Another Door Stories

“I grew up watching the Olympics and you see these athletes from around the world marching in the opening ceremonies. And then one day, you are setting foot in that stadium. 50,000 people screaming and you look to your right and you see more cameras than you can count. And in that moment that you are on TV around the world and some little kid is probably looking at you the way you looked at some other athlete." How do you find the courage to push forward when fear and uncertainty stand in your way? In this episode, I speak to Devon Harris, member of the legendary Jamaican bobsleigh team that inspired the film Cool Runnings. Devon shares his journey from growing up in Kingston's neighborhoods to becoming an army officer and eventually an Olympic athlete - despite being afraid of both speed and heights!  Devon shows us how keeping focused on moving forward is often the only real choice we have.   Here are the highlights: 04:51 Uncertain future after High School 09:06 Nervous summer running up to Army Selection 12:33 From Jamaica to Sandhurst Training 37:19  Dream-fulfilling moment of participating in the Olympics opening ceremony 43:40 Balancing soldier duties and Olympics 56:25 Persistence and selfishness misunderstood   The things that helped Devon navigate change -  Book: “Think and Grow Rich”  - Napoleon Hill Music: “We Built This City” - Starship The one piece of advice: “Don't give up. You can't give up. I know how frustrating it can be, and how incredibly frustrating the journey can be and sometimes it feels like you're running out of time. But you're not running out of time. Keep pushing forward.”   More about Devon Devon Harris, born on Christmas Day 1964 in Kingston, Jamaica, transformed his life from a violent ghetto upbringing to become an Olympic bobsledder and inspirational figure. Overcoming adversity through determination, Devon graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served as an officer in the Jamaica Defence Force. He gained fame as part of Jamaica's first bobsled team in the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, inspiring the film "Cool Runnings." Devon continued competing in two more Winter Olympics and later founded the Keep On Pushing Foundation to support disadvantaged youth. As an athlete ambassador for Right to Play and an Olympian For Life, Devon now inspires others through motivational speaking and authorship, sharing his remarkable journey from Jamaican ghetto to Olympic glory.   Find out more: https://devonharris.com/ Instagram: @officialdevonharris  Tiktok: @officialdevonharris About your host Eleanor  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 Get-Recommended.com and the author of Why losing your job could be the best thing that ever happened to you.    Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/ Website: eleanortweddell.com Produced by winteraudio.co.uk    

"We tell stories in times of transition because in good times, bad times, lateral movements, figurative movements, we need to make sense of the world. Stories help us help us process. This is what makes us human."   Can six words help you process change, and tell your life story?    On the podcast Larry Smith shares how a simple Twitter experiment 15 years ago turned into a global storytelling movement - the Six Word Memoir project.    Our conversation is not just word count. Larry shares his closing door life moments, from divorce, to relocation, to career change.   We discuss his unique 'three-part theory' of life balance, the importance of taking things one door at a time, and how sharing our stories creates meaningful connections. This is about embracing change on your own terms.   Here are the highlights: 11:55 A Twitter project on six-word memoirs unexpectedly became a long-term career 13:54 Getting the courage to embrace a storytelling career 19:21 First project smithmag.net failed, but birthed the successful "six-word memoirs" idea 21:00 The importance of concise expression, inspired by six-word memoirs 23:46 Stories help us process the world during transitions and make us human   More about Larry   “A quest to spark creativity in everyone” quoted by Oprah Magazine, Larry Smith is the founder of The Six-Word Memoir® Project, a bestselling series of ten books, live event program, and a global phenomenon found in classrooms, conferences, and corporate settings alike.   Larry has worked with teams on storytelling at Netflix, Twitter, Levi’s, JPMorgan Chase, Dell, ESPN, and Google, as well as foundations, philanthropies, and schools. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, ESPN Magazine, Popular Science, Men’s Journal, Slate, and Buzzfeed, and has contributed essays to anthologies including Modern Love: 50 True and Extraordinary Tales of Desire, Deceit, and Devotion.    He’s the editor of the book, The Moment: Wild, Poignant, Life-Changing Stories from 125 Writers and Artists Famous and Obscure, and director of the play, A Map of Myself: A 70-Minute, One-Woman Revolution on War, Immigration, History, and Home. This summer he’s teaching a five-day workshop, Tell More More: Crafting Your Story at Mid-Life , at the MEA retreat center in Santa Fe, New Mexico.   Website: https://www.sixwordmemoirs.com/   The things that helped Larry navigate change -  Book: "Lost and Found" by Catherine Schultz Music:  "This Will Be Our Year" by The Zombies The one piece of advice: “Trust the process…You might have a plan for your life that you've decided will work. Trust it until you can't trust it.” About your host Eleanor  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 the author of Why losing your job could be the best thing that ever happened to you.    Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/ Website: eleanortweddell.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.”     About Brandon Clift 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  

“There has to be a different way for me to use my magic in the world. My magic can't keep mopping up messes that are created by ridiculous decisions like this.”    When HR Director Emma Djemil hit a moment of ‘enough is enough’ she knew it was time for her skills, energy, passions to be directed elsewhere.  Stuck cleaning up the messes of others, she knew it was time for a big change. In this episode, Emma talks about what it really takes to walk away from a toxic job, where to find the drive for something new, and why humour is such a powerful tool for getting through it all. Emma shares her honest story about leaving corporate life, how she discovered her own voice online, and what helped her put herself first.    Here are the highlights:   04:00 Emma’s “closing door” moment – when enough was enough  08:10 From rage to purpose: the real reasons that ignite career change    17:25 The myth of imposter syndrome  24:30 Why your uniqueness is your superpower   26:04 Not everyone has to be “your people” (and why that’s liberating)   33:00 Humour as resilience: using comedy to survive (and thrive)    The things that helped Emma navigate change:   Music: “Salute” by Little Mix (and some Erasure for that retro energy!)   Book: “The Fix: Overcome the Invisible Barriers That Are Holding Women Back at Work” by Dr. Michelle King   One piece of advice:   “Be willing to try and have faith you’ll be okay, whatever the outcome. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”   About Emma:    As the Founder of The HR Club (a no-BS community of over 100 women) and creator of The HR Big Meet (an annual conference that actually focuses on women’s wellbeing instead of just adding “resilience” to their to-do list), Emma is on a mission to make work suck less.   She could tell you about her 18 years in HR, her Certificate in Applied Neuroscience, or her accreditation as a Brain and Behaviour Change Practitioner, all of which are very serious and important. But what really matters is this: Emma helps women in leadership be sustainably unstoppable, so they can have maximum impact without burning out, selling their souls, or crying in the office toilets (we’ve all been there).   Slightly sweary, highly sarcastic, and allergic to corporate nonsense, Emma believes that no one should feel like they have to put on a “work version” of themselves to be taken seriously. Because the real you, the one who sings in the car, laughs at inappropriate moments, and maybe drops the occasional F-bomb, is exactly the leader the world needs.   She lives in Chartham, Kent, with her husband and their seven-year-old daughter, who reminds her daily that joy isn’t something you schedule, it’s something you demand, preferably while wearing a tiara.   Connect with Emma:   LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/emmadjemil   Find out more: beunstoppable.uk     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 Get-Recommended.com 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    

“There were two significant moments, two significant doors. One was the thought of that's it. I'm dead. Door closed on everything. And the other moment was when the consultant said, you can have all this back. You've just got to work for it. Door open.”   In this episode, Mark Green, founder of Change Rebellion, shares his wild story of a door closing, nearly for good, and how it changed him and his perspective for life. It’s not just a story about navigating professional change; it’s about survival, resilience, and finding purpose.   When COVID hit his family in late 2020, Mark fell severely ill, resulting in him spending two months in an induced coma. He shares the raw reality of what it felt like to face death, the strange dreams and mental battles and how the moment a consultant offered hope became a literal “door opening” in his life. Mark’s recovery meant learning everything again. How to walk, talk, eat, and rebuild his strength.    Listen to this episode to be reminded about what really matters, and why sometimes, the only plan you need is to keep moving forward.   Here are the highlights:   03:39 The transformative power of a second chance  07:08 Life and dreams inside a coma  09:16 Recovery: learning to walk, talk, and live again  14:31 Mindset shifts: why perspective matters  20:46 Reimagining change management: keeping it human  23:22 The moment of decision: owning the pathway ahead  44:39 Focus on loved ones, find balance, and enjoy life without getting caught up in external issues. The things that helped Mark navigate change:   Music: “Foreplay/Long Time” by Boston   One piece of advice: “Keep those nearest and dearest to you close. That’s all that matters and all that’s important. Try to have fun along the way, focus on what you can change, let go of the rest.”   About Mark Mark Green, CEO of Change Rebellion, where change management is taken back to its roots in order to support workplace transformations - founded on empathy, honesty and transparency.    www.changerebllion.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/mark-green-changerebellion   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 Get-Recommended.com 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    

“I think whenever you feel yourself being resistant, the challenge is to find acceptance. Because you have to accept something to shove that resistance out of the way. And once you've accepted it, you can move beyond it.”   In this episode, I’m speaking with Kreena Dhiman, a friend, and an incredible keynote speaker who leaves you feeling like you can achieve anything! Kreena shares her story of unexpected redundancy after a decade in a successful accounting career, and how that shock forced her to confront not only her professional identity but also lifelong struggles, setbacks, and cultural expectations. And the need to get out there and gare her story to inspire others. But this isn’t just a tale about job loss, it's a deeply personal story of navigating serious illness, infertility, family challenges, and grief, all while steadily building a foundation for a brave future on her own terms. You will be nothing but charged to go out into the World, be bold and brave and rise after listening!   Here are the highlights: 10:31 Resilience: life's journey and key moments 14:35 Survival, infertility, and finding acceptance  17:15 Where does “drive” come from? 21:42 Journey to self beyond expectations 30:48 Pursue your dreams; life's too short. 35:43 Building resilience through everyday acts   The things that helped Kreena navigate change -  Book: Brown Girl Like Me by Jaspreet Kaur Music: Brand New Me by Alicia Keys and Titanium by David Guette ft. Sia The one piece of advice: “Words, hold on, pain ends, and it spells out HOPE. There's always hope. Hold onto it. Because it will get better.”   About Kreena:   Kreena is a keynote speaker about The Art of Being Brave. Adversity and failure are never our weakness, these are the experiences that lay the foundations from which we grow. Within each set back, lies the opportunity for resilience to rise, and it's resilience that allows us to survive and thrive in an ever changing world.​   Pain x Resistance = Suffering, but Pain x Acceptance = Growth   Kreena's charismatic presence captivates audiences, while her heartfelt vulnerability fosters deep, authentic connections. Through The Art of Being Brave she enables powerful storytelling and thought provoking insights. She engages, inspires, and challenges perspectives, leaving a lasting impact on every listener.   With an ability to blend wisdom, warmth, and wit, Kreena transforms complex life lessons into relatable, actionable takeaways.     Connect with Kreena: Instagram: @kreenadhiman Website: www.kreenadhiman.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 Get-Recommended.com 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: eleanortweddell.com   Produced by winteraudio.co.uk    

“It was a phenomenal time looking back, of anxiety at the beginning and disbelief that this was going to do anything for us, to finally being acquired at the end of 2021 in a life changing deal.”   In this episode, I speak to David James about the reality of walking away from a, on paper, dream corporate role in search of something else. David left the Walt Disney Company and joined the startup world, he shares the story of facing into the setbacks, the moments of wonderful serendipity, the moments of deep, dark doubt (my words, not David’s!).   We talk about the emotional highs and lows of career change, what it means to redefine success, and how sometimes, failure can lead to the most valuable opportunities.   If you're navigating change or just curious about what happens when you take a leap, this one’s for you.    Here are the highlights:   03:17 The quiet build-up to letting go 07:45 Push vs pull: What drives us to change 09:38 Starting a business from scratch 12:21 Facing failure head-on 16:14 The free fall: Losing identity after leaving corporate 22:01 A serendipitous conversation that changed everything 29:19 Finding your voice and your value in something new 33:10 Learning to focus on the real problem 40:54 Adjusting after the business was acquired David’s ‘another door opens’ go-to list -    Book: Broken Open, How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow by Elizabeth Lesser   Music: Saint Cloud by Waxahachie   The one piece of advice: “Own your own narrative.”   More about David:   David James is the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning and a highly respected voice in the Learning & Development industry. With a focus on harnessing technology to drive impactful learning strategies, David is recognised as one of the top 10 global influencers in the L&D space. His expertise lies in helping organisations modernise their approach to workplace learning, ensuring measurable results and business alignment.   David is also the host of The Learning & Development Podcast, which has amassed over 500,000 downloads and ranks in the top 1% of podcasts globally. With nearly 30,000 LinkedIn followers, he continues to shape the conversation around L&D innovation and best practices, drawing on his deep experience, including his time as Director of Learning, Talent & Organisational Development at The Walt Disney Company. Find out more: https://360learning.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/?originalSubdomain=uk      About your host Eleanor  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 the author of Another Door Opens - Five steps to navigating change in work and life   Instagram:instagram/anotherdoor_opens LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/ Website: www.anotherdoor.co.uk   Produced by winteraudio.co.uk  

“What does success actually mean to me? Why did I quit my job really? How do I build this freedom, flexibility, fulfillment? How do I redefine it?”    In this episode, I talk to Anna Lundberg, an executive coach, business mentor and strategic adviser who challenges us to think about success and what it means to us. Anna shares her career change from corporate marketing to creating a business with more freedom and fulfillment. We explore the evolution of success, exploring unexpected paths and random connections that shape our careers and personal growth, like finding me on ChatGPT!   Here are the highlights:   03:50 The big door: Leaving corporate life and the journey since 05:06 Serendipitous lunch leading to new life paths 09:23 Embracing life changes and the idea of different life seasons 13:03 Shifting mindset from employee to entrepreneur  14:26 Moving into freelance consulting 26:25 Redefining personal career success and what truly matters  30:49 The ongoing journey - always a work in progress   The things that helped Anna navigate change -   Book: The Art of Non-conformity: Set Your Own Rules by Chris Guillebeau and "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield.   Music: Defying Gravity from the musical Wicked   The one piece of advice: " Take those little steps, don’t put too much pressure on yourself to find the right answer, and just have a bit of faith that something good will come of it.” More about Anna: Anna Lundberg is the founder of One Step Outside, where she helps professionals and entrepreneurs redefine success on their own terms. After stepping away from a successful corporate career, she built a business that gives her both financial stability and personal freedom - without following the traditional ‘hustle’ playbook. Through her Business Accelerator, strategic coaching, and thought leadership, she supports leaders in designing a business and career that aligns with their values, lifestyle, and ambitions. She is the author of Outside of the 9 to 5 and Leaving the Corporate 9 to 5, and the host of the Reimagining Success podcast.   Find out more: https://onestepoutside.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annaselundberg/     About your host Eleanor  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 the author of Why losing your job could be the best thing that ever happened to you.    Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/ Website: eleanortweddell.com   Produced by winteraudio.co.uk  

“Sometimes the doors closing are not just physical things. Sometimes it is about closing the way we do something, the way we think, so that we can step into a different space for ourselves.” Have you ever felt the weight of certainty pull you down, trapping you in a life that doesn’t truly fulfill you?  In this episode I sit down with Suzanne Penny, a transition and career coach, who shares her own transformative journey of leaving behind certainty in favour of embracing the unknown.  Suzanne shares key turning points in her life that could have easily anchored her in fear and loss, yet propelled her into a space of growth, curiosity, and empowerment. We talk about that change will inevitably mean we have to face being uncomfortable, before we find a more aligned pathway. Whether you’re facing a career transition or just needing a shift in how you view your world, this episode offers inspiration and practical insights on how to embrace change.   Here are the highlights: 04:03 Embrace uncertainty and get comfortable with the unknown 08:41 Losing job, becoming a single parent and launching a business  14:12 Taking breaks increases productivity and prevents burnout  17:33 Guided meditations can provide clarity and confidence 19:28 Embrace magic and openness 27:00 I wish I’d had business coaching earlier 30:58 Patience is a skill; with it, you win   The things that helped Suzanne navigate change -  Book/Magazine:  Light is the New Black  by Rebecca Campbell. Music: Inspiration by the Gypsy Kings The one piece of advice: "We absolutely have everything we need inside of us. We can make that positive change. If anyone's out there knowing they want to make change, you can. You totally can. And like I said, try not to just suffer alone with it. Get support around you. That's so key." More about Suzanne: Having started over following the death of her friend, Suzanne made some big decisions to start over. Which meant leaving her marriage of 15 years and wrapping up associate work as a career transition coach.  But it didn't all go according to plan, starting a new job, getting fired 12 days later, working a fixed term contract which then expired just before the second lockdown, she found herself out of work in the pandemic. But she trusted completely that this was time for better things and she launched her training and coaching co, Empowered Space, as a single mum of two, trusting completely in her ability to impact more people through her work. It's been the biggest journey of self-discovery, navigating being a founder, being diagnosed with ADHD and navigating peri-menopause.  Suzanne works with both corporates and individuals to support people to navigate career transitions, supporting new beginnings, for leaders starting new roles , new teams merging, and providing outplacement support at times of endings.  Knowing that change does bring opportunity and embracing every step of the journey.    Find out more: https://www.empoweredspaceforpeople.com Connect with Suzanne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannepennyexecutivecoach/   About your host Eleanor  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 the author of Why losing your job could be the best thing that ever happened to you.    Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/ Website: eleanortweddell.com   Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

"I thought, if dressing people and making people look good makes them happy, then I would love to do this." Have you ever felt the weight of questioning your career path and wondered if there might be something else out there that's truly meant for you?  In this episode, we take you on a journey with Taiwo Meghoma, a lawyer-turned-fashion-stylist. From a young boy in Nigeria discovering his love for fashion by helping his mother with her outfits, to sitting front row at major fashion weeks alongside his idols, Taiwo's story is about boldly opening new doors even when the world might tell you to stay put.  We explore how a chance encounter and a passion for style led Taiwo to follow an unconventional path, ultimately leading to his success and fulfillment in the world of fashion.    Here are the highlights: 05:03 As a child, loved making his mother happy by making her look good 14:38 Seeking connection and purpose 17:35 Pursued passion for fashion and styling, leaving corporate job without disclosing plans 24:13 Worked on and attended runway shows, met idols like Naomi Campbell 28:53 Trying is crucial; it matters more than the outcome 32:33 Conversation matters, leading to the way to work 51:07 Following your heart without fear   The things that helped Taiwo navigate change -  Book/Magazine:  Ebony Magazine Music:  “I Made It Through the Rain" - Barry Manilow. The one piece of advice: “Do it. You might have a lot of people who tell you you are making the wrong move, you are not going to do it, you're going to fail. I want your audience listening to this - to do it. Let them go ahead. If people tell you no, I want them to look at themselves in the mirror and say, you doubted me. Now I'm going to prove it to you. I'm going to do it.” More about Taiwo: Taiwo is a fashion consultant and designer who has collaborated with fashion designers in Europe and Africa. As a stylist , he has dressed celebrities , corporate leaders all over the globe . In 2019, he was appointed by the Embassy of Nigeria in Berlin as Co-director of the 1st Nigeria Cultural Day Berlin,showcasing the rich culture and fashion of the Nigerian people. He is a well travelled executive who has consulted at Milan Fashion week and New York Fashion week .   Taiwo is also a guest lecturer on personal branding at universities and seminars in Europe and Nigeria, and one of the founding members and first president of the Lagos coral chambers and awarded the highest honour as senator of the junior chambers international in Missouri, USA.   Connect with Taiwo: https://www.instagram.com/style_with_taiwo/   About your host Eleanor  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 the author of Why losing your job could be the best thing that ever happened to you.    Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/ Website: eleanortweddell.com   Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

"When you have kindness in the culture, you build psychological safety. And from there you have high performing teams, better staff retention, creativity, resilience, like it really stacks up in terms of all the different benefits that you get by increasing levels of kindness and empathy in your business." Kindness can transform not just your personal well-being but also the landscape of work and leadership. In this episode, I reconnect with Graham Allcott, productivity expert, author, and now a passionate advocate for kindness in the workplace. We share the inspiration for his new book Kind, and how kindness is essential in moments of change. Kindness to yourself, and others. Graham shares his journey of closing doors, his evolution from productivity to kindness, and the impact kindness can have in our daily lives and careers.   Here are the highlights: 05:55 Transitioned from managing a business to an MD 10:06 Ready to shift focus from productivity talk to new topics for personal interest 24:06 Experimentation encourages curiosity 35:44 Promote kindness to counter negative narratives  39:22 Curiosity about understanding inherently different personalities 52:37 Kindness begins with self-kindness   The things that helped Graham navigate change -  Book: "Wintering" by Katherine May Music:   "Lovely Day" - Bill Withers The one piece of advice: “When you think about kindness, it's really important to be kind to yourself first. And once you start to be kind to yourself first, then you start to rewire your brain to make it easier for you to be kind to everybody else. So never think of self kindness as self indulgent. Always think of it as the thing that helps to role model for you and everybody around you an abundance mentality instead of a scarcity one.” More about Graham Graham is the author of multiple books, including the global bestseller How to Be a Productivity Ninja. His latest book, KIND: The Quiet Power of Kindness at Work, focuses on why organisations with kinder, more human-centred cultures are ultimately more successful. He is the founder of Think Productive, one of the world's leading providers of training and consultancy, with offices in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands.   Website: https://www.grahamallcott.com/   About your host Eleanor  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 the author of Why losing your job could be the best thing that ever happened to you.    Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/ Website: eleanortweddell.com Produced by winteraudio.co.uk    

"The biggest thing was I wanted to be more responsible as a thought leader. And in a world where we have so much information, misinformation, disinformation, it was important that I went through a process of acquiring knowledge and creating new knowledge and it was the PhD." Ready to lead a curiosity rebellion? We have the inspiring Yemi Penn as our guest. Yemi is a trailblazer who has navigated and embraced change across continents, careers, and personal transformations.  From her early beginnings in engineering to becoming a documentary creator and author, Yemi has followed her curiosity and entrepreneurial spirit to explore new doors and opportunities.  In our conversation, we explore her experiences living in Japan and Australia, the transition from a traditional career path to entrepreneurship, and the recent pursuit of a PhD about cultural trauma. Yemi shares provoking insights on handling identity shifts, following your calling, and embracing change with an open heart and mind.    Here are the highlights: 04:27 Moved from Japan to the UK for engineering job 11:39 Change is non-linear, with moments of progress and retreat 20:03 Started a consultancy after realising the same rat race abroad 28:43 Life's changes often disrupt the path you are on 36:36 Taking action despite uncertainty is key 44:49 PhD documentary explored cultural trauma 46:13 Pursuing a PhD despite challenges 49:53 Applying for a fellowship and the Obama Leadership Foundation.   The things that helped Yemi navigate change -  Book: "Untethered Soul" by Michael Singer  Music:   "I Am Light." - Indie Arie The one piece of advice: “Get better at asking high quality questions. What am I afraid of? And answer really honestly. If you just do that you'll know what your next step is. Because a lot of us are seeking certainty, especially in these moments. But just ask what you're afraid of”     More about Yemi   Yemi is a speaker, researcher, author,engineer . Engineer by profession, Entrepreneur by passion, Transformation thought leader by mission. Helping businesses & people make complex problems simple.   After relocating to Australia from the U.K, I realised I was on the same hamster wheel I ran away from, this wheel just had a lot more sunshine. Turns out I was running away from myself, and so the invitation came for me to run away again (oh I would have!) or get down to business and look into that double sided mirror. I was blessed with a great job as an engineer and project manager yet I forever seemed to be chasing happiness. Having been homeless at 24, a single mother to two, I had well and truly earned my hard knock degree.   It became frighteningly obvious that nobody was coming to save me and so I got to work on cleaning my trauma and do this daily to ensure I do not pass this on to my children or those I come across in life—it's not for the faint hearted but it's worth it. In doing the work I have been able to create successful businesses in the U.K. and Australia - most importantly, I no longer chase happiness, it finds me when I am open to receiving it.   Website: https://yemipenn.com/   About your host Eleanor  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 the author of Why losing your job could be the best thing that ever happened to you.    Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/ Website: eleanortweddell.com Produced by winteraudio.co.uk    

“My new mission in life...is about helping women be seen, heard, and valued in their space, whether that's in work and beyond”    In this episode, I talk with Aimee Bateman, an incredible entrepreneur and advocate for women in the workplace.   Aimee shares her story of how experimenting helped her through a closing door after selling her business Careercake. She had spent 10 years building a successful company, then sold it, which was the plan all along. But after the sale, she faced a new challenge: What’s next? She was also adjusting to life as a new parent, balancing her drive with the demands of motherhood. Rather than jump straight into her next big project, Aimee took a different approach: she gave herself a year to experiment.  Aimee’s “year of experiments” wasn’t about perfect plans or guaranteed outcomes. It was about trying things out without pressure. She explored new ideas, met new people, and tested projects to see what resonated. Some ideas worked; others didn’t. And that was okay.  Aimee admits it wasn’t always easy: “At points, my ego was on fire. What if I fail? What will people think? What if I need to change things?” But she learned to embrace the experimenting mindset. Looking back, she now sees her year of experiments as one of her most valuable experiences. It helped her figure out what truly excites her and what direction to take next. “It can feel unnerving to experiment. Like you have to get everything right the first time. But I’ve learned so much, and I know that 2025 is going to be a brilliantly focused year because of how clear I am now about what I want to do.” Here are the highlights: 03:39 Helping women be seen, heard, and valued in all aspects of life. 08:57 Facing gender bias in the workplace. 11:47 Massive life changes after having a baby led to an identity crisis, and selling a company 17:45 Pursuit of success overshadowed happiness 20:23 Core values, especially kindness, are vital for personal transformation 33:34 Take a career break, be gentle, there's time to go hard later 46:44 Discover your North Star values   The things that helped Aimee navigate change Book: “The Long Game" by Dorie Clark  Music: "Sympathy for the Devil", The Rolling Stones. The one piece of advice: “Go and figure out what your values are, which are conflicting with each other, and work out not just what your values are but what's your north star. So we've got our north, our east, our but there will be one value that overrides everything else. That's your north star.”   More about Aimee  A former recruiter, turned award-winning career coach and the founding CEO of the venture-backed Edtech startup, Careercake (Voted UK’s #1 career development platform), which was acquired in 2022.  Aimee defied the odds by securing venture and angel investment across two continents, despite operating in a global landscape where less than 2% of funding goes to a female founder. 10million+ professionals in 42 countries have taken Aimee’s career development courses, including 3million on LinkedIn Learning and featuring as a career expert for the BBC and Sky TV. A busy mum to a toddler and 2 rescue dogs and Aimee hosts the weekly, Seen. Heard. Valued. Podcast and runs Female Further coaching programme.   Find out more: https://www.aimeebateman.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aimee_bateman/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimeebateman/ About your host  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 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: eleanortweddell.com   Produced by winteraudio.co.uk  

"For me opening the door was the same door that had shut in my face previously. But going back there and thinking, well, what am I able to do? …I tried many things, but I realised it's music. So I sat down with a blank piece of paper and thought, I've got to make my way again." Imagine being at the height of music stardom in the 90s, performing on Top of the Pops, being helicoptered between gigs, and having fans waiting outside your house. Then suddenly, there is silence. In this episode Lee Murray shares what happens when the music stops. Lee was the drummer in the band Let Loose, which enjoyed headline and chart success in the 90s. And then, due to various moving doors, and sliding doors moments the record contracted ended. Lee shares the moment he got the letter, sitting on his stairs thinking now what do I do?  It wasn’t an easy few years, navigating what to do next, trying things that didn't work out. But eventually returning to his roots and the love that was there all the time, drumming. Lee set up his own drum school Lee Murray Drum Hub, and now specialises in using lessons to help people with their mental health and to help neurodivergent children in particular.    Here are the highlights: 03:37 As a kid, I was obsessed with music, I dreamt of a music career. 07:48 Non-stop touring and performances for eight years. 21:02 Try new things without fear; be in the right mental space to succeed. 24:16 Drumming, which offered direction and mental wellness benefits. 38:20 Childhood dreams of being a pop star drove adult ambition.   The things that helped Lee navigate change. Music: "Are Friends Electric" by Gary Numan Boos: ‘The Secret’ by Rhonda Byrne  The one piece of advice: “You’ll have real highs and you will have the lows. It’s about trying to equip yourself with the tools to ride through that. So you can experience the highs and enjoy them knowing that it may not last forever, and you will get times where it's going to dip. Equip yourself with the resilience to think it will pass…Keep telling yourself that you're worth it.” About Lee: Lee Murray, drummer of 90s boy band Let Loose, found salvation in music amid mental health struggles. The band, known for playing their instruments and writing songs, had a hit with "Crazy For You" in 1994. Lee joined at 17 in 1987, but faced challenges after their 1996 split. Drumming helped him recover, leading to work with artists like Westlife, Ronan Keating and Lisa Stansfield.   Recently, Lee founded the Lee Murray Drum Hub, using music to support mental health and neurodivergent children. Let Loose reformed in late 2023 with Matthew James Pateman as lead singer, performing at shows and festivals. They're set to release a new single, "Glorious," while Lee's solo single "Never Give Up On Us" launches on January 31st.   Find out more here https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0g45wn6 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lee_murrayinsta More about the host Eleanor   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 the author of Why losing your job could be the best thing that ever happened to you.    Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/ Website: eleanortweddell.com Produced by winteraudio.co.uk