Joy At Work

Searching for a new role is rarely joyful. Add children, mortgages, relocation, and a 25-year career in one industry… and suddenly midlife stuckness feels very real. When Dom Salomoni found himself job hunting for the first time in decades at 48, he didn’t spiral into panic-mode hustle. Instead, he designed a six-month runway. He invested in mindfulness. He redefined success for this stage of life...

Ever find yourself thinking, “I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up”? You’re not alone — and more importantly, you’re not behind. In this episode, I respond to a heartfelt question from a 43-year-old marketing director who's feeling stuck and unsure about their future. We unravel the pressure-packed question we've all heard since childhood — “What do you want to be when you grow up?”...

Have you ever had that gut-feeling that something’s off at work? You’re good at your job, but it just doesn’t feel good enough ? In this episode, I share the one powerful concept that’s helped hundreds of my clients feel more alive, energised, and fulfilled in their careers— superpowers . Not the comic-book kind, but those unique things you do so effortlessly and joyfully that time disappears. Tog...

When your new boss is 20 years younger than you (and possibly owns trainers your teenager wants), the emotional whiplash is real. In this episode, I respond to a listener who's just landed under the leadership of someone they could have taught to drive. I share seven very practical, very real strategies for navigating this shift—without bitterness, without sarcasm, and with all the self-possession...

What if the goal isn’t balance… but flow? Five years ago, Chris joined the pilot of Lucia Knight’s work-life redesign programme. He wasn’t in crisis. He wasn’t burned out beyond repair. But something felt off. And instead of ignoring that stuckness, he chose to investigate it. Today, he shares the three insights he never wants to forget about his future work life. They’re simple. They’re powerful....

In this episode of the Joy at Work Podcast, I sit down with former client Gill Kirk to capture the three timeless lessons she’s taking into the next chapter of her work life. These aren’t generic career tips—they’re deep truths discovered through months of intentional redesign. Gill shares what it means to lead with deliberate curiosity, how she gently but powerfully challenges outdated work proce...

I get this question more often than you might expect: My work isn’t awful… but it isn’t great either. I can’t tell if it’s bad enough to leave or good enough to stay. Yes. I’ve seen this a lot. There’s a particular kind of work experience that doesn’t shout, doesn’t sparkle, and doesn’t trigger a crisis — but quietly drains your energy over time. I call it languishing at work . It sits between hap...

I’m joined by Silvia, someone I worked with a few years ago during her work-life redesign — and what I love about this conversation is how grounded it is in real decisions, not big declarations. Silvia didn’t chase a “perfect job.” Instead, she got clear on what actually mattered to her in midlife: time, the people she works with, and the freedom to keep adjusting as life changes. We talk about ch...

There’s a curious pattern that shows up again and again: people say they want more connection, more belonging, more community — and then quietly avoid the very practices that would help them build it. This reflection explores why deep, human networks feel so confronting in midlife, how shame and fear sneak in disguised as “being busy,” and why meaningful connection isn’t something you wait until y...

There’s a quiet kind of exhaustion that comes from succeeding while only showing up halfway. From doing excellent work that never quite feels like yours . From knowing you’re capable of more, but not knowing how to bring your whole self without blowing things up. In this conversation, I’m joined by former client Deirdre McCarthy , who reflects on what changed when she stopped fragmenting herself t...

Most of us are pretty rubbish at listening, aren't we? In this episode, I’m joined by Colin Smith , aka The Listener — a man on a mission to change the way the world listens. We explore what it really feels like to be deeply heard (spoiler: it’s calming, empowering, and makes you feel safe), and what’s at stake when we’re not. Think disconnection, disengagement, even depression. But we also get pr...

Ever wondered if loyalty is keeping you stuck? In this episode, I’m joined by former client Lara, who bravely reflects on three career design insights she never wants to forget . These are not surface-level tips—they’re hard-won truths shaped through deep experimentation and support inside our Fierce Emporium programme and 1:1 work. We talk about: The blurry line between loyalty and unhealthy boun...

Have you ever had that gut-feeling that something’s off at work? You’re good at your job, but it just doesn’t feel good enough ? In this episode, I share the one powerful concept that’s helped hundreds of my clients feel more alive, energised, and fulfilled in their careers— superpowers . Not the comic-book kind, but those unique things you do so effortlessly and joyfully that time disappears. Tog...

As we head into the festive season and spend more time with family and friends, there's one question that always seems to show up: "How’s work?" In this short episode, I share why that question is a total conversation killer—and what to ask instead if you want to spark a deeper, more joyful connection. I’ll walk you through a simple but powerful question you can use at your next gathering, whether...

Ever wonder what it really takes to shift from quiet burnout to joy at work? In this special episode, I’m joined by one of my former clients who generously shares the three career design insights he never wants to forget. These insights came from our deep work together and his own fierce curiosity about what a joyful working life could actually feel like. We talk about how boredom can spiral into...

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...

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....

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-b...

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...

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 th...

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 the...

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 share...

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,...

Have you noticed your job applications getting ignored—even when you're asking for less money? You might be in The Squeeze . In this episode, I share a concept I’ve observed for years but only recently named: The Squeeze . It’s a silent career crisis where your value appears to shrink in the market, even though your experience is growing. It’s not just about money—it chips away at your confidence,...

Have you ever been offered a promotion right when you were thinking about leaving your job? That’s exactly the situation this week’s listener finds themselves in. In this episode of Joy at Work , I share a powerful real-life story of what happened when someone said yes to a role that didn’t align with their superpowers. I also walk you through four essential clarity questions to ask before accepti...