About The Adventure
27 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago -A podcast about the adventure of career change, inviting guests to share their unique experiences of starting something completely new. We talk about what led them to making the decision, how things are going, what challenges they have come across, and what they really love about what they do.
This podcast aims to share the ups and downs of change, the not knowing, to show the human side of career change and how different people handle it. Guests are encouraged to talk about their worries and challenges along the way so that listeners can relate to their experiences.
Some of my guests are at the beginning or early stages of change and share their experiences of taking the first steps. We explore why people want change, why it can feel really difficult sometimes, how experiences differ, and how people are choosing creative and adventurous approaches.
At the end of each episode my guests ask you, the listener, a question for you to take away and think about.
This show is hosted by Sarah Lister, a career coach and mentor living in the Peak District, who works with people from an approach that is focused on freedom, creativity and a sense of adventure. Visit abouttheadventure.com to find out more about her work.
To support this podcast, Sarah has opened a patreon community where people can connect to explore career change and to support each other. Please take a look at what's on offer: www.patreon.com/abouttheadventure
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Episodes
Ranaa Farooq - I couldn’t envisage a way out of where I was
June 09, 2024 15:29 - 1 hour - 92.6 MBAre you prepared to sacrifice your life for your job? Ranaa Farooq says that she’s not willing to, despite her fear of judgement the guilt she has felt about leaving the NHS and medicine in general. Ranaa Farooq is an abstract painter and life coach living in Sheffield, who describes the process of painting itself as therapy. In this interview she talks about her artistic journey and realisation that there’s more than one way of helping people. Some of the themes that we discuss include h...
Andy Mort - The small things are the big things
April 28, 2024 09:28 - 1 hour - 103 MBCan slowing down enable us to get to where we ultimately want to go more efficiently? ‘Slow Coach’ Andy Mort shares his unique approach to coaching and creating community in this enlightening interview. He tells us that he became a coach accidentally after people had directly approached him about it, prompting him to take up training and blend this with his work as a sound artist. Before taking up coaching, Andy was an Undertaker. As you can imagine, this provides a unique career change st...
Peter Morton - I don’t think I’ve ever really had a map of what I’m going to do
February 22, 2024 19:02 - 44 minutes - 61.1 MBDoes it take a lot of courage to change your career path? Peter Morton thinks it does, and it was his own boss who gave him the nudge to do so! In 2006 he left his job in IT to pursue a career in outdoor education as a freelance instructor. This led on to the creation of RedOakBushcrafts, a family run business in the Peak District. RedOakBushcrafts offers bushcraft, wilderness and survival skills courses in the Peak District and canoe expeditions in Scotland. Here are the questions I ask P...
Jessica Snape-Burns - I love my job so much
January 28, 2024 16:00 - 1 hour - 96.6 MB**Please note that during this episode Jess talks about chronic health issues and grief.** How important is support throughout a career change? This is the thread that runs through this interview with Jessica Snape-Burns, who shares her 10-year journey with Amerron Acres - a Community Interest Company (CIC) in Edale that provides a tranquil, safe and nurturing environment for therapeutic healing to take place. Jess offers Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL), family visits, retreats and wellbe...
Stephen Reid - You can make a video and literally change someone’s life
January 08, 2024 05:00 - 1 hour - 106 MBIn what ways can making videos feel meaningful? This is what Stephen explains at the beginning of his interview while sharing the reasons why he started a YouTube channel. In addition to making YouTube videos, Stephen also uses creative filmmaking to grow brands. He specialises in outdoors/tourism and also covers promos, events, online advertising for a range of industries. His business, Grafters Media has helped clients gain customers, win awards and gain multi-million investments. He talks...
Louise Earnshaw - I feel like I’ve become more of me again
October 23, 2023 06:45 - 1 hour - 93.2 MBWhat if there’s life outside of a classroom? This is one of the things that Louise Earnshaw kept considering before she made the decision to leave her job as a teacher after 20 years. Dismayed by the pressure and toxic environment, she left teaching in April 2023 to be a freelance outdoor instructor and artist. She says she feels so much happier managing her own time and pursuing the things she loves. Themes during Louise’s interview include her concerns about finances, imposter syndrome, f...
Jen Scotney - I’ve spent way too long paralysed by fear
August 02, 2023 07:06 - 1 hour - 118 MBWhat makes you feel energised and alive? Jen Scotney says that she is still finding her way since she stopped working as a human rights lawyer. She feels like she is forging a unique path which is scary, but she has faith that if she does what she enjoys she can’t go wrong. Themes during Jen’s interview include running, burnout, chronic fatigue, bereavement, the shame of not being able to cope with work, self-employment and career change. She also talks about the importance of flexibility...
Anna Danby - Whatever path you take in life there will be what ifs and maybes
July 15, 2023 17:15 - 50 minutes - 70 MBWhy is it important for humans to reconnect with nature? Anna Danby says it is essential if we ever want to move towards a more sustainable way of being on planet earth and when thinking about our impact on this place that we call home. This ethos has shaped her career from doing a Post Grad course at the University of Edinburgh in ‘Outdoor Environmental and Sustainability Education’, to taking up a position within the Learning Team at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, and what she does now as t...
Sarah Manning-Ball - Listen to what your dreams are telling you
June 25, 2023 17:00 - 47 minutes - 65.1 MBWhat have you got to lose? Sarah Manning-Ball asked herself this question before setting up Glorious Grazes and Posh Picnics. In this episode, she tells us her career change story from working in the corporate world to following her dream of opening her own food business. At the end of the interview, Sarah asks a question for you to explore if you are thinking about a career change. Themes during Sarah’s interview include mental health, imposter syndrome, career coaching, and practical step...
Ali Foxon - It opened my eyes to what was missing
November 14, 2022 05:00 - 39 minutes - 54.2 MBHow can the power of observation shift your perspective? In this episode, Ali Foxon shares how sketching outdoors transformed her life, career, and her mental health. She talks about the incredible benefits of sketching nature and making it more accessible, where the idea for green sketching began, what it’s been like to leave previous jobs behind, her experience of becoming an author, and how she delivers workshops despite anxiety about public speaking. At the end of the interview, Ali as...
Andy Darnton - I had no idea what else I wanted to do
August 09, 2022 05:00 - 59 minutes - 82.1 MBWhat happens in the space between starting to think about a career change and actually making it happen? In this episode, Andy Darnton shares his story about leaving a career as a commercial lawyer. He talks about the need for change, his concerns about what other people might think, how he started to explore alternative options, why Legal Tech appeals to him, and his experience of getting back into the mountains and becoming a Mountain Leader. At the end of the interview, Andy asks a que...
Stella Bolam - I was scared and excited at the same time
May 07, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 53.9 MBIn this episode, Sarah interviews Stella Bolam, who has switched from a long-term career in communications and writing to join the wonderful world of tree care and science, working in Community Forestry. Stella shares why she began reflecting on what to do with the rest of her career, how she found the courage to explore a new path, and what life has been like since she started taking the first steps. Here’s the full list of questions that Sarah asked Stella: Why did you start reflectin...
Jon Hyde - I needed a shift so I forced that to happen
February 03, 2022 17:20 - 59 minutes - 53.9 MBIn this episode, Sarah interviews her friend Jon Hyde about his leather goods business based in Sheffield. Prior to this he was a photographer and ran a queer film programme at a cinema in Brighton. Jon shares why he started making leather goods, how earlier aspects of his life and career have played a part in running his business, and what it's been like moving up north. He also talks about his love of nature and learning about geography, and some of the challenges that he has faced throu...
Karen Weir - Somewhere deep in my soul I needed to be somewhere else
October 31, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 59.1 MBIn this episode, Sarah interviews Karen Weir, who changed career from working as a management consultant in London to becoming a running and triathlon coach and personal trainer. Karen shares how running has made a difference to her life, why her approach to work hasn’t changed since she left her job in London, what learning curves she has noted along the way, and about her involvement with parkrun and RunWell. She also tells us about how her Masters in Coaching Science is going, the prop...
Rachael Shaw - I’m still struggling with workaholism
September 01, 2021 12:15 - 1 hour - 61.9 MB“If I ever feel overwhelmed by the world, I do this thing where I just zoom out.” In this episode, Sarah interviews Rachael Shaw, a self-employed Business Consultant who previously worked in a high level job in the travel industry. Rachael shares the personal experiences that led towards her career change, how working with a coach helped, why running has an important role in her life, what things have changed since she left her full-time job, and how she enjoys spending time in nature. H...
Simon Maillet - Working full time on your craft is really liberating
July 27, 2021 15:39 - 1 hour - 65.8 MB“When it’s your true passion it’s not hard to do it.” In this episode, Sarah interviews Simon Maillet, a French knifemaker in Sheffield. Before taking up his current craft, his background was in urban ecology and landscape design. Simon shares some stories about his bike trip from France to Iran, some insight into the challenges he faces with speaking English and living away from his family in France, and his thoughts on how he found what had been missing from his life. Here is the full ...
Simon Stokes - State of mind is the most important thing
June 11, 2021 04:30 - 1 hour - 78.9 MB“The outdoors is a good analogy for business because you realise you’re capable of more than you think.” In this episode Sarah interviews Simon Stokes, a qualified Mountain Leader & Rock Climbing Instructor for his business Peak Outdoor, based in the Peak District. He changed career from CEO of a fire and security company to the work he does now as an outdoor instructor. Simon also does some freelance outdoors work and volunteers with Edale Mountain Rescue. He has climbed and trekked in al...
Steve Wharton - Storytelling runs through everything that we do
May 03, 2021 12:15 - 1 hour - 60.4 MB"Different people work in different ways, but for me, I have to really inhabit that world to get the most out of it." In this episode Sarah interviews Steve Wharton, a Lake District performer, presenter and media producer with a passion for his native Cumbria. Steve put himself forward as a guest on the show to tell us about why he decided to train as an early years teacher at the age of 43. You might recognise Steve’s voice from Terry Abraham’s film that was aired on the BBC “A Year on He...
Charlotte Holroyd - A calling to do something different
February 15, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 54.9 MB"Having my own business has given me that massive flexibility to reimagine a working day." In this episode, Sarah interviews Charlotte Holroyd, the founder of Creative Wilderness, an ethical branding design agency in Greater Manchester. Charlotte provides intuitive creative design, brand identity, web design and print to independent businesses across Stockport, Cheshire, Manchester, and around the world. In addition to this she has created The Brand Builder online branding course for soulfu...
Sam Devito - Being able to think creatively
December 09, 2020 07:08 - 43 minutes - 37.5 MB“I have so much to learn and so many new friends to make and that’s not something I ever want to stop doing." In this episode, Sarah interviews Sam Devito - photographer, filmmaker and co-owner of Edale General Store. After six weeks of lockdown and losing a lot of pre-booked work, Sam and his partner Laurel were out on a limb and without any real purpose. They agreed they needed a project, and Edale village, where they live, needed a shop - so they decided to give it a go. By July 2020, Ed...
Helen Turton - Life is happening now, live it!
November 11, 2020 18:40 - 42 minutes - 36.4 MB"Something inside me was saying it's the right time and the right opportunity to move on to something else." In this episode, Sarah interviews "polar girl" Helen Turton - Newland Expeditions manager, specialising in guided ski expeditions. Helen's passion is for taking part and guiding on expeditions, including skiing over Greenland, Svalbard, Iceland, many locations in Norway, and to both the North and South Poles. On return, she loves to share her experiences, delivering presentations and...
Gabby Wolstenholme - Being kind is the best way to find work
October 17, 2020 08:00 - 34 minutes - 24.1 MB"Just try and do your best, whatever it means that day." In this episode, Sarah interviews Gabby Wolstenholme - a filmmaker, theatremaker, musician, collective owner and a director. Her passion lies in creating and this has always been the case for her. She graduated from York St John University in 2020 with a 1st class degree in drama and theatre. Now living back in Edale in the Peak District where she grew up, Gabby has a variety of work in the village which includes serving customers at...
Anna Caig Communications - Finding the sweet spot where creativity and marketing meet
August 15, 2020 13:00 - 58 minutes - 44.9 MB“There’s no better place to think and see the world clearly than on a really good walk with a friend.” Sarah interviews Anna Caig who has worked in communications for 17 years, specialising in media relations, reputation management and strategic marketing campaigns. She has trained media spokespeople to deliver information in the most challenging and high pressure situations. She began her training business to help writers to build their brand and reach more readers. Anna now works with tr...
Rachel Fletcher - Sometimes things change and you take a different path.
July 20, 2020 15:20 - 51 minutes - 39.7 MB“I knew if I didn’t do it I’d regret it.” Sarah interviews her friend & previous mentee Rachel Fletcher who has just completed her second year studying an AfN accredited BSc Nutrition, Diet and Lifestyle degree at Sheffield Hallam University. Sarah asks Rachel: What are you feeling really positive about this year? How has your outlook on life changed since you started your degree? Are there any skills or experiences from working in the police that you think are valuable in your life now?...
Sometimes things change and you take a different path.
July 20, 2020 15:20 - 51 minutes - 39.7 MB“I knew if I didn’t do it I’d regret it.” Sarah interviews her friend & previous mentee Rachel Fletcher who has just completed her second year studying an AfN accredited BSc Nutrition, Diet and Lifestyle degree at (https://www.shu.ac.uk/) . Sarah asks Rachel: What are you feeling really positive about this year? How has your outlook on life changed since you started your degree? Are there any skills or experiences from working in the police that you think are valuable in your life now? ...
Panjango - Exciting journeys through the world of work
July 01, 2020 08:00 - 43 minutes - 37.1 MB"I feel like going on adventures myself has led me to be more adventurous within the business world as well." Sarah interviews her friend Jon Maiden, Co-founder & CEO of Panjango. Sarah asks Jon: Why did you decide to change your career? Have there been any fears that you've pushed yourself to face? What's it like running your own business? How do you think that careers education, information and advice can be better for people? How do you define your life and your purpose? Who do you...
Her on a Hill - Navigating career change as a Mountain Leader
June 12, 2020 17:18 - 40 minutes - 36.5 MB"It's about pushing yourself a bit and getting out of your comfort zone and the more you do that, the wider that comfort zone becomes." Sarah interviews her friend and navigation teacher Clare Kelly who started her own women's walking company, Her on a Hill, in Spring 2019. Sarah asks Clare: How has walking impacted your life and career? How do you think that walking can change people's lives? What happens to you if you don't get out for a walk? Why have you created a women's walking co...