Too Much by Future Women

In this season of Too Much: The Switch, we’ve met a cast of women who succeeded in the face of workplace stereotypes – and did so whilst making some major career pivots. Now, we’re turning our focus to YOUR next move. In our last bonus episode, FW founder Helen McCabe helped us figure out when it's time to make a career pivot. Today, she's talking with host Briana Blackett about the HOW. The actual steps you take when you're standing on the edge, ready to leap into something new. Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this season of Too Much: The Switch, we’ve met a cast of women who succeeded in the face of workplace stereotypes – and did so whilst making some major career pivots. Now, we’re turning our focus to YOUR next move. In the first of two bonus episodes, host Briana Blackett gets advice from Helen McCabe, founder of FW and Jobs Academy, to help you figure out when to go, where to go, and how to know if you're ready to make the switch. Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For years, in every performance review, Melanie Silva was told she was “too excited”. Too passionate. Not serious enough. Then she joined Google and, suddenly, that enthusiasm was exactly what was wanted. In this episode, Briana Blackett speaks with Mel – now the Vice President and Managing Director of Google Australia and New Zealand – about taking pay cuts to chase opportunities and why she's grateful she didn't get her dream job the first time around. This is a conversation about pivoting sideways and, even, backward. Because sometimes the best way up is not straight ahead. Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over 25 years, Pamela Naidoo-Ameglio has moved from diamond mines in South Africa to copper operations in rural Australia, and then made a leap that she never saw coming: running a nuclear reactor, despite having zero nuclear experience. Along the way she’s been told she’s "too quiet", and not assertive enough. In this episode, Pamela shares with Briana Blackett why curiosity beats confidence, how to pivot when you have no idea what you're doing – and why quiet women might just be the leaders we need most. Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FW’s own deputy managing director Jamila Rizvi has spent her career as what she calls a “perennial number two” – from the Prime Minister’s office to media empires. She’s made bold pivots, survived life-altering health scares, and discovered that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is admit: I don’t want to do this alone. In this episode, Jamila chats with Briana Blackett about resignations feeling like break ups, fear masquerading as excitement, and how professional co-dependence has been key to her success. Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She was winning Olympic gold and World Championships. But at 23, Giaan Rooney was burned out. She retired from swimming, became a television presenter, then pivoted again – to a career you’d never expect. Giaan tells Briana Blackett how, at each turn, being “too invested” has seen her succeed. And how putting aside ego has given her the courage to change lanes – and have a crack at something new.  Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate Reid is the founder of the world-famous Lune Croissanterie. But before creating her own formula for the perfect buttery, flaky croissant, she was a Formula One aerodynamicist, working on some of the fastest cars on the planet. And though she’s been labelled "too lucky", in this episode, she reveals the grit behind every seemingly effortless pivot, the years of hard work, and how a battle with an eating disorder led her to the top of a pastry empire. Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From styling hair to fighting crime, Detective Senior Sergeant Leemara Fairgrieve made quite the switch when she left hairdressing to join Victoria Police. These days, she’s busting major drug syndicates and rising through the ranks. But while she’s tough on crime, Leemara admits she can be tough on herself, and at times, ‘too accommodating’. In this episode, Leemara joins Briana Blackett to discuss how her softer side actually helped her build trust, discover her passion, and find success in her role as a police officer. Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development.  Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For almost two decades, Lana Jones was a principal dancer at the Australian Ballet, celebrated for lead roles in Swan Lake, Giselle, and The Sleeping Beauty. And still, she was told she was “too strong”. After an illustrious career, Jones stepped away from the spotlight to retrain as a midwife. In this episode, Lana joins Briana Blackett to discuss how being “too strong” has helped her soar – from the stage to the delivery room. Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carla Zampatti’s daughter, self-confessed nerd Allegra Spender, never saw herself as a natural fit to lead her late mother’s fashion empire. But that’s where she ended up, before a runway-worthy career-pivot which saw her ride the Teal wave into federal politics. In this episode, Allegra joins Briana Blackett to discuss how being “too nerdy” helped her break the mould in fashion, her switch from colour palettes to politics – and why playing to your strengths is the key to every professional pivot.  Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season three of FW’s award-winning podcast, Too Much, returns on Monday January 19, 2026. Over eight episodes, hear from high-achieving women who defied the critics that said they were “too something” and built extraordinary careers. And this season, every guest has also pulled off a major pivot. Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development.  Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're back in a few weeks with a whole new season! But before we get there, we're bringing back our favourite episodes from years passed for your summer playlist. Moana Kidd never imagined she’d be a Senior Constable with Victoria Police. As a woman of colour who’d been working in the arts, she was used to attending rallies - not patrolling them. But when an unexpected career shift led her to look for new work - she decided to become the change she wanted to see. In this week’s episode of Too Much, the Senior Constable joins Helen McCabe to discuss how she rose through the ranks despite at times being labelled  “too open”.  Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're back in the new year with a whole new season! But before we get there, we're bringing back our favourite episodes from years passed for your summer playlist. As the first woman to serve as Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Julie Bishop knows a thing or too about diplomacy. She was also the deputy leader of the Liberal Party at a time when it came under fire for a perceived ‘woman problem’. Bishop, who is now Australian National University chancellor,  joins Helen McCabe to reflect on a career that was, at times, perhaps “too diplomatic”.  Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're back in the new year with a whole new season! But before we get there, we're bringing back our favourite episodes from years passed for your summer playlist. International human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson was just 28 years old when she became a part of what was, at the time, the biggest news story in the world: Julian Assange* and Wikileaks. From the outset, Robinson was told that she was too young - a critique exemplified by a demoralising interaction with one of the world’s most eminent lawyers.  For the first time, Jennifer Robinson shares that moment, how she forged her place as one of the most prodigious legal minds of her generation and shares her advice for the next generation of legal minds when they’re told that they’re also too young. *Please note: this conversation was published in March 2024, before Julian Assange was released. Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development.  Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Turia Pitt is one of Australia’s most inspirational women. She is a wearer of many hats - an author, speaker, business owner, ambassador. She is also a runner. Running changed her life forever when, while competing in an ultramarathon in remote Western Australia, she was caught in an out of control grassfire and sustained burns to 65 per cent of her body. In this episode, Pitt joins Helen McCabe to reflect on what continues to fuel her and why she might just be “too combative”.  Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development.  Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and ThreadsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Catherine Livingstone is the Chancellor of the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). She’s also an extraordinarily accomplished businesswoman who has served as the President of the Business Council of Australia,  and has served as Chairman of Commonwealth Bank, Telstra and CSIRO. In this episode, Livingstone joins Helen McCabe to reflect on how she pushed past being labelled “too inexperienced” at pivotal moments in her career.  Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Anne Summers is a celebrated author, journalist and feminist leader. She played a pivotal role in the women’s movement, co-founding Australia’s first women’s refuge, Elsie, in the 1970s. She’s advised two Prime Ministers, and has written nine books to date. Dr Summers joins Helen McCabe to reflect on what continues to fuel her, as a woman who’s been told she’s “too driven” time and time again.  Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor Georgina Long shot to national attention when she was named co-Australian of the Year. Her research on melanoma - known as Australia’s national cancer - has saved thousands of lives. In this episode, Professor Long joins Helen McCabe to reflect on the whirlwind that’s followed being named co-Australian of the Year, and she opens up about her life as a scientist who’s been told she’s “too passionate” one too many times.  Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moana Kidd never imagined she’d be a Senior Constable with Victoria Police. As a woman of colour who’d been working in the arts, she was used to attending rallies - not patrolling them. But when an unexpected career shift led her to look for new work - she decided to become the change she wanted to see. In this week’s episode of Too Much, the Senior Constable joins Helen McCabe to discuss how she rose through the ranks despite at times being labelled  “too open”.  Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brooke Blurton is best known for being the first Black and bisexual woman on The Bachelorette. She’s also a youth worker, an author, a podcaster and a mental health advocate. In this episode, she joins Helen McCabe to reflect on how she lives a life that is dismissed, by many, as “too complex”.  Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chanel Contos was just 21 years old when she launched an online petition that sparked a movement and propelled her into the global spotlight. Teach Us Consent triggered a national conversation and led to mandatory consent education in all Australian schools. In this episode, Contos joins Helen McCabe to reflect on the personal price of radical change, and the power that can come with being “too disruptive”. Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Explore a career with Victoria Police. Learn more about Teach Us Consent and read Chanel's book, Consent Laid Bare Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lydia Williams is a professional soccer player and Australia’s longest-serving Matilda. She made her debut in 2005, when she was 17-years-old, and has only just retired from the national squad. In this episode, Williams joins Helen McCabe to reflect on her journey as a Matilda and how she pushed past being labelled “too humble” at key points in her career.  Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season two of FW’s award-winning podcast, Too Much, returns on Monday January 13, 2025. Over eight episodes, hear from high-achieving women who defied the critics that said they were “too something” and built extraordinary careers instead. Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development in 2025. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn or Threads  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Preeya Alexander is the kind of general practitioner we'd all want in our lives: she's intelligent, passionate and empathetic. She cares about her patients. Is that a bad thing? It depends on who you ask. In the final episode of Too Much season one, Dr Alexander opens up about a career of criticism from colleagues and supervisors that she's "too emotional".  Keep up with Dr Preeya Alexander's work. Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn or Threads  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Virginia Haussegger is an award-winning television journalist, writer, commentator, and passionate women’s advocate with a career spanning the globe. From reporting in Washington, New York, and the Middle East to making her mark in Australia, Virginia has worked with nearly every major TV network. Throughout her exceptional career, Virginia has faced unforgettable moments, from sparking national media firestorms with her columns to navigating criticism for being "too outspoken". Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads and X See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah Davidson’s professional life began as a mergers and acquisitions lawyer at a leading international law firm, however, she knew early on that that career wasn’t forever. Sarah took a leap and eventually her side hustle turned into her main business.  Nowadays Sarah is a ‘funtrepreneur’ who shares her joy and enthusiasm through her page Spoonful of Sarah as well as her highly popular podcast, Seize the Yay. She joins Helen McCabe to talk about navigating the legal and corporate worlds while being told she was “too gentle”. Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads and X See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia is well and truly taking Hollywood by storm, on screen and behind the scenes. This week Helen McCabe is joined by a woman behind the tinseltown takeover, Jodi Matterson. Jodi serves as Managing Director of Australia, partner and producer of Made Up Stories. Jodi Matterson has been utterly committed to her work, sometimes at the expense of her family, relationships and health. And despite her success, operating at this level of intensity for so long takes a toll. Is there such a thing as “too committed”? And as a woman in an historically male-dominated industry, is that the price of success?  Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development.  Watch the trailer for Jodi Matterson’s latest project, The Dry 2: Force of Nature Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads and XSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the first woman to serve as Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Julie Bishop knows a thing or too about diplomacy. She was also the deputy leader of the Liberal Party at a time when it came under fire for a perceived ‘woman problem’. Bishop, who is now Australian National University chancellor,  joins Helen McCabe to reflect on a career that was, at times, perhaps “too diplomatic”.  Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads and X See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ilsa Wakeling is an Acting Superintendent with Victoria Police. She joins Helen McCabe to discuss the challenges of rising through the ranks in a male-dominated field. She also lays out how, in her new role, she’s paving a better path for the women following her lead - and the lessons she learned from being labelled “too unwell”. Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads and X See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grace Tame became a household name when in 2021 she was named Australian of the Year for her powerful advocacy. Since then she has remained an unrelenting force driving difficult conversations about preventing child sexual abuse into the mainstream and making systemic change.  Continuing this work as the CEO of the Grace Tame Foundation takes immense dedication - even obsession. Grace joins Helen McCabe to reflect on the successes and setbacks of a career - and a life - that’s been labelled “too obsessive”. Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Explore a career with Victoria Police Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development Find out more about the Grace Tame Foundation Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads and X See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

International human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson was just 28 years old when she became a part of what was, at the time, the biggest news story in the world: Julian Assange and Wikileaks. From the outset, Robinson was told that she was too young - a critique exemplified by a demoralising interaction with one of the world’s most eminent lawyers.  For the first time, Jennifer Robinson shares that moment, how she forged her place as one of the most prodigious legal minds of her generation and shares her advice for the next generation of legal minds when they’re told that they’re also too young. Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Explore a career with Victoria Police. Read Jennifer Robinson's latest book, How Many More Women?  Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads and X See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ask any woman and she'll tell you about a time when she was too something. At work, women are suffocated by stereotypes about who we should be and how we should behave. Join Helen McCabe as she speaks with high-achieving women about a time in their career when they were too 'something'. Women who were too young, too old, too emotional, too outspoken, too gentle. Who were told they were too much - and forged their own path anyway.  Too Much drops weekly from March 19, 2024.  Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Explore a career with Victoria Police. Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development.  Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads and X See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.