Two women who quit their corporate jobs have started a podcast to inspire people in their 40s and 50s who are facing a “career crossroads.”
Susanna de Jager and Patsy Day, both from Oxford, left their jobs in finance and law in the immediate aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.
During that time, the pair said they found themselves “on a quest to find a way through the precarious middle” of their careers.
They said they launched a podcast called “The Wobbly Middle” to help other women facing career uncertainty in midlife.
Two friends use their experiences to inspire others (Susanna de Jager)
Mr De Jager, 38, has worked in the finance industry for 15 years and said that although he enjoyed his job, the demands of family life and the stresses of work “clashed”.
“You don’t want to go back to a high-pressure job, but you want to do something,” she says. “I don’t want to just sit at home doing nothing while my kids are at school.”
Similarly, Mr. Day, 46, said he was working in his dream job as a lawyer, but was becoming exhausted.
“I took some time off and had a lot of fun. I knew I didn’t want to go back, but I didn’t know how to move forward,” she said.
Two friends say more middle-aged women are quitting their jobs due to family commitments, menopause and because they’re “still fed up with the corporate world.”
“You are not alone.”
Each episode of the podcast, which launched Thursday, will feature conversations with other women who have made bold career changes.
“We really wanted to address the issue of confidence, and I think it’s completely normal to feel anxious,” Day said.
“What’s amazing is that everyone has those feelings, everyone experiences low self-confidence. And what we’re trying to do is join people in that moment. ” added Ms de Jager.
Guests include a midwife turned femtech innovator and a journalist who transitioned into recruitment.
“We’re very excited to bring this work to the world and hope it resonates with women like us,” said De Jager.
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