Joy At Work

Scott’s 3 Career Design Insights: A Midlife Reinvention Story

Ever wonder what it really takes to shift from quiet burnout to joy at work? In this special episode, I’m joined by one of my former clients who generously shares the three career design insights he never wants to forget. These insights came from our deep work together and his own fierce curiosity about what a joyful working life could actually feel like. We talk about how boredom can spiral into stress and anxiety, how understanding your personal kryptonite can transform how you show up at work, and why leaning into your real self (and your superpowers) is the key to sustainable joy. If you’ve been stuck in autopilot, or you’re craving a new way to make decisions about your next career move—this one’s for you. Ready to design work that matters? 👉 Work with me [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/work-with-me] Mentioned in this episode: 🔹 Midlife Worklife Satisfaction Report [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/new-blog-1/2025/midlife-worklife-satisfaction]

The 3 Types of Boredom That Quietly Derail Midlife Careers

I want to talk about something I’ve been hearing over and over again from brilliant, experienced professionals: boredom at work. Not the low-level kind we all get from time to time—but chronic, energy-draining, soul-dimming boredom. This episode is grounded in new research from the Midlife Work-Life Satisfaction Report, which drew insights from over 1,000 midlife professionals. And one thing was glaring: 97% said they want to do more meaningful work. That’s not a typo. In this episode, I walk you through: * What chronic boredom really looks like at midlife * The 3 distinct types of boredom I uncovered in my research * How each type chips away at your joy, energy, and engagement * A more nuanced way to reconnect with work that matters more You’ll also hear a bit about my own experience with boredom coma—and how I found my way out. If any of this feels painfully familiar, you’re not broken. But you might be overdue for a redesign. 👉 Ready to do something about it? Work with me [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/work-with-me] Mentioned in This Episode: * Midlife Work-Life Satisfaction Report [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/new-blog-1/2025/midlife-worklife-satisfaction]

Stress Gets the Spotlight, But Boredom May Be the Real Career Killer

This episode is a little different. I’ve been experimenting again, and this time, I teamed up with my younger brother to bring a long-simmering idea to life — a short film about one of the most overlooked emotions at work: boredom. We talk about how stress gets all the attention in work dissatisfaction stories, but boredom — quiet, creeping, and often ignored — is doing damage in the background. And if we miss its early signals, we often end up with a combo of burnout and boredom that’s hard to escape. I share a personal story, a client vignette, and an invitation to notice boredom earlier — when it can still guide us to something more joyful. 🎬 Want the visual version? Watch the 3-minute video here: The Most Dangerously Overlooked Emotion at Work [https://youtu.be/NDaR65gnqnM?si=ETUBz9R69gYjX7XD] If you’re suffering from chronic boredom and want help to redesign more enJOYment into your work life, go to MidlifeUnstuck.com to learn how. Mentioned in This Episode: * A special thanks to Brendan and Sam at Kaios Media for bringing this to life. * The Derailed Diagnostic: A 30-minute life satisfaction assessment [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/derailed]

Why Stress Lingers After You Finish Big Projects (And What to Do About It)

Ever hit “send” on a big report or finish a massive project, and instead of feeling relief... you still feel wired, tense, or ready for the next punch? In this solo episode, I answer a listener question about that exact experience—and explain why your brain might think you’re done, but your body is still stuck on the rollercoaster of stress. I’ll walk you through six surprisingly simple, science-backed ways to complete the stress cycle—so you don’t carry tension home or pass it onto your loved ones. If you've ever felt like you're bracing for impact long after the storm has passed, this one's for you. 🌀 Key Topics Covered: • Why your body stays in stress even when your mind moves on • The “unfinished rollercoaster” of emotions • 6 practical ways to complete the stress cycle • How to avoid bringing work tension into your home life • Why creativity and laughter are legit biological reset buttons 👉 Mentioned in This Episode: * 2025 Midlife Work-Life Satisfaction Report [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/new-blog-1/2025/midlife-worklife-satisfaction] * Curious what joy might look like for you? Explore what’s possible [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/work-with-me]

Why You’re Still Struggling with Conflict (And What Nadeen Sivic Teaches Instead)

If you think conflict at work is something to avoid—or outsource to HR—this episode might just change your mind. My guest, NadeenSivic, has spent nearly three decades leading tech teams across Australia and the UK. She’s known as “the fixer” of messy teams and offers a street-smart, no-nonsense lens on workplace conflict: not as a problem, but as a natural part of work that every manager needs to master. We talk about: * Why conflict is not the enemy * The difference between contrast, friction, and true conflict * Why most mid-level managers are thrown into the “execution mosh pit” without proper tools * Nadeen’s dead-simple “Said / Done / Produced” framework you can try in your next Teams meeting You’ll laugh, nod, and quite possibly see your last team meeting in a whole new light. 🎯 Ready to lead with more confidence and fewer HR escalations? Join the waitlist for The Manager’s Lab: www.the-managers-lab.com [http://www.the-managers-lab.com]