There’s a curious pattern that shows up again and again: people say they want more connection, more belonging, more community — and then quietly avoid the very practices that would help them build it.

This reflection explores why deep, human networks feel so confronting in midlife, how shame and fear sneak in disguised as “being busy,” and why meaningful connection isn’t something you wait until you’re ready for. It’s something you practice while you’re still unsure.

This isn’t about networking tactics. It’s about remembering who matters, and letting yourself matter back.

1. Why smaller networks often carry more emotional weight than we expect
2. The quiet fear that stops us from tending relationships we actually want
3. How urgency crowds out what’s meaningful — and why that costs us
4. What changes when connection is treated as a living system, not a tool
5. A tiny, human experiment that rebuilds trust in belonging

If this stirred something tender or familiar, you’re not alone. Many people quietly carry the same longing — and the same hesitation. You don’t need a bigger network. You just need to start where you are.

If you'd like your next year or decade of work to be more enjoyable than your last, check out the three work-life redesign programs I offer at https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/work-with-me.

Want more? Check out my resources for Networking like a Midlife Human

There’s a quiet kind of exhaustion that comes from succeeding while only showing up halfway. From doing excellent work that never quite feels like yours. From knowing you’re capable of more, but not knowing how to bring your whole self without blowing things up.

In this conversation, I’m joined by former client Deirdre McCarthy, who reflects on what changed when she stopped fragmenting herself to fit professional expectations—and started designing work that aligned with her values, her curiosity, and her humanity.

We talk about trusting your inner truth, leading with vulnerability instead of expertise-as-armor, and letting go of the belief that work is a zero-sum game.

This isn’t a story about quitting everything overnight. It’s about the quieter shifts that change how work feels from the inside out—and what becomes possible when you stop editing yourself.

1. What happens when you bring more than just your “competence” to work
2. Why vulnerability can create momentum instead of risk
3. How abundance thinking quietly dissolves comparison and competition
4. The difference between being successful and feeling congruent
5. What “joy at work” actually feels like when it’s real

If any part of this conversation stirred something for you, you’re not alone. Sometimes the most important work shift isn’t external at all—it’s the quiet decision to stop abandoning parts of yourself that matter.

Curious what joy at work could look like for you?

Explore all of my programs at 👉 https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/work-with-me

Catch Other Stories of Midlife Career Redesign:

1. From Stuck to Energised: Lara’s Story
2. Escaping Boredom and Finding Your Superpowers: Scott’s Story

Most of us are pretty rubbish at listening, aren't we?

In this episode, I’m joined by Colin Smith, aka The Listener — a man on a mission to change the way the world listens. We explore what it really feels like to be deeply heard (spoiler: it’s calming, empowering, and makes you feel safe), and what’s at stake when we’re not. Think disconnection, disengagement, even depression.

But we also get practical. Colin shares two beautifully simple listening practices you can try today — at work, at home, or even with your kids — to spark trust and connection in minutes.

If you’ve ever felt unheard, or you suspect you might be doing more talking than listening... this one’s for you.

🎧 Mentioned:

1. Two mini listening experiments that deepen trust quickly
2. Why “don’t fix it” might be the best career advice you’ve never heard
3. The real cost of not listening inside companies (hint: it’s not just talent loss)

👉 Want to begin your own joy-at-work redesign?

Start with my self-assessment tool ‘Derailed’ — it takes just 30 mins and might just change how you see everything: https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/derailed

👉 Want to learn more?

Dig into Practical Tactics for Better Listening: A Joy At Work Experiment with Lucia Knight: https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/podcast-episodes/active-listening