Burnout isn’t just about working too hard, and stress isn’t always the enemy. In this episode, I talk with Jessica Neal, former Chief Talent Officer at Netflix and now venture capitalist, about why the biggest workplace problems refuse to improve. We talk about why high-performing cultures often forget to acknowledge what’s working, how fear quietly drives burnout, and why honesty and clear expectations might be the most underrated leadership skills we have. Get ready to know what it really takes to build a healthier, more human workplace.
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In this Episode, You Will Learn
00:00 Why burnout and chronic stress keep rising despite endless conversations.
05:00 The hidden skills that make high-pressure leadership roles work.
08:15 The blockers to a healthy workplace.
13:00 How burnout becomes self-fulfilling when clarity is missing.
18:45 How panic attacks can come from internal pressure, not external crises.
21:45 What leaders miss when they only focus on what’s broken.
29:30 Why women are still leaving leadership roles at higher rates.
35:00 The impossible choice many women face between career momentum and caregiving.
43:30 How working outside your strengths (and with the wrong people) quietly fuels burnout.
47:30 Avoiding hard conversations is costing teams speed, trust, and clarity.
Resources + Links
Jessica Neal’s podcast TruthWorks HERE
Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever
Watch the podcast on YouTube
Find more resources on our website morraam.com
Follow
Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam
Follow Jessica: on LinkedIn @jeneal
