{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6311fe9bae5d13001250521f/6a8115a7f8e81c4395639582?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"STEM Career expansion: Stop Waiting Until You Feel Ready -Firechat with Lauren Barber, nurse and medtech founder, Needle Calm","description":"<p>A rapid-fire conversation on transferable STEM skills, working smarter, visibility and what is actually good enough to start.</p><p><br></p><p>What beliefs are quietly keeping STEM professionals stuck?</p><p>\"I am just a scientist.\"</p><p>\"I need to work harder.\"</p><p>\"My work will speak for itself.\"</p><p>\"I am not ready yet.\"</p><p>In this Fire Chat, Lauren Barber, nurse and founder of NeedleCalm, challenges some of the assumptions that can stop technical professionals from moving beyond the path they were trained for.</p><p>Lauren built a medtech company without starting with a business background. Her experience is a useful reminder that you do not need to know everything before you begin, but you do need enough energy and curiosity to keep taking the next right step.</p><p><br></p><p>🔍 <strong>What You'll Learn:</strong></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><ul><li>Why your scientific or clinical expertise can be an advantage outside your traditional technical role.</li><li>What \"work smarter\" can actually look like, including using AI as a thought and learning partner.</li><li>Why done can be better than perfect when applying for grants, awards and opportunities.</li><li>Why good work does not always speak for itself, and how word of mouth, networking and visibility help.</li><li>What Lauren believes you really need before starting something new.</li><li><br></li></ul><p><strong>Play this episode if you have been waiting for more skills, more money, more confidence or a perfect plan before making your next move.</strong></p><p><br></p><p>🧠 <strong>About the Guest:</strong></p><p>Lauren Barber is a registered nurse and founder and CEO of NeedleCalm, an Australian medical device company focused on reducing pain and anxiety during needle procedures.</p><p>After repeatedly seeing the impact of needle fear in clinical practice, Lauren developed NeedleCalm and has spent the past decade learning how to turn clinical insight into a commercial product.</p><p><br></p><p>📌 <strong>Episode Highlights:</strong></p><p><strong>00:00</strong> The beliefs that can keep STEM professionals stuck</p><p><strong>01:20</strong> Meet Lauren Barber and NeedleCalm</p><p><strong>02:40</strong> The clinical experience that led her towards entrepreneurship</p><p><strong>04:15</strong> \"I'm just a scientist\", why technical skills do transfer</p><p><strong>05:10</strong> Working smarter instead of simply working harder</p><p><strong>06:00</strong> Using AI as a thought and learning partner</p><p><strong>07:00</strong> When done is better than perfect</p><p><strong>07:40</strong> Why your work will not always speak for itself</p><p><strong>08:20</strong> What is actually good enough to start</p><p><strong>08:50</strong> Taking the next right step</p><p><br></p><p>🔗 <strong>Resources Mentioned:</strong></p><p><br></p><ul><li>NeedleCalm</li><li>Claude</li><li>Grants and founder awards</li><li>Professional networking</li><li><br></li></ul><p>🤔 <strong>Reflection Time:</strong></p><p><br></p><ol><li>Which skill from your STEM background are you undervaluing because it feels ordinary to you?</li><li>Where are you working harder when a better tool, system or person could help you work smarter?</li><li>What could you start now if you stopped requiring yourself to know the whole path first?</li></ol><p><br></p><p>Full interview: </p><p>🎧 https://shows.acast.com/multiple-hats/episodes/6a8114dbff328abd8407723c</p>","author_name":"Angelique Greco | Biotech & Health-Tech Expert | STEM Thought Leadership Coach"}