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

Send us Fan Mail If you feel stuck in your job search even though you are doing all the right things with your resume and LinkedIn, you are not alone. I see this pattern every day with mid-career professionals who are smart, capable, and experienced but still not getting traction in today’s market. In this episode, I flip the script on how most people think about career growth and job search at mi...

Send us Fan Mail Career Momentum and Getting "Unstuck" Starts With How You SHOW UP Career momentum does not come from doing more. It comes from showing up with clarity, intention, and confidence, especially at mid-career. In this opening episode of the year, I share my personal journey from classroom teacher to leadership and career coach, and the moment when being fine was no longer eno...

Send us Fan Mail The ground shifted for mid-career professionals in 2025, and many are still feeling the impact. Rolling layoffs became routine, job titles lost their signaling power, and working harder no longer translated into advancement. For professionals in the middle of their careers, the old rules stopped working, often without warning. In this episode, John Neral unpacks what actually chan...

Send us Fan Mail Do holiday conversations, workplace tension, or family dynamics leave you emotionally drained and unsure how to respond? At mid-career, the pressure to stay composed, supportive, and “professional” can feel exhausting, especially when stress is already high in your job or career. In this episode of The Mid-Career GPS Podcast , I introduce a simple but powerful communication tool c...

Send us Fan Mail Many mid-career professionals sense something is off but struggle to articulate it.  Feeling “fine” at work can be one of the most misleading signals in your career, especially in a volatile job market. In this episode of The Mid-Career GPS Podcast , I name and unpack a growing mid-career pattern called job-hugging. It is the instinct to cling to comfort, stability, and familiarit...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, John is joined by industrial-organizational psychologist Kat Ortiz to break down how evidence-based practices can transform workplace culture, leadership effectiveness, and employee experience in ways that genuinely support performance and growth. Kat’s unconventional career journey sets the stage. From earning her GED and starting college in her thirties to choos...

Send us Fan Mail If you are a mid-career professional feeling drained, discouraged, or stuck because of a difficult boss, this episode gives you a clear path forward. Many professionals stay silent or shut down when leadership becomes unpredictable, controlling, or inconsistent. In today’s job market, that silence can stall your visibility, performance, and promotion potential. This episode breaks...

Send us Fan Mail Workplace bullying is more common than many mid-career professionals realize, and its impact on confidence, performance, and career clarity can be long-lasting. In this episode, we unpack a high-profile moment that reopened old workplace wounds for many. When power is misused to silence or diminish someone, it is more than a headline. It is a reminder of what happens in meeting ro...

Send us Fan Mail When you reach mid-career, feedback often fades or gets frustratingly vague. You may hear you’re “doing great” or that you should “be more strategic,” but those comments rarely help you grow or move forward.  In this episode, John Neral breaks down how to restart your feedback loop so your work stands out, your reputation strengthens, and decision-makers see you as promotion ready...

Send us Fan Mail Are you doing great work but still waiting for recognition or a promotion that never seems to come? In this episode of The Mid-Career GPS Podcast , John Neral explores how to elevate your reputation, credibility, and leadership impact without waiting for a new title. This conversation focuses on leading through influence, not authority. You’ll learn how to stand out in today’s fas...

Send us Fan Mail Every mid-career professional has faced that gut-punch moment when a colleague shifts blame, steals credit, or takes a public swipe to protect their image. In this episode of The Mid-Career GPS Podcast , John Neral dives into why “bus-throwing” happens, how to stay composed when it does, and what to do next to protect your professional reputation without reacting emotionally. If y...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling stuck, tired, or unsure how long you can keep pushing through your role? In this episode of The Mid-Career GPS Podcast , John Neral shares one golden question that can help you rediscover purpose, evaluate fit, and make smarter decisions about your career: Why do you come back to work every day? This simple yet powerful question uncovers what really drives you and what’s h...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to walk away from a successful career to build one that aligns with your passion and future? In this episode, Emmy-winning journalist Lindsey Mastis shares her journey of leaving a 20-year career in tv news, to create an independent reporting career focused on AI and emerging technology . If you’ve ever wondered how to make a bold mid-career pivot , this conversa...

Send us Fan Mail The ground keeps moving and for mid-career professionals, that shift feels sharper than ever. As we approach 2026, success will hinge on your ability to adapt, communicate strategically, and lead through change.  In this episode, leadership and career transition coach John Neral breaks down six essential skills that will define your value and visibility in the year ahead. If you’v...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling stretched thin by nonstop news and workplace pressure. In this episode, executive and career coach John Neral helps mid-career professionals regain momentum with presence, pace, and practical wins. Learn how to prevent burnout, ask leadership for targeted support, and use small controllables to improve performance. We also cover a data-driven approach to job search and int...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever been told you “lack executive presence” but never received a clear explanation of what that means? You’re not alone. For many mid-career professionals, this overused buzzword becomes a frustrating barrier to promotions and leadership opportunities. In today’s episode of The Mid-Career GPS Podcast , John Neral challenges the outdated definition of executive presence a...

Send us Fan Mail The line between personal expression and professional consequences has never been more blurred. With recent headlines putting workplace conduct and public statements in the spotlight, many mid-career professionals are asking a tough question: Could what I say cost me my job? In this episode of The Mid-Career GPS Podcast , we unpack what every professional in today’s job market nee...

Send us Fan Mail At some point in your career, you will be asked how you’ve used AI.  Most candidates will talk about optimizing resumes or practicing interview questions, but what if your answer could be more memorable?  In this episode, I share a deeply personal story about saying goodbye to my beloved cat, Amy Farrah Meowler, and how I turned to ChatGPT for guidance during that difficult time....

Send us Fan Mail Why do some highly qualified candidates land the job while others get passed over?  The answer often lies in how well they tell their career story. In this episode of The Mid-Career GPS Podcast , Career Transition Coach and Forbes Coaches Council member Gina Riley, joins me to share insider strategies from her experience at Intel and as an executive search consultant. She explains...

Send us Fan Mail If you’re in the middle of a job search and feeling frustrated by the lack of responses, this episode is a must-listen. Today, I’m joined by Chris Bond , who candidly shares the data from his six-month job search in 2025. His story sheds light on what’s working, and what’s not, in today’s competitive mid-career job market. Chris applied for 125 positions and achieved a 50% persona...

Send us Fan Mail Are you tired of sending out job applications and hearing nothing back? Wondering if you’re overqualified or not qualified enough? If you’re a mid-career professional struggling in today’s competitive and employer-driven job market, this episode is for you. In this episode of The Mid-Career GPS Podcast , I’m answering some of the most common and most frustrating questions I hear f...

Send us Fan Mail In 2025’s rapidly shifting workplace, women leaders face a unique set of challenges: staff cutbacks, fewer advancement opportunities, and the persistent shadow of imposter syndrome. For mid-career professionals, the pressure to remain visible, relevant, and confident has never been higher. In this episode of The Mid-Career GPS Podcast , John Neral sits down with Michelle Myers, a...

Send us Fan Mail If you’re a mid-career professional feeling stuck in your job, the thought of “networking” might make you cringe. Maybe it feels transactional, forced, or just plain awkward. But when networking is done “right,” it doesn’t feel like networking at all. In fact, it can be fun and energizing. In this episode of The Mid-Career GPS Podcast , John Neral shows you how to transform networ...

Send us Fan Mail Are you tempted by the bold career promises flooding your social media feed like “land your dream job in 30 days” or “double your income using AI”?  For mid-career professionals navigating job dissatisfaction, these flashy shortcuts can feel like a lifeline. But the truth? Real career growth isn’t about gimmicks. It’s about strategy, self-awareness, and intentional planning. In th...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered if ChatGPT, or any AI tool, could just write your cover letter for you? You’re not alone. With today’s competitive job market and the pressure to stand out, many mid-career professionals are turning to AI to help speed up their application process. But here’s the truth: while AI can be a helpful tool, it’s not a shortcut to getting hired. In this episode of The Mid-C...