Working Your Way

We’re excited to revisit one of our earlier episodes featuring the inspiring Jill Lyons. As the SVP of Creative Operations at Maximum Effort, Jill has built a remarkable career by following her curiosity and embracing new possibilities. From her beginnings in journalism and traditional TV production to leading creative operations at an innovative media firm, Jill’s story is a testament to the power of exploration and adaptability.

In this conversation, Jill shares how her diverse experiences created a strong foundation for her career—what she describes as building a wide pyramid base before narrowing in on the work she loves most. She also opens up about her challenges with perfectionism and predictability, and how learning to surrender to possibility has shaped her growth as a leader.

Join us as we learn from Jill’s journey and gather practical advice for embracing creativity, curiosity, and self-trust in your own career path.

Resources:

• Learn more about Jill at jilllyons.com
• Connect with Jill on LinkedIn
• Read Find Your Zone of Genius by Laura Garnett
• Read Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans
• Reflected Best Self Exercise™
• Listen to 24. How do I define my personal brand? | Career Questions

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA

Discomfort isn’t always a bad thing—in fact, it’s often where the most meaningful growth happens. In this solo episode, I’m sharing why getting uncomfortable is essential for building confidence, deepening relationships, and becoming the person you want to be.

I’ll walk you through the “learning zone” model to help you identify whether you’re in your comfort zone, stretching in a healthy way, or pushing yourself into the panic zone. We’ll talk about how to discern between discomfort that helps you grow and the kind that harms, why avoiding difficult conversations keeps us from developing critical skills, and how my own core values of growth and connection guide me in these moments.

Along the way, I’ll share stories from my own life—from stepping onto a stage at The Moth to tackling emotionally vulnerable conversations—that show how discomfort, paired with self-compassion and support, can transform your capacity and your connections.

If you’ve been avoiding a challenge because it feels uncomfortable, this episode will help you decide whether it’s a moment to lean in, step back, or find a healthier way forward.

Resources:

• Listen to Episode 35. Are You a People Pleaser? | Let’s Talk About Labels
• Listen to Episode 08. Being Bold & Creating Belonging with Eduardo Placer
• Learn more about Fearless Communicators
• Watch my talk: My Story: The Pursuit Of Belonging
• Learn more about The Moth

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA

Somewhere along the way, many of us realized that chasing every goal, promotion, or dollar didn’t actually make us happier or healthier. My friend Arden Evenson, founder of Firefly Advising (and a regular here on Working Your Way), and I regularly discuss how we can reject the “rise and grind” mentality, and we wanted to bring that conversation to you. As we get honest with ourselves and each other, Arden and I compare notes on ambition, letting go of hustle culture, and what it takes to design a career around joy, flexibility, and enoughness.

We get into how becoming a parent (or simply changing priorities) can challenge your definition of success, why “good enough” can be the most sustainable business strategy, and how neither of us wants to sacrifice well-being for the next rung on the ladder. We talk about giving up perfectionism, resisting comparison, and setting boundaries that actually stick—even when the old pressures flare up.

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if you worked less but cared even more, this episode is for you.

Resources:

• Connect with Arden on LinkedIn

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA

How well do we actually know what we’re great at—and how much does it shape the way we work? In this episode, we take you behind the scenes of our own strengths journeys as we revisit the CliftonStrengths assessment after 15 years and compare what’s changed (and what hasn’t) along the way.

Together with design and innovation consultant (and my good friend) Sandeep Pahuja, we dig into why leaning into your strengths can lead to more authentic success, and how easy it is to miss the value in what comes naturally. We share stories from our corporate and entrepreneurial experiences, explore what it looks like to build teams and careers around our unique strengths, and reflect on why “fixing” our weaknesses is rarely the answer.

If you’re curious how to make your work feel more aligned—or want practical ideas for maximizing your talents—this episode will help you see your strengths with fresh eyes, and encourage you to work your way.

Resources:

• Connect with Sandeep on LinkedIn
• Gallup CliftonStrengths: gallup.com/cliftonstrengths

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA

When we talk about the Enneagram, so many misunderstandings seem to circulate—whether it’s calling it just another personality test or believing our type changes depending on the day. In this solo episode, we’ll break down the most common misconceptions and explore why the Enneagram can be a much deeper tool for self-reflection and real growth.

We’ll dig into what personality really means, why no two people with the same type look exactly alike, and why our type isn’t something we get from an online quiz or a book. The real work begins after we identify our type—when we start to notice our patterns, get honest with ourselves, and build the range and compassion to show up differently. If you’re curious about using the Enneagram as more than just a label, this conversation is for you.

Resources:

• Listen to the Tools to Work Your Way playlist for deep dives into other frameworks and assessments
• Listen to the Let’s Talk About Labels playlist for discussions around the labels that we use to define ourselves and our behaviors
• Listen to Episode 42. How does my past affect my work habits? | Career Questions to learn about our three main driving instincts
• Listen to Episode 68. Tools to Work Your Way: Enneagram to learn about what’s next, once you find your Enneagram type

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA

Human Design isn’t just another personality tool—it’s a way to understand your unique energy type and how you’re meant to use it to impact the world. In this episode, I sit down with holistic business coach and Human Design expert Jess Parvin to explore how this system blends ancient wisdom and modern insight to help us work (and live) in greater alignment.

We share how discovering our own Human Design types gave us both a new sense of permission, whether that’s embracing a multi-passionate approach to business or finally trusting our natural instincts, even when they go against the grain. We break down the five energy types, talk about what it really means to work “in alignment,” and offer practical ways to use your chart to avoid burnout and find more flow.

Whether you’re new to Human Design or looking to go deeper, this episode will help you see your quirks and career choices in a new light. Learn how to read your own chart, why it’s a lifelong tool, and practical ways to use it to spark growth in your work and life.

Resources:

• Learn more at jessparvin.com
• Pull your chart (free), schedule a reading, learn more: jessparvin.com/human-design-readings/
• Follow Jess on Instagram: @holisticbizgrowth
• Listen: Human Design as a Tool for Business Strategy & Personal Development
• Listen: Using Your Human Design Undefined Energy Centers to Clarify Your Niche + Messaging

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA

Style is a language. It speaks volumes about the identity and values of the wearer. In this solo episode, I share the journey I’ve been on to redefine my personal style in a way that feels more authentic, aligned, and—honestly—simpler. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by trends or tired of staring at your closet each morning, you’re not alone.

After leaving corporate life and shifting into entrepreneurship, my lifestyle changed dramatically—and so did what I needed from my wardrobe. I started asking new questions: What does ease look like when getting dressed? How do I want to feel in my clothes? And how can I make this process reflect who I am now, not who I used to be?

In this episode, I offer the tools and mindset shifts that helped me reconnect with my style on my own terms—from following Allison Bornstein’s Three-Word Method to cataloging my closet in the Indyx app–to reimagine and organize my closet. Whether you’re navigating a career change, reevaluating your relationship with consumerism, exploring a simpler lifestyle, or just looking for more clarity in how you get dressed each day, this episode is an invitation to bring more intention—and less noise—into your style.

Resources:

• Wear It Well by Alison Bornstein
• Alison Bornstein on YouTube or TikTok
• The Indyx App
• Devon Rule on TikTok (co-founder of Indyx)
• Interrupting Everything Podcast: Interrupting Consumerism with Aja Barber

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA

What if your biggest leadership blind spot isn’t what you’re doing—but how you’re being?

In this episode, I’m joined by my friend and fellow coach Seth Yelorda for a conversation about a tool that’s changed the way we both lead and support others: the Leadership Circle Profile (LCP). Seth and I met while training in this framework, and it’s become a cornerstone in how we help leaders grow, starting with self-awareness.

We unpack how the LCP goes beyond personality or strengths assessments to reveal the inner stories and patterns that drive our leadership. It shines a light on the reactive strategies many of us default to—like micromanaging, people-pleasing, or becoming defensive—and helps us move toward creative leadership grounded in integrity, purpose, and connection.

We also share how it’s impacted our own journeys, how we started noticing behaviors we thought were helpful to our impact and success, and realized they were actually becoming protection strategies. This isn’t about fixing people. It’s about understanding ourselves deeply enough to choose how we want to lead.

If you’re a leader, coach, or someone who wants to grow with more intention, this episode is for you.

Resources:

• Learn more about the Leadership Circle Profile
• Follow Seth’s work at visionclarityconsulting.com
• Connect with Seth on LinkedIn

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA

What if the greatest gift you could offer others wasn’t advice—but presence?

In this episode of Working Your Way, we sit down with Dr. Kristin Long, DPsa, LP, LCAT, a depth-oriented psychotherapist, drama therapist, and educator whose work centers on trauma, embodiment, and creative healing. Kristin brings a rich background in performance, psychology, and internal inquiry to explore what it means to truly be with ourselves and one another and to build her own diverse and fulfilling career.

We talk about the projections and expectations we internalize from childhood, the lifelong process of unlearning them, and the difference between fixing and witnessing. Kristin shares how her own journey has shaped her ability to hold space with compassion and clarity. Whether you’re a leader, a healer, or simply someone craving more connection, Kristin’s grounded wisdom offers a reminder that healing doesn’t come from knowing all the answers—it comes from learning how to stay.

Resources:

Learn more at https://www.kristinlongnyc.com/

Connect with Kristin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/klongnyc

Listen - Episode 60. Building a Business on Belonging with Paul Tadalan: https://www.selfatwork.com/podcast/episode/53a35a53/60-building-a-business-on-belonging-with-paul-tadalan

Listen - Episode 71. A Guide For Leaders: Building the Foundation for Team Effectiveness: https://www.selfatwork.com/podcast/episode/57ac0ae3/71-a-guide-for-leaders-building-the-foundation-for-team-effectiveness

Connect with me:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selfatworksandhya/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandhya-sudhakar/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workingyourwaypodcast

Website: https://www.selfatwork.com/

Produced by NOVA: https://novapodcasting.com/

What if your career path was written in the stars?

In this episode of Working Your Way, part of our Tools to Work Your Way series, Sandhya is joined by professional astrologer and attorney Jules McGill to explore how astrology can be used as a lens for career insight and self-discovery. Jules shows how your natal chart can reveal deep patterns, preferences, and possibilities for how you want to work and lead–demonstrating how astrology is far from being a static personality label.

Together, they break down how to look at your chart through the lens of career—focusing on your Midheaven (MC), sixth and tenth houses, rising sign, and the planetary placements that shape your work instincts and style. Jules also shares how her own chart helped her make peace with having two seemingly unrelated careers—and why that duality is actually a perfect reflection of her Gemini identity.

Whether you’re astrology-curious or just looking for new ways to think about your professional path, this episode offers an accessible introduction to astrology as a tool for career alignment.

Resources:

• Pull your chart at astro-seek.com
• Learn more at thecosmicgem.com
• Follow Jules on Instagram: @julesthecosmicgem 
• Connect with Jules on LinkedIn

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA