The Midlife Wake-Up Call Leaders Face

Send us Fan MailSomething happens in midlife.The strategies that got you this far stop working. The career path that once made sense starts draining your energy. The people-pleasing, over-functioning, and pushing through begin to take their toll.In this episode, I'm joined by leadership coach Kurt Bush for a conversation about what happens when life asks you to stop performing and start paying attention.Kurt shares his own story of leaving pastoral leadership around the age of 40 and building a coaching practice centred on joy, self-awareness, and sustainable leadership. We explore why so many people hit a wall in their late 30s and 40s, especially when they're carrying responsibility for teams, families, communities, and everyone else's expectations.A big part of our conversation focuses on Internal Family Systems (IFS), a powerful framework that helps us understand the different "parts" within us. The people-pleaser. The perfectionist. The protector. The part that wants to stay safe. And the part that's longing for something more.We talk about how these inner parts can drive anxiety, conflict avoidance, burnout, defensiveness, and self-doubt, often without us even realising it.We also explore authentic leadership, healthy boundaries, navigating difficult conversations, and why the most effective leaders are moving away from control and hierarchy towards trust, curiosity, and genuine human connection.If you've been feeling exhausted, stuck, or like the old version of you no longer fits, this conversation offers a thoughtful and practical place to begin.In this episode we discuss:• The difference between success and alignment• What Internal Family Systems (IFS) actually is• How protective parts shape our behaviour• Leadership, vulnerability, and emotional intelligence• Setting boundaries without guilt• Why authentic leadership starts with self-awareness• Finding more joy, calm, and sustainability in work and lifeVisit our website to find out more about this week's guest.All of our guests, including this one, are included in our Guest Directory so that you can find out more about them and the work that they do.https://midliferebelpodcast.com/guest-directoryIf you'd like to support the show you can buy me a coffee!https://buymeacoffee.com/midliferebelpodcast