"No matter what you do in life, you're gonna get judged. You may as well just embrace exactly what you want to do at that moment in time. Open that door. Go through it. You'll be a bit scared. It'll be new, it'll be novel. You'll definitely learn a lot about yourself. You will be challenged, you will be supported."

What happens when you choose to walk away from what society expects of you and step through a door that feels equal parts terrifying and right? In this episode, I speak to Lee Chambers, psychologist, entrepreneur, author, and leading voice in the male allyship space for an honest conversation about courage, redefining leadership, and creating true inclusivity.

Lee shares the moment he left his successful tech business to become a stay-at-home dad, and what he has learned stepping into unfamiliar rooms and how listening to mothers, grandmothers, and his own discomfort, has inspired a career dedicated to justice and equity.

We talk about allyship and why now, more than ever, it's needed and is the foundation for the change we want in the world.

The Highlights:

04:36 Closing the door on the business and becoming a stay-at-home dad 06:19 What really happens when you're the only man at the toddler group 08:26 Navigating other people's judgment

15:16 Learning to walk again

21:28 Curiosity, justice, and entering the work of allyship

23:37 What women shared that changed his path

24:59 Why male allyship is not "rescuing" but partnership and humility

32:08 The power of introversion, and how Lee creates impactful content

38:05 Skills of allyship - stepping forward to the side and back

41:11 Misplaced "scarcity," and the unseen privilege of building equality

48:06 Why challenging conversations and self-exploration are essential.

Lee's navigating change list

Soundtrack: "Harvest for the World" by The Isley Brothers
Book: Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez

One piece of advice:
"When you walk through a door, you normally walk in from a place that has limits, barriers, walls. When you actually close the door behind you, there's always an expanse in front of you to go and explore. A closed door is a blank canvas. The root of the word authentic is 'author.' So when you walk through that door and it closes, pick up that pen, become the author. Don't let other people write your story. Start writing it for yourself."

More about Lee

Lee Chambers is the Founder and CEO of Male Allies UK. After a diverse career, from corporate finance to building and exiting a tech company, he is now focused on supporting organisations to engage men in inclusion and promote effective allyship. He speaks globally on allyship and intersectionality, having taken the stage at One Young World, ChangeNOW and the Bloomberg Global Equality Summit, and is the author of the bestselling book, Momentum: 13 Ways To Unlock Your Potential.

Find out more: https://leechambers.org/

Work with Eleanor

Buy the Book - Another Door Opens; 5 steps for navigating change. Described as 'Game changing' 'Brilliant' 'A must read' 'The best book on change'.

Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it's coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.

Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched.

Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change.

Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work.

Join the Another Door Opens 5 Step Programme - a course and community to guide you through the mess of change to find calm, joy and opportunity.

Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/

Website: www.another-door-opens.com

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

"If you look for them, glimmers, these little micro moments of joy, are everywhere."

What if being lost isn't a problem to fix, but a path to joy and self-discovery? In this episode, I speak with Gavin Oattes author, speaker, creativity advocate, and former stand-up comedian for a conversation about closing doors, moving forward, and how letting go can be the bravest thing you do.

Gavin shares his journey from a whirlwind comedy career (with stories of sold-out shows, almost-making-it, and friendship tensions) to running a business, writing uplifting books, and learning how to navigate seismic life changes.

If you've ever faced a breakup (romantic, platonic, or creative), wondered what glimmers of joy might be hiding in the chaos, or just need reassurance that being "confidently lost" is a great place to start, this episode is essential listening.

The Highlights:

03:40 Gavin's closing door: Saying goodbye to stand-up comedy and creative partnerships
07:33 Friendship breakups and why endings aren't always "bad"
13:29 Knowing when to let go even if your heart's still in it
17:26 How to honour the magic rather than mourn what-might-have-been
19:12 Family change, shifting priorities, growing through life's phases
21:17 Getting "ghosted" and learning to move on
23:33 Gavin's new chapter: Writing as a way out of chaos
30:29 Glimmers—a practice for finding joy when you're lost
35:18 Reverse goal-setting & why the next "shiny thing" won't always make you happy
39:53 Writing for yourself (and letting go of the outcome)

What helped Gavin navigate change:

Soundtrack:
Dookie by Green Day

Book:
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

One piece of advice:
"You are not everyone else. We're each an experiment of one, and accepting that is truly door-opening."

About Gavin Oattes:

Gavin Oattes owns Tree of Knowledge, one of the UK's most exciting people development organisations. Working with some of the largest organisations in the world, Gavin is now regarded as one the most talented and sought after speakers, regularly delivering keynote speeches at conferences and exhibitions around the world. An award winning comedian and best-selling author, his inspiration all comes from where he began his career….Primary School Teaching.

https://www.gavinoattes.com/

Work with Eleanor:

Buy the Book - Another Door Opens;5 steps for navigating change. Described as 'Game changing' 'Brilliant' 'A must read' 'The best book on change'.

Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it's coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.

Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched.

Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change.

Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work.

Join the Another Door Opens 5 Step Programme - a course and community to guide you through the mess of change to find calm, joy and opportunity.

Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/

Website: www.another-door-opens.com

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

"Start to not tolerate things, and the bigger things will become easier."

What if the hardest (and most transformative) endings in our lives are the ones we choose ourselves?

In this episode, I chat with Elizabeth Aldana, Breakup Artist, coach, and advocate for navigating change on your own terms.

Elizabeth shares her story of moving across the world from LA to Singapore in a whirlwind week, not because she had to, but because a part of her just wouldn't tolerate staying still any longer. It was the first major "breakup" she initiated not just from a partner, but from her old patterns, relationships, and ways of seeing herself.

This conversation explores what it takes to recognise the little (and big) things you're tolerating in life, how to build the muscle of choosing change, and why breakups aren't just about romance, they're about leaving behind people, places, and patterns that no longer fit.

So, if you're teetering on the edge of a decision, feel stuck in old habits, and ready to open a new door, this conversation is for you.

The Highlights:

03:38 Closing the door yourself: Elizabeth's story of moving to Singapore
07:30 The very real (messy) inner conversations behind big choices
10:09 How stepping away reveals who you can become
16:17 Fear vs. Love: The two energies that drive all big decisions
21:27 Why leaving a job with nothing lined up can be the most self-loving decision
26:27 Why small changes prime you for bigger ones
36:32 Why you don't have to fit yourself into anyone else's box
45:08 Projection, people-pleasing, and knowing when it's time to initiate your own ending
51:28 The story and belief you hold in change determines which door opens next

What helped Elizabeth navigate change:

Soundtrack:
Rose Quartz by Toro y Moi

Book:
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig

One piece of advice:
"Be aware of what you believe about the situation and the story you're creating. It will impact which door opens next."

About Elizabeth Aldana:

Elizabeth is a breakup coach and founder of the Breakup Artist. In her work, she helps people reframe their ends as beginnings, and realise that breakups are not confined to romantic connections. Whether it's a relationship, career, identity, or pattern, breaking up with the old creates space for the new.

After navigating her own pivotal career and identity shifts, Elizabeth set out to destigmatise the word "breakup." Now, she helps clients move through the grief, guilt, and paralysis of big life changes… Into something more honest and aligned.

Today, we're going to talk with Elizabeth about why a breakup isn't just an end, and why the most important goodbye you'll ever say is to the relationship that kept you small.

https://breakupartist.coach/

Work with Eleanor:

Buy the Book - Another Door Opens out now. 5 steps for navigating change. Described as 'Game changing' 'Brilliant' 'A must read' 'The best book on change'.

Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it's coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.

Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched.

Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change.

Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work.

Join the Another Door Opens 5 Step Programme - a course and community to guide you through the mess of change to find calm, joy and opportunity.

Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/

Website: www.another-door-opens.com

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

"Change is messy, but it's also fertile ground. Pause. Rest. Play. Try. Restart. The five steps aren't a life 'hack' , they're a thinking space to get you through so that you can find joy, calm and opportunity amongst the chaos."

How good are you at navigating change? What happens when life throws you out of your comfort zone and into the unknown? How do you let go, rest, experiment, and eventually restart when you're not sure what comes next?

This special episode celebrates the launch of Another Door Opens: 5 steps for navigating change, my latest book guiding you through the real, messy, emotional process of change. Guest host Mark Shayler (author, speaker, environmental consultant, and spoon-carver extraordinaire!) interviews yours truly for a raw, uncensored conversation about what inspired the book, the ideas behind the 5 steps, how we can do change better and how we all struggle (and grow) through the in-between.

This one's for anyone experiencing change at work or in life, starting over, or supporting others navigating their own doors closing and opening.

The Highlights:

05:10 Why the book is needed and the dangers of getting stuck in old patterns
07:11 The practice of "letting go", why it's so hard, the letter to your closing door, and honouring your old self
12:30 The gift of the in-between: embracing messiness and the discomfort of pausing
17:13 Rest as resistance: radical naps and breaking the "busy" spell
19:30 Five steps to navigating change: Pause, Mess, Play, Try, Restart how to use the framework and why it's not strictly linear
24:53 Why play feels uncomfortable for adults!
33:02 Permission to feel everything, staying with uncomfortable emotions, and why it can be magical
35:22 Using music, movement, and collective energy as fuel in times of change
38:49 Purpose (without grandiosity): showing up for what matters today, and reframing the "why"
45:03 What businesses (and all of us!) get wrong about change, and the importance of benefit mindset
59:48 Making change stick

Some ideas to help you navigate change:

• Write a letter to your closing door

• Get to know new you in this moment

• Get playful: try curiosity as a little rebellion

• Frameworks are thinking spaces, not tick-lists

• Build up your capacity and energy, then press restart with intention

About Mark Shayler:
Mark is an author, sustainability expert, provoker of purpose, breathwork practitioner, and, most importantly, a granddad. He works with businesses to reduce their environmental impact. He's worked with the world's biggest and smallest companies and he's saved his clients over $200 million per year through better environmental performance. His latest book is "You Can't Make Money from a Dead Planet."

Connect with Mark:

Website: https://www.markshayler.com/

Work with Eleanor:

Buy the Book - Another Door Opens out now. 5 steps for navigating change. Described as 'Game changing' 'Brilliant' 'A must read' 'The best book on change'.

Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it's coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.

Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched.

Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change.

Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work.

Join the Another Door Opens 5 Step Programme - a course and community to guide you through the mess of change to find calm, joy and opportunity.

Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/

Website: www.another-door-opens.com

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

"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 story of closing the door and walking away from his creation, his vision, but knowing it was time to move on.

Dan shares the exhaustion of life as a CEO, the ego death that comes from letting go, and the unexpected joy (and financial precarity!) of redefining what success means on your own terms.

So tune-in if you've ever wondered whether it's time to move on, felt stuck in a life that looks "successful" on the outside, or craved permission to pursue meaning over metrics.

The Highlights:

04:07 How Unbound was created and the rollercoaster ride of startup life

10:44 When the hot streak ends: pandemic, VCs, and knowing when you're done

14:55 Identity loss, ego death, and what's left when the title disappears

17:21 Carl Jung, two adulthoods, and why your second act is worth celebrating

22:13 Why "not knowing" your next step is a huge opportunity

24:05 Practical advice: preparing for change without a perfect plan

27:49 Bringing your family (and your honesty) with you through change

30:06 Autotelic living: doing things for their own sake, not just the external rewards.

What helped Dan navigate change:

Soundtrack: Birdsong, especially blackbirds in the garden and forest. Dan recommends getting outside, into nature, as a grounding soundtrack for big transitions.

Book: The Middle Passage by James Hollis

One piece of advice: "If you look back and see that you would have done something differently, that means you're wiser now. So the best genuinely is ahead of you, don't let anyone (especially yourself) tell you otherwise. Back yourself."

About Dan Kieran:

Dan is the author of 14 books including the Business Book Award Winner - Do Start: How to create and run a business (that doesn't run you) where he tells the story of his own entrepreneurial journey with the publishing platform Unbound.

Having left the business in 2022, he now works as a Fractional co-founder with female founders and diverse teams who are building companies that will help create a more sustainable and ethical world.

Website: dankieran.com

Work with Eleanor:

Buy the Book - Another Door Opens out now. 5 steps for navigating change. Described as 'Game changing' 'Brilliant' 'A must read' 'The best book on change'.

Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it's coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.

Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched.

Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change.

Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work.

Join the Another Door Opens 5 Step Programme - a course and community to guide you through the mess of change to find calm, joy and opportunity.

Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/

Website: www.another-door-opens.com

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

"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 Australian Ninja Warrior, and the series of reflections and transformations that followed his Ninja splashdown.

This conversation dives (literally at some points) right into the messy reality of change, confidence, ego, failure, and finding humility when life doesn't go to plan. Brandon gets honest about what happens when your head gets a little too big, and how embracing the true lessons in failure can completely shift your story. If you've ever been blindsided by an unexpected turn, questioned your own confidence, or wondered how to pick yourself up, this episode is for you.

The Highlights:

04:24 From gymnastics to van life: when breakdowns lead to breakthroughs

08:40 Why extreme confidence can tip into arrogance

13:03 Ninja Warrior: the inside story

19:28 When overconfidence means you miss the details right in front of you

23:16 Identifying personal blind spots and rewriting old stories

27:12 Shadow work, childhood beliefs, and facing your own truth

34:44 The power in detaching from outcomes (and why Buddhist wisdom beats business hype)

38:31 Supporting others, men's circles, and getting out of your own head

41:57 From Ninja crash test to executive coach.

What helped Brandon navigate change:

Soundtrack: "It's Nice To Be Alive" by Ball Park Music

Book: Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink

One piece of advice: "Take stock of the stories you're telling yourself as to why you're resisting the change and find a path through, with kindness, mentorship, and community. Change is inevitable, ask how it might be happening for you, not to you."

After representing Australia as a competitive Gymnast, Brandon channeled his passion for performance and coaching into founding Zone, a fitness and wellness company that became #1 in its industry and earned him a nomination for Young Entrepreneur of the Year before its successful sale.

Brandon then moved to the U.S., where he expanded his coaching into sales, marketing, leadership, and emotional intelligence training where he has partnered with companies like AT&T, Volkswagen, Lulu Lemon, and United Healthcare.

Outside of work, Brandon is passionate about issues faced by boys and men, a passion that led him to host The Mankind Podcast, a Top 1% show that reaches thousands of men weekly.

Website: brandonclift.com

Work with Eleanor:

Buy the Book - Another Door Opens out now. 5 steps for navigating change. Described as 'Game changing' 'Brilliant' 'A must read' 'The best book on change'.

Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it's coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.

Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched.

Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change.

Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work.

Join the Another Door Opens 5 Step Programme - a course and community to guide you through the mess of change to find calm, joy and opportunity.

Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/

Website: www.another-door-opens.com

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

"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 what was next, galvanising him to build something new from the ashes.

We talk about the uncomfortable, messy bits of change: how the emergency of a closed door can often push us toward clarity, the myth of job security, and why sometimes losing everything is the spark you need to re-launch.

The Highlights:

04:30 The closed door: a company goes into administration, a post-it note, and no safety net

09:51 Losing both a job and a marriage

14:08 Why real change means letting go of comfort, overthinking, and pride

18:32 "Doing my own thing" from hustling for clients to growing a multi-seven figure business

24:19 Why how you handle each closed door will change over time

28:33 Finding clarity in chaos, and the unexpected freedom of taking action

35:33 Coping with big business changes: when your co-founder leaves

40:00 Slowing down, survival mode, and not rushing the 'new normal'

41:31 Developing your way of managing change, even when the path isn't clear.

What helped Mike navigate change:

Soundtrack: Anything from the albums Mesmerize and Hypnotize by System of a Down.

Book: Go It Alone by Geoff Burch (for practical, no-nonsense business advice); The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k by Mark Manson

One piece of advice: "Try and think of what this change makes possible even the smallest things. Sit with a pen and notebook and ask: what doors does this open? You can always find something to latch onto in the mess."

About Mike Morrison:

Mike Morrison is founder of the Membership Geeks and Membership Academy, where he's been the driving force behind countless successful membership businesses for over a decade.

He's the host of a popular podcast, author of 3 best-selling books, and can regularly be found on stages around the world at events including Social Media Marketing World, Atomicon and Podcast Movement.

But it's not all been smooth sailing. From starting a business in the depths of depression, to experiencing multiple early failures and pivots, the path to success was a bumpy one. With perhaps the biggest curveball coming with the sudden exit of his co-founder of 9 years from the business they built together. However the resilience built along the way helped him navigate these obstacles and come out of the other side even stronger.

Website: membershipgeeks.co

Work with Eleanor:

Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it's coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.

Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched.

Book in a Change Mastery for a team session - when your team is navigating change.

Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work.

Join the Another Door Opens 5 Step Programme - a course and community to guide you through the mess of change to find calm, joy and opportunity.

Buy the Book - Another Door Opens - 5 steps for navigating change.

Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/

Website: www.another-door-opens.com

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk

"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. Steve shares stories from his own journey, what he's learned from starting over. We chat about why you should always keep building your network, and how every door that closes can make room for unexpected opportunities.

The Highlights:

04:06 Why now is the time for authentic conversations about job loss

06:32 Steve's first layoff, the loss of confidence, and an unexpected popcorn-scented flashback

10:37 Keep going vs. giving up, and the role of hope

11:48 After every layoff I've always come back stronger.

13:48 Not settling - why your next job could be an upgrade

15:25 Building real relationships (before you need them!) and helping others

20:32 The mind-body-spirit approach to dealing with a setback

23:14 Why layoffs are so common (40% of Americans!)

30:15 Why you need to let yourself feel all the feelings

40:10 What's Next: Steve hints at writing another book!

What helped Steve navigate change:

Soundtrack: Unstoppable by Sia, Freedom by Beyoncé, Closing Time by Semisonic

Book: Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing

One piece of advice: "A closed door is not the end of the story, it's an invitation to something new. Give yourself some grace in that messy middle and pause for growth."

About Steve Jaffe

2024 taught Steve that marketing strategy and writing a book have more in common than you'd think. Both require a deep understanding of your audience, a compelling narrative, and the resilience to keep pushing forward.

After 25 years in marketing, Steve learned that the most powerful marketing isn't about selling, it's about connecting. Whether Steve is consulting for organisations or writing a book, the core skill remains the same: crafting clear, resonant, and meaningful communication.

Connect with Steve:

Website: thestevejaffe.com

Book: The Layoff Journey: From Dismissal to Discovery

Work with Eleanor:

Eleanor supports individuals, teams and organisations through change. Whether it's coaching or large scale organisational change through communications and training.

Work with Eleanor 121 as your coach, when you are starting something new, to develop the idea, to create the idea, to get it launched.

Book in a Change Mastery for teams session - when your team is navigating change.

Book in a 90 minute workshop - to think through change at work.

Join the Another Door Opens 5 Step Programme - a course and community to guide you through the mess of change to find calm, joy and opportunity.

Buy the Book - Another Door Opens - 5 steps for navigating change.

Instagram:instagram/anotherdooruk

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-tweddell/

Website: www.another-door-opens.com

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk