Every great story follows a journey, and so does every fulfilling career.   In this episode, Erica and Zoë bring Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey framework into the world of work, showing how the same narrative pattern that drives epic adventures can also illuminate your own career path.   They trace each stage of the journey, from the initial call to change, through resistance, commitment, challenge, and return, revealing how it maps perfectly onto the twists and turns of modern working life. Along the way, they share examples from their coaching practice, including how leaders and returners alike can use this map to find direction, resilience, and meaning.   Erica reflects on her own experiences with recovery, reinvention, and redefining success after setback, while Zoë shares insights from navigating redundancy and creative renewal. Together they show that even when the road gets dark, you’re not lost, you’re simply in the middle of the story.   Whether you’re stepping into something new, facing uncertainty, or helping others through change, this episode is a reminder that your career isn’t just a sequence of jobs, it’s your own evolving adventure.   ⸻   In this conversation:   • Understanding the Hero’s Journey and how it applies to careers • Recognising where you are on your personal map of change • Moving from resistance to commitment when it’s time to grow • Building confidence through the challenges and “belly of the whale” moments • Using the Career Equation to guide your choices and next steps • What personal and organisational change look like through a story lens • Why reflection and celebration are essential parts of the return   Learn more:   Erica Sosna on LinkedIn Zoë Schofield on LinkedIn Visit thecareerequation.com

Returning to work after time away isn’t just about getting back into a job — it’s about rediscovering who you are now. Erica and Zoë share how to design your next chapter with clarity and confidence, using the Career Equation to align your skills, passions, and purpose for a return that truly fits.

Returning to work after a career break can feel daunting. Erica and Zoë explore the fears, hopes, and confidence challenges that come with reentering the workforce, and share practical career comeback tips to help you bounce back stronger.

What happens when you miss the people leadership side of your career? Zoë speaks to Ben Hart, a healthcare transformation consultant who’s helped NHS trusts treat over 1,000 additional patients annually. From leading expeditions down the Amazon to revolutionising stroke services, discover how his motto ”be nice, do good, and have fun” shapes everything he does.

If you’re ready to keep the momentum going after finding career clarity, this episode is for you.   In episode six of the Career Clarity Mini Series, career coaches Erica Sosna and Zoë Schofield explore how to stay motivated and keep taking action once you’ve defined your Career Design Statement. If you’ve ever wondered how to get clear on my career, or how to figure out my next career step, this conversation gives you simple, practical tools to move forward.   You’ll learn why fear, everyday life, and working in isolation can drain your energy — and how to reframe them so they don’t hold you back. Erica and Zoë share fast career clarity tips, from scheduling a regular ‘career power hour,’ to using easy career coaching tools, to starting conversations that build accountability and momentum.   To access the workbook or book a 121 visit www.thecareerequation.com/clarity   This episode will help you:   Recognise fear and shrink it into manageable steps Protect space for your career by scheduling regular focus time Build momentum with short-term, achievable milestones Share your Career Design Statement with others to avoid isolation Use career coaching tools to set goals that are specific and trackable   By the end of the episode, you’ll know how to keep your clarity alive, set career goals that stick, and use the Career Equation® as a simple career formula to create lasting change.   Book your 1:1 Career Clarity Session here: thecareerequation.com/clarity   Try the free Career Equation® Builder: thecareerequation.com/tools-resources     Learn more:   Erica Sosna on LinkedIn Zoë Schofield on LinkedIn Visit thecareerequation.com  

If you’re ready to move from career clarity into action, this episode is for you.   In episode five of the Career Clarity Mini Series, career experts Erica Sosna and Zoë Schofield guide you through how to set the right kind of career goal, one that actually matches your context, energy, and values right now.   You’ll discover three different types of career goals: progress, development, and learning, and how to choose the one that best supports your Career Design Statement. By the end of the episode, you’ll know how to set a goal that’s achievable, motivating, and aligned with where you want to grow next.   To access the workbook or book a 121 visit www.thecareerequation.com/clarity   This episode will help you: Understand the three kinds of career goals (progress, development, learning) Match your goal to your Career Design Statement Avoid overthinking and get into action quickly Use smart criteria to make your goals specific and trackable Build momentum with short-term, achievable milestones   By the end of the episode, you’ll have a clear, practical goal in place to move your career forward.   Book your 1:1 Career Clarity Session here: thecareerequation.com/clarity   Try the free Career Equation® Builder: thecareerequation.com/tools-resources   Learn more: Erica Sosna on LinkedIn Zoë Schofield on LinkedIn Visit thecareerequation.com  

If you’re searching for career clarity and want a proven way to design a career you love, this episode is for you. In episode four of the Career Clarity Mini Series, career experts Erica Sosna and Zoë Schofield guide you through creating your Career Design Statement — a personal compass that gives you confidence and direction in your career decision making. To access the workbook or book a 121 visit www.thecareerequation.com/clarity You’ll discover how to bring together your skills, passions, impact, and environment into one simple statement that acts as your North Star for every career choice you make. This episode will help you: Gain laser-sharp clarity on what you want from your career Map out your “career sweet spot” where you’ll thrive Score your current role to identify untapped potential and frustrations Have better conversations with managers, mentors, and recruiters Make well-informed choices about career moves and opportunities By the end of the episode, you’ll have a draft Career Design Statement that captures who you are, what matters most, and how to use it to guide your next steps.   Book your 1:1 Career Clarity Session here: thecareerequation.com/clarity Try the free Career Equation® Builder: thecareerequation.com/tools-resources In this episode: How to write your first Career Design Statement (step by step) Why clarity beats job titles and descriptions when planning your career Examples of how a design statement shapes career conversations A simple scoring method to evaluate your current role Exercises to refine and test your statement Learn more: Erica Sosna on LinkedIn Zoë Schofield on LinkedIn Visit thecareerequation.com

If you’re feeling stuck in your career or wondering what’s next, this episode will help you get career clarity and build a plan you can trust.   To access the workbook or book a 121 visit www.thecareerequation.com/clarity   In the third episode of the Career Clarity Mini Series, Erica Sosna and Zoë Schofield take you through the heart of the Career Equation, a proven framework to identify the four elements that matter most to your career happiness:   Skills — what you’re naturally good at and where you excel Passions — the topics, causes, and activities that energise you Impact — the difference you want to make and the values you want to uphold Environment — the conditions you need to do your best work   You’ll learn how to map these into a career design statement, your personal compass for making career decisions. This is more than polishing a CV; it’s about uncovering your career sweet spot and building a career path that fits who you are.   By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear set of criteria to guide your next steps, whether you’re job hunting, planning a career change, or simply looking to thrive in your current role.   Use our free The Career Equation® Builder here: https://www.thecareerequation.com/tools-resources   In this conversation:   How to use the Career Equation to find your career sweet spot Why skills, passions, impact, and environment matter equally Practical exercises to uncover hidden strengths The role of environment in long-term career satisfaction How to prioritise what really matters in your career planning   Learn more: Erica Sosna on LinkedIn Zoë Schofield on LinkedIn Visit thecareerequation.com  

Struggling to figure out your next career move? In this episode of the Career Clarity Mini Series, Erica and Zoë share a simple, powerful approach: using your own story. Learn how to uncover the defining moments from your work life and personal journey, and use them to make confident decisions about what’s next. Whether you’re feeling stuck, restless, or ready to pivot, this episode offers a fresh way to reconnect with your strengths, values, and purpose.

A wake-up call for your working life. You’ll spend around 80,000 hours at work — this episode helps you start making them count. We explore why most people fall into their careers, how to define success on your own terms, and why it’s never too late to take ownership. Part 1 of the Career Clarity mini-series.

Career Clarity Summer School: Free Podcast Course for Career Change and Professional Development This summer, we're launching The Career Clarity Summer School – a completely free, interactive podcast course designed to help you figure out what's next in your career journey. Free Career Guidance Course Starting August 2025 Over six short and powerful episodes, Zoë and Erica will walk you through The Career Equation® – the same career development method trusted by Amazon, Rolls Royce SMR, Thales, and BACB to help professionals like you find fulfilling, energising work that actually fits. Perfect for Career Pivots, Burnout Recovery, and Finding Career Direction Whether you're navigating career burnout, planning a career change, or just want more professional direction, this career clarity course will help you define your sweet spot – where your strengths, interests, impact and needs align. We'll show you how your unique career story and professional biography can generate profound insights about your career design. And we promise to get you bright-eyed, clear and ready to take action to realise your career dreams and goals, just in time for the Autumn term! Starts 4th August 2025 – subscribe to The Career Equation podcast now so you're ready when it goes live.

AI isn’t coming—it’s here. Erica and Zoë explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping careers for mid-level professionals, from the fears and hopes to practical strategies for thriving alongside AI tools. Discover why collaboration, not competition, is the key to staying relevant.

Ever wondered how to scale yourself without burning out? Zoë chats with Danny Fontaine, IBM sales leader and author of ”Pitch,” about bringing emotion and creativity to business pitches. Discover how authenticity became his superpower and transformed his entire career.

Thinking about starting your own podcast? Erica and Zoë share 10 hard-earned lessons from launching The Career Equation. From getting the tech right to figuring out your ‘why’, this is what they wish they’d known before they hit record.

Have you ever felt like your ability to communicate is holding you back? Erica chats with Sarah Jane Seatherton, who’s reshaping how women use language to lead.  Discover the hidden dynamics of language, leadership, and empowerment.

Ever felt like you’re drifting through your career? Erica chats with journalist-turned-lecturer Jed Novick, who’s stepping into retirement and reflecting on what really matters. A thoughtful dive into finding meaning, even when it feels like you’re making it up as you go.

Ever wondered why some workplaces feel just right while others drain your energy? Erica and Zoë delve into the often-overlooked power of environmental fit in career satisfaction. Discover how the right conditions can make all the difference to your professional well-being.

How do you keep your creative spark alive — when the industry you love is falling apart? In this episode, TV producer and storyteller Jayne Brierley shares her career pivots, personal resets, and the power of backing yourself. This episode is full of actionable insights — whether you’re in the media or not.

What does real impact look like — and how do you know if you’re making any? In this episode, Erica and Zoë break down one of the most personal parts of career success. From defining what matters to measuring it in real life, this is your guide to making work count.

US tech founder Anya Cheng joins Zoë to talk resilience, reinvention, and building a business through chaos. From job-hunting in a downturn to launching fashion tech company Taelor, Anya shares her story with honesty, heart and plenty to take away.