Welcome to Season 10 of the CRANK THE 3RD podcast!

In this episode, Trevor Young is joined by brand and career strategist, Wendy Pavey, for a thought-provoking look at what comes next for experienced professionals over 50.

As Trevor puts it, this one’s for anyone contemplating their “third chapter”, whether you’re an entrepreneur considering scaling back, a business owner looking for more purpose, or a seasoned executive curious about building a flexible and meaningful portfolio career.

Wendy shares her expertise on how to harness decades of hard-earned wisdom and experience, drawing parallels between brand-building for global companies and personal branding for individuals.

Together, they break down the concept of a portfolio career - what it really means, how to tailor it for your strengths and passions, and why it’s a powerful way to blend lifestyle, legacy, and continued professional impact in later life.

From exploring advisory and board roles, consulting, and mentoring, to actionable strategies for staying visible, relevant, and resilient, this episode is packed with actionable tips for designing a work life on your terms.

If you’re ready to take control of your professional future and craft a career that matches your values, flexibility, and ambition - especially after 50 - this conversation will give you both the confidence and ideas to get started.

For more from Wendy, connect with her on LinkedIn or explore her insights through her website - www.yourexecutivebrand.com

As someone over 50, with oodles of experience and wisdom to share, should public speaking form a part of your 'portfolio' career?

In this episode of Crank The 3rd, host Trevor Young sits down with Carmen Sederino, a performance master, speaking strategist, and founder of Illuminated Story.

Carmen shares her journey from being a shy child to a trained actor to now, where she is helping individuals transform high-stakes presentations into unforgettable performances.

Key Discussion Points:

• Carmen’s Background: She talks about her early career in retail leadership and her formal training in acting, which helped her excel in speaking and coaching roles.
• Professional Speaking Landscape: Carmen and Trevor explore the shifting dynamics in professional speaking post-pandemic, emphasising the blend of in-person, virtual, and hybrid events.
• The Role of AI: Carmen discusses how AI can generate speeches but emphasises the irreplaceable nature of human connection and quality in speaking engagements.
• Strategies for Engaging Speaking: - Moving from information-based presentations to creating immersive experiences. - Focusing on authenticity over aspiration, highlighting the importance of genuine connection and vulnerability. - Creating meaning in messages rather than simply conveying matter.
• Illuminated Story Method: Carmen shares her approach to transforming presentations by focusing on both script content and engaging delivery techniques to create a memorable impact.
• Advice for Aspiring Speakers: Reflect on personal experiences, think about the message you want to share, and understand your audience to craft a unique speaking approach.

Practical Tips:

• Utilise sound and video strategically to enhance presentations.
• Engage with audiences through storytelling and interactive elements.
• Rehearse thoroughly to ensure a seamless and impactful delivery.

Carmen's advice? Ditch the PowerPoint, tell a story: "You are so much more interesting than your PowerPoint."

Carmen’s Contact Information:

• Visit Illuminated Story for more insights and access to a masterclass on improving public speaking skills.

Conclusion:

This episode is a deep dive into mastering the art of professional speaking, blending theatrical techniques with authentic storytelling to create lasting impressions.

In this episode of the podcast, host Trevor Young is joined by Paul Sutton, an independent social and digital marketing consultant and host of the Middle Man podcast.

Paul's podcast sideline focuses on helping midlife men and their partners navigate the challenges of midlife to lead more fulfilling lives.

Throughout their conversation, Paul shares insights into his personal journey of self-discovery and how it led to the creation of his podcast.

He discusses the lack of resources available for men during the midlife transition and how the Middle Man podcast aims to fill that gap by covering topics such as mental health, physical wellness, and modern masculinity.

Trevor and Paul dive into the importance of understanding one's purpose and passion, especially in midlife.

Paul reflects on overcoming depression and the feeling of being directionless, leading him to start the podcast as an experiment.

The episode also touches on how societal changes and the redefinition of masculinity impact men today.

Paul emphasises the importance of building a movement to support midlife men by creating a platform for open dialogue and sharing experiences.

Whether you're exploring a new phase of life or seeking ways to connect with your own passions, this episode provides valuable perspectives and practical advice for anyone navigating midlife transitions.

Tune in to hear more about Paul's journey, the inspiration behind Middle Man, and the lessons he's learned along the way.

Likewise, if you're interested in starting a podcast as a sideline 'passion play', Paul also shares some great tips and insights on this front as well.

CHECK OUT THE MIDDLE MAN PODCAST - https://middlemanpodcast.com/