Courage Loading...

Alicia Noble
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Courage Loading... is a podcast for high-achieving women navigating career change, leadership transitions, and professional reinvention — even when everything looks successful on paper. Each episode explores the identity shifts, mindset changes, and inner work behind real career pivots. From imposter syndrome and the proving trap to leadership confidence and decision-making under pressure, we unpack what it truly takes to lead yourself through the messy middle of change. Drawing on coaching psychology, behavioural science, and over 20 years of experience across Big Four firms and FTSE 100 companies, Courage Loading offers practical insight and honest conversations for women stepping into senior leadership, redefining success, or building a more meaningful and sustainable career. Hosted by Alicia Noble, Leadership Coach and Career Transition Strategist. Because every story of change begins with a single moment of courage. So what’s yours going to be?

  1. Oct 15

    S2 E03: Make the Step Small Enough to Take, with Marcelle Jans

    What if the next step doesn't have to be a giant leap? In this episode of Courage Loading Moments, I'm joined by Marcelle Jans, a trainer, coach and founder of the Self-Leadership Academy, who found the courage to leave a secure role as a results coach and business mentor without knowing exactly what came next. Marcelle shares what it was like to walk away from a job that gave her stability, security and growth, and why the fear that came with that decision was really about trusting herself. We also explore identity, unlearning the need to be perfect, leading from the heart, and how community and self-leadership shape the work she does today. In this conversation, we talk about: Why courage is the only way out when we feel fearHow fear often comes down to trusting yourselfIdentity as a jacket: comfortable and well worn, but not always the one that fitsUnlearning the need to be perfectLeading from the head or from the heartWhat self-leadership means, and why community mattersMaking the next step small enough to take, and letting momentum do the rest Marcelle also shares who showed her what courage looks like, the advice she'd give her younger self, and the song she's adding to our Courage Loading playlist. It's a conversation about finding your own voice, trusting yourself and taking the next step, however small. My top three takeaways Read my top three takeaways from this conversation, Marcelle's quick-fire answers and the full transcript on the episode page: https://www.courageloadingpodcast.com/episodes/make-the-step-small-enough-to-take/ Connect with Marcelle Find out more about Marcelle's work, the Self-Leadership Academy and SPARK!, a month virtual get-together for women who want to grow, share and learn from one another, and it's all about building real connection. You can find out more here: https://theselfleadershipacademy.com/ Courage Loading playlist Marcelle's song choice: Confident by Demi Lovato. Listen to the playlist on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/playlist/courage-loading/pl.u-55D6677cYX4YlZ Wondering whether you're ready for your next career move? Take my free assessment, Are You Positioned for Your Next Move?, to reflect on where you are and what might help you move forward. https://positionedforyournextmove.scoreapp.com Want to share your story? If you've navigated a career or leadership transition, or you're finding the courage to make your next move, I'd love to hear from you. Email enquiries@courageloadingpodcast.com to explore being a guest on Courage Loading. Interested in working with me? I work with organisations and individuals to navigate career and leadership transitions with greater clarity, confidence and purpose. Organisations, Noble Arc: https://www.noblearc.co.uk/ Individuals, Alicia Noble: https://www.alicianoble.com/ Book a Connection Call: https://calendly.com/alicianoble/connection-call Courage Loading website: https://www.courageloadingpodcast.com/ Remember, every story of change begins with a single moment of courage. So, what's yours going to be?

    S2 E03: Make the Step Small Enough to Take, with Marcelle Jans

  2. Oct 9

    S2 E02: Brave Enough to Change Direction, with Millie McDevitt

    What happens when the career you've built over more than 20 years no longer feels like the right fit? In the first episode of Courage Loading Moments, I'm joined by Millie McDevitt, a former British diplomat who made the courageous decision to leave the career that had shaped so much of her identity and start a new chapter as an international executive life coach. Millie shares what it was like to step away from a career she had once dreamed of, and how she navigated the uncertainty of leaving behind the security, purpose and identity that came with being a diplomat. We also explore her experiences of living and working across different countries and cultures, and how communication, connection and belonging have shaped both her career and the work she does today. In this conversation, we talk about: Finding the courage to leave a career that has become part of your identityRecognising the signs that it might be time for a changeNavigating identity and belonging across different cultures and environmentsThe power of sponsorship, mentorship and finding your peopleWhy small acts of support can make a lasting differenceCreating a life that feels meaningful wherever you areKnowing when courage means taking the leap, and when it means stepping away Millie also shares what her daughters taught her about courage during an unexpected mountain adventure, the advice she'd give her younger self, and the song she's adding to our Courage Loading playlist. It's a conversation about recognising what matters to you, trusting yourself and finding the courage to make choices that fit the life you want to live. My top three takeaways Read my top three takeaways from this conversation, Millie's quick-fire answers and the full transcript on the episode page: https://www.courageloadingpodcast.com/episodes/brave-enough-to-change-direction/ Connect with Millie Find out more about Millie's coaching work and sign up for her weekly email: https://www.milliemcdevitt.com/ Courage Loading playlist Millie's song choice: Mr Brightside by The Killers. Listen to the playlist on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/playlist/courage-loading/pl.u-55D6677cYX4YlZ Free career assessment Wondering whether you're ready for your next career move? Take my free assessment, Are You Positioned for Your Next Move?, to reflect on where you are and what might help you move forward. https://positionedforyournextmove.scoreapp.com Want to share your story? If you've navigated a career or leadership transition, or you're finding the courage to make your next move, I'd love to hear from you. Email alicia@alicianoble.com to explore being a guest on Courage Loading. Interested in working with me? I work with organisations and individuals to navigate career and leadership transitions with greater clarity, confidence and purpose. Organisations, Noble Arc: https://www.noblearc.co.uk/ Individuals, Alicia Noble: https://www.alicianoble.com/ Book a Connection Call: https://calendly.com/alicianoble/connection-call Courage Loading website: https://www.courageloadingpodcast.com/ Remember, every story of change begins with a single moment of courage. So, what's yours going to be?

    S2 E02: Brave Enough to Change Direction, with Millie McDevitt

  3. Oct 9

    S2 E01: Welcome Back to Courage Loading...

    Welcome to Season 2 of Courage Loading! Eight months after leaving my corporate career to build my own business, I'm reflecting on the highs, the challenges and what I've learnt about confidence, courage and navigating change. In this episode, I share some personal updates, why confidence comes from taking action (even when we don't feel ready), and what you can expect from the new season. I also introduce my new group programme for women in finance, risk and audit, a free career positioning assessment, and Courage Loading Moments — a new guest series featuring women sharing their stories of courage and transition. Links and resources mentioned Are You Positioned for Your Next Move? – Take the free quiz: https://positionedforyournextmove.scoreapp.com Group Programme – Find out more about my small-group programme for women in finance, risk and audit: https://www.positioned.alicianoble.com/ Courage Loading website: https://www.courageloadingpodcast.com/ Other events mentioned Speak and Shine: https://kieradair.com/speak-and-shine-summit/ Ideas Fest: https://ideasfest.uk/ Want to share your story? If you've navigated a career or leadership transition, or you're finding the courage to make your next move, I'd love to hear from you. Get in touch to explore being a guest on Courage Loading. Interested in working with me? I work with organisations and individuals to navigate career and leadership transitions with greater clarity, confidence and purpose. Find out more here: Organisations – Noble Arc: https://www.noblearc.co.uk/ Individuals – Alicia Noble: https://www.alicianoble.com/ Book a Connection Call: https://calendly.com/alicianoble/connection-call Remember, every story of change begins with a single moment of courage. What's yours going to be?

  4. May 8

    S1 E09: Bold Enough to Own Your Story: The OWN Framework for Career Identity

    EPISODE SUMMARYAlicia shares the talk she delivered at Speak and Shine Summit (7 May 2026), exploring her nine-month journey from audience member to speaker. Using the OWN framework (Origins, Worth, Narrative), she breaks down how identity - not career moves - drives real change. A raw, personal exploration of what it means to stop playing it safe and start living authentically. KEY TOPICSFramework: OWN (Origins, Worth, Narrative) | Core Concept: Identity before strategy Keywords: Career identity, career transition, leadership, burnout recovery, authenticity, mid-career change, women's empowerment, executive coaching EPISODE BREAKDOWNCold Open (0:00–1:30): The Promise — Speak and Shine Summit journey (Sept 2025–May 2026) Intro (1:30–2:30): Welcome + Event context (12 speakers, Andrea Rainsford keynote) Main Talk (2:30–17:30): Bold Enough to Own Your Story Nelson Mandela quote: "There is no passion to be found in playing small"Living a B+ life: mortgage, pension, adulting league tableThe three inner voices: "This isn't it" | "This is not you" | "There's something missing"Playing safe vs playing small (the difference matters)Origins: Apartheid South Africa → unsegregated school → bold 21-year-old → corporate masking → burnoutWorth: Outsourcing validation to performance metrics (companies, qualifications, ratings)Narrative: Inherited stories ("not the right time," "not the right person," glass ceilings)The turning point: Leaving corporate from trust, not desperationNew script: Truly mine, trusts my worth, owned WHO THIS IS FORWomen navigating mid-career transitions | Professionals stuck in "B+ lives" | Anyone considering a bold move held back by fear | Leaders seeking authenticity over performance | People rebuilding after burnout Special mention: Speak and Shine Collection - Kier Adair Contact Alicia: Website: Alicia Noble | Leadership Coach & Career Transition Coach | Alicia Noble Email: alicia@alicianoble.com Linkedin: Alicia Noble | LinkedIn Instagram: @alicianoble.co

  5. Apr 24

    S1 E08: Procrastination in Your Career Is a Signal: What You’re Really Avoiding (And Why)

    Why you’re procrastinating on your career change isn’t laziness — it’s emotional regulation. Learn the 4 feelings behind it and 5 questions to move forward. Episode summaryIn this episode of Courage Loading, leadership coach and career transition strategist Alicia Noble reframes procrastination as an emotional regulation strategy, not a time management problem. When you’re in the messy middle of a career change, stepping into leadership, or building professional visibility, procrastination often gets louder — and for good reason. It’s trying to protect you. The question is, from what? Alicia looks at three dynamics that make procrastination spike during career transitions, the four feelings that most often sit underneath it, and a five-question framework you can use the next time you catch yourself putting something off. Key themes coveredWhy procrastination is emotional regulation, not poor disciplineThe three dynamics that amplify procrastination during career transitions: uncertainty, identity, and the performance gapHow procrastination can quietly fuel burnout in high achieversThe four feelings underneath procrastination: fear, shame, overwhelm, and boredom — and what each one is really telling youHow to treat procrastination as information, not a character flaw The one actionThe next time you notice yourself procrastinating, pause and work through the five questions in the episode. Don’t shame yourself out of it — get curious about what it’s trying to protect you from. Reflection promptsWhat exactly am I avoiding?What am I feeling, and where is it showing up in my body?What might this be trying to tell me?What needs to shift?What’s one small action that will help me make this shift? Your next stepIf this episode landed, download the BRAVE Life Audit — https://alicia-scph0aky.scoreapp.com Alicia offers 1:1 coaching and you can book a call to explore the options here: https://calendly.com/alicia-noblearc/connection-call Follow and subscribe to Courage Loading wherever you listen, and if this episode helped, a review makes a real difference in helping others find the conversation.

  6. Apr 17

    S1 E07: Are You Coping or Thriving? Why "Fine" Is the Hardest Place to Leave

    Courage Loading | Episode 7Are You Coping or Thriving? Why “Fine” Is the Hardest Place to Leave Most of us were never taught to recognise when a career that looks successful on paper is quietly wrong for us. In this episode, Alicia Noble explores why “fine” is often the hardest place to leave — and the psychology behind what keeps high-achieving women coping instead of thriving. What You’ll LearnThe Region-Beta Paradox (Daniel Gilbert) - why moderate dissatisfaction is harder to escape than miseryThe sunk cost fallacy - and how to stop letting past investment drive future decisionsJames Clear’s 'hats, haircuts, and tattoos' - a different way to look at risk and career decisionsWhy many decisions that feel permanent are far more reversible than fear suggests ConnectFollow Alicia on LinkedIn - Alicia Noble | LinkedInDownload the free BRAVE Life Audit - The BRAVE Life Audit

  7. Apr 10

    S1 E06: Leading Your Career Starts With Self-Leadership

    Most leadership development focuses on leading others. But the skill that actually determines whether you can navigate a career transition successfully? Leading yourself. In this episode, I break down what self-leadership really means, why the knowing-doing gap isn’t a willpower problem, and the four dimensions of self-leadership you need to work on right now. I talk about: Why self-leadership is the most overlooked skill in leadership developmentThe belief iceberg: why surface behaviour change doesn’t stickHow Self-Determination Theory (autonomy, competence, relatedness) explains why career transitions leave us feeling stuckThe four dimensions of self-leadership in a career transition Resources & Links📥 Download the free BRAVE Life Audit: The BRAVE Life Audit 🎤 Subscribe to Courage Loading on Spotify / Apple Podcasts 🔗 Connect with Alicia: Alicia Noble | LinkedIn

  8. Apr 1

    S1 E05: What Playing It Safe Is Really Costing You?

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About

Courage Loading... is a podcast for high-achieving women navigating career change, leadership transitions, and professional reinvention — even when everything looks successful on paper. Each episode explores the identity shifts, mindset changes, and inner work behind real career pivots. From imposter syndrome and the proving trap to leadership confidence and decision-making under pressure, we unpack what it truly takes to lead yourself through the messy middle of change. Drawing on coaching psychology, behavioural science, and over 20 years of experience across Big Four firms and FTSE 100 companies, Courage Loading offers practical insight and honest conversations for women stepping into senior leadership, redefining success, or building a more meaningful and sustainable career. Hosted by Alicia Noble, Leadership Coach and Career Transition Strategist. Because every story of change begins with a single moment of courage. So what’s yours going to be?

Information

  • Creator
    Alicia Noble
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Alicia Noble
  • Show Website
    Courage Loading...