The Michael Tabirade Podcast

Ever thought about adding coaching to your portfolio career, but aren't sure if you need to be a "traditional" coach? What if you could use your existing expertise in advisory, consulting, or mentoring to help others and create a new income stream? In this episode, I break down exactly how to get started. We'll explore whether you really need a formal qualification from bodies li...

Ever been told you can't do an Inside IR35 and an Outside IR35 role at the same time? Yeah, I thought so too. Let's clear that up right now. In this episode, I'm opening up my comment section and answering your real questions. We're getting into the nitty-gritty of how I actually track my income and expenses across all my portfolio work to keep HMRC happy (spoiler: it's old sch...

How do you set up a personal brand as a contractor or independent consultant that actually attracts clients to you, instead of you chasing them down? In this episode, we're breaking down how to build a magnetic personal brand. We'll also tackle the big question: Do you need a website? I’ve got two, and I’ll explain why I made that choice and how each one serves a different purpose for my a...

Ever feel like building a personal brand is just another complicated job you don't have time for? What if you could cut through the noise and just show up, authentically, and attract the right clients? In this episode, I'm breaking down the entire content machine for consultants and contractors. This is about working smarter, not harder. It’s about human connection over perfection. Grab yo...

Struggling to create content that actually builds your portfolio career? You know you need to post, but you're stuck on what to say, how to say it, and how to make it actually work for you. In this episode, I'm breaking down the exact system I use. We're moving from random ideas to a strategic plan. I'm also getting into the nitty-gritty of how I structure my videos for maximum imp...

Feeling like your CV is just screaming into a void? Yeah, I get it. You’ve done everything right, the tailored CVs, the cover letters, hitting submit, only to be met with crickets or a rejection email with zero explanation. What if I told you the entire game has changed? That you’re fighting for a tiny fraction of the roles that are actually out there? This isn’t about cringe-worthy networking. It...

How do you actually grow your presence? How do you build a strong professional brand that makes people want to work with you, especially if you're an independent consultant or contractor? In this episode, we're getting into the real foundation. I'll walk you through how to validate it. Download my free guide, Escape the Career Ladder, and start building your portfolio career today:  ht...

Ever feel like managing money is overwhelming? You know you need to protect it, grow it, and manage it, but where do you even start? In this episode, I break down the “Cash” pillar of the Portfolio Career Guide. We’ll dive into setting lifestyle and financial goals, tracking your spending habits, building savings strategies, tackling debt effectively, and creating a simple system to grow and prote...

Ever feel like the traditional 9-to-5 is a trap? Like the risk is all on you, even when you’re supposedly “safe” in a job? Let’s be real, we’ve all seen the headlines. Mass layoffs. Restructures. The so-called security? It’s an illusion. So how do you build a career that’s resilient, on your own terms, one that actually allows you to flourish? In this episode, I’m doing something a bit different....

What are the different types of contracts that exist for you to capitalize on? Let's be real, that "permanent" 9-to-5? It's still a contract, and in today's world, the job you rely on heavily might be the first to throw away its loyalty. Different contracts have different elements of risk associated with them; they determine how free you are, how occupied you are, and ultimat...

You've done the work to understand yourself and you've scoped out the market. Now what? How do you actually synthesize all that information into a clear, actionable plan for a portfolio career that doesn't just look good on paper, but truly fits who you are? This is about defining the core thing you do, so all the other pieces can latch on and make sense. It’s about building something...

Ever feel like you're throwing your skills into the void, hoping the market catches them? What if you could know exactly where to stand so the opportunities find you? It’s all about making sure your dreams aren’t just realistic, but strategically aligned with what the world actually needs right now. Let's get to work. Stop guessing. Start building. Grab your FREE Business Plan Template her...

Ever looked at your payslip and just thought, "What the hell?" Feel like you're earning less but making more, and you're running just to stand still? You're not imagining it. The squeeze is real. So, is the only way out to just leave? Is moving abroad the secret to escaping burnout, low wages, and career stagnation? Maybe. But maybe not. This isn't about giving you a one-...

Are you building a career that truly feels like your own, or are you just living out someone else's definition of success? Let's be real, if you want to create something with real sustainability and persistence, it has to have a deeper level of meaning. It has to have context. This is about doing the inner work first. If you skip this step, you might rush into a career that looks good on p...

Are you building your career, or just pursuing it? Most of us end up with a portfolio of work by accident. But what if you could design it with intention? This isn't about hustling harder. It's about building smarter. Let's get into it. Ready to escape the cycle for good? I've created a free guide to help you map out your unique skills and values to build a career that truly fits y...

You've sent out a gazillion applications. Your CV is polished, your cover letter is tailored... …And still, nothing. What if I told you it's not you? What if the entire system has changed and the rules you're playing by are completely outdated? It’s time to stop hoping to be chosen and start positioning yourself to be undeniable. Let's get into it. Ready to take control of your job...

The gig economy promises freedom, flexibility, and a bright future. But is that the whole story, or is it quietly robbing you of stability, security, and the ability to build something that lasts? This is for you if you’re tired of the anxiety, if you’re questioning the “deal,” and if you’re ready to take real ownership of your future. The promise was never in the gig economy itself; it’s in you....

Feeling trapped in your traditional career? Like it's a life sentence? You've done everything right, followed the path, but it's left you stretched, burnt out, and stuck in toxic cultures. I've been there, burnt out five times in the NHS, feeling underutilized and knowing deep down I had to escape. This episode is a raw breakdown of how I turned that fear into fuel and built a flou...

Feeling overwhelmed by IR35 rules? Worried AI might make contractors obsolete? Let’s cut through the noise. This isn’t another theoretical chat, we’re diving into the  real  challenges contractors face right now. Why are companies slapping blanket "inside IR35" labels on roles? How do you find outside-IR35 contracts when everyone’s terrified of HMRC? And why should you care about AI when you’re ju...

Are you tired of feeling like a passenger in your own career? Like you’re just renting your time instead of owning your future? Let’s get real, the traditional 9-to-5 grind isn’t just draining; it’s  designed  to keep you stuck. By 2030, 22% of jobs could vanish, and 39% of your hard-earned skills might be obsolete. So why are we still playing by rules that don’t serve us? This is your wake-up cal...

Ever feel like your job applications vanish into a black hole? You’re not alone. The career game is broken, resumes get lost in ATS systems, recruiters ghost you, and the "spray and pray" method is dead. Did you know 70-80% of jobs aren’t even posted online? They’re filled through the hidden job market, networks, referrals, and relationships most people ignore. This isn’t fluffy advice. It’s what...

Will your skills keep you relevant in 2025 or leave you behind? The ground is shifting beneath us. AI isn’t just coming; it’s here, rewriting the rules of work faster than we can keep up. If you’re feeling that gnawing anxiety about whether your career can survive the next wave of change, you’re in the right place. This isn’t about doomscrolling through headlines or drowning in fear. It’s about ow...

Ever feel like you’re sprinting on a treadmill, working harder, earning more, but somehow ending up in the exact same place? Let’s rip off the band-aid and talk about the uncomfortable truth:  the system isn’t built for you to win.  It’s built to keep you just comfortable enough not to quit… …But never free enough to truly thrive. The goal?  To help you  stop surviving and start designing a life t...

Ever feel like you’re running full speed but going nowhere? Like you’ve checked every box, degrees, certifications, late nights, yet the rewards just aren’t there? The system’s broken. Wages aren’t keeping up, burnout’s at an all-time high, and that old promise of "work hard, climb the ladder" feels like a lie. This isn’t about grinding harder. It’s about working  differently . If you’re ready to...

Is remote work a dream or a ticking time bomb?  One minute it’s freedom, the next it’s CEOs demanding a full return to the office. And with AI rewriting the rules of work, how do you stay ahead, not just employed, but  thriving ?This isn’t just another “future of work” hot take. It’s about  designing a career that fits  you , whether you’re fighting for remote freedom, pivoting to contracting, or...