What if career growth isn’t about climbing faster — but choosing challenge over comfort?

In this episode, Candice Mitchell sits down with learning & development leader, community builder, and solopreneur Anamaria Dorgo to unpack what a non-linear, intentional career really looks like.

From starting in retail, to staying with one company for a decade across countries and roles, to experimenting with consulting, community building, and finally finding the right hybrid — this conversation is an honest look at clarity, pivots, and designing a career that actually fits.

No hype. No “follow your passion” clichés. Just real decisions, trade-offs, and growth.

What you’ll get from this episode:

Why variety and challenge matter more than titles
How to think about sideways (and backward) career moves
The role clarity plays when things get hard
Why not every career needs an “all-in” leap
How side projects quietly shape long-term success

This episode is for anyone questioning their next move or wondering if they’re “doing it wrong.”

Get to know Anamaria

Anamaria is a Learning & Development Manager and Community Builder, a podcast host, and the founder of Handle with Brain. You'll usually find her tinkering with collaborative projects at the overlap between community + (learning) experience design + facilitation.

She prefer practical approaches over grand theories, and she cares about creating environments where people share what they know, challenge each other, and make progress together.

Connect with Anamaria

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anamariadorgo/

Podcast (Mapping Ties) : https://mapping-ties.com/

Newsletter: https://anamariadorgo.substack.com/

Your host, Candice Mitchell, can be found online at:

Website: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicemitchelltdnerd/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talent_development_nerd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@candicemitchell.TDNerd

Talent Development Academy: https://talentdevelopmentnerds.com/tda

Original music composed by: Paul DeHaven

pauldehavenmusic.com

Why career growth isn’t about playing it safe