Change Unfiltered: The Freedom to Work Differently

Ep46: Who Are You When the Logo Disappears?

For most of his career, Emilio Umeoka was rarely still. His leadership roles at companies including Microsoft and Apple took him across Brazil, Asia and Silicon Valley, managing global teams and navigating constant change. But long before he stepped away from corporate life, he had already started asking himself a different question: what comes next?   Unlike many career transitions, Emilio's wasn't triggered by burnout, redundancy or crisis. Instead, it was the result of a deliberate process of reflection, planning and experimentation. With support from a transition coach and later through Stanford University's Distinguished Careers Institute, he began exploring what work, contribution and purpose might look like beyond a traditional executive career.   In this conversation, Emilio speaks with Angela about preparing for life after corporate success, the challenge of "losing the logo" and separating your identity from the company you've spent decades representing. They discuss why retirement is becoming an outdated concept, the importance of staying curious, and how longer lives may require us to rethink careers, learning and contribution altogether.   Emilio also shares the practical lessons he learned from his own transition, including the value of community, the role of experimentation in finding a new direction and why he believes purpose is something we continue to discover rather than something we find once and for all.   Connect with Emilio:   LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/eumeoka/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/eumeoka/]   Substack: substack.com/@lifebeyond100 [https://substack.com/@lifebeyond100]   Instagram: instagram.com/lifebeyond100 [http://instagram.com/lifebeyond100]    Podcast [https://open.spotify.com/show/033n9hyekZHz6YEF8qSN0J]   Connect and show support:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelajscottuk/linkedin.com/in/angelajscottuk [http://linkedin.com/in/angelajscottuk/]   Substack: changeunfiltered.substack.com [http://changeunfiltered.substack.com]   Instagram: instagram.com/iam_angelajoy [https://www.instagram.com/iam_angelajoy]    Email: angela@joynergi.com [angela@joynergi.com]     Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/angelajoyscott  [https://buymeacoffee.com/angelajoyscott]

Ep45 Choosing Early, Living Freely

In her early twenties, Lizzie Davey made a decision that many people only start to question much later. She realised that the traditional path wasn’t for her, and instead of trying to make it fit, she chose something different.   Lizzie began her career in a conventional way, moving from university into a full-time role, but within two years she had stepped away. What followed was not a linear plan, but a gradual build into a freelance career that now gives her both financial security and control over how she works.   In this conversation, she speaks with Angela about the reality of building something from scratch, the pressure to keep doing more even when things are working, and why freedom, not money, has been the consistent driver behind her decisions. They explore what “enough” actually looks like in practice, how early choices shape later options and the difference between designing a life intentionally and trying to reshape one that no longer fits.   Lizzie also shares her approach to money, including her plans for financial independence, the balance between saving and living, and why she’s chosen to be open about her income and finances.   If you’ve built a career that looks successful on the surface but find yourself questioning what it’s all for, this episode offers a different perspective, not on how to start over, but on how to think differently about what comes next.   Connect with Lizzie:   LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lizzie-davey-4a85b575/ [http://linkedin.com/in/lizzie-davey-4a85b575/]    Instagram: instagram.com/freelancemagic.co [http://instagram.com/freelancemagic.co]   Website: lizziedavey.com [http://lizziedavey.com]    Newsletter: copyrevival.co/newsletter [http://copyrevival.co/newsletter]    Connect and show support:   LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/angelajscottuk/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelajscottuk/]   Instagram: instagram.com/iam_angelajoy [https://www.instagram.com/iam_angelajoy]    Email: angela@joynergi.com [angela@joynergi.com]   Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/angelajoyscott [https://buymeacoffee.com/angelajoyscott]

Ep44 I’ll Try It for a Year

In this episode, Angela speaks with Mairead McCarthy, about stepping away from a corporate career without knowing exactly what would come next. What began as a decision to “try something for a year” gradually evolved into an award winning wellbeing business working with organisations across Ireland. Together they explore what happens when a role no longer fits, how small decisions can lead to bigger change, and why building something sustainable often starts with taking a step rather than making a leap. Key Themes * Why leaving corporate is often a “push” rather than a “pull”. * The impact of leadership and management changes on career decisions. * The idea of “trying it for a year” instead of committing long-term. * Turning a side interest into a business over time. * The difference between wellbeing as a cost vs an investment. * The reality of running a business and doing everything at the start. * Creating boundaries and building something that actually fits your life. About Mairead McCarthy Mairead McCarthy is the founder of WellPlace Workplace Wellbeing Services. After more than 16 years working in corporate roles across training, project and programme management, she stepped away to explore a long-standing interest in yoga and wellbeing. What started as a small step into self-employment has grown into a business supporting organisations with a broader approach to workplace wellbeing, working with a network of specialists to deliver flexible, tailored programmes. Connect with Mairead Website: https://wellplace.ie [https://wellplace.ie] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mairead-mccarthy [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mairead-mccarthy/] Instagram: instagram.com/wellplaceireland [https://www.instagram.com/wellplaceireland]   Connect and show support LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/angelajscottuk/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelajscottuk/] Instagram: instagram.com/iam_angelajoy [https://www.instagram.com/iam_angelajoy]  Email: angela@joynergi.com [angela@joynergi.com]   Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/angelajoyscott  [https://buymeacoffee.com/angelajoyscott]

Ep43 All or Nothing versus Enough

This is a short solo episode recorded after two very different events this week, one in person and one online, where the same underlying pattern kept showing up in different ways. I wanted to capture it while it was still fresh. I explore the tension between “all or nothing” and “enough” and how the standards we hold can shape whether we move forward or get stuck.   I talk about why this happens, what’s usually sitting underneath it, and how it shows up across work, business and life more broadly. And I introduce a different way of thinking about it. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to do everything properly, to have it all figured out before you start, or to wait until you can do something “right”, this will likely resonate.   I’ve chosen not to run ads or sponsors on this podcast. If you’d like to support Change Unfiltered, there’s a Buy Me a Coffee link below. You can make a one-off contribution or set up a small monthly amount. There’s absolutely no expectation but every little helps cover production costs and keeps the podcast independent.   Connect and show support:   LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/angelajscottuk/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelajscottuk/]   Instagram: instagram.com/iam_angelajoy [https://www.instagram.com/iam_angelajoy]    Email: angela@joynergi.com [angela@joynergi.com]     Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/angelajoyscott  [https://buymeacoffee.com/angelajoyscott]

Ep 42 When Leadership Looks Right But Isn’t

Leadership often looks clear and confident from the outside. But inside complex organisations, the reality can feel very different. In this episode, Angela speaks with organisational psychologist and leadership practitioner Leah Stockley about the gap between what leadership looks like on paper and how it actually feels in practice. Drawing on more than three decades inside large organisations, Leah shares what happens when culture shifts, values get overridden and even senior leaders realise they have far less control than people assume. Together they explore why the system often wins, how identity gets tangled up in leadership roles, and what it takes to create meaningful momentum without burning people out.   Key Themes * The hidden constraints senior leaders face inside organisations * Why leadership culture can shift faster than people realise * The illusion of control in complex corporate systems * What happens when a role you believed in stops aligning with your values * Why small, intentional actions often drive the most meaningful change   About Leah Stockley Leah Stockley is an organisational psychologist, leadership practitioner and founder of Let’s Flow. With more than 30 years of experience across global banks, consultancies, FinTech and start-ups, she has led large teams across both business and technology. After completing an MSc in Organisational Psychology mid-career, Leah now focuses on helping leaders create meaningful momentum through small, intentional actions that improve both business outcomes and the human experience of work.   Connect with Leah LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/leahstockley [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahstockley/] Website: letsflow.sg/ [https://www.letsflow.sg/]   Support the Podcast If you enjoy Change Unfiltered, the best way to support the show is to: * Follow or subscribe on your podcast platform * Share the episode with someone who might find it useful You can also support the podcast directly at: buymeacoffee.com/AngelaJoyScott [https://buymeacoffee.com/angelajoyscott]   LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/angelajscottuk/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelajscottuk/]   Instagram: instagram.com/iam_angelajoy [https://www.instagram.com/iam_angelajoy]