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

A powerful question can transform your approach to career-defining conversations. It helps you focus on what you want others to know about your experience and expertise. By considering the interviewer's perspective, you can tailor your responses effectively. Shift from impressing to demonstrating value with clear, memorable examples. This impactful prep strategy also applies to performance reviews and appraisals. Start with clear objectives to steer conversations confidently towards your goals.

***Join us for our 300th Episode Celebration*** On Thursday 27th November, we will be coming together to celebrate reaching this amazing milestone with a Live Podcast Recording & Networking Event.I would love to see you there.  Grab your ticket. There are only 30 seats available. ______In this powerful episode, I am joined by fellow career coach Michelle Schafer, who also specialises in career transition and leadership development. Together, they explore why mastering difficult conversations at work is a critical skill for professional growth and long-term fulfilment.Michelle shares her personal journey from experiencing job loss twice to building a thriving coaching practice — and how those experiences shaped her belief that real career advancement begins with courageous conversations. 💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How to confidently navigate difficult conversations that shape your career trajectoryThe mindset shift from waiting for opportunities to creating them through dialogueSimple ways to prepare for a meaningful career development conversationHow to raise your visibility by connecting with colleagues across your organisationWhy reflection and self-awareness are key to making aligned career decisions🧭 Action Steps:Reflect: Identify what gives you energy, what drains you, and your non-negotiables.Initiate: Schedule a dedicated career development conversation with your leader — don’t wait for the annual review.Connect: Build internal relationships by being curious, joining cross-functional projects, or engaging in workplace communities.✨ Memorable Quote:“It’s not your forever place. You’re not going to feel stuck forever — there are always choices and steps you can take.” — Michelle Schafer🔗 Connect with Michelle:LinkedIn: Michelle SchaferWebsite: mshafercoaching.caGet a free chapter of her book Cultivating Career Growth: Navigating Transitions with Purpose via her website.🔗 Connect with Janine LinkedIn: Janine EsbrandWebsite: Career Change Makers Join the waitlist to explore 1:1 coaching Send us a text🎙️ Celebrate 300 Episodes with Us – Join the Live Podcast Recording!We’re bringing the Career Change Maker Podcast to life to mark reaching our 300th episode milestone — and you’re invited!Join host Janine Esbrand and guests for a special live recording and celebration in London, where they’ll be sharing meaningful insights about making purpose-driven career pivots and aligning your career with what matters most. 

In this episode of the Career Change Maker Podcast, I explore what it means to redefine career success across different life seasons. From your 20s to your 40s and beyond.So many ambitious professionals find themselves questioning their path not because they’ve failed, but because they’ve grown. Whether you're stepping into motherhood, supporting ageing parents, or simply feeling out of alignment, this conversation will help you give yourself permission to pause, reflect, and pivot.I share my personal journey of shifting from corporate law to coaching, and why success needs to evolve with your changing values, energy, and capacity. If you're feeling unfulfilled in your work or wondering if it's "too late" to make a change this episode is your reminder that it’s okay to want something different now.✅ What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy your brain wasn’t fully ready when you first chose your career path (and why that matters)How life events like motherhood or midlife shifts can change what success looks likeThe importance of reassessing your values and capacity in every seasonHow misalignment between your work and your values can create burnout or uneasePractical reflection prompts to help you start redefining success on your terms💡 Action Steps1. Reflect on Your Current Season - Ask yourself what success looks like now—not based on old goals or outdated definitions.2. Identify Value Shifts - Get clear on what matters most to you right now (e.g. flexibility, impact, presence, legacy).3. Release or Renegotiate - Consider what roles, responsibilities, or expectations may need to shift in order to honour your new definition of success.Use Reflection Questions:What does success look like in this current season of life?What needs or values are driving me most right now?What might I need to release or renegotiate?______________________________________________________________________________✨ Let’s Work Together ✨If you're in a season of career transition and you're ready to create a path that's fully aligned with who you are now, I'd love to support you.Through my 1:1 coaching programmes, I help ambitious professionals make bold but intentional career moves without sacrificing their lifestyle, income, or sense of self.👉 Join the waitlist for 1:1 coaching with me✨ Let’s Meet In-Person ✨Something exciting is coming 👀 We’re recording the next Career Change Maker Podcast episode LIVE in London — and you could be in the room! Join the waitlist to be the first to grab your spot.👉 Join the waitlist for early bird access📚 ResourcesConnect with me on LinkedIn: Janine EsbrandExplore more on the website: Career Change Maker WebsiteSend us a text🎙️ Celebrate 300 Episodes with Us – Join the Live Podcast Recording!We’re bringing the Career Change Maker Podcast to life to mark reaching our 300th episode milestone — and you’re invited!Join host Janine Esbrand and guests for a special live recording and celebration in London, where they’ll be sharing meaningful insights about making purpose-driven career pivots and aligning your career with what matters most. 

🎙️ Episode OverviewIn this episode of the Career Change Maker Podcast, I dive into the often-overwhelming process of making career decisions - especially for ambitious women facing a sea of possibilities. I explore why more time doesn't always mean more clarity and share how gathering the right kind of data can lead to confident, informed decisions.I introduce a three-part framework - internal, experiential, and market data - to help you move beyond indecision and toward meaningful action. Whether you’re considering a career pivot or feeling stuck where you are, this episode will guide you in aligning your next move with who you are and what truly matters.If you’ve been caught in analysis paralysis or waiting for “the right time” to act, this conversation is your nudge to start exploring intentionally - with strategy and self-awareness.✅ What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy having too many options can stall your progress.The difference between internal, experiential, and market data - and why you need all three.How to use data to make strategic, aligned career decisions.Why your definition of success may need an update before your next move.💡 Action StepsCollect Internal Data: Reflect on your values, strengths, and what energises you in your current work.Test Through Experience: Take small steps - volunteering, side projects, informational interviews - to gather real-world feedback.Research the Market:  Look into trends, opportunities, and industry needs to ensure your direction is viable. ✨ Let’s Work Together ✨If you’re ready to make your own transition with clarity and confidence, I’d love to support you. Through my coaching programmes, I help ambitious professionals and emerging leaders take ownership of their career journey, strengthen their leadership, and create meaningful impact.👉 Join the waitlist for 1:1 coaching with me. 📚 Resources Connect with Janine on LinkedIn: Janine Esbrand Career Change Maker Website Send us a textSend us a text🎙️ Celebrate 300 Episodes with Us – Join the Live Podcast Recording!We’re bringing the Career Change Maker Podcast to life to mark reaching our 300th episode milestone — and you’re invited!Join host Janine Esbrand and guests for a special live recording and celebration in London, where they’ll be sharing meaningful insights about making purpose-driven career pivots and aligning your career with what matters most. 

🎙️ Episode Overview In this episode of the Career Change Maker Podcast, I’m joined by the amazing Shannon Russell, a former TV producer turned entrepreneur and now author of Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life.Shannon shares her journey from working in a “dream job” in New York and Los Angeles to realising she wanted more balance, freedom, and presence with her family. We talk candidly about the messy middle of career transitions, how to recognise your transferable skills, and why your why is the anchor that keeps you steady through change.If you’ve been contemplating a pivot but fear the sacrifice or uncertainty, this conversation will show you that it’s possible to reinvent yourself, strategically and successfully, in your second act.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✅ How Shannon transitioned from TV production to running her own business.✅ The journalling method she used to uncover her transferable skills. ✅ How to create a financial and mental runway for a career change. ✅ The power of knowing your why when people question your choices.Action Steps💡 Journal your own skill inventory — write down everything you do in your role and circle what could be transferable elsewhere. 💡 Map your financial runway: define your “enough” number and how long you could sustain yourself while building something new. 💡 Anchor your why: write it down and keep it visible for moments when doubts or outside opinions feel overwhelming.✨ Let’s Work Together ✨If you’re ready to make your own transition with clarity and confidence, I’d love to support you. Through my coaching programmes, I help ambitious professionals and emerging leaders take ownership of their career journey, strengthen their leadership, and create meaningful impact.👉 Book a call with me here to explore your next steps.📚 Resources & Links Mentioned in This EpisodeShannon’s website: secondactsuccess.coBook: Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life by Shannon RussellConnect with Shannon on LinkedIn: Shannon RussellConnect with Janine on LinkedIn: Janine Esbrand Career Change Maker Website Send us a text🎙️ Celebrate 300 Episodes with Us – Join the Live Podcast Recording!We’re bringing the Career Change Maker Podcast to life to mark reaching our 300th episode milestone — and you’re invited!Join host Janine Esbrand and guests for a special live recording and celebration in London, where they’ll be sharing meaningful insights about making purpose-driven career pivots and aligning your career with what matters most. 

🎙️ Episode OverviewIn this episode of the Career Change Maker Podcast, I dive into the idea of a September reset — a chance to treat this time of year like a second new year for your career and personal growth.I share lessons from my own recovery journey after rupturing my Achilles, where I’ve had to lean into resilience, patience, and consistency. Even when progress felt invisible, I realised the importance of acknowledging the small wins that build strength over time.If you’ve been feeling stuck, off track, or in need of a boost, this episode will help you embrace September as the perfect moment to refocus, reset, and move forward with clarity.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Why September is a powerful time to reset and refocus your career. ✅ The hidden value of consistency, even when results aren’t immediately visible. ✅ How recovery and resilience can teach you to embrace growth in challenging seasons.Action Steps:💡 Reflect on one career or personal goal that you want to reset and refocus on this month. 💡 Identify where you’ve been putting in unseen effort — and celebrate that progress. 💡 Commit to one consistent action you’ll take this September to build momentum.✨ Let’s Work Together ✨If you’re ready to refocus your career and want support in navigating your next steps with clarity and confidence, I’d love to help. Through my coaching experiences, I work with ambitious professionals and emerging leaders to build momentum, strengthen their leadership, and create careers that feel fulfilling and impactful.👉 Learn more and apply to work with me HERE. Resources: Work with Janine Join our Career Navigator Substack communityFollow Janine Esbrand on InstagramConnect with Janine Esbrand on LinkedInSubscribe to Janine Esbrand's YouTube ChannelSend us a text🎙️ Celebrate 300 Episodes with Us – Join the Live Podcast Recording!We’re bringing the Career Change Maker Podcast to life to mark reaching our 300th episode milestone — and you’re invited!Join host Janine Esbrand and guests for a special live recording and celebration in London, where they’ll be sharing meaningful insights about making purpose-driven career pivots and aligning your career with what matters most. 

🎙️ 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🎙️ Celebrate 300 Episodes with Us – Join the Live Podcast Recording!We’re bringing the Career Change Maker Podcast to life to mark reaching our 300th episode milestone — and you’re invited!Join host Janine Esbrand and guests for a special live recording and celebration in London, where they’ll be sharing meaningful insights about making purpose-driven career pivots and aligning your career with what matters most. 

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🎙️ Celebrate 300 Episodes with Us – Join the Live Podcast Recording!We’re bringing the Career Change Maker Podcast to life to mark reaching our 300th episode milestone — and you’re invited!Join host Janine Esbrand and guests for a special live recording and celebration in London, where they’ll be sharing meaningful insights about making purpose-driven career pivots and aligning your career with what matters most. 

🎙️ 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🎙️ Celebrate 300 Episodes with Us – Join the Live Podcast Recording!We’re bringing the Career Change Maker Podcast to life to mark reaching our 300th episode milestone — and you’re invited!Join host Janine Esbrand and guests for a special live recording and celebration in London, where they’ll be sharing meaningful insights about making purpose-driven career pivots and aligning your career with what matters most. 

🎙️ 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🎙️ Celebrate 300 Episodes with Us – Join the Live Podcast Recording!We’re bringing the Career Change Maker Podcast to life to mark reaching our 300th episode milestone — and you’re invited!Join host Janine Esbrand and guests for a special live recording and celebration in London, where they’ll be sharing meaningful insights about making purpose-driven career pivots and aligning your career with what matters most.