The Career By Design Podcast with Stacey Back cover art

The Career By Design Podcast with Stacey Back

The Career By Design Podcast with Stacey Back

By: Stacey Back
Listen for free

About this listen

Are you a high-achiever at a crossroads in your career?

The Career By Design Podcast is for you if you're an ambitious leader who is confused about your direction, stuck in self-doubt or feeling out of control in your career.

Consider this show your fortnightly resource to help you develop the clarity, confidence and strategy to take ownership of your career.

Hosted by global career development coach Stacey Back, this conversational podcast explores what it really means to redefine success and create a career on YOUR terms.

With 16+ years in coaching, people development, HR & recruitment, Stacey shares unique insights from her corporate career and experience running a business. You'll learn the exact strategies she used to change careers, shift into more aligned work -- and how she's supported hundreds of leaders to do the same.

Every Thursday fortnight, Stacey will deliver practical strategies to develop your career, mindset and leadership skills. Plus, you’ll hear guest experts and inspiring stories from individuals who’ve created their careers by design -- to show YOU what’s possible too.

Expect a dose of inspiration, to be challenged to think differently and actionable advice you can immediately implement.

Hit subscribe and get ready to design a career that's fulfilling, sustainable -- AND supports your lifestyle!

Find out more at staceyback.com.

© 2026 The Career By Design Podcast with Stacey Back
Career Success Economics Management Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • #58: Career By Design Case Study: From Confusion To Complete Clarity In A Brand New Portfolio Career
    Feb 11 2026

    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 scenes look at my clients’ career transformations.

    My intention with this series is to show you there isn’t one definition or clear pathway to success. Instead, it’s about identifying what this looks like to YOU.

    Despite their different backgrounds and goals, there are 3 things every client in this series has in common:

    1. Clarity: Getting clear on what you want next in your career and why before attempting to change it.

    2. Confidence: Managing your mindset and shifting the self-doubt which holds you back in your career to build confidence.

    3. Career Strategy: Focusing on solving the RIGHT problem and knowing which strategies will get you the results you want at this stage of your career.

    So in this episode, you’ll hear how one client went from going round in circles for YEARS to having complete clarity on their career direction.

    You’ll learn the exact steps they took to move into an executive leadership role -- and the benefits of pursuing a portfolio career.


    You'll learn:

    • The biggest shift this client made and a counterintuitive approach which moved them from YEARS of confusion to complete clarity on their career direction
    • How to break through self-doubt and perfectionism as a senior leader, so you become more visible and back yourself for opportunities with confidence
    • Specific strategies which helped this client step into an executive role, including how a portfolio path helps reduces risk while building leadership capability
    • Top takeaways you can apply right now to create a career on YOUR terms -- even if you’ve reached the ceiling in your current company or profession


    So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in!

    Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too!

    LINKS:

    → Ready to find clarity, build confidence and create a strategy to take ownership of your career? Explore Ignite Your Career.

    Enrolling now for the March intake. Apply for your free 30 minute consult to get started.

    → Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

    Show More Show Less
    14 mins
  • #57: 5 Signs You Need To Take Ownership Of Your Career Now (In Changing Times)
    Jan 28 2026

    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 career once you’re back in the rhythm of work. Because the way most people have historically managed their careers doesn’t hold up in the current landscape.

    In the past, most people only actively thought about their careers when they were ready for a new challenge or wanted to change roles. Some were forced to consider ‘what’s next’ due to redundancy, burnout or changes in their personal situation.

    But in today’s rapidly changing environment shaped by AI, geopolitical uncertainty and the evolving future of work, this traditional, reactive approach is no longer enough.

    As a high-performing leader, the risk is clear. To futureproof your career, you need to be more strategic about how you manage it. This requires you to plan ahead on an ONGOING basis -- rather than waiting to respond when change is forced on you.

    In this episode, I’m sharing 5 signs taking ownership of your career is essential in changing times and how to build sustainable, long-term career success.


    You'll learn:

    • The biggest career challenge I’m seeing with senior leaders right now -- and the ONE shift to clarify your long-term direction
    • Why self-doubt is on the rise right now and the reframe you need to build confidence in the current climate
    • The most common mistake leaders make when communicating their value -- and how to intentionally position yourself for the opportunities you WANT
    • Why relying on managers or performance reviews to drive your development is no longer enough -- and what to do instead
    • How to take a strategic approach to your development and keep your skills relevant in changing times

    So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in!

    Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too!

    LINKS:

    → Watch the FREE February masterclass replay until 20 February

    → Ready to find clarity, build confidence and create a strategy to take ownership of your career? Check out the Ignite Your Career program.

    Enrolling now for the March intake. Apply for your free 30 minute consult to get started.

    → Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

    Show More Show Less
    15 mins
  • #56: LinkedIn Strategy For Leaders: What Matters Now For Your Career In 2026 With Karen Tisdell
    Jan 14 2026

    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 profile writer, trainer and my go-to person for all things LinkedIn.

    What I love about Karen’s story is how she’s built her career brick by brick and one connection at a time, using LinkedIn as her medium. But despite having a platform of 26K followers, she doesn’t describe herself as a LinkedIn guru.

    Karen’s created a career around her gifts of storytelling, communication and genuine connection. She’s proof YOU can design a career around your talents and what you love too!

    In this practical episode, we explore how she’s built this incredible career, the power of LinkedIn and how you can use it strategically to grow your network and career.


    You'll learn:

    • How Karen made the shift from 14 years in recruitment to becoming Australia's top LinkedIn profile writer
    • The reason she's reinvented her career again in the past year and her biggest piece of advice for others navigating a career crossroads right NOW
    • Top tips for building your network on LinkedIn -- and the power of informational interviews for turning connections into genuine professional relationships
    • How to write an effective About section, especially when you have a long or varied career
    • Why finding your 'red thread' is critical to position yourself for where you want to go -- particularly when shifting careers or building a portfolio path
    • Smart, subtle ways to grow your network and quietly explore new opportunities -- without alerting your boss
    • How to engage and share value on LinkedIn without sounding self-promotional or like you're 'selling yourself'


    So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in!

    Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5 star rating and review. It helps more people find the podcast and benefit too!

    LINKS:

    Connect with Karen:

    → LinkedIn

    → Website


    Connect with Stacey:

    → Ready to find clarity, build confidence and create a strategy to take ownership of your career? Check out the Ignite Your Career program.

    Enrolling now for the next intake in February. Apply for your free 30 minute consult to get started.

    → Book a 60 minute Career Strategy Session

    → At a crossroads in your career? Take the FREE Career Success Code Assessment.

    → Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.

    Show More Show Less
    47 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.