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

Send us a textFeeling stuck in a toxic workplace or misaligned in your career? You're not alone—and you're not powerless. In this powerful episode, Dahlia Shaewitz, founder of Third Sight LLC, joins host John Neral to share career-shifting insights for mid-career professionals seeking clarity, better leadership paths, and more authentic connections at work.Whether you're looking to leave a job that no longer fits or elevate your influence without a formal title, this episode is your career GPS.💡 Episode Highlights:Is it you or the workplace? Learn how to identify toxic environments vs. simple misalignment—and what to do next.Build allies, not enemies. Discover how to foster workplace relationships rooted in trust, not politics.Networking for introverts. Dahlia shares how to network meaningfully without being transactional.Lead without the title. Why volunteering on nonprofit boards can fast-track your leadership growth and strategic thinking.The "MENTOR" model. Use this framework to assess your unique career strengths and growth areas.One key question to ask: “What are you most proud of?”—and how it uncovers your authentic leadership voice.🎯 This episode is perfect for you if:You're a mid-career professional questioning your current role or workplace culture.You feel burned out or undervalued and need a path forward.You're ready to lead from where you are—even without a promotion.You're exploring how to transition into more meaningful work or a new role.Connect with Dahlia ShaewitzWebsite | LinkedIn🔍 SEO Keywords (targeted):Mid-career job search, toxic workplace recovery, leadership without a title, nonprofit board leadership, workplace misalignment, allyship at work, introvert networking, career coaching, job fit vs. job mismatch, strategic leadership developmentSupport 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 textFeeling stuck, undervalued, or underutilized in your career? You’re not alone and you’re not lost. In this episode, I unpack how to navigate a meaningful career pivot with clarity, strategy, and confidence. Whether you're reassessing your priorities, reevaluating your strengths, or questioning your current path, this episode will help you move from confusion to clarity without taking a blind leap.Discover how to build Your Mid-Career GPS, my proven framework designed to guide professionals through the four essential steps of career transition: Preparation, Positioning, Promotion, and SHOW UP. You’ll learn how to leverage tools like Gallup’s CliftonStrengths to articulate your unique value, identify what truly motivates you, and build a purposeful plan for what's next.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why career clarity is the foundation of any successful career pivotThe 4-step Mid-Career GPS framework to guide your next professional moveHow to identify and communicate your true strengths—not just what you’re good atThe importance of aligning your values with your next roleWhat hiring managers really want to hear about your transferable skillsWhy strategic clarity outperforms blind leaps every timeThe realistic timeline for career change: what to expect and how to planKey Takeaway: Making a successful career transition doesn’t require guessing—it requires intentional action. Learn how to define your value, align it with market needs, and take control of your professional journey.Resources and Links: Learn more about my digital course: From Career Crossroads to Career ClarityLearn more about Gallup's CliftonStrengths.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 textWhat’s Really Holding You Back in Your Career? Ever feel like you’re doing all the right things in your career, but still not moving forward? While it's easy to blame external forces, leadership expert and former Chief People Officer Erica Rooney believes the real barriers may lie much closer to home.In this powerful episode, Erica introduces the concept of “sticky floors,” which are the internalized beliefs and self-sabotaging behaviors that keep high-potential professionals stuck. Sharing a deeply personal story of betrayal by a trusted colleague, Erica walks us through how a moment of disillusionment sparked her professional transformation. She realized she couldn’t control others’ integrity, but she could control how she showed up, responded, and grew.Erica also shares her SNAP method (Stop, Name it, Ask Questions, Pivot), a practical, science-backed framework for identifying and overcoming hidden patterns that limit progress. Along the way, Erica shares her powerful insights on workplace allyship, including what men can do right now to support women colleagues better. Key Takeaways:Erica’s turning point: when a respected colleague took credit for her ideaThe difference between glass ceilings (external) and sticky floors (internal)How the SNAP method helps professionals shift from stuck to strategicThe power of the word “yet” to reframe capability and growthCommon sticky floors: perfectionism, fear of failure, and self-doubtHow men can be better allies to women in the workplaceWhy strong manager relationships are key to promotion and visibilityYou’re not stuck—you just haven’t moved yetConnect with Erica RooneyLinkedIn | Podcast | 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 textNavigating a job loss or corporate shakeup? In this must-listen episode, career expert John Neral explains the real differences between restructuring, reorganization, layoffs, and RIFs, and how mid-career professionals can stay grounded through uncertain times.Whether you're affected by government DOGE initiatives, private-sector downsizing, or just sensing change ahead, you'll learn how to:Recognize what you can controlProtect your well-being and set strong boundariesUnderstand how leadership makes tough callsPrepare a solid career contingency planIdentify your transferable skills and stay marketableBuild financial security and emotional resilienceThis episode offers clarity, compassion, and concrete steps to help you weather workplace change and protect your career.Learn more and join the Mid-Career GPS Membership Community for coaching, resources, and support: johnneral.com/membershipSupport 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 textThe career landscape has changed—and mid-career professionals are feeling the pressure. In this candid and insightful episode, John Neral shares how he’s evolving his coaching business to better serve professionals navigating job searches, career transitions, and workplace uncertainty.After eight years of full-time coaching, John reflects on the lessons learned about offering true value in a marketplace flooded with free resources. He reveals the reasoning behind his decision to begin charging for select materials—starting with the newly updated Mid-Career Job Search Jumpstart Guide, now available for just $1."If you’re not willing to invest even a dollar in your career, what does that say about your commitment to your growth?" John asks, challenging listeners to reframe how they value their professional development.The episode also features an exciting announcement: the launch of the Mid-Career GPS Membership Community—a powerful new middle ground between free content and private coaching. For $97/month, members gain access to: ✅ Weekly "Ask Me Anything" calls ✅ Monthly deep-dive masterclasses on key career strategies ✅ Direct support and coaching inside a private communityJohn explains how early members are already seeing real results—building accountability systems, securing more interviews, and navigating complex career decisions with greater confidence.Key Takeaways:The job market has shifted, requiring mid-career professionals to act with greater urgency.Free resources are everywhere—but transformational results come from working with a trusted thought partner.The new Job Search Jumpstart Guide is just $1, emphasizing that small investments lead to greater outcomes.Initial coaching sessions now cost $197 to foster serious, committed client relationships.The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community ($97/month) bridges the gap between free advice and premium coaching.Private coaching packages remain available for those seeking deeper, transformational support.Professional coaching delivers measurable results, includingSupport 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 textWhat do you do when a dream job ends in heartbreak?In this eye-opening episode of The Mid-Career GPS Podcast, host John Neral sits down with Laverne McKinnon, former Senior VP of Drama Development at CBS, to talk about a rarely acknowledged experience: career grief.After leading CBS from last place to first with mega-hits like CSI and Criminal Minds, Laverne was unexpectedly fired at the height of her career. What followed was a silent, decade-long struggle with emotional fallout that society often tells us to ignore.Laverne introduces the concept of disenfranchised grief—a powerful term for the emotional pain professionals feel after job loss or career disruption that isn’t socially validated. Through her LEARN Framework (Look, Explore, Address, Reframe, Nurture), Laverne shows how we can move from heartbreak to healing, reconnect with our values, and reclaim agency over our careers.Whether you're facing layoffs, mid-career stagnation, or preparing for a major transition, this episode will help you understand how to grieve the professional losses we’re told to "just get over."In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why career grief is real—and why ignoring it is harmfulThe emotional impact of sudden job loss after career successWhat disenfranchised grief means in the workplaceHow to use the LEARN framework to process grief and regain clarityThe connection between unprocessed failure and blocked resilienceRituals like writing a "career eulogy" to create closureHow grief reveals your core values—and points you toward your next moonshotConnect with Laverne McKinnonWebsite | LinkedIn | SubstackSupport 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 textIf your career is stuck in neutral, maybe it’s not your résumé—it’s your relationships.In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dominic Imwali, Senior Consultant at Deloitte and founder of DX Consulting, to unpack why genuine, face-to-face connections are the real catalyst for career growth—especially in mid-career transitions.Dominic takes us behind the scenes of his unconventional rise, from a frustrating pandemic moment to an assignment leading global consulting work in Indonesia. As Dominic says, “You don’t need to know the right people—you need to become the right person for others to know.”Whether you’re aiming for your next promotion, preparing for a pivot, or trying to revive your career momentum, this episode gives you practical, real-world strategies to build a Personal Board of Directors, deepen your network, and approach relationship-building with intention.Key Takeaways:The real secret to career advancement? Authentic relationships—not perfectly timed applications or flawless LinkedIn profiles.Dominic’s mid-career mindset shift: How frustration turned into fuel during lockdown, leading him to prioritize exposure, generosity, and connection.Build your Personal Board of Directors: Learn how to identify 3–5 trusted advisors who offer honest feedback, real support, and strategic insight.Networking the right way: Why 1–2 meaningful conversations per week outperform mass LinkedIn outreach every time.From Cleveland to Jakarta: What Dominic’s 3-month assignment in Indonesia taught him about managing stress, cultural barriers, and uncertainty.Avoid these common mistakes: Generic messages, transactional asks, and over-automation are killing your networking potential.Where to begin: Start where it’s easy—alumni groups, interest communities, and shared values.Connect with Dominic ImwalleLinkedIn | Newsletter 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 textHow can mid-career professionals engage in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) conversations without fear of saying the wrong thing? Bernadette Smith, CEO of the Equality Institute, shares her ARC Method—Ask, Respect, Connect—a simple yet powerful approach to fostering authentic connections while ensuring psychological safety at work.In This Episode, You'll Learn:✅ How to navigate DEI discussions with confidence and "kind curiosity"✅ Why over-apologizing for mistakes can do more harm than good ✅ How to build meaningful relationships in workplaces scaling back DEI efforts ✅ Why progress in social movements includes setbacks—but connections endure ✅ How pickleball (yes, pickleball!) offers surprising lessons in inclusionKey Takeaways:✔ The ARC Method makes DEI conversations more approachable and effective ✔ A simple, sincere apology is better than over-apologizing ✔ Asking for help isn’t a weakness—it strengthens relationships ✔ DEI isn’t about political correctness—it’s about harnessing diversity for successSubscribe to Bernadette’s newsletter → FiveThingsDEI.comBernadette Smith’s Website → https://BernadetteSmith.com Listen to her podcast → Five Things in 15 MinutesIf you're looking to lead with inclusion and confidence, this episode is a must-listen!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 textHave you ever faced an interview so awkward that it left you questioning everything? In this episode, I share a hilariously uncomfortable yet eye-opening moment from my mid-career transition—when I found myself in a final-round interview, staring at a superintendent’s exposed belly button.What started as a bizarre wardrobe malfunction became a defining lesson about workplace culture, authenticity, and the power of being true to yourself. Sometimes, the jobs we don’t get are the ones that save us from environments where we would never thrive.Tune in as I reveal:The unexpected career transition from middle school math teacher to an administrative role.How a final-round interview in a sweltering New Jersey summer took a weird turn.Why I made the bold decision to address the superintendent’s wardrobe malfunction.The painfully awkward silence that followed—and what it revealed about workplace culture.How job rejections can actually be career blessings in disguise.Why staying true to yourself matters more than landing any position.If you've ever had an interview moment that made you cringe, you’re not alone! Let’s explore what these moments teach us about career growth and finding the right professional fit.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 textFeeling trapped in a toxic workplace and fantasizing about a dramatic exit? Before you burn bridges, this episode dives into the psychology of revenge quitting and why it’s often more damaging than liberating. While the impulse to quit in protest is understandable, the long-term consequences—especially in today’s uncertain job market—can be severe.In this episode, you'll learn: ✔ The psychology behind revenge quitting and why it feels so satisfying ✔ How shifting job market trends make impulsive exits riskier ✔ Three major risks: extended job searches, burned bridges, and AI-driven job cuts ✔ Smart alternatives, including “quietly preparing” for a strategic departure✔ How negotiating workplace changes might provide a temporary solution ✔ The importance of leaving professionally to protect future opportunities ✔ How to build your Mid-Career GPS for a thoughtful and strategic career transitionYour career is too valuable to risk on an impulsive decision. Instead of making an emotional exit, learn how to transition professionally and strategically on your terms.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.