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Unstuck & Unstoppable

Unstuck & Unstoppable

By: Sarah Archer
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Unstuck & Unstoppable is the go-to podcast for ambitious female leaders ready to amplify their impact, boost their income, and achieve career success on their own terms—without burning out or compromising their values. Hosted by Sarah Archer, a leadership coach and career strategist dedicated to empowering women in leadership, this show provides the tools, strategies, and inspiration you need to thrive in your career. Whether you’re looking to overcome imposter syndrome, enhance your leadership skills, or create a sustainable path to success, each episode will offer actionable insights, expert interviews, and real-life stories to help you take your career to the next level. It’s time to stop playing small, unlock your full potential, and create the impact you’re destined for. Tune in weekly to discover how you can lead boldly, live fully, and succeed with confidence and integrity.Copyright 2026 Sarah Archer Career Success Economics Management Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • Episode 71 Have you stayed in your current role for too long?

    Episode 71 Have you stayed in your current role for too long?
    Mar 20 2026
    Have you been in your role for five years or more? Are you there because you love it… or because you feel a bit stuck?In this episode, Sarah unpacks the difference between healthy staying and career stagnation, the subtle signs you might be stuck (even if things look “fine” on the surface), and practical steps to help you regain momentum, confidence, and clarity in your career.If you’ve been questioning your next move or avoiding the question altogether - this episode will give you a powerful reset.Show Notes[00:00:00] Welcome & Podcast Overview[00:01:00] Why This Topic Matters A real client story sparks the question: are you staying because you’re thriving or stuck?[00:02:00] The Big Question: Why Have You Stayed? Exploring the difference between loving your role and feeling unable to leave.[00:02:30] What “Healthy Staying” Looks LikeOngoing learning and developmentExpanding influence and impactIncreasing responsibility and stretchFeeling energised and engaged at work[00:04:00] When Staying Becomes StagnationRepetitive work with no growthLack of progression opportunitiesDeclining confidenceComfort replacing challenge[00:06:00] The Hidden Risk of Being Too Comfortable Why growth requires “optimal anxiety” (not stress, but not stagnation either).[00:07:00] 5 Signs You Might Be StuckYour learning curve has flattenedYou’ve stopped advocating for yourselfYou’re known for what you used to doYou feel invisible or overlookedYou keep saying “maybe next year”[00:08:30] Why We Stay Too LongComfort and securityEroded confidence“Golden handcuffs” (salary, flexibility, benefits)The busyness trapIdentity lock (“this is just what I do”)[00:10:30] The Real Cost of Staying Stuck How stagnation shrinks your confidence, identity, and sense of possibility.[00:11:00] 3 Ways to Get Unstuck1. Run a Career Audit: Ask yourself:What am I learning?What impact am I having?Where am I growing?2. Expand Before You ExitSeek stretch projectsIncrease your visibilityRedesign aspects of your role3. Explore New PossibilitiesInternal moves or secondmentsNew environments or industriesReimagining your career direction[00:13:30] A Personal Turning Point Why staying in the same type of senior role no longer felt inspiring and what that revealed.[00:14:00] The Wake-Up Call Question “If nothing changed in your role for the next 3 years, would you feel excited or quietly disappointed?”[00:14:30] Reflection & Next Steps Encouragement to pause, reflect, journal, and seek support if needed.[00:15:00] Closing Thoughts You don’t need to blow up your career - but you do need to wake it up.Resources & Next StepstExplore the Strategic Visibility episode for practical ways to raise your profileReach out for coaching support if you’re ready to move from stuck to unstoppableUseful LinksTake the Career Clarity Audit for personalised insightEpisode 47 How to get noticed in your careerSign up for Weekly Career InspirationLearn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching ProgrammesBook a Free 121 Clarity CallConnect with Sarah on LinkedInRate & Review the PodcastIf you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: sarah@careertreecoaching.co.uk
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    16 mins
  • Episode 70 How to Change Your Inner Critic's Story

    Episode 70 How to Change Your Inner Critic's Story
    Mar 13 2026

    In this episode, Sarah explores why the inner critic exists and how it often tries to protect us from perceived risks like rejection, failure, or judgement. The challenge is that while it may have good intentions, it can also keep us stuck, holding back from the opportunities we truly want.

    Sarah shares three practical strategies to help you quieten your inner critic and strengthen your inner coach so you can move forward with more confidence and self-trust.

    Show Notes

    00:00 – Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable

    01:17 – Episode introduction: The inner critic

    Why this topic comes up frequently in coaching sessions and how it affects confidence, career progression, and leadership.

    02:15 – What the inner critic sounds like

    Common thoughts that trigger self-doubt and prevent action.

    03:20 – Why we actually have an inner critic

    Understanding the brain’s role in protecting us from physical and emotional risk.

    05:00 – How limiting beliefs fuel the inner critic

    Where these beliefs come from and how they become ammunition for self-doubt.

    06:10 – Your inner narrative and the story you tell yourself

    How unconscious scripts shape what you believe is possible for you.

    07:10 – Strategy 1: Notice and rewrite the narrative

    Becoming aware of the story you’re telling yourself and consciously editing it.

    08:05 – Flipping the script

    Using the perspective of how you would speak to a friend to create a more empowering narrative.

    08:40 – Strategy 2: Evidence-based reframing

    Using real achievements and experiences to challenge the inner critic.

    09:25 – Client example: Recovering confidence after burnout

    How reframing helped a client rebuild trust in herself and pursue leadership again.

    11:20 – Strategy 3: Create distance from your inner critic

    Naming and externalising the inner critic to reduce its power.

    12:20 – Real client example: Visualising and managing the inner critic

    How one creative technique dramatically quietened a client’s inner critic.

    13:10 – Strengthening your inner coach

    Why self-trust is essential for leadership growth.

    14:05 – Reflection exercise for listeners

    A simple question to help you challenge your inner critic this week.

    Useful Links

    Episode 51: How to Change Your Inner Critic into Your Inner Coach

    Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration

    Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes

    Book a Free 121 Clarity Call

    Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn

    Your inner critic isn’t trying to sabotage you - it’s trying to protect you. But when you learn how to rewrite the story it’s telling and strengthen your inner coach, you create the confidence and self-trust needed to step into bigger opportunities.

    Rate & Review the Podcast

    If you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

    If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: sarah@careertreecoaching.co.uk
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    15 mins
  • Episode 69 Influence Blockers -What's Really Holding Back Your Impact as a Leader

    Episode 69 Influence Blockers -What's Really Holding Back Your Impact as a Leader
    Mar 6 2026

    If you’re working hard but not getting the traction, visibility or progression you want, this episode will help you understand why.

    Sarah breaks down the four core Influence Blockers she sees repeatedly in senior female leaders - the hidden patterns that quietly limit confidence, authority, and advancement. Once you can spot your blocker, you can shift it.

    Timestamps

    [00:00] Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppabl-

    [02:00] Why Hard Work Isn’t Enough

    The unconscious patterns that hold capable women back.

    [03:30] The Four Influence Blockers Overview

    An introduction to the four key categories.

    [04:00] Blocker 1: Internal Confidence & Identity

    Second-guessing yourself, overthinking meetings, still feeling the need to prove your capability - and how this shrinks your influence.

    [06:00] Blocker 2: Communication & Presence

    Softening your message, over-explaining, speaking late in meetings, and why executive presence determines how much weight your words carry.

    [07:00] Blocker 3: Strategic Positioning

    Staying operational instead of visible at a strategic level. Why being excellent at delivery doesn’t automatically position you for promotion.

    (Referenced: Episode 66 on strengthening strategic thinking.)

    [08:30] Blocker 4: Environment & Power Dynamics

    Navigating dominant personalities, organisational politics, and male-dominated cultures - and how your response shapes your influence.

    [10:00] The Real Cost of Not Addressing Your Blocker

    Staying stuck, being overlooked, watching less capable peers move ahead - and the damage self-doubt can cause.

    [11:30] Your Action Step

    Identify your primary blocker and decide what action you’ll take to shift the pattern.

    [12:30] How to Get Support

    How coaching can accelerate your influence and position you for the next level.

    Key Takeaway

    Influence blockers aren’t capability gaps - they’re patterns. And patterns can be changed.

    If you’re ready to stop playing small and start positioning yourself as the leader you already are, this episode will give you the clarity to begin.

    Useful Links

    Episode 66 Strengthening Your Strategic Thinking: From Operational to Big Picture

    Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration

    Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes

    Book a Free 121 Clarity Call

    Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn

    Rate & Review the Podcast

    If you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

    If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: sarah@careertreecoaching.co.uk
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    14 mins
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