In this episode of Just Beyond the CV, Rich Howell speaks with Camilla and Rachel, founders of The Women’s Work Lab, about the human stories, barriers and potential often hidden behind a career gap.

Together, they explore why so many women want to work but are held back by confidence, childcare, housing, mental health, domestic abuse, single parenting and systems that often demand quick results from  complex lives.

Camilla and Rachel share how The Women’s Work Lab was built by, with and for mums, supporting unemployed mothers through confidence-building, community, work experience and long-term support. They discuss the importance of transferable skills, why motherhood develops essential workplace strengths, and how businesses can recruit more inclusively.

This is a powerful conversation about identity, confidence, purpose, resilience, and why helping one mum back into work can change the future of an entire family.

In this episode of Just Beyond the CV, Rich Howell sits down with Joe Ryle, Campaign Director of the 4 Day Week Campaign, to explore one of the most debated topics in modern work culture - should we be working less?

Joe shares his unconventional career journey, from environmental activism and political campaigning to becoming one of the UK's leading voices advocating for a shorter working week. Together, Rich and Joe unpack the history of the five-day working week, the rise of the four-day movement, and the surprising results from some of the UK's largest workplace trials. 

The conversation goes far beyond productivity statistics. They discuss burnout, ambition, work-life balance, flexible working, employee wellbeing, and whether success should be measured by hours worked or outcomes achieved. Rich also shares his own experience of implementing a four-day week in his business following a period of severe burnout and reflects on the impact it has had on both his team and his family life. 

Whether you're a business owner considering a four-day week, an employee questioning traditional working patterns, or simply curious about the future of work, this episode offers a balanced and thought-provoking discussion that challenges conventional thinking and explores what a healthier relationship with work could look like.

Just Beyond the CV is the podcast that uncovers the human stories, career pivots, failures, challenges and defining moments that never appear on a CV but shape who we become. 

Today’s guest is Lisa Unwin, who has spent years helping women return to work after career breaks. But this conversation isn’t just about careers.

It’s about identity. Because for so many women, stepping away from work to raise children can slowly become stepping away from confidence, networks, visibility and even a sense of self. And coming back is often far harder than anyone expects.I wanted this conversation to really help those listening who might feel stuck, forgotten professionally or unsure how to start again.

From the impact of rejection and recruiter ghosting to the emotional toll of long job searches, this conversation shines a light on the challenges many people face but few openly discuss.

The episode also dives into mindset, mental health, confidence, ageism in hiring, and how to stay resilient when searching for your next opportunity.

Whether you’re currently job hunting, considering a career change, or supporting someone through the process, this episode offers reassurance, practical insight, and a reminder that you’re not alone.

In this episode of Just Beyond the CV, we sit down with Dan to explore the story behind the career history.

While his CV reflects professional success, it doesn’t reveal the resilience, perspective, and personal challenges that have shaped who he is today. From facing cancer at a young age to later becoming an amputee while raising a family, Dan’s journey is one of adapting, rebuilding, and redefining purpose.

Together, we discuss mindset, identity, and how life’s biggest challenges can transform not only the way we live, but also the way we show up professionally. This is an honest conversation about resilience, perspective, and finding strength beyond the job title.

In this episode of Just Beyond the CV, I’m joined by Tom, a tech recruiter with over 10 years’ experience, but not your typical recruiter.

Tom also codes, giving him a genuine, behind-the-scenes understanding of the world he hires for. Beyond recruitment, he’s a LinkedIn Top Voice, content creator, and a strong advocate for honest conversations around ADHD, neurodiversity, and how our differences shape our careers.

Together, we go beyond the highlights to explore the decisions, doubts, and realities that don’t always make it onto a CV.

This week on Just Beyond the CV, we’re joined by Lauren Spearman marketer, content creator and advocate for better hiring practices.

With a career spanning brands including Sky, Netmums, Benefit Cosmetics and MADE, Lauren shares what her impressive CV doesn’t show, the uncertainty, resilience and turning points behind the scenes.

We talk about the reality of job searching in today’s market, candidate experience, salary transparency, values-led career decisions, and how she turned a difficult chapter into a community of over 100,000 followers.

Honest, insightful and refreshingly real, this is an episode for anyone navigating change in their career

The mindset Helen brings is the perfect starting point for Just Beyond the CV.

In this episode, we dive into the decisions and doubts no CV can capture, the turning points that shape a meaningful career and how life outside of work influences the paths we take, plus, of course, the infamous confidence gremlins.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, uncertain, or pressured to follow a certain path, this conversation is for you.

Helen’s insights will inspire you to trust your own journey, embrace the squiggles and realise your career doesn’t have to fit anyone else’s definition of success.