Dare To Be Brave with Joy Foster

Joy Foster
  • 4.9 (142)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT

Redundancy. Maternity leave. Perimenopause. Menopause. Illness. Caring for ageing parents. Sound familiar? If you're a woman in midlife, chances are you've faced one - or several - of these life transitions. And somewhere along the way, you may have pressed pause on your career… your confidence… or even your sense of direction. But what if this chapter isn’t the end of your story—what if it’s the moment you learn to be brave? Dare To Be Brave with Joy Foster is a powerful solo podcast that blends real-life insight with the neuroscience of courage, confidence, and change. Each episode unpacks what’s really happening in your brain when you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or afraid to move forward—and shows you how to work with your brain, not against it. You’ll learn how to: Rebuild confidence after a setbackTake action even when fear is loudBreak free from overthinking and self-doubtNavigate change with clarity and resilienceRedefine success on your own terms Whether you're returning to work, starting something new, or simply trying to figure out what’s next, this podcast will give you the tools - and the courage - to move forward. Because bravery isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build. And this is where it begins.

  1. Why You Freeze Even When You’re Safe (It’s Not a Confidence Problem) | E284

    1 DAY AGO

    Why You Freeze Even When You’re Safe (It’s Not a Confidence Problem) | E284

    I Was Perfectly Safe, So Why Did My Brain React Like I Wasn’t? Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you were completely safe and yet your nervous system behaved as if you weren’t? Your heart is racing. Your thoughts are scattered. For a split second, you freeze. What’s really happening here? According to neuroscience, your brain has been flooded with fight-or-flight chemicals in equal measure, which is why you freeze even though you aren’t in danger. Chances are, when this happens, you’re on the verge of doing something expansive, stepping into a bigger version of yourself and your biology has interpreted that growth as a threat. I see this every single week inside TechPixies. Brilliant, experienced, capable midlife women interpret a nervous system response as a confidence problem. It isn’t. It’s growth. For over a decade, through TechPixies and now the Quantum Leap Accelerator, I’ve worked with thousands of women who want more: more impact, more leadership, more alignment between who they are and how they show up professionally. And almost all of them say some version of the same thing: “I’m not enough.” Yet these are women who have: Raised families and managed householdsLed teams and delivered major projectsNavigated redundancy, illness, divorce, and reinventionKept going when life required resilienceThe issue isn’t capability. It’s perception. We’ve been taught that bravery means fearlessness. That confidence must come first. That leadership requires certainty. But neuroscience tells us something different. Your brain is wired to prefer the familiar. So when you update your CV after ten years out of the workforce, launch your first digital business at 50, or post your thought leadership on LinkedIn for the first time, your nervous system flares. That reaction does not mean “stop.” It means “new.” And new is where transformation lives. Ready to stop interpreting growth as danger? Want to transform your life?  💪 Discover how to leverage social media with our 21 Day Social Media Confidence Challenge. 🚀 Take your social media to the next level by watching our Social Media Masterclass. 🌈 Enjoy a super quick shift in your mindset with our 12 Day Design Your Dream Life Challenge. Follow us on social media @techpixies and ping us a DM or drop us a line  at support@techpixies.com  Thanks for listening!

    16 min
  2. E283｜Want stronger immunity, better sleep or sharper focus? Could this be the answer?

    05/07/2025

    E283｜Want stronger immunity, better sleep or sharper focus? Could this be the answer?

    If you feel like you pick up every cold going, regularly get a poor night’s sleep, or experience constant brain fog, you’ll know how much of an energy sap they can be. But what if the secret to no longer feeling like you’re running on empty lies in breast milk?  In this episode of Career Interrupted, Joy Foster chats to Stephanie Drax, founder of Leapfrog Remedies, to uncover the story behind the UK’s first dedicated Lactoferrin wellness brand. From a career that began in acting and journalism, you’ll hear how Stephanie leapfrogged a failing business to tap into the science behind this ‘miracle molecule’ and how a psychic predicted it all.  [00:45] What lactoferrin actually is. [03:06] How to deal with a pinball career. [05:54] What do you do when you can’t scale your business?  [12:20] The unexpected (and slightly spooky) psychic prediction that shaped Stephanie’s future. [17:00} Why you’re more capable than you think – especially when everything falls apart. [20:26] The importance of finding mentors you trust.  Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or simply curious about the power of tenacity and resilience, this episode is packed with insights and motivation to spur you on your own business journey.   Love our podcast? Leave a review and get hold of our Quick Start Podcast Guide. For links and resources mentioned in this episode, visit TechPixies.com The Fresh Patch Podcast - Where Good Pets Get It. Welcome to the Fresh Patch Podcast where we talk about everything, from dog...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Want to transform your life?  💪 Discover how to leverage social media with our 21 Day Social Media Confidence Challenge. 🚀 Take your social media to the next level by watching our Social Media Masterclass. 🌈 Enjoy a super quick shift in your mindset with our 12 Day Design Your Dream Life Challenge. Follow us on social media @techpixies and ping us a DM or drop us a line  at support@techpixies.com  Thanks for listening!

    28 min
  3. E282｜Why your career crisis might be your greatest gift with The Wobbly Middle's Susannah de Jager and Patsy Day

    11/06/2025

    E282｜Why your career crisis might be your greatest gift with The Wobbly Middle's Susannah de Jager and Patsy Day

    What happens when your carefully built career suddenly... crumbles? For Susannah De Jager, who was a hedge fund CEO at 32, it was losing her biggest client at work and realising her role was untenable while watching one of her closest friends die of cancer that upended everything.  For Patsy Day, it was crashing her husband’s car after months of bone-crushing burnout that saw her hit the pause button. But after resetting the course of their lives, Susannah and Patsy are now collaborating on a podcast designed for those of us who are trying to navigate a path through the wobbly middle of our careers.  Why you should tune in Whether you're facing your own career crisis, feeling stuck and asking yourself, ‘Well, what the heck do I do now?’, or just need proof that incredible women can reinvent themselves at any age, this episode is one you’ll want to press play on.  Here’s what to listen out for: [00:47] When everything comes crashing down at once. [03:16] When recruiters dismiss your experience. [07:14] Grieving an identity you’ve lost.  [10:53] Bloom where you’re planted. [12:51] Burning out from a job you used to love. [16:53] What to do when you don’t know what you want to do? [20:01] There is so much out there. [22:10] If you’re stuck, try this Mel Robbins-approved trick. 👉 Tune in now to hear Susannah and Patsy’s full stories and why the “wobbly middle” might just be the beginning of your best chapter yet. Love our podcast? Leave a review and get hold of our Quick Start Podcast Guide. For details of links and resources mentioned in this episode, visit TechPixies.com The Fresh Patch Podcast - Where Good Pets Get It. Welcome to the Fresh Patch Podcast where we talk about everything, from dog...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Want to transform your life?  💪 Discover how to leverage social media with our 21 Day Social Media Confidence Challenge. 🚀 Take your social media to the next level by watching our Social Media Masterclass. 🌈 Enjoy a super quick shift in your mindset with our 12 Day Design Your Dream Life Challenge. Follow us on social media @techpixies and ping us a DM or drop us a line  at support@techpixies.com  Thanks for listening!

    27 min
  4. E281｜Fern Fuller made £77k last year working 20-25 hours per week. Here's how you can do the same

    11/06/2025

    E281｜Fern Fuller made £77k last year working 20-25 hours per week. Here's how you can do the same

    Four years ago, Fern Fuller was juggling it all – a single mum with a full-time job as an Executive Assistant, COVID-induced home-schooling chaos, and the curveball that is perimenopause.  Cue a moment of complete exhaustion that saw Fern sliding down the wall of her home office thinking, “I just can’t do this anymore.” Fern knew something had to change... then she found TechPixies. Why you should tune in Come and discover how, in just 4 years, Fern has: ⭐ Swapped a full-time salary for an income of £77k working 20-25 hours a week.  ⭐ Worked with 25+ female founders ⭐ Built a client base of companies turning over £250k-£5 million ⭐ Created the work-life balance every parent dreams of. And Fern has used her TechPixies training to not only launch her dream business but also create a course that helps other women increase their earning power and level up their skillset, whether they’re a VA, PA, freelance admin professional or would love to become one. Here’s what to listen out for: [02:02] The moment Fern hit breaking point.  [05:54] Fern’s greatest fear after leaving her job.   [08:47] “Imagine if it does all work out”. [10:13] Why is Fern launching her EA Accelerator?  [13:45] Why Integrators are leaders.  So, if you're reading this thinking "I want what Fern has," take a listen and then check out Fern’s website for heaps more resources and start dates of her next course. Love our podcast? Leave a review and get hold of our Quick Start Podcast Guide. For details of links and resources mentioned in this episode, visit TechPixies.com The Fresh Patch Podcast - Where Good Pets Get It. Welcome to the Fresh Patch Podcast where we talk about everything, from dog...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Want to transform your life?  💪 Discover how to leverage social media with our 21 Day Social Media Confidence Challenge. 🚀 Take your social media to the next level by watching our Social Media Masterclass. 🌈 Enjoy a super quick shift in your mindset with our 12 Day Design Your Dream Life Challenge. Follow us on social media @techpixies and ping us a DM or drop us a line  at support@techpixies.com  Thanks for listening!

    24 min
  5. E280｜Collagen, career pivots and can you have it all? With Kate Prince, founder of Ancient + Brave

    28/05/2025

    E280｜Collagen, career pivots and can you have it all? With Kate Prince, founder of Ancient + Brave

    There’s been an explosion in the popularity of collagen supplements over the past few years, and social media feeds are now full of posts from influencers bigging up the benefits. If you’re wondering what all the fuss is about, you’ll probably have turned to Google and come across a dizzying amount of information. But there’s one woman who is determined to cut through the noise after founding Ancient + Brave, a company that has gone from being a kitchen table startup to the highest-scoring B Corp supplement brand in the UK with 100+ employees. Kate Prince is proof of what can happen when you burn the boats and bet on yourself.  This episode is perfect for you if: ✅ You're stuck in a career that doesn't light you up ✅ You're dreaming of starting your own business but fear is holding you back ✅ You want to build a mission-driven company that creates real impact ✅ You're curious about the wellness industry and collagen supplements.  So, listen out for: [00:42] How to embrace change and follow what truly excites you. [04:03] Why you have to burn the boats. [08:34] Why the measure of success is only down to you. [10:50] Can you have it all?  [19:17] The wisdom of our ancestors for modern wellness. [22:07] Why is everyone talking about collagen?  Hit play NOW and learn from one of the UK’s top B Corp founders about what it means to be resilient, brave, and why you only have to be better than the day before. Love our podcast? Leave a review and get hold of our Quick Start Podcast Guide. For details of links and resources mentioned in this episode, visit TechPixies.com The Fresh Patch Podcast - Where Good Pets Get It. Welcome to the Fresh Patch Podcast where we talk about everything, from dog...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Want to transform your life?  💪 Discover how to leverage social media with our 21 Day Social Media Confidence Challenge. 🚀 Take your social media to the next level by watching our Social Media Masterclass. 🌈 Enjoy a super quick shift in your mindset with our 12 Day Design Your Dream Life Challenge. Follow us on social media @techpixies and ping us a DM or drop us a line  at support@techpixies.com  Thanks for listening!

    32 min
  6. E279｜Feeling lost and confused about your future? Joy Foster’s 12-day challenge will give you clarity

    24/05/2025

    E279｜Feeling lost and confused about your future? Joy Foster’s 12-day challenge will give you clarity

    What if 12 emails could completely transform how you think about your future? What if you could wake up and find that the familiar voice that says ‘there has to be more to life than this’ has been replaced by a sense of excitement? Because you realise you finally know where you’re headed and exactly what you need to do to get there. Joy Foster, TechPixies founder & CEO, spent years going from one job to the next before finally finding her passion and purpose. And it wasn’t until she returned from a weekend away learning about a dreambuilding mechanism that could transform her life that she realised there was a totally different way to secure the future of her business.  And now Joy wants to share what she learnt on that transformational weekend with you.  Here’s what to listen out for: [00:55] This helped Joy deal with her own career interruptions.  [01:41] What Joy learned during her jobs as a student. [04:06] Facing workplace discrimination.  [06:02] The Olympic dream. [09:39] Redefining a dream. [12:46] Get started on designing your dream life in 12 days. Our 12 Day Design Your Dream Life Challenge is designed to give you the jump-start you need to discover how to create the life you'd really love to live. Through 12 carefully crafted emails from Joy, each one building on the last to transform how you think about your future, you’ll enjoy: Daily tips: Each day brings new insights, exercises, and revelations designed to shift your perspective and clarify your path. A mindset meditation when you upgrade: Upgrade your experience with a guided meditation that will help you go deeper into the work and integrate the lessons on a subconscious level. Action steps: This isn't just theory – every day includes actionable steps you can take immediately to start designing your dream life. Whether you're dealing with a recent career setback, feeling stuck in your current situation, or simply ready to take control of your future, 12 days from now, everything could be different.  But your dream life won’t design itself.  So, tune in now and join our challenge before the doors close: www.techpixies.com/dlc12 Love our podcast? Leave a review and get hold of our Quick Start Podcast Guide. For links and resources mentioned in this episode, visit TechPixies.com Want to transform your life?  💪 Discover how to leverage social media with our 21 Day Social Media Confidence Challenge. 🚀 Take your social media to the next level by watching our Social Media Masterclass. 🌈 Enjoy a super quick shift in your mindset with our 12 Day Design Your Dream Life Challenge. Follow us on social media @techpixies and ping us a DM or drop us a line  at support@techpixies.com  Thanks for listening!

    15 min
  7. E278｜62% of mid-career women want a change. So what’s holding them back?, asks Jenn Barnett

    15/05/2025

    E278｜62% of mid-career women want a change. So what’s holding them back?, asks Jenn Barnett

    Jenn Barnett turned a life-altering health crisis into a life-affirming career pivot.  But a comprehensive survey of 600+ mid-career professional women (those with 10-25 years’ experience), commissioned by Jenn in her role as head of equity, inclusion, and diversity at Grant Thornton UK, has revealed that pivoting your career comes with its own set of challenges.   So while her report found that:  💠 62% of women have considered switching career paths 💠 With over 25% aiming to make this change within the next five years 💠 And a whopping 77% have taken career breaks during their professional lives Women face a number of barriers that often prevent them from making career changes.  Jenn outlines the top 3 in this episode of the Career Interrupted podcast, but she also highlights a more troubling issue: only 31% of organisations offer opportunities for retraining. So, what’s the solution? Tune in to hear Jenn’s thoughts and what the 600 women she surveyed had to say. And listen out for: [00:48] Dealing with the impact of illness. [06:51] Realising you’re completely different once you’ve got through trauma. [09:28] The mid-career crunch point for women. [11:09] The top 3 barriers women face in pivoting their careers. [12:26] 90% of respondents said this one thing helped reassess their skills. [14:16] The in-demand skills that’ll futureproof your career. [16:10] What can organisations do to close the gender gap? Want to know more? ✅ Listen to the full episode ✅ Download the full report ✅ Join the conversation in the comments on our socials and tell us what’s holding you back in your career journey. Love our podcast? Leave a review and get hold of our Quick Start Podcast Guide. For all the links and resources mentioned in this episode, visit TechPixies.com Want to transform your life?  💪 Discover how to leverage social media with our 21 Day Social Media Confidence Challenge. 🚀 Take your social media to the next level by watching our Social Media Masterclass. 🌈 Enjoy a super quick shift in your mindset with our 12 Day Design Your Dream Life Challenge. Follow us on social media @techpixies and ping us a DM or drop us a line  at support@techpixies.com  Thanks for listening!

    20 min
  8. E277｜Autism, ADHD and the business that’s breaking down barriers to work with Lillie Jamieson

    07/05/2025

    E277｜Autism, ADHD and the business that’s breaking down barriers to work with Lillie Jamieson

    If you’re neurodiverse… Or know someone who is constantly battling an exhausting cycle of trying to fit in to workplaces that just don’t seem to get them… Or you’re an employer and want to better understand how you create a more inclusive workplace… You need to get Lillie Jamieson and her sister Alex on speed dial. Because after receiving their own diagnoses for ADHD and autism and realising that it was the workplace that needed to change, not them, they created a business helping those with neurodevelopmental differences break through barriers at work. And with just 22% of people with autism in some kind of paid work and research suggesting that up to 50% of managers feel uncomfortable employing anyone with ADHD, change can’t come soon enough. Why you should tune in Hear what happened when Lillie and Alex launched their business in lockdown and what Lillie learned about her own communication style. Discover exactly what Send it to Alex does and how it can help you or someone you care about, and learn why sometimes, you’ve got to take a step back to move forward. Here’s what to listen out for: [03:50] Realising you don’t fit into a company. [05:49] Launching a safe space for neurodiverse people during lockdown. [09:30] How do you adapt to different communication styles? [13:58] The shocking stats around autism and employment. [17:10] What studies say about inclusive workplaces. [19:10] When moving forward is actually about taking a step back. If you believe more inclusive, equitable workplaces should already be at the top of the agenda, don’t just tune into this podcast. Spread the word! Love our podcast? Leave a review and get hold of our Quick Start Podcast Guide. For details of links and resources mentioned in this episode, visit TechPixies.com The Fresh Patch Podcast - Where Good Pets Get It. Welcome to the Fresh Patch Podcast where we talk about everything, from dog...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Want to transform your life?  💪 Discover how to leverage social media with our 21 Day Social Media Confidence Challenge. 🚀 Take your social media to the next level by watching our Social Media Masterclass. 🌈 Enjoy a super quick shift in your mindset with our 12 Day Design Your Dream Life Challenge. Follow us on social media @techpixies and ping us a DM or drop us a line  at support@techpixies.com  Thanks for listening!

    24 min
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4.9
out of 5
142 Ratings

About

Redundancy. Maternity leave. Perimenopause. Menopause. Illness. Caring for ageing parents. Sound familiar? If you're a woman in midlife, chances are you've faced one - or several - of these life transitions. And somewhere along the way, you may have pressed pause on your career… your confidence… or even your sense of direction. But what if this chapter isn’t the end of your story—what if it’s the moment you learn to be brave? Dare To Be Brave with Joy Foster is a powerful solo podcast that blends real-life insight with the neuroscience of courage, confidence, and change. Each episode unpacks what’s really happening in your brain when you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or afraid to move forward—and shows you how to work with your brain, not against it. You’ll learn how to: Rebuild confidence after a setbackTake action even when fear is loudBreak free from overthinking and self-doubtNavigate change with clarity and resilienceRedefine success on your own terms Whether you're returning to work, starting something new, or simply trying to figure out what’s next, this podcast will give you the tools - and the courage - to move forward. Because bravery isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build. And this is where it begins.

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