E278｜62% of mid-career women want a change. So what’s holding them back?, asks Jenn Barnett
Jenn Barnett turned a life-altering health crisis into a life-affirming career pivot. But a comprehensive survey of 600+ mid-career professional women (those with 10-25 years’ experience), commissioned by Jenn in her role as head of equity, inclusion, and diversity at Grant Thornton UK, has revealed that pivoting your career comes with its own set of challenges. So while her report found that: 💠 62% of women have considered switching career paths💠 With over 25% aiming to make this change within the next five years💠 And a whopping 77% have taken career breaks during their professional livesWomen face a number of barriers that often prevent them from making career changes. Jenn outlines the top 3 in this episode of the Career Interrupted podcast, but she also highlights a more troubling issue: only 31% of organisations offer opportunities for retraining.So, what’s the solution? Tune in to hear Jenn’s thoughts and what the 600 women she surveyed had to say.And listen out for: [00:48] Dealing with the impact of illness.[06:51] Realising you’re completely different once you’ve got through trauma. [09:28] The mid-career crunch point for women. [11:09] The top 3 barriers women face in pivoting their careers. [12:26] 90% of respondents said this one thing helped reassess their skills. [14:16] The in-demand skills that’ll futureproof your career.[16:10] What can organisations do to close the gender gap? Want to know more?✅ Listen to the full episode✅ Download the full report ✅ Join the conversation in the comments on our socials and tell us what’s holding you back in your career journey.Love our podcast? Leave a review and get hold of our Quick Start Podcast Guide.For all the links and resources mentioned in this episode, visit TechPixies.comWant to get in touch? We'd love to hear from you.Follow us on social media @techpixies and ping us a DM or drop us a line at support@techpixies.com Thanks for listening!
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E277｜Autism, ADHD and the business that’s breaking down barriers to work with Lillie Jamieson
If you’re neurodiverse…Or know someone who is constantly battling an exhausting cycle of trying to fit in to workplaces that just don’t seem to get them…Or you’re an employer and want to better understand how you create a more inclusive workplace…You need to get Lillie Jamieson and her sister Alex on speed dial. Because after receiving their own diagnoses for ADHD and autism and realising that it was the workplace that needed to change, not them, they created a business helping those with neurodevelopmental differences break through barriers at work. And with just 22% of people with autism in some kind of paid work and research suggesting that up to 50% of managers feel uncomfortable employing anyone with ADHD, change can’t come soon enough. Why you should tune inHear what happened when Lillie and Alex launched their business in lockdown and what Lillie learned about her own communication style. Discover exactly what Send it to Alex does and how it can help you or someone you care about, and learn why sometimes, you’ve got to take a step back to move forward. Here’s what to listen out for:[03:50] Realising you don’t fit into a company. [05:49] Launching a safe space for neurodiverse people during lockdown. [09:30] How do you adapt to different communication styles? [13:58] The shocking stats around autism and employment.[17:10] What studies say about inclusive workplaces.[19:10] When moving forward is actually about taking a step back. If you believe more inclusive, equitable workplaces should already be at the top of the agenda, don’t just tune into this podcast. Spread the word! Love our podcast? Leave a review and get hold of our Quick Start Podcast Guide.For details of links and resources mentioned in this episode, visit TechPixies.comWant to get in touch? We'd love to hear from you.Follow us on social media @techpixies and ping us a DM or drop us a line at support@techpixies.com Thanks for listening!
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E276｜Bias in the boardroom. Is your weight affecting your pay and career progression? With Napala Pratini
We all know gender inequality exists in the workplace. But there’s another kind of bias that’s been quietly derailing women’s careers… and it’s time we brought it into the spotlight. According to Napala Pratini, co-founder of Habitual, a revolutionary digital platform helping people lose weight and reverse type 2 diabetes, studies show that women living with obesity are often seen as ‘less productive, less professional, lacking in self-discipline and less likely to lead’.Meanwhile, men? They can be overweight and still get a pass to top. 🤯But there is hope as well as powerful tools for change.Tune in to hear:🎧 How society and employers judge women based on weight🎧 Why weight-loss medication alone isn’t the answer🎧 How Habitual combines science, behaviour change, and mindset work to support long-term transformationHere’s what to listen out for:Here’s what to listen out for:[00:46] What is Habitual?[02:53] How does weight affect your career? [05:53] Where could your weight-loss journey take you? [07:42] Is weight-loss medication the silver bullet it’s being painted to be? [11:45] How do you deal with other people’s perception of a ‘new you’? If you’ve ever felt judged or held back because of your appearance, this episode will validate your experience – and give you the tools to fight back.Love our podcast? Leave a review and get hold of our Quick Start Podcast Guide.For details of links and resources mentioned in this episode, visit TechPixies.comWant to get in touch? We'd love to hear from you.Follow us on social media @techpixies and ping us a DM or drop us a line at support@techpixies.com Thanks for listening!
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E275 | In perimenopause or post-menopause? Alison Urquhart asks, Are you getting enough protein?
Feeling like your energy’s on empty? Struggling to climb the stairs without needing a breather? Metabolism slowed to a snail’s pace? Welcome to the rollercoaster of perimenopause and post-menopause, where hormones go haywire, energy tanks, and your body suddenly seems to be working against you.But you don’t have to just push through the fatigue, brain fog, and muscle loss any longer.In this episode of Career Interrupted, women’s health, fitness and wellbeing coach Alison Urquhart reveals her nutrition and strength training strategies that are helping women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond feel stronger, leaner, and more alive than they have in years.What you’ll discover: ✅ Why women in midlife must lift weights ✅ The magic of protein for fat loss, muscle retention, and hormone balance✅ Simple, actionable tips to start fuelling your body the right way.What to listen out for:[01:24] Feeling like you’ve hit a wall? You’re not alone.[07:49] The #1 reason women over 40 should lift weights[11:07] Exactly how much protein you should be eating in perimenopause[13:27] Easy, protein-packed foods to boost energy and strength[17:03] The best time to eat after a workout to support recoverySo, if you’re wondering how much protein you need and exactly what you should be eating to hit your daily quota, press play on this episode of Career Interrupted and get set to feel stronger, happier and healthier through your 40s, 50s and beyond.Love our podcast? Leave a review and get hold of our Quick Start Podcast Guide.For links and resources mentioned in this episode, visit TechPixies.comWant to get in touch? We'd love to hear from you.Follow us on social media @techpixies and ping us a DM or drop us a line at support@techpixies.com Thanks for listening!
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E274｜How to leave a toxic workplace when you have no plan B with Dr Victoria Stakelum
Would you walk away from a high-paying job……with no backup plan, a new baby, and a hefty mortgage on a new house?This was exactly the situation Dr Victoria Stakelum was faced with when she returned from maternity leave and found the toxic culture she’d worked so hard to transform had returned… in little more than 8 weeks.Faced with a choice between job security and integrity, Victoria opted to take a big, bold leap into the unknown and resigned.And she had one of the best years of her life.Why you should tune inIn this episode, you’ll hear how Victoria tapped into a hustle mindset, rewrote her career story, and why she believes curiosity is the ultimate superpower when you have no safety net.Whether you're stuck in a job that's draining you or dreaming of a life that feels more aligned to who you really are, you need to hear this.Here's what to listen out for:[01:17] Dealing with a toxic workplace.[08:36] The surprising gifts of a hustle mentality.[11:21] What no one tells you about going solo.[17:06] The internal obstacles that hold us back.[21:06] Why curiosity can be your compass.[23:35] What it really takes to retrain and reinvent yourself.Dr Victoria Stakelum’s story is proof that your most terrifying leap in life could lead to your most powerful transformation.Love our podcast? Leave a review and get hold of our Quick Start Podcast Guide.For details of links and resources mentioned in this episode, visit TechPixies.comWant to get in touch? We'd love to hear from you.Follow us on social media @techpixies and ping us a DM or drop us a line at support@techpixies.com Thanks for listening!
Redundancy, maternity leave, perimenopause, menopause, illness, caregiving for elderly parents. Sound familiar? If you're a women in midlife, chances are you've experienced one or more of these transitions and challenges. And chances are you've had to hit the pause button on your career. But does an interrupted career automatically mean your earning potential, career progression and skill set are negatively impacted? If you're struggling to get back into the workplace or you're trying to figure out what path is right for you after taking a career break - whether planned or not - Career Interrupted draws on the journeys of women who have faced career disruptions and emerged stronger than ever. Each weekly episode features candid conversations with resilient women who have navigated life's unexpected challenges and rebuilt their professional lives. Through these honest and engaging interviews, you'll gain valuable insights into the strategies, mindsets, and resources that have helped these women reclaim their careers and redefine success on their own terms. Whether you're currently facing a career interruption or simply seeking inspiration from women who've triumphed over adversity, Career Interrupted offers a wealth of wisdom, practical advice, and motivation to help you navigate your own professional journey. Join us as we celebrate the strength, adaptability, and determination of women who refuse to let life's interruptions define their careers or their worth.
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