Control Your Career: Career Growth and Strategy for Ambitious Professionals

Hosted by Julia Toothacre | Helping Professionals Grow and Advance Their Careers

BusinessInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

159

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Control Your Career is a career strategy podcast for professionals who want to stand out at work, get promoted, and make intentional career decisions. Hosted by Career Coach and Strategic Career Consultant Julia Toothacre, this podcast delivers practical career advice on career growth, workplace dynamics, leadership skills, and professional visibility. Episodes often draw from Julia's proprietary Control Your Career framework, a structured approach for understanding your career reality, clarifying direction, and taking strategic action. If you're navigating a career change, feeling stuck in your current role, or ready to take the next step in your career, this show will help you build influence, communicate effectively, and position yourself for new opportunities. Each episode breaks down real-world career challenges like: → How to stand out at work → How to get promoted → Navigating workplace politics → Managing your boss and workplace relationships → Building leadership skills and influence → Making strategic career decisions → Aligning your career with your strengths and goals Through a mix of solo episodes and expert interviews, Julia shares actionable job search strategies, career development insights, and proven frameworks to help you take control of your career with clarity and confidence. Learn more at https://ridethetidecollective.com

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 9, 2026Episode 841 min

Are Lateral Career Moves Good for Your Career?

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 • How the corporate ladder mindset still shapes career decisions • When a lateral move can strengthen your long-term positioning • Why cross-functional exposure matters for leadership growth • How transferable skills support career mobility • When nonlinear moves create confusion • How to evaluate a lateral opportunity strategically • Why career decisions based on optics can limit future leverage 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/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Visit the website: https://ridethetidecollective.com Get career resources: https://ridethetidecollective.com/free/ Remember, you control your career.

May 26, 2026Episode 744 min

What Is Career Sponsorship? Why Advocacy, Not Just Hard Work, Gets You Promoted

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 • How sponsorship creates earlier access to opportunities • Why visibility and trust influence career growth • How internal opportunities often form before postings become public • Why cross-functional relationships matter more than many professionals realize • How organizational culture and bias influence who gets advocated for • Why performance alone does not always create equal opportunity 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: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2026/05/26/mentorship-vs-sponsorship-career-growth/ Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ FREE Career Resources: https://ridethetidecollective.com/free/ Remember, you control your career.

May 12, 2026Episode 653 min

The difference between authority and influence at work

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: The difference between authority and influence at work Why you may not be included in important decisions How trust and judgment build influence over time What it means to be consulted instead of informed How to expand your influence without relying on a title The role of bias, culture, and power in workplace influence 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: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2026/05/12/influence-without-authority-at-work/ Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ FREE Career Resources: https://ridethetidecollective.com/free/

April 28, 2026Episode 536 min

The Truth About Workplace Reputation and Career Advancement

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: How workplace reputation is built through repeated behavior Why promotion decisions are shaped before formal conversations happen The gap between your intention and how others experience you How culture, leadership preferences, and bias influence your reputation Internal vs external reputation and why both matter 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: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2026/04/28/workplace-reputation-career-advancement/ Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ FREE Career Resources: https://ridethetidecollective.com/free/

April 14, 2026Episode 442 min

5 Skills That Build Trust With Leaders

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: How judgment influences trust and decision-making Why clear communication changes how leaders see you How business awareness connects your work to strategy The role of pattern recognition in anticipating problems Why strategic execution matters more than staying busy 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: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ FREE Career Resources: https://ridethetidecollective.com/free/

March 31, 2026Episode 340 min

How to Manage Yourself During Organizational Change

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: How to position yourself during leadership change What to do during a reorganization at work How to stand out at work when roles are unclear How to build influence inside your organization Why career growth inside your company often happens during uncertainty The difference between execution and strategic positioning How emotional regulation impacts your reputation during change 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: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2026/03/31/season13episode3/ Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ FREE Career Resources: https://ridethetidecollective.com/free/

March 17, 2026Episode 232 min

How to Position Yourself for Promotion

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: Skill range that expands beyond your job description Professional reputation inside your organization Market visibility outside your company Financial flexibility that supports better career decisions Decision discipline when evaluating promotions or lateral moves 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: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2026/03/17/season13episode2/ Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Career resources: https://ridethetidecollective.com/free/

March 3, 2026Episode 129 min

Hard Work Isn't Enough to Grow Your Career

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: The shift from output to leverage Why many professionals stay in effort mode too long How burnout can push you backward into execution thinking The difference between proving yourself and positioning yourself What career compounding actually means The five leverage buckets you will unpack this season 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/

February 17, 202642 min

Writing A Career Book: Updates, Breakthroughs & Lessons Learned

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: What the Control Your Career book is about and how it's structured (two-part format!) Why Stage 1 (Realistic Reality) is the foundation of everything How this book is different: it meets you where YOU are, not where career advice thinks you should be Why I'm not using AI to write (and what I AM using it for) FOR WRITERS & AUTHORS: Why I wrote more in 1.5 months than I did in 8 months last year (hint: accountability) The content breakthrough that changed my entire writing approach How to balance book writing with running a business (still figuring this out!) Progress over perfection: why a bad first draft is better than no draft The role of AI in my writing process (spoiler: planning yes, writing no) Resources Mentioned: Control Your Career Process https://ridethetidecollective.com/coaching/controlyourcareer/ Email list for book updates https://ridethetidecollective.com/emailsignup/ Book Editor: HeartWorks Writing Codi https://www.heartworksw.com/ Previous podcast episodes about the Control Your Career process: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjF-DzcwKeCxqbVT8T42GEXBPMSf80Reu https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/controlyourcareer/ Read The Blog https://ridethetidecollective.com/2026/02/17/bookupdates/ A Note on This Episode: 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!

February 3, 202658 min

Financial Control Beyond Your Paycheck and 401(k)

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: Why financial planning is about more than numbers How caregiving and life changes impact financial decisions The connection between career choices and financial stress What financial control really means during uncertain seasons How to think about money in a way that supports your whole life 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 Natalie Kime is a financial professional, podcast host, and caregiver who brings clarity, compassion, and real-life perspective to conversations about money, career, and life transitions. As the host of Chat with Nat: Conversations That Count, Natalie creates thoughtful, approachable discussions that help people feel more confident navigating complex financial and professional decisions. Connect with Natalie: 🎙 Podcast: https://nicklesanddimesfindingfinancialfreedom.buzzsprout.com/ 📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nattykime/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-k-9491091/ 📰 Substack Interview: https://kmhurd.substack.com/p/building-a-financial-legacy-w-natalie-541 Explore all episodes: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ Connect with Julia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell/ Visit the website: https://ridethetidecollective.com Free career resources: https://ridethetidecollective.com/free/ Episode Blog: https://ridethetidecollective.com/2026/02/03/financeswithnataliekime/