Text The New Ambition

In the first episode recorded as The New Ambition, host Jen Phillips addresses the profound changes and challenges in the tech industry, sharing her personal journey from burnout to resilience.

Jen discusses the critical role of community in overcoming adversity, as showcased by her own experience rebuilding a business after Hurricane Helene.

There’s an urgent need for strategic community building, especially for women in tech who face higher rates of job loss and burnout.

Jen highlights steps for growing supportive networks and advocates for the work required to achieve healthy and sustainable success in the tech industry.

We can make healthy change happen. Together.

Episode Resources

• Subscribe to The New Ambition, the data-backed weekly newsletter for actionable tools to lead differently and live better.
• Connect with Jen on LinkedIn
• Bookmarkable:
  • Women In Tech Stats 2025 [WomenTech Network]
  • 39 Professional Women’s Organizations and Associations [Duke Career Hub]
  • 14 Tips to Start [Mentorship] Off on the Right Foot [Forbes]

Like this episode? Subscribe to The New Ambition newsletter

The Very Important Bottom Line
The New Ambition does not provide medical or mental health advice. The information including but not limited to: recorded and live episodes, text, graphics, images, and any other material contained on the podcast are for your informational purposes only.

Nothing on The New Ambition is intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified provider. Never disregard professional medical or mental wellness advice or delay in seeking it because of something you've heard or content you've read or reviewed on this podcast.

And please, if you're under duress or considering suicide, reach out right this very minute to the Suicide and Crisis lifeline by dialing 988 in the United States.

Outside of the U.S., please reach out to helplines available to you in your country note: this link isn't owned by The New Ambition and should not be considered exhaustive or wholly accurate.

Text The New Ambition

Listener note: This episode was originally recorded as The Podgress Report, now The New Ambition. We haven't edited the fantastic original content, so please enjoy and share. Stay tuned for more from The New Ambition.

] In this “research report” edition of The Podgress Report, we're diving deep on the pervasive, important issue of burnout with the expertise of Dr. Tamara Beckford, a board-certified emergency medicine physician, author, speaker, and CEO of UR Caring Docs. Dr. Beckford and her team help organizations retain top talent by reducing employee stress and burnout through self-care strategies, and help high performers live their stress-free dream lives.

We're talking about the physiology of burnout. Dr. Beckford shares how burnout can lead to physical and mental health issues, and why managers are so important in improving workplace wellness.

Why you should listen: You’ll get an understanding of burnout’s effect on your body and mind, its phases and impact on cognitive functions, and what to do about it if you or someone on your team is experiencing burnout.

What you’ll learn: Dr. Beckford’s practical recovery strategies emphasize the importance of “invoking the senses”, maintaining balance, and the actionable advice leaders need for a healthier workplace.

The Bottom Line: Working healthy makes for a better work day, a more engaged team, and a more balanced life.

Episode Resources

• Learn about Dr. Beckford’s Burnout Recovery program; stay in touch with Dr. Beckford on LinkedIn
• Connect with host Jen Phillips on LinkedIn
• Recommended companion episode: “Five Science-backed Steps for Burnout Recovery”
  • Apple: https://tpr.live/e2_apple
  • Spotify: https://tpr.live/e2_spotify
  • You Tube: https://tpr.live/e2_YT
• Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) [Assessment Tool]

Like this episode? Subscribe to The New Ambition newsletter

The Very Important Bottom Line
The New Ambition does not provide medical or mental health advice. The information including but not limited to: recorded and live episodes, text, graphics, images, and any other material contained on the podcast are for your informational purposes only.

Nothing on The New Ambition is intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified provider. Never disregard professional medical or mental wellness advice or delay in seeking it because of something you've heard or content you've read or reviewed on this podcast.

And please, if you're under duress or considering suicide, reach out right this very minute to the Suicide and Crisis lifeline by dialing 988 in the United States.

Outside of the U.S., please reach out to helplines available to you in your country note: this link isn't owned by The New Ambition and should not be considered exhaustive or wholly accurate.

Text The New Ambition

Listener note: This episode was originally recorded as The Podgress Report, now The New Ambition. We haven't edited the fantastic original content, so please enjoy and share. Stay tuned for more from The New Ambition.

In this #WorkplaceReport edition of The New Ambition host Jen Phillips has an enlightening conversation with Lauren Weber, a reporter at The Wall Street Journal, about the tough reality of mental health leave and disability pay denials.

Lauren shares insights from her compelling article, 'The Battle Over Disability Pay and Mental Health Leave,' shedding light on mental health-related disability claims being denied at a higher rate than physical ones.

We're talking through the importance of knowing your resources, the role of proper documentation, and how being a strong self-advocate, or supportive leader can make a big difference.

Whether you're struggling with mental health or leading a team, this episode delivers valuable thoughts and tactics for fostering a healthier workplace.

Tune in to learn how to start building support systems before reaching a breaking point and understand the power of open communication and proactive wellness measures.

Episode Resources

• Listen and share the companion episode “Five Science-backed Steps for Burnout Recovery"
  • Apple: https://tpr.live/e2_apple
  • Spotify: https://tpr.live/e2_spotify
  • YouTube: https://tpr.live/e2_YT
  • Elsewhere: https://tpr.live/e2_elsewhere
• Read and share the article & connect with Lauren Weber on LinkedIn or at The Wall Street Journal
• Connect with Jen Phillips on LinkedIn

Please note: resources may include affiliate links.

Like this episode? Subscribe to The New Ambition newsletter

The Very Important Bottom Line
The New Ambition does not provide medical or mental health advice. The information including but not limited to: recorded and live episodes, text, graphics, images, and any other material contained on the podcast are for your informational purposes only.

Nothing on The New Ambition is intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified provider. Never disregard professional medical or mental wellness advice or delay in seeking it because of something you've heard or content you've read or reviewed on this podcast.

And please, if you're under duress or considering suicide, reach out right this very minute to the Suicide and Crisis lifeline by dialing 988 in the United States.

Outside of the U.S., please reach out to helplines available to you in your country note: this link isn't owned by The New Ambition and should not be considered exhaustive or wholly accurate.

Text The New Ambition

Listener note: This episode was originally recorded as The Podgress Report, now The New Ambition. We haven't edited the fantastic original content, so please enjoy and share. Stay tuned for more from The New Ambition.

We’re talking about the power of uniqueness and curiosity to evolve your career and life in this #SuccessReport edition of The New Ambition. Host Jen Phillips is joined by Lizzie Azzolino, Founder, Work With Lizzie. This episode is for any of us who have ever thought “how can I - starting right now - start to shift my career in a direction more authentic to me”.

In a moment of intense personal stress Lizzie was confronted with the question “Who Are You”. At that moment, Lizzie discovered she wasn’t clear on her answer. That realization sparked a journey of self discovery, investment, and that journey changed the trajectory of Lizzie’s life.

Lizzie has since shifted from an internal strategy and innovation career, leaving her post at fuseproject - an industry leading design and innovation firm - to build her own multi-dimensional career as a: executive & career coach, executive recruiter, board member, and startup & agency advisor.

Lizzie is a firm believer that defining your healthy career “What’s Next” can start now - right now - from your current job or situation. Tune in for a dose of "YES YOU CAN change your story and lead a richer life".

Episode Resources

• Ask Jen Anything! I’m looking for workplace wellness and burnout recovery questions to be featured on upcoming experts episodes.
• Connect with Lizzie Azzolino on LinkedIn. Interested in Working With Lizzie? Reach Out!
• Recommended companion episode | 05 | "Slow Burn" Burnout and Recovery - Lessons in Leadership with Henk Campher, CMO Deep Origin
  • Apple
  • Spotify
  • YouTube

Please note: resources may include affiliate links.

Like this episode? Subscribe to The New Ambition newsletter

The Very Important Bottom Line
The New Ambition does not provide medical or mental health advice. The information including but not limited to: recorded and live episodes, text, graphics, images, and any other material contained on the podcast are for your informational purposes only.

Nothing on The New Ambition is intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified provider. Never disregard professional medical or mental wellness advice or delay in seeking it because of something you've heard or content you've read or reviewed on this podcast.

And please, if you're under duress or considering suicide, reach out right this very minute to the Suicide and Crisis lifeline by dialing 988 in the United States.

Outside of the U.S., please reach out to helplines available to you in your country note: this link isn't owned by The New Ambition and should not be considered exhaustive or wholly accurate.

Text The New Ambition

Listener note: This episode was originally recorded as The Podgress Report, now The New Ambition. We haven't edited the fantastic original content, so please enjoy and share. Stay tuned for more from The New Ambition.

In this edition of The New Ambitiont, host Jen Phillips is joined by Meredith Nicklas, CEO, The CFO Solution. This episode is for you if you've ever thought..."I want to spend more of my time at work doing the work that energizes me". It's a masterclass in "helpability". Meredith has a fantastic way of finding the people, resources, and partners in her community to support her career development.

Meredith is a former CFO and long time finance leader. As the CEO of the CFO Solution, she's taken her skills and passion for partnering with business owners to identify their financial trends, and guiding them towards their goals in a fractional capacity.

Meredith's shift into solopreneurism after a successful executive stint in corporate finance began with unexpected change. It proves you can successfully begin your "what's next" from your "right now". Meredith's approach to planning and ramping into entrepreneurship is powerful and helped her de-risk her leap.

In this episode, we talk about embracing the power of "I don't know, but I'll find out", and keeping your cheerleaders close, while muting or muffling your detractors.

99.9% of American businesses are small businesses, and 43% of those are women-owned. I love shining a spotlight on Meredith's endeavor, her decision-making process, and how absolutely incredible it feels to launch.

Episode Resources

• Ask Jen Anything! I’m looking for workplace wellness and burnout recovery questions to be featured experts episodes.
• Connect with Meredith Nicklas on LinkedIn. Need to talk finance? She'd love to!
• Recommended companion episode | The Superpower Discovery Framework: Energizing Work & Your Expertise
  • Apple
  • Spotify
  • YouTube

Please note: resources may include affiliate links.

Like this episode? Subscribe to The New Ambition newsletter

The Very Important Bottom Line
The New Ambition does not provide medical or mental health advice. The information including but not limited to: recorded and live episodes, text, graphics, images, and any other material contained on the podcast are for your informational purposes only.

Nothing on The New Ambition is intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified provider. Never disregard professional medical or mental wellness advice or delay in seeking it because of something you've heard or content you've read or reviewed on this podcast.

And please, if you're under duress or considering suicide, reach out right this very minute to the Suicide and Crisis lifeline by dialing 988 in the United States.

Outside of the U.S., please reach out to helplines available to you in your country note: this link isn't owned by The New Ambition and should not be considered exhaustive or wholly accurate.

Text The New Ambition

Listener note: This episode was originally recorded as The Podgress Report, now The New Ambition. We haven't edited the fantastic original content, so please enjoy and share. Stay tuned for more from The New Ambition.

In this #snackable edition of The New Ambition, host Jen Phillips is bringing real talk from day 146 of her burnout recovery journey. It got bumpy, y'all. Jen's giving her take on what that feels like, how connecting with others ... being helpable ... has been so - well - helpful. And on how to keep momentum even as fear, uncertainty, and doubt rise up.

Recommended Listen:

Five Science-backed Steps for Burnout Recovery
Apple | Spotify | YouTube

Episode Resources

• Follow Jen on LinkedIn
• Get your own Eisenhower Matrix sticky notes
• Get a Monthly Progress Report GUIDE to help create your personal monthly review.
• Ask Jen Anything! We’re looking for your workplace wellness and burnout recovery questions to be featured on upcoming episodes.
• Recommended reads:
  • HBR: Don’t Underestimate the Power of a Walk
  • Harvard Health: Go Alfresco

Like this episode? Subscribe to The New Ambition newsletter

The Very Important Bottom Line
The New Ambition does not provide medical or mental health advice. The information including but not limited to: recorded and live episodes, text, graphics, images, and any other material contained on the podcast are for your informational purposes only.

Nothing on The New Ambition is intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified provider. Never disregard professional medical or mental wellness advice or delay in seeking it because of something you've heard or content you've read or reviewed on this podcast.

And please, if you're under duress or considering suicide, reach out right this very minute to the Suicide and Crisis lifeline by dialing 988 in the United States.

Outside of the U.S., please reach out to helplines available to you in your country note: this link isn't owned by The New Ambition and should not be considered exhaustive or wholly accurate.

Text The New Ambition

Listener note: This episode was originally recorded as The Podgress Report, now The New Ambition. We haven't edited the fantastic original content, so please enjoy and share. Stay tuned for more from The New Ambition.

In this #HowTo edition of The New Ambition, host Jen Phillips is sharing her June Progress Report to show how monthly reviews can help accelerate personal change, career reinvention, recovery from burnout, and “on purpose” professional growth.

Jen is a former Marketing Operations executive who has been using the proven power of monthly business reviews throughout her career. This practice is inspired by the methods used by Amazon, Google, Salesforce and many, many other companies to streamline vision and get everyone working on the “rightest” work.

Jen adapted the process to support her burnout recovery and career reset. It’s been a powerful part of her recovery process, and she’s sharing it to help your recovery. Download the Monthly Progress Review Guide HERE.

Managers, founders, & aspiring managers…this is a process you can adopt to support your teams. When employees understand team (company) goals, and their role in meeting those goals, employee engagement (and satisfaction) increases. Gallup estimates low employee engagement costs the global economy $8.9 trillion U.S. dollars, or 9% of global GDP.

Episode Resources

• Get the Monthly Progress Report GUIDE to help create your personal monthly review.
• Ask Jen Anything! We’re looking for your workplace wellness and burnout recovery questions to be featured on upcoming episodes.
• Recommended reads:
  • Measure What Matters, John Doerr's book on OKRs
  • HBR: Don’t Underestimate the Power of a Walk

Like this episode? Subscribe to The New Ambition newsletter

The Very Important Bottom Line
The New Ambition does not provide medical or mental health advice. The information including but not limited to: recorded and live episodes, text, graphics, images, and any other material contained on the podcast are for your informational purposes only.

Nothing on The New Ambition is intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified provider. Never disregard professional medical or mental wellness advice or delay in seeking it because of something you've heard or content you've read or reviewed on this podcast.

And please, if you're under duress or considering suicide, reach out right this very minute to the Suicide and Crisis lifeline by dialing 988 in the United States.

Outside of the U.S., please reach out to helplines available to you in your country note: this link isn't owned by The New Ambition and should not be considered exhaustive or wholly accurate.

Text The New Ambition

Listener note: This episode was originally recorded as The Podgress Report, now The New Ambition. We haven't edited the fantastic original content, so please enjoy and share. Stay tuned for more from The New Ambition.

In this edition of The New Ambition, host Jen Phillips is joined by Henk Campher, CMO, Deep Origin. This is for those of you who wish it were easier to disconnect from work, to work better together…and to do it all in a way that respects the rest of your life. Managers and aspiring managers, you’ll walk away with tactics and frameworks you can bring into your team to improve the culture and the outputs.

Henk Campher lives by the Ubuntu philosophy: I am because we are. And it is that philosophy that informs his leadership style…in Henk’s eyes, if the team has a clear plan, and accountability to that plan, less meetings are needed, leaving more time for deep work (and the rest of your life to unfold, stress free).

Henk experienced burnout firsthand. He reports it was a “slow burn”...something that grew over years, eroding his passion for life over time, and almost without him realizing it. Henk’s recovery leaned heavily into reestablishing boundaries for himself, and his team. This reduced not only Henk’s stress, but increased his team’s engagement and wellbeing.

And wait until you hear the benefits this shift brought to the company. Gallup estimates low employee engagement costs the global economy $8.9 trillion U.S. dollars, or 9% of global GDP. Henk’s team at Hootsuite saw a 30 percentage point improvement in their employee engagement when they incorporated boundaries and deep work into their culture.

Episode Resources

• Ask Jen Anything! I’m looking for your workplace wellness and burnout recovery questions to be featured on an upcoming episode.
• Henk Campher is 1000% fascinating on LinkedIn. Follow Henk today.
• Recommended read | Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle [Emily Nagoski PhD (Author, Narrator), Amelia Nagoski DMA (Author, Narrator)]

Please note: resources may include affiliate links.

Like this episode? Subscribe to The New Ambition newsletter

The Very Important Bottom Line
The New Ambition does not provide medical or mental health advice. The information including but not limited to: recorded and live episodes, text, graphics, images, and any other material contained on the podcast are for your informational purposes only.

Nothing on The New Ambition is intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified provider. Never disregard professional medical or mental wellness advice or delay in seeking it because of something you've heard or content you've read or reviewed on this podcast.

And please, if you're under duress or considering suicide, reach out right this very minute to the Suicide and Crisis lifeline by dialing 988 in the United States.

Outside of the U.S., please reach out to helplines available to you in your country note: this link isn't owned by The New Ambition and should not be considered exhaustive or wholly accurate.