Is mid or late career really a slow fade — or could it be a powerful new beginning?In the first HRchat episode of 2026, host Pauline James is joined by career development pioneer Gillian Johnston to challenge outdated ideas about career progression, age, and value at work.Drawing on nearly five decades shaping career standards and programmes in Canada and internationally, Gillian reframes work beyond the traditional career ladder. Together, Pauline and Gillian explore how agency, curiosity, and calculated risk can help professionals navigate uncertainty, reinvention, and leadership in multigenerational workplaces.The conversation tackles ageism head-on, including Gillian’s personal experience of bias and how returning to the classroom rebuilt her confidence and sense of efficacy. For leaders, this episode offers practical guidance on designing better career conversations — asking open questions, avoiding assumptions about older workers, and co-creating growth paths aligned to both individual strengths and business needs.You’ll also hear actionable ideas on:Moving from linear careers to flexible pathwaysValuing later-career talent beyond mentoring rolesBuilding belonging, visibility, and stretch opportunitiesRewirement vs. retirement and identity beyond job titlesPractical steps for stalled careers, experimentation, and signaling interestIf you’re feeling stuck, undervalued, or unsure what comes next — or if you lead teams across generations — this episode offers a hopeful, practical roadmap for renewed purpose and performance at work.Support 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 LinkedIn Subscribe to our newsletter Check out our in-person events