In today’s episode, I’m diving into a powerful yet often overlooked question that can make or break your preparation for career-defining conversations — whether it's an interview, a performance review, or a high-stakes pitch.

This episode was inspired by a recent conversation with one of my coaching clients who is navigating the Career Change Maker Process. As we discussed an upcoming chat she had with a recruiter, one simple question shifted everything for her and I believe it can do the same for you.

What you'll learn:

• The power and importance of preparing for career advancing conversations in the right way
• How to move from reactive to proactive communication
• Why this one question works across interviews, reviews, and pitches

If you want to show up fully prepared and leave a lasting impression in your next important conversation, this episode is a must-listen.

Action Step:

Before your next career conversation, ask yourself: What do I want them to know about me, my experience, and my expertise by the end of this conversation? Then prepare with that focus in mind.

Links & Resources:

• 📖 The One Thing by Gary Keller – Grab the book
  
  
• 💬 Got questions? Email me at janine@careerchangemakers.com
  
  
• ⭐️ Enjoying the podcast? Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts
  or Spotify

Work with Me

• Join the 1:1 coaching waitlist to get started in November
  
  

Connect with Me:

• Instagram: @careerchangemakerspodcast
  
  
• Website: careerchangemakers.com
  
  

Send us a text

🎙️ Celebrate 300 Episodes with Us – Join the Live Podcast Recording!

We’re bringing the Career Change Maker Podcast to life to mark reaching our 300th episode milestone — and you’re invited!

Join host Janine Esbrand and guests for a special live recording and celebration in London, where they’ll be sharing meaningful insights about making purpose-driven career pivots and aligning your career with what matters most.

***Join us for our 300th Episode Celebration***

On Thursday 27th November, we will be coming together to celebrate reaching this amazing milestone with a Live Podcast Recording & Networking Event.

I would love to see you there. Grab your ticket. There are only 30 seats available.

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In this powerful episode, I am joined by fellow career coach Michelle Schafer, who also specialises in career transition and leadership development.

Together, they explore why mastering difficult conversations at work is a critical skill for professional growth and long-term fulfilment.

Michelle shares her personal journey from experiencing job loss twice to building a thriving coaching practice — and how those experiences shaped her belief that real career advancement begins with courageous conversations.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How to confidently navigate difficult conversations that shape your career trajectory
• The mindset shift from waiting for opportunities to creating them through dialogue
• Simple ways to prepare for a meaningful career development conversation
• How to raise your visibility by connecting with colleagues across your organisation
• Why reflection and self-awareness are key to making aligned career decisions

🧭 Action Steps:

1. Reflect: Identify what gives you energy, what drains you, and your non-negotiables.
2. Initiate: Schedule a dedicated career development conversation with your leader — don’t wait for the annual review.
3. Connect: Build internal relationships by being curious, joining cross-functional projects, or engaging in workplace communities.

✨ Memorable Quote:

🔗 Connect with Michelle:

• LinkedIn: Michelle Schafer
• Website: mshafercoaching.ca
• Get a free chapter of her book Cultivating Career Growth: Navigating Transitions with Purpose via her website.

🔗 Connect with Janine

• LinkedIn: Janine Esbrand
• Website: Career Change Makers
• Join the waitlist to explore 1:1 coaching
  
  

Send us a text

🎙️ Celebrate 300 Episodes with Us – Join the Live Podcast Recording!

We’re bringing the Career Change Maker Podcast to life to mark reaching our 300th episode milestone — and you’re invited!

Join host Janine Esbrand and guests for a special live recording and celebration in London, where they’ll be sharing meaningful insights about making purpose-driven career pivots and aligning your career with what matters most.

In this episode of the Career Change Maker Podcast, I explore what it means to redefine career success across different life seasons. From your 20s to your 40s and beyond.

So many ambitious professionals find themselves questioning their path not because they’ve failed, but because they’ve grown. Whether you're stepping into motherhood, supporting ageing parents, or simply feeling out of alignment, this conversation will help you give yourself permission to pause, reflect, and pivot.

I share my personal journey of shifting from corporate law to coaching, and why success needs to evolve with your changing values, energy, and capacity. If you're feeling unfulfilled in your work or wondering if it's "too late" to make a change this episode is your reminder that it’s okay to want something different now.

✅ What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why your brain wasn’t fully ready when you first chose your career path (and why that matters)
• How life events like motherhood or midlife shifts can change what success looks like
• The importance of reassessing your values and capacity in every season
• How misalignment between your work and your values can create burnout or unease
• Practical reflection prompts to help you start redefining success on your terms

💡 Action Steps

1. Reflect on Your Current Season - Ask yourself what success looks like now—not based on old goals or outdated definitions.

2. Identify Value Shifts - Get clear on what matters most to you right now (e.g. flexibility, impact, presence, legacy).

3. Release or Renegotiate - Consider what roles, responsibilities, or expectations may need to shift in order to honour your new definition of success.

Use Reflection Questions:

1. What does success look like in this current season of life?
2. What needs or values are driving me most right now?
3. What might I need to release or renegotiate?

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✨ Let’s Work Together ✨

If you're in a season of career transition and you're ready to create a path that's fully aligned with who you are now, I'd love to support you.

Through my 1:1 coaching programmes, I help ambitious professionals make bold but intentional career moves without sacrificing their lifestyle, income, or sense of self.

👉 Join the waitlist for 1:1 coaching with me

✨ Let’s Meet In-Person ✨

Something exciting is coming 👀

We’re recording the next Career Change Maker Podcast episode LIVE in London — and you could be in the room! Join the waitlist to be the first to grab your spot.

👉 Join the waitlist for early bird access

📚 Resources

• Connect with me on LinkedIn: Janine Esbrand
• Explore more on the website: Career Change Maker Website

Send us a text

🎙️ Celebrate 300 Episodes with Us – Join the Live Podcast Recording!

We’re bringing the Career Change Maker Podcast to life to mark reaching our 300th episode milestone — and you’re invited!

Join host Janine Esbrand and guests for a special live recording and celebration in London, where they’ll be sharing meaningful insights about making purpose-driven career pivots and aligning your career with what matters most.

🎙️ Episode Overview

In this episode of the Career Change Maker Podcast, I dive into the often-overwhelming process of making career decisions - especially for ambitious women facing a sea of possibilities. I explore why more time doesn't always mean more clarity and share how gathering the right kind of data can lead to confident, informed decisions.

I introduce a three-part framework - internal, experiential, and market data - to help you move beyond indecision and toward meaningful action.

Whether you’re considering a career pivot or feeling stuck where you are, this episode will guide you in aligning your next move with who you are and what truly matters.

If you’ve been caught in analysis paralysis or waiting for “the right time” to act, this conversation is your nudge to start exploring intentionally - with strategy and self-awareness.

✅ What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why having too many options can stall your progress.
• The difference between internal, experiential, and market data - and why you need all three.
• How to use data to make strategic, aligned career decisions.
• Why your definition of success may need an update before your next move.

💡 Action Steps

• Collect Internal Data: Reflect on your values, strengths, and what energises you in your current work.
• Test Through Experience: Take small steps - volunteering, side projects, informational interviews - to gather real-world feedback.
• Research the Market: Look into trends, opportunities, and industry needs to ensure your direction is viable.

✨ Let’s Work Together ✨

If you’re ready to make your own transition with clarity and confidence, I’d love to support you. Through my coaching programmes, I help ambitious professionals and emerging leaders take ownership of their career journey, strengthen their leadership, and create meaningful impact.

👉 Join the waitlist for 1:1 coaching with me.

📚 Resources

• Connect with Janine on LinkedIn: Janine Esbrand
• Career Change Maker Website

Send us a text

Send us a text

🎙️ Episode Overview

In this episode of the Career Change Maker Podcast, I’m joined by the amazing Shannon Russell, a former TV producer turned entrepreneur and now author of Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life.

Shannon shares her journey from working in a “dream job” in New York and Los Angeles to realising she wanted more balance, freedom, and presence with her family. We talk candidly about the messy middle of career transitions, how to recognise your transferable skills, and why your why is the anchor that keeps you steady through change.

If you’ve been contemplating a pivot but fear the sacrifice or uncertainty, this conversation will show you that it’s possible to reinvent yourself, strategically and successfully, in your second act.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

✅ How Shannon transitioned from TV production to running her own business.
✅ The journalling method she used to uncover her transferable skills.
✅ How to create a financial and mental runway for a career change.
✅ The power of knowing your why when people question your choices.

Action Steps

💡 Journal your own skill inventory — write down everything you do in your role and circle what could be transferable elsewhere.
💡 Map your financial runway: define your “enough” number and how long you could sustain yourself while building something new.
💡 Anchor your why: write it down and keep it visible for moments when doubts or outside opinions feel overwhelming.

✨ Let’s Work Together ✨

If you’re ready to make your own transition with clarity and confidence, I’d love to support you. Through my coaching programmes, I help ambitious professionals and emerging leaders take ownership of their career journey, strengthen their leadership, and create meaningful impact.

👉 Book a call with me here to explore your next steps.

📚 Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode

• Shannon’s website: secondactsuccess.co
• Book: Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life by Shannon Russell
• Connect with Shannon on LinkedIn: Shannon Russell
• Connect with Janine on LinkedIn: Janine Esbrand
• Career Change Maker Website

Send us a text

🎙️ Episode Overview

In this episode of the Career Change Maker Podcast, I dive into the idea of a September reset — a chance to treat this time of year like a second new year for your career and personal growth.

I share lessons from my own recovery journey after rupturing my Achilles, where I’ve had to lean into resilience, patience, and consistency. Even when progress felt invisible, I realised the importance of acknowledging the small wins that build strength over time.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, off track, or in need of a boost, this episode will help you embrace September as the perfect moment to refocus, reset, and move forward with clarity.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ Why September is a powerful time to reset and refocus your career.
✅ The hidden value of consistency, even when results aren’t immediately visible.
✅ How recovery and resilience can teach you to embrace growth in challenging seasons.

Action Steps:

💡 Reflect on one career or personal goal that you want to reset and refocus on this month.
💡 Identify where you’ve been putting in unseen effort — and celebrate that progress.
💡 Commit to one consistent action you’ll take this September to build momentum.

✨ Let’s Work Together ✨

If you’re ready to refocus your career and want support in navigating your next steps with clarity and confidence, I’d love to help. Through my coaching experiences, I work with ambitious professionals and emerging leaders to build momentum, strengthen their leadership, and create careers that feel fulfilling and impactful.

👉 Learn more and apply to work with me HERE.

Resources:

• Work with Janine
• Join our Career Navigator Substack community
• Follow Janine Esbrand on Instagram
• Connect with Janine Esbrand on LinkedIn
• Subscribe to Janine Esbrand's YouTube Channel

Send us a text

🎙️ Episode Overview

In this episode of the Career Change Maker Podcast, I’m joined by Elizabeth Lotardo, Author of Leading Yourself, employee engagement consultant, and LinkedIn Learning instructor who has taught over two million people how to lead themselves.

Elizabeth shares the surprising findings from her extensive research into what drives true employee engagement and why the real key isn’t the conditions you work in, but the skills and mindsets you develop to engage yourself no matter the circumstances.

We explore practical strategies for cultivating radical accountability, shifting from output-based to input-based goals, and finding meaning even in challenging situations.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. The skillset behind engagement – Why self-leadership is the foundation for sustained motivation and performance, regardless of external factors.
2. Mindset shifts that make a difference – Four consistent mental habits of highly engaged people across industries and roles.
3. Practical tools to lead yourself – From the “This Is My Chance” reframe to input-based goal setting, how to stay empowered in your career.

Action Steps

1. Audit your mindset – Reflect on how you respond to challenges. Are you defaulting to frustration, or finding meaning and opportunity?
2. Break down your goals – Identify the controllable actions that drive your outcomes, and focus your energy there.
3. Practise daily self-leadership – Integrate small moments of intentional thinking into your routine, like on your commute or while doing household tasks.

Connect with Elizabeth Lotardo:

• Website: elizabethlotardo.com
• LinkedIn: Elizabeth Lotardo

Connect with Janine

• Work with Janine
• Career Change Maker Website
• Join the Career Navigator weekly email series

Send us a text

Description

🎙️ Episode Overview

In this episode of the Career Change Maker Podcast, I explore The Power of the Pause and why slowing down is one of the most underrated productivity tools for leaders.

I share a client story that highlights how stepping back can create space for clarity and momentum, and I open up about my own season of recovery where I’ve experienced first-hand the benefits of slowing all the way down as a business leader and mum.

I also reflect on a recent girls’ trip that became a surprising leadership lesson in the value of fun, environment shifts, and surrounding yourself with the right people.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ A Pause is a Strategy, Not a Setback: Why intentional breaks can actually move you forward faster.

✅ Leadership Lessons From Stepping Away: How my girls’ trip highlighted the power of fun, environment, and connection.

✅ Clarity Comes in the Quiet: Why the best decisions often come when you stop forcing them.

Action Steps:

💡 Identify one area of your work or life where taking a pause could bring more clarity.

💡 Schedule a micro-pause (daily) or macro-pause (quarterly) to reset and refocus.

💡 Reflect on who you are surrounding yourself with and whether they energise or drain you.

Resources:

• Work with Janine
• Career Change Maker Website
• Join the Career Navigator weekly email series
• Follow Janine Esbrand on Instagram
• Connect with Janine Esbrand on LinkedIn
• Subscribe to Janine Esbrand's YouTube Channel

Send us a text