299: Surviving Work and Navigating Career Stress in 2025

Send us a text Feeling overwhelmed, underappreciated, and stuck in a job that drains you? You"re not alone. In 2025, mid-career professionals are navigating a volatile job market marked by return-to-office mandates, fear-based management, and increasing workplace toxicity. If you’ve been quietly questioning your career path or struggling to stay sane at work, this episode is for you. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: ✅ How to manage job stress without a complete career overhaul ✅ The truth behind today’s job market — and why it’s not your fault you feel stuck ✅ Why overusing ChatGPT in job applications might actually backfire ✅ How to protect your mental health from workplace toxicity and overwork ✅ Ways to create “mini recovery moments” that boost your energy and focus ✅ Smart, simple networking strategies for mid-career professionals ✅ Why finding humor at work isn’t just helpful — it’s essential Whether you"re burned out, thinking of leaving your job, or just want to survive the latest wave of corporate chaos, this episode gives you realistic, empowering tools to navigate 2025’s workplace storm. Top Takeaways: Back-to-office blues: Why the shift back to in-person work is exhausting — and how to cope Boundary-setting for survival: Learn to say "no" without guilt Job market reality check: Most mid-career transitions take 5–7 months — and that’s normal AI alert: Discover why generic, ChatGPT-written cover letters might be working against you Your support squad: How to build a career safety net with the right people Micro-recovery moments: Find peace in small, daily rituals that recharge your spirit Listen now if you’re ready to:Stop feeling like your job is a constant drainNavigate workplace politics without losing yourselfStart building a practical, personalized career GPSHandle 2025’s career chaos with more calm, clarity, and confidence Support the show Thank you for listening to The Mid-Career GPS Podcast. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Visit https://johnneral.com/resources to get The Mid-Career Job Search Jumpstart and join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community. Visit https://johnneral.com to join The Mid-Career GPS Newsletter, a free, twice-weekly career and leadership resource for mid-career professionals. Connect with John on LinkedIn here. Get John"s New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here. Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John"s YouTube Channel here.