The Reframing Room

When redundancy wipes out the plan, some people pause - Kathryn Wharton builds a new one. From archaeology and museums to tech marketing, accidental business ownership, and co-founding Women in Tech North East with no funding and no blueprint, this conversation is a masterclass in turning disruption into direction. Kathryn Wharton spent over a decade making complicated ideas easy to understand in museums before carrying that storytelling skill into marketing inside tech firms. Then liquidation forced a pivot she never expected, and what followed was the launch of KLW Marketing, the creation of a thriving community, and a career built on autonomy, resilience, and saying yes before she felt ready. You'll discover:
Why storytelling is the through-line between museums, marketing, and leadership
How to spot the transferable skills hiding inside a "squiggly career"
What it really takes to start a business after redundancy
The practical mindset that helps Kathryn keep showing up, even when the next step feels uncomfortable
How Women in Tech North East grew from a coffee-and-cake launch into a 1,700-plus member community
We break down the strategy behind visibility, public speaking, and building credibility without burning time on tactics that don't move the needle. Kathryn also shares the systems that now keep her business lean, including AI, automation, and a real human virtual assistant, plus the lessons she learned about when to push, when to wait, and how to build support around you. This episode matters if you've been hit by a career curveball, feel stuck between employed and self-employed, or need proof that a non-linear path can still lead to purpose and growth. Kathryn's story is a reminder that control, confidence, and momentum can be rebuilt one decision at a time. Perfect for marketers, career changers, founders, and anyone standing at an unexpected fork in the road. If you need a practical dose of courage and a fresh way to think about reinvention, hit play.
If anyone is looking for senior marketing support for their business then Kathryn's Strategy Sprint is a fantastic way to get started > https://www.klwmarketing.co.uk/strategy-sprint

How Sarah Alderson, Author and Screenwriter, embraced uncertainty to craft her storytelling life.
Sarah's journey from a stable job in London to a life of global exploration and storytelling is nothing short of inspiring. In our latest conversation, she opens up about her bold decision to leap into the unknown, leaving behind the familiar to pursue her passion for writing.
The Leap of Faith
Sarah started her career at a non-profit organization, working her way up from administrator to head of projects. Yet, after having her daughter, she and her husband found themselves yearning for a different life.
"We saw we'd seen all these people in Mexico, like expats, you know, living the life. And we were like, wait, maybe we should do something similar."
This pivotal moment led to a year of planning, culminating in the decision to cut the safety net and embark on a traveling adventure with their young daughter. The fears were palpable, but so was the wisdom in taking that leap.
Embracing Naivety
Initially, Sarah felt overwhelmed by the prospect of writing. With no formal training and doubts about her abilities, she found inspiration in unexpected places.
"I was desperately trying to think, what am I gonna do to earn money? And honestly, this list was like Richard Branson, J.K. Rowling..."
This led Sarah to write her first novel, inspired by her desire to create something powerful and engaging. Her naivety became a strength, pushing her to pursue her dreams without being hindered by self-doubt.
Building a Writing Career
The journey was not without challenges. Sarah faced numerous rejections and the harsh realities of the publishing world, yet she persevered. Her resilience became her greatest asset, helping her navigate the ups and downs of being a writer.
"It looked like a lot of disappointment along the way... 99% of authors don't earn enough to live on."
Despite the setbacks, Sarah found success in screenwriting and continued to write novels, cultivating a backlist of over twenty books.
Reflection on the Journey
Today, Sarah reflects on her unique path with gratitude. The leap into the unknown transformed her life in ways she could never have anticipated.
"It's been such a unique path and so extraordinary in so many ways that it was worth it."
As Sarah continues to craft stories, she reminds us all of the importance of following our passions, no matter how daunting the journey may seem.
For a deeper dive into Sarah's story and insights on navigating life's uncertainties, listen to the full episode.
****Sarah's latest novel "The Edge of the Woods" is available now from major retailers****

Two years ago, Alexi Sfaltos was earning fifteen hundred pounds a month in a nine-to-five job. Today he's twenty-three years old, running a digital marketing business from Dubai with a team of four, generating seven figures in revenue for his clients — and sometimes making more in a week than he used to earn in a year. But behind those numbers is a story most people never hear. Alexi experienced self-doubt, anxiety and fear every day — before, during and after leaving his job. Moving to Dubai alone at twenty-two amplified everything but he's hit every single goal he set.
In this episode, Alexi shares what it really took to bet on himself, how he overcame the fear that nearly stopped him, and why understanding his purpose was the thing that changed everything. Whether you're twenty-three or sixty-three, if you've ever been paralysed by the gap between where you are and where you want to be — this one's for you.

Laurie Tallack spent fifteen years in the RAF as a gunner and pilot before walking away at thirty-four to start a completely different life. He went to university to study English Literature in his 30s, then trained as a teacher, then took a detour into acting — studying drama at East 15 and directing his own plays in London. He spent nearly two decades teaching in further education before resigning over a pay dispute and spending six months delivering for ASDA.
Now he's living in Buenos Aires, teaching English to Argentinians, and has three books to his name — including a thriller inspired by a Falklands raid and a collection of teaching stories coming out later this year. In this episode, Laurie shares what it takes to keep reinventing yourself, why he's never let a job title define him, and what happens when you follow your curiosity wherever it leads.
Laurie's books are available on Amazon:
The Argentine Job (thriller - based on a true story)
Not a Natural Pilot
Those who can’t (Teaching stories – coming out later this year)
Find out more here: https://laurietallack.wixsite.com/laurie-tallack

Glass artist Clare Hack shares her surprising path from a childhood dream of Egyptology and a cancer diagnosis at 20 to discovering lampworking as therapy and founding Blue Flame Glass Studio. A bucket-list attempt at glasswork grew into a career making museum-quality bead replicas, teaching workshops, and supporting communities like schools and veterans.
Clare reflects on resilience, the importance of practical learning and family support, and how creativity helped her reclaim purpose and build a business that invites everyone to experience the benefits of glassmaking.
For further information about Claire and her glass-working lessons find and follow her on Instagram: @bluflamer

Actress and filmmaker Alexandra Boyd walks through a life of bold pivots — from musical theatre and TV roles (including Coronation Street) to decades in the US, a part in Titanic, and a late-career shift into directing, producing and writing.
This episode covers her practical reinventions across countries and industries, the making of Widow’s Walk and The Ship of Dreams/Titanic Diaries, and the lesson she lives by: focus on the reward, ignore the risk, and keep re-creating.
Notes for listeners:
Alexandra's first feature film WIDOW’S WALK is on Amazon and elsewhere. www.widowswalkfilm.com DOCUMENTARY - Ship of Dreams: Titanic Movie Diaries is also on Amazon, FREE on Tubi in the US, and about to be on YouTube worldwide  www.shipofdreamsfilm.com BOOK The Titanic Movie Diaries is out next March (2027 - The History Press) a collection of 16 Titanic actors’ on set diaries - a companion piece to the documentary. SUBSTACK - articles on Titanic, excerpts from the book and my film  www.thetitanicdiaries.substack.com PODCAST - TITANIC TALK starts Season Four in the Autumn. Presently at 60 episodes.  Co-host, Nelson Aspen and Alexandra talk with historians, fans, actors, explorers, all under the umbrella of the ship that hit an iceberg in 1912 and lies at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. On Apple pods and everywhere. Titanic Talk - your first class ticket to everything aboard the ship of dreams:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/titanic-talk/id1680985773 SPEAKER - Alexandra’s Titanic Talks tailored to Titanic film history interest audiences on the cultural phenomenon of James Cameron’s Titanic and the impact the film industry has on us all. https://www.alexandraboyd.co.uk/titanic-talks

Dr. Stephanie Hills tells the story of leaving a 25+ year Fortune 500 technology career after personal loss to launch an executive coaching and consulting business. At 61 she has coached over 100 tech leaders and now teaches professionals how to use AI as a career advantage.
The episode covers her leadership during a company acquisition, the loneliness and failures of entrepreneurship, practical steps for AI readiness, and her Career Freedom Accelerator focused on clarity, control, connections, personal brand and small daily improvements.
Key takeaways: reframe setbacks into opportunities, focus on what you can control, celebrate small wins, and use AI as an enabler to expand career possibilities.
Stephanie helps tech leaders navigate their next chapter. Pivot, promotion, your next career move with her Career Freedom Accelerator. Book a complimentary 1:1 advisory conversation here stephanieshills.com/conversation
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stephaniehillsphd

Andy Lane, Professor of Sport and Exercise Psychology, shares his journey from boxer and lifeguard to academic leader and elite practitioner. He discusses working with athletes, navigating career transitions, and translating sport psychology tools into everyday resilience.Practical takeaways include identifying and regulating emotions, focusing on the next actionable step, using imagery and pacing techniques for performance, and reframing skills for life after sport — including retirement or redundancy.

Dr Ricardo (or Herb as he prefers to be called), grew up in the UK but moved to America at just 16. What followed was a 30-year journey across some fascinatingly different worlds — from consulting at Disneyland to mental health services, from his MBA and Doctorate to becoming a university business professor in Florida.
In this episode, Herb shares the struggles of starting again in a new country as a teenager, the turning points that shaped his path, and what straddling two cultures has taught him about identity, resilience, community and purpose.
A powerful conversation for anyone wondering what their next chapter could look like.

Hello, everyone. Welcome to The Reframing Room, a podcast for people facing major career transitions — redundancy, retirement, burnout or sudden change. Each episode features honest conversations with people who share the fear, doubt and identity wobble, plus what surprised them and what helped as they found a new sense of purpose.
Hosted by leadership coach and former CEO Vicky Russ, episodes drop at least monthly and offer practical hope and real perspective for anyone standing at a crossroads and ready to discover what’s next.