Squiggly Careers Podcast: Welcome to the Squiggly Careers AI Skills Sprint 2025 🥇

Hosts: Sarah Ellis & Helen Tupper
Date: September 14, 2025
Episode Theme: Introduction to the AI Skills Sprint 2025, a five-day focused learning journey designed to help listeners integrate AI into key squiggly career skills.

Episode Overview

This episode serves as a welcoming introduction to Squiggly Careers’ third annual skills sprint. Sarah and Helen explain the concept of a squiggly career, outline how the five-day AI Skills Sprint works, and share practical resources and top tips to help new and returning members maximize their learning. The tone is friendly, motivational, and community-focused, making it welcoming for first-timers and familiar for regular listeners.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. What Is a Squiggly Career? (00:30–01:12)

• Squiggly Careers challenges the traditional "career ladder" idea, instead advocating for flexible, non-linear growth that prioritizes individual development.
• Helen: “A squiggly career is a way in which we give people the freedom and the flexibility to develop in the direction that is right for them… There’s a different and much more squiggly way we can help people to succeed at work.” (00:33–01:12)

2. Introducing the Skills Sprint (01:12–01:40)

• The AI Skills Sprint lasts five days, requiring just 10 minutes per day.
• Skills Covered: Strengths, Values, Confidence, Networking, and Possibilities.
• Sarah: “It’s five days of learning, ten minutes every day… On each day we’re going to cover one of the five squiggly skills… And the idea with this sprint is we’re going to figure out how AI can help you to accelerate both your self awareness, but also… the actions that you’re going to take.” (01:12–01:40)

3. Support and Resources for Sprinters (01:40–02:13)

• Multi-Platform Access: Episodes can be watched on YouTube or listened to via any podcast app.
• Sprint Support: Ready Study Sprint guide, daily sprint summaries with links and prompts, screenshots for exercises.
• Getting Set Up: Sign up for full access; contact Helen and Sarah if there are any issues finding the sign-up.
• Helen: “We wrap quite a lot of support around them… Make sure that you are signed up for the Sprint so you get all that information.” (01:40–02:13)

4. AI Safety and Best Practices (02:13–03:09)

• Protect Personal Info: Explicit recommendation not to share any identifiable info with AI tools.
• Sarah: “Don’t give any personal information to an OpenAI… Even the other day I sort of nearly did it… because I was just doing something quickly.” (02:13–02:35)
• Tool Neutrality: They’ve tested different AI tools and encourage checking each platform’s environmental and energy commitments.
• Resource Transparency: More information on sustainability is available in the guide.

5. Community Support and Engagement (03:09–03:42)

• Community Learning: Thousands participate together, fostering shared growth and support.
• Engagement Hub: Connect via LinkedIn’s Amazing If page for ongoing updates, community sharing, and support.
• Tagging for Support: Use #amazingif in posts to build visibility and receive encouragement.
• Helen: “Take advantage of the Squiggly careers community… tag us in any post… so we can support and celebrate your success.” (03:09–03:42)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Helen on Redefining Success:
  “We’re trying to let go of the idea that careers should look like ladders, that up is the only way and that success is seniority for everybody.” (00:38–00:51)

• Sarah on Data Privacy:
  “Don’t give any personal information to an OpenAI… none of [the prompts] will encourage you to say hi, I’m Sarah, this is where I live and this is who I work for, so let’s not do that.” (02:18–02:34)

• Helen on Community:
  “We really want to feel like a community that are learning together.” (03:35–03:40)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:30–01:12: What is a squiggly career?
• 01:12–01:40: What is a skills sprint? (Five-day, ten-minute format)
• 01:40–02:13: Sprint resources, guides, and support
• 02:13–03:09: AI privacy and tool selection; environmental considerations
• 03:09–03:42: Community engagement and how to participate

Conclusion

Sarah and Helen warmly launch the 2025 AI Skills Sprint, inviting listeners to challenge traditional career thinking and embrace personalized, skill-focused growth using AI tools—while learning together as a supportive community. They provide clear, actionable steps and emphasize connection, safety, and sustainability, making this episode both practical and inspiring for anyone keen to shape their own squiggly career.

“We hope you’re going to find this really useful for you and your squiggly career development and learning and ready to get started.” —Sarah (03:42)