Big F*cking Dreams

The Big F*cking Dreams Podcast is a self-help podcast for high performers (without the cringe). This self-development podcast offers step-by-step actionable tips from one of Australia's leading life coaches, Hannah Kissel, who has worked with clients from LinkedIn, Pinterest, Canva, Uber, Gartner, DocuSign, MongoDB, and many more. This podcast is for the high performer who ties their self-worth to their job performance but deep down knows there has to be another way. It's for those who want to expand their career AND live deeply by their values. This podcast is a RECLAMATION of confidence and personal power. Want more confidence? Less self-sabotage? Zero burnout? And a higher f*cking salary? Join Hannah every other Wednesday as she discusses topics like the truth about leaving your corporate job or how to stop self-sabotage. She explores how confidence and vulnerability can co-exist, the psychology of high performers, and shares actionable tools to achieve you're big f*cking dr

Big F*cking Dreams is a education podcast hosted by Hannah Kissel, with 92 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Hannah Kissel hosts Big F*cking Dreams, a education show with 92 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #94

  94: Managing Up: How to Handle an Unpredictable Boss

  Aug 18, 202610 min

  He's a "great guy" but he calls pregnant teammates "disabled," doles out off-color jokes in your one-on-ones, and swings between warm and erratic so fast you get emotional whiplash. Sound familiar? In this episode of Hannah Hotline, we break down how to handle a boss who's unpredictable and inappropriate without quitting and without losing yourself. This isn't about managing his moods; it's about protecting your own sanity and career while you're in his orbit. Here's what we cover: - Why his behavior is classed as bullying and harassment (even if it's not aimed at you) - The psychology of "hypervigilance" and why you feel on edge all the time - Exactly what to say when he crosses a line (scripts included) - How to get clarity on his inconsistent decisions without confrontation - The one habit that protects you if things escalate: documenting everything Timestamps: 01:00 — The listener's dilemma: the "great guy" with the off-color comments 02:35 — Why this behavior is bullying and harassment even when it's not aimed at you 04:17 — The power dynamic at play (and why millennials stay quiet) 04:50 — How to speak up: scripts for shutting down inappropriate comments 06:38 — The golden rule: document everything 07:28 — How to manage his inconsistent decisions (get clarity in writing) 08:58 — What's actually in your control (and what's not) 09:17 — The recap: protect yourself, don't manage his moods #CareerAdvice #workplacebullying #ManagingUp #workplacetoxicity #HannahHotline #toxicworkenvironment #workboundaries

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  Episode #93

  93: The Reward for Doing Well at My Job is More Unpaid Work

  Aug 4, 202612 min

  Are you a high performer who constantly says "yes" to new projects? You're not alone. You're likely paying the "competency tax." In this episode of Hannah Hotline, we break down why being the "reliable one" at work is actively damaging your health and career trajectory. If you're burnt out, stressed, and feeling punished for your own competence, this episode is your wake-up call. We cover: Why high achievers tie their self-worth to performance (and how to stop). The difference between being "reliable" and being "promotable." Actionable steps to set boundaries when you're overwhelmed. Timestamps: 01:15 - The Listener's Dilemma: Burnout and Stress 02:15 - What is the "Competency Tax"? 04:30 - The Health Risks of Overwork (WHO Study) 05:15 - Distinguishing Between "Reliable" and "Promotable" 06:45 - Next Step: Documenting Your Capacity 08:45 - Reframing "Selfish" as "Sane" 09:30 - Zooming Out: Finding Joy Outside of Work #HannahHotline #CareerAdvice #BurnoutPrevention #HighPerformance #CompetencyTax #WorkBoundaries #HannahKissel

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  Episode #92

  92: Giving Yourself Permission to Do Less (+ Big Announcements!)

  Jul 28, 202614 min

  Hannah is back with a big announcement, a full rebrand, and an honest conversation about what it actually looks like to simplify your business without guilt. In this episode, Hannah shares why she's transitioning Big Fucking Dreams to Hannah Hotline , scaling back from weekly to fortnightly episodes, stepping back from Instagram and TikTok, and going all-in on LinkedIn and YouTube. Plus — the 40% business growth she achieved working just 30–35 hours a week, and the universe confirmation that arrived 20 minutes after she made her scariest business decision yet. If you've ever felt like doing less means failing, this one's for you. Want a topic covered on Hannah Hotline? Email hello@hannahkissel.com Check out the new website and brand refresh! www.hannahkissel.com Timestamps: 01:15 — The official rebrand 02:30 — Something had to give — and the big announcement 03:45 — The business analysis that changed everything 04:00 — The full brand refresh: new logo, new website, new energy 05:00 — The B2B pivot: consulting, corporate talks, and public speaking 05:45 — The real cost of running a podcast as a solo operator 06:30 — The decision: letting the Big Fucking Dreams solo episodes go 07:00 — Why Hannah initially said "no" to cutting back — and what changed 08:00 — "Simplify" as a word of the year for someone who doesn't simplify easily 08:15 — The master's degree story: overcomplicating as a pattern 09:00 — Internal Family Systems: the parts that fear being ordinary 09:45 — The mentor conversation and committing to the plan 10:30 — The confirmation: doing less is the right direction 12:00 — Making room for something different 12:30 — What Hannah wants this next season to feel like: spacious, relaxed, luxurious 12:45 — The invitation to you: where can YOU do less?

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  Episode #91

  91: Stop Settling for Less: The Salary Negotiation Playbook

  Jul 21, 202610 min

  "You're not getting a raise because you never asked for one." You've been crushing it at work for years. You show up early, deliver exceptional results, and you're genuinely good at what you do. Then you find out your new male colleague, doing the exact same job, is making $35K more than you. Your stomach drops. The resentment sets in. Here's the uncomfortable truth: Most women don't negotiate their pay, and companies know it. In this Hannah Hotline episode, we're breaking down exactly why this happens, why companies do it, and most importantly, the step-by-step strategy to fix it. You'll learn why salary negotiation isn't about being "greedy" or "difficult." It's about understanding how companies actually budget, what your real market value is, and how to present a business case so strong they have to listen. In this episode, we cover: - Why companies pay new hires more than loyal existing employees (and how to use this knowledge). - The critical question: "When was the last time you negotiated?" - The difference between negotiating vs. demanding and why phrasing matters. - How to build a business case for a raise using market data and performance metrics. - Managing workplace resentment without burning bridges Timestamps: 00:45 Initial Reaction: Why Resentment Hits Hard 01:30 The Real Reason Companies Pay New Hires More 02:20 Gender Pay Gap Context 03:00 The Negotiation Gap: When Was the Last Time You Asked? 04:00 Loyalty vs. Salary: The False Trade-Off 04:30 The Business Case Approach (How to Frame It) 05:15 Market Rate Research: Know Your Worth 05:45 Performance Metrics: Build Your Argument 06:15 Skill Gaps: Addressing Legitimate Differences 06:30 The Exact Language to Use (Avoid "Too Emotional" Labels) 07:10 Timeline Matters: Get a Clear Answer 07:45 Managing Resentment Toward the System (Not the Person) 08:15 When to Walk: Knowing When Your Current Company Won't Pay Got a salary negotiation scenario? Email hello@hannahkissel.com Free Career Confidence Course (includes salary negotiation guide): www.hannahkissel.com #salarynegotiation #careerconfidence #womenintech #negotiationtips #HannahHotline #careerguide #HannahKissel

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  Episode #90

  90: Overcoming Fawning: How to Set Boundaries in Your Career

  Jul 14, 202619 min

  "Stop protecting the people who treat you poorly." Are you the person who jokes about being a "people pleaser" but goes home feeling drained, anxious, and deeply resentful? You might not just be "nice"—you might be experiencing the "fawn" trauma response. Most of us know fight, flight, or freeze, but fawning is the lesser-known, often more dangerous response where you literally prop up people who don't deserve it just to survive the interaction. In this episode, we're doing the "shitty work" of peeling back those layers to understand why you learned to sacrifice your own needs just to avoid conflict. If you're tired of self-gaslighting and are ready to stop setting yourself on fire to keep others warm, this is your wake-up call. Here, we explore: - What the fawn trauma response actually looks like in high-performance careers. - How to differentiate your adult self from the "exile" parts of you that learned people-pleasing as a survival mechanism. - Tactical ways to set boundaries and pause before you say "yes." - How to detach from the outcome when setting boundaries (spoiler: their reaction is theirs, not yours). - Moving toward a freer, more fulfilled life by embracing authentic relationships Timestamps: 01:17 Personal Story: Hannah's Workplace Fawning 02:45 Defining Fawning & Why It Happens 03:38 Taking Action: Stopping the Cycle 04:42 Why We Self-Gaslight at Work 06:15 The IFS Approach to People-Pleasing 07:00 Managers vs. Exiles: How Our Parts Work 08:30 Connecting Old Survival Strategies to Today 09:15 The Power of the Pause 10:33 How to Find "Expanders" to Model Boundaries 12:30 Detaching from Other People's Reactions 14:10 Why This Work is Uncomfortable (But Worth It) 15:10 The Freedom of Authentic Relationships 15:55 The "Cruise Ship" Analogy for Change 16:18 Life & Work Transformation Program Info #fawntraumaresponse #internalfamilysystems #peoplepleasing #selfrespect #healthyboundaries #authenticrelationships #workplaceculture #careeradvice

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