Successful On Paper

Jess Spiers
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Successful On Paper is for men in their 40s and 50s who’ve built careers that look great from the outside - but how they feel inside tells a different story. Host Jess Spiers, a qualified career coach who specialises in coaching men, shares what she's learned from coaching men like you to help you navigate this stage of your career and redefine what success looks like now. Jess also speaks to men like you who are going through it too, sharing the thoughts, struggles and doubts that often go unspoken. These aren’t polished success stories but real, honest conversations about how it feels when your identity has shifted but your career hasn’t caught up.

Episodes

  1. 1h ago

    9. One thing you need to hear this week: Clarity

    Welcome to the second episode in my summer mini-series: short, practical episodes, each focusing on one thing that might shift the way you think about your career, your life or yourself - that no-one else will say to you. This week's message is simple: clarity doesn't come before action - it comes from it. If you've been waiting to feel completely certain before making a career decision, this episode is for you. I explore why so many men feel stuck, why overthinking rarely leads to clarity and how understanding who you are now - not who you were 10 or 20 years ago - can make your next career move much easier. In this episode, you'll hear:Why clarity isn't something you find by thinking harder.How taking action helps you discover what you really want.Why your priorities and values may have changed over the years.The questions that can help you cut through the fog.Why meaningful career decisions start with understanding yourself, not searching for the perfect answer. Ready to get clear on what's next?If this episode resonated with you, download my free Career Audit. It will help you understand where you are now, where you'd like to be and what's most important to you in the next stage of your career. Once you've completed it, I'll send you a personalised video review with practical next steps tailored to you. Get your free Career Audit here: https://www.twentytwentycoaching.co.uk Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-spiers-19760717/ If you know someone who would benefit from this episode, please share it with them. And if you're enjoying Successful On Paper, don't forget to follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode.

  2. Jul 30

    8. One thing you need to hear this week: Hope

    Welcome to the first episode in my summer mini-series: “One thing you need to hear this week”. These are short, practical episodes, each focusing on one thing you might need to hear this week that no-one else will say to you. This first episode is all about hope. If you dread every Monday morning and wonder if this is really it, this episode is for you. I talk about why it's OK to want more from your working life, how feeling trapped doesn't mean you have to make a dramatic career change and how the first step is simply giving yourself permission to stop and reassess. Trust me: this isn't as good as it gets. In this episode, I talk about: How there are always other options, even if you can't see them yet.Why meaningful career change rarely means starting from scratch.The difference between making a risky leap and making a considered plan.Why settling for survival isn't the answer.Why investing in yourself is one of the best decisions you can make.How clarity often comes much sooner than people expect. If this episode resonated with you and you'd like to explore what coaching could look like, book a free 30-minute discovery call. We'll talk about where you are, where you'd like to be and see if we're the right fit to work together. Book your discovery call: https://tidycal.com/3o42vom/30-minute-meeting If you know someone who'd benefit from hearing this episode, please share it with them. And if you're enjoying the podcast, I'd really appreciate it if you followed or subscribed so you don't miss future episodes. Visit my website: https://www.twentytwentycoaching.co.uk/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-spiers-19760717/

  3. Jul 23

    7. The quiet identity shift for men in their 40s & 50s

    Men usually come to coaching thinking they have a career problem. But often it's about more than just their job: it's about their whole identity. In this episode, I explore why work can start to feel different in your 40s and 50s, even when everything looks great from the outside. I discuss the emotions many men experience but rarely talk about, including guilt, fear, doubt and confusion and why questions about career satisfaction are often really questions about who you've become. I also share the story of a coaching client who felt stuck and disconnected from a career that had once given him purpose and pride. Together, we explored what had changed and discovered that the answer wasn't necessarily a new career but a different relationship with the one he already had. I also explore other things that affect your sense of identity: fatherhood, changing priorities, breadwinner pressure and why the version of success that drove you in your 20s and 30s may no longer fit the man you are today. In this episode, I cover:Why career dissatisfaction is often about identity rather than work itself.The emotions many men experience during midlife but rarely discuss.Why status, progression and salary can lose their appeal.How fatherhood can change your relationship with work.The pressure many men still feel to be the main provider.Why clarity is often the missing piece.How you can redesign your career without changing careers.A simple question that reveals how much of your identity is tied to your job. Useful links Book a free 30-minute discovery call to see if we'd be a good fit to work together: https://tidycal.com/3o42vom/30-minute-meeting Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-spiers-19760717/ Visit my website: https://www.twentytwentycoaching.co.uk/ If you'd like help getting clear on what's next, my free Career Audit helps you understand where you are now, where you want to be and the non-negotiables for your next chapter. Complete the audit and I’ll send you a short personalised video review with practical next steps to take. Get your free Career Audit here: www.twentytwentycoaching.co.uk If you enjoyed this episode, please follow or subscribe and share it with a man who might need to hear it.

  4. Jul 16

    6. Constantly chasing success: when is it enough? - with Chris Britton

    Many men spend years working towards the next milestone. The next promotion, the next salary bracket, the next achievement. But what happens when you reach those goals and still don't feel the way you expected? In this episode I speak with Chris Britton, People Experience Director, volunteer police officer, author, father and men's health advocate. We explore the pressure many men feel to keep striving, the difficulty of knowing what "enough" looks like and why success doesn't always bring the fulfilment we expect. Chris shares his own experience of constantly chasing the next milestone, the restlessness that can come with ambition and how becoming a father has changed the way he thinks about success, purpose and legacy. The conversation also explores men's mental health, loneliness, identity, modern masculinity and why creating spaces where men can talk openly is more important than ever. We discuss:Why many men keep chasing success without ever defining what success actually means to them.The feeling of restlessness that can sit beneath a successful career.How ambition can become both a strength and a source of pressure.The challenge of balancing work, family and personal fulfilment.Why men often tie their identity to performance and achievement.Men's reluctance to seek support before reaching crisis point.Loneliness and connection for men in their 40s and 50s.The importance of creating spaces where men can speak honestly.Why "I'm fine" is often the end of a conversation when it should be the beginning.The simple but powerful idea that you are enough. Useful links Connect with Chris: Website: www.chris-britton.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-britton Book: https://amzn.eu/d/0fw9uMvL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hu_man_up Connect with Jess: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-spiers-19760717/ Visit my website: https://www.twentytwentycoaching.co.uk/ If you'd like help getting clear on what's next, my free Career Audit helps you understand where you are now, where you want to be and the non-negotiables for your next chapter. Complete the audit and I’ll send you a short personalised video review with practical next steps to take. Get your free Career Audit here: www.twentytwentycoaching.co.uk Book a free 30-minute discovery call to see if we'd be a good fit to work together: https://tidycal.com/3o42vom/30-minute-meeting If you enjoyed this episode, please follow or subscribe and share it with a man who might need to hear it.

  5. Jul 9

    5. You don't need to change career to change your career

    One of the biggest assumptions men make when they're unhappy at work is that they need a completely different career. When you're feeling stuck, disconnected or frustrated, it's easy to jump to a dramatic conclusion: I need a fresh start. But what if the answer isn't a career change? In this episode, I explore the difference between a career change and a career refresh and why many men in their 40s & 50s discover that what they really need isn't to leave their career behind - but to rethink how they're doing it. Drawing on a client story, I share how years of gradually taking on more responsibility, becoming the dependable one and reacting to everyone else's priorities can leave you feeling disconnected from work that once felt rewarding. You'll hear why careers often drift away from what matters most, how roles evolve without us noticing and why feeling stuck doesn't automatically mean it's time to start over. Before you assume you need a completely different career, it's worth asking whether you've simply outgrown the way you're currently working. Sometimes the biggest shift isn't changing your career. It's changing your relationship with it. I cover: Why career change isn't always the answer.The difference between a career change and a career refresh.How responsibilities can quietly accumulate over time.Why many men feel disconnected from work in their 40s & 50s.The three common outcomes I see through coaching.The difference between staying by choice and staying because you feel trapped.A simple diary audit exercise to help you identify what's draining your energy. Useful links: If you'd like help getting clear on what's next, my free Career Audit helps you understand where you are now, where you want to be and the non-negotiables for your next chapter. Complete the audit and I’ll send you a short personalised video review with practical next steps. Get your free Career Audit here: www.twentytwentycoaching.co.uk Book a free half hour discovery call to see if we'd be a good fit to work together. Connect with me on LinkedIn Visit my website: www.twentytwentycoaching.co.uk If you enjoyed this episode, please follow or subscribe and share it with a man who might need to hear it.

  6. Jul 2

    4. Navigating career change, identity crises & the pressure of being the main earner - with Andy Sockanathan

    If you've ever wondered who you'd be without your job title, listen on. I speak to career change coach and former TV executive Andy Sockanathan about identity, career change and the pressure many men feel when they're responsible for supporting their family financially. Andy shares his unusual career journey from touring Europe as a drummer, to completing a PhD, to spending 15 years in television before being made redundant and building a successful coaching business. Together, we explore the identity crisis that can come when a career ends, why so many men struggle to separate who they are from what they do and how to find clarity when you're not sure what's next. We discuss:Why career change is often an identity challenge as much as a practical one.The reality of redundancy and rebuilding confidence.The pressure of being the main earner and supporting a family.Why many men struggle to ask for help when they're feeling lost.The importance of talking to people and having honest conversations.Career change versus career refresh.How to find clarity and direction when you don't know what's next.Why understanding who you are beyond your job title matters. Timestamps 00:44 Meet Andy 01:05 From drummer to TV 03:40 Hidden struggles 05:55 The TV identity trap 07:56 Who am I now? 10:21 Redundancy reality 12:13 Finding the coaching path 16:15 The power of conversations 19:23 The reality of working in TV 26:02 Money pressures 27:38 Test before you leap 32:56 Refresh not replace 34:48 Advice for lost men 36:36 Where to find Andy 37:00 Closing thanks Useful links Connect with Andy: Website: www.andysockanathan.com LinkedIn: Dr Andy Sockanathan Connect with Jess: LinkedIn: Jess Spiers Website: www.twentytwentycoaching.co.uk Book a free half hour discovery call to see if we'd be a good fit to work together. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow or subscribe and share it with a man who might need to hear it.

  7. Jun 25

    3. The 3 'shoulds' keeping you stuck and how to move past them

    If you're feeling unhappy at work but keep talking yourself out of it, this episode is for you. I unpick three phrases I hear all the time from men in their 40s and 50s: I should be grateful.I should be responsible.I should have this all figured out by now. On the surface they sound sensible, maybe even innocent. But they’re more dangerous than you think as they keep you stuck, disconnected and afraid to admit that something isn't working anymore. I explore why these beliefs are so common, how they show up in the men I coach and why they're often driven by guilt, fear and unrealistic expectations, rather than what's actually best for you. I also share my own experience of leaving my corporate career and how coaching helped me realise that what I thought was responsibility was actually fear in disguise. In this episode I cover: Why being grateful and wanting change can both be true.How fear can disguise itself as responsibility.Why so many men feel they should have life and work all figured out by now.The pressure many men feel to stay strong and cope alone.Why asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.Practical ways to challenge these beliefs and start moving forward. If any of these "shoulds" resonate with you, please know you're not alone. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to the podcast 00:45 Three ‘shoulds’ overview 01:11 I should be grateful 03:07 Reframe gratitude 03:29 I should be responsible 05:29 Redefine responsibility 05:54 I should have it all figured out by now 07:06 Ask for help practice 07:41 Wrap up and next steps If you enjoyed this episode, please follow or subscribe and share it with a man who might need to hear it. Free Career Audit If you're feeling successful on paper but know something isn't quite right, complete my free Career Audit as a manageable first step: www.twentytwentycoaching.co.uk Connect with me LinkedIn Website

  8. Jun 16

    2. Identity, purpose and how to rebuild after suddenly losing your job - with Colin Tapscott

    What happens when the career you've spent years building suddenly comes to an end? In this episode, I speak to coach and director of Everyday Leader, Colin Tapscott, about his journey from successful headteacher to business owner and the career crisis that changed everything. On paper, Colin had achieved what many people aspire to. He became a headteacher in his early 30s, built a strong reputation and spent years leading schools. But underneath, something had shifted. The work no longer felt aligned with who he was and what mattered to him. Then, just as he was planning his next move, an Ofsted inspection led to an abrupt and unexpected end to his career in education. We explore the impact this had on his identity, confidence and wellbeing and what helped him rebuild. We discuss: How to recognise when your career no longer fits.The difference between success and fulfilment.Why so many men tie their identity to their job.Coping with career setbacks, redundancy and unexpected change.The importance of support, reflection and asking for help.How to reconnect with your purpose when you're feeling lost.What Colin learned from rebuilding his career. If you've ever found yourself wondering who you are beyond your job title, this conversation is for you. Useful links: Find out more about Colin: Website: www.everydayleader.co.uk YouTube: @everydayleader3086 Everyday Alchemy: Transforming Your Trash Into Treasure book: https://amzn.eu/d/0azP1cS9 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-tapscott/ Visit Jess's website: www.twentytwentycoaching.co.uk Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-spiers-19760717/

  9. Jun 16

    1. Have you fallen into this common career trap?

    Jess Spiers introduces the first episode of Successful On Paper and explores one of the biggest mistakes she sees men make when they're unhappy at work. Too often, we jump straight into action mode - updating our CV, scrolling LinkedIn or looking at job adverts - before we've properly understood what's actually wrong. Jess shares why clarity is the missing piece for so many men in their 40s and 50s and how understanding what matters to you now can make career decisions feel much easier. She also shares the story of a coaching client who thought he needed a new job, only to discover that what he really needed was more ownership, challenge and meaning in his existing role. You’ll learn: Why taking action too quickly can keep you stuck.The role clarity plays in making confident career decisions.Why what motivated you 10 years ago may not be what you need now.A simple exercise to help you understand what's missing from your career. If you're feeling stuck, restless or wondering what's next, this episode is a great place to start. You can also complete Jess's free Career Audit at www.twentytwentycoaching.co.uk to get clearer on what's working, what's not and what you need from the next stage of your career. Useful links: Visit Jess's website: www.twentytwentycoaching.co.uk Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-spiers-19760717/

  10. Jun 11

    Successful On Paper trailer

    If you're a man in your 40s or 50s who's built a successful career but something doesn't feel right anymore, this podcast is for you. Find out what you can expect from Successful On Paper with host Jess Spiers, a qualified career coach who specialises in coaching men. New episodes released every Thursday.

Trailer

About

Successful On Paper is for men in their 40s and 50s who’ve built careers that look great from the outside - but how they feel inside tells a different story. Host Jess Spiers, a qualified career coach who specialises in coaching men, shares what she's learned from coaching men like you to help you navigate this stage of your career and redefine what success looks like now. Jess also speaks to men like you who are going through it too, sharing the thoughts, struggles and doubts that often go unspoken. These aren’t polished success stories but real, honest conversations about how it feels when your identity has shifted but your career hasn’t caught up.

Information

  • Creator
    Jess Spiers
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Jess Spiers
  • Show Website
    Successful On Paper

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