Taking Ctrl with Chloe & Gemma

About Taking Ctrl with Chloe & Gemma

A podcast to help you take control of your career & level up in the modern workplace. Join us as we interview industry experts, share knowledge and experiences and navigate the opportunities of the tech-industry. There's so many new career opportunities out there that are becoming more accessible and varied than ever before. So how do you make the most of it? How do you take control of what you want to do? We're here to learn from the mentors you wish you had, kickstart the professional network you want to build & gain the work besties (us) you'll never lose.

Publisher

Taking Ctrl

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

29 Jul 2023

Latest episode

5 May 2025

Latest episodes

23 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 May 2025

   Why Relationships Matter in Product Marketing with Cisco Sara

   In this episode, we chat with Cisco Sara about what really drives success in Product Marketing – relationships. From building trust across product and design teams to influencing without formal authority, Cisco shares real-world experiences and hard-won lessons on how strong internal relationships can make or break your go-to-market strategy. It’s an honest, insightful conversation about working in the messy middle, finding your voice, and partnering with empathy. Whether you’re a PMM, PM, or just navigating cross-functional chaos, this episode will help you reframe collaboration as your biggest advantage. Connect with Cisco 🔗 LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/in/ciscosara⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ciscosara/) 📱 TikTok: @c15co Connect with Us! 🎙️ Chloe’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chloeleatherdale (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloeleatherdale/) 🎙️ Gemma’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gemma-a-jackson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-a-jackson/) 📸 Instagram: @takingctrlpodcast 📱 TikTok: @takingctrlpodcast Episode Breakdown Meet Cisco Sara His path into product marketing The creative skills he brought with him — and what he had to learn on the fly The Relationship Advantage Why internal relationships are the foundation of great product marketing How to build trust and influence in fast-paced product teams Influence Without Authority Tactics for aligning with product, design, and engineering Navigating tricky feedback loops and staying collaborative under pressure Showing Up With Empathy The soft skills that help you thrive in cross-functional roles Why relationship-building is a long game and totally worth it

2. 

   14 Apr 2025

   Building a Design Portfolio & Online Identity

   Portfolios aren’t what they used to be. In this episode, we (Gemma & Chloe) dive into the evolving role of portfolios across creative, tech, and product careers. From physical lookbooks to PDF dumps and personal blogs, we unpack how our own portfolios have changed—and what we now look for when hiring. Whether you’re a designer, marketer, or product manager, your portfolio can either open doors or get lost in the noise. We talk about storytelling, structure, tailoring for roles, and the biggest red flags we see when reviewing portfolios. Plus, how personal branding, case study libraries, and even this podcast count as part of your digital footprint. Connect with Us! 🎙️ Chloe’s LinkedIn: Chloe Leatherdale (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloeleatherdale/) 🎙️ Gemma’s LinkedIn: Gemma Jackson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-a-jackson/) 📸 Instagram: @takingctrlpodcast 📱 TikTok: @takingctrlpodcast Our Portfolio Journeys Chloe’s evolution from textile zines to digital showcases. Gemma’s pivot from design school to SaaS and freelancing. What we used, what worked, and what flopped. From Print to Process Why finished outputs used to matter most—and why that’s changed. Case studies, storytelling, and showing your thinking. Tailoring Your Portfolio How Chloe keeps 15+ case studies in a “swap in/out” library. Why Gemma built a no-visual PDF portfolio to land a UX role. The power of picking 2–3 stories that match the job, not just your past. The Rise of Personal Branding How blogs, podcasts, and LinkedIn are replacing old-school portfolios. Why sharing your voice now matters as much as sharing your work. Being Googleable is part of the game. Hiring Real Talk What we notice reviewing 100s of portfolios. What instantly gets a “no”—and what stands out. Why bad UX in your portfolio can cost you a UX job. Common Mistakes We See Unclear storytelling and no visible process. Wedding photos as headshots (yes, really). Too many projects, not enough clarity. Final Thoughts You don’t need a perfect portfolio, you need a relevant one. Your story matters—make it easy for someone to understand it. Personalisation beats perfection, every time.

3. 

   19 Feb 2025

   How to Own the Stage: Public Speaking Tips for Any Situation with Melanie Surplice

   Speaking with confidence can change everything — from career growth to personal influence. In this episode, we sit down with Melanie Surplice, a passionate public speaker and Toastmasters enthusiast, to break down the secrets of effective communication. We explore real-world strategies for overcoming nerves, structuring impactful speeches, and handling unexpected challenges. Whether you're prepping for a big presentation, leading meetings, or just want to feel more at ease speaking up, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you own the stage. Connect with Us! 🎙️ Chloe's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloeleatherdale/ 🎙️ Gemma's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-a-jackson/📸 Instagram: @takingctrlpodcast📱 TikTok: @takingctrlpodcast Episode Breakdown Meet Melanie Surplice Her journey from nervous speaker to confident communicator How Toastmasters helped transform her skills Speaking with Confidence How to structure a talk for impact & engagement Managing nerves & handling unexpected situations Practical Tips for Real-Life Speaking How to prepare effectively for speeches & presentations The power of feedback & practice in building confidence Growing Your Communication Skills How to keep improving beyond Toastmasters & formal training The best resources for mastering public speaking Connect with Mel: Linked In: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniesurplice/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiona-wilhelm-22500522/) The Talkative Toastmaster: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2272273/episodes

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 20 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

17

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

60