ReCon, the podcast made to support women in their 30s to mid 40s in the Construction industry who are navigating significant challenges to maintain momentum on their career path.
ReCon short for Reinventive Contribution is the advanced stage of a woman’s career where women aged 46 & beyond often seek new opportunities for growth and may focus on contributing to their field,
Brene Brown calls it …. The gift of Mid-life which I love!
As my gift I want use this pod to share and leverage accumulated expertise by Interviewing successful women within the construction industry in the ReCon stage of their career. They have been there & have Pragmatically Endured through their 30 & 40s & got to the other side.
My guests share their lived experiences, challenges, surprises and some golden nuggets to support those women currently in the Pragmatic Endurance phase of their career (30 – mid 40s). They have been there & got to the other side. Although I hope these conversations resonate with anyone at any age because there is so much valuable advice and so many really good pieces of information and that I wish that I'd been given.
For more information on the 3 phases of woman's career please head to the resources section of my website www.breathecoaching.co.uk (http://www.breathecoaching.co.uk)
Series 2 'The Summer Series' Episode 4 - Melissa Barry
In this episode, host BetvWilliams speaks with Melissa Barry, a dynamic leader with a diverse career spanning travel, events, and food service. Melissa shares her journey of finding work-life balance, and how embracing change has shaped her career. She discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship and the valuable lessons learned from setbacks, emphasisng the power of adaptability and the significance of underpromising and overdelivering in building trust with partners. In this conversation, Mel shares her insights on the challenges and rewards of her career journey, emphasising the importance of trusting one's instincts, learning from failures, and the unexpected experiences that shape professional growth. She discusses the significance of empowering women in the workplace and creating supportive environments, particularly in the hospitality industry, which is evolving to meet new expectations. Mel also reflects on Sustainability in the hospitality industry, the need for flexibility and the value of experiences over traditional markers of success, offering advice for younger professionals navigating their careers.
Melissa's journey demonstrates that careers can be dynamic and fulfilling when approached with an open mind and a willingness to adapt. If you're considering a career change or seeking inspiration, remember that success is not just about the destination but the journey. Take a cue from Melissa's story and embrace the opportunities that come your way, no matter how unexpected they may be.
Takeaways:
· Success isn't just about job titles or achievements.
· Flexibility to enjoy life is a key aspect of success.
· Embrace change rather than fear it; it's often where opportunities lie.
· Underpromising and overdelivering builds trust with partners.
· Adaptability is a strength; don't underestimate it.
· Every role provides transferable skills for future opportunities.
· Setbacks can lead to the best opportunities in your career.
· Unexpected experiences can be more valuable than job titles.
· Creating a supportive environment for women is crucial.
· Flexibility in the workplace enhances productivity.
· The hospitality industry is adapting to new consumer expectations.
· Success should not be viewed as a race.
· It's important to enjoy the journey of your career.
Chapters
· 00:00 Introduction to Melissa Barry
· 03:05 Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety
· 05:54 Rewards of the Reinventive Stage
· 09:48 Leadership and Consistent Actions
· 11:43 Facing Career Challenges and Overcoming Them
· 15:49 Embracing Change and Adaptability
· 17:44 Underpromising and Overdelivering
· 22:11 Women in the Workforce
· 23:10 Learning from Failure
· 25:13 Unexpected Career Experiences
· 27:14 Creating Opportunities for Women
18 Aug 2026
Series 2 'The Summer Series' Episode 3 - Patricia Seabright
In this episode, host Bev Williams speaks with Patricia Seabright, Founder of Archimedes Consulting, about her journey in business and coaching, particularly focusing on empowering women in the workplace. Patricia shares her personal experiences, including being made redundant while pregnant, and emphasises the significance of awareness and choice in navigating career obstacles.
They discuss the challenges women face, including unconscious bias, the importance of resilience, and the need for flexibility in career paths. The conversation highlights the need for women to recognise societal biases and to embrace their strengths in leadership roles. In this engaging conversation, Patricia Seabright discusses various themes surrounding gender equality, the challenges women face in the workplace, and the importance of mentorship. She highlights the need for more women in politics, and the impact of outdated school systems on women's employment. Patricia also shares her perspective on failure, emphasising the importance of viewing setbacks as learning opportunities. Additionally, she explores the role of AI in career development and the necessity of advocating for women's visibility in various sectors.
Takeaways
· Resilience and a brave mindset are crucial for leadership.
· Career paths do not have to be linear; flexibility is key.
· Awareness of societal biases empowers women to make choices.
· Women should give themselves permission to be curious about their careers.
· Labels like 'alpha female' can carry different connotations for women.
· Victorian school hours hinder women's ability to work full-time.
· More women in politics could lead to better productivity solutions.
· Failure should be viewed as an experiment hypothesis.
· AI can enhance coaching but won't replace human interaction.
She Said book https://archimedesspeaks.com/she-said/ (https://archimedesspeaks.com/she-said/)
TedX St Albans https://tedxstalbans.co.uk/ (https://tedxstalbans.co.uk/)
Be Brave not perfect Tedtalk: https://www.ted.com/talks/reshma_saujani_teach_girls_bravery_not_perfection (https://www.ted.com/talks/reshma_saujani_teach_girls_bravery_not_perfection)
Elect Her: https://www.elect-her.org.uk/ (https://www.elect-her.org.uk/)
For more information on the 3 phases of a woman's career please head to the resources section at www.breathecoaching.co.uk (http://www.breathecoaching.co.uk)
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Patricia Seabright
04:44 Navigating Career Challenges and Rewards
08:19 The Importance of Resilience and Mindset
12:54 Understanding Unconscious Bias in the Workplace
16:31 Flexibility in Career Paths
20:45 Embracing Labels and Strengths
22:34 Breaking Gender Stereotypes in Sports Media
27:38 Redefining Failure and Learning from Setbacks
32:45 Advocating for Women in Politics
11 Aug 2026
Series 2 'The Summer Series' Episode 2 - Holly Giddings
Holly Giddings, the founder of Houx and Houx Knew, shares her journey of reinvention and success in the hospitality recruitment and coaching space. From the birth of Houx to overcoming career challenges, Holly's insights on leadership, accountability, and communication provide valuable lessons for professionals in any industry. The conversation covers topics such as empowerment through clarity, embracing individuality, gender disparities in the hospitality industry, overcoming self-doubt, unexpected career paths, supporting women in business, the future of the hospitality industry, and balancing work and self-worth.
Takeaways:
· Redundancy can lead to new opportunities and directions.
· Finding a niche and focusing on expertise is crucial.
· Setting boundaries is essential for mental health and productivity.
· Self-belief is a superpower for women in the workforce.
· It's important to reflect on career choices and not rush into decisions.
· No response to communication is still a response.
· Leaders must clarify expectations and accountability.
· Embracing one's true self is empowering.
· Success should not be measured by busyness.
https://houx.co.uk (https://houx.co.uk)
Chapters:
00:00 Introducing Holly Giddings and Houx
02:00 The Birth of Houx and Houx Knew
06:08 Challenges Faced in Different Sectors
06:44 Most Rewarding Aspects of Career
08:27 Consistent Actions and Leadership
12:54 Overcoming Career Challenges
16:28 Lesson on Communication and Accountability
19:07 Empowerment Through Clarity
21:18 Proud to Be 'Too Much'
23:07 Gender Disparities in Hospitality
27:18 Overcoming Self-Doubt
29:21 Unexpected Career Future of Hospitality Indust
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