Joy At Work

I’m answering a brilliant (and very real) listener question: “Is it insane to resign?” If your workplace has recently been bought out, the culture is collapsing, and you’re feeling an urgent need to escape — this one is for you. I’ll share why your frustration and anger are valid, why it’s NOT insane to want to leave, and — crucially — why pausing, planning, and positioning yourself first is key to protecting your future. You’ll hear: ✅ Why private equity takeovers feel so brutal (and why it’s not personal) ✅ How to handle the emotional vs. logical brain tug-of-war ✅ 3 practical steps to create your Freedom Fund and plan your next move ✅ Why rushing out the door might land you in a different version of the same trap And a gentle reminder: You don’t have to pretend this culture is okay for you. Clarity, not insanity, is what you’re experiencing. Ready to design a sane, strategic exit — and a joyful next chapter? 👉 Join the Midlife Unstuck Community Membership [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/new-blog-1/2020/5/7/youre-not-too-old-and-its-not-too-late-an-invitation-to-join-the-midlife-unstuck-community] — find clarity, support, and real tools to redesign your work life. Mentioned in This Episode: * Reclaiming Middle-Aged Me Blog [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/new-blog-1/2018/3/14/reclaiming-middle-aged-me] * Career Design Video on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMsqFF5rcwc] You’ve got this. And if you need a guide — you know where to find me.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated by the slow pace of change inside your organisation—you’re not alone. This week on Joy at Work, I’m joined by Luke Murphy, Product & Transformation Coach, who has walked this path himself. Together, we dive into the mindset shifts and small actions that can empower anyone—yes, even without a big job title—to become a true trailblazer for change. We cover: * Why waiting for permission holds us back * The four common traps that sabotage grassroots change efforts * Luke’s personal story of transformation and what he learned * Practical first steps to take today if you want to drive meaningful change in your team This conversation is a powerful reminder that real change often happens from within, not from above. If today’s episode sparks ideas for you, I’d love to invite you to start your own redesign journey with my Derailed Life Satisfaction Assessment → https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/derailed [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/derailed] And to learn more about becoming a Trailblazer, sign up for Luke’s newsletter Disrupt From Within → https://disrupt-from-within.kit.com [https://disrupt-from-within.kit.com] Here’s to building workplaces—and work lives—that bring more joy.

Have you ever hit the top of your career only to realise... this isn’t the mountain you wanted to climb? In this episode, I respond to a listener who’s built an enviable career, but now finds themselves utterly done with the job—yet far from done with working. We explore what it means to reach the peak and feel empty, the risks of early retirement, and the real work that begins once the big job ends. If you’re staring down your next chapter and wondering what truly fulfilling work could look like now, I walk you through the first steps of career redesign—including how to identify your Superpowers and choose work that feels fierce, meaningful, and yours. 🎯 Download The Superpowers Starter worksheet now [https://midlifeunstuck.activehosted.com/f/17]: 💬 Mentioned in This Episode: * Join the Midlife Unstuck Community [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/new-blog-1/2020/5/7/youre-not-too-old-and-its-not-too-late-an-invitation-to-join-the-midlife-unstuck-community] * Dana’s Story: A Case Study in Midlife Redesign [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/new-blog-1/2024/1/12/dana]

Ever Googled “career coach” and found yourself drowning in vague promises and polished LinkedIn bios? You're not alone. This episode was sparked by a real message from Mike, a listener who’s 51, cynical, and unsure where to start. He knows he doesn’t want a repeat of the same job—but how do you find someone who actually gets that? In this episode, I break down four key hints for choosing the right career advisor (even if you hate the word coach). You’ll hear about: * Why generalists rarely work in midlife career redesign * How to spot someone who actually walks their talk * The importance of emotional safety in a coaching relationship * Real talk about pricing transparency and red flags I also share how my own missteps cost me over £100k—and how I now help others avoid the same. 🎯 If you're exploring what joyful, aligned work could look like for you, take the next step here: 👉 https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/work-with-me [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/work-with-me] 🔗 MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Blog: You’re Not Too Old and It’s Not Too Late [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/new-blog-1/2020/5/7/youre-not-too-old-and-its-not-too-late-an-invitation-to-join-the-midlife-unstuck-community] * Video: 12 Stages of Burnout for Professionals in Midlife [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyodzLKiOn8]

This episode was sparked by a listener who was unexpectedly made redundant after 13 years. If you've ever had the rug pulled out from under you—or fear that moment might come—this one’s for you. I break down what really happens emotionally when you’re let go (spoiler: it’s not just fear), why shame is the quietest but most damaging response, and how to gently move through it. I also share two key steps to help you figure out whether you simply need a new job—or a new career strategy entirely. You’ll find links below to my most-read article on navigating redundancy and all of my midlife career redesign tools. If you're feeling the wobble, you don't have to figure it out alone. The Midlife Unstuck Community is here when you’re ready to begin your redesign. 👉 Join the Community [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/new-blog-1/2020/5/7/youre-not-too-old-and-its-not-too-late-an-invitation-to-join-the-midlife-unstuck-community] Mentioned in This Episode: * Article: The Emotional Anatomy of a Redundancy [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/new-blog-1/2022/11/14/the-emotional-anatomy-of-a-redundancy-or-any-other-unexpected-exit-from-a-company] * Blog Archive: All Career Design Article [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/blog]