Midlife Career Change with Renée Hackett, Diane Loveys and Audley Stephenson

Is it ever too late to reinvent your career?In this episode of the HRchat Podcast's Next Chapter series, guest host Pauline James speaks with three inspiring professionals who prove that meaningful career transitions don't have an expiry date.Actor, writer, and producer Renée Hackett shares her journey of creating opportunities instead of waiting for them, discusses building confidence later in life, and opens up about balancing career growth with the realities of perimenopause and menopause.Former financial services marketing executive Diane Loveys explains how she successfully returned to paid employment after years focused on family and community, offering practical advice on workforce re-entry, transferable skills, flexible working, networking, and rebuilding confidence.Leadership coach and podcaster Audley Stephenson discusses developing a purposeful portfolio career while maintaining a full-time role, embracing experimentation, and building a legacy-focused future beyond traditional retirement.Whether you're planning a career pivot, returning to work after a break, exploring a portfolio career, or supporting experienced employees in your organisation, this episode offers practical advice and inspiring perspectives on what comes next.In this episode: Why careers don't have to follow a linear path  Building confidence during midlife career transitions  Creating your own opportunities instead of waiting for permission  Menopause, perimenopause, and supporting experienced professionals  Returning to work after caregiving or a career break  Recognising transferable skills gained outside traditional employment  Flexible work and second-career opportunities  Networking tips for career changers  Building a portfolio career alongside full-time work  Planning a purpose-driven retirement and lasting legacy  Redefining success in the second half of your career Guests Renée Hackett – Actor, writer and producer  Diane Loveys – Former financial services marketing executive and travel professional  Audley Stephenson – Leadership coach, podcaster and founder of The Audacious Living PodcastSupport the showFeature Your Brand on the HRchat PodcastThe HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here.Follow us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletterCheck out our in-person events