About this episode

What happens when a recruiter who spent decades matching executives to top jobs decides to slow down, “smell the roses,” and dedicate himself to coaching?

In this episode of Career & Spirituality Conversations, I sit down with Howard Longstaff, a former chef, business builder, and international recruiter, who now brings his wisdom to guiding others through career crossroads, imposter syndrome, and the search for clarity.

From his spiritual grounding in nature and fishing, to his candid take on the future of recruitment in the age of AI, Howard shares both practical strategies and heartfelt reflections on life, work, and meaning.

About Howard Longstaff

Howard Longstaff is a retired recruiter turned coach, with over 30 years of experience in building and running recruitment businesses across London, New York, Los Angeles, and Auckland. Today, he focuses on coaching individuals at career and life crossroads, supporting them in navigating imposter syndrome, stress, and uncertainty, while building clarity and resilience. Grounded in a spirituality rooted in nature and presence, Howard also offers specialised CV, Linkedin and interview support through his “CV Surgery” and academy programmes.

Episode Takeaways

• How Howard “fell into” recruitment by accident and built multi-continent businesses
• Why behavior and cultural fit matter as much as skills and experience in hiring
• The impact of AI and ATS systems on today’s job search (and why bullet points can hurt your CV)
• How spirituality and time in nature (gardening, fly-fishing) shaped Howard’s clarity and resilience
• What to consider if you’re wondering whether entrepreneurship is really for you
• Why everyone, from athletes to executives, benefits from a coach

Ready to jump into a career transition? 

You’ll love this conversation if you’re looking for clarity, are hesitating between business and employment, and seeking perspective and a grounded wisdom on navigating change.

About this episode

What if your career path was guided by someone you love… even after they’ve passed?

In this episode, intuitive mentor and spiritual coach Jenn Cohen shares the deeply personal and powerful story of how her father’s sudden death became the beginning of an extraordinary spiritual connection, one that guided her through a 27-year career in the entertainment industry and eventually to her true calling.

We explore how to recognize signs from deceased loved ones, how intuition can guide your career and life decisions, and how to quiet the noise of fear and overthinking to hear your inner knowing. Jenn also explains why intuition isn’t about predicting the future, but about connecting to your higher self and spiritual guidance in the present moment. Plus, she shares simple practices you can start using today to strengthen your intuition.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to connect with loved ones after they pass, or how to trust your intuition even in a fast-paced, corporate environment, this conversation will inspire you to notice the signs, follow your inner guidance, and trust the journey.

About Jenn Cohen

Jenn Cohen is an intuitive mentor, spiritual coach, and former senior executive in the entertainment industry. After nearly three decades in creative corporate roles, she left to help others strengthen their intuition and connect to guidance: whether from their higher selves, loved ones who’ve passed, or simply their own inner wisdom. Through private intuitive coaching sessions, group channelings, and her membership programs, Jenn helps clients move through fear, career challenges, and feeling stuck with the support of higher spiritual guidance.

Episode Takeaways

• How grief and anger can open the door to spiritual connection
• What intuition feels like in your body, and how to tell it from fear
• The practice of noticing “the story you keep telling” as a signal
• How to find joy and flow even within a corporate job
• Why intuition is about being embodied and present, not escaping reality
• Exercises to build your intuitive “muscle” step by step

Ready for your intuition to guide you, in work and life? 

You’ll love this episode if you’ve ever felt stuck in your career, wondered if signs from the other side were real, or struggled to trust your own inner knowing.

About this episode

In this episode, I sit down with Rosemary Loughlin—a lawyer, actor, writer, and passionate Shakespeare enthusiast—who followed a series of clues that felt divinely orchestrated: What began as a love of classical acting became a deeper investigation into the Shakespeare authorship debate, ultimately leading her to write and perform a one-woman show inspired by her findings. Her story beautifully illustrates how it’s possible to pursue creative work alongside a professional career, blending analytical rigour with artistic expression.

Whether it’s how she constructed her legal career, how she approached her independent Shakespearean research, or how she brought her creative vision to the stage, Rosemary did it all “one small step at a time”. Her story is a lesson in creative discipline, letting go, and trusting the process—cornerstones not just of productivity but of a truly spiritual journey.

But this episode isn’t just about Shakespeare. It’s about the possibility of living your passion alongside your professional career. Rosemary proves that it’s not always about sacrificing one for the other—it’s about making thoughtful choices and finding ways to integrate your creative pursuits into your life.

About Rosemary Loughlin

Rosemary Loughlin, a lawyer by trade, was living her passion for classical acting when her sharp, analytical mind led her to question the authorship of Shakespeare’s works—joining the ranks of other skeptics, many of them lawyers themselves. Following a trail of clues that felt almost divinely orchestrated, she pursued her own independent research, leveraging her legal skills to methodically investigate the evidence. This journey not only advanced the authorship debate but also inspired her to create and perform a one-woman show that brings her discoveries to life

Rosemary’s professional career as a legislative drafter didn’t just provide financial stability to support her creative projects—it also honed her analytical skills, giving her the tools to tackle historical mysteries with a sharp, investigative mindset. Along the way, she learned to mitigate professional pressures to preserve the bandwidth needed for her creative passion, demonstrating that it’s possible to live both lives without sacrificing fulfillment.

Episode Takeaways

• How small, consistent steps—and a willingness to let go of control—became Rosemary’s foundation for both career growth and creative breakthroughs.
• How a professional career can fuel your passion—not just by paying the bills, but by providing transferable skills that elevate your creative work.
• What it really looks like to balance professional stability with artistic freedom—and how to ease the pressure to make room for what you love.
• Why finding joy in the process (not just the outcome) can lead to surprising synchronicities and unexpected magic.
• How Rosemary’s deep dive into the Shakespeare authorship debate became a spiritual path, where logical inquiry met intuitive guidance.
• Why the Shakespeare authorship debate matters—and what makes the Oxfordian theory so compelling to a growing number of thinkers and creatives.

Ready to Integrate Passion and Profession?

This episode is for you if you’ve ever questioned whether it’s truly possible to pursue your creative calling while building a stable career. Discover how Rosemary integrated law and art, logic and intuition—and how you can begin to align your career and creativity, one step at a time.

About this episode

For this episode of Career and Spirituality Conversations, I had the honor of interviewing Karen Dufour Deschamps, a leadership coach, mentor, and lifelong learner. Karen shares her inspiring career journey—from overcoming setbacks to facilitating transformative leadership retreats in the Middle East. Her work focuses on helping leaders align with their purpose, embrace their strengths, and thrive authentically.

About Karen du Four des Champs

Karen is a certified leadership coach and facilitator with decades of experience in global leadership development. From her early passion for teaching as a child to leading retreats in the deserts of the Middle East, Karen’s career highlights the importance of aligning with your authentic self. Her expertise includes coaching through the Positive Intelligence (PQ) framework, mentoring aspiring coaches, and inspiring leaders to find balance and purpose.

Episode Takeaways

Some of the highlights from this episode include:

• Karen’s journey from dropping out of university to becoming a global leadership coach.
• How early childhood passions can shape your career path.
• Turning financial and career challenges into opportunities for personal growth.
• Insights into the Positive Intelligence framework and its transformative impact.
• Finding your grounding element (like water or nature) to balance your energy.
• The power of vulnerability and storytelling in leadership.

Ready to learn How To Rewire Your Mind? 

This episode is for you if you’re seeking authentic leadership, mental fitness strategies, or inspiration to overcome obstacles. You’ll love this conversation if you’re a leader, coach, or someone eager to reconnect with your true self.