logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2025
13m 40s

Decisions that Made Me: Sophie O’Brien (...

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

After 14 years of having a successful career in media, Sophie found herself unemployed. She thought with her skills and experience finding a new role would be easy, but it was the opposite. After struggling with applications and repeated denials, Sophie decided she wanted to change the process of applying for a job. The employment specialist talks to Evan Davis about how she’s trying to change the way recruitment works with her business Pollen Careers.

Production team: Producers: Nick Holland, Georgiana Tudor Editor: Matt Willis Sound: John Scott Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison

(Photo Credit: Sophie O’Brien)

Up next
Jul 2
The Costs and Benefits of Business Regulation
Few disagree we need business regulations to protect the rights of workers and consumers, ensure markets operate fairly and set standards for a whole host of industries. However, one thing some business owners get frustrated about is the amount of regulation they have to comply w ... Show More
34m 21s
Jun 25
Digital Nomads
A laptop, reliable wifi and a visa, the formula that has allowed millions to work from almost anywhere in the world. It’s a lifestyle that promises freedom and flexibility: one month in Lisbon, the next in Bali. But after years of countries competing to attract digital nomads, wi ... Show More
33m 43s
Jun 18
When brands collaborate
Whether it’s McDonald’s and Cadbury or H&M and Karl Lagerfeld, brand collaborations are booming. From food to fashion, homeware to movies, why are partnerships having such a moment and what makes some 'collabs' succeed while others fail? Evan Davis and his guests explore the deal ... Show More
33m 59s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2020
Redefining success and building your own table, with Sophie Amono
tail spinning
1h 7m
Oct 2025
When the Recruiter Becomes the Candidate
Episode 311 - Leanne Brannigan spent years hiring. Then she was laid off, and used social media to document her experience job searching while unemployed. Her story exposes how the system treats candidates and what we can do better. I spend my weeks advising professionals who ass ... Show More
1h 2m
Jun 2021
#217 Progression with Sophie Williams
In our final episode of our Ask The Expert series, Helen speaks to author Sophie Williams about progression at work. Sophie is the author of two books; Anti-Racist Ally: An Introduction to Action and Activism and Millennial Black which looks at how Black women’s intersectional id ... Show More
28m 43s
May 2016
SDH074: Staying Social | An Interview with Lauren Felix
There may come a time in your life when your side hustle becomes more important to you than your corporate job. You know that your heart isn’t fully in your day-to-day job, but you feel guilty. Maybe you have invested more time and money than you can count into your job, and you ... Show More
32m 31s
Aug 2025
Make a Mid-Career Industry Change with Confidence
When you realize the line of work you’ve been in for years doesn’t interest you anymore or is in decline or won’t ever pay well enough, what’s your next move? Amy Bernstein speaks with executive coach Nina Bowman about the process of making a bold mid-career leap: how to identify ... Show More
55m 8s
Oct 2019
What to Do When Your Career Doesn’t Go as Planned (& How to Pivot to Something Unconventional)
Listen along as we discuss career struggles with my assistant, Katie. She talks about her initial career plans, the changes that occurred along the way, her mental breakdown, + finally finding happiness in the unconventional. We discuss how to deal with adversity, nay-sayers, + b ... Show More
59m 47s
May 2023
Delaney - "How do I make the most of my time at my soulless job?"
Delaney left a fulfilling teaching career to join the tech industry. But after a round of layoffs left her the sole remaining member of her team, she’s stopped feeling motivated and wants to start carving out time to pursue the artistic projects that actually inspire her. Needing ... Show More
33m 36s
Jan 2025
How To Quit The 9-5 Grind
Former corporate queen Chloe Barry-Hang talks about quitting her job, how to stand up for yourself in a male-dominated industry & her biggest life lessons since leaving a toxic workplace. Plus, Chloe shares why your identity is so much more than your job & her top tips for starti ... Show More
29m 12s
Oct 2020
starting my own company
Starting a business has a ton of ups and downs, and Emma’s been through it all launching (and re-launching) her company and passion project Chamberlain Coffee. All of the trials and tribulations of getting a company up and running, from creating the product, creating the voice, b ... Show More
1h 2m