About the show
We explore the intersection of Tech Leadership & Dream careers. We do this by creating inspiring podcasts - including interviews with amazing individuals in the tech leadership space.
Dr. Jen Bunk earned her Ph.D. in I/O Psychology (a.k.a. The Science of Work). She is a retired Associate Professor and an accomplished speaker & researcher. As the CEO of the People Stack, she’s used her decades of experience to coach hundreds of tech leaders to create their dream careers - and the dream lives that go with them.
Rob Allen (Jen’s husband) is a 20+ year software industry veteran who moved from IC to Leadership in 2010, where the focus has always been on helping the technical folks who worked for him live their best lives. In 2019, he broadened that to the tech community as a whole by joining Jen full-time at The People Stack as her Co-CEO.
The People Stack Podcast on social media
Episodes
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Episode 285: Your Torch of Resiliency Amid the Doom and Gloom About Layoffs & The Recession
November 8th, 2022 | 27 mins 14 secs
There’s so much doom and gloom lately about layoffs, the massive recession coming our way, and whatever else the Cult of Fear wants to spew at us.
Here’s your Torch to guide you through this.
Consider it your Guiding Light, your source of strength so that you can build your career - and your life - with power and intention.
Enjoy!
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Episode 284: Quantum Career Leaps Require Quantum Shifts in Thinking
November 3rd, 2022 | 35 mins 4 secs
If you want to move into another dimension career-wise, you cannot keep relying on Old Thinking.
What got you here will not get you there.
In this episode, I invite you to make Quantum Shifts in the way you’re approaching your career so that you can access virtuous & ludicrous joy & prosperity.
Give this one a listen right away!
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Episode 283: Is Working 20 Hours/Week as a Tech Leader a Pipe Dream?
November 1st, 2022 | 37 mins 40 secs
Time is even more valuable than money because time is not renewable.
So, many tech leaders like you want more time.
How do you create luxurious amounts of time freedom while you continue to add immense value?
Give this one a listen right now for my guidance!
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Episode 282: 3 Steps to Accessing Your Confidence as a Tech Leader
October 27th, 2022 | 31 mins 18 secs
“How do I build my confidence?”
Our clients ask us this all the time - whether they realize it or not!
So many challenges you face as a tech leader require confidence.
You want to ace that interview, inspire your team, influence key stakeholders, make a pivotal decision, earn more money…
All of these outcomes require a constant flow of confidence.
How do you tap into that flow?
Watch this episode right now to find out!
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Episode 281: Next-Level Prosperity for Tech Managers
October 25th, 2022 | 34 mins 20 secs
If you want to get to the next level in your tech career, you have to be a match for it.
Whether that next level is $200k/year or $1M/year…
Whether it’s working 20 hours/week or 5 hours/week…
Or if it’s starting your own business or becoming a CTO…
It all starts with you.
Check out this episode for how to create YOUR version of next-level prosperity as a tech leader!
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Episode 280: The Cost of NOT Getting Expert Career Help
November 29th, 2021 | 25 mins 38 secs
Prospective clients often ask us, “How much is it?”
And, because of the human condition, your brain often goes to, “Can I afford to do it?”
I understand why you think that’s a great question.
But I’m going to turn your assumptions upside-down.
What if that’s a terrible question? What if the BETTER question is:
“Can I afford NOT to do it?”
Getting the expert career help you need comes at a cost.
Financial, emotional, lifestyle, physical, spiritual…
The list goes on.
In this episode, learn what it’s costing YOU to try to fix your career without expert help.
Watch now!
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Episode 279: Are you looking for permission to upgrade your tech career?
November 22nd, 2021 | 25 mins 53 secs
I’ve talked with hundreds of tech leaders about what’s next in your careers.
And most of you know - at least generally - what you want.
What’s secretly holding you back? You’re looking for permission to take the next step.
Find out how to overcome this hurdle and others that are stopping you from building your dream career.
Do not miss this episode!
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Episode 278: The #1 Reason Why You’re NOT Earning $200k/year Yet
November 17th, 2021 | 24 mins 9 secs
Why am I stuck at $150k/year or less?
Why have I not gotten that promotion?
Why have I not landed that new job yet?
I know a lot of you are asking, and if you’re open to hearing the truth, I’ll tell you.
It’s because you’re destroying - or weaponizing - the #1 tool that’s available to you as a tech leader.What is that tool and how to turn it into your greatest resource so you can finally build your dream career as a technical leader with ease, flow, balance, and purpose?
Tune in right now!
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Episode 277: Why Bold Urgency is the Key to Upgrading Your Tech Career
November 15th, 2021 | 26 mins 53 secs
A lot of you are stuck in your tech career right now.
And a lot of you want to keep waiting. You want to keep thinking about taking action.
I say this with love as your bold career coach: You need to cut that $hit out right now!
If you want to FINALLY get unstuck, you have to tap into urgency in a powerful, intentional way.
I show you how on this episode so you can stop the insanity of being underpaid, under-recognized, and overworked.
Tune in right now!
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Episode 275: Do you have leadership body odor?
November 3rd, 2021 | 9 mins 9 secs
You know how body odor works, right?
You’re always the last one to know when you have it.
Having a lack of leadership skills works the same way.
In this 5-minute quick shift, I help you to ask yourself if YOU have leadership body odor so that you can approach this uncomfortable conversation with yourself from a place of ownership…
...so that you can take the actions necessary to fix it and finally get recognized for your value as a technical manager!
Check this one out immediately! -
Episode 276: Why Working with a Recruiter is a Terrible Career Strategy
November 1st, 2021 | 22 mins 49 secs
Should you be working with a recruiter to help you land a new job as a tech manager?
Our answer will probably surprise you. It’s a firm “No.”
At least, not right away.
Check out this video to find out why so that you can intentionally take ownership of your career and finally get unstuck while you upgrade your teams, your paychecks - and your life!
Watch this one right away!
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Episode 274: What Are You Tolerating?
October 27th, 2021 | 8 mins 31 secs
“The sun is in my eyes!”
This is what my son was complaining about the other day. After some gentle coaching (Mom Win!) he realized he couldn’t move the sun…
...but he could move HIMSELF!
In this 5-minute Quick Shift, I show you how you can apply this lesson to your CAREER so that you can finally stop burning yourself out while you’re feeling underpaid & under-recognized.
Pay super close attention to this one!
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Episode 273: Why You Must Stop Applying for Jobs Right Now
October 25th, 2021 | 22 mins 7 secs
This episode is inspired by a question we received from a new client:
“What do you mean stop applying for jobs? That doesn’t make sense to me. How am I supposed to find one?”
Pay very close attention to this one because you’re going to learn how you’re wasting your precious time, energy, and focus by applying to tech manager jobs…
...AND what to do INSTEAD so that you can build your dream career while you make more of an impact you ever thought you could.
Tune in right now!
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Episode 272: Why You Need Expert Career Help
October 20th, 2021 | 7 mins 37 secs
In this 5-minute Quick Shift, I reveal the REAL reason why every single one of our clients was looking for expert career help.
It’s not to have an accountability buddy.
It’s not to pick our brains for more information.
It’s not even to get career advice. (That’s easily obtained from friends and family.)
Tune in to find out the REAL value of having an expert mentor…
...so that you can finally get your tech career on track, earn $200k/year or more, and live with zen-like work-life balance.
Check this one out right away!
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Episode 271: The 3 Shifts Our Clients Made To Stop Procrastinating and FINALLY Do the Inspired Work Necessary to Build Their Tech Careers
October 18th, 2021 | 20 mins 27 secs
We ALL procrastinate. It’s part of the human condition.
The key is being honest with yourself that you’re doing it…
...so you can STOP!
I realize this is easier said than done.
It’s not impossible. It’s simply challenging.
In this episode, I reveal the 3 mindset and strategic shifts our clients made to nip career procrastination in the bud!
On the other side of these 3 shifts was inspired, intelligent action taking that led to massive (often unbelievable) career outcomes like 50+% raises, dream jobs landed, loads more free time, and significantly more impact.
Check out this episode right now if you want to follow in our clients’ footsteps!
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Episode 270: The #1 Skill That Tech Managers MUST Develop if You Want to Up-Level Your Impact, Income, and Freedom
October 13th, 2021 | 8 mins 5 secs
In this 5-minute Quick Shift, I talk about the #1 skill that is essential to develop if you want to advance in your tech career.
And it’s not communication, leadership, mentoring, marketing, listening, strategic thinking, influencing…
...or any of the skills that are usually talked about.
Tune in to find out the skill that you most likely lack so that you can start building it TODAY and finally earn the income and make the impact you want.
Check it out right now!