“Change is messy, but it’s also fertile ground. Pause. Rest. Play. Try. Restart. The five steps aren’t a life ‘hack’ , they're a thinking space to get you through so that you can find joy, calm and opportunity amongst the chaos.”

How good are you at navigating change? What happens when life throws you out of your comfort zone and into the unknown? How do you let go, rest, experiment, and eventually restart when you’re not sure what comes next?

This special episode celebrates the launch of Another Door Opens: 5 steps for navigating change, my latest book guiding you through the real, messy, emotional process of change. Guest host Mark Shayler (author, speaker, environmental consultant, and spoon-carver extraordinaire!) interviews yours truly for a raw, uncensored conversation about what inspired the book, the ideas behind the 5 steps, how we can do change better and how we all struggle (and grow) through the in-between.

This one’s for anyone experiencing change at work or in life, starting over, or supporting others navigating their own doors closing and opening.

The Highlights:

05:10 Why the book is needed and the dangers of getting stuck in old patterns
07:11 The practice of “letting go”, why it’s so hard, the letter to your closing door, and honouring your old self
12:30 The gift of the in-between: embracing messiness and the discomfort of pausing
17:13 Rest as resistance: radical naps and breaking the “busy” spell
19:30 Five steps to navigating change: Pause, Mess, Play, Try, Restart how to use the framework and why it's not strictly linear
24:53 Why play feels uncomfortable for adults!
33:02 Permission to feel everything, staying with uncomfortable emotions, and why it can be magical
35:22 Using music, movement, and collective energy as fuel in times of change
38:49 Purpose (without grandiosity): showing up for what matters today, and reframing the “why”
45:03 What businesses (and all of us!) get wrong about change, and the importance of benefit mindset
59:48 Making change stick

Some ideas to help you navigate change:

• Write a letter to your closing door

• Get to know new you in this moment

• Get playful: try curiosity as a little rebellion

• Frameworks are thinking spaces, not tick-lists

• Build up your capacity and energy, then press restart with intention

About Mark Shayler:
Mark is an author, sustainability expert, provoker of purpose, breathwork practitioner, and, most importantly, a granddad. He works with businesses to reduce their environmental impact. He's worked with the world's biggest and smallest companies and he's saved his clients over $200 million per year through better environmental performance. His latest book is "You Can't Make Money from a Dead Planet."

Connect with Mark:

Website: https://www.markshayler.com/

Work with Eleanor:

Buy the Book - Another Door Opens out now. 5 steps for navigating change. Described as ‘Game changing’ ‘Brilliant’ ‘A must read’ ‘The best book on change’.

Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it’s coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.

Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched.

Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change.

Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work.

Join the Another Door Opens 5 Step Programme - a course and community to guide you through the mess of change to find calm, joy and opportunity.

Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/

Website: www.another-door-opens.com

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

“If you look back on your life and see that you would have done something differently, that means you’re wiser now than you were then. And that means, by definition, the best thing you’ve ever done is ahead of you and will always be ahead of you.”

What happens when you walk away from the thing that defined you, your job, your identity, your sense of success and step into a space of not knowing?

In this episode, I speak to writer, entrepreneur, and all-around inspiring human, Dan Kieran. The co-founder of the pioneering publishing platform Unbound, Dan shares his story of closing the door and walking away from his creation, his vision, but knowing it was time to move on.

Dan shares the exhaustion of life as a CEO, the ego death that comes from letting go, and the unexpected joy (and financial precarity!) of redefining what success means on your own terms.

So tune-in if you’ve ever wondered whether it’s time to move on, felt stuck in a life that looks “successful” on the outside, or craved permission to pursue meaning over metrics.

The Highlights:

04:07 How Unbound was created and the rollercoaster ride of startup life

10:44 When the hot streak ends: pandemic, VCs, and knowing when you’re done

14:55 Identity loss, ego death, and what’s left when the title disappears

17:21 Carl Jung, two adulthoods, and why your second act is worth celebrating

22:13 Why “not knowing” your next step is a huge opportunity

24:05 Practical advice: preparing for change without a perfect plan

27:49 Bringing your family (and your honesty) with you through change

30:06 Autotelic living: doing things for their own sake, not just the external rewards.

What helped Dan navigate change:

Soundtrack: Birdsong, especially blackbirds in the garden and forest. Dan recommends getting outside, into nature, as a grounding soundtrack for big transitions.

Book: The Middle Passage by James Hollis

One piece of advice: “If you look back and see that you would have done something differently, that means you’re wiser now. So the best genuinely is ahead of you, don’t let anyone (especially yourself) tell you otherwise. Back yourself.”

About Dan Kieran:

Dan is the author of 14 books including the Business Book Award Winner - Do Start: How to create and run a business (that doesn't run you) where he tells the story of his own entrepreneurial journey with the publishing platform Unbound.

Having left the business in 2022, he now works as a Fractional co-founder with female founders and diverse teams who are building companies that will help create a more sustainable and ethical world.

Website: dankieran.com

Work with Eleanor:

Buy the Book - Another Door Opens out now. 5 steps for navigating change. Described as ‘Game changing’ ‘Brilliant’ ‘A must read’ ‘The best book on change’.

Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it’s coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.

Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched.

Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change.

Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work.

Join the Another Door Opens 5 Step Programme - a course and community to guide you through the mess of change to find calm, joy and opportunity.

Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/

Website: www.another-door-opens.com

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

"Are you at least willing to push through the discomfort so that the team can win, so that your family can win, so that the mission can win and ultimately perhaps so that you can win?”

Have you ever had life slam a door in your face maybe even in the most public way possible? What if, in that moment, you could hit pause, dig into the mess, and come out the other side with fresh lessons (and maybe even a laugh or two)? In this episode, I talk to executive coach and all-around inspiring human, Brandon Clift. Brandon shares his spectacular "door closed" moment on national TV as a contestant on Australian Ninja Warrior, and the series of reflections and transformations that followed his Ninja splashdown.

This conversation dives (literally at some points) right into the messy reality of change, confidence, ego, failure, and finding humility when life doesn’t go to plan. Brandon gets honest about what happens when your head gets a little too big, and how embracing the true lessons in failure can completely shift your story. If you’ve ever been blindsided by an unexpected turn, questioned your own confidence, or wondered how to pick yourself up, this episode is for you.

The Highlights:

04:24 From gymnastics to van life: when breakdowns lead to breakthroughs

08:40 Why extreme confidence can tip into arrogance

13:03 Ninja Warrior: the inside story

19:28 When overconfidence means you miss the details right in front of you

23:16 Identifying personal blind spots and rewriting old stories

27:12 Shadow work, childhood beliefs, and facing your own truth

34:44 The power in detaching from outcomes (and why Buddhist wisdom beats business hype)

38:31 Supporting others, men’s circles, and getting out of your own head

41:57 From Ninja crash test to executive coach.

What helped Brandon navigate change:

Soundtrack: “It’s Nice To Be Alive” by Ball Park Music

Book: Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink

One piece of advice: “Take stock of the stories you’re telling yourself as to why you’re resisting the change and find a path through, with kindness, mentorship, and community. Change is inevitable, ask how it might be happening for you, not to you.”

After representing Australia as a competitive Gymnast, Brandon channeled his passion for performance and coaching into founding Zone, a fitness and wellness company that became #1 in its industry and earned him a nomination for Young Entrepreneur of the Year before its successful sale.

Brandon then moved to the U.S., where he expanded his coaching into sales, marketing, leadership, and emotional intelligence training where he has partnered with companies like AT&T, Volkswagen, Lulu Lemon, and United Healthcare.

Outside of work, Brandon is passionate about issues faced by boys and men, a passion that led him to host The Mankind Podcast, a Top 1% show that reaches thousands of men weekly.

Website: brandonclift.com

Work with Eleanor:

Buy the Book - Another Door Opens out now. 5 steps for navigating change. Described as ‘Game changing’ ‘Brilliant’ ‘A must read’ ‘The best book on change’.

Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it’s coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.

Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched.

Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change.

Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work.

Join the Another Door Opens 5 Step Programme - a course and community to guide you through the mess of change to find calm, joy and opportunity.

Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/

Website: www.another-door-opens.com

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

“When you're too comfortable, when you have space to overthink, then nothing happens... But when there’s fire under you, you have to move, or you die.”

In this episode, we are joined by Mike Morrison, entrepreneur, founder of Membership Geeks, and a true veteran of life’s unexpected detours.

Mike shares openly about the many doors that have closed throughout his career and personal life, including the literal locked door that ended his "secure" marketing job, relationship breakdowns, and the surprising, sudden departure of his co-founder. Each setback forced Mike to reimagine what was next, galvanising him to build something new from the ashes.

We talk about the uncomfortable, messy bits of change: how the emergency of a closed door can often push us toward clarity, the myth of job security, and why sometimes losing everything is the spark you need to re-launch.

The Highlights:

04:30 The closed door: a company goes into administration, a post-it note, and no safety net

09:51 Losing both a job and a marriage

14:08 Why real change means letting go of comfort, overthinking, and pride

18:32 “Doing my own thing” from hustling for clients to growing a multi-seven figure business

24:19 Why how you handle each closed door will change over time

28:33 Finding clarity in chaos, and the unexpected freedom of taking action

35:33 Coping with big business changes: when your co-founder leaves

40:00 Slowing down, survival mode, and not rushing the ‘new normal’

41:31 Developing your way of managing change, even when the path isn’t clear.

What helped Mike navigate change:

Soundtrack: Anything from the albums Mesmerize and Hypnotize by System of a Down.

Book: Go It Alone by Geoff Burch (for practical, no-nonsense business advice); The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k by Mark Manson

One piece of advice: “Try and think of what this change makes possible even the smallest things. Sit with a pen and notebook and ask: what doors does this open? You can always find something to latch onto in the mess.”

About Mike Morrison:

Mike Morrison is founder of the Membership Geeks and Membership Academy, where he's been the driving force behind countless successful membership businesses for over a decade.

He’s the host of a popular podcast, author of 3 best-selling books, and can regularly be found on stages around the world at events including Social Media Marketing World, Atomicon and Podcast Movement.

But it's not all been smooth sailing. From starting a business in the depths of depression, to experiencing multiple early failures and pivots, the path to success was a bumpy one. With perhaps the biggest curveball coming with the sudden exit of his co-founder of 9 years from the business they built together. However the resilience built along the way helped him navigate these obstacles and come out of the other side even stronger.

Website: membershipgeeks.co

Work with Eleanor:

Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it’s coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.

Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched.

Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change.

Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work.

Join the Another Door Opens 5 Step Programme - a course and community to guide you through the mess of change to find calm, joy and opportunity.

Buy the Book - Another Door Opens - 5 steps for navigating change.

Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/

Website: www.another-door-opens.com

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

“Resist that urge to jump right into job applications and start applying. You want to give yourself some space to process what you've been through and maybe avoid making any big decisions."

In this episode, we have Steve Jaffe, author of The Layoff Journey: From Dismissal to Discovery. Steve has been laid off four times during his career each time making space for reflection, resilience, and ultimately, growth.

We talk about the messy middle: what it really feels like to lose your job, how to process grief and anger, and why hope, connection, and self-care make all the difference. Steve shares stories from his own journey, what he’s learned from starting over. We chat about why you should always keep building your network, and how every door that closes can make room for unexpected opportunities.

The Highlights:

04:06 Why now is the time for authentic conversations about job loss

06:32 Steve’s first layoff, the loss of confidence, and an unexpected popcorn-scented flashback

10:37 Keep going vs. giving up, and the role of hope

11:48 After every layoff I’ve always come back stronger.

13:48 Not settling - why your next job could be an upgrade

15:25 Building real relationships (before you need them!) and helping others

20:32 The mind-body-spirit approach to dealing with a setback

23:14 Why layoffs are so common (40% of Americans!)

30:15 Why you need to let yourself feel all the feelings

40:10 What’s Next: Steve hints at writing another book!

What helped Steve navigate change:

Soundtrack: Unstoppable by Sia, Freedom by Beyoncé, Closing Time by Semisonic

Book: Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing

One piece of advice: “A closed door is not the end of the story, it's an invitation to something new. Give yourself some grace in that messy middle and pause for growth.”

About Steve Jaffe

2024 taught Steve that marketing strategy and writing a book have more in common than you’d think. Both require a deep understanding of your audience, a compelling narrative, and the resilience to keep pushing forward.

After 25 years in marketing, Steve learned that the most powerful marketing isn’t about selling, it’s about connecting. Whether Steve is consulting for organisations or writing a book, the core skill remains the same: crafting clear, resonant, and meaningful communication.

Connect with Steve:

Website: thestevejaffe.com

Book: The Layoff Journey: From Dismissal to Discovery

Work with Eleanor:

Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it’s coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.

Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched.

Book in a Change Mastery for teams session - when your team is navigating change.

Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work.

Join the Another Door Opens 5 Step Programme - a course and community to guide you through the mess of change to find calm, joy and opportunity.

Buy the Book - Another Door Opens - 5 steps for navigating change.

Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/

Website: www.another-door-opens.com

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

“Sympathy is rushing to turn the light on into someone’s darkness so that we feel better, whereas empathy is being prepared to sit with somebody in their darkness and connect with them and just be there for them.”

In this episode, I’m joined by June Hogan. June helps organisations to do redundancy and layoffs well! So of course I’m a fan. It’s never easy or simple when companies have to let people go, but it can be done well, and with empathy and fairness. This is what June’s work is all about.

We talk about the difference between empathy and sympathy when you are leading change, or letting your team go. How organisations can do redundancies well.

And June shares her story of embracing life-changing moments, sitting with the discomfort of the unknown, and discovering that transformation can often be waiting on the other side of uncertainty.

Our conversation is all about what it means to open new doors in your life and career. Whether you’re facing redundancy, longing for something different, or simply rethinking your relationship with work, we dig into the messy, honest reality of change. June shares the wisdom she's gained from not just walking through her own doors, but from supporting others.

The highlights:

04:09 From HR to Coach: June’s pivot

11:32 Finding your niche after redundancy

14:16 The myth of having it all figured out (and why it’s okay to be “messy”)

17:46 Re-thinking identity, self-worth, and shame after losing your job

18:49 The overlooked emotional toll of delivering bad news at work

23:50 Sympathy vs. Empathy (and how to truly support people in tough moments)

32:35 The pace of change: why redundancy and layoffs feel more sudden than ever

36:07 The double-edged sword of too much (or too little) warning

43:28 How to give yourself permission to “pause” and feel during change

Things that help June navigate change:

Soundtrack: “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake (yes, the Trolls movie one).

Books: The Gifts of Imperfection and Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown

One piece of advice: “Just acknowledge how you’re feeling, don’t rush it, and give yourself permission to take time and reach out to others. Slowing down doesn’t mean standing still. It’s about bringing self-awareness to what’s really happening, so you can move forward on your own terms.”

About June Hogan

June understands the emotional and practical challenges of both delivering and receiving difficult news. Having experienced redundancy herself, twice, she appreciates how tough that journey can be. After redundancy, she took a career break overseas and pursued professional coach training. She found the experience life-changing and returned to the UK with a clear vision: to launch her own outplacement firm. Wildwood Coaching was founded in 2019.

Her specialism in outplacement support reflects a combination of personal experience, professional coaching qualifications, and core values. June has built a trusted team of experienced, qualified associates who share a commitment to a person-centred and empathetic approach.

Website: www.wildwoodcoaching.co.uk

Work with Eleanor

Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it’s coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.

Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched.

Book in a Change Mastery for teams session - when your team is navigating change.

Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work.

Join the Another Door Opens 5 Step Programme - a course and community to guide you through the mess of change to find calm, joy and opportunity.

Buy the Book - Another Door Opens - 5 steps to navigating change.

Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/

Website: www.another-door-opens.com

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

"You can have a bad day, some days, that's fine. But then at some point, you've got to go, all right, I've got to take a little bit of responsibility now and get on with this."

In this ‘epic’ (long!) episode, I sit down with Chris Hirst, author known for his “no bullsh*t” approach to leadership and work. We go deep, wide and around the block talking about the realities and myths of career progression, change, redundancy, and what it really means to be a leader.

Chris shares transformative moments in his career, including going to Harvard and facing redundancy, and how these experiences shaped his perspective on success, self-identity, and responsibility.

If you’re questioning your next step, looking for the truth about modern leadership, or searching for practical wisdom on navigating the world of work, this will give you plenty to reflect on (and maybe even prompt some action).

The highlights:

05:04 Chris’s “door closing” moments: Harvard revelations and sudden redundancy

08:24 Why losing your job is so disorientating and what nobody tells you about structure

13:25 The underrated power of curiosity (and why not having answers is okay)

20:12 Doing “everything right”…and still struggling (it’s not just you)

25:58 Why the biggest barrier to your own success is (usually) you

28:26 The pivotal experience that changed Chris’s self-narrative forever

33:11 Why moments of struggle aren’t wrong, they’re just life

38:06 The real reason vulnerability is hard at work (and that awkward HR conversation)

01:01:06 Finding comfort in what you’re good at, not just escaping to something new

The things that help Chris navigate change:

Activities: Playing tennis and writing

Books: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John le Carré; Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel, and Citizens by Simon Schama.

One piece of advice:

“Nobody’s coming to save you. Ultimately, the thing that’s either going to move you forward or get in your way, is you. Take ownership, even just 1% more.”

About Chris Hirst:

With more than a decade of experience in Global and UK CEO positions, Chris is widely recognised as an innovative and inspirational leader with a proven track record of successful business transformation guiding businesses to record growth and lasting repetitional change. He is the author of the best-selling and award winning book No Bullsh*t Leadership and No Bullsh*t Change.

His new book, Indispensable:The No Bullsh*t Guide to Career Success is for anyone who wants to build a better career, on their own terms.

Connect with Chris:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/chris-hirst-4b77882/

Website: chrishirst.com

About your host Eleanor Tweddell:

Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it’s 121 coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training. Eleanor’s work centres around how we, as humans, work through change, embracing the messy bits, the role of playing, with the aim to see opportunity. “Too often we get stuck in the change happening to us, when just through that next door is an exciting next chapter.”

Eleanor is the founder of Another Door, and author of Another Door Opens - 5 steps for navigating change in life and at work.

Connect with Eleanor:

Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/

Website: www.another-door-opens.com

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

“I want to frame my journey to be an example, to be a road map, to hand the baton to somebody else, to the next generation.”

In this episode, Marie-Ange Eyoum Tagne, PhD, a product leader, and technologist, shares the inspiration behind her new memoir “For Such a Time Like This”.

From her childhood in Cameroon, dreaming of going to the moon, to leading teams at Meta, Amazon and Yahoo, Marie-Ange’s journey is a powerful testament to following your heart, staying strong, even when everything around you suggests you should be doing something completely different.

Marie-Ange includes a brilliant framework , PURPOSE, to help others navigate challenges. Her book is an incredible memoir about her life, but also a great inspiration and lessons for those following her path.

Here are the highlights:

03:49 Closing a door in tech and how it opened a door to writing

07:34 Why technology is in her DNA, and what’s next

13:00 That vivid childhood moment of ambition

19:46 “Pioneer, not troublemaker” the importance of being a trailblazer

28:13 The meaning behind her book, “For Such a Time Like This”.

32:14 Using the “PURPOSE” framework to help others

41:01 A tribute to her mother, and three generations of women breaking barriers.

Things that helped Marie-Ange navigate change:

Music: “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran

Book: The Bible

One piece of advice:

“Take risk. Take more risk. Don't be afraid to fail. If you never fail, it means you never tried. Every experience prepares you for such a time like this.”

About Dr. Marie-Ange Eyoum Tagne, PhD

Dr. Marie-Ange Eyoum Tagne is a global technology executive, product strategist, coach, mentor and speaker whose journey from hardship to hope has inspired audiences around the world. She has a deep passion to empower the next generation of leaders, especially women and underrepresented minorities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering Mathematics) fields. Born and raised in Cameroon (Central Africa), she came to the U.S. as an international student as a teenager and has since built a thriving career in Silicon Valley while raising a family and serving on multiple boards. A passionate advocate for faith-work integration, Marie-Ange speaks widely on leadership, resilience, and legacy.

She holds a doctorate degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from University of California, Berkeley. And has spent over two decades in product management building consumer electronics products that have impacted the lives of billions of users around the world at big tech companies such as Meta, Amazon, Yahoo, and Intel. She is passionate about redefining success and dismantling barriers. She uses her story to ignite purpose and faith in others.

Connect with Marie-Ange:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-ange-eyoum-tagne/

About your host Eleanor Tweddell:

Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it’s 121 coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training. Eleanor’s work centres around how we, as humans, work through change, embracing the messy bits, the role of playing, with the aim to see opportunity. “Too often we get stuck in the change happening to us, when just through that next door is an exciting next chapter.”

Eleanor is the founder of Another Door Opens - a 5 step programme to navigate change and the author of Why losing your job could be the best thing that ever happened to you.

Connect with Eleanor:

Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/

Website: www.another-door-opens.com

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk