Have you ever hesitated to ask your employer to pay for professional development because you thought it would make you look incapable? In this episode, I sit down with Kim Nicol, host of The New Manager Podcast, to reveal why getting your company to invest in your growth is actually one of the smartest career moves you can make.

Kim shares the powerful mindset shift that transforms asking for training from feeling like begging to positioning yourself as a proactive leader. We break down the exact framework for making the pitch—identifying what you want, who to ask, when to ask, and how to equip decision-makers to advocate on your behalf. Plus, Kim tells the incredible story of a client who turned a few-hundred-dollar course request into a company-wide $500 professional development budget for everyone.

Learn why "no" is just information (not failure), how asking for training is actually low-stakes practice for negotiating raises and promotions, and why the skill of self-advocacy might be the most valuable thing you develop in your career. Whether you're already employed or interviewing for your next role, this conversation will change how you think about professional development forever.

Get full show notes and more information here: Have you ever hesitated to ask your employer to pay for professional development because you thought it would make you look incapable? In this episode, I sit down with Kim Nicol, host of The New Manager Podcast, to reveal why getting your company to invest in your growth is actually one of the smartest career moves you can make.

Kim shares the powerful mindset shift that transforms asking for training from feeling like begging to positioning yourself as a proactive leader. We break down the exact framework for making the pitch—identifying what you want, who to ask, when to ask, and how to equip decision-makers to advocate on your behalf. Plus, Kim tells the incredible story of a client who turned a few-hundred-dollar course request into a company-wide $500 professional development budget for everyone.

Learn why "no" is just information (not failure), how asking for training is actually low-stakes practice for negotiating raises and promotions, and why the skill of self-advocacy might be the most valuable thing you develop in your career. Whether you're already employed or interviewing for your next role, this conversation will change how you think about professional development forever.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.nataliefishertraining.com/episode-255

Have you ever wondered if there's a way to earn six figures while working just 8-10 hours per week for each client? In this episode, I sit down with Raquel Castillo, a fractional COO who's redefining what a successful career can look like in 2025.

Raquel shares her inspiring journey from being a full-time COO at a manufacturing company (where she loved her job!) to discovering the world of fractional work—and how her very first fractional client replaced her entire full-time income. We dive into what fractional work actually means, why it exploded in popularity after COVID, and how she now picks up her kids at 3pm while doing meaningful strategic work.

Learn the difference between fractional executives and professionals, how to pitch companies that are hiring full-time roles, and why going fractional gives you more control than you think. Whether you're curious about this career path or feeling stuck in the traditional full-time grind, this conversation will open your eyes to new possibilities.

Get full show notes and more information here: Have you ever wondered if there's a way to earn six figures while working just 8-10 hours per week for each client? In this episode, I sit down with Raquel Castillo, a fractional COO who's redefining what a successful career can look like in 2025.

Raquel shares her inspiring journey from being a full-time COO at a manufacturing company (where she loved her job!) to discovering the world of fractional work—and how her very first fractional client replaced her entire full-time income. We dive into what fractional work actually means, why it exploded in popularity after COVID, and how she now picks up her kids at 3pm while doing meaningful strategic work.

Learn the difference between fractional executives and professionals, how to pitch companies that are hiring full-time roles, and why going fractional gives you more control than you think. Whether you're curious about this career path or feeling stuck in the traditional full-time grind, this conversation will open your eyes to new possibilities.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.nataliefishertraining.com/episode-254

Assessment: https://theonlineintegrator.com/fractional-assessment

Raquel's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theonlineintegrator/

Have you ever heard advice like "have more conversations" or "communicate your value" and thought, "I'm already doing that—why isn't it working?" In this episode, I'm revealing the four open secrets to getting hired that everyone talks about but almost no one executes correctly.

These aren't hidden strategies—they're things you've heard a million times. The problem? There's a massive gap between knowing these surface-level tips and actually mastering the nuances that make them work. I break down exactly what's missing when people say "referrals don't work anymore" or "I know my value but can't convince others of it."

Learn why meaningful conversations aren't just networking, how to communicate value without falling into "convincing mode," what makes stories compelling beyond the STAR method, and why the questions you ask matter more than the answers you give. Plus, I share how one of my clients landed two job offers in one day by applying these principles correctly.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.nataliefishertraining.com/episode-253

Have you ever felt powerless in an interview when asked about a skill you don't have? In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly how to flip the power dynamic so decision makers start selling themselves to you instead of the other way around.

Using a simple example about PowerPoint skills, I walk you through three levels of answers—from the lowest (apologetic and defeated) to the mic drop response that shifts the entire conversation. Learn why trap questions keep you in "convincing mode" and how owning what you don't know while redirecting to your bigger vision makes interviewers lean in and want you more.

I also share why the outdated mindset of "the employer has all the power" is just like thinking men control dating—it's simply not true anymore. Discover the psychology behind why pulling back instead of convincing makes people come toward you, and why collecting certifications before anyone commits to hiring you is like buying an entire grocery store before knowing what your dinner guests want to eat.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.nataliefishertraining.com/episode-252

Have you ever had someone steal your work and wondered why you felt so powerless to stop it? In this episode, I share insights from a powerful one-on-one coaching session about transforming one of the most frustrating workplace experiences into a sign of your professional growth.

When my client came to me in tears because a colleague had literally crossed out her name and put their own on her work, I helped her see something she couldn't: this was actually a "higher quality problem" that proved how far she'd come. Years ago, she was on a performance improvement plan struggling with work quality. Now her work is so exceptional that people want to steal it.

Learn how to shift from unconscious victimhood to seeing workplace challenges as mandatory curriculum for your next level of success. I'll show you why the problems you face today are actually evidence of your growth, and how accepting difficult challenges as classes you must take is the fastest path to advancement.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.nataliefishertraining.com/episode-251

Have you ever caught yourself thinking "the job market is impossible" and felt completely defeated? In this episode, I'm going on a passionate rant about why this mindset is keeping you stuck and what you should focus on instead to get faster results.

I break down how thoughts like "the job market is a dumpster fire" create feelings of discouragement that lead to ineffective actions—like frantically applying to more jobs or going back to school for months. These scattered approaches don't address the real problem: you haven't learned to communicate your unique value effectively.

Instead of following the crowd into scarcity thinking, I'll show you how to tap into the "current of opportunities" by identifying your hidden gifts and connecting with the right people. Learn why real value doesn't demand attention, how to stop seeking validation from employers, and why approaching your job search from a place of wholeness—not neediness—is what actually attracts opportunities.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.nataliefishertraining.com/episode-250

Have you ever held back from asking a question because you were terrified of looking stupid? In this episode, I dive into the life-changing power of "saying the hard thing"—whether that's asking the question you're afraid to ask or having the difficult conversation you've been avoiding.

I share two pivotal stories from my own career that completely transformed how I approach workplace communication. From not knowing what "ARs" meant for months at my first job to confronting a micromanaging boss who left me in tears, these experiences taught me that avoiding difficult conversations always costs more than having them.

Learn why the fear of what others will think keeps you spinning in unproductive loops, how to face your worst-case scenarios head-on, and why saying the hard thing is actually an act of self-respect. I'll walk you through the exact steps to prepare for difficult conversations and show you how speaking up creates authentic relationships and faster career growth.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.nataliefishertraining.com/episode-249

Have you ever felt trapped in a cycle of overworking and self-doubt, constantly questioning if you're good enough for your role? In this episode, I share powerful coaching insights from working with a client who was drowning in anxiety about her unpredictable boss and her own perceived incompetence.

From working weekends to frantically over-preparing for every meeting, she was caught in the exhausting trap of "I should know more" thinking. I break down the exact mindset shifts that transformed her experience, moving from "I don't know what I'm doing" to "I'm learning and figuring it out" and show you how to have your own back when criticism comes your way.

Learn why overcompensating actually makes you appear less confident, how to ask the questions you need without fear, and the game-changing difference between confidence and self-confidence. This episode will help you break free from the "never enough" spiral and start thriving in your role.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.nataliefishertraining.com/episode-248