Welcome to Success by Design, the podcast crafted for high achievers ready to take charge of their careers, elevate their businesses, and create lasting fulfillment in life. Hosted by Tim Madden, CEO of Executive Career Upgrades, this podcast delivers actionable strategies, expert interviews, and industry insights for meaningful growth.

Whether you’re aiming for a breakthrough in your current role, transitioning to a new industry, or growing your business, Success by Design is here to guide you toward your full potential. With over 22 years of military experience and a track record of scaling multiple businesses, Tim Madden brings insights from a career spanning leadership, entrepreneurship, and executive coaching.

Join us weekly to learn how you can define success on your terms—and achieve it. Hit subscribe to start your success journey today! 🎧

In this episode of The Career Report, Tim and Kristina talk about why reflection matters before you jump into setting new PPF goals. It’s easy to rush into planning the next year without taking a moment to look back, but skipping that step often means missing what actually worked.

They walk through how to review the past year honestly, how to recognize wins that are easy to overlook, and how to carry lessons forward without beating yourself up over what didn’t go as planned. This conversation is about clarity, momentum, and setting yourself up for a stronger year ahead, not just creating another list of goals.

If you’re wrapping up the year and thinking about what’s next, this episode will help you slow down just enough to move forward with intention.

In this episode of The Career Report, I break down why your job title matters far less than you think when it comes to getting hired. Too many professionals get stuck chasing the “right” title instead of focusing on what actually moves the needle in interviews and executive searches.

We talk about how hiring managers really evaluate candidates, what recruiters look for beyond titles, and how relying on a title alone can quietly hold your career back. If you’ve ever wondered why strong experience isn’t translating into interviews or offers, this episode will help you rethink how you position yourself and your value.

This is especially relevant for directors, VPs, and senior professionals navigating a competitive market where perception, clarity, and impact matter more than labels.

In this episode, hosts Tim and Kristina Madden debunk the common myth that current hiring delays are a byproduct of "the market," instead pointing the finger at the internal corporate paralysis and "hiring by committee" culture plaguing modern organizations. They pull back the curtain on why 90-day interview cycles and endless rounds of vetting have become the new norm, explaining that these bottlenecks are driven by leadership's fear of making the "wrong" hire rather than external economic shifts. By breaking down the mechanics of this bureaucratic inertia, Tim and Kristina empower job seekers to stop internalizing the wait and provide actionable strategies to navigate the "black hole" of the modern application process with their confidence and leverage intact.

In this episode of The Career Report, Tim and Kristina unpack the growing hesitation they’re seeing across the job market and within careers at every level. They discuss why so many professionals are choosing to stay put, how uncertainty is influencing decision-making, and where caution can quietly turn into stagnation. Together, they explore how to evaluate risk, build confidence, and make intentional career moves even when the market feels unpredictable. If you’ve been stuck between staying and going, this conversation offers clarity and perspective to help you move forward with purpose.

In this episode of The Career Report, Tim breaks down what it means to see the lowest quit rate since spring of 2020, and why that shift matters in today’s job market. He unpacks what’s driving professionals to stay in place, how uncertainty is influencing career decisions, and what this trend signals for leaders thinking about their next move. If you’re weighing a job change, feeling cautious about making a move, or trying to understand where the market is heading, this episode offers timely insight and practical perspective.

In this episode of The Career Report, Tim and Kristina Madden break down the latest shifts in the job market and why right now is one of the strongest moments we’ve seen in months for high-level candidates. With job openings hitting new highs, companies are actively moving to secure talent before the new year... creating more interviews, faster timelines, and wider opportunities for Directors, VPs, and Executives who stay engaged.

Tim and Kristina unpack what’s driving this surge, which industries are accelerating, and how you can position yourself to stand out while the market is moving in your favor. If you’ve been thinking about starting or restarting your search, this episode makes it clear: now is the time to take action.

In this episode, Tim and Kristina Madden break down a common mistake even high-level professionals make during a job search: looking desperate online. Whether it’s posting too often about needing a job, sharing inconsistent messaging, or reaching out to hiring managers in ways that feel frantic rather than confident, these signals can quietly push opportunities away even when you’re highly qualified.

Tim and Kristina explain what desperation looks like from a recruiter’s or executive’s perspective, how it impacts your brand, and why maintaining a strong, composed online presence is essential for Director, VP, and Executive-level searches. They also share practical tips for staying visible, strategic, and credible without crossing into “I need a job right now” territory.

If you want your online presence to open doors instead of close them, this conversation will show you how to communicate your value with confidence and impact.