• 95. Finding Career Alignment with Confidence with Gillian Cabanski

    What happens when you build something incredible, but still don’t feel connected to your own success?


    In this episode, I’m joined by Gillian Cabanski, VP of Marketing and Education at orthobrain, for a really special conversation about career growth, self-worth, leadership, and coming back to yourself at work. Gillian is not only a brilliant marketing leader who has built brands across industries, she’s also a former coaching client of mine.


    We trace Gillian’s career from luxury accessories to publishing, and on to dental industry startups. Along the way, Gillian opens up about burnout, postpartum, losing confidence, and the moment she realized she needed support in understanding her worth, advocating for herself, and leading in a way that felt more authentic.


    A big part of this episode centers on the work we did together through coaching, to help her articulate her personal brand and build a clearer filter for career alignment. Gillian shares how that clarity helped her ask better questions, evaluate opportunities differently, and choose a role where she feels valued, trusted, and able to lead as herself.


    This conversation is for anyone who has ever achieved a lot on paper while quietly wondering, “Why don’t I feel like myself?” It’s a reminder that sustainable success is not just about what you’re capable of doing. It’s about finding the right fit between your strengths, your values, your environment, and the work that allows you to thrive.


    Resources:


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    Produced by NOVA

    1h 7m - Jul 16, 2026
  • 94. Seeking Possibility and Cultivating Joy as an Enneagram Type 7

    When your first instinct is to seek possibility, stay stimulated, and move toward joy, what might that reveal about how you protect yourself from pain?


    In this episode, I sit down with Aaron Fung, a learning, leadership development, and inclusion practitioner, career coach, father of two, and aspiring stand-up comic, for a nuanced conversation about Enneagram Type 7 and the core patterns of possibility, stimulation, joy, and avoidance. Together, we unpack how those traits show up in Aaron’s life, from his love of novelty and connection to his directness, intensity, humor, and deep commitment to fairness.


    Aaron brings a rare mix of candor, humor, and self-awareness to this conversation. Across three separate discussions, we sort through two possible Enneagram types, Type 7 and Type 8, and explore the deeper motivations underneath his behavior: his drive for autonomy, his resistance to feeling trapped, his relationship with anger and justice, his need for stimulation, and the role comedy has played in helping him process difficult experiences.


    This conversation became a fascinating look at what it means to move through life by seeking possibility. We talk about joy, distraction, gluttony, vulnerability, power, and what happens when staying busy becomes both a strength and a shield. Aaron also shares openly about major life changes and how those experiences shaped the way he understands himself now.


    If you’ve ever wondered why you keep chasing the next idea, plan, experience, or source of joy, this episode offers a nuanced and very human window into those patterns. And, if you’re curious about the Enneagram, this episode gives you a glimpse into what exploring and understanding your type can actually sound like in real life.


    Want to explore this tool for yourself? Here’s my Enneagram Typing Self-Reflection Guide:


    Want to connect with Sandhya for yourself or your team? Here’s how:


    Connect with me:


    Produced by NOVA

    1h 46m - Jun 18, 2026
  • 93. Building the Rooms You Want to Be In with Leah Haselhorst

    What does it look like to prepare for opportunity before it arrives?


    In this episode, I talk all about this with Leah Haselhorst, VP of Marketing at Seed Talent, an employee enablement and brand training platform in the cannabis industry. Leah’s career began in music journalism, concerts, and large-scale events in Chicago before eventually leading her into cannabis marketing, where she found a powerful connection between her skills, her values, and the impact of the work.


    We talk about what Leah learned from high-pressure event environments, including how to set the tone in a room, manage other people’s energy without absorbing it, and move from perfectionism and people-pleasing toward a more grounded version of leadership.


    Leah also shares what happened after she was laid off and how she rebuilt her confidence, visibility, and direction with intention. She talks about using LinkedIn to build real relationships, reconnecting with mentors, sharing her work more openly, and creating the conditions for her next opportunity to find her.


    We also get into self-directed learning and how Leah created her own “YouTube University” to grow into a broader marketing leadership role, from SEO and product marketing to leadership and marketing metrics.


    This conversation explores career reinvention, personal branding, burnout, thought work, cannabis marketing, and what it means to build the rooms you want to be part of.


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    Produced by NOVA

    1h 12m - May 21, 2026
  • 92. Analyzing and Figuring It All Out as an Enneagram Type 5

    When your first instinct is to analyze, understand, and figure things out for yourself, what might that reveal about how you create safety in the world?


    In this episode, I sit down with my friend and podcast producer, Hayden Lyon, for a nuanced conversation about Enneagram Type 5 and the core patterns of analysis, self-sufficiency, and competency. Together, we unpack how those traits show up in Hayden’s life, from his resistance to authority to his drive to optimize, understand, and rely on himself first.


    Hayden shares stories from a life that has taken many forms, from punk bands and motorcycle journeys across Europe to building a podcast production business and creating a life on his own terms. As we talk, we sort through three possible Enneagram Types and unpack the deeper motivations underneath his behavior: his resistance to authority, his drive to optimize everything, his need to feel capable and competent, and his tendency to analyze rather than emote.


    This conversation became a fascinating look at what it means to live primarily through the mind. We talk about self-sufficiency, overthinking, and emotional detachment.. In the second half of the episode, Hayden returns after reflecting on his type, and we go deeper into what it means for him to identify as a Type 5, including the gifts of that pattern and the places where it may be keeping him stuck.


    If you’ve ever wondered why you rely so heavily on being capable, knowledgeable, or hyper-rational, this episode offers a nuanced and very human window into those patterns. And, if you’re just curious about the Enneagram, this episode gives you a glimpse into what exploring and understanding your type can actually sound like in real life.


    Want to explore this tool for yourself? Here’s my Enneagram Typing Self-Reflection Guide:


    Want to connect with Sandhya for yourself or your team? Here’s how:


    Resources:


    Connect with me:


    Produced by NOVA

    1h 30m - Apr 23, 2026
  • 91. Learning Your Way Into the Future with Amie Ninh

    What does it take to pivot your career—and keep doing it as the world changes?


    In this episode, I sit down with organizational development and AI learning expert Amie Ninh. Amie started her career as a preschool teacher before making a series of pivots into the tech world, eventually focusing her work on how organizations adopt AI and navigate the human side of change.


    We talk about what it really looks like to change paths—from the role of timing and network to the importance of following your curiosity and building transferable skills. Amie shares how she navigated multiple career pivots, the trade-offs she made along the way, and how she thinks about designing a career that evolves over time.


    We also dive into how she taught herself AI from scratch. Through a self-directed practice she calls “AI Sundays,” Amie steadily built her knowledge by experimenting with tools, learning in community, and pushing beyond what she already knew—all without a technical background.


    This conversation explores career pivots, continuous learning, and how to stay adaptable in a moment where AI is rapidly reshaping the workplace.


    Resources:


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    Produced by NOVA

    1h 10m - Mar 26, 2026
  • 90. Being Seen Beyond Performance as an Enneagram Type 3

    What do you do when you see yourself in two Enneagram types — and can’t quite tell which one fits?


    In this episode, we continue our Exploring Enneagram Types series with my friend and fellow entrepreneur, Claudia Richman. What started as a typing conversation quickly evolved into a deeper exploration of identity, ambition, autonomy, and what it really means to be seen.


    Claudia shares her journey from high-powered leadership roles in advertising and tech to building her own businesses on her terms. We explore the tension between achievement and authenticity, the difference between success and autonomy, and how growing up in a highly controlled environment shaped her relationship with rebellion, control, and self-expression.


    Along the way, we pause to discern between Type 3 and Type 8 — two assertive types that can get confused. Both can be competitive, direct, and independent. But the “why” beneath those behaviors is very different. We take a nuanced look at how to tell the difference by exploring the ways major familial influences shape our behaviors and examining the “thing behind the thing” to understand our motivations. 


    If you’ve ever identified with being the capable one, the achiever, the role model, or the person who holds it all together, this episode will resonate.


    Want to explore this tool for yourself? Here’s my Enneagram Typing Self-Reflection Guide:


    Want to connect with Sandhya for yourself or your team? Here’s how:


    Resources:


    Connect with me:


    Produced by NOVA

    1h 22m - Feb 26, 2026
  • 89. Separating Achievement from Worth as an Enneagram Type 3

    What happens when your sense of worth has always been tied to achievement—and you start to question whether that definition still fits?


    In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and fellow entrepreneur, Arden Evenson, for a nuanced conversation about Enneagram Type 3 and the evolution of ambition, success, and self-worth. Arden reflects on how external validation, practicality, and being “the reliable one” shaped her early career and relationships, and why she’s been intentionally reexamining those patterns as her life and priorities have shifted.


    We move beyond the stereotypical Type 3 narrative to explore achievement through caretaking, adaptability, and being easy to be with. I also share my own experience as a Type 3, including the tension between productivity and presence, the discomfort with stillness, and the fear that if we stop doing, we might stop belonging.


    If you’ve ever felt pressure to earn your place, struggled to redefine ambition, or wondered who you are without your accomplishments, this episode offers new language and permission to practice compassion, embracing a softer way forward.


    Want to explore this tool for yourself? Here’s my Enneagram Typing Self-Reflection Guide:


    Want to connect with Sandhya for yourself or your team? Here’s how:


    Resources:


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    Produced by NOVA

    1h 20m - Jan 29, 2026
  • 88. From Reflection to Intention: How Astrology Can Guide Your 2026 with Julie McGill

    What if you treated the turn of the year as more than a reset button—and instead as a turning point in a much bigger cycle of your life?


    In this New Year’s episode, I’m joined by my dear friend, professional astrologer and attorney Julie McGill, to look back at 2025 and ahead to 2026 through both a personal and astrological lens. We reflect on the intentions I set, how they unfolded throughout the year, and how Julie navigated her own shifts in work, identity, and rhythm. Julie breaks down some of the major astrological themes that shaped 2025 and offers guidance for what we may collectively and individually experience in 2026. We explore how to set intentions in a way that matches the moment, what it looks like to stay grounded when you can’t yet see the full picture, and the value of moving into the new year with presence, curiosity, and more compassion for yourself.


    If you’ve felt like 2025 put you through the wringer, or if you’re sensing big change on the horizon without knowing what it is yet, this episode is meant to help you exhale. I hope it gives you language for what you’ve been experiencing, permission to be exactly where you are, and some gentle guidance for stepping into 2026 with openness instead of pressure to have it all figured out.


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    Produced by NOVA


    1h 12m - Jan 1, 2026
  • 87. Creativity, Consistency, and Letting Go of Control

    Consistency doesn’t have to be so rigid.


    In this solo episode, I share what I’ve learned about reimagining consistency in a way that actually works for creatives, entrepreneurs, and leaders. For years, I believed the traditional advice: stick to the same schedule, follow the proven and popular formula, just keep going no matter what. But what I found was that kind of rigidity often leads to burnout, shame, and misalignment.


    Instead, I’ve discovered a more authentic approach. I walk you through the four principles that have helped me build momentum without losing energy: focusing on what lights you up, considering the impact you want to have, finding your own rhythm, and setting process goals instead of chasing outcomes.


    Along the way, I reflect on the early days of launching Working Your Way, what I’ve learned from outsourcing vs. DIY, and how showing up with intention has created opportunities I never could have planned for.


    If you’ve ever struggled to “stay consistent” or felt guilty for not doing enough, this episode will give you permission to let go of perfection—and design a version of consistency that feels aligned, sustainable, and uniquely yours.


    Resources:

    Produced by NOVA


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    Produced by NOVA


    33m - Oct 2, 2025
  • 86. Working Toward a Bigger Purpose with Edina Kalamperovic (Replay)

    We’re revisiting a powerful conversation with Edina Kalamperovic, SVP at Publicis Group, one of the largest communications and digital transformation companies in the world, and Founder of CareerJig, an online career development and mentorship platform. Edina’s story is one of resilience, authenticity, and staying grounded in her values—even in high-pressure environments.


    As a first-generation American and child of immigrants, Edina shares how her upbringing shaped her perspective on success and character. She opens up about the challenges of working in environments where stagnation and status quo held her back, and how stepping away gave her the clarity to return with renewed focus and impact.


    In this episode, we dive into Edina’s reflections on burnout, leading with authenticity, and fostering trust on her teams. She talks about bringing a startup mindset into large organizations, the importance of direct yet caring communication, and why “growth moments” matter more than “gotcha moments.”


    Join us for this inspiring conversation about finding your purpose, building resilience, and leading with integrity in today’s workplace.


    Resources:


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    Produced by NOVA

    1h 3m - Sep 18, 2025
  • 85. Building Your Career Path Through Curiosity with Jill Lyons (Replay)

    We’re excited to revisit one of our earlier episodes featuring the inspiring Jill Lyons. As the SVP of Creative Operations at Maximum Effort, Jill has built a remarkable career by following her curiosity and embracing new possibilities. From her beginnings in journalism and traditional TV production to leading creative operations at an innovative media firm, Jill’s story is a testament to the power of exploration and adaptability.


    In this conversation, Jill shares how her diverse experiences created a strong foundation for her career—what she describes as building a wide pyramid base before narrowing in on the work she loves most. She also opens up about her challenges with perfectionism and predictability, and how learning to surrender to possibility has shaped her growth as a leader.


    Join us as we learn from Jill’s journey and gather practical advice for embracing creativity, curiosity, and self-trust in your own career path.


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    Produced by NOVA


    1h 0m - Sep 4, 2025
  • 84. Why Getting Uncomfortable is the Key to Growth

    Discomfort isn’t always a bad thing—in fact, it’s often where the most meaningful growth happens. In this solo episode, I’m sharing why getting uncomfortable is essential for building confidence, deepening relationships, and becoming the person you want to be.


    I’ll walk you through the “learning zone” model to help you identify whether you’re in your comfort zone, stretching in a healthy way, or pushing yourself into the panic zone. We’ll talk about how to discern between discomfort that helps you grow and the kind that harms, why avoiding difficult conversations keeps us from developing critical skills, and how my own core values of growth and connection guide me in these moments.


    Along the way, I’ll share stories from my own life—from stepping onto a stage at The Moth to tackling emotionally vulnerable conversations—that show how discomfort, paired with self-compassion and support, can transform your capacity and your connections.


    If you’ve been avoiding a challenge because it feels uncomfortable, this episode will help you decide whether it’s a moment to lean in, step back, or find a healthier way forward.


    Resources:


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    Produced by NOVA

    29m - Aug 21, 2025
  • 83. The Ambitious Person’s Guide to Working Less

    Somewhere along the way, many of us realized that chasing every goal, promotion, or dollar didn’t actually make us happier or healthier. My friend Arden Evenson, founder of Firefly Advising (and a regular here on Working Your Way), and I regularly discuss how we can reject the “rise and grind” mentality, and we wanted to bring that conversation to you. As we get honest with ourselves and each other, Arden and I compare notes on ambition, letting go of hustle culture, and what it takes to design a career around joy, flexibility, and enoughness.


    We get into how becoming a parent (or simply changing priorities) can challenge your definition of success, why “good enough” can be the most sustainable business strategy, and how neither of us wants to sacrifice well-being for the next rung on the ladder. We talk about giving up perfectionism, resisting comparison, and setting boundaries that actually stick—even when the old pressures flare up.


    If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if you worked less but cared even more, this episode is for you.


    Resources:


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    Produced by NOVA

    55m - Aug 7, 2025
  • 82. Tools to Work Your Way: CliftonStrengths

    How well do we actually know what we’re great at—and how much does it shape the way we work? In this episode, we take you behind the scenes of our own strengths journeys as we revisit the CliftonStrengths assessment after 15 years and compare what’s changed (and what hasn’t) along the way.


    Together with design and innovation consultant (and my good friend) Sandeep Pahuja, we dig into why leaning into your strengths can lead to more authentic success, and how easy it is to miss the value in what comes naturally. We share stories from our corporate and entrepreneurial experiences, explore what it looks like to build teams and careers around our unique strengths, and reflect on why “fixing” our weaknesses is rarely the answer.


    If you’re curious how to make your work feel more aligned—or want practical ideas for maximizing your talents—this episode will help you see your strengths with fresh eyes, and encourage you to work your way.


    Resources:


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    Produced by NOVA

    1h 7m - Jul 24, 2025
  • 81. 5 Things Most People Get Wrong About the Enneagram

    When we talk about the Enneagram, so many misunderstandings seem to circulate—whether it’s calling it just another personality test or believing our type changes depending on the day. In this solo episode, we’ll break down the most common misconceptions and explore why the Enneagram can be a much deeper tool for self-reflection and real growth.


    We’ll dig into what personality really means, why no two people with the same type look exactly alike, and why our type isn’t something we get from an online quiz or a book. The real work begins after we identify our type—when we start to notice our patterns, get honest with ourselves, and build the range and compassion to show up differently. If you’re curious about using the Enneagram as more than just a label, this conversation is for you.


    Resources:


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    Produced by NOVA

    37m - Jul 10, 2025
  • 80. Tools to Work Your Way: Human Design

    Human Design isn’t just another personality tool—it’s a way to understand your unique energy type and how you’re meant to use it to impact the world. In this episode, I sit down with holistic business coach and Human Design expert Jess Parvin to explore how this system blends ancient wisdom and modern insight to help us work (and live) in greater alignment.


    We share how discovering our own Human Design types gave us both a new sense of permission, whether that’s embracing a multi-passionate approach to business or finally trusting our natural instincts, even when they go against the grain. We break down the five energy types, talk about what it really means to work “in alignment,” and offer practical ways to use your chart to avoid burnout and find more flow.


    Whether you’re new to Human Design or looking to go deeper, this episode will help you see your quirks and career choices in a new light. Learn how to read your own chart, why it’s a lifelong tool, and practical ways to use it to spark growth in your work and life.


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    Produced by NOVA

    54m - Jun 26, 2025
  • 79. How Reinventing My Personal Style Helps Me Live More Authentically

    Style is a language. It speaks volumes about the identity and values of the wearer. In this solo episode, I share the journey I’ve been on to redefine my personal style in a way that feels more authentic, aligned, and—honestly—simpler. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by trends or tired of staring at your closet each morning, you’re not alone.


    After leaving corporate life and shifting into entrepreneurship, my lifestyle changed dramatically—and so did what I needed from my wardrobe. I started asking new questions: What does ease look like when getting dressed? How do I want to feel in my clothes? And how can I make this process reflect who I am now, not who I used to be?


    In this episode, I offer the tools and mindset shifts that helped me reconnect with my style on my own terms—from following Allison Bornstein’s Three-Word Method to cataloging my closet in the Indyx app–to reimagine and organize my closet. Whether you’re navigating a career change, reevaluating your relationship with consumerism, exploring a simpler lifestyle, or just looking for more clarity in how you get dressed each day, this episode is an invitation to bring more intention—and less noise—into your style.


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    Produced by NOVA

    26m - Jun 12, 2025
  • 78. Tools to Work Your Way: Leadership Circle Profile

    What if your biggest leadership blind spot isn’t what you’re doing—but how you’re being?


    In this episode, I’m joined by my friend and fellow coach Seth Yelorda for a conversation about a tool that’s changed the way we both lead and support others: the Leadership Circle Profile (LCP). Seth and I met while training in this framework, and it’s become a cornerstone in how we help leaders grow, starting with self-awareness.


    We unpack how the LCP goes beyond personality or strengths assessments to reveal the inner stories and patterns that drive our leadership. It shines a light on the reactive strategies many of us default to—like micromanaging, people-pleasing, or becoming defensive—and helps us move toward creative leadership grounded in integrity, purpose, and connection.


    We also share how it’s impacted our own journeys, how we started noticing behaviors we thought were helpful to our impact and success, and realized they were actually becoming protection strategies. This isn’t about fixing people. It’s about understanding ourselves deeply enough to choose how we want to lead.


    If you’re a leader, coach, or someone who wants to grow with more intention, this episode is for you.


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    Produced by NOVA

    56m - May 29, 2025
  • 77. Generosity, Connection, and the Power of Presence with Kristin Long

    What if the greatest gift you could offer others wasn’t advice—but presence?


    In this episode of Working Your Way, we sit down with Dr. Kristin Long, DPsa, LP, LCAT, a depth-oriented psychotherapist, drama therapist, and educator whose work centers on trauma, embodiment, and creative healing. Kristin brings a rich background in performance, psychology, and internal inquiry to explore what it means to truly be with ourselves and one another and to build her own diverse and fulfilling career.


    We talk about the projections and expectations we internalize from childhood, the lifelong process of unlearning them, and the difference between fixing and witnessing. Kristin shares how her own journey has shaped her ability to hold space with compassion and clarity. Whether you’re a leader, a healer, or simply someone craving more connection, Kristin’s grounded wisdom offers a reminder that healing doesn’t come from knowing all the answers—it comes from learning how to stay.


    Resources:

    Learn more at https://www.kristinlongnyc.com/

    Connect with Kristin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/klongnyc

    Listen - Episode 60. Building a Business on Belonging with Paul Tadalan: https://www.selfatwork.com/podcast/episode/53a35a53/60-building-a-business-on-belonging-with-paul-tadalan

    Listen - Episode 71. A Guide For Leaders: Building the Foundation for Team Effectiveness: https://www.selfatwork.com/podcast/episode/57ac0ae3/71-a-guide-for-leaders-building-the-foundation-for-team-effectiveness


    Connect with me:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selfatworksandhya/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandhya-sudhakar/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@workingyourwaypodcast

    Website: https://www.selfatwork.com/


    Produced by NOVA: https://novapodcasting.com/

    1h 11m - May 15, 2025
  • 76. Tools to Work Your Way: Astrology

    What if your career path was written in the stars?


    In this episode of Working Your Way, part of our Tools to Work Your Way series, Sandhya is joined by professional astrologer and attorney Jules McGill to explore how astrology can be used as a lens for career insight and self-discovery. Jules shows how your natal chart can reveal deep patterns, preferences, and possibilities for how you want to work and lead–demonstrating how astrology is far from being a static personality label.


    Together, they break down how to look at your chart through the lens of career—focusing on your Midheaven (MC), sixth and tenth houses, rising sign, and the planetary placements that shape your work instincts and style. Jules also shares how her own chart helped her make peace with having two seemingly unrelated careers—and why that duality is actually a perfect reflection of her Gemini identity.


    Whether you’re astrology-curious or just looking for new ways to think about your professional path, this episode offers an accessible introduction to astrology as a tool for career alignment.


    Resources:


    Connect with me:


    Produced by NOVA

    1h 4m - May 1, 2025
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