Ep 76: Stop Calling It Job Hopping: It's Career Growth - Featuring Shannon Shores

In this episode of The Corporate Burnouts, Mandy Holt and Mandy Alt unpack something they both realized about themselves: they're really bad at being "off." What starts as a conversation about vacations, "girl dinner," and Sunday routines quickly turns into a much bigger discussion about why so many of us feel guilty when we're not being productive.

Why do we turn every hobby into a side hustle? Why does watching a movie feel like wasted time unless we're multitasking? And when did "I'm so busy" become the default answer to "How are you?"

Together, the Mandys explore:

• Why hustle culture has rewired our brains

• The difference between resting and simply switching responsibilities

• Productivity guilt and why doing nothing feels so uncomfortable

• How work quietly becomes our identity

• The hobbies and simple joys we've abandoned as adults

• Why vacations feel easier than staycations

• The pressure to monetize everything we enjoy

• One question everyone should ask themselves: Who were you before your career?

By the end of the episode, they challenge themselves, and you, to intentionally make time for fun, not because it's productive, profitable, or serves someone else... but simply because it brings you joy.

Question for you: What would your perfect Sunday look like if you had zero responsibilities? Tell us in the comments and we will feature some of your ideas in a future episode.

FAQs

1. Is changing jobs frequently always considered job hopping?
No. Shannon Shores challenges the traditional idea that changing jobs automatically signals a lack of commitment. She explains how career moves can be strategic when they allow you to continue learning, pursue new opportunities, or move toward work that better aligns with your goals and strengths.

2. How do you know when you've outgrown a job?
The episode explores why staying in a position after you've stopped learning or growing can be more concerning than choosing to leave. Feeling disconnected from your purpose, no longer seeing opportunities for development, or realizing a role no longer fits where you're headed can all be signs that it's time to evaluate your next move.

3. What is Shannon Shores' “captain vs. crew” framework?
Shannon uses the captain-versus-crew framework to think about whether someone is better suited to lead and set direction or support a larger mission as part of a team. Understanding which role fits you can help you make better decisions about leadership opportunities, career moves, and the type of work environment where you'll thrive.

4. How should you approach a job interview when considering a career change?
Shannon encourages job seekers to remember that an interview is a two-way evaluation. Instead of focusing entirely on convincing an employer to hire you, you should also be determining whether the company's leadership, expectations, culture, opportunities, and role are right for your next stage of growth.