Career Advancement, Leadership and Promotion: The Mid-Career GPS Podcast

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What’s Really Holding You Back in Your Career? 

Ever feel like you’re doing all the right things in your career, but still not moving forward? While it's easy to blame external forces, leadership expert and former Chief People Officer Erica Rooney believes the real barriers may lie much closer to home.

In this powerful episode, Erica introduces the concept of “sticky floors,” which are the internalized beliefs and self-sabotaging behaviors that keep high-potential professionals stuck. Sharing a deeply personal story of betrayal by a trusted colleague, Erica walks us through how a moment of disillusionment sparked her professional transformation. She realized she couldn’t control others’ integrity, but she could control how she showed up, responded, and grew.

Erica also shares her SNAP method (Stop, Name it, Ask Questions, Pivot), a practical, science-backed framework for identifying and overcoming hidden patterns that limit progress. Along the way, Erica shares her powerful insights on workplace allyship, including what men can do right now to support women colleagues better. 

Key Takeaways:

• Erica’s turning point: when a respected colleague took credit for her idea
• The difference between glass ceilings (external) and sticky floors (internal)
• How the SNAP method helps professionals shift from stuck to strategic
• The power of the word “yet” to reframe capability and growth
• Common sticky floors: perfectionism, fear of failure, and self-doubt
• How men can be better allies to women in the workplace
• Why strong manager relationships are key to promotion and visibility
• You’re not stuck—you just haven’t moved yet

Connect with Erica Rooney

LinkedIn | Podcast | Get Her Book | Website 

Support the show

If this episode resonated with you and you want more support in how you SHOW UP for your career and life, there are two ways we can work together.

Learn more about my SHOW UP Leadership Lab, my monthly membership program, at https://www.johnneral.com/showup

If you would like to learn more about how I can help you as your leadership and career coach, visit https://www.johnneral.com/workwithme.

Get John's free weekly leadership and career newsletter at https://www.johnneral.com/the-mid-career-gps-newsletter

Other ways we can connect:

• Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
• Get John's books on Amazon here.  
• Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. 
• Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.  

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

This podcast is listed in Feedspot's Top 90 Best Executive Career Podcasts.

https://podcast.feedspot.com/executive_career_podcasts/

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Navigating a job loss or corporate shakeup? In this must-listen episode, career expert John Neral explains the real differences between restructuring, reorganization, layoffs, and RIFs, and how mid-career professionals can stay grounded through uncertain times.

Whether you're affected by government DOGE initiatives, private-sector downsizing, or just sensing change ahead, you'll learn how to:

• Recognize what you can control
• Protect your well-being and set strong boundaries
• Understand how leadership makes tough calls
• Prepare a solid career contingency plan
• Identify your transferable skills and stay marketable
• Build financial security and emotional resilience

This episode offers clarity, compassion, and concrete steps to help you weather workplace change and protect your career.

Learn more and join the Mid-Career GPS Membership Community for coaching, resources, and support: johnneral.com/membership

Support the show

If this episode resonated with you and you want more support in how you SHOW UP for your career and life, there are two ways we can work together.

Learn more about my SHOW UP Leadership Lab, my monthly membership program, at https://www.johnneral.com/showup

If you would like to learn more about how I can help you as your leadership and career coach, visit https://www.johnneral.com/workwithme.

Get John's free weekly leadership and career newsletter at https://www.johnneral.com/the-mid-career-gps-newsletter

Other ways we can connect:

• Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
• Get John's books on Amazon here.  
• Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. 
• Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.  

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

This podcast is listed in Feedspot's Top 90 Best Executive Career Podcasts.

https://podcast.feedspot.com/executive_career_podcasts/

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The career landscape has changed—and mid-career professionals are feeling the pressure. In this candid and insightful episode, John Neral shares how he’s evolving his coaching business to better serve professionals navigating job searches, career transitions, and workplace uncertainty.

After eight years of full-time coaching, John reflects on the lessons learned about offering true value in a marketplace flooded with free resources. He reveals the reasoning behind his decision to begin charging for select materials—starting with the newly updated Mid-Career Job Search Jumpstart Guide, now available for just $1.

"If you’re not willing to invest even a dollar in your career, what does that say about your commitment to your growth?" John asks, challenging listeners to reframe how they value their professional development.

The episode also features an exciting announcement: the launch of the Mid-Career GPS Membership Community—a powerful new middle ground between free content and private coaching. For $97/month, members gain access to:
✅ Weekly "Ask Me Anything" calls
✅ Monthly deep-dive masterclasses on key career strategies
✅ Direct support and coaching inside a private community

John explains how early members are already seeing real results—building accountability systems, securing more interviews, and navigating complex career decisions with greater confidence.

Key Takeaways:

• The job market has shifted, requiring mid-career professionals to act with greater urgency.
• Free resources are everywhere—but transformational results come from working with a trusted thought partner.
• The new Job Search Jumpstart Guide is just $1, emphasizing that small investments lead to greater outcomes.
• Initial coaching sessions now cost $197 to foster serious, committed client relationships.
• The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community ($97/month) bridges the gap between free advice and premium coaching.
• Private coaching packages remain available for those seeking deeper, transformational support.
• Professional coaching delivers measurable results, including significant salary growth.

Ready to invest in your career?
Explore the Mid-Career GPS Membership Community at https://johnneral.com/membership or email [email protected] to learn more about one-on-one coaching packages.

Support the show

If this episode resonated with you and you want more support in how you SHOW UP for your career and life, there are two ways we can work together.

Learn more about my SHOW UP Leadership Lab, my monthly membership program, at https://www.johnneral.com/showup

If you would like to learn more about how I can help you as your leadership and career coach, visit https://www.johnneral.com/workwithme.

Get John's free weekly leadership and career newsletter at https://www.johnneral.com/the-mid-career-gps-newsletter

Other ways we can connect:

• Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
• Get John's books on Amazon here.  
• Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. 
• Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.  

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

This podcast is listed in Feedspot's Top 90 Best Executive Career Podcasts.

https://podcast.feedspot.com/executive_career_podcasts/

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What do you do when a dream job ends in heartbreak?

In this eye-opening episode of The Mid-Career GPS Podcast, host John Neral sits down with Laverne McKinnon, former Senior VP of Drama Development at CBS, to talk about a rarely acknowledged experience: career grief.

After leading CBS from last place to first with mega-hits like CSI and Criminal Minds, Laverne was unexpectedly fired at the height of her career. What followed was a silent, decade-long struggle with emotional fallout that society often tells us to ignore.

Laverne introduces the concept of disenfranchised grief—a powerful term for the emotional pain professionals feel after job loss or career disruption that isn’t socially validated. Through her LEARN Framework (Look, Explore, 

Address, Reframe, Nurture), Laverne shows how we can move from heartbreak to healing, reconnect with our values, and reclaim agency over our careers.

Whether you're facing layoffs, mid-career stagnation, or preparing for a major transition, this episode will help you understand how to grieve the professional losses we’re told to "just get over."

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why career grief is real—and why ignoring it is harmful
• The emotional impact of sudden job loss after career success
• What disenfranchised grief means in the workplace
• How to use the LEARN framework to process grief and regain clarity
• The connection between unprocessed failure and blocked resilience
• Rituals like writing a "career eulogy" to create closure
• How grief reveals your core values—and points you toward your next moonshot

Connect with Laverne McKinnon

Website | LinkedIn | Substack

Support the show

If this episode resonated with you and you want more support in how you SHOW UP for your career and life, there are two ways we can work together.

Learn more about my SHOW UP Leadership Lab, my monthly membership program, at https://www.johnneral.com/showup

If you would like to learn more about how I can help you as your leadership and career coach, visit https://www.johnneral.com/workwithme.

Get John's free weekly leadership and career newsletter at https://www.johnneral.com/the-mid-career-gps-newsletter

Other ways we can connect:

• Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
• Get John's books on Amazon here.  
• Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. 
• Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.  

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

This podcast is listed in Feedspot's Top 90 Best Executive Career Podcasts.

https://podcast.feedspot.com/executive_career_podcasts/

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If your career is stuck in neutral, maybe it’s not your résumé—it’s your relationships.

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dominic Imwali, Senior Consultant at Deloitte and founder of DX Consulting, to unpack why genuine, face-to-face connections are the real catalyst for career growth—especially in mid-career transitions.

Dominic takes us behind the scenes of his unconventional rise, from a frustrating pandemic moment to an assignment leading global consulting work in Indonesia. 

As Dominic says, “You don’t need to know the right people—you need to become the right person for others to know.”

Whether you’re aiming for your next promotion, preparing for a pivot, or trying to revive your career momentum, this episode gives you practical, real-world strategies to build a Personal Board of Directors, deepen your network, and approach relationship-building with intention.

Key Takeaways:

• The real secret to career advancement? Authentic relationships—not perfectly timed applications or flawless LinkedIn profiles.
• Dominic’s mid-career mindset shift: How frustration turned into fuel during lockdown, leading him to prioritize exposure, generosity, and connection.
• Build your Personal Board of Directors: Learn how to identify 3–5 trusted advisors who offer honest feedback, real support, and strategic insight.
• Networking the right way: Why 1–2 meaningful conversations per week outperform mass LinkedIn outreach every time.
• From Cleveland to Jakarta: What Dominic’s 3-month assignment in Indonesia taught him about managing stress, cultural barriers, and uncertainty.
• Avoid these common mistakes: Generic messages, transactional asks, and over-automation are killing your networking potential.
• Where to begin: Start where it’s easy—alumni groups, interest communities, and shared values.

Connect with Dominic Imwalle

LinkedIn | Newsletter 

Support the show

If this episode resonated with you and you want more support in how you SHOW UP for your career and life, there are two ways we can work together.

Learn more about my SHOW UP Leadership Lab, my monthly membership program, at https://www.johnneral.com/showup

If you would like to learn more about how I can help you as your leadership and career coach, visit https://www.johnneral.com/workwithme.

Get John's free weekly leadership and career newsletter at https://www.johnneral.com/the-mid-career-gps-newsletter

Other ways we can connect:

• Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
• Get John's books on Amazon here.  
• Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. 
• Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.  

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

This podcast is listed in Feedspot's Top 90 Best Executive Career Podcasts.

https://podcast.feedspot.com/executive_career_podcasts/

Send us Fan Mail

How can mid-career professionals engage in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) conversations without fear of saying the wrong thing? Bernadette Smith, CEO of the Equality Institute, shares her ARC Method—Ask, Respect, Connect—a simple yet powerful approach to fostering authentic connections while ensuring psychological safety at work.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

✅ How to navigate DEI discussions with confidence and "kind curiosity"
✅ Why over-apologizing for mistakes can do more harm than good
✅ How to build meaningful relationships in workplaces scaling back DEI efforts
✅ Why progress in social movements includes setbacks—but connections endure
✅ How pickleball (yes, pickleball!) offers surprising lessons in inclusion

Key Takeaways:

✔ The ARC Method makes DEI conversations more approachable and effective
✔ A simple, sincere apology is better than over-apologizing
✔ Asking for help isn’t a weakness—it strengthens relationships
✔ DEI isn’t about political correctness—it’s about harnessing diversity for success

Subscribe to Bernadette’s newsletter → FiveThingsDEI.com

Bernadette Smith’s Website → https://BernadetteSmith.com 

Listen to her podcast → Five Things in 15 Minutes

If you're looking to lead with inclusion and confidence, this episode is a must-listen!

Support the show

If this episode resonated with you and you want more support in how you SHOW UP for your career and life, there are two ways we can work together.

Learn more about my SHOW UP Leadership Lab, my monthly membership program, at https://www.johnneral.com/showup

If you would like to learn more about how I can help you as your leadership and career coach, visit https://www.johnneral.com/workwithme.

Get John's free weekly leadership and career newsletter at https://www.johnneral.com/the-mid-career-gps-newsletter

Other ways we can connect:

• Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
• Get John's books on Amazon here.  
• Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. 
• Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.  

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

This podcast is listed in Feedspot's Top 90 Best Executive Career Podcasts.

https://podcast.feedspot.com/executive_career_podcasts/

Send us Fan Mail

Have you ever faced an interview so awkward that it left you questioning everything? In this episode, I share a hilariously uncomfortable yet eye-opening moment from my mid-career transition—when I found myself in a final-round interview, staring at a superintendent’s exposed belly button.

What started as a bizarre wardrobe malfunction became a defining lesson about workplace culture, authenticity, and the power of being true to yourself. 

Sometimes, the jobs we don’t get are the ones that save us from environments where we would never thrive.

Tune in as I reveal:

• The unexpected career transition from middle school math teacher to an administrative role.
• How a final-round interview in a sweltering New Jersey summer took a weird turn.
• Why I made the bold decision to address the superintendent’s wardrobe malfunction.
• The painfully awkward silence that followed—and what it revealed about workplace culture.
• How job rejections can actually be career blessings in disguise.
• Why staying true to yourself matters more than landing any position.

If you've ever had an interview moment that made you cringe, you’re not alone! Let’s explore what these moments teach us about career growth and finding the right professional fit.

Support the show

If this episode resonated with you and you want more support in how you SHOW UP for your career and life, there are two ways we can work together.

Learn more about my SHOW UP Leadership Lab, my monthly membership program, at https://www.johnneral.com/showup

If you would like to learn more about how I can help you as your leadership and career coach, visit https://www.johnneral.com/workwithme.

Get John's free weekly leadership and career newsletter at https://www.johnneral.com/the-mid-career-gps-newsletter

Other ways we can connect:

• Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
• Get John's books on Amazon here.  
• Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. 
• Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.  

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

This podcast is listed in Feedspot's Top 90 Best Executive Career Podcasts.

https://podcast.feedspot.com/executive_career_podcasts/

Send us Fan Mail

Feeling trapped in a toxic workplace and fantasizing about a dramatic exit? 

Before you burn bridges, this episode dives into the psychology of revenge quitting and why it’s often more damaging than liberating. While the impulse to quit in protest is understandable, the long-term consequences—especially in today’s uncertain job market—can be severe.

In this episode, you'll learn: 

✔ The psychology behind revenge quitting and why it feels so satisfying 

✔ How shifting job market trends make impulsive exits riskier 

✔ Three major risks: extended job searches, burned bridges, and AI-driven job cuts 

✔ Smart alternatives, including “quietly preparing” for a strategic departure

✔ How negotiating workplace changes might provide a temporary solution 

✔ The importance of leaving professionally to protect future opportunities 

✔ How to build your Mid-Career GPS for a thoughtful and strategic career transition

Your career is too valuable to risk on an impulsive decision. Instead of making an emotional exit, learn how to transition professionally and strategically on your terms.

Support the show

If this episode resonated with you and you want more support in how you SHOW UP for your career and life, there are two ways we can work together.

Learn more about my SHOW UP Leadership Lab, my monthly membership program, at https://www.johnneral.com/showup

If you would like to learn more about how I can help you as your leadership and career coach, visit https://www.johnneral.com/workwithme.

Get John's free weekly leadership and career newsletter at https://www.johnneral.com/the-mid-career-gps-newsletter

Other ways we can connect:

• Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
• Get John's books on Amazon here.  
• Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. 
• Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.  

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

This podcast is listed in Feedspot's Top 90 Best Executive Career Podcasts.

https://podcast.feedspot.com/executive_career_podcasts/

Send us Fan Mail

In this insightful episode, Melissa Mawai shares her inspiring journey from corporate project management to becoming a published children's author and illustrator. After the passing of her father and the global pandemic, Melissa found herself at a crossroads—one that led her to pursue her true passion for storytelling. Now, with five published books under her belt with major publishers like National Geographic Kids and DK, Melissa reflects on the challenges, lessons, and triumphs of her creative career pivot.

One of the biggest hurdles she faced? Self-promotion. If you've ever struggled with marketing yourself, you'll appreciate Melissa’s honest take on overcoming the “ick” factor and finding an authentic way to share your work. As a neurodiverse professional, she has also dedicated her work to helping neurodiverse children navigate the world through engaging stories.

From navigating the entrepreneurial path to embracing creativity in every professional interaction, Melissa offers invaluable wisdom for anyone looking to align their career with their passions. Plus, she gives us a sneak peek into her upcoming podcast, Kid Lit Deconstruction Zone!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Melissa used the COVID-19 pandemic as a turning point in her career
• The impact of personal loss on career clarity and purpose
• Overcoming the discomfort of self-promotion and marketing yourself authentically
• The importance of creating stories that support neurodiverse children
• How coaching helped her refine her career path and build confidence
• The journey to launching her new podcast, Kid Lit Deconstruction Zone
• How to infuse creativity into networking and professional relationships
• Melissa’s future goals, including more school visits and speaking engagements

Resources & Links: Connect with Melissa and explore her work:

• Website: melissamawai.com
• Follow her on LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmwai/ – she promises to say hello back!

If you’re looking for inspiration to bring more creativity and authenticity into your career and learn how coaching can help you, like it helped Melissa, tune in now.

Support the show

If this episode resonated with you and you want more support in how you SHOW UP for your career and life, there are two ways we can work together.

Learn more about my SHOW UP Leadership Lab, my monthly membership program, at https://www.johnneral.com/showup

If you would like to learn more about how I can help you as your leadership and career coach, visit https://www.johnneral.com/workwithme.

Get John's free weekly leadership and career newsletter at https://www.johnneral.com/the-mid-career-gps-newsletter

Other ways we can connect:

• Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
• Get John's books on Amazon here.  
• Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. 
• Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.  

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

This podcast is listed in Feedspot's Top 90 Best Executive Career Podcasts.

https://podcast.feedspot.com/executive_career_podcasts/

Send us Fan Mail

This episode explores how mid-career professionals unknowingly sabotage their job search by "playing small." With over 172,000 layoffs announced in February 2023—a staggering 245% increase from January—accelerating your job search is more critical than ever.

Common pitfalls that hinder success include:

• Searching for the "perfect" strategy instead of focusing on consistent efforts that yield results.
• Avoiding assertive outreach for fear of appearing desperate, when true confidence is key.
• Hesitating to engage your network, mistakenly believing you'll be a burden.

Success comes from strategic action: track what works, confidently communicate your value, and proactively connect with those who can help. 

Ask yourself: How would you show up if you believed your value was non-negotiable?

Download the free Mid-Career Job Seeker's Checklist at johnneral.com to get organized and start seeing results in your job search.

Support the show

If this episode resonated with you and you want more support in how you SHOW UP for your career and life, there are two ways we can work together.

Learn more about my SHOW UP Leadership Lab, my monthly membership program, at https://www.johnneral.com/showup

If you would like to learn more about how I can help you as your leadership and career coach, visit https://www.johnneral.com/workwithme.

Get John's free weekly leadership and career newsletter at https://www.johnneral.com/the-mid-career-gps-newsletter

Other ways we can connect:

• Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
• Get John's books on Amazon here.  
• Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. 
• Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.  

Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

This podcast is listed in Feedspot's Top 90 Best Executive Career Podcasts.

https://podcast.feedspot.com/executive_career_podcasts/