#126 Breaking free from toxic productivity to find joy
Release Date: 07/11/2024
#160 The best thing you’ve ever done is ahead of you and will always be ahead of you with Dan Kieran
Another Door Stories
“If you look back on your life and see that you would have done something differently, that means you’re wiser now than you were then. And that means, by definition, the best thing you’ve ever done is ahead of you and will always be ahead of you.” What happens when you walk away from the thing that defined you, your job, your identity, your sense of success and step into a space of not knowing? In this episode, I speak to writer, entrepreneur, and all-around inspiring human, Dan Kieran. The co-founder of the pioneering publishing platform Unbound, Dan shares his...
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#159 5 lessons from failing Ninja Warrior with Brandon Clift
Another Door Stories
"Are you at least willing to push through the discomfort so that the team can win, so that your family can win, so that the mission can win and ultimately perhaps so that you can win?” Have you ever had life slam a door in your face maybe even in the most public way possible? What if, in that moment, you could hit pause, dig into the mess, and come out the other side with fresh lessons (and maybe even a laugh or two)? In this episode, I talk to executive coach and all-around inspiring human, Brandon Clift. Brandon shares his spectacular "door closed" moment on national TV as a contestant on...
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#158 How to keep going through the setbacks with Mike Morrison
Another Door Stories
“When you're too comfortable, when you have space to overthink, then nothing happens... But when there’s fire under you, you have to move, or you die.” In this episode, we are joined by Mike Morrison, entrepreneur, founder of Membership Geeks, and a true veteran of life’s unexpected detours. Mike shares openly about the many doors that have closed throughout his career and personal life, including the literal locked door that ended his "secure" marketing job, relationship breakdowns, and the surprising, sudden departure of his co-founder. Each setback forced Mike to reimagine...
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#157 The layoff journey: from dismissal to discovery with Steve Jaffe
Another Door Stories
“Resist that urge to jump right into job applications and start applying. You want to give yourself some space to process what you've been through and maybe avoid making any big decisions." In this episode, we have Steve Jaffe, author of The Layoff Journey: From Dismissal to Discovery. Steve has been laid off four times during his career each time making space for reflection, resilience, and ultimately, growth. We talk about the messy middle: what it really feels like to lose your job, how to process grief and anger, and why hope, connection, and self-care make all the difference....
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#156 The importance of empathy at work in times of change with June Hogan
Another Door Stories
“Sympathy is rushing to turn the light on into someone’s darkness so that we feel better, whereas empathy is being prepared to sit with somebody in their darkness and connect with them and just be there for them.” In this episode, I’m joined by June Hogan. June helps organisations to do redundancy and layoffs well! So of course I’m a fan. It’s never easy or simple when companies have to let people go, but it can be done well, and with empathy and fairness. This is what June’s work is all about. We talk about the difference between empathy and sympathy when you are leading...
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#155 The no bullsh*t approach to life, career and leadership with Chris Hirst
Another Door Stories
"You can have a bad day, some days, that's fine. But then at some point, you've got to go, all right, I've got to take a little bit of responsibility now and get on with this." In this ‘epic’ (long!) episode, I sit down with Chris Hirst, author known for his “no bullsh*t” approach to leadership and work. We go deep, wide and around the block talking about the realities and myths of career progression, change, redundancy, and what it really means to be a leader. Chris shares transformative moments in his career, including going to Harvard and facing redundancy, and how...
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#154 Breaking barriers and empowering the next generation with Marie-Ange Eyoum Tagne, PhD
Another Door Stories
“I want to frame my journey to be an example, to be a road map, to hand the baton to somebody else, to the next generation.” In this episode, Marie-Ange Eyoum Tagne, PhD, a product leader, and technologist, shares the inspiration behind her new memoir “For Such a Time Like This”. From her childhood in Cameroon, dreaming of going to the moon, to leading teams at Meta, Amazon and Yahoo, Marie-Ange’s journey is a powerful testament to following your heart, staying strong, even when everything around you suggests you should be doing something completely...
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#153 Finding a different way to use your magic (and humour) with Emma Djemil
Another Door Stories
“There has to be a different way for me to use my magic in the world. My magic can't keep mopping up messes that are created by ridiculous decisions like this.” When HR Director Emma Djemil hit a moment of ‘enough is enough’ she knew it was time for her skills, energy, passions to be directed elsewhere. Stuck cleaning up the messes of others, she knew it was time for a big change. In this episode, Emma talks about what it really takes to walk away from a toxic job, where to find the drive for something new, and why humour is such a powerful tool for getting through...
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#152 Starting all over again with Mark Green
Another Door Stories
“There were two significant moments, two significant doors. One was the thought of that's it. I'm dead. Door closed on everything. And the other moment was when the consultant said, you can have all this back. You've just got to work for it. Door open.” In this episode, Mark Green, founder of Change Rebellion, shares his wild story of a door closing, nearly for good, and how it changed him and his perspective for life. It’s not just a story about navigating professional change; it’s about survival, resilience, and finding purpose. When COVID hit his family in late 2020,...
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#151 The Art of Being Brave: Strength in Breaking, Power in Rising
Another Door Stories
“I think whenever you feel yourself being resistant, the challenge is to find acceptance. Because you have to accept something to shove that resistance out of the way. And once you've accepted it, you can move beyond it.” In this episode, I’m speaking with Kreena Dhiman, a friend, and an incredible keynote speaker who leaves you feeling like you can achieve anything! Kreena shares her story of unexpected redundancy after a decade in a successful accounting career, and how that shock forced her to confront not only her professional identity but also lifelong struggles, setbacks,...
info_outline"I was doing far too much and I had been doing far too much as long as I could remember. I didn't know the word burnout still at that point in time but I was burnt out and I needed to make a drastic change."
In today's episode, we're joined by the incredible Tamu Thomas, who brings her wisdom and heart-centred approach to self-growth and healing.
Tamu shares her story of transitioning from a high pressure, high stress career to a life more aligned with her core values, and a life filled with more joy. A move sparked by her battles with depression, anxiety, and a powerful wake-up call during a panic attack. We talk about her latest book, "Women Who Work Too Much," which is a rallying cry for women (actually anyone can read this and resonate!) to see their true selves beyond societal expectations.
I loved the poetic and affirming notes in her book that seek to connect directly with the heart, and support you to break free from a toxic work culture. So often we don’t realise we are in that cycle, or that we have options.
So join us for a deeply inspirational and soothing conversation about breaking free, finding our own rhythm, and embracing the beautiful messiness of life.
"I thought there's no way in the world I am robbing my child of a vibrant, energetic, joyful mother. I want to make sure that I am role modelling for her something different, a ‘new form of womanhood’."
Here are the highlights:
04:44 Struggling single mum vows to work for herself.
07:38 Overcoming panic, burnout, and seeking personal growth.
10:11 Supporting women to work less, live more.
15:07 Seek help and support in your journey.
19:14 Plans to publish book developed naturally and unexpectedly.
22:58 Hay House supported book on challenging topics.
24:32 Clarity in understanding and expressing core values.
30:18 Investing in coaching, growth-minded friends, and transition.
32:35 Open up, connect, and explore new perspectives.
39:17 Book addresses shadow aspects of working too much.
Tamu Thomas’ Another Door go-tos
The things that helped Tamu navigate change.
Books: “The Shadow Effect" by Deepak Chopra, Debbie Ford, and Marianne Williamson. “Return to Love" by Marianne Williamson**
Music: “Love Will Save the Day" by Des-ree*
The one piece of advice:
“Look at the door in front of you. Be moved by the door in front of you. Walk through that door. Take the next step and the next step and the next step. Keep your walking forward.”
About your host Eleanor Tweddell:
Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it’s 121 coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training. Eleanor’s work centres around how we, as humans, work through change, embracing the messy bits, the role of playing, with the aim to see opportunity. “Too often we get stuck in the change happening to us, when just through that next door is an exciting next chapter.”
Eleanor is the founder of Another Door, and Get-Recommended.com and the author of Why losing your job could be the best thing that ever happened to you.
Connect with Eleanor:
Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/
Website: eleanortweddell.com
Are you looking for speakers with a fresh voice for your next workshop or conference? Check out www.get-recommended.com
About Tamu Thomas
Tamu Thomas is an accomplished author, executive coach, and keynote speaker who empowers ambitious individuals and organisations to achieve sustainable success through dynamic leadership.
Her work focuses on creating emotional safety, self-trust, and fulfilment for high-achieving women, helping them break free from toxic productivity and embrace a more harmonious, joyful approach to work and life. Tamu's unique methodology blends somatic practices, nervous system awareness, and leadership expertise, creating a holistic approach that addresses both personal and professional growth.
A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Tamu has been featured in publications such as Harper's Bazaar, Stylist Magazine and Psychologies and is the author of the acclaimed book "Women Who Work Too Much: Break Free from Toxic Productivity and Find Your Joy." She is passionate about helping individuals and organisations create cultures of well-being, where everyone can thrive.
Connect with Tamu:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamu.thomas/
Website: https://www.livethreesixty.com/
Produced by winteraudio.co.uk