If you're ready to be more proactive and be the "little hinge that can swing big doors" then Assist With Impact is a must-listen podcast. Join your host Liz Van Vliet and learn practical tips, strategies and insights that will help you move beyond being simply an order-taker.
This podcast is dedicated to the Executive Assistant profession, hosted by Victoria Wratten and Anel Martin. This show is designed for the outliers, the assistants who are leading the way in their careers. No nonsense content, benchmarking and trends as well as interesting interviews with inspirational assistants.
Jess Lindgren shares lessons learned, best practices, and actionable advice from her 18+ years as an administrative professional. Submit your question at askanassistant.com for consideration!
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Interview with Dr. Kirstin Ferguson AM - The Art of Modern Leadership
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In this episode of Assist With Impact, Liz’s guest is Dr. Kirstin Ferguson AM an author, columnist and company director. Liz talks with Kirstin about her experience navigating the career ‘climbing frame’ and her latest book, Head & Heart: The Art of Modern Leadership. Kirstin shares some pivotal moments in her career, including when she was debatin…
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Episode Sixteen - Interview with Daniel Skermer, Founder of The West Midlands PA Forum
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This is a hugely inspiring and motivating interview with the incredible Daniel Skermer, Founder of the West Midlands PA Forum. We cover a LOT! This episode is packed with a mammoth story of hard graft, being completely unapologetic and your authentic self. Daniel's schooling years and what happened when he first left school Staying in Turkey after …
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Episode Fifteen - Interview with Nick Fewings, Ngagement Works
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Ngagementworks was created by Nick, based on over 20 years experience of leading and working with teams throughout the world. Nick is passionate about helping both individuals and teams achieve the success they deserve and do this, by facilitating engaging workshops and delivering motivational presentations at conferences. In this episode we take N…
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Why You Don't Need To Be More Than 'Just' An Assistant
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There seems to be a real push on for assistants to aspire to more. Even the term 'assistant' is apparently uncool! On the one hand, you're being told that you're more than 'just an assistant' and then seeing programs that promote you to aim to be more than just an assistant. I don't know about you, but I'm confused. In this solo episode I share my …
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Mastering the 3 Ps: A Framework for Understanding Your Manager's Needs and Priorities
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In this episode, Liz shares a simple yet effective framework for assistants to build and maintain their understanding of their manager's needs and priorities. She talks about how managing different needs and priorities across different executives can cause stress and anxiety and contribute to overwhelm. Liz introduces the 3 Ps - Preferences, Priori…
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Episode Fourteen - Interview with Mairi McHaffie, Founder of SceneChange
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Mairi is a Personal Impact Expert and CEO of Scene Change Creative Consultants Ltd, global providers of bespoke people development initiatives across the sectors. Founder of the UK Houses of Parliament cross sector Mentoring Programme, Storytelling Expert for the European Women In Leadership Programme at Coca Cola and founder of the Graduate Profes…
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Episode Thirteen - Interview with Ben Stevenson, Chief of Staff at Bloom
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We are excited to be joined by Ben Stevenson on this episode of The Assistant Lab. Ben is Chief of Staff at North East Headquartered Bloom Procurement Services. Over the last 10 years, he has built an exciting career in operational and C-Suite support roles than have allowed him to live and work in all four corners of the UK and embed the unique sk…
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Interview with Ruth Kilah: Developing Executive Business Partners
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Liz’s guest is Ruth Kilah, Founder & CEO of Hoxton Hyde. She is an Australian based, International Executive Assistant Coach + Mentor and International Speaker. Ruth provides one to one and group coaching program for Assistants. Ruth specialises in helping assistants become strategic thinkers and operators. As a former Senior Executive Assistant an…
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Episode Twelve - Interview with Leeanne Adu, Award Winning Executive Assistant and Founder of LAVA
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We are super excited to release this episode of The Assistant Lab, with one of the UK's most inspiring assistants! Big words, but 100% the truth. Leeanne Adu is a former Executive Assistant, who is award winning and spent most of her career in the UK Third Sector. She has achieved a huge amount, under really challenging and exceptional circumstance…
All good things are worth waiting for, including Liz's word for 2023! In this episode Liz shares the word that she has decided aptly describes her outlook for 2023. If you want to stay across all the upcoming announcements around Power Skills for Linchpin Assistants, make sure you're following Liz on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lizveevee/…
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Episode Eleven - Interview with Abigail Langridge of Poppins PA
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We are delighted to welcome Abigail Langridge to this weeks episode. Abigail is the Founder and Owner of Poppins PA. A private Personal Assistant company which supports business people and their families. They work with you & not for you. Being on your side, making suggestions, using our initiative & judgement to help you succeed & flourish in your…
A solo episode encouraging assistants to embrace their inner 'slinky' and reflect on the Power Skills that enable Linchpin Assistants to stay in that impactful zone. Episode 107 - Why Assistants Are The Human Equivalent Of A Slinky can be found below: https://myeacareer.com/podcasts/107-why-executive-assistants-are-the-human-equivalent-of-a-slinky/…
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Episode Ten - Interview with Gill Quirk, Former EA at the Ministry of Defence
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What can we say about the amazing Gill Quirk!?! Gill has recently retired after a 40 year career at the Ministry of Defence and arguably one of the most famous Assistants to come out of the UK Civil Service! Born in the Isle of Man, Gill started her career there with local government, before making the bold move to London and commencing what was to…
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Interview with Jessica Davies: A Force Multiplier In Action
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My interview today is with Jessica Davies. Operations Manager for Dr. Peter Fuda, based in Sydney, Australia. Jess has worked with Peter for over four years now. Commencing in an EA capacity and subsequently moving into the role of Operations Manager early in 2022. In that capacity, Jess partners with Peter across three key streams; his consultancy…
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Leadership Is Not A Position: Interview with Dr. Peter Fuda
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For two decades, Dr. Peter Fuda has been a Sherpa to leaders, teams and organizations across the globe as a consultant, coach, author, researcher, speaker and professor of management. Andy Penn, the former CEO of Telstra (Australia’s pre-eminent telecommunications company has said of Peter “If I can only spend an hour with one person, I choose to s…
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Episode Nine - Interview with Kam Vara, Katie Bard Recruitment (Angela Mortimer Group)
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Welcome to the next episode of The Assistant Lab. We invited top recruiter, Kam Vara from Katie Bard Recruitment to come and talk all things recruitment. We discussed her background from completing a law degree to finding her perfect profession in recruitment. Kam has been at Katie Bard Recruitment for over 20 years. Katie Bard is based in Birmingh…
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Interview With Candice Burningham, Founder of Admin Avenues
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It’s a delight to bring you my interview with Candice Burningham, the Founder of Admin Avenues and a former Executive Assistant to some of the biggest names in media. Leaders Candice has supported include the President of NBC News International, Managing Director of Channel 9 and CEO of SBS. Candice is the Founder of Admin Avenues, an online platfo…
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Episode Eight - Interview with award winning EA Shirwyn Weber
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Welcome to the next episode of The Assistant Lab! Wow - is one word to describe this amazing interview with Shirwyn. Shirwyn talks us through his extraordinary career to date, which included being the first man and first person of colour to win the South African PA of the Year award in 2019. We also discuss the impact of the Not Just a Girls Job ca…
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Speaking Tips That Raise Your Visibility: Interview With Jeanette Botha
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Episode 163 is my interview with Jeanette Botha. Jeanette is an experienced business leader and currently VP of Sales Development for a multi-national based in Bonn, Germany. Her main responsibility is leading all Sales initiatives, programs and initiatives with the 40 EU countries to deliver their revenue targets. Jeanette is also an ICF (Internat…
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Be The Change You Want To See: World Administrator Summit (Week 1)
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This week's solo episode is a 'love letter' to the committed and concerted efforts of the delegates, members and observers that attended Week 1 of the WA-Summit this past weekend. If you aren't already aware of the tireless work being undertaken by this global coalition of administrative networks and associations then I encourage you to familiarise…
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Why You Really Don't Want To Be Indispensable At Work
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Episode 161 is a solo episode sharing an article I recently read in the Harvard Business Review by Liz Wiseman, author of Impact Players: How to Take the Lead, Play Bigger, and Multiply Your Impact. https://hbr.org/2022/09/should-you-really-be-indispensable-at-work I shared a book review in Episode 145 that you should listen to if you’d like an ove…
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Episode Seven - Interview with Fiona Shea, EA to Sir Nigel Wilson, Group CEO of Legal & General
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Welcome to another episode of The Assistant Lab! This time we are joined by Fiona Shea, EA to Sir Nigel Wilson, Group CEO of Legal & General. Legal & General are a leading UK financial services provider, offering life insurance, pensions, retirement and investment services. Fiona has had such an interesting career to date. We chatted through her en…
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Episode Six - Interview with Julie Burns, Head of Vice Chancellors Office, Glasgow Caledonian University
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Julie Burns has had a really interesting career, starting as an Office Junior in 1988, to her current role at Glasgow Caledonian University. We talk to Julie about her career journey and why she made some of the decisions she made, to what makes her really tick at work and in life. Julie also gives her thoughts on what we need to do as a profession…
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Revolutionise Your Inbox: My Interview with Steuart Snooks
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Episode 160 is my interview with Steuart Snooks, Based in Melbourne, Australia, he is an Email and Workplace Productivity Expert. Steuart works with business owners, senior executives, their EAs and support teams who are overloaded with email and crying out for practical, affordable solutions to the relentless demands of email and the workload it d…
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Four Ways Linchpin Assistants Build Their Credibility
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In order to assist with impact you need to be trustworthy, to be that safe pair of hands for your executive. But for you to reach that point you also need to have built and maintained your crediblity. In Episode 159 of the podcast I share some Stephen M. R. Covey wisdom with you. The four must-do's if you want to be seen as credible. He explored th…
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Episode Five - Interview with Rosemary McLennan, Founder of the Scottish PA Network
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We really had the opportunity of a lifetime to get to know the backstory, from someone who very much prefers to be behind the scenes. This woman has zero ego and quietly goes about her work. She has worked ferociously hard for the profession and it was our opportunity to really thank her for this! A lot of ground is covered in this episode, from he…
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Episode Four - Interview with Ayca Ilcen, EA to CEO of Trust for London
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Ayca Ilcen is one of those gems in the UK EA/PA industry and we are so pleased to be able to share her career story! Ayca currently works as EA to the CEO of Trust for London, a charity which works on some of London's most pressing social issues, aiming to improve the lives of Londoners by increasing pay, reducing costs of living and supporting com…
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Episode Three - Interview with Hannah Gough, Executive Assistant at Hollis
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In this epidsode we talk to the remarkable Hannah Gough. An incredible journey with lots of lessons along the way and many pearls of wisdom to share. We talk about people management, interviews, temp positions and so much more. Thank you Hannah for a superb interview To find out more about the co-hosts please visit our respective websites Victoria …
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Upping Your Email Effectiveness - Part 3 of 3
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The final episode in my little three-part series with tips and strategies to help you lift your effectiveness when it comes to managing your Executive's inbox and crafting emails. In this final episode of the series I share 3 'mini' tips that will hopefully be of benefit to you. Upping your email effectiveness builds the partnership between you and…
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Episode Two: Economic turmoil and your assistant career
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In this episode we discuss the recent news from the Bank of England, that the UK is due to go into recession in the latter part of this year. We talk tough on the practical realities of charging your career through tough economic times. The difficult times some will be facing with inevitable layoffs that will happen in some sectors and how to start…
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Upping Your Email Effectiveness - Part 2 of 3
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My second hack for upping your effectiveness is about the structure of your emails. It’s an approach called BLUF which stands for Bottom Line Up Front A BLUF (bottom line up front) is a framework where the essential information is placed at the beginning of the text, rather than the end. The BLUF framework makes you more credible. You will sound mo…
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Episode One - Interview with Katie McEwan, Business Affairs & Communications Manager, Ann Summers (plus Chair of EPAA)
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In this first episode we interview the lovely Katie McEwan about her incredible career journey to date and she shares some wonderful advice on career and mindset. From an interesting start of her working career, over 10 years as Jacqueline Gold’s Assistant, then transitioning to Business Affairs and Communications Manager, (still for Ann Summers). …
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Upping Your Email Effectiveness - Part 1 of 3
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Welcome to the first of a three-part series designed to help you be more proactive and effective. In this episode I share an approach to crafting email subject lines that have more impact. Effective subject lines clearly communicate the action you expect or want the recipient to take. It’s effectively cuing the person - saving them time and mental …
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Interview with Ursula Kohler: Founder & Managing Director, Capital EA
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Ursula Kohler understands just how vital an effective EA can be for their manager and their organisation. As the founder and MD of Capital EA, Ursula is a leader and advocate for upskilling and training EAs in Australia so that they can cultivate a "can do" solution focussed attitude. It was an honour to interview Ursula for the podcast. It is a 'h…
While our emotions have evolved to help us, there are times when our emotional responses no longer serve us for a variety of reasons. Unwanted emotional triggers can range from being a minor nuisance, to in some instances, leading us towards behavior we may later regret. I like to say we are human beings, not human doings. Assistants are required t…
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Lauren Calvert: Founder, CEO & Change Catalyst
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Lauren Calvert is a Strategic Business Partner and career EA with over 15 years experience working with CEOs of multi-national and blue chip organisations. In 2019 Lauren launched The Well-Suited Group - a ‘go to’ agency for businesses and individuals in need of premium administrative support, creating opportunities for women in senior executive su…
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How To Reset & Re-energise Your Relationship With Your Executive
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In Episode 152 I'm sharing the outcome of a 'laser' coaching session I had recently with an Executive Assistant earlier this year. Listen to this episode to hear: 1. The situation/context 2. The gaps we identified and the steps I suggested to help this assistant reset and re energise the relationship and build trust and confidence 3. The five chall…
I'm sharing some exciting news in this episode of the podcast that I hope you will be excited about too. I'd love to hear your thoughts on my news so feel free to email me at liz@myeacareer.com or send me a message on LinkedIn or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lizveevee/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizvanvliettrainerspeakercoach/…
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150. Lack of Confidence - The Biggest Challenge I Hear From Executive Assistants
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Episode 150 is the third in my series on the three biggest challenges I hear from Executive Assistants. In this episode I share my own struggles with this topic and how I strive every day to overcome lack of confidence. I share three resources to help you continue to make progress with building and maintaining your confidence. I also celebrate that…
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149. How To Manage Conflicting Priorities
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The second episode in my trio of episodes focusing on the top three challenges I hear from Executive Assistants. This one is all about how to manage priorities. I share three concepts and approaches to managing the shifting sands that EAs deal with on a continual basis. Resources discussed in this episode: Resource #1 Book - Managing Up by Mary Aba…
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How to say no respectfully and graciously - One of the three biggest challenges for Executive Assistants
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Feeling unable to say no is one of the biggest challenges that I hear from Executive Assistants. In this episode and in coming episodes I will be sharing with you the top three challenges I hear from EAs when I survey them prior to delivering my training programs. In each episode I will share three tools, tactics or resources to help you meet this …
A solo episode kicking off 2022 with a book recommendation. - What defines a 'giver', a 'taker' and a 'matcher' - Why this applies particularly to Executive Assistants - How I relate to being a failing giver and the cost it takes on me - How it applies to my word of 2022 - My wish for you, my lovely listener Watch the TEDx talk where Adam Grant tal…
In my final episode for 2021 I share what I've seen in the Executive Assistants I've trained this year. Listen to the episode to hear the biggest pain points and my observations about why this is the case. I also discuss how this year has been about consistently sharing my approach to training and coaching assistants. Helping you move out of the or…
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145. Book Recommendation - Impact Players by Liz Wiseman
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In this solo episode, Liz shares why she LOVED this book by Liz Wiseman, and why it's a must-read for Executive Assistants who want to be impact players or Linchpin Assistants. Liz Wiseman is a researcher and executive advisor who teaches leadership to executives around the world. She is the author of New York Times bestseller Multipliers: How the …
Part Two of my interview with ex-Linchpin Assistant Rachael Bonetti. In the second half of our interview Rachael shares her five tips for developing your 'Executive Presence'. Rachael says "It's in the way they move, speak and show up every day. It's evident in their actions, their commitments and their focus." It's something she works with EAs to …
The first in my two-part interview with Rachael Bonetti. Listen to the episode to hear her experience navigating the Career Spider Frame. How Rachael got clear on the skills, behaviours and values that empowered her to support Chairmen, CEOs, change-makers and entrepreneurs, and show up as a Linchpin Assistant. How Rachael started and grew her side…
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142. Stop Being The Victim: Identifying The Villain In Your Drama Triangle
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The third and final episode in my mini-series on how the dreaded Drama Triangle plays out for you as an Executive Assistant or Office Professional. In this episode we focus on the 'Perpetrator'. These people are the villain of the drama. They're controlling and they're catch-cry will be something like... "It's all your fault", "I know better", "You…
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141. How Executive Assistants Can Avoid Being 'Rescuers'
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This week's episode follows on from Episode 140 and dives a bit deeper into the role of the 'rescuer' in The Drama Triangle. - The 3 situations where the victim looks to the rescuer to save them from - The people that may present want you as an assistant, to 'rescue' them - The WIFM (What's In It For Me) you get from being a rescuer - How The Drama…
This week's episode relates to a topic that I see coming up again and again in my work coaching and training executive assistants and administrative professionals. The Drama Triangle is something you will relate to both in terms of your work environment and in your personal life. Are you a victim, a persecutor, or a rescuer? If you're human, chance…
It's been a few months between podcast episodes but baby, I'm back! This episode is a solo one, explaining what's been going on and providing a glimpse of what to expect for the remainder of 2021. Thanks for sticking with me and sending you lots of love my lovely listeners x