UNSHAKEABLE HER: Real-World Leadership, Influence and Promotion for Ambitious Women.

Ever smiled through a team meeting while mentally planning your escape to a remote cottage in Wales? Or replied “No worries!” to a Friday 5pm request while quietly Googling “how to become a llama farmer”?

This episode is not about pretending everything’s fine. It’s about real optimism - the kind that doesn’t require vision boards, scented candles, or toxic positivity. Just one honest check-in, one tiny shift, and one decision to climb above the line.

If you’ve ever felt flat, burnt out, or stuck smiling through the madness, this one’s for you.

Key Takeaways

• Optimism isn’t personality - it’s strategy.
• Burnout doesn't always look like collapse. Sometimes it looks like “fine.”
• Real resilience comes from reflection, not denial.
• Protecting your spark is leadership, not laziness.
• You don’t have to feel great to move - you just need to move with intention.

Sound Bites

• “Optimism doesn’t always wear sparkles. Sometimes it just says: let’s give it another go.”
• “You don’t have to collapse to justify recovery.”
• “Forced positivity is about as comforting as a soggy sandwich.”
• “You can’t reframe if you don’t reflect.”
• “Even the best jobs have parts you’d happily launch into the sun.”

RESOURCES

BOLD MOVES BRIEF

BIG CONVERSATION STARTER

FLAMEKEEPER PROMPT LIST: 20 bold reflection prompts to help you reconnect, reframe, and refuel (no toxic positivity required)

Connect with Caroline here

Listen now to stop faking the flame and learn how to fuel it for real.

New episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at [email protected] - I read them all.

And here is the Spotify Playlist to accompany UnShakeable Her.

Unshakeable Her is the podcast for women in leadership who are ready to build real influence, earn the promotion they deserve, and lead with confidence in systems that weren't built for them. Each episode tackles the challenges that shape leadership from the inside out, including imposter syndrome, resilience, credibility, boundaries, conflict, and feedback, while unpacking how pressure, workplace politics, strategic thinking, decision-making, and visibility affect the way ambitious women grow, lead, and get promoted without losing themselves in the process.

• Ever spent hours watching webinars, highlighting your notes, colour-coding your to-do list… and still felt stuck? That’s planning disguised as progress, and it’s one of the sneakiest ways we stall our careers. In this episode, we call out perfectionism for the joy-thieving con it is, and champion messy, scrappy, unpolished action that actually gets results.

Caroline spills some of her most cringe-worthy (but career-defining) moments, including mismatched shoes at a pitch, a coffee-soaked disaster, and the reply-all apocalypse and prove that magic doesn’t come from polished plans… it comes from movement. Even wobbly ones.

Key Takeaways

• Messy action beats perfect planning every time, especially when it comes to career momentum.
• Perfectionism is productivity in a tuxedo, it looks smart but gets you nowhere.
• Procrastination isn’t laziness, it’s emotional self-protection. Understand the brain science behind why we stall.
• Every cringe is a clue. Mistakes aren’t failure, they’re intel.
• Clarity is earned through action, not overthinking.

Ready to ditch the pressure to be perfect? 

Hit play and take the messiest little move you’ve got. It might just be the one that changes everything.

RESOURCES

Bold Moves Brief

Big Conversation Starter

Your Messy Moves Tracker

Connect with Caroline here

New episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at [email protected] - I read them all.

And here is the Spotify Playlist to accompany UnShakeable Her.

Unshakeable Her is the podcast for women in leadership who are ready to build real influence, earn the promotion they deserve, and lead with confidence in systems that weren't built for them. Each episode tackles the challenges that shape leadership from the inside out, including imposter syndrome, resilience, credibility, boundaries, conflict, and feedback, while unpacking how pressure, workplace politics, strategic thinking, decision-making, and visibility affect the way ambitious women grow, lead, and get promoted without losing themselves in the process.

Ever had that “who let me in here?” moment? Yeah. Welcome to the club no one applied to join.

In this episode of Little Moves, Big Careers, Caroline Esterson dives into the messy middle of imposter syndrome: where self-doubt isn’t a flaw, it’s feedback that you’re stretching.

No toxic positivity. No “just be confident” nonsense. Just straight talk about:

• Why imposter thoughts hit hardest right before a breakthrough
• How your prehistoric brain confuses growth with danger
• Practical tools to shrink the spiral and move anyway

You’ll laugh, you’ll nod, and you’ll probably text a friend, “You need to hear this.”

Because you don’t need to be fearless. You just need to keep moving; even with the wobble.

Listen if You’re:

• Newly promoted and wondering if it was all a mistake
• Secretly convinced someone’s going to “find you out”
• Tired of pretending you’re fine while Googling acronyms under the table
• Ready to stop spiralling and start owning your brilliance, even with wobbles

RESOURCES

As always, you have your:

Bold Moves Brief

Big Conversation Starter kit right here

Download the Gremlin Check-In , your brutally simple, fill-in-the-blank worksheet to help you name the thought, reframe it, and take a bold micro-move anyway.

Connect with Caroline here

New episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at [email protected] - I read them all.

And here is the Spotify Playlist to accompany UnShakeable Her.

Unshakeable Her is the podcast for women in leadership who are ready to build real influence, earn the promotion they deserve, and lead with confidence in systems that weren't built for them. Each episode tackles the challenges that shape leadership from the inside out, including imposter syndrome, resilience, credibility, boundaries, conflict, and feedback, while unpacking how pressure, workplace politics, strategic thinking, decision-making, and visibility affect the way ambitious women grow, lead, and get promoted without losing themselves in the process.

The boldest careers aren’t built on perfect plans; they’re built by people who stay curious. Strategically. Unapologetically. And often, just a little cheekily.

In this episode of Little Moves, Big Careers, Caro unpacks why curiosity beats confidence every time and how to use it as your secret career edge.

You’ll hear:

•  A story about 208 seconds that proves calm curiosity saves the day
•  A listener wondering if trying something new makes them “flaky” (spoiler: nope)
•  The truth about “Jack of all trades” and why it’s time for its redemption arc

This episode will get you thinking differently, asking smarter questions, and spotting opportunities before everyone else does.

Because you don’t need to be fearless.
You just need to stay curious long enough to find out what’s possible.

RESOURCES

Bold Moves Brief

Big Conversation Guide for leaders

How Are You Curious Quiz? and from there, grab Your Curiosity Compass

Connect with Caroline here

New episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at [email protected] - I read them all.

And here is the Spotify Playlist to accompany UnShakeable Her.

Unshakeable Her is the podcast for women in leadership who are ready to build real influence, earn the promotion they deserve, and lead with confidence in systems that weren't built for them. Each episode tackles the challenges that shape leadership from the inside out, including imposter syndrome, resilience, credibility, boundaries, conflict, and feedback, while unpacking how pressure, workplace politics, strategic thinking, decision-making, and visibility affect the way ambitious women grow, lead, and get promoted without losing themselves in the process.

In this episode of Little Moves, Big Careers, Caroline Esterson gets gloriously real about the messy truth of career paths, emphasising that success is not linear, no matter what the old-school career ladder crowd wants you to believe. Instead, we’re talking zigzag moves, surprise sliding doors moments, and the wild power of zigging when you're told to zag.

Caroline takes aim at the myth of the straight line and hands you a better map, one where detours, pivots, and “Wait, how did I end up here?” moments are actually rocket fuel for personal and professional growth. If you've ever felt like you took the long way round, good news: you’re not lost, you’re levelling up.

You’ll walk away with practical advice, a dash of cheek, and full permission to define success on your own (gloriously unpredictable) terms.

Key takeaways

• Careers are not straight lines; they are weather systems.
• Success is often found in unexpected pivots.
• Recognising sliding doors moments can change your career trajectory.
• The traditional career ladder is becoming obsolete.
• Zigzagging through your career can lead to valuable experiences.
• Chase experiences rather than titles or positions.
• Curiosity and awareness are key to spotting opportunities.
• It's important to trust patterns over rigid plans.
• Don't let conventional wisdom limit your potential.
• Progress is not always perfect, but it is still progress.

Sound Bites

"Progress doesn't always look like sunshine."
"Chase experiences, not jobs."
"Start trusting pattern over plan."

Quick Fire Career Moves You’ll Learn

• Stop asking “Is this the right move?”, start asking “What will I learn?”
• Trust the pattern over the plan. Your instincts are wiser than your CV.
• Ask people how they really got where they are. Note to self: it’s never the five-year plan.

Listen if You’re:

• Second-guessing a job change that doesn’t look neat
• Tired of chasing titles and ready to chase truth
• Trying to explain your zigzag to your Dad, your boss, or your inner critic
• Ready to make the brave, weird move… and own it

Resources + Extras

Bold Moves Brief 

The Career Story Prompt Pack

Run the Big Conversation session with your team

Connect with Caroline here

Want to bring this energy into your organisation? Let’s talk. [email protected]

Subscribe + Share
Love this? Forward it to someone who’s quietly plotting a bold pivot.
Please rate & review so the algorithm sends it to the brave ones.

New episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at [email protected] - I read them all.

And here is the Spotify Playlist to accompany UnShakeable Her.

Unshakeable Her is the podcast for women in leadership who are ready to build real influence, earn the promotion they deserve, and lead with confidence in systems that weren't built for them. Each episode tackles the challenges that shape leadership from the inside out, including imposter syndrome, resilience, credibility, boundaries, conflict, and feedback, while unpacking how pressure, workplace politics, strategic thinking, decision-making, and visibility affect the way ambitious women grow, lead, and get promoted without losing themselves in the process.

Ever feel like you’re doing everything right but still getting overlooked? Spoiler: it’s not your effort, it’s your radar.

In this episode of Little Moves, Big Careers, Caro shows you how to stop missing the moments that matter and start training your brain to spot the real career-shifters.

You’ll discover:

• Why big opportunities rarely come with bold font or a calendar invite
• How to notice patterns like Zara’s merch team and Daniel Kahneman’s brain
• What to do when Greg gets credit for spotting what you already knew
• The crucial difference between action and insight — and which one gets you promoted

Plus:

• The “curiosity filter” trick to replay your week differently
• One power question that shifts how people see you in meetings
• How to turn those vague “loop ins” into actual leaps

This episode will tune your radar, sharpen your strategy, and prove that momentum doesn’t come from waiting; it comes from noticing, then moving.

RESOURCES

Bold Moves Brief

Big Conversation Guide

Career Reflection Checklist: Spotting the little clues

Connect with Caroline here

Connect with Sonia here

New episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at [email protected] - I read them all.

And here is the Spotify Playlist to accompany UnShakeable Her.

Unshakeable Her is the podcast for women in leadership who are ready to build real influence, earn the promotion they deserve, and lead with confidence in systems that weren't built for them. Each episode tackles the challenges that shape leadership from the inside out, including imposter syndrome, resilience, credibility, boundaries, conflict, and feedback, while unpacking how pressure, workplace politics, strategic thinking, decision-making, and visibility affect the way ambitious women grow, lead, and get promoted without losing themselves in the process.

Ever had that sinking feeling that the real meeting happened before the meeting?
Or that someone less capable got the nod while you’re still “being patient”?

Welcome to The Club; no badges, no invites, just power.

In this episode of Little Moves, Big Careers, Caroline Esterson lifts the velvet rope on how influence really works at work. You’ll learn how unspoken rules, subtle loyalties, and quiet confidence shape who gets picked, praised, and promoted; and how to stop waiting for permission to join.

You’ll discover:

• Why effort doesn’t equal visibility (and what does)
• The neuroscience of exclusion — and why it literally hurts to be left out
•  How to spot informal power patterns and play smarter, not louder
•  Why The Club isn’t always evil — it’s often emotional
•  Three bold-but-doable moves to get noticed without faking it

Inside the episode:

•  Are YOU in The Club?  Take the cheeky, too-close-to-home quiz
•  Real or Rubbish? Decode whether that weird workplace moment is Club Code or just corporate chaos
•  What Would Caro Do?  A listener from Preston is done being overlooked. 
•  Quickfire Career Moves: 3 fast shifts to move from helpful to highly strategic
•  Career Quote Crime: “If you work hard, you’ll be recognised.” Nope. You’ll be tired. Caro serves the smarter truth.

This episode exposes the unspoken rulebook of modern careers and helps you rewrite it with intention, clarity, and a bit of sass.

RESOURCES

Bold Moves Brief

Big Conversation Guide - ask your team (safely) how you can show up better for them.

Informal Influence Mapper

Connect with Caroline here

New episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at [email protected] - I read them all.

And here is the Spotify Playlist to accompany UnShakeable Her.

Unshakeable Her is the podcast for women in leadership who are ready to build real influence, earn the promotion they deserve, and lead with confidence in systems that weren't built for them. Each episode tackles the challenges that shape leadership from the inside out, including imposter syndrome, resilience, credibility, boundaries, conflict, and feedback, while unpacking how pressure, workplace politics, strategic thinking, decision-making, and visibility affect the way ambitious women grow, lead, and get promoted without losing themselves in the process.

If you've ever felt like your manager was more “in the way” than “in your corner,” this one’s for you. You'll learn how to handle difficult managers to help your career flourish.

In this sharp-tongued but clear-eyed bonus episode, Caroline takes you on a safari through the modern workplace zoo, spotting typical leadership characters like The Deflector, The Bouncer, The Squirrel, The Chameleon, and yes, even the elusive Amplifier.

It’s not about moaning. It’s about naming the pattern so you can stop internalising the chaos and start working around it like the savvy human you are.

Learn how to:

• Handle managers who deflect, dodge, and disappear
• Respond (not react) to dodgy leadership
• Use E + R = O (Event + Response = Outcome) to take back control
• Amplify yourself—even if no one else is

You’ll laugh, wince, and probably recognise a few of your former line managers… but most importantly, you’ll leave equipped with cheeky scripts, smart strategies, and a whole lot more control over your career than you thought you had.

Because waiting to be noticed? That’s a system that’s failed you before.
This time, you’re moving first. With style.

Listen now and reclaim your agency, one bold move at a time.

RESOURCES

Your Bold Moves Brief

Big Conversation Guide - ask your team (safely) how you can show up better for them.

Are you an Amplifier Quiz

Connect with Caroline here

New episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at [email protected] - I read them all.

And here is the Spotify Playlist to accompany UnShakeable Her.

Unshakeable Her is the podcast for women in leadership who are ready to build real influence, earn the promotion they deserve, and lead with confidence in systems that weren't built for them. Each episode tackles the challenges that shape leadership from the inside out, including imposter syndrome, resilience, credibility, boundaries, conflict, and feedback, while unpacking how pressure, workplace politics, strategic thinking, decision-making, and visibility affect the way ambitious women grow, lead, and get promoted without losing themselves in the process.

Are you a high-performing woman in corporate leadership who keeps delivering, keeps proving yourself, and still wonders why promotion and influence feel just out of reach?

In this episode, Caroline Esterson challenges one of the biggest workplace myths women are still being sold: that doing a good job is enough. For women navigating corporate leadership, promotion is rarely about effort alone. It is about visibility, clarity, influence, and learning how to communicate your value without letting imposter syndrome keep you small.

• Discover why hard work alone does not lead to promotion or greater influence in corporate leadership 
• Learn how to shift from being seen as reliable to being recognised as a strategic, promotable leader 
• Understand how imposter syndrome quietly affects visibility, self-advocacy, and leadership presence at work 

Play this episode to learn how to build influence, overcome imposter syndrome, and make the small strategic moves that lead to real promotion momentum.

RESOURCES

Bold Moves Brief

Visibility Checklist

Visibility Language Upgrade

Big Conversation Guide

Connect with Caroline here

Connect with Wendy here

New episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at [email protected] - I read them all.

And here is the Spotify Playlist to accompany UnShakeable Her.

Unshakeable Her is the podcast for women in leadership who are ready to build real influence, earn the promotion they deserve, and lead with confidence in systems that weren't built for them. Each episode tackles the challenges that shape leadership from the inside out, including imposter syndrome, resilience, credibility, boundaries, conflict, and feedback, while unpacking how pressure, workplace politics, strategic thinking, decision-making, and visibility affect the way ambitious women grow, lead, and get promoted without losing themselves in the process.

Ever wondered why leadership can feel so much messier than anyone warned you it would?

UNSHAKEABLE HER is for ambitious women navigating the difficult conversations, people problems, politics, pressure and confidence wobbles that come with leading in the real world.

Hosted by career strategist Caroline Esterson, with 30 years’ experience inside hundreds of organisations, the podcast combines real stories, behavioural science and practical action to help you handle the moments leadership courses rarely prepare you for.

Each week, you’ll learn how to:

• Handle difficult leadership moments with greater confidence and clarity.
• Build the trust, credibility and influence that gets people listening.
• Strengthen your leadership reputation so you’re ready when bigger opportunities and promotions come your way.

New episodes land every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Start with fan-favourite #86 to understand the real cost of invisible work and learn why doing more isn't always the path to greater career progression and workplace recognition.

Subscribe now. What you're really building - week by week, move by move - is someone nobody can shake.

New episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at [email protected] - I read them all.

And here is the Spotify Playlist to accompany UnShakeable Her.

Unshakeable Her is the podcast for women in leadership who are ready to build real influence, earn the promotion they deserve, and lead with confidence in systems that weren't built for them. Each episode tackles the challenges that shape leadership from the inside out, including imposter syndrome, resilience, credibility, boundaries, conflict, and feedback, while unpacking how pressure, workplace politics, strategic thinking, decision-making, and visibility affect the way ambitious women grow, lead, and get promoted without losing themselves in the process.