Explore every episode of the podcast Control Your Career: Career Growth and Strategy for Ambitious Professionals
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How to Grow Your Career Without a Promotion | 15 Sep 2026 | 00:44:56 | |
A lack of promotion opportunities does not necessarily mean your career has stopped moving, but it does require a more deliberate approach to growth. Before taking on additional responsibilities or immediately beginning a job search, it is important to understand whether advancement is being limited by the organization, by a gap in your readiness for the next level, or by some combination of the two. In this solo episode, Julia Toothacre explains how to evaluate what is preventing advancement and identify forms of career growth that can strengthen your position even when a title change is unavailable. She examines eight areas of development, including skills, scope, visibility, relationships, leadership, authority, and business knowledge, while also addressing how to avoid the common trap of accepting more work without receiving meaningful development in return. The episode concludes with a practical question professionals often postpone for too long: how long are you willing to wait for an opportunity that may or may not materialize? What Julia Discusses
Gallup, One in Four U.S. Employees Lack Advancement Opportunities ADP, People at Work 2025 Gartner, Talent Hoarding and Internal Mobility LinkedIn, 2026 Talent Velocity Advantage Report Read The Blog: Explore all episodes: Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: Visit the website: Get career resources:
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| How to Shape Workplace Culture Without Being the Boss with Natalie Johnson | 08 Sep 2026 | 00:50:45 | |
Workplace culture is often treated as something leadership or HR creates and employees either enjoy or endure. Natalie Johnson sees it differently. Culture exists anywhere people are working together, and every person contributes to it through how they communicate, respond to conflict, support colleagues, handle disagreement, and show up when things get difficult. Natalie joins Julia Toothacre to discuss workplace culture as a career skill. They explore how much influence individual employees actually have, why culture can vary dramatically between teams inside the same organization, what happens when a leadership change alters an environment you once loved, and how to recognize when you have done what you can and it may be time to leave. They also examine a difficult workplace problem that organizations sometimes avoid: the high performer whose behavior damages everyone around them. What We Discuss
Natalie Johnson is the Chief Visionary Officer of ViDL Work and co-author of Leading the Culture Journey. She leads business development, strategy, and innovation while also working directly with organizations through keynotes, training, coaching, and culture-change initiatives. With 30 years of experience in human performance, resilience, and leadership development, Natalie brings a practical, human-centered approach to workplace culture. She holds a master's degree in Wellness Promotion and is an industry-recognized performance coach, keynote speaker, Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator, and Wellcoaches™ Certified Coach. Connect with NatalieLinkedIn: Instagram: YouTube: Natalie Johnson Speaks: ViDL Work: Leading the Culture Journey Book: Read The Blog: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2026/09/08/shape-workplace-culture-without-being-the-boss/ Explore all episodes: Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: Visit the website: Get career resources: | |||
| Career Compromise: What Are You Giving Up and What Are You Getting Back? | 01 Sep 2026 | 00:42:55 | |
Every career involves trade-offs. You may take a longer commute for better pay, give up flexibility for a promotion, accept fewer responsibilities for more stability, or stay in a role because your life requires predictability right now. A compromise can be a reasonable decision when you make it and still stop working for you later. In this episode, Julia Toothacre looks at how career compromises accumulate, how to distinguish a preference from a genuine non-negotiable, and what can happen when a temporary trade-off quietly becomes permanent. She also explains why feeling frustrated at work does not automatically mean you need a new job. The more useful question is what you are compromising, what you are receiving in return, and whether that exchange still makes sense for who you are now. What Julia Discusses
Get Julia's career resources and values assessment: Explore all episodes: Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: Visit Ride the Tide Collective: Read The Blog: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2026/09/01/career-compromise-what-are-you-giving-up/
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| What job seekers get wrong about hiring with Tank Rhodes, Part 2 | 25 Aug 2026 | 01:28:29 | |
A job description can look specific, but that does not mean everyone involved in the hiring process agrees on what the company needs. A candidate can meet the stated qualifications and still lose out to someone with a referral, a particular background, a degree the job may not require, or a profile that better matches what a hiring manager has in mind. In Part 2 of Julia Toothacre's conversation with Francis "Tank" Rhodes, they continue examining assumptions about hiring from both the candidate and employer side. Tank draws on his experience in recruiting, HR systems, and hiring while also discussing what he has encountered during his own extended job search. The conversation covers AI-generated resumes, degree requirements, hiring bias, networking, referrals, and the growing concern around ghost jobs. What We Discuss
Francis "Tank" Rhodes is an HR professional, fractional HR practitioner, and digital creator who has worked in recruiting, hiring, and HR systems. His content examines workplace culture, recruiting practices, corporate behavior, and the assumptions people make about how hiring works. His perspective in this conversation comes from both sides of the process. He has worked inside hiring systems and has also spent several years navigating those systems as a job seeker. Resources MentionedTank on TikTok Tank on LinkedIn How Applicant Tracking Systems Actually Work in 2026, Huntr Huntr's 2026 research found that tailored resumes converted to interviews at roughly twice the rate of generic resumes, that two-page resumes performed as well as or better than one-page resumes across experience levels, and that knockout questions were the primary automated filter it identified. Dismissed by Degrees, Harvard Business School The HBS research examined degree inflation, including employers requiring four-year degrees for jobs that historically did not require them and the resulting barriers for workers without those credentials. A Causal Test of the Strength of Weak Ties The 2022 study analyzed experiments involving more than 20 million LinkedIn users and found that moderately weak professional ties can increase job mobility, although the effect varies by tie strength and industry. Texas Attorney General Investigation Into LinkedIn and Ghost Jobs The Texas Attorney General announced an investigation in July 2026 into allegations involving fake or misleading job opportunities and LinkedIn Premium. These remain allegations under investigation, not findings of wrongdoing. Mike's TikTok: Read The Blog: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2026/08/25/what-job-seekers-get-wrong-about-hiring/ Explore all episodes: Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: Visit the website: Get career resources:
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| Why Is It So Hard to Get Hired in 2026? Job Search Reality with Tank Rhodes, Part 1 | 18 Aug 2026 | 01:03:35 | |
Hiring has always been complicated, but for many professionals, the process feels especially difficult to understand right now. Candidates are navigating long hiring processes, inconsistent communication, changing expectations, conflicting advice, and technology that isn't always well understood. In this episode, Julia Toothacre is joined again by Francis "Tank" Rhodes, a human resources professional who is also experiencing the hiring process from the candidate side. Tank shares an update on his own job search, and the conversation uses his experience to explore some of the larger issues affecting candidates and employers today. Julia and Tank discuss candidate ghosting, what professionalism should look like on both sides of the hiring process, how expectations have changed across generations, and why some of the frustration directed at Gen Z deserves more context. They also examine the disconnect between what companies say they value and what candidates actually experience during the hiring process. The conversation then turns to some of the common assumptions people make about hiring, beginning with one of the biggest: "My resume was probably rejected by the ATS." Tank explains what an applicant tracking system actually does, where automated decisions can happen, and why the hiring process is often more nuanced than the advice circulating online suggests. In this episode:
This is Part 1 of Julia's conversation with Tank. In Part 2, they continue breaking down common assumptions about hiring, including whether companies actually know who they're looking for, whether the most qualified candidate gets the job, how much networking matters, and what's really happening with ghost jobs. Resources Mentioned Tank's Previous Control Your Career Episode Unemployed for over 800 days: Why you may be overlooked for jobs https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/07/16/season11episode10/ How Applicant Tracking Systems Work in 2026Huntr's research examines major applicant tracking systems, knockout questions, AI functionality, ATS scoring, resume screening, and recruiter workflows. https://huntr.co/blog/how-applicant-tracking-systems-work Connect With Tank https://beacons.ai/hrsagentofchaos - Everything contact, support, & socials https://www.tankshrcorner.com - Tank's website Connect With Tank on TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@hrsagentofchaos Connect With Tank on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rhodes19/ Control Your Career ResourcesRead The Blog: Explore all episodes: Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: Visit the website: Get career resources:
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| Questions to Ask Before Changing Careers | 11 Aug 2026 | 00:12:44 | |
Thinking about making a major career change? Before you update your resume or start applying for jobs, it's worth taking a step back. Career frustration doesn't always mean you need a new career. Sometimes it's your company, your manager, your work environment, or a shift in your own priorities that's making you question what's next. In this episode, I walk through the questions I encourage professionals to ask before making a significant career move. We'll look at what's happening in your current role, why you're considering a change, how your personality and values influence career satisfaction, and the practical realities that should factor into your decision. If you're wondering whether it's time for a career pivot or simply trying to understand why work doesn't feel right anymore, this conversation will help you evaluate your options before making your next move. In this episode, we discuss:
Resources & Links 🌊 Connect with Julia Toothacre Website: https://ridethetidecollective.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliatoothacre Free Career Resources: https://ridethetidecollective.com/free Control Your Career Podcast: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who would find the conversation helpful. Remember: You control your career. | |||
| When Work Becomes Who You Are: Professional Identity Purgatory with Geoff Curtis | 04 Aug 2026 | 00:45:12 | |
What happens when the career you spent decades building becomes part of your identity, and then the role suddenly disappears? In this episode of Control Your Career, Strategic Career Consultant Julia Toothacre speaks with Geoff Curtis about professional identity, high achievement, career transitions, and the uncomfortable space between who you were and who you are becoming. Geoff spent nearly 30 years building a career in corporate communications, eventually serving as Chief Communications Officer at Horizon Therapeutics. Today, he leads Marshall Curtis Communications, where he advises executives and organizations on communication, leadership, and change. He is also the author of Embracing Your Own Purgatory, a book exploring professional identity and what happens when the career you built no longer fits the life you are living. After an acquisition made his executive role redundant, Geoff expected to move toward another version of professional success. Instead, he found himself confronting how deeply his work, relevance, achievement, and sense of self had become connected. Geoff describes this experience as professional identity purgatory: the unfinished and often messy space between an identity that no longer fits and a new one that has not fully formed. Julia and Geoff discuss why high achievers often find emotional comfort in work, how productivity can become a form of avoidance, and why losing a title can feel like losing part of yourself. They also explore the warning signs that work may be taking up too much space in your identity, including missing family events, allowing friendships to lapse, mentally remaining at work during personal time, and measuring your value through external recognition. The conversation also examines relevance, perfectionism, work-life balance, the pressures placed on Gen Z, and the challenge of creating a new definition of success after traditional career metrics stop feeling meaningful. What You'll Learn
Geoff Curtis spent nearly 30 years building a career in corporate communications, eventually serving as Chief Communications Officer at Horizon Therapeutics. Today, he leads Marshall Curtis Communications, where he advises executives and organizations on communication, leadership, and change. He is also the author of Embracing Your Own Purgatory, a book exploring professional identity and what happens when the career you built no longer fits the life you are living. Resources Mentioned Embracing Your Own PurgatoryLearn more about Geoff's book and its exploration of professional identity, achievement, relevance, and life's uncomfortable transitions: Learn more about Geoff's communications, leadership, and executive advisory work: Connect With Geoff Curtis on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffreycurtis/ Control Your Career ResourcesRead the Blog: Explore All Episodes: Connect With Julia on LinkedIn: Visit the Website: Get Career Resources:
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| Why Career Development Needs a Different Approach | 28 Jul 2026 | 00:08:55 | |
Most career advice focuses on one thing: finding your next job. While resumes, interviews, networking, and job search strategies are important, they're only one part of career development. As your career grows, so do the influences shaping your decisions, making it harder to understand what you actually want versus what you've simply learned to expect. In this episode, I share why I believe career development needs a broader approach. We talk about the experiences that shaped my perspective, why traditional career theories don't always reflect today's workplace, and why becoming more intentional about your career decisions matters long after you've landed your next role. This conversation also explains where the idea behind Control Your Career came from and why that philosophy continues to guide the work I do today. In this episode:⭐ Why traditional career development doesn't always meet the needs of today's professionals ⭐ How expectations from family, managers, and society quietly influence career decisions ⭐ Why career development should extend beyond the job search ⭐ The experiences that changed how I think about careers ⭐ What it really means to take ownership of your career Whether you're navigating a career change, looking for more clarity, or simply trying to be more intentional about your next step, this episode offers a different perspective on how to think about your career over the long term. Resources 🌊 Learn more about Ride the Tide Collective 🎙️ Subscribe to Control Your Career for practical conversations about career strategy, workplace trends, leadership, career advancement, and intentional career growth. | |||
| What the Hiring Headlines Get Wrong About Gen Z, AI, and Personality Tests | 21 Jul 2026 | 00:58:55 | |
Hiring headlines about Gen Z, artificial intelligence, the Workday lawsuit, and personality assessments are moving faster than the facts. A study gets published, a lawsuit moves forward, or someone shares a frustrating experience on social media. Before long, a complicated workplace issue has been reduced to a confident headline that may not reflect what the original source actually says. In this Career Trends episode of Control Your Career, Strategic Career Consultant Julia Toothacre looks beyond the clickbait to examine three major conversations happening in hiring right now. Julia explores the assumptions hiring managers are making about Gen Z and early career professionals, including the legitimate concerns employers have raised and the broader realities affecting this generation. She also breaks down what the Workday lawsuit and Stanford AI hiring study do and do not tell us about automated hiring. Finally, Julia explains why personality assessments can be helpful for career development and team communication, but potentially harmful when employers use them to decide who deserves an interview or job. This episode also introduces the new format for Control Your Career. Rather than organizing episodes into seasons, the show will now feature conversations across five collections: Career Clarity, Career Growth, Career Transitions, Workplace Dynamics, and Career Trends. The goal is not to react to every headline. It is to understand the evidence, recognize the realities shaping the workplace, and make better-informed career decisions. What You'll Learn
Go to the episode Blog Page: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2026/07/21/hiring-headlines-gen-z-ai-personality-tests/ https://ridethetidecollective.com/
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| Long-Term Unemployment, Employment Gaps, and Today's Job Market | 14 Jul 2026 | 00:16:05 | |
What happens when someone spends years looking for work, only to be judged by the gap on their resume? In this conversation, I sit down with HR professional Tank Rhodes to discuss long-term unemployment, hiring bias, employment gaps, and what today's job market looks like from both sides of the hiring process. Whether you're a job seeker trying to understand today's hiring market or a hiring manager making difficult hiring decisions, this conversation offers valuable perspective on how the labor market has changed and why employment gaps don't tell the whole story. In this episode, we discuss:→ Why long-term unemployment has become more common in today's job market → How hiring bias can influence hiring decisions without people realizing it → Why employment gaps don't tell the full story of a candidate → What job seekers are actually experiencing during extended unemployment → How today's employer market has changed the hiring process → Why interviews become more difficult after long periods without work → What recruiters and hiring managers can do to make more thoughtful hiring decisions Listen to the full conversationThis episode features a portion of my full conversation with HR professional Tank Rhodes. If you'd like to hear the complete interview, including our discussion about career transitions, recruiting, interviewing, and navigating today's hiring process, you can listen to the full episode here: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/07/16/season11episode10/ Resources & Links🌊 Connect with Julia Toothacre: LinkedIn: Free Career Resources: Control Your Career Podcast: If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who would find the conversation helpful. Remember: You control your career. | |||
| Career Change Without Starting Over | 07 Jul 2026 | 00:34:52 | |
Are you miserable in your career? If the answer is yes, a career change might be worth exploring. But if the answer is no, that does not automatically mean you should stay exactly where you are. One of the biggest mistakes professionals make is treating career change as something that only happens when a situation becomes unbearable. In reality, many career changes happen because someone wants to build new skills, create more flexibility, increase income, improve quality of life, or move toward work that fits who they are now. In this final episode of Season 13, Julia Toothacre talks about how to evaluate career change more strategically. She breaks down why most career changes do not mean starting over, even when they feel big. You still bring transferable skills, relationships, judgment, leadership experience, industry knowledge, and credibility with you. The question is whether you can clearly explain how those pieces connect to the direction you want to move next. Julia also walks through four types of career change: • Functional change Each type carries different levels of risk, planning, and adjustment. This episode also explores the part many professionals skip: whether the desired career change is truly about moving toward something better, or whether it is an attempt to escape something that needs to be addressed more directly. Sometimes you do need a new career, but sometimes you just need a new manager, a healthier culture, stronger boundaries, different leadership, or a different company. This episode covers: • Why career change does not always mean starting from zero Season 13 has been about career leverage, and this episode brings that idea full circle. Skills, reputation, influence, relationships, market awareness, and choices all shape what is possible when you decide you want something different. Read The Blog: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2026/07/07/career-change-without-starting-over/ Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Remember, you control your career.
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| The 5 Types of Managers: How to Navigate Each Leadership Style | 30 Jun 2026 | 00:23:52 | |
Every manager has a different leadership style, and understanding how your manager leads can help you communicate more effectively, build trust, and continue growing your career. If you're planning to stay in your current role for a while, learning how to work with your manager may be one of the highest-impact things you can do. In this episode, I break down five common management styles, including the strengths and challenges of each, so you can better understand your current manager, evaluate future opportunities, and adjust how you work together. This framework comes from an earlier season of the podcast where I interviewed experienced managers across a variety of industries. As I revisited those conversations, I realized these insights are just as relevant today. In this episode:
Whether you're hoping to earn a promotion, strengthen your relationship with your manager, or simply make your day-to-day work a little easier, understanding how your manager leads can help you navigate your career more strategically. Explore The Manager's Perspective Season: https://ridethetidecollective.com/category/season-10-the-managers-perspective/ Remember, you control your career. | |||
| Staying Market Ready in an Uncertain Job Market | 23 Jun 2026 | 00:41:37 | |
Market conditions can change your career faster than you think. In this episode of Control Your Career, Career Coach and Strategic Career Consultant Julia Toothacre discusses how professionals can stay market-ready, build career leverage, and prepare for unexpected career changes without living in constant job search mode. Over the last two decades, professionals have experienced the 2008 recession, the rise of LinkedIn, remote work, return-to-office mandates, layoffs, and the rapid growth of artificial intelligence. These shifts have changed hiring trends, career opportunities, and the skills employers value. The challenge is that most career changes happen gradually, making them easy to ignore until they directly impact you. Julia explores how market conditions, industry trends, technology, organizational changes, and economic factors influence career growth. She also explains why having career options leads to greater confidence, flexibility, and better decision-making throughout your professional life. In this episode, you'll learn: • How market conditions affect your career opportunities • Why career leverage depends on having options • What it means to stay market-ready • Simple career habits that help you prepare for layoffs, career transitions, and new opportunities • How to maintain professional relationships and strengthen your network • Why tracking accomplishments, projects, and career wins matters • Ways to improve your professional visibility without becoming an influencer • Questions to ask yourself to evaluate your career readiness Whether you're focused on career advancement, professional development, leadership growth, or long-term career management, staying prepared can help you navigate change with more confidence and control. Read The Blog: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2026/06/23/stay-market-read…rage-preparation/ Remember, you control your career.
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| Are Lateral Career Moves Good for Your Career? | 09 Jun 2026 | 00:41:41 | |
Career growth is not always vertical. For a long time, professionals were told to climb the corporate ladder, stay loyal, take the promotion, and keep moving up. But that advice does not always reflect how careers actually evolve today. In this episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre explores the value and complexity of lateral career moves. She explains why some professionals resist them, why a move without a higher title can feel risky, and how lateral opportunities can quietly build long-term career leverage. A lateral move may not look impressive right away. It may not come with a promotion announcement or a bigger title. But it can expand your business understanding, strengthen your relationships, build transferable skills, and make you a more adaptable professional over time. Julia also explains when lateral moves can create confusion, especially if your career story becomes hard to explain. Nonlinear career paths can create leverage, but only when you can connect the dots clearly. This episode covers: • Why professionals resist lateral moves If you are considering a lateral move, a career change, or a role that does not look like an obvious step up, this episode will help you think about the bigger picture. Sometimes the move that looks sideways now creates more options later. Read The Blog: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2026/06/09/are-lateral-career-moves-good-for-your-career/ Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Remember, you control your career. | |||
| What Is Career Sponsorship? Why Advocacy, Not Just Hard Work, Gets You Promoted | 26 May 2026 | 00:44:33 | |
A lot of professionals still believe career growth mostly comes from working hard, doing good work, and eventually being recognized for it. But inside organizations, opportunities often begin forming before jobs are officially posted. Conversations happen early. Leaders compare notes. Someone's name comes up because trust already exists. That is where sponsorship starts to matter. In this episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre breaks down the difference between mentorship and sponsorship and explains why sponsorship is one of the strongest forms of career leverage inside organizations. This conversation explores: • Why mentorship and sponsorship are not the same thing Julia also unpacks a misconception many professionals have about sponsorship. It is not necessarily manipulation, office politics, or favoritism. More often, it develops through trust, judgment, communication, consistency, and credibility over time. This episode is especially important for professionals who feel confused about why some people seem to move through organizations differently than others, even when performance levels appear similar on paper. Career growth inside organizations is often more relational and more nuanced than people want it to be. Understanding that reality helps you navigate it more strategically. Read the blog: Explore all episodes: Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: FREE Career Resources: Remember, you control your career.
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| The difference between authority and influence at work | 12 May 2026 | 00:53:15 | |
If you've ever wondered why some people get pulled into decisions at work while others are told after the fact, this episode is for you. In this episode of Control Your Career, I break down how influence actually works at work and why it has very little to do with your title, even though that's what most people focus on. You can be experienced, capable, and respected in your role and still find yourself left out of key conversations, and that gap usually has nothing to do with effort and everything to do with influence. We'll talk through what it looks like to move from executing decisions to shaping them, along with what actually builds trust over time, because it's not the big wins people think it is. You'll hear how judgment and consistency shape how you are perceived, and why being "good at your job" is not always enough to be included early. I also walk through how to recognize whether you are being consulted or simply informed, and what that says about your current level of influence. From there, we get into how to build influence without formal authority, along with what might be getting in your way even if you feel like you are doing everything right. We also address the part that often gets overlooked, which is how organizational culture, bias, and power dynamics shape who gets heard and who gets overlooked. If you want to control your career, you have to understand how to read those environments and respond strategically. In this episode:
If you want to grow in your career without waiting for a title or promotion, influence is one of the most important forms of leverage you can build. Read the blog: Explore all episodes: Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: FREE Career Resources:
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| The Truth About Workplace Reputation and Career Advancement | 28 Apr 2026 | 00:36:59 | |
Workplace reputation plays a direct role in career advancement, promotions, and the opportunities you're considered for long before any formal conversation happens. In this episode, career coach and strategic career consultant Julia Toothacre breaks down how reputation at work actually forms and why it often matters more than your performance. If you're doing strong work but not getting promoted or pulled into bigger opportunities, your reputation may not reflect the level you're operating at. In this episode, you'll learn:
Julia also addresses the reality that reputation is not fully within your control and how to navigate environments where bias or culture may be influencing how you're perceived. If you've ever felt overlooked, misunderstood, or unsure why opportunities aren't coming your way, this episode will help you identify what's really happening and what you can do about it. Read the blog: Explore all episodes: Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: FREE Career Resources: | |||
| 5 Skills That Build Trust With Leaders | 14 Apr 2026 | 00:42:18 | |
Building trust with leaders at work is what drives career growth, influence, and access to more responsibility. In this episode of Control Your Career, career strategist Julia Toothacre breaks down the five skills that build trust with leaders and shape how you're perceived at work. You can be reliable, do good work, and still not be the person leaders turn to when it matters. That's because trust isn't built through execution alone, but through how you think, how you communicate, and how you make decisions. In this episode, you'll learn:
These are the skills that determine who gets asked for input, who is included in bigger conversations, and who is seen as ready for more. Read the blog: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2026/04/14/career-skills-that-increase-trust-and-influence/
Explore all episodes: Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: FREE Career Resources:
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| How to Manage Yourself During Organizational Change | 31 Mar 2026 | 00:40:10 | |
If you are navigating a leadership change, reorganization, strategy shift, or internal restructure, you are probably wondering how to manage yourself during organizational change without damaging your reputation. This episode breaks down how to stand out at work during uncertainty, how to build influence inside your company, and how to grow your career without waiting for a promotion. Organizational change creates instability when your reporting lines shift, priorities change, and projects lose owners. In those moments, most professionals focus on frustration or job security. Fewer people think strategically about how to get noticed at work, how to expand their role without a title change, and how to build career leverage when responsibilities are unclear. In this episode, career expert, Julia Toothacre covers:
You will learn how career leverage forms when responsibility is up in the air, why transitions accelerate reputation-building, and how to move from task execution to higher-level problem-solving within your current organization. If you are trying to grow in your company, get promoted internally, or expand your influence at work without changing jobs, this episode will help you think differently about organizational change and leadership transitions. Read the blog: Explore all episodes: Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: FREE Career Resources: | |||
| How to Position Yourself for Promotion | 17 Mar 2026 | 00:32:23 | |
If you want to get promoted, create more career options, and stop feeling stuck at work, you need more than strong performance. In this episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre breaks down how to position yourself for promotion by building real career leverage. Promotion decisions are rarely based on effort alone. Leaders evaluate trust, visibility, judgment, and risk. This episode explains how to build the five forms of career leverage that determine whether you are seen as promotable or simply dependable in your current role. You'll learn how to strengthen:
If your career only advances when you apply for roles or push for recognition, you may still be operating in execution mode. This conversation will help you understand how to create positioning that leads to more career control, more influence, and stronger long-term growth. In the next episode, we go inside your organization and examine where promotion leverage is built day to day. Read the blog: Explore all episodes: Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: Career resources: | |||
| Hard Work Isn't Enough to Grow Your Career | 03 Mar 2026 | 00:29:10 | |
Why do high performers get stuck in their careers? If you feel like you are working hard but not getting promoted, you may be experiencing a mid-career plateau. In this first episode of Season 13, Julia Toothacre explores why performance alone stops driving career growth and what actually moves professionals forward. Hard work gets you established, but it is not what grows your career long term. Julia Toothacre introduces a more accurate model for how careers evolve once you are established. Early career rewards effort and execution, but at a certain point, advancement needs positioning, visibility, relationships, and intentional decisions that compound over time. In this episode, Julia breaks down:
If you feel like you are good at what you do but something is still missing, this episode will help you understand why. You may not need more effort. You may need more leverage. Read The Blog: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2026/03/03/season13episode1/ Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Visit the website: https://ridethetidecollective.com Get career resources: https://ridethetidecollective.com/free/ | |||
| Writing A Career Book: Updates, Breakthroughs & Lessons Learned | 17 Feb 2026 | 00:42:14 | |
I'm pulling back the curtain on my book-writing journey! In this bonus episode, I'm sharing an honest update on my upcoming book based on the Control Your Career process: what I've written so far, what I've learned, and why writing a book is WAY harder than I expected. Part 1 is for anyone curious about the book itself: what it's about, who it's for, and why I think it's different from every other career book out there. (Spoiler: it actually meets you where you are, not where some career expert thinks you should be.) Part 2 is for my fellow writers, authors, and coaches: I'm getting real about the writing process, why I needed a writing coach to stop procrastinating, and the breakthrough that changed everything about how I approached writing the first section of my book. Whether you're a potential reader or a writer in the trenches, this episode is for you. What You'll Learn:FOR READERS/POTENTIAL CLIENTS:
FOR WRITERS & AUTHORS:
This is a transparent, behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to write a book while running a business. If you're considering writing a book, working with a writing coach, or just curious about the creative process, I hope this gives you some insight (and maybe some motivation). And if you're excited about the Control Your Career book, subscribe and stay tuned, more updates coming soon!
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| Financial Control Beyond Your Paycheck and 401(k) | 03 Feb 2026 | 00:58:49 | |
This bonus episode of Control Your Career is a little different, and very intentional. Julia Toothacre is joined by financial professional and podcast host Natalie Kime for a real, grounded conversation about money, career decisions, and life transitions. This is not a tactical breakdown of investments or retirement accounts. It is a conversation about how money actually shows up in real life. Natalie brings a deeply human perspective to financial planning, shaped not only by her professional experience, but also by her role as a caregiver to her mom. Together, Julia and Natalie talk about financial control beyond your paycheck and 401k, and why true financial confidence is about priorities, seasons of life, and flexibility. In this episode, they discuss:
This episode is for anyone navigating career decisions while also managing real life responsibilities, changing priorities, and evolving financial goals. Subscribe to Control Your Career for honest conversations about work, money, and life. Guest: Natalie Kime Connect with Natalie: Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Episode Blog: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2026/02/03/financeswithnataliekime/ | |||
| My Health Journey, Without Pressure or Shame | 20 Jan 2026 | 00:39:31 | |
You are not imagining it. This is a career podcast, and this is a bonus episode about health. In this episode of Control Your Career, I share my own health journey from the past few years. It's personal, it's slow, and it unfolded alongside work, family, and real life. I talk through what changed, what didn't, and what I had to rethink along the way. Health started to matter more to me because I could feel it affecting how I showed up. My energy. My confidence. My ability to make clear decisions. I knew I needed an approach that I could actually sustain, not something built on pressure, guilt, or unrealistic expectations. This episode walks through how that approach took shape over time. How starting small mattered. Why support made a difference. And how my mindset around food, movement, and habits evolved as my life changed. You'll hear me talk about:
If health messaging has felt overwhelming or disconnected from your reality, this episode offers a more honest perspective. 👉 Subscribe to Control Your Career for grounded conversations about work, life, habits, and growth. Read The Blog: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2026/01/20/healthjourney/ | |||
| Career Goals You Can Control in 2026 | 06 Jan 2026 | 00:43:43 | |
As 2026 approaches, career goal setting feels more complicated than ever. Between layoffs, AI disruption, shifting industries, and economic uncertainty, many professionals are wondering if traditional goal-setting even makes sense anymore. In this bonus episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre breaks down how to set realistic, grounded career goals for 2026 without relying on hype, hustle, or unrealistic predictions. Instead of focusing on outcomes you can't control, Julia explains how to shift your attention to goals rooted in skills, behavior, clarity, and adaptability. This episode is designed to help you move into 2026 with confidence, not pressure. You will learn how to:
👉 Subscribe to Control Your Career for practical strategies that help you stay grounded, relevant, and confident in your professional growth. Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2026/01/06/2026careergoals/ | |||
| How to Make a Confident Career Pivot | 10 Dec 2025 | 00:40:52 | |
You are not crazy for wanting more, and you are not ungrateful for questioning if your current path still fits. Change is a natural part of career growth, but for many mid- to late-career professionals, fear and doubt make the idea of starting over feel impossible. In this episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre shares how to make a career pivot with strategy, self-awareness, and confidence, no matter how long you have been in the game. Using her five-stage Control Your Career framework, she helps you evaluate your reality, understand your values, and design an intentional plan that makes sense for your life right now. You will learn how to:
It is never too late to make a change. You just need a plan that fits your stage of life and your goals. 👉 Subscribe to Control Your Career for more confidence-building strategies and career growth tools that help you take charge of your future. Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/12/10/season12episode14/ Get your Control Your Career Worksheet: https://ridethetidecollective.com/cycworksheet/ | |||
| Recovering Confidence When Work Knocks You Down | 03 Dec 2025 | 00:35:28 | |
Setbacks can shake your confidence, your stability, and your sense of identity. Whether you have been laid off, made a mistake, or received unexpected feedback, losing confidence can feel like losing control. In this episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre shares how to rebuild your confidence step by step after a setback at work. Using her five-stage Control Your Career framework, Julia walks through how to regain your footing with self-awareness, structure, and small intentional actions that rebuild belief in yourself. You will learn:
Confidence is not about pretending everything is fine. It is about being honest, learning what is in your control, and taking small consistent actions to rebuild your strength. 👉 Subscribe to Control Your Career for more strategies that help you rebuild your confidence, align your goals, and move forward with purpose. Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/12/03/season12episode13/ Get your Control Your Career Worksheet: | |||
| How to Keep Up at Work Without Constant Reinvention | 26 Nov 2025 | 00:42:01 | |
The world of work is changing faster than ever, and staying relevant can feel overwhelming. Do you really need to take a new course every week, become a thought leader, or completely reinvent yourself to keep up? Absolutely not. In this episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre breaks down what real relevance looks like and how to maintain it without burnout or pressure. Through her five-stage Control Your Career framework, she shows how to focus on what matters most, staying informed, visible, and valuable without exhausting yourself trying to keep pace with every trend. You will learn:
👉 Subscribe to Control Your Career for more strategies that help you stay confident, current, and in control of your professional growth. Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/11/26/season12episode12/ Get your Control Your Career Worksheet: | |||
| 3 Personality-Based Networking Strategies That Actually Work | 19 Nov 2025 | 00:31:54 | |
Do you hate networking? You are not alone. For many professionals, networking feels forced, fake, and exhausting. In this episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre redefines what networking really is and how to make it authentic, strategic, and aligned to your personality. Julia breaks down why traditional networking advice fails introverts and overachievers, and she shares a simple approach that helps you connect genuinely without the small talk or awkward coffee chats. You will learn how to:
Networking does not have to feel gross. It can feel natural, intentional, and aligned with who you are. 👉 Subscribe to Control Your Career for more practical strategies that help you navigate your professional growth with clarity and confidence. Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/11/19/season12episode11/ Get your Control Your Career Worksheet: https://ridethetidecollective.com/cycworksheet/ | |||
| Are You Burned Out or Just Bored? | 12 Nov 2025 | 00:27:48 | |
If you feel drained, unmotivated, or disconnected from your work, you might be tempted to label it burnout. But what if it is actually boredom? In this episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre breaks down the key differences between burnout and boredom, what each means for your well-being, and how to recover and re-engage with your career. Through her five-stage Control Your Career framework, Julia helps you identify whether you are overextended or under-stimulated and what steps to take next to regain energy, meaning, and motivation at work. You will learn:
You do not have to stay stuck in exhaustion or indifference. Understanding what is really going on is the first step toward creating sustainable change. 👉 Subscribe to Control Your Career for more conversations about confidence, clarity, and career growth. Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/11/12/season12episode10/ Get your Control Your Career Worksheet: | |||
| Why You Were Passed Over (and How to Move Forward) | 05 Nov 2025 | 00:24:04 | |
It is frustrating when your hard work does not lead to the outcome you expected. You showed up, delivered, and still the promotion went to someone else. In this episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre explains how to reset your focus after a missed promotion so you can move forward with clarity, not just frustration. Using her five-stage Control Your Career framework, Julia walks you through how to process the disappointment, analyze what happened, and decide whether to stay, pivot, or move on. This episode is a practical guide for anyone navigating career setbacks with professionalism and purpose. You will learn:
👉 Subscribe to Control Your Career for more practical career advice on confidence, leadership, and advancement. Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/11/05/season12episode9/ Get your Control Your Career Worksheet: | |||
| Why Staying Quiet Is Holding You Back At Work | 29 Oct 2025 | 00:30:10 | |
If asking for a raise, a new project, or even clearer boundaries makes you nervous, you are not alone. Most professionals know their worth but freeze when it is time to speak up. In this episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre shares how to ask for what you want with clarity, confidence, and strategy, without feeling aggressive or entitled. Through her five-stage Control Your Career framework, Julia breaks down how to prepare for uncomfortable conversations, make direct requests, and navigate communication differences between you and your manager. You will learn:
Being clear about what you need is not demanding, it is part of managing your career strategically. Stop waiting to be noticed and start asking with confidence. 👉 Subscribe to Control Your Career for more conversations about leadership, growth, and strategic career management. Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/10/29/season12episode8/ Get your Control Your Career Worksheet: https://ridethetidecollective.com/cycworksheet/ | |||
| How to Win at Office Politics Without Losing Yourself | 22 Oct 2025 | 00:39:47 | |
Office politics can feel like a maze of hidden agendas, alliances, and unspoken rules. But what if you could navigate it all while staying true to your values? In this episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre breaks down how to manage relationships, build credibility, and protect your integrity even when the workplace dynamics get complicated. Using her Control Your Career framework, Julia shares strategies for building influence without playing games, setting boundaries that keep you grounded, and communicating in ways that reduce tension rather than fuel it. You will learn:
You can navigate politics without sacrificing your character or confidence and Julia shows you exactly how. 👉 Subscribe to Control Your Career for more conversations about leadership, growth, and navigating workplace challenges with integrity. Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Episode Blog Post: Get your Control Your Career Worksheet: https://ridethetidecollective.com/cycworksheet/ | |||
| How to Be Seen as a Leader (Even Without the Title) | 15 Oct 2025 | 00:37:37 | |
Leadership is not about the title on your business card, it is about how others experience working with you. In this episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre shares how to build influence, credibility, and visibility even when you are not in a management role. Using her five-stage Control Your Career framework, Julia explains how to bridge the gap between how you see yourself and how others perceive you, identify your authentic leadership style, and take small but powerful steps that create real impact. If you have ever felt overlooked for a promotion, invisible in meetings, or frustrated that your hard work is not recognized, this conversation will show you how to step into leadership right now, no permission required. You will discover: ✓ Why leadership is about perception, not position Leadership identity is built through consistent action, not ambition alone. Stop waiting for a promotion to lead. Start building influence, visibility, and recognition from where you are today. 👉 Subscribe so you do not miss the rest of the season, covering burnout, transitions, difficult managers, and more. Explore all the Control Your Career episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Episode Blog Post: Get your Control Your Career Worksheet here: https://ridethetidecollective.com/cycworksheet/ | |||
| How to get promoted at work (and why you're being overlooked) | 08 Oct 2025 | 00:38:18 | |
Are you a high performer at work who delivers results but still feels overlooked for promotions, raises, and recognition? You are not alone. Many ambitious professionals find that hard work and reliability are not enough to advance their careers. In this episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre, Strategic Career Consultant, explains the real reasons talented employees get passed over and how you can shift from invisible to valued. You will discover: -Why visibility matters more than output in career advancement -How being too reliable can make you seem safe instead of promotable -The career myths like "just keep your head down and work hard" that hold you back -How to advocate for yourself without bragging -The 5 stages of the Control Your Career framework to gain recognition and influence If you are ready to stop being the dependable employee who gets ignored and start being the professional who gets promoted, recognized, and valued, this episode gives you the clarity and tools you need. 👉 Subscribe so you do not miss the rest of the season, covering burnout, transitions, difficult managers, and more. Explore all the Control Your Career episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/10/08/season12episode5/ Get your Control Your Career Worksheet here: https://ridethetidecollective.com/cycworksheet/ | |||
| When Your Job No Longer Aligns with Your Values | 01 Oct 2025 | 00:31:49 | |
When your values and your job are out of sync, it can feel like a constant low-grade frustration that you cannot shake. You may notice yourself questioning leadership, feeling disconnected, or realizing that you just do not care anymore. In this episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre walks through what values misalignment looks like, why it happens, and how to use the Control Your Career Process to move forward. You will learn how to identify subtle signs of misalignment, questions to uncover whether the problem is internal or external, and practical steps to decide whether to stay or make a change. What You Will Learn in This Episode:
👉 Subscribe so you do not miss the rest of the season, covering burnout, transitions, difficult managers, and more. Explore all the Control Your Career episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/10/01/season12episode4/ Get your Control Your Career Worksheet here: https://ridethetidecollective.com/cycworksheet/ | |||
| When You Feel Lost in Your Career | 24 Sep 2025 | 00:35:36 | |
Feeling lost in your career is different than feeling stuck. Stuck means you can see the problem, lost means you cannot even name what you want anymore. In this episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre unpacks what it means to feel truly disconnected from yourself and your work, and how to start finding clarity again. Julia walks through the Control Your Career Process to help you reconnect with your interests, skills, and values so you can move forward with confidence. Give yourself the space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the person you are today. What You Will Learn in This Episode:
👉 Subscribe so you do not miss the rest of the season, covering burnout, transitions, difficult managers, and more. Explore all the Control Your Career episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/09/24/season12episode3/ Get your Control Your Career Worksheet here: https://ridethetidecollective.com/cycworksheet/ | |||
| Is It Time to Leave Your Job? | 17 Sep 2025 | 00:33:20 | |
Leaving a job is never an easy decision. Maybe you are unhappy but cannot pinpoint why. Maybe you feel tied by loyalty, pay, or benefits, yet deep down you know something is not working anymore. In this episode of Control Your Career, Julia Toothacre breaks down the most common reasons professionals consider leaving a role and shows you how to apply the Control Your Career Process to make confident and intentional decisions. You will learn why this decision is so difficult, what patterns to watch for, and how to build clarity about whether to stay or go. What You Will Learn in This Episode:
👉 Subscribe so you do not miss the rest of the season, covering burnout, transitions, difficult managers, and more. Explore all the Control Your Career episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/09/17/season12episode2/
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| Feeeling Stuck in your Career? | 10 Sep 2025 | 00:30:16 | |
You didn't work this hard to feel stuck. You've built a strong career, but lately, something feels off, you're not failing, but you're not moving forward either. In this first episode of the new season of Control Your Career, Julia breaks down one of the most common pain points professionals face: feeling stuck. Using her five-stage Control Your Career process, she walks you through how to figure out what's really happening, why it matters, and what to do next. Forget quick fixes and flashy titles. Real progress comes from clarity, reflection, and intentional action. Stick around until the end of the episode because Julia shares an exciting announcement you don't want to miss. What You'll Learn in This Episode:
👉 Subscribe so you don't miss upcoming episodes on stalled growth, burnout, career transitions, and more. Explore all the Control Your Career episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/09/10/season12episode1/ Get your Control Your Career Worksheet here: https://ridethetidecollective.com/cycworksheet/ | |||
| From Resumes to AI: Hiring Trends You Need to Know (Season Recap) | 27 Aug 2025 | 00:54:19 | |
Hiring in 2025 is messy, complicated, and evolving fast. Season 11 proved it. In this season wrap-up of Control Your Career, host Julia Toothacre breaks down the biggest lessons from the Recruiter's Perspective 2025 series. From resume and interview strategies to cover letters, ATS myths, and the rise of AI in recruiting, Julia highlights what job seekers need to know to stay competitive. Julia also shares powerful themes that emerged throughout the season including self-awareness, bias in hiring, and the importance of storytelling in your career. She ends with an honest discussion about AI's growing role in recruitment, what it means for candidates, and how to prepare. What You'll Learn in This Episode:
If you're navigating today's competitive job market, this episode will give you the clarity, confidence, and tools you need to move forward strategically. Explore all the Control Your Career episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/08/27/season11episode13/ Learn more about the Career Advancement Intensive: https://ridethetidecollective.com/coaching/intensive/ | |||
| A New Understanding of DEI in the Workplace | 13 Aug 2025 | 01:07:30 | |
DEI has become one of the most misunderstood workplace initiatives. In this episode, I sit down with Bridget Baggett, career strategist and founder of Twisted Career, to unpack the ripple effects of recent executive orders aimed at dismantling DEI programs. We go deep into the facts, the nuance, and the impact these shifts are having on professionals, hiring practices, and workplace culture. We approached this conversation with intention and respect, doing our research, checking definitions, and aiming to speak across perspectives. Our goal wasn't to push an agenda but to cut through the noise and bring clarity to a topic that's often clouded by misinformation and emotion. You'll hear how DEI affects more than just recruiting, the myths and misconceptions that cause pushback, and why companies that embrace diversity often outperform their competitors. Bridget shares real-world insights from her 15+ years in talent acquisition and diversity work, plus practical advice for job seekers on evaluating company culture before saying yes to an offer. If you've felt confused, frustrated, or concerned by the national conversation around diversity in the workplace, this is the episode that brings clarity. We aren't here to divide, we're here to educate, challenge assumptions, and encourage professionals and companies alike to think critically about how we create inclusive spaces that work for everyone. We talk about:
Explore all the Control Your Career episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/08/13/season11episode12/ Learn more about the Career Advancement Intensive: https://ridethetidecollective.com/coaching/intensive/ | |||
| Hiring Expectations Abroad: Advice for U.S. Professionals Going Global | 30 Jul 2025 | 00:45:06 | |
Ready to take your career overseas? Here's what you need to know! If you're a U.S. professional considering a move abroad, or just curious how hiring works outside the States, this episode is a must-listen. Julia sits down with Omar, a seasoned talent acquisition lead at Beontag, who shares an insider perspective on how European hiring really works. From resume formatting and cover letter norms to interview etiquette and notice periods, they cover the key cultural and procedural differences that can make or break your international job search. The episode provides valuable insights for job seekers navigating international opportunities. In this episode, we discuss:
Whether you're dreaming of working overseas or just want to understand the global hiring landscape, this episode will help you prepare, adapt, and stand out. Explore all the Control Your Career episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/07/30/season11episode11/ Learn more about the Career Advancement Intensive: https://ridethetidecollective.com/coaching/intensive/ | |||
| Unemployed for over 800 days: Why you may be overlooked for jobs | 16 Jul 2025 | 01:36:51 | |
800 days without a full-time job. One man's story pulls back the curtain on hiring bias, grief, and grit. In this deeply personal and powerful episode of Control Your Career, host Julia Toothacre speaks with Francis "Tank" Rhodes about the realities of long-term unemployment, especially post-pandemic, and despite having years of experience in HR and operations. Together, they discuss the importance of empathy, transparency, and community support in recruitment. The episode offers practical advice for job seekers and urges hiring professionals to recognize candidates' diverse experiences and foster more inclusive hiring practices. We also unpack:
If you're in HR, recruiting, or a hiring role, this is a conversation you need to hear. And if you're a job seeker struggling to feel seen or supported, Tank's honesty will remind you that you're not alone and you're not broken. Explore all the Control Your Career episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/07/16/season11episode10/ Learn more about the Career Advancement Intensive: https://ridethetidecollective.com/coaching/intensive/ | |||
| Navigating Career Breaks and Re-entering the Workforce | 02 Jul 2025 | 00:42:56 | |
Taking a career break doesn't break your career if you know how to handle the return. In this episode of Control Your Career, host Julia Toothacre sits down with Jamie Dye, Talent Acquisition Team Lead at M3 USA, to talk candidly about career breaks, why they happen, how to talk about them, and what returning to work really looks like. They discuss the hiring process in biotech and medical research, offering practical advice on resume formatting, and interview authenticity. Jamie shares her personal experience taking six years away from the workforce to raise her daughter, her unexpected reentry path, and the tools that helped her stay relevant during the break. From volunteering and networking to pursuing an MBA, Jamie breaks down practical ways to maintain your professional identity, even when you're not clocking in. They also discuss:
This episode is packed with both encouragement and realism, perfect for professionals considering a break, navigating one, or planning a return. It highlights the value of temporary roles, volunteering, and staying current with industry trends, providing actionable insights for job seekers, especially those re-entering the workforce or transitioning careers. Explore all the Control Your Career episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/07/02/season11episode9/ Learn more about the Career Advancement Intensive: https://ridethetidecollective.com/coaching/intensive/ | |||
| How to Stay Motivated When the Job Search Keeps Knocking You Down | 18 Jun 2025 | 00:54:56 | |
Let's talk about the part of job searching no one likes to admit: rejection, fear, and feeling like you're not enough. In this episode of Control Your Career, Julia sits down with Danny Cohen, President of Roc Search and One Life Science, to talk about the emotional weight of rejection, how fear shows up in the job search, and what candidates can do to stay focused and confident. With nearly 25 years of recruiting experience, Danny brings insight, energy, and empathy to this honest conversation about the realities of today's job market. From decoding ATS systems to interview prep tips that work, Danny shares powerful strategies, personal stories, and data-backed insights to help you take back control of your job search. He also shares actionable resume tips, powerful interview advice, and thoughtful reminders for anyone feeling defeated by the process. Whether you're tired of applying, doubting your abilities, or feeling the sting of another "no," this episode is full of practical encouragement to help you move forward, strategically and authentically. What You'll Learn:
Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/06/18/season11episode8/ Learn more about the Career Advancement Intensive: https://ridethetidecollective.com/coaching/intensive/ | |||
| Hiring for Skills, Not Degrees: The Good, the Bad, and the Reality Check | 04 Jun 2025 | 00:42:08 | |
What if your degree didn't matter and your resume wasn't the most important part of your job application? In this episode, Julia Toothacre sits down with Katie Rakusin, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition at Merit America, to unpack what competency-based hiring really looks like and why it's changing how professionals get hired. Katie shares her journey from special education teacher to recruiting leader and explains why focusing on skills over pedigree creates more equitable and effective hiring processes. We cover the big questions job seekers are asking right now: Do you really need a cover letter? Can AI hurt your application? What does the ATS actually do (and not do)? Katie brings real-world clarity to these hot topics, with insights that help you stand out without overthinking every application. You'll also learn how to navigate job interviews, craft better resumes, and avoid one simple application mistake that could get you disqualified instantly, without even knowing it. If you've ever wondered how to get noticed in a skills-first hiring process or how to make sure your voice doesn't get lost in the age of AI, this episode is a must-listen. Explore all the Control Your Career episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/06/04/season11episode7/ Learn more about the Career Advancement Intensive: https://ridethetidecollective.com/coaching/intensive/ | |||
| Why are Job Seekers Ghosted by Employers? | 21 May 2025 | 00:58:11 | |
Think recruiters are ghosting you on purpose? Think again. In this episode, Julia Toothacre speaks with Orlando Haynes, North American Talent Acquisition Leader at The Mosaic Company. Orlando shares his journey from candidate to recruiter, emphasizing the importance of honesty in resumes and the hiring process. We talk about the volume recruiters are up against, how the applicant tracking system actually works, and why timing is everything when you're applying. Orlando shares actionable advice for tailoring your resume without going overboard, how to prep for interviews with intention, and the one thing job seekers consistently miss. We also dig into cover letters, fake job postings, and why building a presence on LinkedIn is no longer optional, it's essential. If you've ever applied for a role and heard nothing back, this episode will give you clarity, perspective, and practical next steps to stand out in a crowded market. Explore all the Control Your Career episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/05/21/season11episode6/ Learn more about the Career Advancement Intensive: https://ridethetidecollective.com/coaching/intensive/ | |||
| Job Board Secrets Unveiled: Your Ultimate Guide to Job Searching Success | 07 May 2025 | 01:01:26 | |
Most job seekers are using job boards the wrong way and wasting time because of it. In this episode, Julia Toothacre interviews Julie Calli, Chief Marketing Officer at Lensa. They discuss how job seekers can effectively use job boards like Lensa. Key points include understanding the difference between job boards and job aggregators, utilizing AI tools for resume and cover letter enhancement, and the importance of personal branding. They also address job scams, the role of AI in hiring, and the benefits of job alerts. The episode emphasizes the need for job seekers to engage fully with job board features to maximize their job search success. Explore all the Control Your Career episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/05/07/season11episode5/ Learn more about the Career Advancement Intensive: https://ridethetidecollective.com/coaching/intensive/ | |||
| Hiring Truths You Need to Hear: Mid-Season Recap | 23 Apr 2025 | 00:25:12 | |
Job search advice is everywhere, but what's real and what's outdated? I'm cutting through the noise and giving it to you straight. In this special episode, host Julia Toothacre, a career coach and strategist at Ride the Tide Collective, recaps the major takeaways from the first three episodes of the season and digs even deeper into key hiring and job search topics. She shares crucial clarifications about the ATS, resume writing, interviewing, and how the job market is shifting in 2025. Plus, Julia previews exciting conversations coming up in the second half of the season, including global hiring practices, DEI discussions, and the realities of returning to work after becoming a parent. The episode aims to empower job seekers with practical advice for navigating the job market. Resources Mentioned:
Explore all the Control Your Career episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/04/23/season11episode4/ Learn more about the Career Advancement Intensive: https://ridethetidecollective.com/coaching/intensive/ | |||
| How RTO Trends Impact the Job Search: Insights from a Senior Talent Leader | 09 Apr 2025 | 00:41:41 | |
Remote jobs sound great—until the company calls you back into the office. In this episode, Julia Toothacre talks with Lara Nichols, Senior Managing Director of Global Talent Management at Markel, who oversees recruiting across the U.S. and globally. With decades of experience in HR and talent strategy, Lara shares what job seekers need to know as return-to-office (RTO) policies evolve. They dive into how hybrid expectations differ around the world, what "remote" really means in 2025, and the hidden challenges of global hiring. Lara also shares what recruiters actually look for in resumes, why most cover letters don't matter, and how job seekers can avoid getting caught off guard - before and after the offer. Explore all the Control Your Career episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Episode Blog Post: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2025/04/09/season11episode3/ Learn more about the Career Advancement Intensive: https://ridethetidecollective.com/coaching/intensive/ | |||