Outlaws Podcast: Embracing Career Freedom

What if the skills that made you successful are the same ones making you miserable? In this episode focused on career change and career pivots, Shayla and Kate invite career counsellor Anna Black to discuss transferable skills and how to identify the ones that truly resonate with you. We're not just talking about what you're good at; we're exploring what you actually want to do - and spoiler - they are probably two different things! Together, they unpack the real reasons changing careers feels daunting, how to get unstuck in your career pivot, and why your next step doesn’t have to mean starting over.  From existential crises to actionable steps, they cover important insights: Why being good at something doesn’t mean you should keep doing it How to spot your burnout skills (and why people keep asking you to use them) The role of transferable skills in a career pivot and strategies to pinpoint the right ones What to do when your job looks great on paper but feels all wrong How to find the common thread between what you’ve done and what you genuinely want to pursue. If you’ve ever stared at your resume and thought, “I can do all this, I just don’t want to anymore,” this episode is designed for you. In this conversation: Anna’s journey from geophysics to career counselling What your past jobs can reveal about your future direction Why it can be difficult to see your own value — and how to change that The surprising way career clarity often starts (hint: it's not Seek) How to reconnect with what energises you This episode is perfect if you're stuck in a job that doesn't feel right but are unsure of your path forward, or if you’re craving a career change, a pivot, or even just a redefined work-life balance.  🔧 Resources & Links 💬 Connect with Anna: https://www.strategiccc.com.au/  📩 Want updates and tips? Subscribe to our newsletter for tools, stories, and outlaw encouragement. ❤️ If you loved this episode, share it with someone questioning their career path — they're not alone! Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help more Outlaws find us. Find out more 🔗 Website: www.outlawspodcast.com 📬 Email us: Outlaws Podcast Community 💼 LinkedIn: Outlaws Podcast Hosted and produced by: Shayla Strapps and Kate Offer 🎧 Hosted on Podbean

In this episode of Outlaws, we’re joined by Michael Kingsbury, a former M&A lawyer who walked away from corporate law to co-found Uluu, a climate tech startup creating seaweed-based materials designed to replace fossil-fuel plastics. What began as curiosity about science, technology and impact has become a globally significant attempt to tackle plastic pollution, climate change and ocean health—using seaweed. Michael shares his journey from law school to top-tier firms, through strategy and innovation roles, and into the uncertain, exhilarating world of startups. We talk about leaving law, redesigning work, and why legal skills like problem-solving, clarity of thinking and working under pressure can be powerful assets far beyond the profession. This is a conversation about career reinvention, calculated risk, and the courage to follow what genuinely interests you—even when the path isn’t obvious. For lawyers questioning the traditional trajectory, professionals craving career freedom, or anyone wondering whether meaningful work can look radically different from what they were taught to expect, this episode offers both inspiration and permission.

What if career freedom isn’t about walking away from work altogether, but about consciously redesigning how you work? In this Outlaws Escapes episode, Kate and Shayla are joined by editor, book coach and founder of the Expert Author Academy, Kelly Irving, who shares how she radically restructured her business to avoid burnout, reclaim her time, and create a life that worked for her family. A few years ago, Kelly and her family packed up their lives and travelled through 11 countries — all while she reduced her one-to-one workload and experimented with working just 20 hours across an entire year. In this conversation, Kelly unpacks what redesigning work actually looks like in practice, from delegation and community-led business models to letting go of perfection and the myth of indispensability. Together, they explore career freedom, the courage to tolerate discomfort, and why bold change rarely comes from having a perfect plan — but often starts with simply naming what you want and beginning. This episode is for anyone questioning traditional definitions of success, feeling the early signs of burnout, or wondering whether there might be another way to work, live, and lead. In this episode, we discuss: What career freedom really means (and what it doesn’t) Redesigning work to reduce burnout and protect energy Why working on your business matters more than working in it Delegation, community, and letting others step up Family travel as a catalyst for perspective and change The power of intention, discomfort, and starting before you feel ready More about Kelly Irving Connect with Kelly at www.kellyirving.com or www.expertauthor.community Follow on LinkedIn and Instagram.  Nail your best book idea with the Book Canvas here. If you loved this episode... Share it with a friend who’s wanting a change (or just needs permission to do the thing!). Rate and review Outlaws on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it helps more Outlaws find us Find out more Website: www.outlawspodcast.com Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, tools, and more Outlawbrary picks Connect with us Instagram: @the.outlaws.podcast - https://www.instagram.com/the.outlaws.podcast Facebook Group: Outlaws Podcast Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/the.outlaws.podcast LinkedIn: Outlaws Podcast - https://www.linkedin.com/company/106681587 Email: contact@outlawspodcast.com Hosted and produced by Shayla Strapps and Kate Offer  

What if making a big decision isn’t about finding the right answer, but learning how to trust yourself? How do you make big decisions without overthinking, spinning in circles, or waiting for certainty that never comes? In this episode, Shayla and Kate are joined by Bethan Winn, one of Australia’s leading experts in critical thinking and human skills, to unpack how decisions actually get made, and why so many high-achievers feel stuck when it matters most. From intuition and values to analysis paralysis and permission, this conversation reframes decision making as a skill you can build, not a personality trait you either have or don’t. In this episode – Why most professionals were taught how to analyse, not how to decide – The myth of the “good decision” and why the real work starts after you choose – What’s really happening when you feel stuck between two good options – Gut instinct, what it is, what it isn’t, and why it matters even in rational professions – How overthinking is often a sign of fear, not lack of intelligence – “Nibble rather than scoff”, making big decisions through small, reversible steps – A practical decision-making framework built around permission, values, data, noise, and testing – Why values sit underneath every decision, whether you name them or not – How to reflect on decisions without self-blame when things don’t go to plan – Creating space to think in a noisy, fast-moving world More about Bethan Winn https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethanwinn/ https://www.instagram.com/bethan_winn_critical_thinking/ https://www.facebook.com/bethanwinn.com.au/   The book is available www.bethanwinn.com.au/shop or on Amazon and soon from any good bookshop  If you loved this episode... Share it with a friend who’s wanting a change (or just needs permission to do the thing!). Rate and review Outlaws on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it helps more Outlaws find us Find out more Website: www.outlawspodcast.com Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, tools, and more Outlawbrary picks Connect with us Instagram: @the.outlaws.podcast - https://www.instagram.com/the.outlaws.podcast Facebook Group: Outlaws Podcast Community

What happens when the person everyone relies on can no longer keep going? In this episode, Kate and Shayla sit down with Dr Emily Amos, a former GP whose own experience of burnout stopped her in her tracks and ultimately reshaped her entire understanding of care, success, and sustainability. Emily spent 15 years in medicine, building a thriving practice and supporting others through some of their most vulnerable moments. From the outside, she was capable, calm, and deeply competent. Inside, she was running on adrenaline, guilt, and a relentless sense of responsibility, until her body finally said no. What followed was not a neat recovery story, but a profound reckoning with rest, identity, and the cost of always being the strong one. This is a powerful conversation about burnout in caring professions, why capable people often miss the warning signs, and what real recovery actually looks like when you stop trying to outpace yourself. In this episode Emily’s path into medicine and why general practice is as much about life as it is about illness The slow, invisible build-up to burnout and why she didn’t see it coming The moment everything stopped, and why her body became the final boundary The difference between altruism and self-sacrifice, and why self-awareness matters How perfectionism and identity can trap high achievers in unsustainable patterns Why rest is essential, not indulgent, especially in helping professions What changed when Emily redefined success around inner capacity, not output How Whole Hearted Medicine was born, and why practitioner wellbeing is not optional This conversation explores burnout, rest and recovery in medicine, but the themes will resonate with anyone in law, healthcare, leadership, or any role where being capable has become part of your identity. Connect with Emily:  Whole Hearted Medicine W: www.dremilyamos.com IG: @dremilyamos  If you loved this episode... Share it with a friend who’s wanting a change (or just needs permission to do the thing!). Rate and review Outlaws on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it helps more Outlaws find us Find out more Website: www.outlawspodcast.com Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, tools, and more Outlawbrary picks Connect with us Instagram: @the.outlaws.podcast - https://www.instagram.com/the.outlaws.podcast Facebook Group: Outlaws Podcast Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/the.outlaws.podcast LinkedIn: Outlaws Podcast - https://www.linkedin.com/company/106681587 Email: contact@outlawspodcast.com Hosted and produced by Shayla Strapps and Kate Offer

In this episode, Kate and Shayla sit down with author and imposter syndrome expert Alison Shamir to unpack one of the most universal, misunderstood experiences in modern work: that persistent belief that you don’t deserve your success. Alison breaks down what imposter syndrome actually is, why high achievers are especially prone to it, and how those old origin stories from childhood quietly shape our confidence, our careers, and our sense of belonging. Together they explore why external success never fixes the internal narrative, how perfectionism and overworking keep the cycle alive, and what it really takes to rewrite the story that keeps so many brilliant people stuck. From self-worth to self-confidence to the “trilogy of selves,” this conversation goes deep into the psychology, the patterns, and the practical tools that help people move beyond self-doubt and into grounded, evidence-based confidence.  If you’ve ever found yourself minimising your achievements, waiting to be found out, or discounting every win… this episode will feel like someone finally turned the lights on. In this episode What imposter syndrome is Why competence isn’t the antidote and why confidence alone can’t save you The origin story: how early experiences shape adult self-belief The difference between self-worth, self-esteem, and self-confidence Why high-performing professionals mask their doubt so well The imposter cycles and self-sabotaging patterns Alison sees in her coaching How to build an evidence bank that your brain will actually believe The surprising role of authenticity and psychological safety at work What it takes to rewrite the internal narrative… and why it changes everything Resources: Buy the book: https://amzn.to/48yQYSP  Clance Imposter Scale test - https://paulineroseclance.com/pdf/IPTestandscoring.pdf Connect with Alison Shamir: Linkedin - https://au.linkedin.com/in/alison-shamir-67440b17 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alisonshamir/ Websites - https://alisonshamir.com/  If you loved this episode... Share it with a friend who’s wanting a change (or just needs permission to do the thing!). Rate and review Outlaws on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it helps more Outlaws find us Find out more Website: www.outlawspodcast.com Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, tools, and more Outlawbrary picks Connect with us Instagram: @the.outlaws.podcast - https://www.instagram.com/the.outlaws.podcast Facebook Group: Outlaws Podcast Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/the.outlaws.podcast LinkedIn: Outlaws Podcast - https://www.linkedin.com/company/106681587 Email: contact@outlawspodcast.com Hosted and produced by Shayla Strapps and Kate Offer

What if that familiar “I’m about to be found out” feeling isn’t the truth… but a story your brain has rehearsed for years? In this Outlawbrary episode, Shayla and Kate dive into Conquer Your Imposter by confidence and imposter syndrome expert Alison Shamir. It’s a book packed with research-backed insights, personal stories, and practical tools for anyone who’s ever questioned their capability, underestimated their achievements, or secretly worried they’re “winging it.” They unpack the history of imposter syndrome, the surprising statistics behind it, the ADHD connection, the trilogy of selves (self-confidence, self-esteem and self-worth), and the five imposter syndrome types that show up in high-achievers. They also share their test results from the Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale and reveal what they learned about their own patterns of self-doubt. Then, in a special guest appearance, Alison Shamir joins the conversation to talk about why she wrote Conquer Your Imposter, how her personal story shaped the book, and what she hopes readers will take away from it. If you’ve ever wondered why capable people feel like frauds, or you’re curious about how imposter syndrome shows up in your own life, this episode offers clarity, compassion and a heap of practical insight. In this episode – What Conquer Your Imposter teaches us about understanding imposter syndrome – Why Shayla and Kate scored higher than expected on the imposter syndrome test – The overlap between ADHD and imposter syndrome – The five imposter syndrome types and how to spot your dominant pattern – How perfectionism, identity and self-talk keep imposter syndrome alive – Alison’s personal journey and why she decided to write the book – The biggest myths about imposter syndrome and what actually helps Resources: Buy the book: https://amzn.to/48yQYSP  Clance Imposter Scale test - https://paulineroseclance.com/pdf/IPTestandscoring.pdf Connect with Alison Shamir: Linkedin - https://au.linkedin.com/in/alison-shamir-67440b17 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alisonshamir/ Websites - https://alisonshamir.com/  If you loved this episode... Share it with a friend who’s wanting a change (or just needs permission to do the thing!). Rate and review Outlaws on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it helps more Outlaws find us Find out more Website: www.outlawspodcast.com Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, tools, and more Outlawbrary picks Connect with us Instagram: @the.outlaws.podcast - https://www.instagram.com/the.outlaws.podcast Facebook Group: Outlaws Podcast Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/the.outlaws.podcast LinkedIn: Outlaws Podcast - https://www.linkedin.com/company/106681587 Email: contact@outlawspodcast.com Hosted and produced by Shayla Strapps and Kate Offer

What happens when your life looks perfectly fine on paper, but you're quietly trapped in a life or career that no longer fits? This episode began with an email from a listener. She is accomplished, respected, highly capable, and yet she feels like she has no room to breathe, no time to think, and no idea how to get unstuck. She told us she feels weighed down by the golden handcuffs, unsure whether she can take a step backward in seniority, afraid of starting again, worried about losing flexibility, and pulled between gratitude for what she has and a growing sense that something needs to change. These feelings are more common than most people realise. So today, we wanted to talk about what being stuck really looks like, why it happens to smart people with good careers, and how you can begin to loosen the grip without blowing up your life. We unpack the emotional, financial, practical and psychological forces that keep people exactly where they are. From the sunk cost fallacy to confidence dips, cognitive load, the fear of making a wrong move, the weight of responsibility, and the false belief that flexibility and fulfilling work cannot coexist, this episode goes deep into the real barriers that make change so hard. And then we talk through ideas and small, practical moves to help you start shifting things. Because getting unstuck is rarely one big leap. It is usually small, intentional changes that slowly make space for clarity, courage and choice. Whether you are feeling trapped in your job, sitting in the discomfort of "fine", craving more fulfilment, or just needing permission to question the rules you have internalised, this conversation will meet you where you are and offer gentle ways forward. In this episode The reality of feeling stuck in your career Why cognitive load makes it impossible to plan a way out Finding micro-moments of time when life feels full The sunk cost fallacy and why your brain fights against change Golden handcuffs and the fear of going backwards Using the Backwards Budget to understand what you actually need Rebuilding confidence after a break or big life shift The devil you know and the myth that change is always riskier How to experiment, test ideas and make decisions with less fear Why small shifts are often more powerful than dramatic ones If you loved this episode... Share it with a friend who’s wanting a change (or just needs permission to do the thing!). Rate and review Outlaws on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it helps more Outlaws find us Find out more Website: www.outlawspodcast.com Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, tools, and more Outlawbrary picks Connect with us Instagram: @the.outlaws.podcast - https://www.instagram.com/the.outlaws.podcast Facebook Group: Outlaws Podcast Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/the.outlaws.podcast LinkedIn: Outlaws Podcast - https://www.linkedin.com/company/106681587 Email: contact@outlawspodcast.com Hosted and produced by Shayla Strapps

What happens when a lawyer turned author finally stops waiting for the “right time” and writes the story she’s been carrying for decades? In this episode, Shayla and Kate sit down with Emily Tsokos Purtill, former commercial lawyer and newly crowned award-winning novelist, whose debut book Matia just won the 2025 WA Premier’s Book Award for an Emerging Writer. Emily’s story captures everything we talk about on Outlaws, the tension between safety and creativity, a career that looks great on paper but doesn’t fit anymore, and the quiet bravery of making space for the thing you’ve always wanted to do. If you’ve ever wondered how to leave law for writing, or whether it’s too late to follow that creative itch you keep ignoring, this conversation is a beautiful invitation to rethink what’s possible. We dive into: – How Emily went from corporate transactions to fiction – Writing scenes in the car between school pickups – Why reading like a writer changed everything – The moment a publisher said “yes” and everything clicked into place – Letting go of productivity conditioning to create freely – What rejection taught her, and why it made her work better – Money, motherhood, and making unconventional choices – The surprising skills lawyers take with them into creative careers In this episode – Emily’s path from commercial law to becoming a published author – How to build a writing life when time is in short supply – The power of tiny creative acts – Why your first published book might not be your first written book – How legal skills translate surprisingly well into storytelling and publishing To enter the competition for a copy of Emily's book, please go to www.outlawspodcast.com and sign up for our newsletter.   See more about Emily at https://www.emilytsokospurtill.com/ To buy her book https://amzn.to/44tlPyW If you loved this episode... Share it with a friend who’s wanting a change (or just needs permission to do the thing!). Rate and review Outlaws on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it helps more Outlaws find us Find out more 🔗 Website: www.outlawspodcast.com 📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, tools, and more Outlawbrary picks Connect with us Instagram: @the.outlaws.podcast - https://www.instagram.com/the.outlaws.podcast Facebook Group: Outlaws Podcast Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/the.outlaws.podcast LinkedIn: Outlaws Podcast - https://www.linkedin.com/company/106681587 Email: contact@outlawspodcast.com Hosted and produced by Shayla Strapps and Kate Offer

What if taking time off wasn’t a luxury, but a smart, sustainable part of your career? In this episode of Outlaws Escapes, Shayla and Kate chat with Kate Cranney, a scientist, artist and communicator who pressed pause on her career for eight months to travel, hike and cycle across some of the world’s most stunning landscapes. From Patagonia to the Alps, Kate and her partner swapped meetings for mountains and discovered what happens when you stop working and start living deliberately. Her story isn’t about quitting everything and running away. It’s about designing a life that has space for rest, adventure and curiosity, and how that can actually make your work richer, too. In this episode – The planning and mindset behind an eight-month career break – Living with less, and why simplicity can feel freeing, not limiting – How slow, physical travel builds patience, perspective and creativity – The real value of time off: clarity, confidence and courage – What “coming back” looks like after stepping away 🔧 Resources & Links Kate's website -- https://katecranney.com/  Warm Showers -- https://www.warmshowers.org/ EuroVelo is a series of cycling networks all around Europe -- https://en.eurovelo.com/ Tim Minchin's address -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoEezZD71sc&t=1s Ken Robinson's 'Finding your element' talk. I listen to this many times a year. I love it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17fbxRQgMlU  'The Gap' by Ira Glass, I love this, on the importance on putting out a body of work https://vimeo.com/85040589 and here is the full article https://gointothestory.blcklst.com/the-gap-by-ira-glass-9651a750408f?gi=655cd32905f6  Connect with Kate Cranney on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katecranney ❤️ If you loved this episode... Share it with a friend who’s overdue for a pause (or just needs permission to take one). Rate and review Outlaws on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it helps more Outlaws find their next great escape. Find out more 🔗 Website: www.outlawspodcast.com 📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, tools, and more Outlawbrary picks Connect with us Instagram: @the.outlaws.podcast - https://www.instagram.com/the.outlaws.podcast Facebook Group: Outlaws Podcast Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/the.outlaws.podcast LinkedIn: Outlaws Podcast - https://www.linkedin.com/company/106681587 Email: contact@outlawspodcast.com Hosted and produced by Shayla Strapps and Kate Offer

What happens when a lawyer calls out the legal and corporate world for what it really is - often unhealthy, unsustainable, and quietly breaking people who care? To launch Season 2, Shayla and Kate go international with UK-based lawyer, content creator and TEDx speaker Henry Nelson Case. After years of watching toxic behaviour get rewarded and burnout get normalised, Henry decided to stop pretending everything was fine - and start saying what everyone else was thinking. From vomiting before work to going viral online, Henry has turned his lived experience into a platform that exposes the quiet damage of corporate culture - with humour, compassion and brutal honesty. His videos have reached millions, not because they’re flashy, but because they’re true. In this conversation, Henry, Shayla and Kate dig into why law so often rewards overwork, how younger generations are refusing to play along, and what happens when someone finally says, “this isn’t okay.” In this episode – The invisible toll of toxic workplaces and the myth of “just toughing it out” – What burnout looks like when you’re still performing well on paper – Why we keep mistaking exhaustion for excellence – How humour can break the silence on mental health in law – What Gen Z and younger lawyers are teaching the profession about boundaries and wellbeing – Why content can shift culture faster than any policy ever will 🔧 Resources & Links 🎥 Watch Henry’s TEDx talk on toxic masculinity and men’s mental health 📱 Follow Henry on Instagram,  TikTok, Linkedin and Youtube for more of his corporate-law truth bombs or visit his website 🗣 Join the conversation in the Outlaws Podcast Facebook group If you loved this episode... Share it with someone who’s quietly burning out under “business as usual.” Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it helps more Outlaws find us. Find out more Website: www.outlawspodcast.com 🔗 Connect & Explore Hosted and produced by: Shayla Strapps and Kate Offer 🌐 Website: www.outlawspodcast.com 📬 Email us: @the.outlaws.podcast 📘 Facebook Group: Outlaws Podcast Community 💼 LinkedIn: Outlaws Podcast 🎧 Hosted on Podbean

20 episodes. Countless conversations. One big Outlaw experiment. In this special wrap-up episode, hosts Shayla Strapps and Kate Offer look back on Season 1 of the Outlaws Podcast, where career change, career pivots, and the pursuit of real career freedom were front and centre. What started as two ex-lawyers chatting has become a community of professionals unlearning the rules, ditching the shoulds, and designing work-life balance that actually fits. Along the way, we’ve laughed a lot, learned even more, and gathered the kind of stories that remind you you’re not stuck, you’re just one experiment away from change. Here’s what you’ll hear in the Season 1 finale: – The most downloaded episodes and why they struck a chord – Tiny experiments vs giant leaps: why the small stuff sparks big career pivots – The Backwards Budget and how it reframes money, worth, and freedom – Outlawbrary highlights from 4,000 Weeks to Tiny Experiments – The best guest quotes (hello, “discomfort is uncomfortable”) that made us laugh and rethink everything – What’s coming in Season 2: imposter syndrome, decision-making, Outlaws going international, and more Whether you’re contemplating a career change, testing out a side hustle, or just craving better work-life balance, this wrap-up will give you a boost of courage and a peek at what’s next. If you’ve loved Season 1… Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, it helps more Outlaws find us! Find out more 🔗 Website: www.outlawspodcast.com 📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, tools, and more Outlawbrary picks Connect with us Instagram: @the.outlaws.podcast - https://www.instagram.com/the.outlaws.podcast Facebook Group: Outlaws Podcast Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/the.outlaws.podcast LinkedIn: Outlaws Podcast - https://www.linkedin.com/company/106681587 Email: contact@outlawspodcast.com Hosted and produced by Shayla Strapps and Kate Offer  

Sleep isn’t wasted time. It’s the secret weapon for clarity, creativity, resilience - and not being permanently cranky. And if you’re not getting enough, it is probably making you sick. But in a world where pulling an all-nighter is treated like a badge of honour, no wonder so many of us are exhausted. In this episode, Shayla and Kate talk to Alicia Visser, clinical psychologist, HeartMath® trainer, and founder of Becoming Conscious. With almost two decades of experience working with trauma, resilience, and wellbeing, Alicia explains why sleep is more than rest - it’s a biological need that protects your brain, body, and even your career. From late-night doomscrolling to the “I’ll catch up on sleep later” myth, they explore: – How stress and cortisol mess with your sleep cycles – Why sleep and productivity are deeply connected – The truth about burnout and 3am wakeups – Practical ways to reset your body and finally get better sleep – Why choosing rest is the most rebellious, Outlaw move you can make If you’re tired of being tired, this episode will show you how to get better sleep, why it matters, and how prioritising rest can actually make you sharper, healthier, and more effective at work and in life. This episode is for you if: – You lie awake at 3am replaying that awkward email – You think “sleep is for the weak” but secretly feel wrecked – You’ve ever worn exhaustion like a badge of honour – You’re ready to treat sleep as a superpower, not an afterthought 🔧 Resources & Links Learn more about Alicia Visser and her work at Becoming Conscious Try out HeartMath® techniques to rewire your stress and improve sleep - https://www.heartmath.com/quick-coherence-technique/ https://www.heartmath.com/science/#  Get in touch with Alicia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciavisser/  or https://www.instagram.com/becomingconscious.au/ Website launching soon: http://www.becomingconscious.au/  If you loved this episode... Share it with your colleague who brags about working on four hours’ sleep. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, it helps more Outlaws find us! Find out more 🔗 Website: www.outlawspodcast.com 📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, tools, and more Outlawbrary picks Connect with us Instagram: @the.outlaws.podcast - https://www.instagram.com/the.outlaws.podcast Facebook Group: Outlaws Podcast Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/the.outlaws.podcast LinkedIn: Outlaws Podcast - https://www.linkedin.com/company/106681587 Email: contact@outlawspodcast.com Hosted and produced by Shayla Strapps and Kate Offer  

Breathwork. Can sounds a bit woo woo, right? Even Alicia thought so, until it became the one thing that helped her crawl out of burnout and rebuild her life. In this episode, Shayla and Kate sit down with Alicia Snijders, a former corporate lawyer who spent eight years chasing promotions and pay rises, only to end up bone-tired, wired, and wondering who she was without her job title. After a traumatic turning point, Alicia discovered that the most basic thing we all do, breathing, was the key to recalibrating her nervous system and starting over. Together, they dive into: – Why a lawyer with a “perfect” CV still felt like a failure inside – How trauma and burnout became Alicia’s unexpected teachers – Breathwork explained (and why it’s more science than incense) – The grief, shame and identity loss that comes with leaving law – Why change doesn’t have to mean blowing up your whole life and how small steps matter Whether you’re secretly gasping for air in a job that looks good on paper, or just curious about how something as simple as breathing can change your life, this episode proves you don’t have to wait for a crisis to start listening to your body. Resources & Links Connect with Alicia Instagram  LinkedIn   🎧 Find out more 🔗 Website: www.outlawspodcast.com 📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, tools, and more Outlawbrary picks Connect with us Instagram: @the.outlaws.podcast - https://www.instagram.com/the.outlaws.podcast Facebook Group: Outlaws Podcast Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/the.outlaws.podcast LinkedIn: Outlaws Podcast - https://www.linkedin.com/company/106681587 Email: contact@outlawspodcast.com Hosted and produced by Shayla Strapps and Kate Offer  

What if you could learn how to stop chasing goals and instead start running tiny experiments? In this Outlawbrary episode, Shayla and Kate dive into Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World by Anne-Laure Le Cunff. It’s part science, part storytelling, and part permission slip to ditch the pressure of big, shiny goals in favour of curiosity-led experiments. Anne-Laure’s journey from Google to neuroscience brings a practical and deeply human perspective on how to live and work with more freedom. She reminds us that uncertainty isn’t failure, but fertile ground for discovery. From liminal spaces to cognitive scripts, from curiosity over passion to rewriting the “shoulds” that hold us back, this book (and this conversation) is a toolkit for anyone ready to stop chasing goals that don’t fit and start designing life on their own terms. In this episode – Why tiny experiments are more powerful than big goals – How curiosity can replace clarity when you don’t know your “purpose” – What neuroscience can teach us about uncertainty, fear, and growth – The role of pacts: simple, repeatable actions that move you closer to what matters – A Chinese parable that reframes failure, luck, and growth Resources & Links 📖 Book: Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World by Anne-Laure Le Cunff Talk by Anne-Laure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs2jR38lcWg  Book: Big Magic: Creative Living without fear; Elizabeth Gilbert 🎧 Find out more 🔗 Website: www.outlawspodcast.com 📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, tools, and more Outlawbrary picks Connect with us Instagram: @the.outlaws.podcast - https://www.instagram.com/the.outlaws.podcast Facebook Group: Outlaws Podcast Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/the.outlaws.podcast LinkedIn: Outlaws Podcast - https://www.linkedin.com/company/106681587 Email: contact@outlawspodcast.com Hosted and produced by Shayla Strapps and Kate Offer

What if your “side gig” was more than just extra cash, what if it was your way out, or your way to more joy and fulfillment? In this episode of Outlaws, Shayla and Kate kick off a brand-new semi regular series on side hustles.  From bold experiments to quiet projects done late at night, side hustles are often where rebellion meets reality. And they just might be the bridge between the job you tolerate and the life you actually want. And to launch the series, they’re joined by Katie Sierakowski, a lawyer who spends her weekdays in the courtroom and her weekends running a cattle business with her family. From courtrooms to cattle, Katie’s story proves that the best side hustle ideas aren’t about escape, they’re about joy, grounding, and creating balance in a busy life. They talk about: Why joy is mandatory for side hustles Why side hustles aren’t just about money (but yes, money matters, but don’t start there) How farming became Katie’s pressure release valve for life in the law The mental health boost of having something that’s yours Stories of flops, holding your nerve, and unexpected benefits Whether you’re already dabbling with a project, dreaming of quitting your job, or just want a reminder that you’re not crazy for wanting more, this episode is for you. 💡 This episode is for you if: – You’re hunting for side hustle ideas that fit into a busy life – You’re curious about making money in ways your boss doesn’t control – You’ve got a notebook full of “someday” projects – You want more energy and creativity back in your life – You’ve ever said “I wish I could just try it” but stopped yourself 🔧 Resources & Links 💬 Join the conversation in our Facebook Group: share your wins, fails, and side-gig dreams. 📩 Want updates and tools? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay in the loop. ❤️ If you loved this episode... Share it with a friend who’s always Googling “side hustle ideas.” Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it helps more Outlaws find us! 🌐 Website: www.outlawspodcast.com 📬 Email us: contact@outlawspodcast.com 💬 Join the conversation: 📸 Instagram: @the.outlaws.podcast 📘 Facebook Group: Outlaws Podcast Community 💼 LinkedIn: Outlaws Podcast 🎧 Hosted on Podbean Hosted and produced by: Shayla Strapps and Kate Offer

What if taking a year to live overseas wasn’t a fantasy, but a plan you could actually pull off? In the first episode of our new semi regular episodes of 'Outlaw Escapes', Shayla and Kate talk with lawyer and mum Melissa Hii, who moved her family to Bordeaux and ran her law practice from France. No secret money tree, just thoughtful planning, a willingness to compromise, and the courage to try something different. From visas to village schools, here’s what we dig into about career break travel: – Why intuition beats a perfect plan, and how to act when “sensible” says don’t – Funding a year abroad: renting out your home, buffers for exchange rates, and realistic costs – The admin reality: long‑stay visas, relocation agents, French bureaucracy, school enrolments, and bank workarounds – Working remotely across time zones without dropping clients or income – Kids and culture shock: making friends, and the confidence they gain – City vs regional costs, decluttering early, and choosing a location (hello, TGV lines) – Identity, success, and ignoring the “shoulds” when your gut says go Whether you want sun-soaked months in Europe, a family reset, or a break that helps you come back clearer and braver, this conversation shows that career break travel is possible for regular people, not just influencers or billionaires. In this episode – Shayla’s own 18‑month escape to Provence and the “columns” test for big decisions – Melissa’s Bordeaux leap while co‑running a firm in Melbourne – Practical steps: visas, schools, housing, relocation agents, and time‑zone workflows – Using rental income and interest‑only periods to make numbers work – The best mindset shift: you’re moving to live, not to holiday 💡 This episode is for you if: – You’ve dreamed of how to live overseas for a year but think it’s impossible – You want a career break that isn’t a résumé gap, it’s a life design choice – You’re curious about raising kids abroad and the reality of foreign schools – You feel weighed down by jobs, mortgages, and stuff, and want more freedom – You’ve ever said “I wish I could do that” and meant it 🔗 Connect with us Instagram: @the.outlaws.podcast - https://www.instagram.com/the.outlaws.podcast Facebook Group: Outlaws Podcast Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/the.outlaws.podcast LinkedIn: Outlaws Podcast - https://www.linkedin.com/company/106681587 Email: contact@outlawspodcast.com 📩 Sign up for our newsletter for more tools and real talk on our website 🎧 Hosted by Shayla Strapps and Kate Offer 🎙 Produced by the Outlaws Podcast

What happens when a casual side hustle turns into a global movement for mental health? In this episode, Shayla and Kate sit down with Nick Hudson, engineer-turned-entrepreneur and founder of The Push-Up Challenge. What began as friendly banter at the surf club became one of Australia’s biggest mental fitness events, raising over $50 million for mental health and connecting hundreds of thousands of people. Nick shares how open-heart surgery, a battle with depression, and the itch to create something meaningful pushed him toward a bold career change. What started as a side hustle became his passion, proof that following a spark can change not just your own life but the lives of many. From engineering rules to outlaw moves, Nick talks about: – Why innovation is so hard inside traditional careers – The leap from side hustle to full-time mission – “Mental health by stealth” and how a push-up can start a conversation – Taking risks, funding your dream, and failing hard (in the best way) – The tension between being sensible and going all in when you follow your passion Whether you’re contemplating a career pivot, building a side hustle, or wrestling with your own mental health journey, this episode is packed with real talk, risk, and resilience. This episode is for you if: – You’re dreaming of a career change but stuck in the “what if” loop – You’ve got a side hustle that lights you up more than your day job – You want to know how to follow your passion without burning it all down – You’re interested in practical, hopeful ways to engage with mental health 🔧 Resources & Links 🌐 Learn more about The Push-Up Challenge 📩 Subscribe to the Outlaws newsletter for updates and extras ❤️ If you loved this episode… Share it with a friend who’s sitting on a “one day” idea. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it helps more Outlaws find us! 🔗 Connect & Explore Hosted and produced by: Shayla Strapps and Kate Offer Website: www.outlawspodcast.com Email: contact@outlawspodcast.com 💬 Join the conversation: 📘 Facebook Group: Outlaws Podcast Community 💼 LinkedIn

Need to make a decision but not sure how to start?  If you’ve ever felt stuck, second-guessed yourself, or wondered whether you’re making the right call, this episode might just help. In this third Outlawbrary edition, Shayla and Kate dive into Greta Bradman’s inspiring and practical book What Matters to You — exploring the big question: how do we know how to make good decisions? Greta is a psychologist, a four-time number-one classical singer, and someone who knows how powerful values based decision making can be in creating a life that actually fits you. Through honesty, humour, and real-life examples, Shayla and Kate unpack: – How to recognise when “shoulds” are steering your choices – Why threat-based values can hijack your decision making without you noticing – The difference between chasing perfection and making progress – How imposter syndrome can keep you from making values aligned choices – Practical steps to bring your values into every decision you make This isn’t just a book review. It’s a conversation about clarity — identifying your true values, spotting when fear is running the show, and building the confidence to make decisions you won’t regret. In this episode: – Shayla’s battle with perfectionism while learning French – Kate’s reflections on ADHD, avoidance, and imposter syndrome – The pull between comfort and growth in decision making – Why knowing both your core values and threat-based values is a game changer – How to put values based decision making into practice every day  This episode is for you if: – You’ve ever wondered how do we know how to make good decisions? – You want tools for more confident, intentional decision making – You’re tired of letting fear or perfectionism dictate your path – You’re ready to make values based decisions that feel right for you 🔧 Resources & links 📘 What Matters to You by Greta Bradman – add it to your Outlawbrary ❤️ If you loved this episode... Share it with someone who’s been second-guessing their choices. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it helps more Outlaws find us. 🎧 Find out more 🌐 Website: www.outlawspodcast.com 🔗 Connect with us Instagram: @the.outlaws.podcast Facebook Group: Outlaws Podcast Community LinkedIn: Outlaws Podcast Email: contact@outlawspodcast.com 📩 Sign up for our newsletter for more tools and real talk 🎧 Hosted by Shayla Strapps and Kate Offer 🎙 Produced by the Outlaws Podcast

What if sitting in the discomfort of "I don’t know" was the first real step in your career change? In this episode, Shayla and Kate delve into the liminal, messy, and often uncomfortable space that exists between knowing what you don’t want and having any clue what comes next in your career pivot. They discuss the emotional toll during a career change, the allure of certainty, and why high-achievers struggle without a solid plan. Whether you're mid-career and dreaming of something new, stuck in a job that no longer fits, or flailing in the deep end after making a career change, this episode is designed for you. You’ll learn about the powerful lessons hidden in uncertainty and why embracing it can lead to transformative career advice.  We’re calling this the “goop phase” (from butterflies come caterpillars) that weird, stuck, squirmy space where you’ve let go of the old thing but haven’t figured out what’s next. It’s confusing, it’s chaotic, and if you’re in it? You’re not alone. In this episode, Shayla and Kate get raw about what it really feels like to be a competent, ambitious person who suddenly doesn’t have a plan — and why that might be the very thing that sets you free. Whether you're thinking about a career change, navigating burnout, or just tired of pretending you have it all figured out, this is your permission slip to pause, sit in the uncertainty, and trust that answers don’t always come from spreadsheets. In this episode: – Why the unknown is so hard for high-functioning professionals – Shayla’s story of burnout, chronic pain, and forced reflection – Kate’s near-miss with the “wrong job” and what it taught her – The dangerous allure of certainty, and the jobs we apply for just to avoid the unknown – What liminal space is, and why it might be where the magic happens – The difference between fear of change and your gut saying no – How to stop making every decision feel like it has to be “the right one” This episode is for you if: – You’re contemplating a career change and feel overwhelmed by the unknown – You’ve ever applied for a job you didn’t want just to escape the discomfort – You're terrified of making the wrong choice and failing – You’re trying to think your way out of a season you need to feel your way through – You’re craving real talk, not just polished LinkedIn updates Resources & Links 📚 The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck – home of the “caterpillar goop” metaphor 🎙️ Elizabeth Gilbert quote: “Don’t rush through the experiences of life that have the most capacity to transform you.” Shayla’s golden rule: “Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.” Join the conversation in our Facebook Group 📩 Subscribe to our newsletter for unconventional career advice at www.outlawspodcast.com  If you loved this episode… Send it to a friend who’s stuck in the “what now?” phase Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it helps more Outlaws find us Find out more 🌐 Website: www.outlawspodcast.com 📬 Email us: Outlaws Podcast Community 💼 LinkedIn: Outlaws Podcast Hosted and produced by: Shayla Strapps and Kate Offer 🎧 Hosted on Podbean