Career Change Maker | Career Clarity, Career Opportunities, Career Pivots, Burnout, Corporate Job, Portfolio Career

Hosted by Janine Esbrand I Career Coach, Career Change Coach, Executive Coach

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Episodes

344

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-GB

About the show

***Top 1.5% Global Careers Podcast For Corporate Women*** Are you navigating a mid-career transition and wondering what’s next? Have you built a successful corporate career but realised you don’t want your boss’s job? Do you feel the tension between wanting more freedom and not wanting to sacrifice security? If you’re ambitious but no longer willing to burn out for another promotion, you’re in the right place. I’m glad you’re here. This podcast helps high-achieving mid-career women gain career clarity and confidently design their next chapter, whether that means evolving inside corporate, exploring a portfolio career, or building a hybrid path. If you’re ready to stop default climbing and start making strategic, aligned decisions about your future, this podcast will give you the insight and tools to move forward with confidence. Hey 👋 , I’m Janine Esbrand, corporate lawyer turned career strategist and executive coach. For years, I had my eye on the corporate partner title. I kept my head down, worked the long hours, and chased the next big deal because that’s what success was supposed to look like. Then I became a mother. And I realised I didn’t want to build a life around my career, I wanted to build a career around my life. So, I stepped off the default corporate path and designed a portfolio career that allows me to work on my terms, create meaningful impact, and show up fully, both professionally and personally. Now, I help ambitious mid-career women do the same: gain clarity, challenge the default ladder, and design aligned, sustainable careers that reflect who they are now, not who they used to be. This podcast will give you the strategy, mindset and tools to make it happen. So grab your notebook, pour your hot drink of choice and lets design what’s next. Next Steps: 🎙️ Explore for 1:1 Coaching: www.careerchangemakers.com/claritycall 🌐 Visit the Website: www.careerchangemakers.com 📩 Contact Us: hello@careerchangemakers.com

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 13, 202629 min

334 I The Truth About Additional Income Streams That No One Tells High Achievers

Have you ever caught yourself rolling your eyes at another "I made five figures in a week" ad and wondered why everyone has seemed to have figured out how to shortcut their way to creating additional streams of income. Your resistance is understandable - you're a high achiever, and high achievers don't move on hype, they move on what actually makes sense. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to build a portfolio career when you're a seasoned professional, not a beginner with nothing to lose. I share a story from a recent kayaking trip that taught me something important about what we see versus what's actually happening beneath the surface when someone builds multiple income streams. Then I walk through the real starting point for uncovering your commercial value, plus five reflection questions to help you identify what's already sitting inside your experience, waiting to be leveraged. What you will learn: The Expertise Blind Spot - The longer you've been good at something, the harder it becomes to recognize it as expertise. I unpack why the skills that feel easiest to you are often the ones with the most value to someone else, and how to start noticing what you've stopped seeing in yourself. Stop Asking "What Should I Build" - I explain why chasing a business model (coach? consultant? course?) keeps you stuck in confusion, and why shifting the question to "what valuable problem am I already equipped to solve?" changes everything about how you approach building something of your own. Finding the Shortest Bridge - I break down why you don't need a new qualification, a brand, or a completely different skillset to get started. I show you how to find the shortest bridge between the expertise you've already built and a problem someone else genuinely values, so you can create momentum without starting from zero. I also share the five questions I want you to sit with this week to start uncovering where your career capital already lives. If this episode has you thinking there's more inside your experience than you've been giving yourself credit for, I'd love to help you go deeper. Multiple Streams of Income Intensive I'm running a completely free, two-day live event on 2nd and 3rd September called the Multiple Streams of Income Intensive, where we'll unpack your expertise, translate it into market value, and map your fastest route to your first additional income stream. You do not need to know what you want to build to join us. Save your seat at careerchangemakers.com/intensive. Send us Fan Mail Multiple Streams of Income Intensive Save your seat for this 2 day intensive that will help you leverage your existing expertise to build an additional stream of income. Connect with me! Website: www.careerchangemakers.com Email: podcast@careerchangemakers.com LinkedIn: Janine Esbrand Instagram: @careerchangemakerspodcast Career Change Makers on Apple Podcasts

August 6, 2026Episode 33327 min

333 l Stop Sitting On Your Experience, Make It Start Working For You

When you reflect on key milestones in your life and career, do you only focus on the achievement itself, or do you talk about who you became while reaching it? Most ambitious women are sitting on years of rich, transformative experience that is working far less than it could simply because they haven't learned how to articulate its true depth and impact. In this episode of the Career Change Maker Podcast, I share three pivotal milestones from my own journey to demonstrate how shifting your perspective on your past achievements can transform how others view your expertise. If you want your experience to start working for you instead of constantly feeling like you have to chase new markers, this episode will show you how to pull out the hidden gems in your story. What You Will Learn in This Episode The Milestone Trap: Why focusing solely on surface-level accomplishments causes you to overlook the true depth of your skills and value. Translating Depth: How to articulate experiences in a way that highlights your adaptability, leadership, and emotional intelligence. Commitment as Currency: Why sharing the behind-the-scenes effort and journey sets you apart in a world constantly looking for shortcuts. Resources & Links Mentioned Free 2-Day Multiple Streams of Income Intensive (Sept 2 & 3): Join Janine for a live event on building a portfolio career and creating multiple streams of income without quitting your corporate job. Sign Up For The Free Intensive Here Career Capital AI Tool: Track your career milestones and articulate your value effortlessly. Explore Career Capital Use Code JANINE30 at checkout to claim your free trial. Related Episodes You May Enjoy Episode 329: Why I Stopped Chasing the Next Milestone (And What I Do Instead) Episode 262: Why Reinventing Yourself Is Actually The Best Way To Find Real Career Clarity Send us Fan Mail Multiple Streams of Income Intensive Save your seat for this 2 day intensive that will help you leverage your existing expertise to build an additional stream of income. Connect with me! Website: www.careerchangemakers.com Email: podcast@careerchangemakers.com LinkedIn: Janine Esbrand Instagram: @careerchangemakerspodcast Career Change Makers on Apple Podcasts

July 30, 2026Episode 33212 min

332 I From My Coaching Room: Feeling Undervalued at Work? Here’s What That Actually Means

Have you ever been made to feel like you weren't good enough, not because of your results or effort, but because of how someone in your organization views or interacts with you? Do you find that being handed work below your level or being overlooked for major opportunities is slowly eroding your confidence over time? What if being undervalued at work isn't a reflection of your actual ability, but simply evidence that you are sharing your expertise in the wrong room? In this episode, I am taking you inside my coaching room to share a powerful story from a senior, highly experienced client who was feeling stuck and overlooked in her corporate role. When she took the exact same expertise she was using at work and packaged it for external clients, everything shifted. The positive response and paid validation completely restored her confidence and transformed how she showed up across her entire career. Many ambitious women assume that being undervalued inside an organization means they need more training, more credentials, or more time before stepping out into the marketplace. In reality, being undervalued is contextual, not evidential. One room's read on your capabilities is not the final word on the immense value you can bring. Building something on the side isn't just about creating an extra stream of income; it serves as a powerful space to test your ideas, build unshakeable self-belief, and take control of your professional worth. What you will learn in this episode Why being undervalued is contextual rather than evidential. Feeling overlooked in your current role doesn't mean you lack capability. Switching up the context and presenting your skills to the right audience can completely change how your work is received and valued. How external validation rebuilds internal confidence. Receiving positive feedback and getting paid for your expertise outside of your nine-to-five provides a level of validation that instantly shifts your self-belief. The ripple effect of owning your worth. Securing client opportunities outside of work teaches you how to set firm boundaries, advocate for your time, and show up with top-tier confidence inside your primary role. Ready to gain exclusive insights and stay ahead in your career transition journey? Don't navigate your next steps alone. Join our exclusive email community today to get weekly behind-the-scenes perspectives, practical guidance, and first access to details about our upcoming live events and announcements. Click the link in the show notes to get on the list. Other episodes you may enjoy Episode 90: The Truth About Career Change and Why Most People Skip This Clarity Step Episode 164: Why a Career That Looks Good on Paper Can Still Feel Unfulfilling Send us Fan Mail Multiple Streams of Income Intensive Save your seat for this 2 day intensive that will help you leverage your existing expertise to build an additional stream of income. Connect with me! Website: www.careerchangemakers.com Email: podcast@careerchangemakers.com LinkedIn: Janine Esbrand Instagram: @careerchangemakerspodcast Career Change Makers on Apple Podcasts

July 24, 2026Episode 33116 min

331 I Why Building On The Side Makes You Better At Your Day Job

Are you holding back from starting a side project or an additional stream of income because you fear it will ruin your focus at work? Do you worry that building something on the side will make your employer question your commitment or negatively impact your day-to-day performance? What if creating a business outside your 9 to 5 is actually the key to sharpening your skills and making you a highly sought-after professional? In this episode, I share a recent personal experience from a legal consulting project that proved why having a side venture actually enhances your career performance rather than distracting from it. Drawing on the systems and problem-solving skills I developed as a business owner, I was able to build a brand-new operations system that added immense, immediate value to the organisation. Many ambitious women assume that dividing their focus will dilute their impact. In reality, stepping into a training ground outside your full-time role broadens your perspective, refines your resilience, and equips you to solve high-level problems with ease. Building something on the side isn't just a strategy for leaving corporate; it is often the ultimate training ground to help you show up as a leader, stand out in your industry, and thrive where you are. What you will learn in this episode How side projects act as an active skill-building ground. Pushing yourself to build something from scratch forces you to develop resilience and strategic awareness that you simply cannot build by keeping your head down in a routine role. The power of training your brain to think like a business owner. Stepping outside your day-to-day tasks builds an entrepreneurial mindset. You begin anticipating challenges, optimising processes, and thinking with the long-term vision that C-suite leadership looks for. Why cross applying your unique skill stack makes you a sought after employee. Combining your corporate expertise with the diverse capabilities gained from running a business gives you a unique perspective that sets you apart from your peers. Ready to gain exclusive insights and stay ahead in your career journey? Don't navigate your career transition alone. Join our exclusive email community today to get weekly behind-the-scenes perspectives, practical nuggets, and first access to exciting upcoming announcements. Send us Fan Mail Multiple Streams of Income Intensive Save your seat for this 2 day intensive that will help you leverage your existing expertise to build an additional stream of income. Connect with me! Website: www.careerchangemakers.com Email: podcast@careerchangemakers.com LinkedIn: Janine Esbrand Instagram: @careerchangemakerspodcast Career Change Makers on Apple Podcasts

July 16, 202616 min

330 I How To Manage Your Time While Building Multiple Streams of Income as a Mid-Career Woman

Do you tell yourself you don't have enough time to build something on the side, on top of everything you're already carrying? Do you find yourself scrolling, waiting, or filling small pockets of your day without ever noticing where that time actually goes? Have you ever started building a business or an additional income stream, only to watch it stall the moment life got busy again? In this practical, behind-the-scenes episode, I share the exact time-blocking method I used to build my coaching and consulting business while working full-time as an in-house lawyer, raising two small children, and being a wife. I started building back in 2016 while on maternity leave, and when I went back to work, I had to figure out how to keep growing what I'd started without dropping the balls that already mattered most. What I learned wasn't about squeezing more into my day. It was about protecting what actually mattered and being intentional with the time I already had. This is the method that's allowed me to release over 320 podcast episodes, build multiple income streams, and attract clients from all over the world, even in the busiest seasons of my life. What you will learn in this episode How to audit your time before you try to find more of it. Most of us feel like we don't have enough time, but the truth is there are pockets being lost every day, in scrolling, in waiting, in low-intention moments. Tracking where your time actually goes for a week or two reveals exactly where you can reclaim it for what you're building. Why you have to prioritise what actually moves the needle. When you're building something new, everything can feel urgent, but not everything deserves your time. Learning to prioritise revenue-generating activity over the busywork that feels productive, like perfecting a website or researching endless tools, is what actually creates momentum. How to use time blocking to protect your energy. Deciding in advance when you work on your business, and putting it on the calendar as a non-negotiable appointment with yourself, stops the constant mental drain of feeling like you should be doing something at all times. A colour-coded calendar system lets you see your whole life at once, without losing sight of any part of it. Ready to stop waiting for more time to appear and start building with the time you already have? If this resonated and you're navigating a career transition and ready to build on your own terms, come join us inside our email community. You'll get practical, real-world strategy in your inbox every week, straight from me. Join us here. Send us Fan Mail Multiple Streams of Income Intensive Save your seat for this 2 day intensive that will help you leverage your existing expertise to build an additional stream of income. Connect with me! Website: www.careerchangemakers.com Email: podcast@careerchangemakers.com LinkedIn: Janine Esbrand Instagram: @careerchangemakerspodcast Career Change Makers on Apple Podcasts

July 9, 2026Episode 32916 min

329 | Why I Stopped Chasing the Next Milestone (And What I Do Instead)

Are you a high achiever who routinely hits major milestones, only to find yourself instantly moving the goalposts rather than celebrating your success? Do you ever experience a strange sense of flatness or an anti-climax after achieving a long-term dream, wondering why it doesn't feel the way you thought it would? Have you been treating your career path like an automatic conveyor belt, moving to the next demand out of sheer habit or expectation rather than checking if it still serves you? In this transparent and reflective episode, I share a personal story from the exact day I qualified as a lawyer. After a decade of intense study, late nights, and constantly proving myself to tough critics, I expected to feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. Instead, I felt an uncomfortable flatness because my mind had already raced ahead to the next rung on the ladder. It is a common trap for ambitious women: we are funneled into traditional paths and autopilot expectations without ever being taught how to pause. This personal shift serves as a powerful reminder that achievements are not just stepping stones to rush past. True career clarity means giving yourself permission to interrupt the pattern, count the cost of your hard work, and intentionally decide whether you actually want to keep climbing or choose a completely different direction. What you will learn in this episode The hidden danger of the invisible conveyor belt. Traditional linear career paths condition us to treat major achievements as automatic rungs on a ladder rather than intentional choice points. Learning to pause at these junctures prevents you from building a version of success that no longer fits your life. The practice of letting success land. We often withhold celebration until an external outcome appears, or we quickly diminish our wins once we get them. Shifting your mindset to view success as the internal growth and effort you put into the journey allows you to fully process and appreciate your achievements. Reassessing your direction season by season. Who you were when you initially set a goal is not who you are when you finally achieve it. Giving yourself permission to change your mind, readapt to a rapidly shifting landscape, and redefine success on your own terms is an essential act of career leadership. Ready to redefine success and take full ownership of your career journey? Don't let your next professional step be decided for you on autopilot. If you want to dive deeper into these insights, access behind-the-scenes perspectives, and learn exactly how to navigate career transitions with confidence, join our exclusive email community today. Send us Fan Mail Multiple Streams of Income Intensive Save your seat for this 2 day intensive that will help you leverage your existing expertise to build an additional stream of income. Connect with me! Website: www.careerchangemakers.com Email: podcast@careerchangemakers.com LinkedIn: Janine Esbrand Instagram: @careerchangemakerspodcast Career Change Makers on Apple Podcasts

July 5, 2026Episode 32814 min

328 I From My Coaching Room: How A Client Landed Her First Client In 2 Weeks

Are you working to build an additional stream of income outside your full-time role but struggling to get people to actually book your services? Have you been having initial conversations and sharing what you do, only to find that nobody is moving forward? What if the shift needed to land your very first paying client is far simpler than the complex strategies you are trying to figure out? In today's episode, I am taking you inside my coaching room to share the exact breakthrough a recent client experienced. As a talented writer and communicator, she had deep expertise but spent months struggling to secure bookings from people new to her world. Everything changed in just two weeks after we made one fundamental shift in her approach, resulting in her signing her very first client. I wanted to unpack this specific process because it highlights exactly what is possible when you take the right action in the right order. It is the very same framework I walk my clients through inside the Portfolio Career Academy to help them transition from overthinking to real, tangible execution. Many professionals normalise their years of experience, glossing over the incredible insights and projects that others would gladly pay for. By learning how to package your existing value and activating your awareness, you can transform casual networking conversations into paid engagements. What you will learn in this episode You cannot sell what you cannot see. Most of us bury our best material and unique wins in past roles, assuming it is just part of the job. Listing every role and identifying the repeating patterns is the key to uncovering the strengths you can leverage with ease. Value is not the same as an offer. Having immense skill is one thing, but you must package it into something people want to buy right now. Instead of trying to build a massive program from day one, focusing on what people will pay for the fastest allows you to prove your concept. Clarity changes what you notice. When you define your specific offer, you activate the reticular activating system in your brain. This mental filter completely shifts your awareness, allowing you to hear opportunities everywhere and recognise the exact language people use to describe their problems. Ready to build your additional stream of income with intention? The Portfolio Career Academy founding cohort officially starts this September. If you are an ambitious mid-career woman ready monetise your expertise outside of your nine-to-five book your call today to explore if the program is the right fit for you. Send us Fan Mail Multiple Streams of Income Intensive Save your seat for this 2 day intensive that will help you leverage your existing expertise to build an additional stream of income. Connect with me! Website: www.careerchangemakers.com Email: podcast@careerchangemakers.com LinkedIn: Janine Esbrand Instagram: @careerchangemakerspodcast Career Change Makers on Apple Podcasts

June 26, 202617 min

327 I How to Avoid Missing Great Career Opportunities

Are you an ambitious woman who constantly looks for the next big career move while missing the goldmine right in front of you? Do you ever find yourself overthinking opportunities or letting a subtle fear of making the wrong move hold you back from responding? Have you ever wondered how some professionals effortlessly attract high-paying projects and roles without constantly pitching? In this episode, I share how the most transformative career opportunities often find you when you position yourself correctly. I open up about an unexpected message in my Instagram inbox that I nearly ignored, which ultimately turned into thousands of pounds in revenue. It is a powerful reminder that your existing expertise is highly valuable, but you have to be visible for the right doors to open. Many of us treat career growth as a constant search for something completely new, whether that means a new qualification or a new sector. In reality, the biggest breakthroughs come from auditing what you already have and boldly pushing past the fear of showing up. What you will learn in this episode The power of conducting a personal expertise audit. It is easy to dismiss your years of experience as ordinary. Taking the time to list your past roles, results, and unique problem-solving skills helps you realise the immense inventory you already possess. How fear filters out incredible hidden opportunities. The fear of making the wrong move often narrows your vision, causing you to see risks instead of potential. Learning to look fear in the face and leaning into new conversations is essential to expanding your capacity for luck. Why consistency in visibility is your ultimate leverage. You cannot attract opportunities if people do not know you exist. Whether you are posting original content or actively engaging in industry conversations on LinkedIn, putting yourself out there creates openings you cannot even predict. Ready to build your additional stream of income with intention? The Portfolio Career Academy start date is officially September 7th. If you are a mid-career professional ready to leverage your expertise and launch your first additional stream of income in just 12 weeks, book your call today to explore if the program is the right fit for you. Send us Fan Mail Multiple Streams of Income Intensive Save your seat for this 2 day intensive that will help you leverage your existing expertise to build an additional stream of income. Connect with me! Website: www.careerchangemakers.com Email: podcast@careerchangemakers.com LinkedIn: Janine Esbrand Instagram: @careerchangemakerspodcast Career Change Makers on Apple Podcasts

June 19, 2026Episode 32614 min

326 I BTS: Tough Decisions You Make When Managing Multiple Streams of Income

Are you a high achiever who prides yourself on always following through and making things happen, no matter what? Do you routinely stretch your capacity to the limit, while wondering if "pushing through" is truly the only way to sustain your success? Have you ever felt an uncomfortable tension between a goal you committed to and what your life, health, and values are actually asking of you right now? In this transparent and behind-the-scenes episode, I share a vulnerable update regarding the upcoming Portfolio Career Academy. After mapping out my program launch for the end of June, I made the difficult but intentional decision to push the start date back to September. It wasn't an easy pivot for someone used to executing on a deadline, but a powerful realisation about my son's final summer before high school forced me to pause. This personal shift serves as a reminder for every ambitious woman: your career is meant to serve your life, not the other way around. Yet so many of us treat a change of direction as a flaw rather than a strategic recalibration. We keep driving forward out of habit or fear of what others will think, waiting for the right time to rest rather than recognising that the season has already shifted. What you'll learn in this episode: Changing your mind is a decision, not a failure. We often carry immense guilt when we pivot, delaying a goal and misinterpreting it as a lack of discipline. In reality, choosing a different path based on new information is an act of leadership. It is an opportunity to acknowledge that your priorities have evolved, and you do not need to apologize for doing what makes sense for your current season. The critical reality of capacity management. Building a portfolio career and managing multiple income streams is an asset, but it requires radical honesty about your time and energy. When balancing various consulting contracts and projects, understanding how to scope your time and lean on both professional and personal support systems is essential to protect your wellbeing before burnout takes over. Protecting what matters is the ultimate point. When faced with a difficult choice, your core values must act as your decision criteria. "Pushing through" to deliver a project at the expense of your energy, family, or the integrity of your work is a cost too high to pay. True career clarity means knowing your non-negotiables, setting up your safety nets, and honoring your boundaries with confidence. Ready to build your additional stream of income with intention? The Portfolio Career Academy start date has officially moved to September 7th . If you are ready to diversify your income and build your own safety net before you need it, book your fitting call today to explore if the program is the right fit for you after the summer. Send us Fan Mail Multiple Streams of Income Intensive Save your seat for this 2 day intensive that will help you leverage your existing expertise to build an additional stream of income. Connect with me! Website: www.careerchangemakers.com Email: podcast@careerchangemakers.com LinkedIn: Janine Esbrand Instagram: @careerchangemakerspodcast Career Change Makers on Apple Podcasts

June 12, 2026Episode 32517 min

325 I How To Build Additional Income Streams as a Mid-Career Woman In 2026

Are you a high-achieving corporate woman showing up every day to a role that is your only source of income? Have you spent 15 to 20 years building a massive reservoir of expertise, yet you haven't stopped to figure out how to maximise its value? Have you been wondering what it would actually look like to diversify your income without having to burn down your current career or start entirely from zero? In this episode, I pull back the curtain on her own 10-year journey of building multiple income streams alongside her corporate work. I share how I navigated everything from accidental opportunities to an unexpected physical injury that forced me to quickly recalibrate her revenue levers. It is a powerful reminder that in an uncertain market shifting with AI transformation, true career ownership means building a personal safety blanket before you actually need to use it. Building a portfolio career is not about adding more hustle or overwhelm to your already packed schedule. It is about learning how to strategically leverage the track record you already possess ,so you can put yourself firmly back in the driving seat of your professional life. What you'll learn in this episode: Your expertise is an underutilised asset. Many women sit on far more value than they realise. Instead of jumping into building something entirely new or waiting until you have a website ready, the most effective starting point is a simple career audit mapping what you know, who you have helped, and the exact results you have already produced. The power of starting with one. The biggest trap when building on the side is trying to dabble in multiple ideas at once, leading to quick burnout and a lack of traction. True momentum comes from selecting just one stream, proving the concept with a minimum viable product, and mastering your time before attempting to layer on the next project. The three strategic income buckets. For professional women with deep corporate experience, income diversification generally falls into three main routes. You will learn how to evaluate fractional or consulting work , portfolio board roles , and building your own visible platform through speaking or content creation. Ready to take ownership of your career? If you are ready to stop being passive and want to learn the exact playbook and tools to manage a successful portfolio career, applications are open for the Portfolio Career Academy . This 12-week group coaching experience is specifically designed for high-achieving corporate women ready to turn their corporate expertise into diverse revenue streams. We begin at the end of this month. Head over to careerchangemakers.com/pca to view the details and book a fitting call today. Send us Fan Mail Multiple Streams of Income Intensive Save your seat for this 2 day intensive that will help you leverage your existing expertise to build an additional stream of income. Connect with me! Website: www.careerchangemakers.com Email: podcast@careerchangemakers.com LinkedIn: Janine Esbrand Instagram: @careerchangemakerspodcast Career Change Makers on Apple Podcasts