In this first guest episode of The Purposeful Shift, Emma is joined by artist, photographer, filmmaker and educator Sue Tansley for a deeply honest conversation about burnout, identity, creativity and what it means to begin again.

Sue shares the reality of leaving a highly respected 20-year career in education, despite loving so much about her role.

From leading a successful department to managing impossible workloads, family pressures, perimenopause and a late ADHD diagnosis, Sue speaks openly about the moment she realised the cost of continuing had become too high.

Together, Emma and Sue explore what happens when work takes over your identity, how it feels to walk away from something you are good at, and what can emerge when you finally give your creativity back to yourself.

Sue reflects on the calm she has found since stepping away, the return of her artistic imagination after decades of putting it aside, and the surprising spontaneity that has appeared in this new chapter of life. She also shares what she is learning about herself now, what freedom looks like at this stage of life, and why her dream is not about status but peace.

This is a thoughtful and inspiring episode for any woman who feels the nudge to change something, but is scared of what stepping away might mean.

Find out more about Sue's work:

Instagram: @lildil.sue.t

Website: lildil photography