I want to talk about something I’ve been hearing over and over again from brilliant, experienced professionals: boredom at work. Not the low-level kind we all get from time to time—but chronic, energy-draining, soul-dimming boredom.

This episode is grounded in new research from the Midlife Work-Life Satisfaction Report, which drew insights from over 1,000 midlife professionals. And one thing was glaring: 97% said they want to do more meaningful work. That’s not a typo.

In this episode, I walk you through:

• What chronic boredom really looks like at midlife
• The 3 distinct types of boredom I uncovered in my research
• How each type chips away at your joy, energy, and engagement
• A more nuanced way to reconnect with work that matters more

You’ll also hear a bit about my own experience with boredom coma—and how I found my way out.

If any of this feels painfully familiar, you’re not broken. But you might be overdue for a redesign.

👉 Ready to do something about it? Work with me

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Midlife Work-Life Satisfaction Report

This episode is a little different.

I’ve been experimenting again, and this time, I teamed up with my younger brother to bring a long-simmering idea to life — a short film about one of the most overlooked emotions at work: boredom.

We talk about how stress gets all the attention in work dissatisfaction stories, but boredom — quiet, creeping, and often ignored — is doing damage in the background. And if we miss its early signals, we often end up with a combo of burnout and boredom that’s hard to escape.

I share a personal story, a client vignette, and an invitation to notice boredom earlier — when it can still guide us to something more joyful.

🎬 Want the visual version? Watch the 3-minute video here: The Most Dangerously Overlooked Emotion at Work

If you’re suffering from chronic boredom and want help to redesign more enJOYment into your work life, go to MidlifeUnstuck.com to learn how.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• A special thanks to Brendan and Sam at Kaios Media for bringing this to life.
• The Derailed Diagnostic: A 30-minute life satisfaction assessment

Ever hit “send” on a big report or finish a massive project, and instead of feeling relief... you still feel wired, tense, or ready for the next punch? In this solo episode, I answer a listener question about that exact experience—and explain why your brain might think you’re done, but your body is still stuck on the rollercoaster of stress.

I’ll walk you through six surprisingly simple, science-backed ways to complete the stress cycle—so you don’t carry tension home or pass it onto your loved ones.

If you've ever felt like you're bracing for impact long after the storm has passed, this one's for you.

🌀 Key Topics Covered:

• Why your body stays in stress even when your mind moves on

• The “unfinished rollercoaster” of emotions

• 6 practical ways to complete the stress cycle

• How to avoid bringing work tension into your home life

• Why creativity and laughter are legit biological reset buttons

👉 Mentioned in This Episode:

• 2025 Midlife Work-Life Satisfaction Report
• Curious what joy might look like for you? Explore what’s possible

If you think conflict at work is something to avoid—or outsource to HR—this episode might just change your mind.

My guest, NadeenSivic, has spent nearly three decades leading tech teams across Australia and the UK. She’s known as “the fixer” of messy teams and offers a street-smart, no-nonsense lens on workplace conflict: not as a problem, but as a natural part of work that every manager needs to master.

We talk about:

• Why conflict is not the enemy
• The difference between contrast, friction, and true conflict
• Why most mid-level managers are thrown into the “execution mosh pit” without proper tools
• Nadeen’s dead-simple “Said / Done / Produced” framework you can try in your next Teams meeting

You’ll laugh, nod, and quite possibly see your last team meeting in a whole new light.

🎯 Ready to lead with more confidence and fewer HR escalations?

Join the waitlist for The Manager’s Lab: www.the-managers-lab.com

Ever stumbled when someone asked, “So, tell me about yourself?” You’re not alone—and the good news? You can get better at it.

This week, I answer a listener question about the most deceptively simple interview prompt there is—and why your answer might be derailing more than your confidence.

I’ll walk you through:

• What this question really means (hint: it’s not a test)
• Why reviewing your CV from the past 20 years is not the story to tell
• Three different approaches that make you memorable—not forgettable

Whether you’re in the middle of interviews or just rethinking how you present yourself, this is your reminder: you don’t need to be dull, and you don’t need to shrink. You just need to show up as the version of you that brings energy, clarity, and value.

🎧 Press play, and let’s design the joyful version of you they can’t ignore.

👉 Need help finding your superpowers?

Check out this starter kit: https://midlifeunstuck.activehosted.com/f/17

Am I Too Old To Change Careers?

This question came from a listener who asked: “I'm 62—am I too old to change careers?”

I remember a conversation with a Speedy Sherpa client in his 50s that sent me down a rabbit hole looking for what I began calling "the unicorns"—people in their 60s who weren’t just working, but thriving in meaningful full-time roles. And yes, I found them. But they didn’t get there by accident.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

• Why “Corporate Toast at 50” is still far too common
• What thriving 60-somethings do differently
• The real reason career joy is rare—but not impossible—after 60
• And why you don’t need permission… you just need a plan.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “too late” to make a change—this one’s for you.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• The Speedy Sherpa Programme: https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/the-redesign
• Article: 50 Year Old “Corporate Toast” https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/new-blog-1/2017/9/20/50-year-old-corporate-toast
• The (2025) Midlife Work-Life Satisfaction Report - https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/new-blog-1/2025/midlife-worklife-satisfaction

In this episode of Joy at Work, I reconnect with my old friend and ex-colleague Nia Trussler, now an Associate Partner at Page Executive. We worked together in the headhunting world over a decade ago, and today, she joins me to shed light on a powerful shift in how companies are selecting senior leaders.

Gone are the days when only linear, polished blue-chip CVs were the golden ticket. Nia shares how companies are now valuing non-linear, innovative career paths—those who’ve zig-zagged, pivoted, and taken unconventional routes.

We discuss:

• The rising demand for complex, multidimensional leadership roles
• Why traditional career ladders are no longer the norm
• The power of your neglected network
• How to get noticed by headhunters today (even if you’re not marketing yourself)

This one is packed with real insight from the other side of the hiring table. Whether you’re rethinking your next move or curious about how the exec job market is evolving, you’ll want to tune in.

🔗 Ready to explore what’s next for you? Start with the Derailed Life Satisfaction Assessment – it’s the perfect entry point to begin your career redesign.

Have you been ignoring the rattles in your career for a while?

In this episode of Joy at Work, I answer a heartfelt listener question: “When is the best time to change careers after 40?”

If you're over 40 and feeling that something's just... off — like you're driving a car that no longer fits the journey you're on — you're not alone. I talk through the quiet warning signs that we so often ignore, and the real cost of waiting too long to make a change.

Midlife career change isn’t about starting over. It’s about tuning up, resetting your GPS, and taking the next small, intentional step.

🔧 You don’t need to burn it all down — but you do need to lift the bonnet and take a look inside.

🎁 If you’re feeling stuck in a career cul-de-sac, grab this mini-worksheet on questions worth answering:

👉 Download the Free Guided Worksheet