The Career Change Maker Podcast I Career Change, Career Advancement & Leadership Development

🎙️ Episode OverviewIn this episode of the Career Change Maker Podcast, I’m joined by Elizabeth Lotardo,  Author of Leading Yourself, employee engagement consultant, and LinkedIn Learning instructor who has taught over two million people how to lead themselves. Elizabeth shares the surprising findings from her extensive research into what drives true employee engagement and why the real key isn’t the conditions you work in, but the skills and mindsets you develop to engage yourself no matter the circumstances.We explore practical strategies for cultivating radical accountability, shifting from output-based to input-based goals, and finding meaning even in challenging situations.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeThe skillset behind engagement – Why self-leadership is the foundation for sustained motivation and performance, regardless of external factors.Mindset shifts that make a difference – Four consistent mental habits of highly engaged people across industries and roles.Practical tools to lead yourself – From the “This Is My Chance” reframe to input-based goal setting, how to stay empowered in your career.Action StepsAudit your mindset – Reflect on how you respond to challenges. Are you defaulting to frustration, or finding meaning and opportunity?Break down your goals – Identify the controllable actions that drive your outcomes, and focus your energy there.Practise daily self-leadership – Integrate small moments of intentional thinking into your routine, like on your commute or while doing household tasks.Connect with Elizabeth Lotardo:Website: elizabethlotardo.comLinkedIn: Elizabeth LotardoConnect with Janine Work with JanineCareer Change Maker WebsiteJoin the Career Navigator weekly email seriesSend us a text

Description🎙️ Episode OverviewIn this episode of the Career Change Maker Podcast, I explore The Power of the Pause and why slowing down is one of the most underrated productivity tools for leaders.I share a client story that highlights how stepping back can create space for clarity and momentum, and I open up about my own season of recovery where I’ve experienced first-hand the benefits of slowing all the way down as a business leader and mum.I also reflect on a recent girls’ trip that became a surprising leadership lesson in the value of fun, environment shifts, and surrounding yourself with the right people. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ A Pause is a Strategy, Not a Setback: Why intentional breaks can actually move you forward faster.✅ Leadership Lessons From Stepping Away: How my girls’ trip highlighted the power of fun, environment, and connection.✅ Clarity Comes in the Quiet: Why the best decisions often come when you stop forcing them.Action Steps:💡 Identify one area of your work or life where taking a pause could bring more clarity.💡 Schedule a micro-pause (daily) or macro-pause (quarterly) to reset and refocus.💡 Reflect on who you are surrounding yourself with and whether they energise or drain you.Resources:Work with JanineCareer Change Maker WebsiteJoin the Career Navigator weekly email seriesFollow Janine Esbrand on InstagramConnect with Janine Esbrand on LinkedInSubscribe to Janine Esbrand's YouTube ChannelSend us a text

🎙️ Episode OverviewIn this episode of the Career Change Makers Podcast, I sit down with Kerry Griffith,  a culture and inclusion changemaker, helping organisations to thrive by leveraging the power of diversity and inclusive leadership. In addition to his corporate portfolio, Kerry consults on various boards including those supporting widening participation, equity and inclusion within the education sector. When not working, Kerry can be found exploring culture through food, music and the arts. Kerry opens up about his personal journey from a traditional career path to a purpose-driven mission centred around empathy, active listening, and personal growth. We discuss the realities of career transitions, the value of staying true to yourself as a leader, and the power of inclusion in building stronger, more dynamic teams.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ Career Transitions Require Courage: Why Kerry left a secure finance career and how he navigated the uncertainty to find more meaningful work.✅ Empathy and Listening Are Core to Leadership: How inclusive leadership starts with understanding your team’s experiences and perspectives.✅ Authenticity Builds Stronger Cultures: Why leading from a place of self-awareness and openness creates lasting impact.Action Steps:💡 Reflect on whether your current career path still aligns with who you are becoming not just who you were.💡 Start a conversation with a colleague or team member focused solely on listening and understanding their experience.💡 Identify one area where you can lead more inclusively, whether through language, action, or mindset.Resources:Work with JanineCareer Change Maker WebsiteJoin the Career Navigator weekly email seriesFollow Janine Esbrand on InstagramConnect with Janine Esbrand on LinkedInSubscribe to Janine Esbrand's YouTube Channel👉 Subscribe, Share, and Leave a ReviewIf you’re on a journey to elevate your leadership and make a greater impact, hit subscribe to the Career Change Maker Podcast. Share this episode with your network, and leave a review to help more professionals discover the show and achieve their leadership goals.Send us a textSend us a text

🎙️ Episode OverviewAre you feeling constant friction at work, bored yet overwhelmed, or noticing physical resistance as you move through your days? These might be signs that you’ve outgrown your current way of working.In this episode, I explore the three signs that your work style no longer fits your new season or leadership level. I share why delegation and strategic thinking become non-negotiable as you grow, plus practical steps to help you redesign your work approach for greater impact and fulfilment.💡 What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeThe three signs you’ve outgrown your current work styleWhy delegation is crucial for effective leadership and productivityHow to create space for strategic thinking and professional growthPractical ways to embrace change and evolve your approach✅ Action StepsAudit your time: Identify where your time is being spent and what needs to be delegated.Schedule CEO time: Block out at least one hour this week for thinking and strategic planning.Pay attention to resistance: Notice any physical or emotional resistance and ask what changes it’s calling you to make.💡 Resources🔗 1:1 Coaching with Janine – Ready to redesign the way you work and lead with impact at your next level? Learn more about personalised coaching support: janineesbrand.com/coaching📰 Subscribe to Career Navigator – Get weekly career and leadership development insights direct to your inbox: janinesbrand.substack.com🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & review the show so you never miss an episode and can help me grow the show. Send us a text

Are you a high-achieving woman who’s recently been promoted or made a career change… but instead of feeling excited, you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed. In this episode, I explore why this emotional hangover happens after a promotion or big career move. I share personal stories from my journey qualifying as a lawyer and transitioning into my business, plus practical steps to help you navigate this season with confidence and self-compassion.💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why you may feel anxious, overwhelmed, or deflated after a promotion or career changeThe hidden micro-grief that comes with leaving a familiar role or environment behindHow to adjust to your new leadership level with more ease and confidenceThree practical steps to manage the emotional hangover and build momentum in your new role✅ Action Steps:Name it to normalise it: acknowledge the emotional hangover rather than internalising it as failureAnchor yourself in small wins: rebuild your confidence brick by brickSchedule intentional recharge time: protect your energy as you adjust to this new season💡 Resources:🔗 Exclusive Summer Intensive VIP Coaching – Ready to elevate your visibility and position yourself as a leader? This half-day private coaching intensive will help you clarify your unique leadership brand, identify visibility opportunities and build your influence - to learn more email janine@careerchangemakers.com🔗 1:1 Coaching with Janine – Ready for ongoing personalised support to navigate your career and leadership journey with confidence and clarity? Learn more about working together: janineesbrand.com/coaching📰 Subscribe to Career Navigator – Get weekly career and leadership development insights direct to your inbox: janinesbrand.substack.com🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & review the show so you never miss an episode.Send us a text

Are you a high-achieving woman who’s stepped into a new leadership role and feeling the pressure to perform, impress, and keep it all together?In this episode, I open the new season by exploring the hidden cost of high performance and how it can prevent you from building confidence as a leader. I share practical steps for how to succeed in a new leadership role without losing yourself in the process.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why high performance often becomes a mask that limits authentic leadershipThe internal tension that arises when you rely on external leadership blueprintsHow self-awareness and personal alignment help you lead with more ease and impactThree ways to start removing the mask of high performance and show up more powerfullyAction Steps:Reflect on where you're performing vs. where you're truly aligned.Ask yourself what it’s costing you to keep wearing the high-performance mask.Explore small, intentional ways to start showing up more authentically this week.💡 Resources:🔗 Apply for 1:1 Coaching with Janine – Ready to build your confidence and lead with impact? Apply here: janinesbrand.com/coaching📰 Subscribe to Career Navigator – Get weekly leadership and career development insights direct to your inbox: janinesbrand.substack.com📚 Explore the DISC Personality Assessment – Understand your leadership style and how to lead with ease and alignment 🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & review the show so you don’t miss next week’s episode!Send us a text

🎙️ Episode Overview:Welcome to a brand new season of the Career Change Maker Podcast! In this season we will be be diving into The Inner Work of Leadership. If you are a high-achieving professionals who has recently stepped into new levels of responsibility, whether through a career change, a promotion, or a major life transition this season is for you. If you find yourself navigating the internal shifts that come with growth, you are not alone and I want to talk about it. What You’ll Learn in This Season:Why the toughest part of career progression isn’t the title or tasks—it’s the internal transformationHow leadership begins with learning to lead yourself firstPowerful lessons that other leaders have learned as they navigated taking their careers to new heights. ✨ Take Action:Subscribe to the show on your favourite platform so you don’t miss upcoming episodes.Share the show with a friend or colleague who’s stepping into a new role or phase of life.Join our new Substack community where we be having discussions about the topics explored during each episode. Book a call to explore working together Send us a text

🎙️ Episode OverviewIn this final episode of the Career Change Makers Podcast, I reflect on the core theme of unapologetic leadership that’s been woven throughout the season.From redefining success to prioritising wellness and building confidence, this episode is all about pausing to acknowledge how far you’ve come—and encouraging you to keep growing with intention and clarity.Whether you’ve been with me since the first episode or just joined, I hope these reflections leave you feeling seen, inspired, and ready for your next bold move.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ Confidence is a Skill: It’s not something you're born with—it’s built through consistent action and self-trust.✅ Wellness is Essential for Success: True success includes taking care of your mind, body, and emotional well-being.✅ Your Journey is Valid: Leadership doesn’t look the same for everyone—own your path unapologetically.Action Steps:💡 Reflect on how your definition of success has evolved—and write it down.💡 Take one small, bold action that pushes you outside your comfort zone.💡 Choose one wellness habit to prioritise this week—your health supports your leadership.Resources:Work with JanineCareer Change Maker WebsiteJoin the Career Navigator weekly email seriesFollow Janine Esbrand on InstagramConnect with Janine Esbrand on LinkedInSubscribe to Janine Esbrand's YouTube Channel👉 Subscribe, Share, and Leave a ReviewIf you’re on a journey to elevate your leadership and make a greater impact, hit subscribe to the Career Change Maker Podcast. Share this episode with your network, and leave a review to help more professionals discover the show and achieve their leadership goals.Send us a textSend us a text

🎙️ Episode OverviewIn this episode of the Career Change Makers Podcast, I sit down with Lauren Currie—founder of Upfront, a groundbreaking movement dedicated to empowering women through leadership and confidence building.Lauren shares her inspiring journey from art school to service design, and ultimately to entrepreneurship.We dive into the systemic challenges women face in leadership, the misconceptions around confidence, and how the Upfront Bond program is helping women step into their full potential by building skills, community, and courage.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ Confidence is a Skill: Why confidence isn’t innate—and how consistent action can help you build it.✅ Community Fuels Growth: How belonging to a strong, supportive network can transform your leadership journey.✅ Changing the System: Why solving leadership gaps requires systemic change, not just individual effort.Action Steps:💡 Practice "action breeds confidence"—take one small action today that challenges you.💡 Identify one limiting belief you can start to unlearn—and replace it with an empowering truth.💡 Join or build a community that supports your personal and professional growth.Resources:Work with JanineCareer Change Maker WebsiteJoin the Career Navigator weekly email seriesFollow Janine Esbrand on InstagramConnect with Janine Esbrand on LinkedInSubscribe to Janine Esbrand's YouTube ChannelApple: UPFRONT Moment with Lauren CurrieSpotify: UPFRONT Moment with Lauren CurrieAcast: UPFRONT Moment with Lauren CurrieLauren Currie’s LinkedIn👉 Subscribe, Share, and Leave a ReviewIf you’re on a journey to elevate your leadership and make a greater impact, hit subscribe to the Career Change Maker Podcast. Share this episode with your network, and leave a review to help more professionals discover the show and achieve their leadership goals.Send us a textSend us a text

🎙️ Episode OverviewHR is evolving — and with it, the roles of managers, employees, and People leaders.In this episode, I sit down with Olya Yakzhina, People Director at Switchee, who shares her unique journey from psychology to leadership in HR.Olya dives deep into how internal mobility, feedback, and community-building are shaping the future of work. We explore how personal growth, even through discomfort, can lead to transformation — and why supporting managers is a non-negotiable for a thriving workplace culture.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ Resilience in the HR Journey: How Olya’s career path and love for startups shaped her people-first leadership style.✅ Internal Mobility & Value Exchange: Why empowering employees to grow from within starts with trust, clarity, and mutual value.✅ Supporting Managers to Strengthen Culture: How mentorship, feedback, and community-building help create more engaged, empowered teams.Action Steps:💡 Reflect on how internal mobility and feedback show up in your current role or team.💡 Explore ways to support managers in your organisation — mentorship, training, or community can go a long way.💡 Consider how value exchange applies to your career growth and workplace relationships.Resources:Work with JanineCareer Change Maker WebsiteJoin the Career Navigator weekly email seriesFollow Janine Esbrand on InstagramConnect with Janine Esbrand on LinkedInSubscribe to Janine Esbrand's YouTube ChannelOlya Yakzhina’s LinkedInLearn more about the Supercharge Your Career Course (Olya’s LinkedIn Post)Supercharge Your Career (free course)The Modern Employer Podcast👉 Subscribe, Share, and Leave a ReviewIf you’re on a journey to elevate your leadership and make a greater impact, hit subscribe to the Career Change Maker Podcast. Share this episode with your network, and leave a review to help more professionals discover the show and achieve their leadership goals.Send us a textSend us a text