37 - Your Career and Your Mental Health
Mental health and career development are more closely intertwined than people often appreciate. In this episode, Chris is joined by Glenn Small (Analytics Manager at AWS and long-time colleague from Microsoft) for an open and honest conversation about the pressures that working life places on mental wellbeing.
Both Chris and Glenn share personal stories. Glenn describes how unchecked work stress early in his career spiralled into severe anxiety, paranoia, and ultimately a breakdown — and how reaching out for support from trusted people and professional help was the turning point that allowed him to recover and build lasting resilience. Chris reflects on his own experiences, including a particularly difficult period during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns when social isolation compounded the everyday pressures of a demanding role.
The conversation surfaces several recurring themes: the danger of making silent assumptions about performance and expectations rather than having honest conversations with managers; how unchecked stress bleeds from work into personal life; and the critical importance of talking openly — whether to a trusted friend, a manager, or a mental health professional. The episode closes with a clear message: it is okay not to be okay, seeking help is a sign of self-awareness rather than weakness, and talking is nearly always the most important first step.
Note: Chris and Glenn are not mental health professionals. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified mental health practitioner.
Related Content
A livestream on Mental Health - Mental Health Awareness Week
Mental health affects us all, yet stigma and misunderstanding remain barriers to open conversation. In this candid livestream recorded during Mental Health Awareness Week, Chris Reddington is joined by Andrew Nathan (Microsoft FastTrack for Azure) and Will Owen (formerly Microsoft, now Maersk) to share their personal mental health journeys — covering depression, anxiety, COVID-19 isolation, CBT therapy, medication, and the pressures of high-performance tech careers.
25 - A conversation on Mental Health
In this candid conversation, Chris Reddington is joined by Andrew Nathan — a former Australian Special Forces soldier turned tech professional — to talk openly about mental health. Drawing on personal experiences with grief, COVID-19 lockdown isolation, and identity loss, both guests discuss the importance of speaking up, seeking help, and understanding that it is okay not to be okay. A vital listen for anyone in tech or beyond.
4 - Hackathons
Hackathons are a powerful accelerator for learning, innovation, and community building — but what does it actually take to participate in, organize, or mentor at one? In this episode, Chris is joined by Maria Vrabie, an experienced hackathon participant, organizer, and mentor with a background at Microsoft. They explore the full spectrum of hackathon formats: from university weekend events and charity hack days to corporate open hacks run with enterprise customers. Maria shares candid stories from both sides of the organizer table, practical advice for first-timers, and why hackathons are just as relevant for seasoned engineers as they are for students looking to break into tech.