Mid-Career Change

In this episode, I turn to confidence, particularly the kind of confidence that often wobbles in mid-career.

When roles change, expectations shift, or you begin to question your direction, confidence can take a knock. Not because you’ve lost your ability, but because many of the external markers we rely on, such as job titles, seniority, or organisational status, start to feel less secure.

In this episode, I explore why confidence can feel fragile at this stage of a career, and why reassurance or positive thinking alone rarely helps. Instead, I introduce a more grounded approach to confidence, one built from evidence.

I share a simple but powerful writing exercise called the Highlight Reel. It helps you notice moments where you were effective, energised, or at your best, and turn those experiences into clear evidence of what you bring. Not for performance reviews or interviews, but for yourself.

This kind of confidence grows quietly. It comes from seeing your own strengths clearly, naming them, and trusting what you already know about how you work best.

If you’re navigating change, considering your next move, or finding that your confidence hasn’t quite caught up with your thinking, this episode offers a practical way to steady yourself and move forward.

You can explore these ideas further in my book Write Your Career, which brings together reflective tools and practical exercises to support mid-career growth. You can find it here:
https://www.bravocoaching.co.uk/books

Thanks for listening!

 If you need support with your career:
call me on 07833 593875
email [email protected]
visit www.bravocoaching.co.uk

In this episode, I explore a quiet but powerful idea: the invisible career scripts many of us follow without realising.

These scripts are the stories we inherit from family, education, workplaces, and professional cultures. Ideas about what success should look like, what feels sensible, and what feels risky. They often sound like good advice: work hard, don’t rock the boat, be grateful for what you have. And for a long time, they usually work.

But at some point in mid-career, those same scripts can start to feel restrictive. You may find yourself feeling restless, disconnected, or quietly questioning whether the path you’re on still fits.

In this episode, I talk about how to recognise when you’re living inside one of these inherited stories, and why simply noticing them can create space for change. I also share how writing can help you step outside the inner editor and hear what you actually think, rather than what you feel you should think.

If your career looks fine on paper but feels slightly out of step, this episode will help you understand why that might be happening, and how to begin thinking differently about what’s next.

This episode is the first in a short series, and it lays the foundation for rebuilding confidence and exploring future direction in the episodes that follow.

If you’d like to explore these ideas further, you can find my book Write Your Career here:
https://www.bravocoaching.co.uk/books

Thanks for listening!

 If you need support with your career:
call me on 07833 593875
email [email protected]
visit www.bravocoaching.co.uk

In this episode of Mid Career Change, I’m joined by Michael Tabirade for a thoughtful conversation about what happens when a familiar career path no longer fits in the same way.

 Michael spent many years in senior public sector leadership roles, working on large-scale transformation programmes across health and government, before moving towards more independent, portfolio-style work. We talk about the identity shift that often comes with leaving big roles, the mindset changes involved in stepping away from employment, and how to begin exploring independent ways of working without rushing or burning out.

This episode is for anyone in mid-career who’s quietly questioning whether there might be a different way to work – one that offers more autonomy, balance, and alignment with what matters now.

We explore:

·     The emotional reality of stepping away from established roles

·     Letting go of titles and rebuilding professional identity

·     Designing a portfolio-style working life that supports wellbeing

·     Common blind spots when moving towards independent work

·     Simple, practical first steps you can take while things are still unclear

If you’re feeling curious rather than certain, and drawn to change without wanting to make a dramatic leap, this conversation will give you space to think – and permission to start gently.

Michael's YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@michaeltabirade?si=8umywRtGuktLp4Sl

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeltabirade/

Thanks for listening!

 If you need support with your career:
call me on 07833 593875
email [email protected]
visit www.bravocoaching.co.uk

In this episode of the Mid-Career Change podcast, I explore three gentle signs that something in your working life might be asking for attention — and what those signs are really telling you.

January is often a moment of clarity. With a bit more distance from your usual routines, you start to notice things you might have brushed aside during a busy year. But recognising these signs doesn’t mean you need to make a big career change. More often, they’re early signals worth listening to — hints that something wants to grow, shift, or come into focus.

In this short, reflective episode, I share three of the most common signs I see in my coaching work:

• Something feels “off” — a sense that a task, expectation, or part of your role is no longer in step with who you are.
• You’re craving more energy or meaning — noticing where you feel most alive in your work, and where you don’t.
• You’re imagining other futures — those small, curious “what if?” questions that surface when your identity is starting to stretch.

For each sign, I offer a simple writing prompt from my new 30-day course, Write Your Career, to help you interpret what the sign is pointing toward. These questions aren’t about pressure or dramatic decisions. They’re about clarity — about hearing yourself more clearly and reconnecting with what matters.

Whether you’re feeling stuck, quietly restless, or simply sensing that something in your working life might need attention, this episode gives you a gentle, practical way to explore what’s going on beneath the surface.

And if you’d like to work through these prompts more deeply, the Write Your Career course is available now at the January launch price of £49, with or without one-to-one coaching.

Thanks for listening!

 If you need support with your career:
call me on 07833 593875
email [email protected]
visit www.bravocoaching.co.uk

In this episode, we’re looking ahead to 2026 and what the new year will bring. I share an update on the projects I’m most excited about — including the publication of my new book, Write Your Career, which launches in April, and the fully-developed 30-day Write Your Career course, now available at a special January price.

I talk through what’s changed, what’s improved, and how the course and book fit together to support anyone wanting more clarity, direction, or momentum at the start of the year. I also explain the new coaching-supported option, designed to give people more structure and guidance as they work through the material.

To finish, there’s a short Coaching Moment focused on the value of simply getting started — why small beginnings often matter more than big plans, and how you can use that idea to shape your next steps in 2026.

If you’d like to explore the course or coaching options, you’ll find everything at www.bravocoaching.co.uk

Thanks for listening!

 If you need support with your career:
call me on 07833 593875
email [email protected]
visit www.bravocoaching.co.uk

As we reach the end of the year, this episode is a chance to pause and look back at what 2025 has brought. It’s been a year of milestones for me — from publishing Mid-Career Change in January, to celebrating five years of the podcast, to running the pilot for my new Write Your Career course.

I share what I learned from launching the book, the conversations that stood out on the podcast this year, and how the show has continued to grow in both listeners and engagement. I also talk about what the pilot group taught me about the Write Your Career course, and how their feedback has shaped the full version launching in January.

To round off the episode, I guide you through a short Coaching Moment using the Highlight Reel technique — a simple exercise to help you capture three meaningful moments from your year and recognise what they reveal about your strengths.

If you’d like support with your career planning as we head into 2026, you can find details about my coaching and courses at www.bravocoaching.co.uk
.

Thanks for listening!

 If you need support with your career:
call me on 07833 593875
email [email protected]
visit www.bravocoaching.co.uk

In this episode, I’m joined by Career and Leadership Transitions Specialist Suzanne Penny, who brings more than 20 years of experience in outplacement, recruitment and people development — along with her own lived experience of redundancy and reinvention.

Suzanne and I first spoke back in 2023 for the Association for Coaching podcast, and so much has evolved for both of us since then. Today we reconnect to explore the realities of mid-career change: the moments that shake your confidence, the small steps that make the biggest difference, and why no one should navigate transition alone.

We talk about the emotional impact of redundancy, what really helps people rebuild clarity and confidence, and the practical ways to move forward when you’re feeling misaligned or unsure. Suzanne also shares powerful stories of clients she’s supported — including members of her new community space, created to take the loneliness out of redundancy.

Together, we explore themes of wellbeing, resilience, and the importance of pausing before rushing into what’s next. We also dig into the rise of purpose-driven work, the changing world of hybrid careers, and how mid-career professionals can leverage their experience, strengths and values to shape a meaningful next chapter.

Whether you’re going through change yourself or supporting others through it, this conversation offers reassurance, perspective and plenty of practical ideas. Suzanne’s message is clear: you’re not starting from scratch — you’re starting from experience.

If you’re navigating uncertainty, wondering what’s next, or craving a sense of community during transition, this one’s for you.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannepennyexecutivecoach/

https://www.suzannepenny.com/

Thanks for listening!

 If you need support with your career:
call me on 07833 593875
email [email protected]
visit www.bravocoaching.co.uk

Confidence can feel fragile during times of change — especially when you’re between chapters in your career. In this episode, I explore how to rebuild a steadier, more enduring form of confidence: the kind that comes from alignment, self-trust, and quiet action.

Drawing on recent coaching conversations, I share how many mid-career professionals lose confidence not because their ability fades, but because the familiar structures that once supported them — job titles, recognition, belonging — start to shift. Confidence doesn’t vanish; it simply takes on a new form as you step into what’s next.

I offer practical ways to reconnect with your strengths, align your work with your core values, and take small, deliberate steps that rebuild momentum. I also look at the link between confidence and fear — and why feeling fear isn’t a sign you’re not ready, but a signal that you’re stretching into something meaningful.

Whether you’re exploring new options, facing redundancy, or simply feeling ready for change, this episode offers calm, realistic guidance for rediscovering confidence that lasts — not the loud kind that demands attention, but the quiet kind that carries you forward.

Thanks for listening!

 If you need support with your career:
call me on 07833 593875
email [email protected]
visit www.bravocoaching.co.uk

Mid-career change can open the door to fresh possibilities, but it can also bring pressure, uncertainty and moments where clarity feels out of reach. In this episode, I’m joined by Nina Stephenson-Camps, founder of Thrive Always, to explore how we can stay grounded and think clearly during times of transition.

Nina specialises in what she calls real-time resilience — simple, practical mindset tools you can use right in the moment when stress rises or your confidence wobbles. Drawing on her experience working with global brands like Google and Microsoft, she shares how people can steady themselves mid-meeting, mid-decision or mid-change without losing momentum.

We talk about the pressures many mid-career professionals face, including identity shifts, self-doubt, and the mental overload that comes with exploring new directions. Nina introduces techniques such as the one-minute breathing reset, thought reframing and compassionate pausing, helping you bring calm and clarity back into the moments that matter.

We also look at how stress blocks creativity — and how a more settled mindset can help you open up new career possibilities.

If you’re navigating a change, feeling stretched, or simply wanting practical ways to think more clearly under pressure, this episode offers grounded tools you can use straight away.

https://www.thrive-always.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninastephensoncamps/

Thanks for listening!

 If you need support with your career:
call me on 07833 593875
email [email protected]
visit www.bravocoaching.co.uk

This episode marks a special milestone — five years since I launched the podcast back in November 2020. What began as a small experiment during uncertain times has grown into something much bigger: a space for real conversations, practical guidance, and inspiration for anyone navigating their career at mid-life.

In this anniversary episode, I’m reflecting on the journey so far, what I’ve learned, and the insights that have come from over 100 episodes and 40+ guest interviews.

Here’s what you can expect in today’s show:

• Lessons from five years of podcasting — from the importance of consistency, to how conversations can shape and change us, to the surprising ways podcasting has helped me develop my voice and write my first book.
• Five big career insights — the themes that come up again and again in coaching, interviews, and listener stories. These include why clarity comes from action, the hidden power of your network, and why confidence isn’t something you’re born with but something you build.
• Pathways through the podcast — how I’ve grouped episodes into themes like Taking Stock, Unlocking Career Potential, and Navigating Mid-Career Change, so you can easily find what’s most useful for you.
• What’s next — my plans for the podcast, my upcoming book Write Your Career, and how the themes of journalling, reflection, and practical action are shaping the next stage of my work.

Five years in, the podcast is reaching more listeners than ever before, and I want to thank you for being part of that journey. Whether you’ve listened since Episode 1 or only recently discovered the show, I hope this anniversary reflection inspires you to think about your own career path — and what might be next for you.

Thanks for listening!

 If you need support with your career:
call me on 07833 593875
email [email protected]
visit www.bravocoaching.co.uk