The Career Change Maker Podcast

Have you been feeling that restless, unsettled feeling at work and assuming the answer is a new job, a new industry, or starting over somewhere fresh? Before you make that leap, I want you to pause - because for many of the brilliant women I've worked with, the problem was never the role. It was visibility.In this episode, I'm making the case that what you're missing might not be a career change - it might just be that the right people don't know you exist yet.I share a moment from a few years ago when I visited my old law firm and a woman I'd never met recognised me straight away - not from work, but from LinkedIn. That moment shifted everything for me. My expertise had a life beyond my job title, and it happened because I chose to show up consistently and share my perspective outside of my organisation.If your experience and insight are only known inside your company walls, your expertise is being under-leveraged. And that's what we're unpacking today.What we cover:• How to tell whether you have a role problem or a visibility problem• Why your existing expertise is already an asset - it just needs to be seen beyond your organisation• How visibility outside your company creates real choices: speaking, writing, consulting, advisory and fractional workYou don't need a huge following or a viral moment. You just need a consistent, strategic approach to sharing what you know. And you don't need to start from scratch - you just need to start being seen.Send us Fan MailInvest in Yourself and Your Career:Community — Join our Network for mid-career women redesigning what's next in their careersCoaching — Join the Waitlist for The Portfolio Career Academy. Turn Your Expertise Into Multiple Streams of Income & Impact Through Building A Portfolio Career. Join The Waitlist Connect with me!Website: careerchangemakers.comEmail: podcast@careerchangemakers.comLinkedIn:  Janine EsbrandInstagram: @careerchangemakerspodcastCareer Change Makers on Apple Podcasts

Are you feeling like your ambition has outgrown the four walls of your organisation? Do you find yourself thinking "I don't want my boss's job" — and wondering what that means for your future? Are you curious about what it looks like to monetise the expertise you already have, without blowing up the career you've worked hard to build? In this episode, I'm sharing why your knowledge is far more portable and scalable than you've been led to believe. I explore why most professionals limit themselves to a single upward track inside one organisation, how to start seeing your existing knowledge and insights as valuable assets, and why building alongside your career - rather than walking away from it - is one of the smartest moves you can make right now. The way the job market is moving, with layoffs, restructures and constant change, waiting for your organisation to provide security is no longer a strategy. But here's the thing - you don't have to start from scratch. You already have the inventory. It's just about learning how to use it differently. What you'll learn: • Your expertise is already an asset: How to identify what you're already doing, saying and solving - and see it as the foundation for building beyond your role. • Building your safety net: Why creating other income streams and visibility outside your organisation isn't a luxury - it's an insurance policy for your career. • Starting small and building smart: Why one speaking opportunity, one piece of content, or one conversation outside your organisation is genuinely all it takes to begin. "Your ambition hasn't disappeared - it's just outgrown a single track. Now it's time to redirect it."Ready to Start Building? •  I'm opening up 10 spots for ambitious mid-career women who are ready to create additional income streams using the expertise they already have. We get started at the end of June. Head to LinkedIn, find me @Janine Esbrand, and send me a message with the word START to find out more.Send us Fan MailInvest in Yourself and Your Career:Community — Join our Network for mid-career women redesigning what's next in their careersCoaching — Join the Waitlist for The Portfolio Career Academy. Turn Your Expertise Into Multiple Streams of Income & Impact Through Building A Portfolio Career. Join The Waitlist Connect with me!Website: careerchangemakers.comEmail: podcast@careerchangemakers.comLinkedIn:  Janine EsbrandInstagram: @careerchangemakerspodcastCareer Change Makers on Apple Podcasts

Are you doing great work but struggling to get the recognition or opportunities you know you deserve?Do you find yourself going into reviews or conversations without clear proof of the impact you've made?Are you curious about how to take real ownership of your career and position yourself for what's next?In this episode, I sit down with Orlando Haynes, a talent acquisition leader turned founder, to explore what it really takes to build and communicate your career value. He shares how a pivotal moment in his own career made him realise that doing the work is not enough if you cannot prove it.We talk about the importance of documenting your achievements, learning how to speak the language of performance, and why taking action now is more powerful than waiting until you feel fully ready.Orlando's journey from corporate recruiting to building an AI-powered platform is a powerful reminder that your experience is never wasted. Every role, every lesson, and every step you've taken can become the foundation for something bigger when you choose to leverage it.What You'll Learn:Clarity before action: How to get clear on what you want from your career and recognise the value you already bring so you can move with intention.Proof over perception: Why doing great work is not enough and how documenting your achievements can directly impact your growth, recognition, and earning potential.The language of performance: How to communicate your work in a way that resonates with decision-makers and positions you for promotions and new opportunities.“It doesn't matter what you do. It matters what you can prove.”Connect with Orlando HaynesGet a 14 day FREE TRIAL of Career Capital with the code 'JANINE14'Send us Fan MailInvest in Yourself and Your Career:Community — Join our Network for mid-career women redesigning what's next in their careersCoaching — Join the Waitlist for The Portfolio Career Academy. Turn Your Expertise Into Multiple Streams of Income & Impact Through Building A Portfolio Career. Join The Waitlist Connect with me!Website: careerchangemakers.comEmail: podcast@careerchangemakers.comLinkedIn:  Janine EsbrandInstagram: @careerchangemakerspodcastCareer Change Makers on Apple Podcasts

Are you feeling anxious about your career as the economic landscape shifts beneath your feet?Do you find yourself wondering whether you're doing enough to protect the career you've worked so hard to build?Are you curious about what it actually looks like to take back control of your professional future - without waiting for someone else to hand it to you?In this episode, I share exactly how to build your career safety net in uncertain times. I explore why self-awareness is your most underrated professional asset, how to diversify both your income and your impact, and why taking small, strategic steps right now matters far more than waiting for the perfect moment.Economic uncertainty has a way of making us feel reactive - like things are happening to us rather than for us. But the truth is, you have more agency than you think. When you get clear on what you truly want, seek the right support, and start moving - even incrementally - everything begins to shift. You don't have to wait for a crisis to start building something more secure.What you'll learn:Clarity before action: How to identify what you truly want from your career and pinpoint the gaps standing between you and it.The power of the right support: Why seeking out a coach or mentor - and doing your due diligence to find the right one -can be a career-changing decision.Diversifying your income and impact: Practical strategies to expand your professional reach beyond your current role, without burning everything down to do it."You are the CEO of your career. Don't wait for someone else to build your safety net — build it yourself."Send us Fan MailInvest in Yourself and Your Career:Community — Join our Network for mid-career women redesigning what's next in their careersCoaching — Join the Waitlist for The Portfolio Career Academy. Turn Your Expertise Into Multiple Streams of Income & Impact Through Building A Portfolio Career. Join The Waitlist Connect with me!Website: careerchangemakers.comEmail: podcast@careerchangemakers.comLinkedIn:  Janine EsbrandInstagram: @careerchangemakerspodcastCareer Change Makers on Apple Podcasts

Are you feeling stuck in your career but not quite ready to walk away from everything you've built? Do you find yourself wondering if there's a way to pursue what lights you up without throwing your success out the window? Are you curious about what it really looks like to reinvent yourself gradually, on your own terms?In this episode, I share my own story of how a two-day coaching seminar cracked open a door I didn't even know was there. I explore why curiosity is one of the most underrated career tools you have, how I built a coaching practice, podcast, and leadership programmes alongside my legal career, and why you absolutely do not need to make a huge leap to start moving toward something more fulfilling.I was a successful corporate lawyer - and by all measures, things were going well. But something kept pulling at me. A seminar, a spark of curiosity, and one small step at a time led me to a career I never could have planned but wouldn't trade for anything. The best part? I didn't have to give up everything I'd worked for to get there.What You'll Learn:Curiosity is data: Why those recurring interests and quiet nudges are worth paying attention to - and what to do with them.The portfolio career approach: How to explore and test new directions alongside your existing role, without the risk of starting from scratch.You can be many things: Why embracing multiple identities and interests doesn't dilute your career - it enriches it."You don't have to make a huge leap. Open the door a little, follow your curiosity, and see where it leads."Invest in Yourself and Your Career:Community — Join our Network for mid-career women redesigning what's next in their careersCoaching — Join the Career Navigator Coaching Programme: My high-touch, 1-to-1 experience to help you build a career aligned with your life. Book a Career Clarity Call to discussSend us Fan MailConnect with me!Website: careerchangemakers.comEmail: podcast@careerchangemakers.comLinkedIn:  Janine EsbrandInstagram: @careerchangemakerspodcastCareer Change Makers on Apple Podcasts

Are you feeling stuck in your current role but not quite ready to hand in your resignation? Do you find yourself wondering whether the career you've built truly reflects what matters most to you? Are you curious about what it really looks like to build a career around your values, and how one woman did exactly that on a global scale?In this episode, I sit down with Tara Chklovski, founder of Technovation, to explore what it really looks like to build a career driven by purpose and impact. We cover how social norms shape the careers women feel able to pursue, why confidence is a skill that can be cultivated, and how aligning your work with your values can create a ripple effect far beyond your own life. Whether you're navigating a transition or simply craving more alignment, this episode will inspire you.Tara Chklovski, founder and CEO of Technovation, is reshaping opportunities for young women in technology. Inspired by her experiences growing up in India and working as an aerospace engineer, she developed a widely-adopted education model that combines mentorship, hands-on learning, and entrepreneurship to prepare girls to thrive in tech. Named by Techcrunch as “teaching the next generation of AI innovators,” she has built Technovation into a movement reaching 400,000+ people across 160+ countries. Her research shows that AI education for girls could unlock a $200 billion opportunity for the world economy. Through Technovation and The AI Forward Alliance (TAIFA), she's preparing 25 million young women to lead in AI innovation and tackle global challenges.What You'll Learn:Build a Career With Purpose: How Tara's journey from aerospace engineering to global nonprofit leadership shows what it truly looks like to build a career around impact and values.Challenging Social Norms: How deeply ingrained social norms shape the career choices of girls and women worldwide - and how we can begin to challenge them.Confidence as a Skill: Why confidence isn't something you're born with, and how to cultivate it through real-world experience and problem solving."Build a career around your values, and the impact you create will reach far beyond what you can imagine."Invest in Yourself and Your Career:Community — Join our Network for mid-career women redesigning what's next in their careersCoaching — Join the Career Navigator Coaching Programme: My high-touch, 1-to-1 experience to help you build a career aligned with your life. Book a Career Clarity Call to discussConnect with Tara ChklovskiAnyone interested in being a mentor, please check out technovation.org to learn more.Send us Fan MailConnect with me!Website: careerchangemakers.comEmail: podcast@careerchangemakers.comLinkedIn:  Janine EsbrandInstagram: @careerchangemakerspodcastCareer Change Makers on Apple Podcasts

Are you struggling to stay motivated when your corporate job is leaving you feeling drained and depleted? Do you find yourself wondering whether the problem is your job — or whether you've simply lost your sense of purpose? Are you looking for practical ways to reconnect with your motivation without throwing everything away and starting over?In this episode, I share three powerful strategies to help mid-career women stay motivated, even when their corporate role feels misaligned or exhausting. I dive into why staying motivated isn't just about loving every moment of your job, but about reconnecting with what drives you at a deeper level.I explore the importance of anchoring back to your personal why, shifting your focus from what you're losing to what you're gaining, and expanding your impact beyond your day-to-day role, so you can stay motivated and build momentum no matter what season of your career you're in.What You'll Learn:Reconnect With Your Why: How identifying and revisiting your personal purpose can instantly reframe your work experience and help you stay motivated through the tough seasons.Shift From Losses to Gains: Practical ways to refocus your attention on the skills, perspectives, and growth you're accumulating - even in a challenging environment.Expand Your Impact: How pursuing side projects, volunteering, and activities outside your role can reignite your motivation and sense of fulfilment.The Wheel of Life: Why taking a holistic view of your life balance is key to measuring fulfilment and staying motivated across all areas - not just your career."Reconnecting with your why is one of the fastest ways to stay motivated, even when the day-to-day feels hard."Invest in Yourself and Your Career:Community — Join our brand new Network for mid-career women redesigning what's next in their careersCoaching — Join the Career Navigator Coaching Programme: My high-touch, 1-to-1 experience to help you clarify and package your expertise, build a personal brand that opens doors, and create a career that generates opportunities and income beyond your job title and AI disruption. Book a Career Clarity Call to discussSend us Fan MailConnect with me!Website: careerchangemakers.comEmail: podcast@careerchangemakers.comLinkedIn:  Janine EsbrandInstagram: @careerchangemakerspodcastCareer Change Makers on Apple Podcasts

Are you feeling stuck in your current role but not quite ready to hand in your resignation? Do you find yourself drained by the daily grind, wondering if there's a way to find more fulfillment without starting from scratch? Are you curious about how small, strategic shifts in your perspective and habits can lead to a massive transformation in your work-life balance?In this episode, I share three practical, high-impact strategies for mid-career women who want to improve their work experience right where they are. We dive into why the answer isn't always to leave your company, but rather to redesign your current reality to better align with your strengths and values.I explore the power of "energy audits" and "job crafting," explaining how these tools can help you reclaim your time and joy. Whether you are navigating a transition or simply looking for more peace in your professional life, this episode provides the roadmap to becoming the architect of your own career satisfaction.What You'll Learn:The Energy Audit: How to conduct a weekly energy log to pinpoint exactly what is fuelling you and what is draining you.Job Crafting for Alignment: Practical ways to reshape your current responsibilities to better fit your unique strengths and professional goals.The Identity Shift: How to address the "identity gap" and begin redefining your self-perception beyond just your job title.Strategic Redesign: Why releasing the grip on your current professional identity can open up a world of new possibilities you hadn't considered."Releasing the grip of your job title can open new possibilities."Invest in Yourself and Your Career:Community - Join our brand new Network for mid-career women redesigning what's next in their careers Coaching - Join the Career Navigator Coaching Programme: My high-touch, 1-to-1 experience to help you build a career aligned with your life. Book a Career Clarity Call to discussSend us Fan MailConnect with me!Website: careerchangemakers.comEmail: podcast@careerchangemakers.comLinkedIn:  Janine EsbrandInstagram: @careerchangemakerspodcastCareer Change Makers on Apple Podcasts

Are you a new manager feeling technically competent but completely unequipped to lead a team?Do you worry that you lack the "executive presence" needed to thrive in high-pressure leadership roles?Are you curious about how AI can actually support your human growth rather than just automating your tasks?In this episode, I'm joined by Benjamin Husser, CEO of Ignitus, to discuss how AI is being used to democratise high-level coaching. We dive into the gap many new managers face when transitioning from technical experts to people leaders and explore how "real-time augmentation" can provide the support you need at the exact moment you need it.Ben shares the journey of building an AI coaching platform rooted in human expertise, explaining why AI should never replace traditional coaching, but how it can serve as a powerful "accelerator" for the 90% of managers who currently don't have access to professional development support.Ben Husser is Ignitus' CEO, and a former Chief of Staff to tech CEOs (ex-Tripadvisor, ex-Euronews). Over a decade advising senior leaders, he's run executive committees, led strategic initiatives across three continents, and helped raise £100M+ from investors. Now, drawing on the mentorship that shaped his career, he's on a mission to make great mentoring accessible to all.What You'll learn:The "Human-First" AI Approach: Why effective AI coaching must be trained on the frameworks of real-world experts (like hostage negotiators and executive coaches).Real-Time Augmentation: How AI can analyse your digital workflow to give you situational advice before a difficult conversation or a big board meeting.The Promotability Stat: Why managers with coaches are 5x more likely to be promoted and how AI bridges that gap.Critical Thinking in the Age of AI: Ben's "Golden Rule" for using AI without losing your own unique professional style or critical thinking skills.Invest in Yourself and Your Career:Community - Join our brand new Network for mid-career women redesigning what's next in their careers Coaching - Join the Career Navigator Coaching Programme: My high-touch, 1-to-1 experience to help you build a career aligned with your life. Book a Career Clarity Call to discussConnect with BenExplore Ignitus: Visit ignitus.app to learn more about AI-powered leadership growth.Get 1 month free trial of Ignitus! Send us Fan MailConnect with me!Website: careerchangemakers.comEmail: podcast@careerchangemakers.comLinkedIn:  Janine EsbrandInstagram: @careerchangemakerspodcastCareer Change Makers on Apple Podcasts

Feel like you've been spending months trying to figure out your next career move, but haven't actually made any progress?Are you frustrated by the gap between knowing you want a change and actually taking the steps to make it happen?Do you worry that you're "too old," "not experienced enough," or that a move might sacrifice your financial security?In this episode, I'm sharing why strategy might not be your problem and why your default thinking is the issue. Many professionals stay stuck on the "career couch" because of unconscious "background code" that limits what they believe is possible  and therefore holds them back from career opportunities.  Using my own journey to the TEDx stage as a roadmap, I'm digging into the cognitive psychology model that you can use to increase your career opportunities and thrive. You'll learn: How to identify the thoughts that are holding you back How to rewrite your mental scriptsHow to ditch procrastination and start redesigning your career.  Invest in Yourself and Your Career:Book a Career Clarity CallThe Career Navigator Coaching Programme: My high-touch, 1-to-1 experience to help you build a career aligned with your life. Book a Career Clarity Call to discussRelated Episode: Episode 304: 'Why All-Or-Nothing Thinking Is Keeping You Stuck'Send a textConnect with me! Website: careerchangemakers.comEmail: podcast@careerchangemakers.com LinkedIn: Janine Esbrand Instagram: @careerchangemakerspodcast Career Change Makers on Apple Podcasts

Are you still following a career blueprint that was designed for a world that no longer exists? As we navigate 2026, the traditional "rules" of professional growth are being rewritten, yet so many mid-career women are still holding themselves back by trying to play an outdated game. In this episode, I'm diving deep into why the career advice we were given a decade ago is actually sabotaging our progress today. I share why "staying the course" can sometimes lead to stagnation and how you can shift your perspective to navigate this new landscape with confidence. From the rise of AI to the strategic power of the "job hopper" label, it's time to stop settling for a career that fits your past and start redesigning one that fuels your future. What You'll Learn in This Episode:The Expiry Date of Traditional Advice: Why the "proven" strategies of the past are now the biggest hurdles for mid-career women. The Power of the Pivot: Why I've embraced "job hopping" as a tool for advancement rather than a mark of inconsistency. Navigating the AI Shift: How to focus on your unique human value so that technological changes become your competitive advantage.  Career Redesign vs. Career Recovery: How to move from just "getting through the week" to intentionally engineering a path that aligns with your personal growth. Action Steps:Audit Your Internal Rules: Identify one piece of "standard" career wisdom you're still following (like staying in a role for a minimum number of years) and ask if it actually serves your 2026 goals. Give Yourself Permission to Move: Stop viewing a career change as a "restart." View it as a strategic upgrade to a version of work that fits your current season of life. Prioritize Navigation over Path: In a changing economy, your ability to navigate and adapt is more valuable than any linear ladder. Start looking for the moves that keep you agile. Ready to Redesign Your Career? If you're feeling the tug to move but aren't sure how to navigate the current market, I'm here to help you get unstuck. 

The Podcast for Ambitious Mid-Career Women Redesigning What's Next***Top 1.5% Global Careers Podcast***Are you navigating a mid-career transition and wondering what's next?Have you built a successful corporate career but realised you don't want your boss's job?Do you feel the tension between wanting more freedom and not wanting to sacrifice security?If you're ambitious but no longer willing to burn out for another promotion, you're in the right place.I'm so glad you're here.This podcast helps high-achieving mid-career women gain career clarity and confidently design their next chapter,  whether that means evolving inside corporate, exploring a portfolio career, or building a hybrid path.If you're ready to stop default climbing and start making strategic, aligned decisions about your future, this podcast will give you the insight and tools to move forward with confidence. Hello, Hello! I'm Janine Esbrand, corporate lawyer turned career strategist and executive coach.For years, I had my eye on the corporate partner title. I kept my head down, worked the long hours, and chased the next big deal because that's what success was supposed to look like.Until I became a mother.And I realised I didn't want to build a life around my career, I wanted to build a career around my life.So I stepped off the default corporate path and designed a portfolio career that allows me to work on my terms, create meaningful impact, and show up fully, both professionally and personally.Now I help ambitious mid-career women do the same. If you're ready to gain clarity, challenge the default ladder, and design an aligned, sustainable career that reflects who you are now, not who you used to be, this podcast will give you the strategy, mindset and tools that you need. So grab your notebook, pour your hot drink of choice, and let's design what's next. Send a textWebsite: careerchangemakers.comEmail: hello@careerchangemakers.com LinkedIn: Janine Esbrand Instagram: @careerchangemakerspodcast

Are you considering a career move but feeling held back by guilt? Whether it's leaving a role you worked years to attain or walking away from an industry that looks "perfect" on paper, the weight of loyalty and identity can be paralysing.In this episode, I dive deep into why we feel guilty about wanting more and how to shift your perspective to embrace the evolving seasons of your career. Drawing from my own transition from corporate law to in-house practice after becoming a mother, I talk about how to move from a place of "should" to a place of intentional alignment.What You'll Learn in This Episode:The Trap of "Good on Paper": Why objective success (titles and salary) often masks a deep lack of personal alignment.The Psychology of Career Guilt: Understanding how your identity and past hard work can make you feel "stuck" in a role that no longer serves you.Embracing Seasonality: Why the decisions you made 5 or 10 years ago don't have to dictate your future.Pivot Without Burning Bridges: How to leave a role or industry with agency and intention rather than fear or drama.Action Steps:Give Yourself Permission to Re-evaluate: Be honest about what isn't working in your current role and accept that your priorities may have shifted.Audit Your Alignment: Move beyond external markers of success. Ask yourself if your current role aligns with your current personality, values, and motivations.Choose Intention Over Fear: Decide to stay or go based on what makes sense for your current season of life, not out of a sense of obligation to your past self.Do you find yourself relating to this episode and need some guidance?

If you're feeling stuck at mid-career, unsure whether to stay, pivot, or start something new this episode is for you.In this case study, I'm joined by my former client Claire, who went from feeling uncertain about her next move after leaving a role of 13 years in education to gaining crystal-clear career clarity and launching her own consulting business in just three months.We talk about what it really takes to get unstuck, how to move from overthinking to aligned action, and why clarity doesn't have to take years when you approach it strategically.If you've been sitting in “what's next?” mode for longer than you'd like, this conversation will give you both perspective and momentum.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why mid-career transitions can feel heavier and how to navigate them strategicallyThe difference between being “stuck” and being unclearHow Claire moved from uncertainty to launching a consulting business in 3 monthsWhat actually creates clarity (hint: it's not more overthinking)The mindset shifts required to stop default climbing and start designing what's nextAction Steps:1️⃣ Get honest about what feels misaligned. Instead of asking “What job should I apply for?” ask “What do I no longer want to tolerate?”2️⃣ Stop gathering endless information and choose one direction to test. Clarity often comes from action, not analysis.3️⃣ Define your next 90-day focus. If you had to move forward strategically for the next three months, what would you prioritise?

In this episode, I'm speaking directly to the introverts and the “just let me do my good work” professionals who feel resistant to the whole “be everywhere, build your personal brand, post every day” narrative.Visibility is important for career progression, whether you want to move up internally or explore opportunities externally. But being visible doesn't mean becoming someone you're not.I break down how to approach visibility in a way that feels aligned, strategic, and sustainable, especially if you don't naturally enjoy being in the spotlight. I share the three-step framework I use with my coaching clients to help them build visibility without compromising their personality or values.If you've ever been passed up for opportunities and wondered why less experienced people seem to get ahead, this episode will give you clarity and a practical way forward.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why visibility is required for career progression (even if you're brilliant at what you do)The difference between being everywhere and being strategicThe 3-step visibility framework: Who, How, WhenWhy people promote based on perceived potential and how to influence that perceptionAction Steps:Identify Your “Who.” Ask yourself: Who specifically needs to see me and understand my value? A hiring manager? A senior leader? A decision-maker in your industry? Get clear.Choose Your Method. Decide how you will raise your visibility with intention. This might look like speaking up once in key meetings, booking strategic coffee chats, supporting a senior leader's project, or attending a targeted event.Set Your Cadence. Visibility doesn't mean constant noise. It means consistency. Choose a rhythm that works for you; monthly or quarterly and commit to more than one touchpoint.If this episode resonated with you and you're ready to build a visibility strategy that feels aligned to who you are that's exactly what we work on inside my one-to-one coaching.Once we're clear on where you want to go, we design the right visibility plan to get you seen by the right people without forcing you to become someone you're not.

From Burnout to Business Owner (Client Case Study)In this episode, I'm sharing a powerful career coaching case study with my client, Maren. After moving from the Netherlands to Sweden and building a “squiggly” career across physiotherapy, admin, tech support, HR tech and customer success, she hit a point of exhaustion and misalignment at work.Maren came to coaching feeling tired, frustrated, and unsure of her next career move. Together, we explored her strengths, values and ideal work life. What started as a search for a new role turned into something bigger: the clarity and confidence to start her own business and design work that truly fits her.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeHow career coaching creates clarity The tools we used to help Maren understand her strengths, preferences and ideal working environment.From self-doubt to self-advocacy at work How Maren went from “keeping quiet” to confidently speaking up, communicating her value, and challenging assumptions about what was possible in her career.A practical path from employee to business owner How she made a calculated, low-risk transition into entrepreneurship in Sweden, including using a legally protected leave to start her business without losing job security.In this episode, we talk about:What burnout and misalignment looked like for her day-to-dayWhy trying to “figure it all out in your head” keeps you stuckHow informational interviews and LinkedIn outreach gave her real-world dataThe mindset shift from “maybe one day I'll start a business” to “I'm a business owner now”The emotional reality of starting a business: fear, excitement, headaches… and growthMaren also shares how coaching helped her avoid taking the long, indirect “multi-stop flight” in her career, and instead take a more direct route to the work and life she actually wanted.Connect with Maren Today, Maren runs Floohi, where she helps small and growing businesses:Create calm, systemised operations behind the scenesStreamline workflows and processesUse tools like Notion to bring structure and clarity so founders can focus on what they do bestIf you're a business owner who feels like everything is in your head and your backend is chaos, you'll love hearing how Maren supports her clients.

If you've been feeling like your only options are to stay miserable or burn it all down, this episode is for you.In today's episode, I'm talking about how all-or-nothing thinking shows up in our careers, particularly for high achievers  and why this black-and-white mindset keeps so many capable, talented people feeling stuck, frustrated, and disengaged.I share why this way of thinking actually makes a lot of sense given how you've been rewarded throughout your career, and why shifting from making “forever decisions” to treating your career as a series of experiments can unlock clarity, confidence, and momentum.✨ What You'll Learn in This EpisodeWhy all-or-nothing thinking feels logical, and how it quietly keeps you stuckHow high achievers get trapped by the belief that every career move must be perfect and permanentWhy clarity doesn't come before action, it's created through actionHow to reframe career decisions as experiments instead of life sentencesWhat it really looks like to move forward without having everything figured out

As we move through the first full working week of January, many professionals find themselves reflecting on their careers and questioning whether the path they're on still fits. In this episode, I reflect on my biggest career pivot - stepping off the default legal career track while on maternity leave and how that single decision shaped a fulfilling portfolio career over the last 10 years.This episode is an invitation to rethink rigid career paths, embrace experimentation, and give yourself permission to choose again as your life, priorities, and seasons change.✨ What You'll Learn in This EpisodeWhy clarity often comes after action, not before and why waiting to have it all figured out keeps many people stuckHow I made her first career pivot without taking a reckless leap, and how small, strategic transitions can de-risk changeWhy careers are meant to evolve and how to design work that fits your life, not just what looks good on paper

If logging into LinkedIn or Instagram at the start of the year has left you feeling behind, overwhelmed, or questioning whether you should be doing more already — this episode is for you.In this episode, I explore why January so often triggers panic action, how social media rewards speed over alignment, and why rushing into goals can actually delay the results you want most.I share why slowing down to gain clarity has become one of the most powerful career strategies I've seen — especially for high-achieving professionals in mid-career.If you're in a season of questioning, recalibrating, or figuring out your next move, this conversation will help you release the pressure to “hit the ground running” and instead move forward with intention.✨ What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why January creates panic action and how comparison fuels rushed decision-makingThe difference between motion and traction in your careerWhy rushing into goals can lead to burnout, misalignment, or repeating the same patternsHow to recognise when you're in a figuring-it-out season (and why that's strategic, not a failure)The power of pausing before making a big career move especially if you're feeling stuck or restlessPractical ways to slow down, tune out the noise, and take aligned next steps

In this episode of the Career Change Maker Podcast, I explore what happens when your career looks successful on the outside, but feels misaligned on the inside.So many high-achieving women reach a point in mid-career where everything appears to be going well - the title, the experience, the trajectory...yet there's a quiet sense of dissatisfaction that won't go away. Not because they've failed, but because they've grown.I talk about why this tension is so common, why it often shows up after years of building momentum, and how staying in roles that no longer fit the season of life you're in can slowly drain your energy. I also share reflections from my own journey of moving away from private practice as a corporate lawyer, and why permission, not urgency was the turning point for me.If you've been asking yourself “Is this it?” or going back and forth about whether you should make a change, this episode will help you pause, listen to the information your body and mind are giving you, and think more intentionally about what alignment looks like now.✅ What You'll Learn in This EpisodeWhy feeling dissatisfied in a “good on paper” career is more common than you thinkHow misalignment often shows up in mid-career for high-achieving womenThe hidden energy cost of staying in roles that no longer fit your season of lifeWhy clarity matters more than urgency when considering a career pivotHow to move out of mental looping and into intentional decision-making

In this week's episode, I'm joined by creative entrepreneur, writer and past client, Tosin Hunter, for a deeply honest conversation about navigating the messy middle of career change, making an intentional pause, and rebuilding a life and career that genuinely aligns with your values.Tosin spent over a decade in corporate recruitment roles at organisations like EY, UBS and Salesforce — climbing the ladder, getting promoted (even while on maternity leave), and doing everything “right.” But behind the scenes, she was exhausted, burnt out, and increasingly disconnected from the work she was doing.In our coaching journey, she began unpacking what wasn't working, rediscovering her values, and reconnecting with parts of herself she'd buried for years. That inner work sparked a complete life shift. One that led her to leave corporate, honour her season of motherhood, rediscover her creativity, and eventually build Hunter Digital, the website design studio she now co-leads with her husband.If you're in the midst of questioning your career, craving more alignment, or feeling the nudge to pause and reassess, this conversation will resonate deeply.

***Join us for our 300th Episode Celebration***On Thursday 27th November, we will be coming together to celebrate reaching this amazing milestone with a Live Podcast Recording & Networking Event.I would love to see you there.  Grab your ticket. There are only 15 seats left available. __________

***Join us for our 300th Episode Celebration***On Thursday 27th November, we will be coming together to celebrate reaching this amazing milestone with a Live Podcast Recording & Networking Event.I would love to see you there.  Grab your ticket. There are only 25 seats left available. ___________________________________________________________In today's episode, I'm diving into a powerful yet often overlooked question that can make or break your preparation for career-defining conversations — whether it's an interview, a performance review, or a high-stakes pitch.This episode was inspired by a recent conversation with one of my coaching clients who is navigating the Career Change Maker Process. As we discussed an upcoming chat she had with a recruiter, one simple question shifted everything for her and I believe it can do the same for you.What you'll learn: The power and importance of preparing for career advancing conversations in the right way How to move from reactive to proactive communicationWhy this one question works across interviews, reviews, and pitchesIf you want to show up fully prepared and leave a lasting impression in your next important conversation, this episode is a must-listen.Action Step: Before your next career conversation, ask yourself: What do I want them to know about me, my experience, and my expertise by the end of this conversation? Then prepare with that focus in mind.Links & Resources:

***Join us for our 300th Episode Celebration*** On Thursday 27th November, we will be coming together to celebrate reaching this amazing milestone with a Live Podcast Recording & Networking Event.I would love to see you there.  Grab your ticket. There are only 30 seats available. ______In this powerful episode, I am joined by fellow career coach Michelle Schafer, who also specialises in career transition and leadership development. Together, they explore why mastering difficult conversations at work is a critical skill for professional growth and long-term fulfilment.Michelle shares her personal journey from experiencing job loss twice to building a thriving coaching practice — and how those experiences shaped her belief that real career advancement begins with courageous conversations. 

In this episode of the Career Change Maker Podcast, I explore what it means to redefine career success across different life seasons. From your 20s to your 40s and beyond.So many ambitious professionals find themselves questioning their path not because they've failed, but because they've grown. Whether you're stepping into motherhood, supporting ageing parents, or simply feeling out of alignment, this conversation will help you give yourself permission to pause, reflect, and pivot.I share my personal journey of shifting from corporate law to coaching, and why success needs to evolve with your changing values, energy, and capacity. If you're feeling unfulfilled in your work or wondering if it's "too late" to make a change this episode is your reminder that it's okay to want something different now.✅ What You'll Learn in This EpisodeWhy your brain wasn't fully ready when you first chose your career path (and why that matters)How life events like motherhood or midlife shifts can change what success looks likeThe importance of reassessing your values and capacity in every seasonHow misalignment between your work and your values can create burnout or uneasePractical reflection prompts to help you start redefining success on your terms

Description

Are you a high-achieving woman who's recently been promoted or made a career change… but instead of feeling excited, you're feeling anxious or overwhelmed. In this episode, I explore why this emotional hangover happens after a promotion or big career move. I share personal stories from my journey qualifying as a lawyer and transitioning into my business, plus practical steps to help you navigate this season with confidence and self-compassion.

Are you a high-achieving woman who's stepped into a new leadership role and feeling the pressure to perform, impress, and keep it all together?In this episode, I open the new season by exploring the hidden cost of high performance and how it can prevent you from building confidence as a leader. I share practical steps for how to succeed in a new leadership role without losing yourself in the process.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why high performance often becomes a mask that limits authentic leadershipThe internal tension that arises when you rely on external leadership blueprintsHow self-awareness and personal alignment help you lead with more ease and impactThree ways to start removing the mask of high performance and show up more powerfullyAction Steps:Reflect on where you're performing vs. where you're truly aligned.Ask yourself what it's costing you to keep wearing the high-performance mask.Explore small, intentional ways to start showing up more authentically this week.

Are you ready to embrace your unique feminine leadership strengths and navigate the challenges women face in the workplace?In this episode, I delve into the power of embracing feminine traits in leadership, exploring how empathy, collaboration, and even hormonal cycles can be leveraged for success. I uncover the barriers women face and provide practical strategies for thriving as a leader.What You'll Learn in This Episode:✅ Leverage Feminine Strengths & Navigate Challenges: Embrace empathy and collaboration as leadership superpowers, while understanding and overcoming challenges like imposter syndrome and systemic barriers.✅ Optimise Leadership Through Cycle Syncing: Align your work with your natural hormonal rhythms to enhance effectiveness and prevent burnout.✅ Prioritise Well-being & Foster Support: Set boundaries to manage mental load and cultivate a supportive workplace culture through mentorship and emotional intelligence.Action Steps: