Your Career Podcast with Jane Jackson

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Reinvention, Solo Travel and Starting Over. From Corporate Travel to a Second Act. This is episode 287 of YOUR CAREER Podcast with Jane Jackson.

This delightful conversation with the amazing Bronwyn White will have you booking your next flight ... on your own! Bronwyn is a travel researcher, marketer and founder of two businesses that reflect her own midlife reinvention with Solo Travel Collective and Second Act Collective.

With over 35 years in travel and tourism, including roles with Qantas, destination marketing, research and consulting, Bronwyn has built a new chapter around the things she understands best: women, travel, behaviour, change and what happens when life no longer looks the way you expected it to.

Solo Travel Collective helps women travel confidently on their own terms, and helping women work out what their next 20 years will hold. Travel and retreats are how Bronwyn does it.

Bronwyn is particularly interested challenging the idea that by midlife women should have everything figured out!

Her view is simple: sometimes the most interesting part of your life and career starts after the plan falls apart.

What happens when the career you built no longer fits the life you want?

In this episode, I talk with Bronwyn White, about career change, reinvention and the unexpected opportunities that emerge when your original plan falls apart.

Bronwyn loves her travel and tourism specialisation which including roles with Qantas, Destination NSW and Kantar, before building her successful travel businesses. 

Her career has involved multiple reinventions, including adapting her business after COVID-19 and later embracing AI and launching her successful business, Solo Travel Collective, supporting women to travel independently.

In this episode we discuss what it takes to recognise when change is needed, why reinvention doesn't have to wait for a crisis, and how midlife can become a time of discovery rather than limitation, especially when it comes to the rich and varied experiences women gain through solo international travel.

Key takeaways:

• Your life and career can have several chapters, and you don't have to know the entire story before beginning the next one.
 
 • Understanding the people you want to serve is essential when creating a new business or career.

 • Travel can provide an opportunity to rediscover yourself, build confidence and experience life differently.

 • Midlife can be a time to reconsider what you really want from work, identity, life and travel.

I loved our conversation and am very envious of her next trip with a select group of 8 women to the Maldives.  Such freedom and fun!  Bronwyn shares her approach to designing travel experiences for women who want the freedom of solo travel without necessarily having to do everything alone.

Find out more about Bronwyn:

Solo Travel Collective: https://solotravelcollective.com 

Follow Bronwyn White on LinkedIn for Baby Boomer solo travel inspiration 

About Your Career Podcast

I'm Jane Jackson, a career transition coach with over 25 years' experience helping professionals navigate redundancy, career change and their career crossroads.

If you're wondering what comes next in your career, you'll find practical career advice, stories and inspiration here.

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Welcome to Your Career Podcast with Jane Jackson where I help mid career professionals overcome self doubt and gain career clarity and the confidence to create the life and career they desire. 

Book a Zoom chat with me at janejacksoncoach.com - I’d love to meet you and discover what’s happening in your career!

Support the show

- - - - - -

To discover how to make a successful career change and land the job you'll LOVE, take the CAREER SUCCESS QUIZ and within 2 minutes you'll have your results, analysis and recommendations for career success.  https://careersuccess.scoreapp.com/   

Love Your Career Podcast? Let us know!

If you've sent over thirty job applications (or fifty, or eighty!) and not heard back, Jane Jackson, career coach, explains what's changed in recruitment the past few years and what you need to do differently.

With approximately 244 applications for the average job posting in 2025 compared to 116 applications per role in 2022 and recruiting teams shrinking by approximately 55% over that same period, no wonder there are MORE people applying for FEW roles and HALF the number of human beings to conduct the recruitment process.

So, applying more by using AI to create your job applications only to be screened out by AI seems like a lose-lose situation.

In my latest podcast episode I explain what the numbers are telling us, what the CEO of Indeed (top job search site) says, and how you can turn things around when you are clear about WHO you are, WHAT you can do, and WHY they should hire you. And how to ensure you have an internal advocate for the job.

Gain the Career Clarity you need by completing Jane's Career Clarity Pack: https://janejacksoncoach.com/career-clarity-pack/

Read the full article with research statistics in Business Chief magazine: https://businesschief.com/news/indeed-ceo-hiring-faces-vicious-cycle-of-ai-applicants 

Welcome to Your Career Podcast with Jane Jackson where I help mid career professionals overcome self doubt and gain career clarity and the confidence to create the life and career they desire. 

Book a Zoom chat with me at janejacksoncoach.com - I’d love to meet you and discover what’s happening in your career!

Support the show

- - - - - -

To discover how to make a successful career change and land the job you'll LOVE, take the CAREER SUCCESS QUIZ and within 2 minutes you'll have your results, analysis and recommendations for career success.  https://careersuccess.scoreapp.com/   

Love Your Career Podcast? Let us know!

Red Brick Thinking, Productivity and Taking Control of Your Career with Donna McGeorge

What if the answer to feeling overwhelmed is not to do more, but to remove what is no longer necessary?

In this episode of Your Career Podcast, Jane Jackson speaks with productivity expert, bestselling author and speaker Donna McGeorge about her unconventional career journey, the beliefs that shape the way we work, and why so many capable professionals find themselves overcommitted, exhausted and short of time.

Donna shares how her career evolved from early aspirations of becoming a coroner to working as a secretary, IT trainer and learning and development professional before building her own successful business. After experiencing several company failures, she made the decision to take greater control of her career and create work on her own terms.

Jane and Donna explore why many so-called time management problems are not really about time at all. Overflowing inboxes, excessive meetings and difficulty delegating are often symptoms of deeper issues, including lack of trust, unclear priorities, perfectionism and the stories we tell ourselves about what a capable professional should be able to manage.

Donna also introduces the central idea behind her new book, Red Brick Thinking. When faced with a problem, most of us instinctively add another task, process, meeting or responsibility. Red brick thinking invites us to consider subtraction instead. What could be removed, simplified, stopped or allowed to end?

The conversation also covers workplace burnout, cognitive overload, setting realistic boundaries, questioning false urgency and periodically reassessing whether a role still fits the life you want to lead.

Donna shares the unexpected story behind The ChatGPT Revolution and how one conversation with a journalist led her to write the most commercially successful book of her career.

This is a practical and thought-provoking conversation for anyone who feels stretched by work, is considering a career change, or needs permission to stop carrying responsibilities that no longer serve a useful purpose.

Key takeaways

• Many productivity problems are not really about managing time. They are often caused by overcommitment, unclear priorities, excessive meetings and difficulty delegating.
• Donna’s concept of Red Brick Thinking encourages us to solve problems through strategic subtraction. Rather than automatically adding another task, process or responsibility, consider what could be removed, simplified or stopped.
• Clear boundaries protect our time and capacity. Before agreeing to an urgent request, question the deadline, clarify when the work will be reviewed and communicate what can realistically be achieved.

Where to find Donna McGeorge

Learn more about Donna, her books and her work at:

https://donnamcgeorge.com/

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Welcome to Your Career Podcast with Jane Jackson where I help mid career professionals overcome self doubt and gain career clarity and the confidence to create the life and career they desire. 

Book a Zoom chat with me at janejacksoncoach.com - I’d love to meet you and discover what’s happening in your career!

Support the show

- - - - - -

To discover how to make a successful career change and land the job you'll LOVE, take the CAREER SUCCESS QUIZ and within 2 minutes you'll have your results, analysis and recommendations for career success.  https://careersuccess.scoreapp.com/   

Love Your Career Podcast? Let us know!

Some of the most important stories in a family are never written down.

They live in remembered kitchens, first jobs, old photographs, difficult choices, family sayings and moments that once seemed ordinary.

Then, one day, we realise how much they mattered.

In the latest episode of Your Career Podcast, I speak with photographer and storyteller Yve Lavine about her Sweet 16 project and her new business, The Life Story Project.

Sweet 16 began with 16 women over the age of 60 reflecting on the girls they had been at 16.

Through portraits and personal stories, Yve explored visibility, wisdom and the experiences women carry across a lifetime.

That project became both an exhibition and a book.

Yve’s new work takes this idea further.

Through The Life Story Project, she helps individuals and families record their memories in their own words and turn them into a beautifully presented booklet or book.

We discuss:

• Why seemingly ordinary memories are often part of our social history
 • The importance of allowing older people to feel seen, heard and valued
 • How personal stories can strengthen connections between generations
 • Why a life story is more than a list of dates and achievements
 • The thoughtful process Yve uses to record, shape and preserve each person’s story

What struck me most was how affirming this process can be.

Being invited to tell your story is also an invitation to recognise that your life has mattered.

The jobs you held.
 The places you lived.
 The people you loved.
 The challenges you faced.
 The choices that changed your direction.

Our stories do not need to be dramatic to be worth preserving.

Sometimes the smallest memories carry the clearest picture of who we were and how the world once felt.

Listen to our conversation and consider:

Whose story in your family deserves to be recorded before it is lost?

Connect with Yve:

The Life Story Project: https://lifestoryproject.com.au/ 

25 Questions We Wished We'd Asked Sooner - Free prompt sheet: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfO2h9QXnI3ElLrWylOhnw8q3LCS7fMnPNzSwp-zIIZ7Re-Rw/viewform 

Sweet 16 Book: https://yvelavine.square.site/

Connect with Yve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvelavine/ 

Yve in the Newcastle Herald

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Welcome to Your Career Podcast with Jane Jackson where I help mid career professionals overcome self doubt and gain career clarity and the confidence to create the life and career they desire. 

Book a Zoom chat with me at janejacksoncoach.com - I’d love to meet you and discover what’s happening in your career!

Support the show

- - - - - -

To discover how to make a successful career change and land the job you'll LOVE, take the CAREER SUCCESS QUIZ and within 2 minutes you'll have your results, analysis and recommendations for career success.  https://careersuccess.scoreapp.com/   

Love Your Career Podcast? Let us know!

Most people don't expect a career crisis. 

Redundancy, restructuring, a change in leadership or the sudden realisation that your contribution is being overlooked can happen with very little warning. And when it does, important career decisions often need to be made at the worst possible time.

In episode 283 of Your Career Podcast, I explain why proactive career planning matters and how giving regular attention to your career can help you avoid making rushed decisions under pressure.

I share a personal story from my years in Singapore, when I arrived at the airport with my two-year-old daughter and discovered that my Australian passport had expired. What followed was a stressful race against time and a difficult arrival in Australia using my British passport without the correct visa.

It was a powerful lesson in what happens when something important, but not urgent, is left unattended for too long.

The Urgent Important Matrix

I introduce the Urgent Important Matrix, a practical framework made famous by Stephen Covey in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and associated with former US President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

The matrix helps you separate tasks into four areas:

• urgent and important
• important but not urgent
• urgent but not important
• neither urgent nor important

Career planning usually sits in the important but not urgent category.

That is precisely why it is so easy to postpone.

Your career does not send you a reminder when your industry is changing, your role is becoming vulnerable or your professional network is growing cold. By the time career planning feels urgent, you may already be facing redundancy, burnout or an unexpected career transition.

What proactive career planning includes

I discuss the career work that is best completed before you urgently need it:

• understanding and articulating your professional value
• gaining clarity about the direction you want your career to take
• keeping your resume, LinkedIn profile and other career assets current
• maintaining relationships and nurturing your professional network
• reflecting on your achievements, skills and changing priorities
• preparing for career change before circumstances force the decision

Professionals who manage redundancy or career change well are not necessarily luckier than everyone else. Often, they have already invested time in understanding who they are, what they offer and what they want next.

This preparation gives them greater confidence, perspective and choice.

A restructure may still be unsettling, but it is less likely to feel like a personal verdict when you already understand the value you bring.

Take control before your career becomes urgent

You do not need to wait for a crisis to pay attention to your career.

By setting aside time for the important but non-urgent work now, you can make better decisions later, strengthen your professional confidence and respond more effectively when change arrives.

What have you done to proactively manage your career before redundancy looms?

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Welcome to Your Career Podcast with Jane Jackson where I help mid career professionals overcome self doubt and gain career clarity and the confidence to create the life and career they desire. 

Book a Zoom chat with me at janejacksoncoach.com - I’d love to meet you and discover what’s happening in your career!

Support the show

- - - - - -

To discover how to make a successful career change and land the job you'll LOVE, take the CAREER SUCCESS QUIZ and within 2 minutes you'll have your results, analysis and recommendations for career success.  https://careersuccess.scoreapp.com/   

Love Your Career Podcast? Let us know!

Career Reinvention, Retirement and Building a Richer Life with Hannah Martin

What does it really mean to prepare for retirement? 

For many women, especially mid-career professionals, retirement planning is often reduced to one question: “Will I have enough money?” Yet, as Hannah Martin explains in this thoughtful conversation, a fulfilling later life requires more than financial security. It also calls for purpose, community, health, independence and a clear sense of what comes next.

In episode 282 of Your Career Podcast, Jane Jackson reconnects with Hannah Martin, founder of Talented Ladies Club and Rich Retiree, seven years after their last conversation. Hannah and I chatted in episodes 19 and 101. 

Hannah shares how her work supporting ambitious mothers returning to the workforce evolved into a new mission: helping women prepare for retirement in a way that is practical, empowering and deeply human.

Jane and Hannah discuss the unique career and financial challenges many women face, including career breaks, lower pension or superannuation balances, caring responsibilities, and the implications of, unfortunately, a divorce. Confidence dips after time out of the workforce, and the long-term impact of the gender pay gap.

They also explore why career reinvention does not stop at midlife. Whether you are facing redundancy, considering a career change, preparing for retirement, or wondering how to create more meaning in your next chapter, this conversation offers a reassuring reminder that it is never too late to make considered, confident choices.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why retirement planning must go beyond money
• The four pillars of a rich retirement: finance, health, community and purpose
• How career breaks can affect confidence, savings and long-term financial independence
• Why women often face different retirement challenges from men
• The importance of community, contribution and meaningful activity as we age
• How mid-career professionals can begin planning their next chapter before they are forced to
• Why career clarity matters at every stage of life
• How cultural attitudes towards ageing can affect confidence, wellbeing and possibility
• The value of wisdom, lived experience and intergenerational connection

Key takeaway

A rich retirement is not only about what you have saved. It is also about the life you are building.

For mid-career professionals, this episode is a timely reminder to pause, reflect and ask: “What do I want the next chapter of my life and career to feel like?” Whether you are navigating redundancy, exploring a career change, rebuilding confidence, or preparing for a new stage of life, clarity is the first step towards making wise and grounded decisions.

Resource mentioned:

YouTube video when Jane visited Hannah in Worthing, UK - showing how genuine networking turns into genuine connections, taking the online connection offline to meet in person.  Watch here: https://youtu.be/hN_dAzQ30uo?si=PxSphzC7KI_psFsE 

About Hannah Martin

Hannah Martin is the founder of Talented Ladies Club, created in 2013 to support ambitious mothers returning to work and building careers or businesses that fit their lives. Her latest initiative, Rich Retiree, helps women take a more holistic approach to retirement planning, considering not only finances but also health, purpose, community and fulfilment.

Find out more at: richretiree.com

About Jane Jackson

Jane Jackson is a career management coach, author of Navigating Career Crossroads, and host of Your Career Podcast. With over 24 years of experience, Jane helps mid-career professionals navigate redundancy, career change, job search, interview preparation, LinkedIn personal branding and career clarity so they can make confident decisions and move towards work they will enjoy.

If you are at a career crossroads and would value caring, practical support, visit janejacksoncoach.com.

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Welcome to Your Career Podcast with Jane Jackson where I help mid career professionals overcome self doubt and gain career clarity and the confidence to create the life and career they desire. 

Book a Zoom chat with me at janejacksoncoach.com - I’d love to meet you and discover what’s happening in your career!

Support the show

- - - - - -

To discover how to make a successful career change and land the job you'll LOVE, take the CAREER SUCCESS QUIZ and within 2 minutes you'll have your results, analysis and recommendations for career success.  https://careersuccess.scoreapp.com/   

Love Your Career Podcast? Let us know!

Give to Gain: How Generosity Builds Careers, Confidence and Meaningful Success

What happens when generous people come together to talk about career growth, visibility, networking, communication and sharing expertise?

In this special episode, I bring together four remarkable women from across Australia, New Zealand and the United States for a thoughtful conversation on one powerful theme: Give to Gain.

We explore how generosity can shape a career, grow a business and help you build a reputation that feels both meaningful and sustainable.

In this episode you’ll discover:

• Why generosity is often the starting point for unexpected career opportunities
• How giving without agenda can build trust, credibility and lasting professional relationships
• The importance of career clarity before you update your resume, LinkedIn profile or start applying for roles
• Why your LinkedIn presence matters more than ever in an AI-shaped world
• How networking works best when it is rooted in care, consistency and long-term connection
• Why strong communication is not about saying more, but about saying what matters with intention
• How your existing knowledge, stories and experience may already hold the foundation for a book

Featuring insights from:

Jane Jackson - on Career Success and Job Search

Lynnaire Johnston - on LinkedIn visibility 

Sigrid de Kaste - on Network as a long game 

Gina Balarin - on communicating with intention 

Gillian Whitney - on overcoming self-doubt to write your book 

A question we also tackle

One of the most thoughtful moments in the discussion came from a question many generous people wrestle with:

How do you continue to give freely without overextending yourself?

We explore the balance between generosity and self-respect, and why healthy giving includes boundaries, discernment and care for your own wellbeing too.

Useful links and resources

Access the free resources shared by our panel during our conversation at: www.thecareersacademy.online/iwd2026 

If you're ready to gain career clarity and take your next step with more confidence, explore my coaching and career support resources at:
www.janejacksoncoach.com
www.thecareersacademy.online

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Welcome to Your Career Podcast with Jane Jackson where I help mid career professionals overcome self doubt and gain career clarity and the confidence to create the life and career they desire. 

Book a Zoom chat with me at janejacksoncoach.com - I’d love to meet you and discover what’s happening in your career!

Support the show

- - - - - -

To discover how to make a successful career change and land the job you'll LOVE, take the CAREER SUCCESS QUIZ and within 2 minutes you'll have your results, analysis and recommendations for career success.  https://careersuccess.scoreapp.com/   

Love Your Career Podcast? Let us know!

What if the clarity you've been searching for won't come from working harder or pushing through the fog?

In episode 280 of YOUR CAREER PODCAST, I talk about finding career clarity when everything feels uncertain. 

Whether you're feeling stuck, wondering if there's something more fulfilling out there, or trying to figure out your next move, this conversation is for you.

I'm sharing why thoughtful self reflection matters more than rushing into action, and introducing my free workbook "Prepare for the Year Ahead" to help you gain the clarity and career confidence you need.

Key Takeaways

Clarity doesn't come from rushing - When navigating career change, the instinct is to move faster. But like driving in fog, adding speed without visibility creates problems. Creating space for clear thinking moves you forward.

Reflection reveals your resilience - Looking back isn't about dwelling on the past. It's understanding the map you've created through your experiences, recognising your growth, and making informed decisions about sustainable paths forward.

There's no "right time" for career reflection - Clarity doesn't follow a calendar. Whether facing redundancy, organisational change, mid-year scattered energy, or dissatisfaction, reflection responds to your attention whenever you give it.

Reflection is an act of self-respect - Taking time to review your energy, decisions, work, and values isn't wasted time. It's choosing to lead your career rather than react to it.

Resources

Download the free workbook: Prepare for the Year Ahead - Gain structure and freedom to reflect on your career anytime. Notice patterns, reconnect with priorities, and gain clarity to move forward with confidence.

Career coaching support: Ready for personalised guidance? Book a complimentary exploratory chat. 

Whether you're job seeking, considering career change, or building career confidence, I work with professionals in Sydney and across Australia ready to create meaningful change. The link to book is at www.janejacksoncoach.com 

Subscribe to my YouTube channel: Jane Career Coach on YouTube for career clarity insights, coaching tips, and practical strategies.

Next Steps

Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode with practical career advice.

Download the "Prepare for the Year Ahead" workbook at www.janejacksoncoach.com and take that first step towards the clarity you deserve.

Jane Jackson is a career coach based in Sydney, Australia, specialising in helping mid-career professionals navigate career change and build lasting career confidence.

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Welcome to Your Career Podcast with Jane Jackson where I help mid career professionals overcome self doubt and gain career clarity and the confidence to create the life and career they desire. 

Book a Zoom chat with me at janejacksoncoach.com - I’d love to meet you and discover what’s happening in your career!

Support the show

- - - - - -

To discover how to make a successful career change and land the job you'll LOVE, take the CAREER SUCCESS QUIZ and within 2 minutes you'll have your results, analysis and recommendations for career success.  https://careersuccess.scoreapp.com/   

Love Your Career Podcast? Let us know!

As the year draws to a close, many professionals feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and stretched beyond their limits. End-of-year pressure, blurred boundaries, and rising workloads often lead to burnout — quietly and cumulatively.

In this episode, career coach Jane Jackson shares five evidence-based strategies to help you manage end-of-year stress before it impacts your health, confidence, or performance.

You’ll learn:

• How to recognise early signs of burnout and emotional exhaustion
• Why boundaries are essential — not selfish — for sustainable success
• How clear communication with your manager can reduce stress and overload
• Practical ways to break large tasks into manageable steps using proven focus techniques
• Why real breaks and asking for support improve performance, not weaken it

Backed by workplace research and practical experience, this episode offers calm, realistic guidance for professionals who want to finish the year well — without burning out.

Your career is a marathon, not a sprint. One small, intentional change can make a meaningful difference.

Welcome to Your Career Podcast with Jane Jackson where I help mid career professionals overcome self doubt and gain career clarity and the confidence to create the life and career they desire. 

Book a Zoom chat with me at janejacksoncoach.com - I’d love to meet you and discover what’s happening in your career!

Support the show

- - - - - -

To discover how to make a successful career change and land the job you'll LOVE, take the CAREER SUCCESS QUIZ and within 2 minutes you'll have your results, analysis and recommendations for career success.  https://careersuccess.scoreapp.com/   

Love Your Career Podcast? Let us know!

In this episode of YOUR CAREER PODCAST, Dr Mark Sherwood — co-founder of the Functional Medical Institute with Dr Michele Sherwood — shares his practical, no-nonsense approach to whole-person health. 

Dr Mark shares his fascinating career journey from pro-baseball player and SWAT officer and what lead him to create the Functional Medical Institute in Tulsa Oklahoma. 

He unpacks the root causes of many common health issues and why quick fixes don’t lead to lasting results.

You’ll hear how the unique approach blends science, spirituality, and personal accountability to help people eliminate unnecessary medications and reverse lifestyle-driven conditions. 

From hormones to food, stress to sleep — this conversation offers a clear and actionable path to genuine wellness.

Whether you're struggling with your energy, confused by conflicting health advice, or ready to break free from outdated beliefs about ageing, this episode will show you what’s truly possible when you take ownership of your health.

🔑 What You’ll Learn:

• Why treating symptoms isn’t the same as healing
• The truth about diet, hormones, and gut health
• How stress and sleep are often the missing pieces
• The difference between traditional and functional medicine
• The mindset shift that makes lasting change possible

Follow Dr Mark Sherwood and Dr Michele Sherwood on  Instagram.

Watch their free health webinar:
https://fmidr.com/webinar/
Drs Mark and Michele Sherwood explain how to create a science-based health plan unique to you for lasting change in your life. 

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Welcome to Your Career Podcast with Jane Jackson where I help mid career professionals overcome self doubt and gain career clarity and the confidence to create the life and career they desire. 

Book a Zoom chat with me at janejacksoncoach.com - I’d love to meet you and discover what’s happening in your career!

Support the show

- - - - - -

To discover how to make a successful career change and land the job you'll LOVE, take the CAREER SUCCESS QUIZ and within 2 minutes you'll have your results, analysis and recommendations for career success.  https://careersuccess.scoreapp.com/