The Career By Design Podcast with Stacey Back
Are you a high-achiever at a crossroads in your career?
The Career By Design Podcast is for you if you're an ambitious leader who is confused about your direction, stuck in self-doubt or feeling out of control in your career.
Consider this show your fortnightly resource to help you develop the clarity, confidence and strategy to take ownership of your career.
Hosted by global career development coach Stacey Back, this conversational podcast explores what it really means to redefine success and create a career on YOUR terms.
With 16+ years in coaching, people development, HR & recruitment, Stacey shares unique insights from her corporate career and experience running a business. You'll learn the exact strategies she used to change careers, shift into more aligned work -- and how she's supported hundreds of leaders to do the same.
Every Thursday fortnight, Stacey will deliver practical strategies to develop your career, mindset and leadership skills. Plus, you’ll hear guest experts and inspiring stories from individuals who’ve created their careers by design -- to show YOU what’s possible too.
Expect a dose of inspiration, to be challenged to think differently and actionable advice you can immediately implement.
Hit subscribe and get ready to design a career that's fulfilling, sustainable -- AND supports your lifestyle!
Find out more at staceyback.com.
Episodes
57 episodes
#55: 2025 Reflections: My 4 Powerful Lessons -- And How They’ll Support YOUR Career
As a high-achiever, how often do you rush to the ‘next thing’ without pausing to consider how far you’ve actually come?I’ve certainly been guilty of it in the past!But in recent years, I’ve become intentional about reflecting as I...
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Episode 55
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24:43
#54: How To Navigate Change And Transform Your Career
Do you know it's time to make a change in your career -- but aren't sure WHAT that looks like or HOW to get started?Today we're talking about practical steps you can take to navigate a career crossroads.I love this time of year wh...
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Episode 54
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12:06
#53: Why It's NEVER Too Late To Reinvent Your Career (And How To Get Started) With Julie Matheson
Are you successful, with decades of experience in one profession -- but finding yourself at a career crossroads?Whether you've hit the ceiling in your current field, are contemplating your next career chapter or wondering how to apply yo...
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Episode 53
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49:51
#52: 5 Reasons To Stop ‘Following Your Passion’ And What To Do Instead
It’s time to call it out. ‘Following your passion’ is poor career advice.Today, I’m talking about how this common cliché can hold you back in your career and what to focus on instead.One of my most popular podcast episodes to date...
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Episode 52
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11:49
#51: How To Future-Proof Your Career Today — The Human-First Approach To AI With Leanne Shelton
How do you take back control of your career when when disruption hits your industry overnight?Whether AI is impacting your role, you’re navigating change or finding yourself at a career crossroads, then today’s episode is for you....
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Episode 51
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52:42
#50: 5 Surprising Career Lessons Every Ambitious Leader NEEDS To Know (From 50 Episodes!)
How often do you hit a big goal -- only to rush straight on to the ‘next thing’?It’s something I see all the time with the high-achievers I coach and I’ve been guilty of it too.So today, I’m doing exactly what I encourage my clien...
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Episode 50
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17:31
#49: How To Craft Your Dream Career (When It Doesn’t Exist)
What do you do if your current role isn’t the right fit for YOU?You love your work, clients (or aspects of what you do). Yet your ‘ideal’ role or the way you want to work is… outside the box.Well, today I’m talking about how to de...
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Episode 49
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14:38
#48: 5 Signs Self-Doubt Is Crushing Your Career (And How To Break Free)
Do you ever feel insecure or question your abilities?If so, you’re not alone. Even the most accomplished leaders I coach experience self-doubt. So today, I’m unpacking how it could be quietly sabotaging your success.Self-doubt is ...
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Episode 48
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11:43
#47: 4 Guaranteed Ways To Clarify What You Want Next In Your Career
Going round and round in circles trying to figure out what you want next in your career?Today, I’m talking about how I moved from overthinking to clarity -- and now support my clients to do the same in their careers.There’s a comm...
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Episode 47
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11:21
#46: Career By Design Case Study: From ‘Coasting’ To Changing Careers In Their Current Company
Are you caught up in the ‘hamster wheel’ of daily tasks and realising you’ve completely neglected your long-term career goals?Today we’re talking about how to take back control and start creating the career you WANT -- without burning ou...
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Episode 46
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13:50
#45: 3 Ways To Take Control Of Your Career And Find Success (In An AI World)
Are robots REALLY coming for your role?Today, we’re talking about what AI actually means for your career and simple steps you can take now to stay ahead.In my last corporate role, there was a running joke I had IT Helpdesk on spee...
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Episode 45
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13:36
#44: 4 Proven Ways To Become More Confident As A Leader
How do you build confidence as a leader?Is confidence something you’re born with, which only certain people possess -- or can you create it over time?This is exactly what I’ll be unpacking on today’s episode.Shifting from s...
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Episode 44
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13:22
#43: How To Gain Career Momentum NOW (Without Waiting For Your Next Review)
Are you waiting until your next performance review to have a conversation about your career goals?Today, we’re talking about why this isn’t the most strategic move -- and what to do instead.And just like that... we’re officially H...
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Episode 43
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12:48
#42: 5 Powerful Ways To Take Control Of Your Career NOW Without Leaving Your Company
Thinking about a new direction in your career -- but don’t know if your boss will back it? Unsure if the opportunity EVEN exists internally?If you’ve been wrestling with these questions, you’re not alone.This is a common challen...
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Episode 42
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12:33
#41: People Pleaser? How To Say No With Clarity & Confidence
Do you keep saying yes -- when every part of you wants to say no?Three of the biggest self-sabotaging behaviours I see in high-achieving leaders I work with -- what I call the 3P's -- are people pleasing, perfectionism and procrastinati...
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Episode 41
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12:06
#40: 5 Sure-Fire Ways To Make The Right Decision
Are you weighing up a big career decision?You’re wide awake in the middle of the night, trying to figure out WHAT you want next or HOW to reach the next stage in your career. Or you’re wondering whether to stay -- or go -- in your curre...
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Episode 40
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11:29
#39: Bad Boss? 8 Helpful Ways To Stay Professional And ‘Manage Up’
Do you have a boss who’s difficult to deal with? Ever feel frustrated, unappreciated or question whether you should just quit? If so, you’re not alone -- and that's exactly what we're diving into on today’s podcast. It...
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Episode 39
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15:27
#38: 6 Secrets To Confidently Negotiate Your Worth And Get What You Want
Do you struggle to negotiate your worth -- or lose confidence and end up accepting less than you deserve?If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone -- and it’s exactly what we’re diving into on today’s episode.I remember walking ...
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Episode 38
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10:56
#37: Feeling Stuck? How To Stop Procrastinating And Start Taking Action
Feeling stuck -- or struggling to take action?If procrastination is sabotaging your success, you’re not alone. And that’s exactly what we’re addressing on today’s episode.You could be delaying an important project, putting off a...
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Episode 37
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12:06
#36: 3 Pivotal Career Stages You Need To Know To Unlock Clarity And Direction
Have you hit a point in your career where something seems -- off? Are you feeling stuck and wondering what’s next -- but aren’t sure where to start?In a recent masterclass, I introduced my signature Career By Design method -- a new way ...
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Episode 36
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11:06
#35: 3 Career Myths It’s Time To Bust And The Benefits Of ‘Doing Things Differently’
Are you ‘doing your career differently’ -- or feeling stuck on the path you think you 'should' take?That’s exactly what we’re covering on today’s podcast.I talk a lot about redefining success and creating a career on YOUR terms....
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Episode 35
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10:08
#34: 6 Ways To Drive Change & Help Women Succeed At Work
134 years. That’s how long it will take to reach gender parity.So what’s holding women back at work? And more importantly -- what can we do about it? That’s exactly what we’re diving into today.I grew up in the ’80s -- the decad...
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Episode 34
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15:29
#33: How To Stop Comparing Yourself To Others And Find Success Your Way
Have you ever caught yourself comparing your success to someone else’s? When I watched Demi Moore’s recent Golden Globe speech, it hit home. Comparison is something ALL ambitious leaders struggle with, no matter how successful or e...
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Episode 33
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10:41
#32: The Top 2025 Career & Leadership Trends -- And How To Stay Ahead
February marks the REAL start of the year for many leaders, making it the perfect time to explore the key career and leadership trends defining 2025.Because here’s the thing -- the pace of change isn’t slowing down. We’re experiencing m...
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Episode 32
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14:43
#31: Stressed Out? 7 Simple Steps To Achieve More (In Less Time)
Feeling overwhelmed by EVERYTHING you need to do? If so you’re not alone -- and this topic is exactly what we’re tackling on today’s episode!You started the year with big goals, a solid plan and plenty of motivation. But as...
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Episode 31
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13:18