“You’re going to have to surrender and have patience and be ready and willing to be annoyed.” On today’s episode of FRIED, Sarah Vosen and Cait review some of the common reasons why your burnout recovery may not be working, or not working as fast as you’d like. First off—you may be overdoing it, which is the exact kind of perfectionistic approach that burned you out in the first place. You have to be open to doing things differently and going at a slower pace than you may be used to. If...

“I’m in recovery from recovery,” explains Colleen Kachmann, Certified Master Life and Recovery Coach who joins the podcast to share her story of dealing with alcohol and burnout, and give new insight into the current understanding of and attitude toward addiction. For years, while playing the role of perfect mother, wife, career woman and volunteer, Colleen was also a self-described heavy day drinker. After joining Alcoholics Anonymous she found herself “indoctrinated” into believing that she...

“Why is it that two people can be in the same exact environment, at the same job, and one person burns out and another person doesn’t?” And not only does that other person not burn out, they thrive?” Well, as it turns out, just like everyone needs a certain amount of sun protection factor (SPF) to protect them from the harmful effects of the sun, so does everyone have their own BPF—burnout protection factor. On today’s solo episode of FRIED, Cait explains how we can build up our own BPFs...

“How you take command of the narrative is what’s going to see you through when you begin to determine what parts, if any, of the story you want to tell.” John Neral, executive and career transition coach, and host of the Mid-Career GPS podcast, joins FRIED to discuss how best to address gaps that burnout leaves in your resume when interviewing with a potential new employer. The first step is removing any shame and recognizing your own power in the process—you are evaluating the company just...

On a recent trip to Thailand, Sarah experienced jet lag that was comparable only to the exhaustion she experienced while deep in the midst of burnout. She highlights that while jet lag might need just a few days of rest to overcome, recovering from burnout—a state of deep energy depletion—requires more time and patience. Sarah offers practical advice that could potentially reduce the recovery time from burnout by up to 80%, emphasizing the importance of setting realistic expectations and how...

“Insecure attachment—period—whatever category you’re in, is 100 percent nurture. One hundred percent. It’s a relationally driven disorder.” Dr. Julie Menanno, author of “The Secure Relationship,” joins the FRIED podcast to talk about relationships and attachment theory. For many of us, our parents or caretakers, failed to meet our needs. To control the resulting anxiety, we form insecure attachment, the variety of which Dr. Julie further explains here. These childhood attachment styles then...

Hey, FRIED fam! On today’s episode of The Burnout Podcast, Cait is answering written questions from bosses and leaders, asking how to deal with burnout while balancing all of the other concerns of their company and employees. How can you maintain a healthy workplace culture while recovering from burnout? How do you deal with employees who punch up out of frustration? What if restructuring the business to promote a healthier workplace results in layoffs?  First, Cait makes the distinction...

“Shame is driving the bus of our lives,” says life coach, keynote speaker, author and “hell-raiser” Andrea Owen, who joins the FRIED podcast. In this episode, Andrea shares a four-step process toward building shame resilience, which she learned while studying under author and professor Brene Brown. Many of the behaviors that we engage in–perfectionism, people pleasing, control– are what Brene Brown calls “the armor”. These tactics are means of avoiding shame.  One initial helpful step to...

Dr. James Gordon, Harvard educated psychiatrist, founder and CEO of the Center for Mind Body Medicine, is recognized throughout the world for his use of self-awareness, self-care and group support to heal population-wide psychological trauma. He joins us on this episode of FRIED to discuss techniques featured in his new book “Transforming Trauma: The Path to Hope and Healing.” He begins by dispelling two prominent myths. Trauma is not relegated only to those who have extreme experiences. We...

Hey FRIED Fam, Welcome to a very special sponsored episode where we dive into the transformative journey of Lee Dryburgh, a longevity and biomarker industry expert whose personal and professional experiences offer invaluable insights into wellness, burnout recovery, and the revolutionary impact of accessible health data. Key Highlights & Timestamps: The Catalyst of Change [00:01:13-00:07:23]: Lee shares his early burnout story, starting from his high-pressure career at Cisco, leading to a...

Hey listeners! I'm Sarah Vosen, and I am delighted to be with you today. In this episode, I will discuss the importance of tuning into your body's signals for guidance, decision-making, and prioritizing self-care practices during burnout recovery. Follow me as we do an exercise to identify what physical sensations signify yes or no answers to better understand your body’s needs. Tune in to boost your intuition and make choices aligned with your needs during burnout recovery! Episode...

Today, I have a special guest who will share her amazing story of overcoming burnout. She is Emily Ballesteros, a resilience advocate with a background in industrial organizational psychology. She has transformed her own experience of prolonged exhaustion into a powerful journey. She will reveal the insights and solutions she discovered along the way, culminating in her upcoming book, "The Cure for Burnout," set to launch on February 13, 2024. Fried fam, get ready for an inspiring...

Hey everyone, it's Cait Donovan here, and I'm thrilled to dive into a topic that's been buzzing in our Facebook group - kickstarting your burnout recovery. I get it, finding the right starting point is tricky because your burnout journey is as unique as you are. So today, we're going to have a reflective journey with questions designed to guide you through your burnout recovery. Episode Highlights: These ten questions will help you reflect deeply on yourself. Understanding where your life...

Hello, listeners! I'm Cait Donovan, and I'm excited about today's episode. Our guest, Dr. Monica Wang, will share her inspiring journey of overcoming burnout as a veterinarian, incorporating Chinese medicine into her healing process. She’ll discuss her challenges of burnout in veterinary school, Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, the importance of self-care, and how small changes impacted her well-being. She will also talk about how she set boundaries, embraced core values, reduced work...

Hey fried fam, it's Sarah, and today, I want to dive into a transformative experience from my life in 2022. This journey not only marked my recovery but ignited the realization that giving myself permission to have what I want is crucial. In this episode, we'll explore the importance of recognizing your needs, confronting fears, and embracing the healing path. So, buckle up, my fellow burnout warriors, as we talk about the empowering journey of self-discovery. Episode Highlights: Your needs...

In today's episode, Sarah and I discuss the topic of sleep, particularly from the perspective of Chinese medicine. They also talk about the phases of burnout and how they can impact sleep patterns for certain individuals. Episode Highlights: Cait and Sarah delve into the Chinese medicine perspective on sleep, introducing the concept of Yin and Yang. They use the Yin Yang symbol to explain the interdependence of these opposing forces, describing Yin as cold, dark, still, and moist, while Yang...

In today's episode, I will talk about breaking the cycle of assumptions, communicating openly about preferences, and embracing tasks and experiences that bring personal joy and fulfillment. Episode Highlights: Cait Donovan talks about challenging the habit of self-sacrifice, exploring resentment as a tool for defining boundaries, and encouraging individuals to prioritize their needs and desires, symbolized by the metaphor of "giving yourself the good plate." Cait encourages listeners to...

Welcome, dear listeners, to a captivating transformation and personal growth journey. I'm Cait Donovan, your host for today's episode. In this episode, we have the incredible privilege of delving into a conversation that promises to be nothing short of life-changing. She's not just here to talk the talk; she's walked the walk. So, grab your favorite beverage, get comfy, and prepare to be inspired as we introduce you to the remarkable Bronwyn Davis. Episode Highlights: Bronwyn Davis stresses...

In today's episode, I will talk about the concept of Festivus from Seinfeld and how its elements, such as the Festivus pole, airing of grievances, feats of strength, and the declaration of Festivus miracles, can be adapted to address workplace burnout. Episode Highlights: Cait Donovan talks about Festivus from Seinfeld, exploring each of its element's application in battling burnout. Cait stresses the importance of simplicity, open communication, setting achievable goals, and celebrating...

In today's episode, Diann Wingert and I will talk about the relationship between ADHD and burnout. We will discuss how they affect each other and identify what people who suffer from both can do to help themselves recover quickly. Episode Highlights: Diann and Cait talk about how ADHD and burnout relate to each other. They emphasize that people with ADHD tend to be either extremely obsessed or completely disinterested in something. They discuss how the intense curiosity and enthusiasm...

In today's episode, I will talk about how companies can help reduce burnout risk with their employees. I will be emphasizing the importance of individual responsibility in recovering from burnout and how a supportive work environment can help to recovery. Episode Highlights: Cait Donovan talks about the intricacies of burnout recovery, emphasizing each individual's pivotal role in the process. She highlights the limited impact of company-initiated changes and recent insights into working...

Hello, wonderful listeners! I'm Cait Donovan, your host for today's episode, and I'm beyond excited to introduce our esteemed guest, Dr. Susan Lovelle. Today, we're delving deep into the fascinating realms of Perimenopause, Menopause, and Burnout, topics that resonate with every woman's well-being. Dr. Susan Lovelle, a true authority in these areas, will guide us through the intricate journey of understanding and navigating these phases. Buckle up for an enlightening conversation that can...

A wonderful day to everyone! I’m Cait Donovan, your burnout recovery coach, helping you in your healing journey. Today, I will address the question of one user in the Facebook group about taking small, daily, simple actions to overcome rumination, people-pleasing, and perfectionism. I also highlight the ideas of other members to handle these problems effectively.  Episode Highlights: To deal with rumination, there are two actions you can do. Firstly, when you notice you’re ruminating, stop it...

Hello, lovely listeners! I'm Cait Donovan, your host for today's episode, and I am thrilled to introduce our guest, Amelia Nagoski. Today, we dive deep into her illuminating book, "Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle," a woman's sexual well-being intrinsically linked to a woman’s overall well-being and more about the stress response. Amelia Nagoski is an absolute powerhouse when it comes to understanding and navigating the complex web of emotions and stressors that we all...