Job Search, Promotion, and Career Clarity: The Mid-Career GPS Podcast

Send us a textDo holiday conversations, workplace tension, or family dynamics leave you emotionally drained and unsure how to respond? At mid-career, the pressure to stay composed, supportive, and “professional” can feel exhausting, especially when stress is already high in your job or career.In this episode of The Mid-Career GPS Podcast, I introduce a simple but powerful communication tool called the Three H’s. With one clarifying question, you can stop guessing, set healthier boundaries, and respond with intention rather than frustration.The Three H’s question is simple and direct: Do you want me to hear you, help you, or hug you?That single question creates clarity, consent, and emotional safety in conversations at work, at home, and everywhere in between.I break down how each option works in real life and why this framework is especially valuable for mid-career professionals navigating leadership pressure, burnout, and complex relationships.Mid-career professionals are often expected to manage emotions, solve problems, and stay composed, even when they feel overwhelmed themselves. This episode explores how the Three H’s can help you:De-escalate tense conversations without withdrawing or over-functioningSet boundaries around hot-button topics at work or with familyRespond to dismissive or frustrating comments with calm confidenceExit conversations that do not respect your limitsAdvocate for your own needs without overexplaining or apologizingIf you manage people, this framework can also transform your leadership approach. Opening one-on-ones with the Three H’s reduces advice overload, builds trust, and helps your team feel genuinely supported.Ask for What You Need Without GuiltI flip the script and show you how to use the Three H’s to advocate for yourself. You can ask for a listening ear, targeted help, or comfort and connection. You will also learn why it is healthy to accept that not everyone is available to meet your needs at all times.That realization alone can reduce resentment, stress, and emotional burnout during a demanding season of life and career.Support the showReady to give your career the jumpstart it needs to whatever is next? Schedule a $197 Career/Leadership Strategy Session. Click here to learn more about how this transformative strategy session will help you. Visit https://johnneral.com/resources to: Subscribe to my free leadership and career newsletter Get The Mid-Career Promotion Blueprint to help you figure out whatever is next for you and your career Join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here. Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Send us a textMany mid-career professionals sense something is off but struggle to articulate it. Feeling “fine” at work can be one of the most misleading signals in your career, especially in a volatile job market. In this episode of The Mid-Career GPS Podcast, I name and unpack a growing mid-career pattern called job-hugging. It is the instinct to cling to comfort, stability, and familiarity during layoffs, hiring freezes, and economic uncertainty, even when your role no longer challenges, stretches, or fulfills you.For many mid-career professionals, job-hugging feels practical. Mortgages, caregiving responsibilities, financial commitments, and risk aversion all make staying put seem like the responsible choice. But over time, that comfort can quietly erode confidence, stall growth, and reduce your long-term market value.This episode explores the real tradeoffs between security and stagnation, with honesty and empathy for the realities of mid-career life.One of the most important mindset shifts for mid-career professionals is learning to separate intrinsic worth from market value.Your worth as a person is infinite. Your market value, however, is shaped by your skills, level, results, visibility, and relevance in the current job market.In this conversation, you will learn how to:Advocate for compensation and opportunity without pricing yourself out of rolesClarify the impact you deliver, not just the responsibilities you holdReframe how you talk about your work so decision makers understand your valueIf this episode resonated, subscribe to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast, share it with a friend who is feeling “fine” but unfulfilled, and leave a review so more mid-career professionals can find the support they need.Support the showReady to give your career the jumpstart it needs to whatever is next? Schedule a $197 Career/Leadership Strategy Session. Click here to learn more about how this transformative strategy session will help you. Visit https://johnneral.com/resources to: Subscribe to my free leadership and career newsletter Get The Mid-Career Promotion Blueprint to help you figure out whatever is next for you and your career Join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here. Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Kat Ortiz, an industrial-organizational psychologist and owner of Core Consulting, shares her transformative journey from an unconventional education path to a focus on evidence-based workplace strategies. She emphasizes the importance of psychological safety and emotionally intelligent leadership for thriving organizations. Kat discusses how AI can enhance teamwork while urging a shift from product-focused to people-first cultures. She empowers listeners to claim their career agency and invest in self-knowledge to navigate growth and opportunities in an evolving work landscape.

Send us a textIf you are a mid-career professional feeling drained, discouraged, or stuck because of a difficult boss, this episode gives you a clear path forward. Many professionals stay silent or shut down when leadership becomes unpredictable, controlling, or inconsistent. In today’s job market, that silence can stall your visibility, performance, and promotion potential.This episode breaks down five difficult boss archetypes and gives you a practical strategy to stabilize your workweek, protect your confidence, and manage up with clarity and professionalism. What You Will Learn• The five difficult boss archetypes: micromanager, ghost, credit taker, hot and cold leader, and conflict avoider • How to interpret leadership behavior without internalizing blame • Why empathy helps you respond strategically without excusing poor behavior • How to set realistic workload and time boundaries that reduce stress and prevent burnout • A simple structure for weekly check-ins that prevents surprises and strengthens accountability • How to use data-driven updates to negotiate scope, timelines, and trade-offs • When to use “we” language publicly to manage credit takers while safeguarding your individual contributions for reviews and interviews • How to respond when your boss swings between praise and pressure • The key difference between a difficult boss and a toxic culture • How to make values-based decisions when an environment becomes unhealthyA Story About Leadership, Boundaries, and RepairI share a pivotal career moment: losing a promotion after a leadership conflict, and how a calm, clear conversation helped rebuild trust. The lesson is simple. Communicate with intention. Protect your boundaries. And treat managing up as an essential leadership skill, not a survival tactic.Mid-career professionals often work under heightened expectations while receiving less direct feedback. Navigating a difficult boss becomes a visibility issue, a performance issue, and a career advancement issue. This episode gives you tools to lead from where you are, strengthen your professional reputation, and keep your career moving forward.Support the showReady to give your career the jumpstart it needs to whatever is next? Schedule a $197 Career/Leadership Strategy Session. Click here to learn more about how this transformative strategy session will help you. Visit https://johnneral.com/resources to: Subscribe to my free leadership and career newsletter Get The Mid-Career Promotion Blueprint to help you figure out whatever is next for you and your career Join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here. Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Send us a textWorkplace bullying is more common than many mid-career professionals realize, and its impact on confidence, performance, and career clarity can be long-lasting. In this episode, we unpack a high-profile moment that reopened old workplace wounds for many. When power is misused to silence or diminish someone, it is more than a headline. It is a reminder of what happens in meeting rooms, team conversations, and one-on-one interactions every day.If you have ever been interrupted, dismissed, or mocked at work, this conversation gives you practical tools to protect your voice without escalating the tension. You will learn how to identify bullying with clarity, respond with confidence, and set boundaries that reinforce your professionalism and value.This episode is especially relevant for mid-career professionals navigating tough environments, preparing for interviews, pursuing a promotion, or reassessing their long-term fit within an organization.What You Will Learn• A clear definition of workplace bullying and the common forms it takes • How chronic interruptions and minimizing behaviors shape your visibility and credibility • Why professionalism is not the same as being passive • A simple three-part script you can use to redirect a difficult conversation • When to pause a tense exchange and how to reschedule strategically • How to document bullying using evidence-based language that supports HR conversations • When and how to escalate using HR, skip-level meetings, or mediation • What emotionally intelligent leaders do differently under pressure • Practical boundary-setting tools that work in both professional and family settings • How clarity and self-awareness strengthen your leadership presence and career directionMid-career is a pivotal time. You are expected to lead, influence, and deliver results while navigating complex personalities, organizational politics, and a rapidly shifting job market. Bullying undermines confidence, weakens your reputation, and creates barriers to advancement. Understanding how to protect your voice and self-advocate is a core skill for job searches, promotions, and long-term career satisfaction.Your voicSupport the showReady to give your career the jumpstart it needs to whatever is next? Schedule a $197 Career/Leadership Strategy Session. Click here to learn more about how this transformative strategy session will help you. Visit https://johnneral.com/resources to: Subscribe to my free leadership and career newsletter Get The Mid-Career Promotion Blueprint to help you figure out whatever is next for you and your career Join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here. Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Send us a textWhen you reach mid-career, feedback often fades or gets frustratingly vague. You may hear you’re “doing great” or that you should “be more strategic,” but those comments rarely help you grow or move forward. In this episode, John Neral breaks down how to restart your feedback loop so your work stands out, your reputation strengthens, and decision-makers see you as promotion ready.Drawing from real coaching experiences, John explores the two types of feedback that define your success: performance (what you deliver) and perception (how others experience working with you). You’ll learn how to separate emotion from information, reframe criticism as data, and use feedback as a powerful tool to sharpen your presence, build influence, and accelerate your advancement.John also shares exact scripts and timing strategies for getting useful, specific input that helps you improve continuously, not just during annual reviews. Whether you’re managing a team or working toward your next role, this conversation will help you shift feedback from something you fear to something you seek.In this episode, you’ll learn how to:Understand why feedback becomes less direct as your responsibilities increaseDistinguish between performance and perception feedbackAsk better questions that lead to actionable, specific insightsTranslate vague advice like “be more strategic” into measurable behaviorsTime your feedback conversations for maximum impactManage your emotions when feedback feels personalUse the “Keep, Clarify, or Let Go” framework to process and apply feedback effectivelyBuild a culture where feedback is ongoing, honest, and productiveKey takeaway: Feedback isn’t meant to define you; it’s meant to refine you.If this episode resonated with you, share it with a colleague, follow The Mid-Career GPS Podcast, and leave a quick review to help more mid-career professionals find the guidance they need to move forward with clarity and confidence.Visit johnneral.com/resources or check the show notes for links to join John’s neSupport the showReady to give your career the jumpstart it needs to whatever is next? Schedule a $197 Career/Leadership Strategy Session. Click here to learn more about how this transformative strategy session will help you. Visit https://johnneral.com/resources to: Subscribe to my free leadership and career newsletter Get The Mid-Career Promotion Blueprint to help you figure out whatever is next for you and your career Join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here. Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Send us a textAre you doing great work but still waiting for recognition or a promotion that never seems to come? In this episode of The Mid-Career GPS Podcast, John Neral explores how to elevate your reputation, credibility, and leadership impact without waiting for a new title.This conversation focuses on leading through influence, not authority. You’ll learn how to stand out in today’s fast-moving workplace by earning trust, building psychological safety, and demonstrating anticipatory leadership that makes you indispensable.Through real stories and actionable examples, John breaks down what it means to lead before the promotion and how subtle shifts in behavior can transform how others perceive your leadership.In this episode, you’ll learn: • The difference between authority and influence and why behavior earns trust • Key trust signals that quietly boost your visibility in your organization • How anticipatory leadership helps you spot risks early and protect results • Quiet leadership habits that reduce friction, improve collaboration, and build team confidence • Why psychological safety drives innovation and engagement • How to shift from reactionary to strategic thinking with better feedback habits • Three presence practices to signal confidence and composure in every interaction • The Three O’s Framework, Observe, Offer, Own, for leading without permissionIf you’re ready to be recognized for the value you bring and lead more effectively in your current role, this episode is your blueprint.Support the showReady to give your career the jumpstart it needs to whatever is next? Schedule a $197 Career/Leadership Strategy Session. Click here to learn more about how this transformative strategy session will help you. Visit https://johnneral.com/resources to: Subscribe to my free leadership and career newsletter Get The Mid-Career Promotion Blueprint to help you figure out whatever is next for you and your career Join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here. Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Send us a textEvery mid-career professional has faced that gut-punch moment when a colleague shifts blame, steals credit, or takes a public swipe to protect their image. In this episode of The Mid-Career GPS Podcast, John Neral dives into why “bus-throwing” happens, how to stay composed when it does, and what to do next to protect your professional reputation without reacting emotionally.If you’ve ever felt the sting of embarrassment, anger, or self-doubt after someone undermined you, this episode gives you a clear, practical playbook to regain control, rebuild trust, and move forward with confidence.What You’ll LearnWhy fear, insecurity, and low psychological safety drive blame-shifting behaviorHow mid-career professionals often become easy targets when they hold responsibility without equivalent authorityHow to pause under pressure, stay calm, and separate truth from perceptionThe exact language you can use to clarify facts in a meeting or emailA simple documentation strategy that prevents misinformation and protects your credibilityWhen to address issues privately, when to set firm boundaries, and when escalation is appropriateHow to rebuild credibility through consistent performance and visible resultsWhy executive presence—composure, clarity, and confidence—is your best defenseJohn also shares step-by-step recovery actions you can take after a professional setback to ensure your brand stays strong, your work stays respected, and your relationships remain authentic.Episode HighlightsHow insecurity, fear, and imposter syndrome show up in colleagues’ behaviorThe power of neutral, fact-based communicationSetting healthy boundaries to protect your energy and career reputationRebuilding trust and visibility through transparency and strong alliancesWhen and how to involve HR with clarity and documentationIf you’re navigating a challenging workplace dynamic or working to rebuild your credibility, this episode will help you lead with calm authority and protect your professional reputation.Take the Next Step: Schedule a 45-minute Career or Leadership Strategy Session with JoSupport the showReady to give your career the jumpstart it needs to whatever is next? Schedule a $197 Career/Leadership Strategy Session. Click here to learn more about how this transformative strategy session will help you. Visit https://johnneral.com/resources to: Subscribe to my free leadership and career newsletter Get The Mid-Career Promotion Blueprint to help you figure out whatever is next for you and your career Join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here. Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Feeling stuck in your career? One powerful question might hold the key: 'Why do you come back to work every day?' This transformative inquiry sparks honest conversations with colleagues, helping you uncover motivations and align your career path. Explore the Four F Framework—Fit, Function, Finance, and Forward—to assess your insights and guide future decisions. Plus, learn how to use this question in interviews to gauge company culture and spark meaningful discussions with friends and loved ones for even greater clarity.

Send us a textWhat does it take to walk away from a successful career to build one that aligns with your passion and future? In this episode, Emmy-winning journalist Lindsey Mastis shares her journey of leaving a 20-year career in tv news, to create an independent reporting career focused on AI and emerging technology.If you’ve ever wondered how to make a bold mid-career pivot, this conversation is packed with insights on courage, reinvention, and staying relevant in a rapidly changing world. Lindsey opens up about making her final contract decision, handling the emotional aftermath with family and colleagues, and redefining success around health, purpose, and learning.You’ll also hear how Lindsey is navigating the intersection of journalism and AI—from using AI tools ethically to creating her new documentary-style project, “Is AI Ruining Music?”, featuring voices like Rosanne Cash, Jackson Browne, and DJCherishtheLuv. Together, we explore how to stay human in an increasingly digital world and why embracing discomfort can fuel your next chapter.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:How to make a confident decision to leave a familiar career pathThe emotional and professional realities of a mid-career reinventionWhat “doing it scared” looks like in practiceHow to balance well-being with professional ambitionWhy learning business skills is essential for career independenceHow to collaborate with AI tools while keeping your authentic voicePractical ways to experiment, fail forward, and iterate your next moveThe ethical questions shaping AI’s role in creative industriesWhat “human-made” really means in an algorithmic worldConnect with Lindsey MastisLinkedIn | Substack | Website | YouTube Support the showReady to give your career the jumpstart it needs to whatever is next? Schedule a $197 Career/Leadership Strategy Session. Click here to learn more about how this transformative strategy session will help you. Visit https://johnneral.com/resources to: Subscribe to my free leadership and career newsletter Get The Mid-Career Promotion Blueprint to help you figure out whatever is next for you and your career Join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here. Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.