What do you do when the career path that once felt clear no longer is? What if that stuck, uneasy feeling in the middle of your career isn’t a failure, it’s information and an opportunity to rewrite your career story.

On this episode of The Radical Candor Podcast, Adrion Porter founder of Mid-Career Mastery, host of the podcast Gen X Amplified, and a LinkedIn top voice joins Kim and Jason to talk honestly about the “Messy Middle” and what to do when your old definitions of success no longer fit. 

Together, they explore Adrion’s Mastery Map, a practical framework for getting unstuck by letting go of limiting beliefs, finding meaning, and making intentional choices even when the next step isn’t obvious.  They also dig into navigating generational differences, the reality of different lived experiences and the divisive stories we tell ourselves and how to strengthen relationships across generations.

If you’re feeling stuck, uncertain about what’s next, or frustrated that doing your best work feels harder than it used to, this conversation offers grounded ways to move forward.

Get all of the show notes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RadicalCandor.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Episode Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect:

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:04) Adrion’s Origin StoryA layoff at 40 forces Adrion to rethink what’s next.

(06:51) Owning Your StoryKim & Adrion explore the narratives that had Kim stuck and how she rewrote those.

(09:02) Mindset & Limiting BeliefsWhy reframing how you think is the first step forward.

(11:48) The Mastery Map FrameworkThe pillars of the framework: mindset, meaning, and milestones.

(16:23) When You Feel TrappedNavigating change when money, family, or expectations limit options.

(17:48) The Framework in ActionAdrion tells the story of  a specific application of the framework.

(20:39) Breakthrough Moments from the WorkWhat Adrion sees when people finally rewrite their story.

(23:04) From Messy Middle to Magical MiddleWhy mid-career can be a season of reinvention.

(26:42) Generations & Work StoriesHow different generations think about success and work.

(32:37) Wisdom, Age & Radical CandorWhat experience adds to communication and feedback.

(37:25) One Action to Take This WeekA practical step to start changing your story now.
(38:21) Conclusion

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