/talks/peace_mitchell_the_connection_economy?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare

Books mentioned in this episode:

Playing Big - Tara Mohr

Big Magic - Elizabeth Gilbert

The Big Leap - Gay Hendricks

The Awakened Woman - By Tererai Trent, Oprah Winfrey

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Follow us on Socials!

Acknowledgment of Country: