6. Jamila Rizvi was "too co-dependent": second place is where she wins

FW’s own deputy managing director Jamila Rizvi has spent her career as what she calls a “perennial number two” – from the Prime Minister’s office to media empires. She’s made bold pivots, survived life-altering health scares, and discovered that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is admit: I do…

5. Giaan Rooney was “too invested”: Olympic champion turned macadamia farmer

She was winning Olympic gold and World Championships. But at 23, Giaan Rooney was burned out. She retired from swimming, became a television presenter, then pivoted again – to a career you’d never expect. Giaan tells Briana Blackett how, at each turn, being “too invested” has seen her succeed. And …

4. Kate Reid was "too lucky": but luck doesn't make the world's best croissant

Kate Reid is the founder of the world-famous Lune Croissanterie. But before creating her own formula for the perfect buttery, flaky croissant, she was a Formula One aerodynamicist, working on some of the fastest cars on the planet. And though she’s been labelled "too lucky", in this episode, she re…

3. Leemara Fairgrieve was "too accommodating": once a hairdresser, now a police detective

From styling hair to fighting crime, Detective Senior Sergeant Leemara Fairgrieve made quite the switch when she left hairdressing to join Victoria Police. These days, she’s busting major drug syndicates and rising through the ranks. But while she’s tough on crime, Leemara admits she can be tough o…

2. Lana Jones was "too strong": from prima ballerina to delivering babies

For almost two decades, Lana Jones was a principal dancer at the Australian Ballet, celebrated for lead roles in Swan Lake, Giselle, and The Sleeping Beauty. And still, she was told she was “too strong”. After an illustrious career, Jones stepped away from the spotlight to retrain as a midwife. In …

1. Allegra Spender was "too nerdy": it took her to the top of fashion and politics

Carla Zampatti’s daughter, self-confessed nerd Allegra Spender, never saw herself as a natural fit to lead her late mother’s fashion empire. But that’s where she ended up, before a runway-worthy career-pivot which saw her ride the Teal wave into federal politics. In this episode, Allegra joins Bria…

Too Much is returning soon... with a twist

Season three of FW’s award-winning podcast, Too Much, returns on Monday January 19, 2026. Over eight episodes, hear from high-achieving women who defied the critics that said they were “too something” and built extraordinary careers. And this season, every guest has also pulled off a major pivot. T…

Summer listening: Moana Kidd was "too open"

We're back in a few weeks with a whole new season! But before we get there, we're bringing back our favourite episodes from years passed for your summer playlist. Moana Kidd never imagined she’d be a Senior Constable with Victoria Police. As a woman of colour who’d been working in the arts, she wa…

Summer listening: Julie Bishop was "too diplomatic"

We're back in the new year with a whole new season! But before we get there, we're bringing back our favourite episodes from years passed for your summer playlist. As the first woman to serve as Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Julie Bishop knows a thing or too about diplomacy. She was also …

Summer listening: Jennifer Robinson was "too young"

We're back in the new year with a whole new season! But before we get there, we're bringing back our favourite episodes from years passed for your summer playlist. International human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson was just 28 years old when she became a part of what was, at the time, the biggest…