Unstuck & Unstoppable

Have you ever felt like you needed to become a different person to succeed as a leader? In this episode Sarah is joined by senior HR leader Sarah Holey, who shares her inspiring journey from retail shop floor assistant to leading international people functions across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and APAC. Together, we explore what it really takes to grow into senior leadership without los...

You're successful on paper. Capable, still showing up, still the person colleagues message when something needs sorting. And yet - something's shifted, and you can't quite name what. In this episode, Sarah unpacks the career crossroads: that disorienting in-between space where what used to fit no longer does, and what's next hasn't taken shape yet. Whether it's shown up through redundancy, burnout...

In this episode, Sarah is joined by former client Kate Dunstone, who shares her inspiring career journey from a long and successful career in higher education marketing to a senior leadership role in a completely new sector. After 17 years at the University of Portsmouth, Kate knew she was ready for something more aligned with her values, interests and long-term ambitions. In this conversation, sh...

Have you ever found yourself wondering, "Is this really it?" From the outside, everything looks successful. You're performing well, earning good money, and progressing in your career. Yet something feels different. Not wrong exactly, but no longer quite right. In this solo episode, Sarah explores the often-overlooked signs that you've outgrown your current role, even when you can't yet see what co...

What does authentic leadership really look like in practice? In this episode Sarah sits down with former client Helen Cook, an experienced People Director, to discuss her career journey from hospitality into HR leadership, the lessons she's learned about confidence and career progression, and how coaching helped her gain clarity at an important point in her career. Helen shares a refreshingly hone...

How many opportunities have you delayed because you were waiting for permission? In this episode Sarah talks to Natalie Nielson, Programme Director at Barclays Corporate, to explore the leadership lessons that have shaped her career and helped her thrive in complex, high-pressure environments. Natalie shares how she learned to stop waiting for someone else to tell her she was ready, navigate the i...

In this episode, Sarah explores a career experience many ambitious women silently struggle with: looking successful on the outside while feeling disconnected, exhausted, or emotionally flat on the inside. If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this really it?” despite having the title, salary, or career others admire, this episode will help you understand why smart, capable women often stay stuck in roles t...

What happens when your career looks successful on paper… but no longer feels aligned? In this episode, Sarah is joined by Sarah Warrington, Head of Marketing at a private higher education institution, who shares her honest and inspiring career journey - from leaving accountancy after just 18 months, to building a meaningful leadership career in higher education marketing. We explore the realities...

What really changes when you step into senior leadership? In this honest and insightful conversation, Sarah speaks with Maria Norowzian, Group & UK Hospitality Director at ATG Entertainment, about the realities of career growth, leadership transitions and learning to lead beyond your technical expertise. Maria shares her journey from starting out in marketing at McDonald’s in Australia to lead...

In this episode, Sarah explores how toxic stakeholders and difficult bosses can quietly erode confidence, visibility, and influence at work. She shares personal experiences, client stories, and practical strategies to help ambitious female leaders navigate challenging workplace dynamics without shrinking themselves or losing credibility. Timestamps [00:00] Welcome & Introduction Sarah introduc...

Are you doing everything “right”- sleeping, exercising, pushing through your workload yet still feeling drained? In this episode, Sarah challenges the way we think about rest. For high-performing female leaders, exhaustion isn’t always about doing too much - it’s often about recovering in the wrong way . You’ll learn why traditional ideas of rest fall short, and how to restore your energy more eff...

In this episode, Sarah challenges a common belief about promotion: that it’s purely based on performance. Drawing on her experience in HR leadership and executive coaching, she reveals why promotions are often blocked by hesitation, not capability, and what you can do to change how decision-makers see you. If you’re aiming for your next senior role, this episode will show you exactly how to positi...

In this episode, Sarah breaks down how executive recruiters actually operate - and why the typical “send your CV and wait” approach doesn’t work at a senior level. If you’re aiming for leadership roles, you’ll learn how to position yourself strategically, build strong recruiter relationships, and stand out as a credible, low-risk candidate. What You’ll Learn The biggest misconception about executi...

In this episode, Sarah explores the powerful concept of strategic hope and why it is a critical leadership skill for ambitious female leaders who want to prevent burnout and create real momentum in their careers. Many high-performing women find themselves working hard while quietly hoping something changes - hoping for recognition, hoping for opportunities, hoping for better leadership or culture....

Have you ever felt like you're doing everything right in your leadership role - delivering results, working hard, supporting your team - yet still being overlooked for promotion? In this episode, Sarah lifts the lid on the unwritten rules of leadership that shape career progression at senior levels. Many ambitious female leaders are told that hard work and strong performance will naturally lead to...

In this episode Sarah explores the powerful but often overlooked role of weak ties in career growth and job searching. If you're an ambitious woman looking to advance your career, increase your visibility, or access new opportunities, this episode will change how you think about networking. Sarah explains why the people you barely know may be the ones who open the biggest doors, and shares practic...

Have you been in your role for five years or more? Are you there because you love it … or because you feel a bit stuck? In this episode, Sarah unpacks the difference between healthy staying and career stagnation , the subtle signs you might be stuck (even if things look “fine” on the surface), and practical steps to help you regain momentum, confidence, and clarity in your career. If you’ve been q...

In this episode, Sarah explores why the inner critic exists and how it often tries to protect us from perceived risks like rejection, failure, or judgement. The challenge is that while it may have good intentions, it can also keep us stuck, holding back from the opportunities we truly want. Sarah shares three practical strategies to help you quieten your inner critic and strengthen your inner coac...

If you’re working hard but not getting the traction, visibility or progression you want, this episode will help you understand why. Sarah breaks down the four core Influence Blockers she sees repeatedly in senior female leaders - the hidden patterns that quietly limit confidence, authority, and advancement. Once you can spot your blocker, you can shift it. Timestamps [00:00] Welcome to Unstuck and...

In this episode, Sarah shares a practical four-part framework to help you decide your next leadership move when you’re feeling stuck, flat, or ready for more. If you’re successful on paper but something feels off, this episode will help you turn that restlessness into useful data and make a thoughtful, aligned career decision instead of drifting or making a reactive move. Whether your next step is...

What happens when you’ve achieved the senior role, the title, the salary… and yet something still feels flat? In this episode, Sarah explores why meaning can quietly disappear as your leadership career progresses and why this isn’t a sign you’ve failed, but a signal worth paying attention to. She shares the powerful difference between achievement and fulfillment, introduces a simple but profound f...

In this episode, Sarah unpacks what strategic thinking really means and how to move from an operational comfort zone to big-picture influence. If you’ve ever been told to “be more strategic” and wondered what that actually looks like in practice, this episode breaks it down into practical, doable shifts. You’ll learn how to create space for strategic thinking, ask better questions, and position yo...

In this practical episode, Sarah explores why so many capable leaders struggle to delegate, what it’s really costing you when you don’t, and how to shift your mindset so delegation becomes a leadership strength rather than a stress point. Drawing on real client examples and her own experience as a senior leader, Sarah breaks down common delegation blocks (from perfectionism to fear of losing contr...

Are you constantly exhausted, overwhelmed, and running on empty as a leader? In this episode, Sarah explores why so many ambitious women find themselves stuck in survival mode and shares a simple but powerful tool to help you restore balance, manage your energy, and avoid burnout. Using the Four Rooms of Life framework, Sarah walks you through a practical exercise to help you understand where your...

In this episode Sarah explores what it really means to bring your whole self to work and why authentic leadership matters more than ever in today’s uncertain and demanding world. Many female leaders feel pressure to appear strong, controlled, and “together” at all times, often at the expense of their own energy and wellbeing. Sarah challenges the outdated leadership model that equates vulnerabilit...