Breaking Free from the Prestige Trap with Chloe Hodge

What if everything you've been told about career success is completely wrong? In this inaugural episode of Successful AF, host Jess West sits down with arts professional Chloe Hodge for a raw, honest conversation about ditching the prestige trap and finding work that actually fulfills you.

Chloe's journey from struggling on £8.55/hour at the Royal Academy to running international arts projects in Ukraine is anything but linear. She shares the brutal truth about working at prestigious institutions, why she turned down high-paying graduate schemes for passion projects, and how a conversation with a stranger at an art opening changed everything.

• Guest Name: Chloe Hodge
• Bio: Program Director running artist projects and architectural heritage restorations in Ukraine during the full-scale invasion. Previously worked across prestigious London institutions including the Royal Academy of Arts. Holds a Master's in Curating from the Royal College of Art.

Episode Outline

1. The £8.55 Decision That Changed Everything
   • Why Chloe chose a part-time, low-paying job at a prestigious institution over lucrative graduate schemes, and how the advice she got whilst working there changed her life
   • The power of following your instincts over financial security
2. From Prestige to Breakdown: The Museum Years
   • What it's really like working at "dream" institutions
   • Recognizing when success on paper doesn't equal personal fulfilment
   • The danger of attaching your worth to external validation
3. Redefining Success on Your Own Terms
   • How Chloe's definition of success evolved throughout her career
   • The importance of working with people you respect on projects you believe in
4. Breaking the Cycle: From Breakdown to Breakthrough
   • The conversation that gave her permission to leave
   • How to overcome financial barriers in creative industries
   • Building confidence when you don't naturally have high self-esteem
5. Working in a War Zone: Finding Purpose in the Chaos
   • Leading international teams supporting Ukrainian artists
   • How crisis can bring out the best in workplace culture
   • The broken ankle story that taught her to slow down (sort of)

Key Takeaways

• Trust your gut, even when it doesn't make logical sense
• Prestige doesn't equal happiness or fulfillment
• Sometimes you need to experience the "wrong" job to appreciate the right one
• Success is about integrity, supportive relationships, and meaningful work
• Financial barriers are real in creative industries, but not insurmountable
• Don't try to change yourself to fit into the wrong environment

Host & Show Info

• Host Name: Jess West
• About the Host: Career & Leadership Coach, helping women rewrite the rules of success without sacrificing their sanity
• Coaching: Find Jess at @compasscoaching.co for one-on-one support

Community & Calls to Action

• Follow the show: @successfulafpod on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and career insights
• Rate & Review: Help other people find this show by leaving a review
• Get Coaching Support: Ready to redefine success on your own terms? Connect with Jess at @compasscoaching.co
• Share Your Story: Know an incredible woman breaking the mold? Email nominations to [email protected]
• Join the Conversation: What resonated with you from Chloe's story? Share your thoughts at [email protected] or tag us on social media