this is work
Episodes
811 weaponised incompetence: what to watch for, how to address it & when your competence gets used against you
22 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode of this is work, Shelly and Emily dive into weaponised incompetence in the workplace — everything from how to spot it and the...
810 burnout and mental fitness: how to stay well, when things are not well
15 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The world feels pretty chaotic right now — and if you're someone who prides yourself on high performance, that chaos can quietly push you toward bur...
809 dysfunctional workplaces, career move to a start-up & can leaders really work fewer hours?
08 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of this is work, Shelly Johnson and Emily Bowen answer real listener questions about:• Supporting someone stuck with a toxic boss•...
808 how to lead hard conversations, support your team and go from doer to leader
01 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of this is work, Shelley answer your questions about some of the hardest parts of leadership and career growth.We unpack:• How to gi...
807 how to find a mentor, build future-proof skills & selling your ideas at work
22 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Want a mentor but don’t know where to start? Struggling to sell your ideas to senior leaders? Wondering what skills actually matter in a world of AI...
806 when to change jobs, taking career risks & is my new job a bad fit?
15 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Thinking about a big career move but terrified it might blow up your life? Or wondering if you’ve stayed in your job too long? This episode is for y...
805 from the vault: 8 ways to become an opportunity magnet
08 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Want to attract cool career opportunities? Get this episode in your ears! Here's how to level up.Learn more about the CliftonStrengths assessment...
804 from the vault: 4 ways to make more money in your career
01 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
No new episode this week as Shell's lost her voice but we've got a goodie for you from when the show was called my millennial career! Glen joins Shell...
803 how to up your public speaking game
25 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Want to level up your public speaking game this year? Today's episode is will equip you with practical strategies to open, close and keep your audienc...
802 generational drama at work: how gen z, millennials & gen x really think
18 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Shell is joined by social researcher Ashley Fell to unpack the generational dynamics playing out in today’s workplaces. They discuss...
801 burnout at work: why 100% effort is killing your performance
11 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode Shell and workplace wellbeing specialist at Kinex Health Phil Wolffe explore how to avoid burnout in 2026 and what's actually helpf...
best of 2025: the 5 questions that will transform your career
04 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling stuck in your career or not sure of your next step? Grab your notes app or a journal cause in this popular ep from 2025, Shell shares five gam...
best of 2025: managing a toxic boss, getting promoted & feeling stuck at work
28 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got a tough boss? Struggling to get promoted? Feeling stuck in your job? Shell tackles your work dilemmas in this popular episode from 2025. Connect w...
750 how to talk about pay, benefits & your value at work (with Matt McFarlane)
21 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Talking about pay can feel awkward, emotional and high-stakes but avoiding it can quietly stall your career. In this episode, Shell is joined by compe...
749 the 25 work & life lessons we learned in 2025 (with Dr Amantha Imber)
14 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As 2025 comes to an end, Shell and Dr Amantha Imber reflect on the big (and little) learnings, mindset shifts and practical stuff that they'll be taki...
748 fifteen things you need to hear in your career at least once
07 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode Shell shares 15 thoughts, musings and career advice that she needs you to hear loud and clear which touch on:👉🏼 mindset shift...
747 bringing personality to work, quitting without a plan, making mistakes & managing up
30 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today's Q&A Shell discusses your work questions with return guest, Steph Clarke. They chat about:👉🏻 how do you show up with personality a...
746 big conversations every leader needs to have (awkward chats, talented jerks + why 1:1s matter)
23 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shell and Rohan Dredge riff on the big topics leaders tend to avoid:👉🏾 communicating with clarity👉🏿 managing distractions for you and your...
745 how to prepare for the future of work with futurist Steph Clarke
16 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today Shell sits down with futurist Steph Clarke to unpack how to think about the future of work without spiralling. They chat about uncertainty, AI, ...
744 how to friend at work: navigating workplace friendships with Steph Clarke
09 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can you be friends with the boss or the people that you lead? In this episode Shell chats with Steph Clarke who has a Substack called How To Friend, a...
743 the Boldside story: Shell's lessons in backing yourself and doing work your way
02 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shell gets vulnerable in this special episode as Rohan Dredge interviews her about her business origin story and how feeling boxed in at work sparked ...
742 leading high-performing executive teams with Rohan Dredge
26 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you lead or are part of a senior leadership team, this episode is for you. Shell sits down with leadership expert Rohan Dredge to unpack what a hig...
741 underrated career skills (part 2)
19 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shell and Em Bowen are back with more underrated career skills and this time they're talking about:👉🏻 emailing like you speak👉 being hard to ...
740 underrated career skills (part 1)
12 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s not always the big moves but the underrated skills that make you stand out at work. Shell is joined again by Emily Bowen, COO of Rarekind to un...
739 competing with a work bestie for a role, from mate to manager + favouritism at work
05 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Shell and Em Bowen unpack what to do when you're faced with some tricky maybe even awkward workplace situations like:👉🏾 compe...
738 career crossroads, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders wisdom, narcissistic bosses + more
28 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling stuck in your job but not sure what’s next? In today's episode Shell unpacks: 👉 finding your 'golden thread' for career clarity👉🏿 s...
737 threatened bosses, serial interrupters & managing up
21 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Shell is joined by Tahnee McWhirter from HumanX to tackle your work problems! They chat about:👉🏾 dealing with a boss who feels t...
736 is extroversion hot or not, building influence & selling without being salesy
14 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Shell is joined by Chad Lawson from u&u Recruitment Partners to unpack extroversion and introversion in the workplace, why influe...
735 how to lead people who are not like you with Stephanie Chung
07 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stephanie Chung went from baggage handler to becoming the first Black CEO in private aviation. She’s led billion-dollar sales teams, coached executi...
734 becoming a manager of AI: practical tips with Neo Aplin
31 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode Shell chats with Neo Aplin from Inventium about how to make AI actually useful at work. Neo shares the idea of becoming a “manage...
733 is it okay to...cc the boss, skip the morning tea, talk about your salary + more
24 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Following on from last week's episode, Shell and Emily Bowen chat about more questionable workplace scenarios, like whether it’s okay to:👉🏾 sk...
732 is it okay to...block a coworker, leak your resignation, say no to mentoring + more
17 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Navigating work life often comes with those tricky “is it okay to…?” moments. In today’s episode, Shell and Emily Bowen dig into workplace eti...
731 my thoughts on psychological safety, taking feedback & over-preparing
10 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode Shell dives into three things that have been on her mind lately:👉🏻 the most underrated career skill that can fast-track your ...
730 what’s your work reputation really saying about you?
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You have a reputation at work whether you've defined it or not. In this ep, Shell is joined by Em Bowen to unpack what you're currently known for vs w...
729 personal branding icks, why 4dww fizzled, stop saying kind regards & work wardrobe yay or nay (campfire chat)
27 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this campfire chat, Shell is joined by Glen James and Chad Lawson for a candid convo on all things work. They unpack the icks of personal branding,...
728 HR experts take on Coldplay kiss cam and bad romance at work
20 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Plus 5 red flags when you're in love at work!If you lead teams, check out Shelley’s business, Boldside: https://www.boldside.com.au/Shell & Glen...
727 what new leaders need to thrive & why star players aren't always great leaders
13 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Just because you're the best at your job doesn’t mean you'll be great at leading others. In this episode, Shell and Chad unpack why promoting top pe...
726 is hustle a dirty word, weaponising incompetence & relaxing vs laziness
06 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode Shell unpacks some big topics with Chad Lawson from u&u Recruitment Partners:👉🏻 is hustle a dirty word and what's the dif...
725 what to do about AI & securing your career
29 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
AI is moving fast and it's normal to feel overwhelmed. In this episode, Shell is joined by Adrian Smith, CEO of RunGopher, to unpack how you can move ...
724 charisma vs connection: what really builds trust at work?
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What’s better, being charismatic or being a genuine connector? In this episode, Shell and Scott Smith unpack why charisma can sometimes feel perform...
723 the bad career advice you need to stop taking
15 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Shell, Glen James and Phil Thompson unpack the career advice we've all heard at some point, and ask: is it actually helpful, or total...
722 imposter syndrome, weaknesses, AI + more (campfire chat with Glen James and Phil Thompson)
08 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Glen James and Phil Thompson join Shell on the pod to chat all things imposter syndrome, feedback at work, and why we sometimes downpl...
721 career curveballs, growth mindset, and building high-performing teams with Nick Addison
01 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Shell and Scotty chat with Nick Addison, CEO of Adelaide Oval, about the reality of career curveballs and what it takes to lead with ...
720 the art of giving feedback and having courageous conversations with Scott Smith
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You know that convo you’ve been avoiding at work? This episode is for you. Shell and Scott Smith break down how to step into tricky conversations wi...
719 ways to work smarter: AI walks, the Hemingway trick + more with Dr Amantha Imber
18 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shell is joined by organisational psychologist, Founder of Inventium and author Dr Amantha Imber to chat about working smarter, not harder. From walki...
718 what makes a great leader (and how to become one) with Scott Smith
11 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode Shell chats with leadership coach Scott Smith about what makes a great leader and how to actually grow into one. They cover the 5 C...
717 leadership isn’t easy: tackling common challenges
04 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Shell shares the biggest challenges she's seeing currently in leadership, from working with countless leaders across businesses bi...
716 how to use AI to learn, grow and work better with Adrian Smith
27 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if AI could help you see your blind spots, and your brilliance? In this episode Shell chats with Adrian Smith from RunGopher about how to use AI ...
715 how to perform under pressure
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it's a tight deadline or high stakes meeting, today's episode is all about how to get the job done when you're feeling the heat. Shell shares ...
714 Shell's top 10 books to grow your career, build your confidence & spark creativity
13 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode Shell shares her top 10 book recommendations for 2025. From mastering your mindset to becoming a better leader, these reads will he...
713 parental leave lessons on identity, self-trust and priorities with Emily Bowen
06 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Em Bowen is back! In this ep, Em shares what it’s really been like to step away from work and into the baby bubble. She and Shell unpack the identit...
712 owning your career, asking for a pay rise & should employees return to the office? with Chad Lawson
30 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Taking charge of your career means knowing how to have honest chats with your boss about your goals. In today's episode Shell chats with Chad Lawson, ...
711 redundancy, pay cuts, leaving a toxic place & the long journey to what you deserve (with Glen James)
23 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What’s your number one reason for living, financially and career-wise? Shell and Glen chat about this and dive into your listener questions, coverin...
710 growing up in a big family, career confidence & backing yourself
16 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is something a little different! Shell is joined by her three sisters for a raw, unfiltered chat about careers, confidence, and the chaos...
709 what makes a high-performing team?
09 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone wants to be on a high-performing team, but what does that actually look like? Shell and Scott Smith break down the three key elements of grea...
708 stable job vs higher pay, managing different work styles + stepping into leadership
02 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today's Q&A Shell shares tackles some big career questions including:👉🏻 should I leave a stable job for a higher salary?👉🏼 how do I...
707 the leadership superpower you’re not using: coaching
23 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Great leaders don’t just give answers, they ask great questions. In this episode, Shell is joined by Scott Smith to unpack why coaching is an underr...
706 managing a toxic boss, getting promoted & feeling stuck at work
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got a tough boss? Struggling to get promoted? Feeling stuck in your job? Shell tackles your work dilemmas, from dealing with inconsistent leaders to f...
705 how to become irreplacable at work with Phil Thompson
09 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What makes someone irreplaceable at work? Shell is joined by Phil Thompson, CEO of Skye Wealth, to unpack what makes a team member truly hard to repla...
704 how to attract more opportunities at work
02 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Want more doors to open for you at work? Today on the show Shell unpacks 10 habits that can help you attract new opportunities and level up your caree...
703 the 5 questions that will transform your career
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling stuck in your career or not sure of your next step? Grab your notes app or a journal - Shell shares five game-changing questions that can unlo...
702 fail better: 7 steps to bounce back stronger
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Failure is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to hold you back. In this episode, friend of the pod Shane Hatton joins Shell to share seven practical st...
best of 2024: how to stop people pleasing in leadership
12 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Missed this one? Here’s your chance to catch up on a must-listen from earlier in the yearLet's chat about one of the biggest killers for your career...
best of 2024: high-performance habits with Jess Spendlove
05 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
No new episode this week, but this one’s worth a replay – trust usWhile we’re on a break, here’s a fan-favourite episode to keep you companyWa...
best of 2024: the #1 skill you need at work (and it's not what you think!)
29 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s your chance to catch up on a must-listen from earlier in the year.Same show, new name - welcome to the first episode of this is work! Wanna k...
best of 2024: knowing your strengths, career changes & taking risks with Sarah Kelsey
22 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
While we’re on a break, here’s a fan-favourite episode to keep you companyIn today's chat, Shell and Sarah Kelsey from the OneUp Project discuss a...
649 can a bad boss be good for you?
15 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode Shell's joined by fan favourite Shane Hatton, and they're bringing some spicy conversation about whether there's any good to be fou...
648 things that should be illegal at work
08 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Shane Hatton is back with Shell on the pod and they're talking about all the things that really SHOULD be illegal at work but aren...
647 fighting end of year fatigue, managing talkers on teams, tips for overthinkers + more
01 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Shell answers your work dilemmas:👉🏾 what can I do when some people always dominate the team meetings?👉🏿 how can I mana...
646 the 6 hard hitting career truths you need to hear
24 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Shane Hatton is back with Shell to discuss 6 hard-hitting truths you need to hear if you want to grow your career. They share thei...
645 saying no: a guide for people pleasers
17 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Shell chats with Shane Hatton, a leadership expert, author and frequent guest on the pod! Shell and Shane discuss the reasons behi...
644 fearing what other people think, oversharing vs vulnerability + defining success
10 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Shell chats with Amantha Imber who is an organisational psychologist and host of the How I Work podcast. Shell and Amantha reflect...
643 burnout signs, negative self talk in a new career and getting unstuck
03 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Unfortunately Shell’s sick and down for the count this week, so we’re bringing back a fan-favourite episode from last year - enjoy the encore! Sha...
tips for starting a successful and sustainable business
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's bonus episode, Shell sits down with Andy and Angela Smith, who ran their own trade business before starting Lifestyle Tradie to help other ...
642 what makes employees stay
27 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We all know that employees leave bad bosses, but do they stay for good ones? In today's episode Shell and business owner Phil Thompson explore the rea...
641 moody team members, disorganised manager, work & parenting juggle + more
20 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's listener Q&A, Shell unpacks:👉🏿 how to manage your emotions or the emotions of others at work👉🏻 my boss is always late and r...
640 help! I'm a workaholic, leading teams, managing underperformance + more
13 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's listener Q&A Shell unpacks:👉🏻 how to implement boundaries when you're a workaholic👉 how to build a high-performing team that's...
639 what hiring managers really want, asking for more 1:1s, pregnancy talk with your boss + more
06 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Shell and Annabelle answer some questions and tackle how to navigate some tricky workplace convos! The touch on:👉🏻 the top q...
638 playing big, getting stuff done & tough conversations with Dom Price
29 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s episode features the always insightful Dom Price, Atlassian’s work futurist and team doctor. In this chat, Shell & Dom dive deep into ...
637 how to ditch hustle culture and find happiness at work
22 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If hustle culture has ever left you feeling burnt out, you're not alone! In this episode, Shell chats with Claire Seeber, author of Less Hustle, More ...
636 time-saving AI tips to boost your productivity
15 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If AI has ever felt overwhelming to wrap your head around, you're not alone! In this episode, Shell chats with Adrian Smith from RunGopher about how t...
635 getting a promotion, dealing with bad bosses, sticking up for yourself + more with Michelle Gibbings
08 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode Shell chats with workplace expert, global keynote speaker and author Michelle Gibbings around building your career, touching on:👉...
634 overcoming limiting beliefs, gaslighting at work & finding a mentor
01 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Shell dives deep into personal and professional development by sharing her thoughts and tips on how to find mentors who can guide ...
633 grit or quit? with Glen James
25 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is it the right time to quit your job, or grit your teeth and stick it out? Special guest Glen James joins Shell on the show to unpack what to do if y...
632 how to become a high performer
18 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s episode, Shell explores what sets high achievers apart in the workplace and unpacks five key traits that are commonly found in individual...
631 my top 6 career fails and lessons
11 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Shell shares the biggest mistakes she's learned over her career including:👉 feeling pressure to climb the career ladder👉🏼 feeling like you ne...
630 would you rather (work edition)
04 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
in today's episode Shell & Annabelle play a game of would you rather, the work edition! What would you choose? 👉🏾 more money or better cultu...
629 career change with a skills gap, new boss nerves, rebuilding confidence after a fail + more
28 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's Q&A Shell and guest host Annabelle talk about:👉🏾 how to navigate small business team dynamics👉🏿 requesting flexibility when...
628 role & pay reviews, moving from mate to manager, chatGPT for job applications + more
21 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Shell and guest cohost Annabelle from Boldside answer your career questions! They touch on:👉🏻 asking for a role change to accurately reflect you...
627 landing a dream job, pregnancy loss & working after parental leave (Nicole's story)
14 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Joining Shell on today's episode is special guest Nicole Maycroft who shares the creative way she landed her dream role as the PR & Comms Manager ...
626 productivity hacks to get more stuff done
07 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Implementing even just one or two small practices can significantly boost your productivity at work, and today's episode is loaded with practical idea...
625 how to stand out in your application and job interview (with Mitch King)
30 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Looking for ways to stand out in the job search process? Today's guest is here to help you land your dream job! Mitch King is all about connecting com...
624 how to turn problems into learning opportunities (with Lisa Lie)
23 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Learning is a key skill for accelerating career growth, so how can we get intentional about it? Let’s chat about how to learn better at work. Joinin...
623 the Sunday scaries: new job nerves and how to overcome them
16 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For Nat, leaving the job she'd worked at for over 10 years came with nerves and risk as a single mum of 2. In today's episode Nat shares with Shell th...
622 essential traits to stand out as a team member or leader at work
09 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Want to stand out in the workplace? In today's episode, Shell asks financial adviser Phil Thompson who leads a team of 40 employees at Skye Wealth wha...
621 building Boost Juice, motherhood, leadership tips & why imposter syndrome is BS (with Janine Allis)
02 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we're chatting with Aussie entrepreneur, the one and only Janine Allis, founder of Boost Juice! Janine shares the highs & lows of starting B...
620 the 5 tensions leaders need to manage (with Rohan Dredge)
26 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
People leadership can feel like a complete career change! Special guest Rohan Dredge joins Shell back on the podcast to chat about how to manage these...
619 the soft skills are hard AF (with Tahnee McWhirter)
19 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode we're talking about the soft skills that are hard to build and incredibly helpful to have. Shell and special guest Tahnee McWhirter...
618 how to build your self-awareness with Rohan Dredge
12 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever considered what it's like to be on the other side of you? In today's episode Shell and special guest Rohan Dredge discuss how to build s...
617 giving feedback to your boss, energy vampires, psychological safety + more
05 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We're answering more of your spicy questions in today's episode with Shell and organisational psychologist Emily Douglass!👉🏾 how do I give const...