Welcome to another episode of Frustrated and Exhausted! This week, we’re joined by Elizabeth Brauer, Head of HR at 1IO, for a heartfelt and honest conversation about stepping away from the traditional career path and redefining what success really means.

Episode Highlights:

Early Career Crossroads:

Elizabeth shares how, at just 18, an unexpected life event led her away from the “expected” pathway (college → university → job) and into an unconventional—and ultimately fulfilling—career.

Ambition and Pressure:

Elizabeth reflects on the pressures (real and imagined!) she felt as a young mum, her innate ambition, and how that drive evolved from trying to prove herself to a more personal, meaningful ambition.

Success Isn’t Linear:

We discuss the myth of the “career ladder” and why progression often looks more like a “net”—expanding in unexpected directions and enriched by life experiences outside of work.

Life Lessons in Growth:

Elizabeth opens up about early failures, “timing errors,” and bravely admitting when she didn’t know something. She shares the power of vulnerability and how it’s shaped her as a leader.

Work, Rest, and Burnout:

Burnout and the “workaholic badge of honour”—why it’s not sustainable, and why true success often means working less and living more.

Personalized Success:

Advice for anyone stuck in a high-achieving rut: take a pause, check in with yourself, and make sure your goals serve you—not some imaginary audience.

Career Myths to Ditch:

Elizabeth’s one piece of advice to ban forever: Stop glorifying “always being on.” Quality over quantity—embrace downtime!

[00:01:41 ] – Elizabeth describes becoming a young mum and how it forced her off the traditional path.

[00:03:30 ]– Elizabeth shares how she sought careers that fit her life, returning to college, and studying psychology.

[00:06:33 ] – Elizabeth reflects on proving herself and how her definition of success evolved.

[00:08:06 ] – Ruth and Elizabeth explore healthy vs. unhealthy ambition.

[00:10:40 ]– Elizabeth discusses what’s wrong in how we approach career progression, especially for women.

[00:12:04 ] – Net/ladder metaphor and the value of lateral experience.

[00:12:20 ] – Discussion on how broad experience can act as support/catch you.

[00:15:32 ] – Ruth and Elizabeth discuss the dangers of hyper-focus on work.

[00:16:03 ] – On supporting different work styles (quiet contributors, etc).

[00:16:46 ] – Learning from mistakes and the value of reflection.

[00:17:57 ] – Ruth asks about career risks that paid off or didn’t.

[00:20:30 ] – Admitting you need help and learning to take slower steps.

[00:21:51 ] – Elizabeth describes the vulnerability of asking for help and the support she received.

[00:22:01 ] – Vulnerability as a strength in leadership.

[00:23:30 ]– Importance of people connection over just policy/process.

[00:24:46 ] – Startup burnout, reassessing success, and discovering the cost of “doing it all.”

[00:29:45 ] – Importance of checking in with yourself.

[00:31:02 ] – Elizabeth: Ban always being “on,” glorifying workaholism.

[00:31:39 ] – Value of rest and switching off.

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