The Right Side of 40

Would you like to make a podcast? After all, if we can do it, then you can too. Listen to two low tech, over-40, podcast newbies share their top tips.Making a podcast is an easy, independent way for you to get your ideas out to an audience. We had no idea what we were doing when we started but 40 episodes later we've learned a lot. We hope we can inspire you to give it a go.We talk you through how we developed the idea for The Right Side of 40 podcast. We share how we recorded, edited, and published the episodes. We also built a website and launched a social media marketing campaign. We know we got some things right and there are things we wish we had done better. However, we are proud we tried something new post-40.Episode length: 65 minutesFurther reading and other resourceshttps://www.rightsideof40pod.com/resourceswww.rightsideof40pod.com/blog40plus

Empathy, communication, active listening, critical thinking, creativity, time management, lifelong learning. These 'soft' skills make us good at our jobs but are often thought of as 'nice to have' rather than core competencies that will get you recruited for the job you want. However, things are changing.We talk to Lena Rantsevich about rethinking recruitment. Lena is launching an app called Reputy that allows people to evidence their 'human' skills to build up a profile that makes them more attractive to employers and helps people to change jobs more easily because of these transferable skills.We talk core skills, hot beverages, introverts, mothering, and how reframing your experience or hobbies - including Caroline's quilt - could get you the career change you have been craving.Episode length: 71 minutesFurther reading and other resourceshttps://www.rightsideof40pod.com/resourcesIf you enjoyed this episode then listen to Episode 25 on workplace mindset and wellbeing, or Episode 14 where Helen tells us how she became a social worker drawing on skills she developed during her life that had prepared her for a challenging but rewarding career change post-40. In Episode 33, Polly Collingridge talks to us about how Cultural Intelligence, otherwise known as CQ, is a key value for organisations who wish to create better connections between their workforce and clients. In Episode 6, Louisa Steensma-Williamson describes how you can look at your core skills and reinvent yourself after redundancy.

Warning: This episode contains references to depression and suicide.Could a neurodiversity diagnosis help you in mid-life? As greater understanding emerges that ADHD and autism present differently in women to men, more women are accessing tests for neurodiversity post-40.We talk to two cousins about their post-40 assessments - Joanne Limburg was diagnosed with autism and Lisa Gee was diagnosed with ADHD. Throughout their lives they knew they were considered 'odd' or 'different' and that assumptions about their behaviour have affected their education, life and work.We discuss the negative economic effects of neurodiversity for those who struggle to work full-time or fit into a traditional workplace structure. We also learn some new ways of understanding neurodivergent traits including spikiness and fizziness!Lisa and Joanne tell us how their diagnosis has enabled them to be more open about their conditions in the workplace and the relief they have felt at now being able to access support and help.'The sense that... I might be entitled to something, I might be entitled to help, I might not have to struggle in the way that I thought everybody struggled but just managed it better.''And I might be able to forgive myself for struggling and allow myself to struggle and allow myself to say, you know what, I'm not going to do this or I'm taking time out because it's harder for me than other people.'Episode length: 65 minutesFurther reading and other resourceshttps://www.rightsideof40pod.com/resourcesIf you enjoyed this episode then listen to Episode 25 on Workplace mindset and wellbeing. Zeenat Noorani talks about creating workplaces that make everyone feel valued and how this particularly benefits the neurodivergent.

Episode contains swearing Pip Bradley got the idea for her business whilst eating at a local pub. With no chilli sauce to add to her meal, Pip wrote up a list of ingredients on the back of a beer mat for her ideal hot sauce. Pip now makes and sells a range of hot sauces, creating not just a succcessful microbusiness but a lifestyle as well.Pip's story is one of a true creative, using her natural talents and instincts to create her products and grow her brand organically. She runs 'Pip's Hot Sauce' with her partner in life and work, Matt. Their working relationship is a brilliant example of the power of partnership and how important it is to have someone you trust who encourages you to go for it.'We're doing something that's very much a creative endeavour... and that's how I like it.'Pip is an active member of a creative community in Birmingham whose support and collaboration have helped her find new directions for the brand. She has also created opportunities for other independent makers to reach customers by setting up Kings Heath Artisan Market in Birmingham.Pip encourages us to 'just get on with' whatever we want to do, and by the end of this episode you will be sketching out your own ideas for that business you've always wanted to run. Her advice for those thinking about setting up on their own: 'Either shut up or do it.'Episode length: 55 minutesFurther reading and other resourceshttps://www.rightsideof40pod.com/resourcesIf you enjoyed this episode then listen to Episode 4, Stand-up comedy, where Rachel Parkin talks about how she has set up a comedy night in Birmingham, and Episode 35 where Sarah Parkin (yes, they are sisters) tells us about her different approach to work - are they side hustles or is this a portfolio career?

Is it OK to feel hurt that friends and family don't understand or care about what I do for a living?How does it feel if your family or friends don't understand what you do for a living? Is it important? Do you care? Does it make you feel lonely?The workplace is a minefield of potential social awkwardness and it doesn't get any easier in midlife.Socially Awkward Questions - if you dare ask them, we'll answer!Episode length: 14 minutesListen to more Socially Awkward Questions on The Right Side of 40 podcast. Do you have to sign every birthday card at work? Should you message a colleague on holiday? Have you embarrassed yourself on a video call? And what about when your colleague changes their pronouns at work - how do you respect their choice? Do your colleagues leave the office kitchen in a mess? What if your office is too hot or too cold? Do you have to go to your boss's wedding? Do you have to make tea for EVERYONE?! And what about swearing? Do you have to change your work style post-40? What can I wear for work once I turn 40? Should you ever date a co-worker? Should you correct their grammar or spelling?

Warning: This episode contains references to adoption, death and funerals.Sarah Parkin is a tutor, councillor, gardener and celebrant... multiple side hustles or is this what is now being called a 'portfolio career'?The cost of living crisis means more people are juggling multiple careers or jobs but it's not just about money, it is also about taking control. Sarah tells us how she manages her many roles to support her family but also how saying 'yes' to things has given her the confidence to find her life's purpose.'By the age of 52, I have found what I want to do when I'm a grown-up.'We talk self-employed anxiety, resilience, finding your voice and whack-a-mole. Sarah is someone who is writing her own story and has found a new career celebrating other people's.Episode length: 62 minutes.Further reading and other resourceshttps://ww.rightsideof40pod.com/resourcesIf you enjoyed this episode then listen to Episode 18, Two careers and counting, Claire tells us how she trained to be a counsellor thinking that she was swapping an old career for a new one but realised that one complimented the other.

Should I correct a co-worker's grammar or spelling?Even if they ask you? Do we even care so much about gramma & spelleeng enny moor?The workplace is a minefield of potential social awkwardness and it doesn't get any easier in midlife.Socially Awkward Questions - if you dare ask them, we'll answer!Episode length: 10 minutesListen to more Socially Awkward Questions on The Right Side of 40 podcast. Do you have to sign every birthday card at work? Should you message a colleague on holiday? Have you embarrassed yourself on a video call? And what about when your colleague changes their pronouns at work - how do you respect their choice? Do your colleagues leave the office kitchen in a mess? What if your office is too hot or too cold? Do you have to go to your boss's wedding? Do you have to make tea for EVERYONE?! And what about swearing? Do you have to change your work style post-40? What can I wear for work once I turn 40? Should you ever date a co-worker?

Polly Collingridge talks to us about how Cultural Intelligence, otherwise known as CQ, is a key value for organisations who wish to create better connections between their workforce and clients - and leads to improved productivity. CQ also provides a common language to negotiate difference without conflict and can help our diverse workforces feel included and communicate effectively. Sounds great but what is it, how do we get it, or do we have it already?Polly describes how CQ asks us to question the assumptions we make about people. We are taught that we should treat others how WE wish to be treated but is that enough? Cultural Intelligence encourages us to treat others how THEY would like to be treated. How do you think you would score if you took a CQ test?Episode length: 58 minutesFurther reading and other resourceshttps://ww.rightsideof40pod.com/resourcesIf you enjoyed this episode, listen to our Career Conundrums in Episodes 12 and 13 where we talk about imposter syndrome, being branded as negative, quiet quitting and unsolvable problems. We also looked to Gen Z and what we can learn from them in terms of work/life balance.

Should you ever date a co-worker?Should you tell anyone? What happens if you split up? What happens if YOU are the boss?The workplace is a minefield of potential social awkwardness and it doesn't get any easier in midlife.Socially Awkward Questions - if you dare ask them, we'll answer!Episode length: 11 minuteswww.rightsideof40pod.com/episodesListen to more Socially Awkward Questions on The Right Side of 40 podcast. Do you have to sign every birthday card at work? Should you message a colleague on holiday? Have you embarrassed yourself on a video call? And what about when your colleague changes their pronouns at work - how do you respect their choice? Do your colleagues leave the office kitchen in a mess? What if your office is too hot or too cold? Do you have to go to your boss's wedding? Do you have to make tea for EVERYONE?! And what about swearing? Do you have to change your work style post-40? What can I wear for work once I turn 40?