The Career By Design Podcast with Stacey Back

Have you been putting your head down and working hard since the start of January -- without pausing to check your career is moving in the direction you want? If so, today I’m walking you through a mid-year career reset to finish 2026 strong. We’re officially halfway through the year! In Australia, 30 June marks the end of financial year -- a time where you naturally look back at the past 12 months...

Ready to make a change in your career -- but you’re too busy to start? Finding another year has gone by, you're no closer to clarifying your direction and you're wondering if you've left it too late? Today, we’re talking about one of the biggest roadblocks holding high-achievers back from figuring out what’s next in their careers: “I don’t have time”. I recently met a leader who was...

Have you been Googling ‘how to be more visible at work’ -- only to keep getting the same surface level advice?  Today, we're talking about why so many high-achievers aren't feeling seen despite their success -- and what to do about it.  I recently started working with a leader who was feeling completely invisible in their role. No matter how hard they worked, they weren’t recognised for...

Are you feeling frustrated in your career and tempted to take the first opportunity that comes along -- so you can escape where you are now? Today, we're talking about why jumping straight into a job search ISN’T the smartest strategy and how to ensure your next career move is one you won't regret! This episode is part of the ‘Career By Design’ case study series, where I give you an excl...

Have you got a burning career question that you’re dying to get answered? Whether you want to know how to communicate your priorities and ACTUALLY honour your values at work, stay career driven while balancing the juggle of a young family -- or identify the skills to futureproof your career, today’s episode is for you.  11,600 km. 13 hours. 3 flights and 3 time zones.  That’s the cross-country wor...

Do you want to build your personal brand -- but aren’t sure how or where to start? Today, we’re talking about why personal branding matters for leaders right now and how you can start building yours with intention. I'm joined by Ali Kunze -- a business development and marketing specialist who helps service-based business leaders build their visibility, brand positioning and client experience....

Are you thinking about pursuing a new career path -- but there’s a lot at risk? Whether you aren’t sure where to start, are worried about making the wrong choice -- or throwing away everything you’ve invested into your current career, this episode is for you. Today, we’re talking about practical steps you can take to test and validate your career idea, so you reduce risk with your move. In a recen...

Are you working hard -- but waiting to be tapped on the shoulder for your next opportunity? Whether you've been overlooked for promotion, aren't getting the recognition you deserve or know you need to grow your network more strategically, this episode is for you. Today’s podcast was inspired by a question I was asked during a recent panel discussion on building a personal brand. The ques...

Have you ever asked yourself: How do I be successful in a workplace which isn't designed for me? Today, we're talking about the barriers ALL underrepresented groups face (including men) and how we can create workplaces that 'work' for everyone.  I'm joined by Belinda Riley -- a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion specialist, speaker and Founder of Beyond The Barriers. What I...

Are you reassessing how you position yourself in the current market? Or rethinking how to use AI and optimise your CV to land your next role? That’s exactly what I’m addressing on today’s podcast. Here’s what I’m hearing in recent conversations with senior leaders and executives: The job market feels tight, competition is fierce -- and they’re struggling to stand out when hundreds of candidates ar...

Are you already successful -- yet going round in circles trying to decide what’s next at this stage of your career? If so, today we’re talking about how to find clarity on your direction -- particularly as a senior leader, when your options aren’t clear and career paths are no longer linear. This episode is part of the ‘Career By Design’ case study series, where I give you an exclusive, behind the...

Are you still managing your career the way you did 5 years ago? Today we’re talking about why taking ownership of your career is no longer optional -- but critical in the changing world of work. We put so much pressure on ourselves to be ‘on’ from the first week of January. So if it’s taken you a bit of time to ease into the year, you’re not behind. What DOES matter is how you’re approaching your...

Are you using LinkedIn strategically to support where you want to go next in your career? Whether you’re a leader looking to use LinkedIn more intentionally in 2026, implement the daily habits to build real traction over time, or rethink how you position yourself, today’s episode is for you.  I’m joined by Karen Tisdell -- one of Australia's leading LinkedIn experts, a talented LinkedIn profi...

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 current role or career path. Whatever your situation, finding yourself at a career crossroads can be challenging. You feel pressure to make a decision -- and quickly. T...

Feeling overwhelmed by EVERYTHING you need to do this year? If so you’re not alone -- and this topic is exactly what we’re tackling on today’s episode! At the start of a new year you're full of motivation, set big goals and have a solid plan in place. But as January comes to a close, many people struggle to follow through. Can YOU relate? With school holidays stretching until February and a l...

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 go. When I do my quarterly planning, it always starts by looking back and noticing what I’m learning along the way. And at the end of the year, that pause matters more...

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 when the Jacaranda trees are in bloom. It’s a sign of the changing seasons, as we transition from spring into another warm Australian summer. A time of cha...

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 your expertise in a new direction, today's episode is for you. I’m joined by Julie Matheson -- Founder of FinWise Leadership, speaker and mentor to financ...

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 is about how to find your passion. This tells me it’s a topic many people are thinking about -- and one that comes up often in my work with high-achieving leaders. I s...

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. I’m joined by Leanne Shelton -- leading AI trainer, coach and Founder of HumanEdge AI. What I love about Leanne’s story is that only a couple of years ago, she was at h...

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 clients to do: pausing to celebrate a BIG milestone. Because this is an extra-special episode...  We’ve officially reached 50 EPISODES of the podcast!! When I first launched...

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 design the career you WANT.  Over the years, I’ve seen so many talented people leaving jobs in search of the ‘right role’.  They start a new role and at first, it’s great...

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 one of the biggest barriers to career progression. You feel like a fraud despite evidence of your accomplishments, avoid taking risks or stepping outside your comfort z...

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 common mistake I see high-achievers make when they’re at a career crossroads. One which is keeping them stuck. And it’s something I did too…  Back in 2017, I was feeling un...

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 out or starting over. This is the first instalment of a brand new ‘Career By Design’ case study series. In these episodes, I’m giving you an exclusive, behind the s...