02 December, 2025
Episode 300: Navigating Career Growth In Uncertain Times with Alice Olins & Hannah Awonuga
In this episode
🎙️ Episode Overview
This week’s episode is an extra-special milestone the 300th episode of the Career Change Maker Podcast, recorded live at Allbright Everywoman. Joined by two powerhouse women, Hannah Awonuga (Founder, Inclusive Foundations Programme) and Alice Olins (Global Head of Learning & Content at Albright Everywoman), Janine leads a deeply insightful conversation on navigating career growth in uncertain times.
From Hannah’s journey from global corporate leadership to entrepreneurship while navigating grief, redundancy and reinvention to Alice’s transition from journalism to entrepreneurship and back into corporate leadership, this conversation offers grounded wisdom you can apply no matter where you are in your journey.
If you’re thinking about your next move, questioning your direction, or preparing for a new career chapter, this episode is full of powerful reminders that nothing is wasted, identity evolves, and you are the CEO of your career.
Summary
What You’ll Learn:
💡 How to make bold career decisions – even when it’s easier to stay where you are.
Hannah shares how she left a well-respected director role at Barclays, not because she disliked it, but because she was thinking long-term. The lesson?
“Go when it’s easiest to stay, and stay when it’s easiest to go.”
💡 Why self-awareness is your greatest career strategy
Alice breaks down how carving out intentional time to think about your career, track your patterns, and reflect on what energises you is essential, especially during uncertain times.
💡 The importance of having a ‘Personal Board of Directors’
From negotiating salaries to navigating transitions, Hannah shares how having mentors and advisors who are “two or three steps ahead” has been transformational.
💡 How to think about your personal brand without boxing yourself in
Alice reframes personal brand as strategic storytelling flexible, responsive, and anchored in who you are and where you’re going, not just what you’ve done.
💡 Career growth requires communitym not doing it alone
From co-working communities to courageous friendships, both guests talk about the power of women supporting women through the messy middle of career change.
Action Steps:
✅ Block out one hour a week for “Career CEO Time.”
Use it for reflection, networking, journaling, or job searching. Treat it like a meeting with yourself because it is
✅ Build (or update) your Personal Board of Directors.
Identify 3–5 people ahead of you in the areas you want to grow and reach out.
✅ Audit your identity anchors.
- Write down (1) Who you are beyond your job title, (2) What people consistently praise you for and (3) What you want to be known for
Use this to guide how you show up in rooms, interviews, and online.
Episode notes
As an award-winning certified executive and career coach, TEDx speaker, podcast host and former lawyer, I have seen way too many female professionals under selling themselves and settling for less in their careers. I am committed to equipping high achieving women with the tools and support to create careers that are both meaningful and impactful.
👉 If you’re already thinking ahead to 2026 and want guidance on shaping your next chapter, I would love to support you. Book a call to explore 1:1 coaching.
🔗 Links
Explore more on the website: Career Change Maker Website
Instagram: @careerchangemakerspodcast
Connect with Alice Olins
Connect with Hannah Awonuga
Connect with Janine Esbrand
