Joy At Work

Have you been ignoring the rattles in your career for a while? In this episode of Joy at Work, I answer a heartfelt listener question: “When is the best time to change careers after 40?” If you're over 40 and feeling that something's just... off — like you're driving a car that no longer fits the journey you're on — you're not alone. I talk through the quiet warning signs that we so often ignore, and the real cost of waiting too long to make a change. Midlife career change isn’t about starting over. It’s about tuning up, resetting your GPS, and taking the next small, intentional step. 🔧 You don’t need to burn it all down — but you do need to lift the bonnet and take a look inside. 🎁 If you’re feeling stuck in a career cul-de-sac, grab this mini-worksheet on questions worth answering: 👉 Download the Free Guided Worksheet [https://midlifeunstuck.activehosted.com/f/11]

Have you noticed your job applications getting ignored—even when you're asking for less money? You might be in The Squeeze. In this episode, I share a concept I’ve observed for years but only recently named: The Squeeze. It’s a silent career crisis where your value appears to shrink in the market, even though your experience is growing. It’s not just about money—it chips away at your confidence, identity, and joy at work. You’ll hear: * The three types of professionals most at risk * The tell-tale signs you're being squeezed * Why bland messaging and generic job titles are costing you interviews * How Rory, Kieran, and Jolene turned things around (real client stories) * Three powerful ways to avoid—or recover from—The Squeeze If you’re feeling overlooked, underpaid, or unsure how to position your value in your 40s, 50s, or 60s—this episode is for you. 🎁 Mentioned in This Episode * Download the Superpower Starter Kit [https://midlifeunstuck.activehosted.com/f/17] * The Fierce Accelerator Programme [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/the-fierce-emporium] * The Fierce Emporium [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/the-redesign] * Jolene’s Story [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/new-blog-1/2024/2/22/when-boring-becomes-unbearable] * How to Stay Highly Paid in Your 40s, 50s, and 60s [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/new-blog-1/2023/1/15/the-squeeze] 🛠️ Curious what joy might look like for you? Download the Superpower Starter Kit [https://midlifeunstuck.activehosted.com/f/17] to begin identifying what makes you truly brilliant—and how to talk about it so people get it.

Have you ever been offered a promotion right when you were thinking about leaving your job? That’s exactly the situation this week’s listener finds themselves in. In this episode of Joy at Work, I share a powerful real-life story of what happened when someone said yes to a role that didn’t align with their superpowers. I also walk you through four essential clarity questions to ask before accepting a promotion that could lock you in for years. If you’re at a career crossroads or simply wondering if your next move fits who you are now, this episode is for you. Want to design a work life that energises you instead of drains you? Learn more about The Fierce Emporium: 👉 https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/the-fierce-emporium Mentioned in This Episode: * X Change book: https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/book [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/book] * Superpower Starter Kit (free download): https://midlifeunstuck.activehosted.com/f/17 [https://midlifeunstuck.activehosted.com/f/17]

When your new boss is 20 years younger than you (and possibly owns trainers your teenager wants), the emotional whiplash is real. In this episode, I respond to a listener who's just landed under the leadership of someone they could have taught to drive. I share seven very practical, very real strategies for navigating this shift—without bitterness, without sarcasm, and with all the self-possession you've built up over decades. This isn't about sucking up or staying silent. It's about dignity, relevance, and choosing to lead in a new way. Whether you're simmering with frustration or simply unsure how to proceed, this one's for you. You’re not too old, and it’s not too late. Join the Midlife Unstuck Community → https://midlifeunstuck.activehosted.com/f/3 [https://midlifeunstuck.activehosted.com/f/3] 🔗 MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * 7 Dignified Strategies for Working with a Baby Boss [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/new-blog-1/babyboss] * Case Study Series on Midlife Career Redesign [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/blog]

This week I’m joined by Caroline Clark, a leadership coach, performance psychologist, and analogue space astronaut. Caroline recently spent five days locked inside a simulated space mission in Poland—with no windows, no phones, and no escape. What she discovered is that humour isn’t just “nice to have” in high-pressure environments—it’s a survival tool. Together, we explore how laughter connects us, regulates stress, and creates resilience at work. Caroline shares why humour builds trust, strengthens teams, and even makes leaders more effective. We also talk about what makes humour appropriate (and what doesn’t), and how to bring more playfulness into our everyday working lives without losing professionalism. If work has started to feel heavy, this episode is your reminder that joy, play, and humour aren’t distractions—they’re powerful ways to thrive. 👉 Curious where joy is showing up in your own life? Take my Derailed Life Satisfaction Assessment—a 30-minute guided programme that helps you explore what’s bringing you joy and what’s bringing you down: https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/derailed [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/derailed] Connect with Caroline Clark: • Website: carolineclark.coach [https://carolineclark.coach] • Substack: Liftoff with Caroline [https://liftoffwithcaroline.substack.com] • LinkedIn: Caroline Clark [https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-clark-psychologist/]