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If you're working hard, delivering results, and still not advancing in your career, you may be facing more than just bad luck—you could be blocked.

In this powerful episode of The Mid-Career GPS Podcast, career coach John Neral breaks down 10 unmistakable signs that your professional growth is being stifled by internal organizational barriers.

Whether you're being told you're "too valuable in your current role" or watching less experienced colleagues climb the ladder while you're stuck in place, these signs can point to a deeper issue: your organization may be holding you back.

John shares real-world insights, personal experiences, and actionable strategies to help you recognize when you're being blocked and what to do about it.

More importantly, you'll learn how to take charge of your career by initiating direct conversations about your goals, growth potential, and what you truly want from your next role.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• How to recognize the hidden signs you're being blocked from promotion
• Why vague or non-actionable feedback is a major red flag
• The impact of being the "go-to" person who’s never promoted
• What to do when your manager isn’t advocating for your advancement
• How to initiate meaningful conversations about your career path

This episode is a must-listen if you’re:

• A mid-career professional feeling stuck or underappreciated
• Frustrated by your lack of career growth despite strong performance
• Ready to advocate for yourself and explore new opportunities

Resources Mentioned:

• Download John’s free guide: 10 Must-Listen Podcast Episodes to Help You Navigate What’s Next and get your invite to the free Zoom celebration event on Wednesday, June 25th
• Interested in coaching? Email John directly at john@johnneral.com.
• Connect with John on LinkedIn

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast.
Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

Visit https://johnneral.com/resources for free and low-ticket resources, including how to join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community.

Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals.

Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here.
Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching.
Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Send us a text

One of the best ways to reclaim your confidence in this job market is by learning how to effectively negotiate your next job offer.

In this episode, salary negotiation expert and compensation consultant Kate Dixon shares powerful, real-world strategies to help you advocate for your worth without sounding pushy or confrontational.

Kate is the author of Pay Up: Unlocking Insider Secrets of Salary Negotiation and founder of Dixon Consulting, bringing over 30 years of compensation experience to this insightful and practical conversation.

You’ll learn why 80% of professionals who negotiate receive something in return and how you can be one of them.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why salary negotiations are not about being aggressive, but about solving a business problem collaboratively
• The seven magic words to use in any negotiation: “What kind of flexibility do you have?”
• What’s usually on the table (think base salary, sign-on bonuses, start dates) versus what’s not (benefits like retirement plans)
• How one client saved $30,000 by analyzing a relocation package and how you can find hidden financial value too
• Why compensation reflects the value of the role, not your personal worth, so you can keep your emotions in check
• How your negotiation style can shape your professional reputation before you even start the job

Kate also breaks down the importance of silence after asking for flexibility, why it's your most powerful negotiation tool, and how it positions you as confident, thoughtful, and strategic.

Visit johnneral.com/resources to download "10 Must-Listen Episodes to Help You Navigate What’s Next" and get your invitation to a free live Zoom event on June 25th at 7:00 PM ET—created just for mid-career professionals like you.

Connect with Kate Dixon

Website | LinkedIn | Book

Keywords: salary negotiation tips, mid-career job offers, Kate Dixon interview, how to negotiate a job offer, career nego

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast.
Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

Visit https://johnneral.com/resources for free and low-ticket resources, including how to join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community.

Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals.

Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here.
Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching.
Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Send us a text

Welcome to a major milestone—Episode 300 of The Mid-Career GPS Podcast! Only 2.6% of podcasts make it this far, and it’s all thanks to YOU—our dedicated listeners navigating the ups and downs of mid-career life.

In this special episode, host John Neral reflects on the journey that began during the pandemic and has grown into a go-to resource for mid-career professionals who feel stuck, undervalued, or uncertain about what’s next.

Whether you’re burned out, frustrated with today’s job market, or questioning your career direction, this episode is your reminder that you are not alone—and you are not stuck.

As we look ahead to the future of the podcast, John announces a renewed mission: to help mid-career professionals not just change jobs—but find careers they truly love.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• What reaching 300 episodes means and why it matters to mid-career professionals
• How the podcast is evolving to focus more on career satisfaction, not just job search strategy
• Why today’s job market feels broken—and what you can do about it
• The biggest fears mid-career professionals face in 2025 (and how to move through them)
• How to take full ownership of your career journey with confidence and clarity

Free Resources to Help You Navigate What’s Next:

📘 Download: 10 Must-Listen Episodes to Help You Navigate What’s Next
👉 https://johnneral.com/resources

When you download the guide, you’ll get invited to a free Zoom call on Wednesday, June 25th at 7:00 pm Eastern, where we will celebrate the podcast, and I’ll be there to answer some of your career questions.

❤️ Love the Show? Help It Grow:

If you’ve gotten value from this podcast, please:

1. Share it with three friends who feel stuck or burned out at work
2. Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
3. Download the free guide and join the June 25th celebration!

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast.
Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

Visit https://johnneral.com/resources for free and low-ticket resources, including how to join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community.

Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals.

Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here.
Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching.
Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Send us a text

Feeling overwhelmed, underappreciated, and stuck in a job that drains you? You're not alone. In 2025, mid-career professionals are navigating a volatile job market marked by return-to-office mandates, fear-based management, and increasing workplace toxicity. If you’ve been quietly questioning your career path or struggling to stay sane at work, this episode is for you.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

✅ How to manage job stress without a complete career overhaul
✅ The truth behind today’s job market — and why it’s not your fault you feel stuck
✅ Why overusing ChatGPT in job applications might actually backfire
✅ How to protect your mental health from workplace toxicity and overwork
✅ Ways to create “mini recovery moments” that boost your energy and focus
✅ Smart, simple networking strategies for mid-career professionals
✅ Why finding humor at work isn’t just helpful — it’s essential

Whether you're burned out, thinking of leaving your job, or just want to survive the latest wave of corporate chaos, this episode gives you realistic, empowering tools to navigate 2025’s workplace storm.

Top Takeaways:

Back-to-office blues: Why the shift back to in-person work is exhausting — and how to cope
Boundary-setting for survival: Learn to say "no" without guilt
Job market reality check: Most mid-career transitions take 5–7 months — and that’s normal
AI alert: Discover why generic, ChatGPT-written cover letters might be working against you
Your support squad: How to build a career safety net with the right people
Micro-recovery moments: Find peace in small, daily rituals that recharge your spirit

Listen now if you’re ready to:

• Stop feeling like your job is a constant drain
• Navigate workplace politics without losing yourself
• Start building a practical, personalized career GPS
• Handle 2025’s career chaos with more calm, clarity, and confidence

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast.
Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

Visit https://johnneral.com/resources for free and low-ticket resources, including how to join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community.

Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals.

Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here.
Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching.
Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Send us a text

Feeling stuck in a toxic workplace or misaligned in your career? You're not alone—and you're not powerless. In this powerful episode, Dahlia Shaewitz, founder of Third Sight LLC, joins host John Neral to share career-shifting insights for mid-career professionals seeking clarity, better leadership paths, and more authentic connections at work.

Whether you're looking to leave a job that no longer fits or elevate your influence without a formal title, this episode is your career GPS.

💡 Episode Highlights:

• Is it you or the workplace? Learn how to identify toxic environments vs. simple misalignment—and what to do next.
• Build allies, not enemies. Discover how to foster workplace relationships rooted in trust, not politics.
• Networking for introverts. Dahlia shares how to network meaningfully without being transactional.
• Lead without the title. Why volunteering on nonprofit boards can fast-track your leadership growth and strategic thinking.
• The "MENTOR" model. Use this framework to assess your unique career strengths and growth areas.
• One key question to ask: “What are you most proud of?”—and how it uncovers your authentic leadership voice.

🎯 This episode is perfect for you if:

• You're a mid-career professional questioning your current role or workplace culture.
• You feel burned out or undervalued and need a path forward.
• You're ready to lead from where you are—even without a promotion.
• You're exploring how to transition into more meaningful work or a new role.

Connect with Dahlia Shaewitz

Website | LinkedIn

🔍 SEO Keywords (targeted):

Mid-career job search, toxic workplace recovery, leadership without a title, nonprofit board leadership, workplace misalignment, allyship at work, introvert networking, career coaching, job fit vs. job mismatch, strategic leadership development

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast.
Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

Visit https://johnneral.com/resources for free and low-ticket resources, including how to join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community.

Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals.

Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here.
Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching.
Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Send us a text

Feeling stuck, undervalued, or underutilized in your career?

You’re not alone and you’re not lost.

In this episode, I unpack how to navigate a meaningful career pivot with clarity, strategy, and confidence.

Whether you're reassessing your priorities, reevaluating your strengths, or questioning your current path, this episode will help you move from confusion to clarity without taking a blind leap.

Discover how to build Your Mid-Career GPS, my proven framework designed to guide professionals through the four essential steps of career transition: Preparation, Positioning, Promotion, and SHOW UP.

You’ll learn how to leverage tools like Gallup’s CliftonStrengths to articulate your unique value, identify what truly motivates you, and build a purposeful plan for what's next.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why career clarity is the foundation of any successful career pivot
• The 4-step Mid-Career GPS framework to guide your next professional move
• How to identify and communicate your true strengths—not just what you’re good at
• The importance of aligning your values with your next role
• What hiring managers really want to hear about your transferable skills
• Why strategic clarity outperforms blind leaps every time
• The realistic timeline for career change: what to expect and how to plan

Key Takeaway:
Making a successful career transition doesn’t require guessing—it requires intentional action. Learn how to define your value, align it with market needs, and take control of your professional journey.

Resources and Links:

• Learn more about my digital course: From Career Crossroads to Career Clarity
• Learn more about Gallup's CliftonStrengths.

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast.
Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

Visit https://johnneral.com/resources for free and low-ticket resources, including how to join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community.

Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals.

Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here.
Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching.
Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Send us a text

What’s Really Holding You Back in Your Career?

Ever feel like you’re doing all the right things in your career, but still not moving forward? While it's easy to blame external forces, leadership expert and former Chief People Officer Erica Rooney believes the real barriers may lie much closer to home.

In this powerful episode, Erica introduces the concept of “sticky floors,” which are the internalized beliefs and self-sabotaging behaviors that keep high-potential professionals stuck. Sharing a deeply personal story of betrayal by a trusted colleague, Erica walks us through how a moment of disillusionment sparked her professional transformation. She realized she couldn’t control others’ integrity, but she could control how she showed up, responded, and grew.

Erica also shares her SNAP method (Stop, Name it, Ask Questions, Pivot), a practical, science-backed framework for identifying and overcoming hidden patterns that limit progress. Along the way, Erica shares her powerful insights on workplace allyship, including what men can do right now to support women colleagues better.

Key Takeaways:

• Erica’s turning point: when a respected colleague took credit for her idea
• The difference between glass ceilings (external) and sticky floors (internal)
• How the SNAP method helps professionals shift from stuck to strategic
• The power of the word “yet” to reframe capability and growth
• Common sticky floors: perfectionism, fear of failure, and self-doubt
• How men can be better allies to women in the workplace
• Why strong manager relationships are key to promotion and visibility
• You’re not stuck—you just haven’t moved yet

Connect with Erica Rooney

LinkedIn | Podcast | Get Her B

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast.
Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

Visit https://johnneral.com/resources for free and low-ticket resources, including how to join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community.

Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals.

Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here.
Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching.
Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Send us a text

Navigating a job loss or corporate shakeup? In this must-listen episode, career expert John Neral explains the real differences between restructuring, reorganization, layoffs, and RIFs, and how mid-career professionals can stay grounded through uncertain times.

Whether you're affected by government DOGE initiatives, private-sector downsizing, or just sensing change ahead, you'll learn how to:

• Recognize what you can control
• Protect your well-being and set strong boundaries
• Understand how leadership makes tough calls
• Prepare a solid career contingency plan
• Identify your transferable skills and stay marketable
• Build financial security and emotional resilience

This episode offers clarity, compassion, and concrete steps to help you weather workplace change and protect your career.

Learn more and join the Mid-Career GPS Membership Community for coaching, resources, and support: johnneral.com/membership

Support the show

Thank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast.
Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here.

Visit https://johnneral.com/resources for free and low-ticket resources, including how to join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community.

Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals.

Connect with John on LinkedIn here.
Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here.
Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching.
Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.