What if burnout wasn’t the end — but the beginning of designing a life entirely on your own terms?

In this episode, Erica Sosna sits down with Winston Ben Clements — global speaker, resilience coach and inclusion advocate — to explore how a shift from a tech career to the speaking stage became not just a career pivot, but a whole new way of living.

Winston shares candidly about navigating corporate environments as a disabled professional, the early signs of burnout, and the pivotal moment he realised he wanted a different kind of life. From building speaking skills at Toastmasters to standing on a TEDx stage, Winston’s story is a powerful example of designing work around strengths, purpose, and true impact.

They discuss the challenges of rebuilding in a new country, the surprising link between creativity and confidence, and why empathy and inclusive thinking are vital parts of thriving workplaces — and thriving lives.

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✨ In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why burnout can sometimes be a hidden career gift

• Winston’s transition from computer science to keynote speaking

• How environments — not just mindsets — shape success

• The impact of early encouragement and creativity on career confidence

• The ripple effect of inclusive workplaces and storytelling

• Reflections on redesigning work to fit who you really are, not just what you can do

🎧 Whether you’re pivoting careers, starting again in a new environment, or simply rethinking what fulfilment looks like, this episode offers hope, encouragement and sharp insight into what’s possible.

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🔗 Links & Resources:

• Connect with Winston Ben Clements on Instagram and LinkedIn

• Connect with Erica Sosna on LinkedIn

• Find out more at The Career Equation website

#TheCareerEquation #CareerDevelopment #BurnoutRecovery #WorkAndThrive #PurposeDrivenCareer

It’s easy to undervalue the things that come naturally — especially when they don’t come with a fancy title or certificate. But those everyday strengths you’ve developed over time? They’re your transferable skills — and they matter more than ever in today’s fast-moving world of work.

In this episode, Erica and Zoë explore why transferable skills are so powerful, and how to uncover the ones you might be taking for granted. From planning a family holiday to leading a team project, the skills you build across all areas of life often hold the key to your career development.

You’ll hear stories from past guests who’ve made bold career moves — from teaching to steampunk rapping, corporate life to château-renovating — all made possible by a strong sense of the skills they could take with them.

They also dive into practical frameworks to help you tell better stories about your strengths, and share advice for managers and coaches to help others do the same.

Whether you’re starting fresh, stuck in a rut, or mentoring a team — this is your permission to own what you’re brilliant at.

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✨ In this episode, you’ll find:

•What a transferable skill really is — and why you probably have more than you think

•A simple exercise to spot the skills that energise you most

•Why your “natural” strengths are often the most valuable

•How to use your career story to surface hidden skills

•Ways managers and mentors can help others grow in their roles

•Tools to boost your confidence and sharpen your career focus

🎧 Give yourself a moment to reflect. You might be sitting on strengths you haven’t even named yet.

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🔗 Links & Resources:

•ICF-accredited coaching programme – starts May 2025

•Connect with Erica: linkedin.com/in/ericasosna

•Connect with Zoë: linkedin.com/in/zoeschofieldcoach

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#TheCareerEquation #TransferableSkills #CareerDevelopment #WorkAndThrive #CareerClarity #ProfessionalGrowth

In this second part of Erica’s conversation with Jonathan Black, Head of Oxford University’s Careers Service and careers columnist for the Financial Times, they explore how to truly prepare for a 21st-century career — one driven by impact, adaptability, and learning.

From internships to alumni networks, Jonathan shares practical insights into how students can gain meaningful work experience, discover career paths they hadn’t considered, and gain clarity around what really matters. They also discuss the evolution of careers advice, the growing importance of purpose-led roles, and how to navigate a career change with intention and confidence.

Whether you’re just starting out or making a mid-career move, this episode is full of actionable takeaways, thoughtful strategies, and the kind of honest wisdom that helps turn ambition into progress.

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✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:

•Why employers value real-world experience (even a job at McDonald’s)

•How internships and micro-projects offer critical exposure to working life

•The growing demand for purpose-driven roles in the third sector

•How Oxford is piloting innovative ways to connect students and alumni

•Advice for mid-career professionals looking to pivot with confidence

•Why defining your ‘North Star’ can unlock surprising opportunities

🎧 This conversation shines a light on how careers are really built — through experimentation, reflection, and a clear sense of purpose.

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🔗 Links & Resources:

•Connect with Jonathan Black on LinkedIn

•Connect with Erica Sosna on LinkedIn

•Explore Oxford University Careers Service

#TheCareerEquation #CareerDevelopment #PurposeDrivenCareers #ProfessionalGrowth #CareerPivot #OxfordCareers