Ambition & Life

About Ambition & Life

Real stories. Brave leadership. Bold change. We have an opportunity not just to optimise work but to redesign it. Hosted by Karis Dorrigan, a product and innovation leader turned systems-change advocate and coach. Ambition & Life is where ambition meets humanity. Each episode explores how we can build systems that reflect real lives. Where success isn’t measured by hours or titles, but by impact, connection, and integrity. Through honest conversations with founders, leaders, and solo parents reshaping the future of work, you’ll hear stories of courage, practical tools for balance, and ideas that challenge the old rules of leadership and create new ones. We all deserve the opportunity to thrive at work and in life.

Publisher

Karis Dorrigan

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

20 Oct 2025

Latest episode

12 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

17 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   12 Oct 2026

   The Future of Childcare and Work Doesn't Have to Fit in a Box: Building Work That Keeps Parents Close. With Lauren Perrett

   What if returning to work didn't have to mean being separated from your baby at all? This week Karis sits down with Lauren Perrett, founder and CEO of BubbaDesk, Australia's leading co-working space with on-site childcare, and co-founder of Wombee, an app that connects mothers' groups at every stage. Lauren is on a mission to build a new category of childcare where parents can perform at work and stay close to their children. Pregnant and bullish about her return to a tech sales career, Lauren found everything shifted the moment her baby was in her arms. The environment waiting for her was not built for a returning mother in her late thirties, and the premise of separating from her baby to pursue a career felt innately wrong. So she trusted the niggling feeling that there had to be a better way, added several workstations to cart and hit purchase. From one site on the Central Coast, BubbaDesk now operates across nine locations, has raised capital and counts Canva among its corporate partners. Wombee has 10,000 users across Australia and New Zealand, with more than 1,200 groups formed. Together, Karis and Lauren cover a lot of ground, from selling a whole new category of childcare to planning your return as a six to twelve month roadmap, perinatal mental health, the power of community at the right stage, and the advice Lauren would give a room full of CEOs. In this episode: 00:00 Meet Lauren Perrett and her why 01:18 The return that didn't fit 03:05 Blissful naivety and buying the first desks 05:30 Flexibility as a founder, and a culture of mothers 08:38 Selling a new category of childcare 11:38 Corporate partnerships and the Canva story 15:31 The future of childcare in Australia 18:32 Perinatal mental health and plan A, B, C returns 21:58 The six to twelve month return roadmap 24:54 Community, isolation and Wombee 27:22 Advice for CEOs: listen, trust, outcomes 32:13 Where to find Lauren Key takeaways: Your return is not a day, it is a six to twelve month roadmap, with plan A, B and C conversations driven by your employer before day one. Flexibility is now written into legislation, so do your homework on what you are entitled to and bring evidence of what you have already achieved working flexibly. And for the CEOs in the room, Lauren's shift is simple: listen to what parents actually need, stop putting them all in one box, and measure outcomes, not arrival times. Connect with Lauren Perrett bubbadesk.com (http://bubbadesk.com/) wombee.com (http://wombee.com/) linkedin.com/in/laurentopazphillips/ (http://linkedin.com/in/laurentopazphillips/) Connect with Karis Dorrigan ambitionandlife.com (http://ambitionandlife.com/) linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan/ (http://linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan/) Karis Dorrigan is Head of Product in InsurTech, coach, podcast host and solo parent. She has led product across billion-dollar enterprises and scaled companies to their first million in revenue. Today she coaches mid-career women in product and tech to step into senior leadership roles, on their terms. If this episode speaks to you as a solo parent, caregiver or leader, follow Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan, share it with a colleague, and join the movement to build systems where ambition and care can thrive side by side. Track: Brother Brother | Artist: BENSON | Licensed by Soundstripe, Inc. | License #22026995 | License ID: ZCQVE0RUQJPWL06T | Worldwide, in perpetuity, across web, podcast and social platforms. © BENSON / Soundstripe, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission under a perpetual licence. © Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan. All rights reserved. Intentionality · Courage · Balance · Advocacy

2. 

   27 Sept 2026

   Your Value Is Your Difference: How to Make Uniqueness Your Career Strategy. With Nicki Doble

   What if the thing that makes you different from every other leader in the room is the actual offer? This week Karis sits down with Nicki Doble, CIO, CTO, and now an interim and fractional executive working with boards on AI safety. Her career spans the Australian Public Service, banking, property and insurance, and she has spent it walking into broken things on purpose. Nicki never planned the C-suite. The idea arrived at a women's networking dinner, when someone at the table said, you'll be a CIO next. She had never seen herself in that light before. What changed her career after that was not becoming more polished. It was realising the opposite: her value is her difference. Together, Karis and Nicki cover a lot of ground, from why meritocracy has stopped working, to how to build a career in AI without waving the flag for it, to why the coffee matters more than the email you send at 11pm. In this episode: 00:00 Meet Nicki Doble 00:27 Why she runs at broken things 01:39 The dinner comment that made a CIO 02:34 Ambition didn't shift, the sacrifice did 04:08 Resilience, tenacity and sharp elbows 06:34 Don't let them win 07:20 Meritocracy doesn't work, set the quota 08:38 How tech became a broad church 09:27 The tech bro problem with AI 10:23 Cost cutting is not a transformation 12:45 Finding your own niche in AI 14:30 Bias was random, now it is targeted 15:03 Human on the loop, and who takes the blame 16:53 What boards actually understand 19:09 Your value is your difference 20:22 It's none of their business why you want four days 23:58 The 11pm email nobody read 26:24 Make your boss look good 28:33 What leaders should change tomorrow 30:35 One piece of advice for the next seat Key takeaways: Nicki's advice is frank and practical. Stop apologising for the way you want to work and put it into your branding instead, because it is none of their business why you want four days a week. Meritocracy has not delivered, so set the quota, hard or soft, or the same people keep deciding what good looks like. You do not have to wave the flag for AI to build a career in it: work out what you do not like about it, and that is where your work is. Never let a bot carry the blame, because the best governance is human. And your network is the job, not the thing you do after the job. The coffee is more important than the email you send at 11pm. Connect with Nicki Doble linkedin.com/in/nickidoble/ (http://linkedin.com/in/nickidoble/) Connect with Karis Dorrigan ambitionandlife.com (http://ambitionandlife.com) linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan/ (http://linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan/) Karis Dorrigan is Head of Product in InsurTech, coach, podcast host and solo parent. She has led product across billion-dollar enterprises and scaled companies to their first million in revenue. Today she coaches mid-career women in product and tech to step into senior leadership roles, on their terms. If this episode speaks to you as a solo parent, caregiver or leader, follow Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan, share it with a colleague, and join the movement to build systems where ambition and care can thrive side by side. Track: Brother Brother | Artist: BENSON | Licensed by Soundstripe, Inc. | License #22026995 | License ID: ZCQVE0RUQJPWL06T | Worldwide, in perpetuity, across web, podcast and social platforms. © BENSON / Soundstripe, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission under a perpetual licence. © Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan. All rights reserved. Intentionality · Courage · Balance · Advocacy

3. 

   13 Sept 2026

   Not a Morning Tea With Cupcakes: Building Workplaces Where Senior Women Thrive. With Lisa Walker

   Why are so many women in their forties and fifties walking away from careers they spent decades building? This week Karis sits down with Lisa Walker, co-founder of Eir Women and a wellbeing and happiness scientist. Her work is about what actually helps people flourish, at home and at work. Eir Women started on COVID lockdown walks. Lisa and her co-founder Kate had both lost their sleep, their brain function and their sense of themselves, and nobody was talking about it. Kate grew up with a GP for a dad, Lisa with a naturopath for a mum, so they went looking for answers themselves. What little narrative existed was fearful, so they built the opposite: empowering, colourful, joyful. Thirty years in marketing and media meant Lisa knew how to build a brand. What she did not plan was building it full time, as a solo parent to two teenage boys, while finishing a masters. Together, Karis and Lisa cover a lot of ground, from the question to ask before you accept the bigger role, to the systems iceberg that explains why senior women leave and why nobody sees it coming. In this episode: 00:53 Meet Lisa Walker 02:14 Why Eir Women started on a lockdown walk 05:13 Ambition shifted in her forties, not at the baby 07:37 The question to ask before you take the bigger role 09:52 Boys first, health second, company third 12:01 Wellbeing is not a gym membership 14:49 What is actually happening to women at work 16:26 The senior talent walking out the door 17:41 The systems iceberg 20:02 Never write the policy without the women in the room 23:06 How long perimenopause really lasts 28:02 Corporate versus founding, and decision fatigue 31:26 Quick fire: what leaders should change first 33:40 One thing for the women listening 35:30 It whispers before it shouts Key takeaways: Perimenopause is not an event, it is a stretch of life that can run up to ten years, from the mid to late thirties into the early fifties. Lisa's numbers matter here: twenty percent of women have debilitating symptoms, twenty percent have none, and the sixty percent in between have a mix, so there is no average woman to design for. Her systems iceberg puts exhaustion and resignations above the waterline, patterns of lost confidence and lost representation just below, then structures like workplace design, policy and manager education, and at the bottom the mental models about women, ageing and what professionalism is allowed to look like. Her instruction for leaders is specific and unglamorous: start with literacy, and never write the policy without the women it affects in the room. Connect with Lisa Walker eirwomen.com (http://eirwomen.com) linkedin.com/in/lisawalker-eirwomen/ (http://linkedin.com/in/lisawalker-eirwomen/) Connect with Karis Dorrigan ambitionandlife.com (http://ambitionandlife.com) linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan/ (http://linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan/) Karis Dorrigan is Head of Product in InsurTech, coach, podcast host and solo parent. She has led product across billion-dollar enterprises and scaled companies to their first million in revenue. Today she coaches mid-career women in product and tech to step into senior leadership roles, on their terms. If this episode speaks to you as a solo parent, caregiver or leader, follow Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan, share it with a colleague, and join the movement to build systems where ambition and care can thrive side by side. Track: Brother Brother | Artist: BENSON | Licensed by Soundstripe, Inc. | License #22026995 | License ID: ZCQVE0RUQJPWL06T | Worldwide, in perpetuity, across web, podcast and social platforms. © BENSON / Soundstripe, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission under a perpetual licence. © Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan. All rights reserved. Intentionality · Courage · Balance · Advocacy

4. 

   30 Aug 2026

   We Send Flowers And Expect You Back By Monday: Redesigning Work For Grief. With Ashleigh Conwell

   Work treats grief as an event that closes. It is a process that keeps going, and almost no workplace is designed for that. This week Karis sits down with Ashleigh Conwell, founder and executive director of Yellow Falcon, the practical side of grief support: the admin, the logistics and the daily realities of showing up after a loss. Ashleigh grew up with what she calls a fairy tale life. Ballet, a career she loved, a marriage she adored. Then, at 29 and 17 weeks pregnant with triplets, she lost her husband. There was plenty of emotional support and plenty of professionals, but no one for the practical side. So she built the spreadsheet she needed to survive it, racing to reach 24 weeks. A friend told her to share it. Yellow Falcon grew from there. This is a conversation about grief. It is also a conversation about ambition, and what actually happens to it after a life event. In this episode: 00:00 Welcome and why Yellow Falcon exists 00:48 Ashleigh's story: a fairy tale, then the unthinkable 03:27 Courage, or the fear of not doing it 07:24 How ambition sharpened, not shrank 10:17 Glass balls, rubber balls, and every yes being a no 13:45 The leadership shift: head and heart 15:46 Self-leadership, values and the full circle audit 17:32 Carer's leave, guilt and what mothers are expected to be 20:44 Grief and work: what workplaces get wrong 24:30 What real support actually looks like 28:14 Rethinking bereavement policy 31:33 The hidden cost, and the human case 34:06 Rapid fire: grief ready, not scrambling 36:03 Where to find Ashleigh Key takeaways: Ashleigh's ambition sharpened rather than shrank. She could not go back to the career she had mapped out, and what she got instead was clarity about what ambition was for. She learned to hold work as a piece of the puzzle rather than her whole identity, and rebuilt her leadership around head and heart together. Self-leadership, in her definition, is not knowing your values. It is auditing whether your behaviour matches them. On grief at work, she cites research that one in four people are actively grieving at work at any given time, and that a bereaved employee loses around 30 days of productivity, roughly $21,000 on a median salary. Serious mental health injury claims in Australia are up 161% in a decade, and grief is part of mental health. Grief is not an event, it is a process. Bereavement leave covers the funeral, but anniversaries, birthdays and ordinary days that turn hard keep coming for years. So stop sending flowers, ask before you assume, build flexibility into policy, and train leaders before they need it. Be grief ready, not scrambling. Connect with Ashleigh Conwell yellowfalcon.com.au (http://yellowfalcon.com.au) instagram.com/ashleigh.conwell/ (http://instagram.com/ashleigh.conwell/) Connect with Karis Dorrigan ambitionandlife.com (http://ambitionandlife.com) linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan/ (http://linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan/) Karis Dorrigan is Head of Product in InsurTech, coach, podcast host and solo parent. She has led product across billion-dollar enterprises and scaled companies to their first million in revenue. Today she coaches mid-career women in product and tech to step into senior leadership roles, on their terms. If this episode speaks to you as a solo parent, caregiver or leader, follow Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan, share it with a colleague, and join the movement to build systems where ambition and care can thrive side by side. Track: Brother Brother | Artist: BENSON | Licensed by Soundstripe, Inc. | License #22026995 | License ID: ZCQVE0RUQJPWL06T | Worldwide, in perpetuity, across web, podcast and social platforms. © BENSON / Soundstripe, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission under a perpetual licence. © Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan. All rights reserved. Intentionality · Courage · Balance · Advocacy

5. 

   17 Aug 2026

   Stop Waiting Until You Feel Ready: How to Reinvent Your Career on Your Own Terms. With Lynnette Edmonds

   What if the thing standing between you and your next move is not readiness at all, but permission? This week Karis sits down with Lynnette Edmonds, certified executive coach and founder of People Are Everything. Lynnette has held GM and VP roles across recruitment and people and culture, and led a global PR agency's people function. Lynnette left a job of eight and a half years because she wanted to be brave and bold. The next role was not right, and she left that one with no plan. Rather than prove herself all over again at an age where she could already feel ageism waiting, she backed herself and built her own business. She has been a solo parent twice, first when her children were five and two, with no family support and none of the leave provisions that exist now, and again when her twins were fifteen and their father died. The life experience she worried would count against her is the exact thing she took to market. In her words, her superpower. Karis and Lynnette cover why waiting to feel ready is the wrong test, how to redesign a role around outcomes, and the exact way to build the case and show them why. In this episode: 00:00 Welcome and Lynnette's why01:39 Leaving with no plan02:56 Your own worst enemy03:16 The courage to back yourself04:53 The ageism women feel coming05:11 Life experience as the superpower06:58 Solo parenting, twice10:03 Outcomes over hours on the clock16:12 Why part-time leadership is a unicorn17:21 The four-day trap19:46 Redesigning the role and job share22:02 Take a solution, not a problem24:18 Networking, mentors and cross-selecting30:47 Visibility, the skit and the rap song34:25 Courageous leadership and the Cs42:10 Show them why, and keep a dossier Key takeaways: Readiness is not the test. Lynnette did not feel ready and went anyway, and the line she gave herself is the one to borrow: it's time, back yourself, you've got everything you need. When you make the ask, take a creative solution to the table rather than a problem, and bring the data. On flexibility, her sharpest point is the maths. A four-day week almost always becomes a full-time job paid for four, because no one is hired to cover the fifth day, so the work does not shrink, only your pay does. Real part-time has to be three days, because three forces a genuine redesign around outcomes and KPIs. Karis notes only around one percent of technology roles in her own search were advertised part-time. And keep a running dossier of your wins, so when you go for the next thing you can show them why. Connect with Lynnette Edmonds peopleareeverything.com.au (http://peopleareeverything.com.au) linkedin.com/in/lynnetteedmonds/ (http://linkedin.com/in/lynnetteedmonds/) Connect with Karis Dorrigan ambitionandlife.com (http://ambitionandlife.com) linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan/ (http://linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan/) Karis Dorrigan is Head of Product in InsurTech, coach, podcast host and solo parent. She has led product across billion-dollar enterprises and scaled companies to their first million in revenue. Today she coaches mid-career women in product and tech to step into senior leadership roles, on their terms. If this episode speaks to you as a solo parent, caregiver or leader, follow Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan, share it with a colleague, and join the movement to build systems where ambition and care can thrive side by side. Track: Brother Brother | Artist: BENSON | Licensed by Soundstripe, Inc. | License #22026995 | License ID: ZCQVE0RUQJPWL06T | Worldwide, in perpetuity, across web, podcast and social platforms. © BENSON / Soundstripe, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission under a perpetual licence. © Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan. All rights reserved. Intentionality · Courage · Balance · Advocacy

6. 

   2 Aug 2026

   Stop Trading Your Salary for Flexibility: Why You Deserve Both, with CEO Gemma Lloyd WORK180

   What if flexibility never cost you a cent of your salary, and fairness at work was the smartest business decision a leader could make? This week Karis sits down with Gemma Lloyd, co-founder and CEO of WORK180, the platform helping women find workplaces with fair pay, real flex and genuine support as standard, not the exception. Gemma spent about a decade in the tech sector before she started WORK180, and the incidents stacked up early. In her first corporate role leader sat her in his personal assistant's seat and sent her for his coffee and his mail instead of the induction she was promised. Years later, a client looked at her and said does her company just hires pretty young blondes. When she raised it, her manager told her to do nothing, because it might ruin the relationship. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. In 2015, in her mid-twenties, she rang her best friend Valeria and built WORK180 on an audacious idea: employers could not just pay to advertise, they had to prove they were a good place to work. Ten years on, the platform has driven more than 4,000 improvements to company benefits. Together, Karis and Gemma cover a lot of ground, from why so many inclusion initiatives fall flat when they are handed to one under-funded person, to how to actually read a careers page, why part-time still barely exists at senior levels, how to negotiate flex as a low-risk trial, and why you should never trade your salary for it as women’s economic empowerment is more important than ever. They finish on the change Gemma is most fired up about now: protecting young people and women from being the first cut in the AI era. Gemma is a trailblazer and this conversation is a must listen. In this episode: 00:00 Introduction to Gemma Lloyd and WORK180 00:51 The Client Comment That Sparked It All 02:11 Co-Founding WORK180 09:51 How to Read a Careers Page 11:22 Why Part-Time Isn't Normal at Senior Levels 17:06 Negotiating Flex as a Trial 19:08 Don't Trade Your Salary for Flexibility 25:27 Green and Red Flags When Job Hunting 27:03 AI and the Entry-Level Cliff 34:38 Rapid Fire: Every Role Flexible by Default 37:47 Where to Find Gemma and WORK180 Key takeaways: Senior part-time roles stay rare because of legacy and the stigma that part-timers are less committed, even though WORK180's research finds many work well beyond their paid hours. For job seekers, flex offered case by case usually means no, while flex available to everyone signals culture. To negotiate it, propose a six-week trial. The line in the sand: flexibility is not a reason to be paid less, because a woman's economic independence is a matter of safety, not ego. On AI, Gemma cites World Economic Forum estimates that around 40% of entry-level roles could be displaced, and argues for every role flexible by default. Connect with Gemma Lloyd work180.com (http://work180.com) linkedin.com/in/gemllo/ (http://linkedin.com/in/gemllo/) Early Careers Pledge: onemillionpathways.com (http://onemillionpathways.com) Connect with Karis Dorrigan ambitionandlife.com (http://ambitionandlife.com) linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan/ (http://linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan/) Karis Dorrigan is Head of Product in InsurTech, coach, podcast host and solo parent. She has led product across billion-dollar enterprises and scaled companies to their first million in revenue. Today she coaches mid-career women in product and tech to step into senior leadership roles, on their terms. If this episode speaks to you as a solo parent, caregiver or leader, follow Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan, share it with a colleague, and join the movement to build systems where ambition and care can thrive side by side. Track: Brother Brother | Artist: BENSON | Licensed by Soundstripe, Inc. | License #22026995 | License ID: ZCQVE0RUQJPWL06T | Worldwide, in perpetuity, across web, podcast and social platforms. © BENSON / Soundstripe, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission under a perpetual licence. © Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan. All rights reserved. Intentionality · Courage · Balance · Advocacy

7. 

   19 Jul 2026

   We Keep Fixing The Women . The Job Is Designed Wrong

   This week Karis sits down with Emma McLean, founder of Works for Everyone and creator of the New Zealand Part-Time Power List. Emma spent more than two decades in corporate strategy, marketing, advertising and customer experience, including eight years in London on the fast track. She came home to Aotearoa New Zealand to start a family, and slowly began to notice that mums and dads experience the labour market very differently. Seven years ago she pivoted, retrained as an executive coach, and built Works for Everyone, a care wrap around parents at the hardest points of their careers. She is candid that it was not an overnight success. She has done the work for about six years and only made good, sustaining money for around three. Together, Karis and Emma get into why the middle years of a career, the sleep-deprived, identity-shifting, quietly overwhelmed years of holding a career and a small child at once, are exactly when the support disappears and people take their foot off the pedal. They talk about why good work should make good money, and why so many women build businesses that quietly ask not to be paid. They dig into the invisible mental load, why equity at home is so tightly linked to equity at work, and what genuinely changes when dads get their own sole-charge lived experience. And they take on the design problem head on: why senior part-time and job-share roles barely exist, and what it would take to change that. In this episode: 00:00 Introduction to Emma McLean and Her Mission 03:32 The Journey to Becoming a Care Wrap for Parents 06:11 The Catalyst for Change: Personal Experiences and COVID 08:57 The Importance of Talking About Money and Value 11:39 Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship 14:28 Creating Supportive Environments for Returning Parents 17:06 The Role of Managers in Supporting Parents 20:02 Navigating the Challenges of Solo Parenting 28:30 Finding Time for Yourself 30:46 The Importance of Part-Time Roles 31:35 Innovating Job Design for Senior Roles 33:53 Closing the Pay Gap through Part-Time Opportunities 36:35 Changing the Narrative Around Work Flexibility 37:47 Advice for Businesses to Embrace Part-Time Roles 45:01 Empowering Working Parents 48:26 Conversations that Matter Key Takeaways Her diagnosis of why senior part-time roles do not exist is direct: laziness, and no innovation in job design. "It is 2026 and we are still writing JDs for nine to fives." She wants roles proactively designed, accurately scoped and externally advertised, not quietly negotiated by whoever is grateful enough to ask. Her one instruction to a CEO tomorrow: provide paid parental leave for all dads and make it compulsory to take, up to sixteen weeks, because that sole-charge time is where the lived experience, and the real shift, happens. Her message to any parent who has been told they are not suitable for a part-time role: "It's not you, it's the system." Focus on what you can control, what you say, what you do and what you think, build your brand, and raise flexibility at the end of an interview, once they already want you. Connect with Emma McLean worksforeveryone.co.nz (http://worksforeveryone.co.nz) linkedin.com/in/emma-mclean-9176217/ (http://linkedin.com/in/emma-mclean-9176217/) Connect with Karis Dorrigan ambitionandlife.com (http://ambitionandlife.com) linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan/ (http://linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan/) Karis Dorrigan is Head of Product, coach, podcast host and solo parent. She has led product across billion-dollar enterprises and scaled companies to their first million in revenue. Today she coaches women in product and tech to step into senior leadership roles, on their terms.. Track: Brother Brother | Artist: BENSON | Licensed by Soundstripe, Inc. | License #22026995 | License ID: ZCQVE0RUQJPWL06T | Worldwide, in perpetuity, across web, podcast and social platforms. © BENSON / Soundstripe, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission under a perpetual licence. Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan.

8. 

   10 May 2026

   Shout It From the Rooftops: How Women Win at Visibility, Equity and Career Growth with Karen Katz

   What does it really take to build workplaces where women don't just enter — they stay, grow and lead? This week Karis sits down with Karen Katz, Director at KK Consulting and co-founder and co-managing director of Her Tech Circle. A community on a mission to create an equitable, inclusive and diverse tech industry across Australia. Karen's journey is one of the most honest on the podcast yet. She grew up navigating real adversity, and built a career defined by the values that shaped her: trust, care and integrity. After resigning from a role that eroded her confidence with nowhere to go a friend whiteboarded a business plan on the spot. Eight years later, KK Consulting is thriving. That's the power of community. Together, Karis and Karen cover a lot of ground, from the systemic reasons women leave tech by their mid-thirties, to the small experiments any organisation can run today to start shifting the dial. In this episode: 00:00 Introduction to Karen Katz and her mission 02:04 Karen's personal story and core values 03:21 Barriers faced in her career journey 04:25 Lessons from workplace challenges 07:22 Advice to her younger self 09:20 State of DEI in Australia and tech 11:07 Creating supportive and inclusive workplaces 16:22 Building equitable business systems 18:55 Owning mistakes and transparency 19:39 Small experiments for change 21:39 Career advancement tips for women 24:29 Shifts needed for career growth 25:51 Future-proofing careers with AI 28:09 Actionable strategies for equity and inclusion 31:19 Connecting with Karen and upcoming events Key takeaways: Only 26% of Australia's tech workforce is female and we lose half of them between their third and fourth year. Karen explains why inclusion is a harder problem than hiring, why DEI programs are being scaled back at exactly the wrong moment, and what bold leaders do instead. Plus: why the next career move isn't about working harder i t's about being seen operating at the next level. Connect with Karen Katz hertechcircle.org kkconsulting.co linkedin.com/in/katzkaren/ Connect with Karis Dorrigan ambitionandlife.com linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan/ Karis Dorrigan is Head of Product in InsurTech, coach, podcast host and solo parent. She has led product across billion-dollar enterprises and scaled companies to their first million in revenue. Today she coaches mid-career women in product and tech to step into senior leadership roles — on their terms. If this episode speaks to you as a solo parent, caregiver or leader, follow Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan, share it with a colleague, and join the movement to build systems where ambition and care can thrive side by side. Track: Brother Brother | Artist: BENSON | Licensed by Soundstripe, Inc. | License #22026995 | License ID: ZCQVE0RUQJPWL06T | Worldwide, in perpetuity, across web, podcast and social platforms. © BENSON / Soundstripe, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission under a perpetual licence. © Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan. All rights reserved. Intentionality · Courage · Balance · Advocacy

9. 

   26 Apr 2026

   Stop Waiting to Feel Ready: How Women Can Lead the AI Era

   What does it take to pivot from a completely different industry, build multiple businesses, and still have the courage to go again in the middle of an AI revolution? In this episode, Karis sits down with Georgie Hubbard. Career strategist, recruiter, founder, and author of The Bold Move for a frank, energising conversation about what it really takes to future-proof your career right now. From her own journey arriving in Australia with a rucksack and no plan, to building CH Solutions, co-founding the Sisterhood Club, and launching Pivotr (an AI-powered career mentor), Georgie is on a mission to make sure women don't get left behind in the AI era. This one is packed with practical frameworks, honest reflections, and the kind of advice that makes you want to open your laptop and take action. In this episode, we cover: Courage and career evolution: Georgie's driving force isn't fearlessness, it's the fear of regret. She shares her three-part decision-making framework: worst case, best case, and the likely case and why that middle ground is where calm, confident action lives. AI optimist or pessimist? Georgie gives both sides. The opportunity is enormous for those ready to act. But the risk is real for those who aren't paying attention especially women, whose jobs are statistically more exposed to AI disruption. Navigating career opportunities right now: A step-by-step coaching exercise: how to audit your resume for patterns, identify your transferable strengths, cross-reference with what the market actually wants, and position yourself for what's next, not just what's behind you. Visibility and personal branding: Why showing up on LinkedIn isn't self-promotion, it's survival. How to flip the script from "why would anyone care?" to "what value can I bring?" And why vanilla doesn't get noticed. Prioritising yourself in the AI era: The permission many women need to hear: you cannot build a future-proof career on the scraps of energy left over after everyone else. One hour a week. That's the starting point. The glass balls framework: Concrete balls, bouncy balls, and glass balls. A powerful way to audit where your time and energy is actually going — and what you simply cannot afford to drop right now. What organisations need to do: A clear message for business leaders: be transparent about your AI roadmap, upskill your people, and stop making decisions behind closed doors. The companies doing this well right now are the ones attracting the best talent. Georgie's closing rally cry: Get in the driver's seat of your own career. The change is coming whether you choose it or not. Choose it. Resources and links mentioned: 📖 The Bold Move: How to Build Confidence and Reinvent Your Career in the Era of AI - available now 🔗 Connect with Georgie Hubbard: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/georgiehubbard (https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiehubbard/) Website & Bold Move Career Accelerator: georgiehubbard.com/bold-moves (https://www.georgiehubbard.com/bold-moves) Connect with Karis: Website: ambitionandlife.com (https://www.ambitionandlife.com/) LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan/) Karis Dorrigan is a Head of Product in InsurTech, coach, podcast host, and solo parent. She has helped scale companies to their first million dollars in revenue and led product across billion-dollar enterprises. Today, she coaches mid-career women in product and tech to step into senior leadership roles on their terms. Her mission: to help more women rise into leadership — because when more women lead, systems shift, customers win, and the economy grows stronger. If this episode speaks to your experience as a solo parent, caregiver, or leader — follow Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan, share this episode with a colleague, and join the movement to build systems where ambition and care can thrive side by side. 🎵 Music: "Brother Brother" by BENSON. Licensed by Soundstripe, Inc. License ID: #22026995. Worldwide, perpetual licence across web, podcast, and social platforms. © BENSON / Soundstripe, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission under a perpetual licence. Content ID: ZCQVE0RUQJPWL06T

10. 

    12 Apr 2026

    Why Georgie Dent Says Paid Leave, Childcare and Better Workplaces Are the Missing Bridges for Parents

    In this episode of Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan, Karis sits down with Georgie Dent, CEO of The Parenthood, to talk about what it would take to make Australia the best place in the world to be a parent. Georgie shares the personal and professional journey that led her to this work, from starting her career in law, to experiencing a significant breakdown early in her professional life, to moving into journalism and spending years writing about gender inequity, paid parental leave, childcare, and family-friendly workplaces. She reflects on her own experience of becoming a parent, including the difficulty of finding childcare in Sydney, the cost of care, and how quickly it became clear that the policies in place were putting men and women on very different paths after having children. Karis and Georgie also go inside the work of The Parenthood, including its three policy pillars: at least 12 months of paid parental leave that can be shared between parents and paid at a replacement wage rate universal access to high quality early childhood education and care delivered by a professionally paid and qualified workforce workplaces that value caregiving They discuss the progress that has been made, including the increase in paid parental leave from 18 weeks to 26 weeks with superannuation, the 15% wage increase for early childhood educators and teachers, the three-day guarantee, and the billion-dollar building fund for early education and care in areas of need. This conversation also explores the structural assumptions still built into Australian workplaces, the motherhood penalty, the role of policy in driving cultural change, the realities facing single parents, and why open conversations between employers and employees matter so much. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Georgie Dent and Her Mission 06:24 Georgie's Journey to Parenthood Advocacy 12:42 The Parenthood's Strategic Focus 20:08 Challenges in Workplace Policies 24:30 The Importance of Shared Parental Leave 30:10 The Voices of Single Parents 35:19 Designing Inclusive Workplaces 39:47 Advice for Leaders and Parents Follow The Parenthood Website: theparenthood.org.au LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/theparenthood/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/georgiedent/ Website: https://www.ambitionandlife.com/ (https://www.ambitionandlife.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan/) Karis Dorrigan is a Head of Product in InsurTech, coach, podcast host and solo parent. She has helped scale companies to their first million dollars in revenue and led product across billion-dollar enterprises, shaping organisations to be more customer-first, product-led and outcome-driven. Today, she coaches mid-career women in product and tech to step into senior leadership roles on their terms. Her mission is simple: to help more women rise into leadership without sacrificing the life they want to build. Because when more women lead, systems shift, customers win, and the economy grows stronger. If this episode speaks to your experience as a solo parent, caregiver or leader, follow Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan, share this episode with a colleague, and join the movement to build systems where ambition and care can thrive side by side. Track: Brother BrotherArtist: BENSONLicensed by: Soundstripe, Inc.License Type: Master Recording & Synchronization LicenseLicense ID: #22026995Usage Rights: Worldwide, in perpetuity, across web, podcast, and social platforms© BENSON / Soundstripe, Inc. All rights reserved.Used with permission under a perpetual license.ZCQVE0RUQJPWL06T

11. 

    29 Mar 2026

    From Qantas to Culture Amp: What Paul Keen Learned About Equity You Can Actually Measure

    In this episode of Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan, Karis speaks with Paul Keen, VP of Engineering at Culture Amp, about leadership, culture, inclusion, and what he has seen across a career spanning Qantas, Airtasker, Tyro, and Culture Amp. Paul brings a perspective shaped by working inside organisations with very different experiences of gender equity, including companies that have struggled with gender gaps and others that have come much closer to pay equity. Together, Karis and Paul explore what leaders can learn from those environments, what actually helps people thrive at work, and why culture is shaped by everyday norms, not just formal policy. This is a grounded conversation about leadership in tech, the role culture plays in inclusion, and what it takes to build workplaces where people can do strong work and feel supported while doing it. Paul’s leadership journey across major Australian tech and corporate brands What has shaped his perspective as an executive leader The difference between working in organisations with gender gaps and those closer to pay equity Leadership, technology, culture and inclusion Why policy alone is not enough The role cultural norms play in shaping people’s day-to-day experience at work What leaders can do to create more inclusive and supportive workplaces Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Paul Keen's Journey 04:02 Exploring Gender Equity in Organizations 11:22 The Future of Work: Hybrid Models and Flexibility 15:22 Retention Challenges for Women in Tech 22:18 Attracting Diverse Talent to the Tech Sector 24:22 Balancing Career and Life: Key Advice 25:40 Creating Inclusive Environments in Leadership Connect with Paul LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keenpaul/ Connect with Karis Website: https://www.ambitionandlife.com/ (https://www.ambitionandlife.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan/) Karis Dorrigan is a Head of Product in InsurTech, coach, podcast host and solo parent. She has helped scale companies to their first million dollars in revenue and led product across billion-dollar enterprises, shaping organisations to be more customer-first, product-led and outcome-driven. Today, she coaches mid-career women in product and tech to step into senior leadership roles on their terms. Her mission is simple: to help more women rise into leadership without sacrificing the life they want to build. Because when more women lead, systems shift, customers win, and the economy grows stronger. If this episode speaks to your experience as a solo parent, caregiver or leader, follow Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan, share this episode with a colleague, and join the movement to build systems where ambition and care can thrive side by side. Track: Brother BrotherArtist: BENSONLicensed by: Soundstripe, Inc.License Type: Master Recording & Synchronization LicenseLicense ID: #22026995Usage Rights: Worldwide, in perpetuity, across web, podcast, and social platforms© BENSON / Soundstripe, Inc. All rights reserved.Used with permission under a perpetual license.ZCQVE0RUQJPWL06T

12. 

    15 Mar 2026

    She Left Corporate Fashion to Build a Life and Business That Fit

    In this episode of Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan, Karis speaks with Bernadette Payne, founder of That’s My Style, about her career in fashion, motherhood, and the decision to leave corporate life to build a business that worked better for her family. Bernadette shares her 25-year career across the fashion industry, covering pattern making, design, buying, producing and travel. She reflects on the pressure of senior roles, the constant expectation to keep juggling, and the reality of working in an environment where she did not feel seen as a whole person. When Bernadette became a mum, she realised the industry did not support the kind of balance she wanted. She talks about being expected to return after six weeks, fighting to take 12 months leave, and later negotiating part-time work that still came with full-time expectations. Bernadette also shares how founding That’s My Style allowed her to keep fashion in her life while working in a way that better aligned with her family, values and wellbeing. She explains how her work is not just about clothes, but about understanding women, their stories, their insecurities and what helps them feel like themselves. Karis and Bernadette also explore the ongoing challenges women face in 2026, including rigid work structures, the invisible mental load, and the importance of leaders having more open conversations about what support really looks like. Bernadette’s 25-year career in the fashion industry The pressure of senior corporate roles in fashion Why motherhood changed what work needed to look like Fighting for 12 months leave and part-time flexibility The challenge of part-time roles with full-time expectations Why Bernadette started That’s My Style Building work around family life Style, identity and understanding the woman behind the clothing Health, boundaries and putting yourself first What leaders can do to better support women and parents at work 00:00 Introduction to Bernadette's Journey 03:03 Transition from Corporate to Entrepreneurship 06:00 Challenges of Balancing Career and Motherhood 10:41 Creating a Business that Aligns with Family Life 14:29 The Importance of Self-Care and Personal Growth 19:04 Navigating the Gender Pay Gap and Workplace Challenges 25:53 Advice for Women in Business and Leadership 31:37 Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations Follow Bernadette, That's My Style Website: https://thatsmystyle.com.au/ (https://thatsmystyle.com.au/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsmystyle_bybernadette/ (https://www.instagram.com/thatsmystyle_bybernadette/) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thatsmystyleAU/ (https://www.facebook.com/thatsmystyleAU/) Connect with Karis Website: https://www.ambitionandlife.com/ (https://www.ambitionandlife.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan/) Karis Dorrigan is a Head of Product in InsurTech, coach, podcast host and solo parent. She has helped scale companies to their first million dollars in revenue and led product across billion-dollar enterprises, shaping organisations to be more customer-first, product-led and outcome-driven. Today, she is Head of Product and coaches mid-career women in product and tech to step into senior leadership roles on their terms. Her mission is simple: to help more women rise into leadership. Because when more women lead, systems shift, customers win, and the economy grows stronger. If this episode speaks to your experience as a solo parent, caregiver or leader, follow Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan, share this episode with a colleague, and join the movement to build systems where ambition and care can thrive side by side. Track: Brother BrotherArtist: BENSONLicensed by: Soundstripe, Inc.License Type: Master Recording & Synchronization LicenseLicense ID: #22026995Usage Rights: Worldwide, in perpetuity, across web, podcast, and social platforms© BENSON / Soundstripe, Inc. All rights reserved.Used with permission under a perpetual license. ZCQVE0RUQJPWL06T

13. 

    14 Dec 2025

    Have Your Cake and Eat It: Parenting, Ambition and #WorkSchoolHours

    What if workplaces stopped pretending we do not have children and homes to care about, and actually designed work around real lives? In this episode, I sit down with Dr Ellen Joan Ford, award winning researcher, military veteran, international speaker, parent and author of #WorkSchoolHours. Together we unpack how leaders can redesign work so people are not forced to choose between a big career and a big life. Ellen shares what she found in her research with working parents, why so many are pushed out or quietly downgraded in their careers, and how her work school hours principles give leaders a practical blueprint to change that. We talk about: The moment Ellen realised “the world expects us to work as if we do not have children and parent as if we do not have a job” How becoming a parent expanded, not reduced, her ambition and what success looks like now The three core principles of #WorkSchoolHours and why they are commercial strategies, not perks Simple leadership experiments that change everything, like shifting an 8.30 am recurring meeting to 9.15 am or setting true core hours How to align projects and quarters to school terms so parents are not punished for 13 weeks of school holidays The real commercial upside: retention, productivity, wellbeing and closing the motherhood penalty Why fear and “playing not to lose” keep leaders stuck in rigid office mandates How to build culture and connection in hybrid teams without relying on mandated desk time A step by step way individuals can pitch new work rhythms to their manager as a win win This conversation is for executives, HR and people leaders, and any ambitious parent or caregiver who refuses to accept that ambition and care are mutually exclusive. Your people have a life beyond work, and that is an asset, not a liability. Measure outputs, not hours. Flexibility is a commercial strategy. Do not design for the lowest performers. The boldest move is also the simplest. Ask each person: “What would help you thrive here?” Then act on it where you can.. Explore Ellen’s work and resources: Website and resources: ellenjoanford.com Book: #WorkSchoolHours (paperback, ebook and audio) Follow Ellen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-ellen-joan-ford-791a2655/ If this episode speaks to your experience as a solo parent, caregiver or leader, follow Ambition & Life with Karis Dorrigan, share this episode with a colleague, and join the movement to build systems where ambition and care can thrive side by side. Music rights:Track: Brother BrotherArtist: BENSONLicensed by: Soundstripe, Inc.License Type: Master Recording & Synchronization LicenseLicense ID: #22026995Usage Rights: Worldwide, in perpetuity, across web, podcast, and social platforms© BENSON / Soundstripe, Inc. — All rights reserved.Used with permission under a perpetual license.ZCQVE0RUQJPWL06TFollow Karis: linkedin.com/in/kdorrigan

14. 

    30 Nov 2025

    Paternity, Power and Possibility: Why Supporting Fathers Lifts Everyone

    In this conversation, I sit down with Michael Ray - solo dad, advocate and author to explore the stereotypes, structural barriers and everyday assumptions that shape modern fatherhood. Michael shares his journey from a hyper-masculine career in security and elite sport to becoming a first-time parent at 50 and then a single parent shortly after. We unpack how parenting reshaped his identity, the cultural messages that tell men they’re “less equipped” to care, and the subtle but powerful ways workplaces still separate breadwinning from caregiving. Michael brings forward practical, lived insights about negotiating flexibility, challenging outdated norms and understanding why supporting fathers is essential for genuine gender equity. If you care about inclusive leadership, the future of work, solo parenthood, or designing roles that honour both ambition and care, this episode offers grounded, real-world perspective. Challenging the stereotypes that define fatherhood and masculinity How unsolicited advice and cultural narratives shape confidence in new parents The realities of navigating work, identity and responsibility as a solo dad Why caregiving and breadwinning are inseparable (and always have been) How workplaces can redesign roles and rhythms to support all parents The cultural and emotional impact of treating fatherhood as “different, not less” The science behind the hormonal and neurological shifts in caregiving Why language matters when advocating for equitable workplaces Chapters 00:00 Challenging Narratives of Fatherhood 06:24 The Transformation of Identity Through Parenting 10:49 Navigating Work-Life Balance as a Single Parent 14:24 The Intersection of Caregiving and Career 17:24 Redefining Masculinity in Modern Fatherhood 21:26 Collaboration Over Competition in Gender Equity 25:21 The Gift of Clarity Through Crisis 26:22 Redefining Fatherhood and Gender Roles 27:12 The Importance of Paternity Leave 29:01 The Science of Caregiving and Emotional Intelligence 30:22 Normalizing Caregiving for Men 31:29 The Role of Advertising in Shaping Perceptions 32:48 Inclusion and Representation in Parenting 35:16 Creating Equitable Spaces for All Parents 36:49 The Need for Structural Changes in Workplaces 37:52 The Impact of Early Parenting on Future Generations Find out more about Michael Ray: Website: https://www.michaelray.com.au (https://www.michaelray.com.au) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-ray-574079183/ Book and speaking details available via his website. The Ambition & Life podcast is produced by Karis Dorrigan - leader, solo parent and advocate for the future of work. This is intentionally designed to amplify real stories about ambition, leadership, care and the systems that shape our lives. Track: Brother Brother Artist: BENSON Licensed by: Soundstripe, Inc. License Type: Master Recording & Synchronization License License ID: #22026995 Usage Rights: Worldwide, in perpetuity, across web, podcast, and social platforms © BENSON / Soundstripe, Inc. — All rights reserved. Used with permission under a perpetual license. ZCQVE0RUQJPWL06T

15. 

    16 Nov 2025

    Unseen Potential: Redesigning Work for Real Inclusion

    In this conversation, I sit down with Nikki Tugano, Founder & CEO of SeenCulture, to talk about how work can be redesigns to open doors, not quietly close them. We explore practical ways leaders can surface unseen potential, write inclusive role descriptions, and use positive psychology and job crafting to lift performance and wellbeing. Nikki’s story, from feeling unseen as a child to building a company that helps individuals and teams get truly recognised offers a rare blend of evidence, empathy and action. If you care about equity, flexible job design and building teams that deliver impact without burning people out, this one’s for you. What we cover The definition of “unseen potential” and how to make it visible Writing senior role descriptions that open doors (not quietly close them) Autonomy, connection, mastery: the psychology behind motivation and performance How to use AI responsibly to de-bias job ads and widen candidate pools Practical prompts for 1:1s that reveal strengths you’re not using yet Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Scene Culture and Its Mission 04:50 Defining Unseen Potential 05:58 Leadership's Role in Uncovering Potential 07:49 Innovative Job Design in Recruitment 08:57 Positive Psychology in Job Design 12:24 AI and Job Design Considerations 15:10 Supporting Single Parents in Leadership 17:59 Hope for Equity and Opportunity 19:34 Key Takeaways for Leaders 21:45 Final Thoughts and Call to Action Find out more about SeenCulture and Nikki's amazing work Access a free individual profile to start mapping your strengths and uncover your unseen potential: https://seenteams.com/ (https://seenteams.com/) Learn more about SeenCulture’s work: https://www.seenculture.com/ (https://www.seenculture.com/) Music Credits The Ambition & Life podcast is produced by Karis Dorrigan — intentionally designed to amplify real stories about ambition, care, and the systems that shape our lives. Track: Brother Brother Artist: BENSON Licensed by: Soundstripe, Inc. License Type: Master Recording & Synchronization License License ID: #22026995 Usage Rights: Worldwide, in perpetuity, across web, podcast, and social platforms © BENSON / Soundstripe, Inc. — All rights reserved. Used with permission under a perpetual license. ZCQVE0RUQJPWL06T

16. 

    2 Nov 2025

    When Work Meets Real Life: Rethinking the System with Jessica Graham

    In this conversation, Jessica Graham, Marketing Director at The Search Experience, shares her journey of redefining ambition and work-life balance. She discusses her experience with redundancy, the importance of flexible work arrangements, and how she navigates her role in a way that allows her to prioritise family while achieving professional success. Jessica emphasizes the need for leaders to rethink traditional work structures, particularly the concept of part-time work, and advocates for a focus on outcomes rather than hours worked. The discussion also touches on the evolving landscape of marketing in the age of AI and the importance of trust in team dynamics. Takeaways Jessica emphasizes the importance of a four-day work week for work-life balance. Redundancy can be a catalyst for positive change and new opportunities. Leaders should keep an open mind when hiring and designing roles. Part-time work should be reframed to focus on outcomes, not hours. AI is reshaping marketing and creating new opportunities for innovation. Flexibility in work arrangements can lead to higher performance and satisfaction. Trusting employees to manage their own schedules can enhance productivity. Work-life integration is essential for long-term career success. Employers need to adapt to attract top talent by offering flexibility. Creating a supportive work environment can lead to better employee retention. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Jessica Graham 02:01 Who is Jessica 03:08 Ambition 05:16 Navigating Redundancy and Embracing Change 08:06 Establishing a New Work Rhythm 09:03 Negotiating Flexibility in Leadership Roles 14:11 Reframing Part-Time Work 15:55 The Future of Marketing in the Age of AI 18:31 Practical Strategies for Work-Life Balance 22:14 Final Thoughts on Ambition and Life Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicagraham/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicagraham/) Learn more about Jessica's company The Search Experience: www.tsetalent.com (http://www.tsetalent.com/) Follow Jessica's passion project - Book Trivia Podcast: https://www.booktriviapodcast.com/ (https://www.booktriviapodcast.com/) Music Credits The Ambition & Life podcast is produced by Karis Dorrigan, intentionally designed to amplify real stories about ambition, care, and the systems that shape our lives. Track: Brother Brother Artist: BENSON Licensed by: Soundstripe, Inc. License Type: Master Recording & Synchronization License Usage Rights: Worldwide, in perpetuity, across web, podcast, and social platforms Code: ZCQVE0RUQJPWL06T © BENSON / Soundstripe, Inc. — All rights reserved. Used with permission under a perpetual license.

17. 

    20 Oct 2025

    The Story Behind Ambition & Life: Redesigning Success

    In this deeply personal opening episode, Karis Dorrigan shares the story behind her mission. From leading billion-dollar teams to navigating solo parenthood and why she’s determined to build a world where ambition and care can thrive together. 00:00 Introduction to Ambition and Life Podcast 00:52 Karis Dorrigan's Journey and Motivation 03:01 The Challenges of Solo Parenting 05:25 The Impact of Systems on Parenting and Work 07:21 Redesigning Work for Real Lives 08:18 The Vision for the Podcast Music Credits The Ambition & Life podcast is produced by Karis Dorrigan, intentionally designed to amplify real stories about ambition, care, and the systems that shape our lives. Track: Brother Brother Artist: BENSON Licensed by: Soundstripe, Inc. License Type: Master Recording & Synchronization License Usage Rights: Worldwide, in perpetuity, across web, podcast, and social platforms Code: ZCQVE0RUQJPWL06T © BENSON / Soundstripe, Inc. — All rights reserved. Used with permission under a perpetual license.

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