Professional Life Crisis

Link to SaaSfluencer newsletter & podcast Listen to the trailer In this episode, Amanda announces the hiatus of Professional Life Crisis and announces her new podcast, SaaSfluencer. What can I expect from the SaaSfluencer

This episode of Professional Life Crisis features my friend and fellow podcaster, ⁠Jenna Masi⁠. Jenna is an ex-KPMG consultant, ex-Chief of Staff and currently exploring themes around creativity in her career, and the career journeys of others. In this episode: We delve into Jenna's experience in consulting (which, hint: was far better and cooler than mine!) and how the Innovation Lab at KPMG laid the foundation for her interest in startups. (You too can find startup-y experiences in consulting if you're looking in the right places!) Finding the right fit after leaving the innovation lab- after exploring the marketing or product routes, she eventually landed on the Chief of Staff role. We talked about which skills translated and which didn't coming from a more corporate background into the CoS role at a scrappy startup. How sabbaticals have helped Jenna's career on a number of occasions (and not all the sabbaticals were formal!) A day in her career when everything went wrong: how to pivot when the client hates your work, and still salvage the engagement by thinking on your feet and not being attached to your work.

This episode of Professional Life Crisis features my friend and fellow podcaster, Jenna Masi. Jenna is an ex-KPMG consultant, ex-Chief of Staff and currently exploring themes around creativity in her career, and the career journeys of others. In this episode: We delve into Jenna's experience in consulting (which, hint: was far better and cooler than mine!) and how the Innovation Lab at KPMG laid the foundation for her interest in startups. (You too can find startup-y experiences in consulting if you're looking in the right places!) Finding the right fit after leaving the innovation lab- after exploring the marketing or product routes, she eventually landed on the Chief of Staff role. We talked about which skills translated and which didn't coming from a more corporate background into the CoS role at a scrappy startup. How sabbaticals have helped Jenna's career on a number of occasions (and not all the sabbaticals were formal!) A day in her career when everything went wrong: how to pivot when the client hates your work, and still salvage the engagement by thinking on your feet and not being attached to your work.

In this episode, I sit down with Lindsay Martinez to discuss her journey from corporate consulting to finding fulfillment in her bridge jobs, and as a career coach. We cover important topics like recognizing when to leave a corporate job, that a bridge job is nothing to be ashamed of if it helps you get where you want to go, and how to listen to your gut while navigating career and personal life changes. In the episode we cover:* What is a bridge job (it's not just being a barista or bartender!) and why it's actually a strong move to take a bridge job over rolling into another full time, high stress position.* How to get clear when to leave your corporate job? Hint: if the option is a mental health facility or quitting- it's time to quit.* How to handle pressure from friends and family when you and your partner have different career trajectories, and they question their caliber just for having different career values.* Practicing listening to your OWN gut more than you listen to other people's opinions of what you should or shouldn't do. After all, it's you, not them who has to show up in your career for the next 40 years. * We play my new game: “What's your dirty little work secret?” where Lindsay shares a frankly hilarious and embarrassing thing she should have known as a consultant but…didn't.Brave and willing to share your embarrassing work story so we can all feel a bit better about the dumb sh*t we do at work? Don't worry, all stories remain anonymous- neither of us wants to get a call from your boss.If you've enjoyed these career chats: tell a friend about Professional Life Crisis, and even better, subscribe on Youtube!Thanks for being here

In this episode, I sit down with Ruka Osoba, a seasoned marketer and entrepreneur, to delve into her expansive career in marketing, her journey into the startup world, and advice for moonlighting a startup. In this episode:* We delve into what it means to be a “full-stack marketer,” and Ruka clears up a common misconception about content marketing.* Ruka talks about the challenges of juggling a full-time job while running a startup, and her insights on the importance of time management and the power of learning to say “no.” * Ruka opens up about imposter syndrome and recounts a personal story of missing an important deadline at work, which taught her the valuable lesson of not self-sabotaging her work.* We play my new game: “What's your dirty little work secret?” where Ruka talks about the embarrassing thing she should know as a marketer, but apparently still needs a little cheat sheet for

Welcome back to Professional Life Crisis! This week we're going on a rollercoaster with our guest, Bo Abrahams. Ex-Hedge Fund Analyst, Co-Founder of Kommu, an app to swap homes with people in your network. We discuss:* Bo opened up about his personal health experiences that heavily influenced his career choices at various points in his life, including a debilitating illness during college and the story of his HS friend Mallory, who unfortunately passed as a result of Cystic Fibrosis (CF). These experiences led him toward business school to pursue a career in Venture Health.* Getting to business school and realizing that Venture Health wasn't actually his strong suit, and he wasn't going to be one of the top contributors to the space, and that he should instead focus on a problem that he feels well equipped to solve.* Bo talks about the financial pressures of business school, including spending heavily on GMAT tutors and application fees, which led to accumulating credit card debt just to keep up with his peers and the expenses related to traveling.* So… Bo and his co-founder started Kommu, a platform for finding short-term places to stay based on your network, rather than paying for Airbnb or a hotel.* To wrap it up, Bo gave some advice for your early career- rip the bandaid off if you're going for a goal (like studying for the GMAT to get into business school)- commit to it for a set period of time, and give it 100%. Don't prolong the suffering, spread it out too much or half ass it. Spending too much for hotels or rentals when you're traveling? Try kommu. With tons of homes listed for anything but a profit, you're sure to find a lot of incredible options. Don't want your home to sit empty while you're on the road for business or pleasure? List with kommu and avoid paying double rent.Download kommu todayIf you feel so compelled to share this week's episode with a friend, and subscribe on Youtube, I would love that.Thanks for being here

I am SO excited for this week's new episode with the incredibly Katy Culver, AND *the new branding*! * This week, Katy and I both reflected on our journeys in consulting- the good, the bad and the, well necessary experiences we had to go through in order to be able to offer any halfway decent career advice and help the next generation of professionals.* Katy discusses how revisiting her old journals helped uncover some long-held dreams and get better aligned in her business.* The absolutely crucial role that mindset plays in navigating career changes, starting something new, and fulfilling your full potential in your life & career. * The strategy Katy's used for growing her personal brand between Twitter & LinkedIn, highlighting how consistent writing and engagement have been key to her success. * Our thoughts on manifestation, the importance of a clear vision, and saying those difficult “no's” to things that don't align with your goals can be a game-changer in your personal and professional life. Brave and willing to share your embarrassing work story so we can all feel a bit better about the dumb sh*t we do at work? Don't worry, all stories remain anonymous- neither of us wants to get a call from your boss.If you feel so compelled to share this week's episode with a friend, and subscribe on Youtube, I would love that.Thanks for being here

This week on the podcast, I was honored to speak with a woman with such a light and positivity about her, Brittany Martin. In this episode:- Brittany shares her journey from HR business partner (HRBP) at household name companies like Target and Anheuser Busch, to starting her own business where she is a Chief People and Culture Advisor for teams looking to improve their dynamic.- We discuss the importance of being comfortable with being multifaceted in your personal and professional life, and how Brittany embraces her role's complexities, proving that one title doesn't define you.- Brittany offers insights into what an HR Business Partner (HRBP)/People Business Partner (PBP) does and why the role is crucial for bridging the gap between the business and the people & why HR is not the enemy!- She opens up about her struggles and the enlightening moment that prompted her to make her dream of moving back to New York a reality.- Brittany provides valuable advice on finding joy in your career, being compassionate toward others, and the importance of having patience with yourself when making significant changes.It's a great listen if you're going through & growing through career changes right now and feeling frustrated if it's not all coming together as quickly as you thought.If you enjoy these career chats share Professional Life Crisis with a friend, and subscribe on YouTube!Thanks for being here

This week, I had the pleasure of interviewing a friend and colleague, Nina Chichelo, a full-time marketing manager and the founder of her own marketing agency, Allorable. We talked about her winding career journey from aspiring to work on the Tonight Show, to launching her career in marketing and eventually her own agency.* Nina shared her personal experience of going through 2 layoffs and how those difficult moments pushed her to start her agency, while starting a new, full time role (crazy right? when does she sleep!)* What the film industry's structure of pre-production, production and post-production taught Nina about her career likes and dislikes, and how she developed a work ethic that helped her outshine the competition later in her career.* How she pivoted from the TV industry into digital marketing during Covid when she needed to transfer her skills to something she could do working from home.* Some of our fav past career blunders; special shout out to: crying at work in the open floor plan & how to deal with terrible managers.* We ended the conversation with her valuable advice on digesting your failures to learn from them, learning to delegate, and the importance of leaning on your network for support when you need it.Listen now on: Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.If you enjoy these career chats share Professional Life Crisis with a friend, and subscribe on YouTube!Thanks for being here

Welcome back to part 2 with Lindsey Fine, (ex- Salesforce, Meta, Dropbox, and Amazon) where we talk all about detaching from our work identities, burning out and finding fulfillment through self employment.* Lindsey reflects on her career, transitioning from leading sales teams at big tech companies to working for herself and helping startups with implementing sales strategies and sales tech stacks.* A flexible approach to her offering and allowing potential clients to guide the conversation during discovery calls based on the needs of their business. * Lindsey's honest reflections about her skewed prioritization of work vs family life, missing out on irreplaceable time with her growing children, and how she's readjusted that balance during her self-employment.* Some of the most important career lessons Lindsey wishes she would have known early in her career, including the significance of failures for growth, and the need to always advocate for yourself in the workplace.Listen now on: Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.If you enjoy these career chats share Professional Life Crisis with a friend, and subscribe on YouTube!Thanks for being here

In this week's episode, I had the wonderful opportunity to catch up with my former colleague and friend, Elizabeth Manuntag- customer marketer, TikToker and UGC content creator with over 25k followers. We related about our experiences with getting laid off, transitioning careers, and the emotional rollercoaster that is self employment. In this episode we cover:- Liz shared her journey, from working in a corporate setting to embracing the freedom and challenges of being a digital nomad and content creator. -What being a customer-focused marketer taught her about great content creation.-Liz's work and travel routine now that she's given up her apartment, sold most of her belongings and taken content creation on the road

This week, Lindsey Fine details her extensive background in sales, starting her career at Salesforce and moving through other major tech companies like Meta, Dropbox, and Amazon, before diving into startup territory. * The challenges and dynamics of working in big tech versus startups, emphasizing the significant learning curve and the uniqueness of sales at each company-stage. * All about "Amazon Docs" and the realization that big-name company experiences don't always translate into immediate respect or success in the startup world. * Striking the right balance of process and structure vs the freedom of the trial and error approach. * How being part of the growth phases of these companies provided invaluable insights into how sales changes as a company grows. * Turning her past experiences into an independent consulting gigListen now on: Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.If you enjoy these career chats share Professional Life Crisis with a friend, and subscribe on YouTube!Thanks for being here

Shabnam Golmohammadi is a leadership coach for women in tech, and previously spent 6 years in strategy and planning at Uber where she worked on Uber Eats before it was the brand that we've all come to know and depend on during our darkest gremlin hours. Before that, she did her time in management consulting at Deloitte. In our chat, we cover:* Whose validation are we seeking when we go after jobs and opportunities, and why do we spend so much time thinking about how others will perceive us?* Is it necessary to hone your weaknesses vs just leaning into your strengths * How to get the f*ck over the fear of being seen trying something new* Building up your financial runway (and very *unofficial* financial advice) for launching a new venture* Defining what your own version of success looks like at each stage of your life, and leaning in when growth feels uncomfortableListen now on: Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.If you enjoy these career chats share Professional Life Crisis with a friend!Thanks for being here

Some housekeeping:Thanks for being patient as I overhauled a few things with the podcast this week. Exciting things have been in the works, like new guest interviews and our new video format- we're launching on YOUTUBE! From now on, all guest interviews will be available to watch on YouTube (or you can carry on listening from your favorite podcast app like: Apple or Spotify).Now Back to our regularly scheduled programming:This week, I was so thrilled to sit down and chat with Emily Marion about her career transition from finance to tech, her role as a Commercial Lead at Venmo, and how moving to LA shaped her perspective on work and life. Our conversation really helped me put into words some of the experiences I had as an early consultant and hope it will help demystify some things for you too.- ABEmily Marion is a Commercial Manager at Venmo (sometimes referred to as Strategy & Biz Ops), and has a previous background in finance (JP Morgan). In our reflective conversation, we discuss:* Emily's journey from feeling stifled in finance to embracing the dynamic world of tech in her new at Venmo.* A deep dive into the role of a commercial lead at Venmo: the day-to-day tasks, long-term strategizing, and the intersection of biz ops & strategy. * The evolution of Venmo's business model, including the introduction of business profiles, and the challenges of monetizing a platform known for P2P transactions* Living in LA vs. New York: how relocating to LA and leaving the echo chamber of Wall St. has impacted her perspective on work-life balance* How shifting our focus from seeking passion in work to finding job satisfaction and optimizing our lives outside of work, has led to a healthier perspective on work and life.Listen now on: Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.If you enjoy these career chats share Professional Life Crisis with a friend!Thanks for being here

This week's episode is a bit of a personal diary entry about my reflections of being how it's been being self-employed for the past 6 months. The highs, the lows and a little “woot woot” to my past self for leaving consulting and setting myself up to be in the position I'm in now.Topics I cover:* How I've overcome (or at least managed) my imposter syndrome* Uncapped income potential (exciting and terrifying!)* How important it's been to show up, at live in person events and make a name for myselfand some scary things I haven't loved like:* Dealing with finding health insurance* Figuring out how to set up my LLC* TaXesS?!If you're newly self-employed, or know someone who is, send them this episode

This week's episode is a little different. We're taking a deep dive into what I've learned in the last two years about why AI startups tend to fail. Even if you don't work for a startup, I hope you'll learn something about how product teams build product, and what it's like to work for a pre-product market fit startup. If you're interested in jumping into the startup world, I'm always happy to chat if you send me a DM!The pitfalls we cover:* Cool idea but no market validation before diving in* Trying to solve problems that just aren't real problems* No clear target audience, and worse, no clear buyer* Founder Ego In this episode, I also announced the launch of my marketing consultancy for startups. If you're looking for a flexible, short-term solution to marketing at your early-stage AI startup, follow me Amanda Branson and send me a DM if you're ready to bring on some marketing support to scale your startup! -AB This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amandabranson.substack.com

In this week's part two episode with Justin Mazza, we talk about all things career transition, to the decision to MBA or not to MBA, and how his perspective on work changed after the loss of his mom.We cover:- Shifting careers away from being an industry operator into consulting, and how to make that jump.- The stigma of doing your MBA online and its financial benefits vs. prioritizing the full experience of attending a top-tier program in person- How he's accelerated his career growth by focusing on growing his strengths and leveraging a team to help him fill gaps in his weaknesses- His new perspective on setting work boundaries after reflecting on his relationship with work while his mom was illIf you're curious to hear part 1, where Justin talks all about “WTF is Consulting??” you can find it HERE. Listen to Justin's podcast, Life Lanes, the Brotherly Guide here. Share this episode with a friend who's going through a perspective shift on work and life

Hey there! In this week's episode, Justin Mazza breaks down a very convoluted topic, WTF is Consulting??We talk about:* What even is strategy consulting? Strategy for who, strategy for what, and whose problem is it to take that strategy forward?* Expectations at different levels from analyst, to director all the way up to partner, and how the manager level feels like a “V”* How to be a good manager built on trust, and enabling people to do the work that they're best suited to do* Leaning into your strengths vs working on your weaknesses and how to build a team around you that compliments your weaknessesShare with a friend who's been wondering “WTF is consulting??”-AB This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amandabranson.substack.com

Hey everybody! This week's episode answers the question: how can I get more satisfaction out of my work ? Within this episode we discuss:* The top 10 ways that people find satisfaction in their jobs* Some tips to consider based on your personality and how you uniquely derive satisfaction from work. After some personal self reflection and research about what impacts people's job satisfaction, I highly encourage you to reflect on how many boxes your job is ticking for you, and make a change if it's not high enough on your job satisfaction scale. Life's too short!As always, sharing with a friend and leaving a review is the best way to support me, and the podcast!-ABShare this episode with a friend

This week's episode is the second in the series: “WTF is a ______??” And today we're talking all about: WTF is a Media Planner?? We cover:* What is digital media, how does it fit under the marketing umbrella?* How would someone get into an advertising career nowadays?* What role would be best suited to me within digital media? (creative, paid, planning and strategy and more)* Justifying your impact as a marketer, or creative agency to executives and CMOs…and in addition to all of this, we had a lot of fun too

This week's episode features Wesley Braden, a fellow ex-Chief of Staff and ex-Googler. In this part 2 conversation, Wes is incredibly open about sharing his struggles with mental health challenges like OCD and Bipolar Disorder. Listen to part 1 here if you're interested in hearing about his experience in the Chief of Staff role at an early stage startup.What we covered:* Wes' experience with OCD and Bipolar 1 disorder and how it's affected him both positively and negatively in a demanding workplace* Wes' Professional Life Crisis: realizing he won't stay in tech startups forever, even though he felt attached to is as his work identity since college* How his mental health challenges have led him to pursuing a career as a therapist* Tips for other folks who may just be starting conversations with their employer about their own mental health strugglesIf you or someone you know is struggling with your mental health in a very demanding job environment, know that you are not alone.Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it

Today's episode features Wesley Braden, ex-Chief of Staff at Clay and Ex-Googler. In our conversation, we talk all about what the Chief of Staff role is, Wes' journey to get there, and some of the biggest obstacles along the way. Some highlights: * WTF even is a Chief of Staff? (because *I* didn't know until I became one)* The differences between a seed stage CoS and a late-stage CoS* Corporate vs startup experience & whether our corporate roles set us up well for the CoS role (hint: mine didn't!)* How to bring the good parts of corporate to startups, which may only be 20%, or maybe just 10, or 5% If you enjoy today's episode, please leave it a 5 star review and share with a friend who would love these career chats!-ABShare this with your favorite Chief of Staff, or corporate friend who you know would make a great one! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amandabranson.substack.com

This week's episode with Porter Hayes is a must listen if you're a young female professional, navigating the early steps on the corporate ladder and don't know who to look to for meaningful advice and feedback.We discuss:* Learning to love a mindset of “continuous adolescence” instead of constantly battling imposter syndrome* How it's just as important (if not more) to learn what you DON'T want for yourself as it is important to learn what you DO want.* How to vet other people's feedback early in your career, and decide which feedback you internalize, vs which you say “thank you, next”* Consulting skills vs startup skills: what transfers, and what doesn'tShare this with a girlfriend that's currently navigating Corporate America

In this week's episode I talk with Harry Catalani, about what it's like to work in the beer industry (Anheuser Busch), move all around the country for work, and how to decide when it's time to leave after 6.5 years. We cover:* Moving to new cities and establishing a life multiple times in your twenties* Punching above your weight when you're total unqualified to do so, and how being humble can help you learn what you don't know* How to take ownership over your career path (without panicking)* Determining how you view your career (like Mount Everest or like a rock climbing wall at a gym) and understanding which model gives you more personal satisfactionIf you know someone who will love this episode, please share with a friend, and thanks to everyone who has already shared!Thanks for reading Professional Life Crisis! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amandabranson.substack.com

Today's episode is another episode in the series, 10 things I learned working for a startup, and today we're deep diving into #2 on the list - Learning how you like to learn.By the end of the episode, you'll have some solid strategies for learning more efficiently and identifying how much time and effort you actually need to spend learning new skills to be amazing at your new job. Some highlights?* You don't need to know everything, follow your natural curiosities* Building scalable and repeatable processes vs the “brute force” method* Defining your preferred mediums and channels for learning-AmandaPlease share with a friend if you found today's tips useful! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amandabranson.substack.com

Today's episode details the most important mindset shift you need to make coming from corporate, in order to be successful working at an early stage startup. The first up on the list is: developing your experimentation mindset. This episode is the first in a series I'm starting, expanding on my Top 10 things you should know before working at a startup episode. Each of these episodes will go deeper into one of the themes on my original list to give you more depth and a better understanding of each theme. Add me on LinkedIn and let me know what your hardest mental hurdles were with joining a startup for the first time! On the outside it seems like similar skills would transfer from corporate to startup much better than they do in practice. I want to hear from you so we can continue to support each other on this journey!Cheers!-Amanda This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amandabranson.substack.com

This week's episode is about defining your personal threshold for the amount of unhappiness you're willing to endure at your first job before you make the decision to leave. If you're like me, starting your career in corporate America can feel like you're trapped in golden handcuffs, and time ticks by faster that you'd think when you planned to leave 3 years ago. Moving into the startup world was a huge stepping stone for me toward my eventual goal of being an entrepreneur, but it came with a huge f*cking learning curve. If you're startup curious, or starting out your new career in tech, you can now book a 1:1 “friend-tor” session where I will be your startup friend and mentor! I promise to make your first 90 days in tech a hell of a lot easier than mine.As always, thanks for listening and watching!-AB This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amandabranson.substack.com

Today's episode is such a fun, funny, yet incredibly genuine chat with a dear friend of mine, Kat.If you're somewhere on the struggle spectrum between do I need a new job, to move to a different city or all of the above, this episode is for you. And if you've ever gone through a tough personal time and worried about how to prioritize your mental health while also juggling a very demanding workplace, Katherine is so vulnerable and shares how she was able to work with her company to take an unprecedented leave of absence to prioritize her mental health, and to come back to work better than she'd felt in years.If this episode makes you think of a friend, I hope you'll share it with them. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amandabranson.substack.com

Hey there! Happy New Year! This week's episode is a follow up to last week's episode on setting goals. I realized that I talked about manifesting my goals but I didn't talk too much about how I do it, and what my only-slightly-woo-woo practice of manifesting actually looks like. So if you've got some lofty goals you're looking to accomplish this year but you're still not in the mindset of actually achieving them, take a listen to this quick 10 min episode.Happy goal-getting!-Amanda This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amandabranson.substack.com

In this little time warp portal between Christmas and New Year's that's like totally fake, I just wanted to record a quick and dirty episode for you. Now that the holidays are in the rearview mirror, I think it's time we get intentional about our goals for the new year, and get a little delulu about what we want!Hope you enjoy the end of the year, and the chance to reset and dream big.-AmandaSend this to a friend who needs a reminder to dream bigger this year!References:Hailey Hoffman Smith who I mentioned in the episode is a law of attraction creator who I think does a much lovelier job than I do at conceptualizing the law of attraction and how to manifest your goals. Gemma Troy who I've now learned is a poet, author, and sculptor. Her instagram is filled with magical fairies and inspirational quotes. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amandabranson.substack.com

In this episode, we (and I really just mean me) cover:* What elements make up your self-worth, and what specifically does not (hint: your ✨accomplishments✨)* Psychological research about why we have such a strong connection between money and self-worth* Some small things we can do to detach our self-worth from our salary and live happier, less comparative livesQuote of the day:“Not only is our income framing the way we think about our status, but the stuff we buy is linked to our sense of identity. Centuries later, this behavior persists, which is why trading up to nicer clothes, nicer apartments, and nicer vacations seems so seductive.”Amanda's post-recording reflections:This is probably the most vulnerable episode I've recorded so far. If you've also been harping on your salary too much, I hope this chat allows you to move this spiraling conversation out of your head, validate it and help give you some tools to name it, and tame it, like they say. I'm dying to chat more with people about this topic, so please send me a note on IG: @professionalifecrisisShare with your overachieving friends- I know I'm not alone in this one!References:Higher income predicts feelings such as pride and confidenceYour Salary Does Not Define You: How to Separate Your Net Worth From Your Self-Worth Human Brain Appears "Hard-Wired" for HierarchyAmanda's Clayman's financial coaching website This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amandabranson.substack.com

To watch the video of this episode, you can find it here!Kate Thompson is a leadership coach, experience designer, marketer and art enthusiast. We met via a great network we are both part of, called the Chief of Staff Network. It's a great active community filled with interesting, inspiring, empathetic professionals. If you're a Chief of Staff, (or close enough) highly recommend checking it out!If you're going through something personal right now outside of work, I highly recommend this episode. Kate's perspective and how she's shifted her mindset to accept and thrive in the season of what some may see as negative circumstances is inspiring. In this episode, we cover:* Navigating a cancer diagnosis along with being a mom and being laid off for the 3rd time* How positivity is like an orbit, and avoiding toxic positivity* Why she relates to describing herself more as verbs than nouns in her career these days and how to provide clarity to others about what she does* How she's creating her ideal clients rather than selling to them or attracting them* Conscious leadership, and what it means to create vs to reactQuote of the day:* “I think about why people are burnt out or feeling like there's got to be more or feeling a lack of meaning in their work. I think so much of it comes down to the fact that we can't see the difference we're making. We can't see the change that we make in this kind of tech knowledge work environment. Whereas when you are close to the earth: cook a meal, you create a thing, you plow the field, whatever it is, you can see ‘I did work and this is different.'” - KateAmanda's post-recording reflections:I love what Kate said about how you don't own positivity, but it is somehow attached or connected to you. An orbit implies that there's some pull toward, and eventually away from you. And it's okay if positivity isn't always nearby- it comes and goes just like the seasons do. I think about this in navigating my own journey of being laid off. Some days the positivity is really close, like summer. And some days, when an unexpected pet injury turns into a multi-thousand dollar surgery and you're stressed and overwhelmed, and the positivity is like winter, it feels really far away. I'm allowing myself to go through the ebb and flow of emotions, but damn it's not always easy.Ps. Did you like the video format this week? Reach out and lmk!Thanks for joining us,AmandaIf you know someone who would enjoy Kate's perspective on life and work, please share this episode with them! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amandabranson.substack.com

In this episode, we cover:* Breaking down what it means to procrastinate, from a psychology perspective* Why we procrastinate in life and especially at work, including my take on a few things on this list that are BS if you're a highly motivated person like me* Some of my favorite strategies I've adopted to help me procrastinate faster and better, cause get real, I'm not gonna stop anytime soon* Why my future self-thanks me for my past actionsQuote of the day:“Do the bad version first! We put too much pressure on ourselves to do things perfectly, okay? Hi, perfectionists, I am looking at you. Doing the bad version first is like a little gift that I gave to myself in the past. This is a gift you can give yourself too.”Amanda's post-recording reflections:I don't think overcoming (or significantly curbing) procrastination was as important when working for a big company as it was working for a small one. Because at small companies where everything is exposed- every initiative, every marketing campaign, every contribution is right on the surface for everyone to see. Your deliverables are often dependent on others, and others are depending on yours, so the bottlenecks become really obvious (and really annoying) when you operate on a lean team. So if you're thinking of working for a startup, I think procrastination limiting is a great skill to start practicing!What ways have you figured out work for you to limit your procrastination habits? Lmk in the comments!Phew, I can now say, this episode got out on time ;)-AmandaShare this episode with your fav procrastinator! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amandabranson.substack.com

Jennifer Wong (affectionately known as “Jwong”) is a product designer, design coach/mentor, and one of the most authentic people I know. We met while working together at our previous jobs, and both got laid off on the same day.In this episode, we cover:* Understanding the “why's” behind personal and team demotivation* Founding her own startup and why she decided that pursuing entrepreneurship wasn't her full time aspiration* What it means to be a woman in design, and the implied career limitations if you're a career woman who wants to have a family * Why she would describe herself as a naive diva in her early career * Servant leadership, what a good manager does to empower their employees, and how to command respect without demanding it* How she went from being laid off to a job offer from Netflix in 5 weeks (!! can you design the new cult docu-series please?!)* Questions you should ask in an interview to weed out toxic workplaces, and find out whether a manager is going to be great or notQuote of the day:* “When you're scared of something, that's not always a bad thing. If it scares the shit out of you, I think you should do it.” - JwongAmanda's post-recording reflections:I don't think you ever really overcome imposter syndrome, but learning that the way way you treat yourself, and the way you position yourself as a professional is the way that other people will think of you, too. One of Jwong's biggest pieces of advice for becoming a designer is to start with yourself- believe that you are worth of being a designer, and tell yourself that you are one. You won't get anywhere with learning new skills if your self doubt is louder than your self-trust.For me, this was true with starting to freelance, and with starting this podcast! I had a lot of imposter syndrome about doing both of those things, but the funny thing about getting laid off is it helps you move through it much faster (out of necessity lol). But honestly, everything started flowing more easily once I just got started and the words “I'm a freelancer” and “I'm a podcaster” came out of my mouth for the first time. Maybe you should try it with that thing you're scared to do too.Till next time,AmandaDo you know someone struggling with trying something new, becoming a designer, or showing up 100% authentically at work? Share this podcast episode with them! It'd mean the world to me. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amandabranson.substack.com

In this episode, we cover:The mentality shift that I had to make when I went from a 500,000 person to company to a 5 person company was chasmic. In this episode I covered the top 10 things I learned when I transitioned from consulting to a startup that I want to pass onto you, especially if you're working at a startup, going to work at a startup, or are just startup-curious. (Srsly, just let me save you some time down in the self-questioning spiral that is working for a startup for the first time)A sneak preview of what's on my list:

David Rolls is a 360 recruiter by trade, now recruiting consultant and influencer on TikTok and LinkedIn.David and I met when I brought him on as one of our influencers at my previous company. Little did I know how much richness he would have to share all around the changes in the recruiting industry, the differences between working as an internal vs agency recruiter, and his holistic approach for how to show up as your best self at work. In this episode, we cover:* Internal vs agency recruiters and what that means for you when you are one* Contingent vs retained recruitment models * Why the recruitment industry gets a bad rap and what he's doing to improve it* Why there aren't many great freelance recruiters* And some fun topics around: * Why the US calls it “soccer” instead of “football”* Why traveling around Southeast Asia didn't satisfy David's need for purpose Quote of the day:* “I wasn't sure if I wanted to go backpacking again, or if I wanted to, you know, start my career, because to be honest with you, when I was backpacking, as much as I enjoyed it, I definitely felt like I lost purpose. I realized during my trip that I love traveling, it's all I do, it's what I live for, but I definitely need some sort of purpose, and I definitely need something else.”Amanda's post-recording reflections:* At the time, I felt like I was battling conflicting voices in my head when I had my bad first experience in consulting- should I stay and ride it out a bit, or should I go and write off the experience completely? For anyone working in the recruiting industry like David, he shared his take on the wide range of different cultures that exist at recruiting firms, and what some of the more modern firms are like. I would implore anyone considering a switch into (or within) the world of recruiting to take a listen- he didn't take his first experience as a blanket statement for how all recruiting jobs would be, and was able to find much better environments as he started advancing in his career. There is hope!A quick poll to get a sense for how you've felt if you've ever worked with a recruiter If you learned something new about how recruiting works while listening to this episode, I would love to know what it was in the comments below!Cheers,AmandaThanks a ton for reading Professional Life Crisis. This podcast is public, so please feel free to share with a friend! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amandabranson.substack.com

In this episode, we cover:* What it means to be a generalist at a startup* What is a Chief of Staff? * What does it mean to be in a startup recession? * What I'd consider the pros & cons of being a generalist* My overall take on whether it's a good idea to be a generalist in a recession or not* Some advice from me if you are in fact going to be oneQuote of the day:Joining a startup comes with a fairly steep learning curve every time. And you'll need to have that lifelong learner mentality in order to continue succeeding.Some may see this as a pro, and some may see this as a con, but it's something that I want to call out, because without [the lifelong learner mentality], I think it's very tough, and very emotionally taxing.Amanda's post-recording reflections:* Joining a startup presented new challenges every freakin day. But I learned SO many tactical skills about how to run a business, which is something I highly valued from my next career move when I joined. And I feel much more confident in my marketing skills because of how hands on I was in running the marketing function at my last job. For me, it was in fact a win ✅A quick poll to learn more about the type of work you do:See you in the next episode!-Amanda This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amandabranson.substack.com

Launch day is finally here! I can't thank you enough for supporting the podcast. I hope my professional stories and ones from my guests will help you see things from a new perspective, brighten your optimism about your career, and help you realize that if you accidentally replied all to a 15,000 person email thread as a brand new analyst, there is life on the other side, and you're in good company. In this episode, we cover:* My journey to and through the consulting world* The infamous “first project”* The most awkward thing I ever did as an analyst (and it's worse than a 15,000 person email thread)* The “Eat Pray Love” Sabbatical* Joining a startup as Chief of StaffQuote of the day:“GASP! Holy shit, I'd been sharing my screen the whole time. The horror. I felt all the color fall out of my face at the same time. The meeting ends. I get a call from the MD.”Amanda's post-recording reflections:* Wow! Starting a podcast is a little scary at first! But I hope these vulnerable personal stories I shared with you make the awkward moments you're going through just a wee bit easier. Everyone has their (at least) one stupid thing they did as an analyst or newbie, so just know you're not alone, and we made it to the other side and are doing reasonably okay. If you're brave enough, comment below what your embarrassing story was to give someone a good LOL about it.A poll to get to know each otherIf you have questions about what it was like working at a large consulting firm, you can also post a comment below.Catch ya next time!-Amanda This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amandabranson.substack.com

Here's what I define as a Professional Life Crisis:A crisis about your current job or potential career move that also makes you question just about everything about your life.- If I work in XYZ, what will that do to my self-image?- Why am I so hung up on my value as a person as a direct correlation to my salary?- Do I need to move to a new city, get a new job, or both?- Are all jobs miserable, or am I just in the wrong one?- Does taking a remote role just *make sense* or make me look lazy?I hope the podcast will help other young professionals (like you!) going through these same sorts of challenges:- Understand what different career paths look like in early- to mid-career and get guidance in making the right choice for you- Feel a sense of community with other people who have walked a similar path before you, or are walking alongside you now- Ditch the imposter syndrome that we all feel (me, hi

David Rolls, is a 360 recruiter by trade, now recruitment consultant and influencer on TikTok and LinkedIn. David and I met when I brought him on as one of our influencer partners at my previous AI tech startup. Little did I know how much richness he would have to share all around the changes in the recruiting industry, the differences between working as an internal or agency recruiter, and what that means for job seekers.Sneak preview above, and the full episode, along with 2 others will drop on Nov 14th! Subscribe to stay tuned! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amandabranson.substack.com