Dr. Danielle McGeough's Guide to Avoiding Burnout (SB1727)

18 snips

Aug 27, 2025

Dr. Danielle McGeough, a professor and transformational strategist, dives into the essential topic of avoiding burnout. She highlights early warning signs and shares effective personal rituals to regain joy and balance. The discussion also covers aligning your schedule with core values and setting boundaries to reclaim your time. As a bonus, they tackle the financial clutter of managing multiple 401(k) plans, offering practical tips for consolidation and investment options. Plus, look forward to some lighthearted banter and financial trivia!

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ANECDOTE

PhD Win That Felt Empty

Danielle McGeough earned her PhD and got her dream academic job but felt flat and overwhelmed instead of elated.
A student's planner-decorating suggestion led her to use playful planning to reconnect with purpose and energy.

INSIGHT

Burnout ≠ Demoralization

Burnout and demoralization are distinct problems requiring different solutions.
Burnout needs rest and braking, while demoralization needs structural change to do meaningful work.

ADVICE

Use Rituals To Transition States

Name the state you're in and the state you want to reach before creating any ritual.
Use rituals (reflect, plan, activate senses, embody story) to intentionally move between states.

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If you’ve been running on fumes, juggling work deadlines, family obligations, and maybe even a neglected 401(k) or two, this episode is your permission slip to stop, breathe, and recalibrate. Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and Neighbor Doug welcome Dr. Danielle McGeough—professor, transformational strategist, and champion of intentional living—into the basement for a conversation that’s part burnout intervention, part life strategy workshop.

Dr. McGeough shares how to spot the early signs of burnout before you hit the wall, and how to rebuild your days with personal rituals, playfulness, and values-driven planning. You’ll hear real-world strategies for setting boundaries, aligning work with what truly matters to you, and bringing joy back into your calendar. And because we’re in the basement, we also manage to sneak in some Labor Day trivia, a Broadway tangent, and a solid helping of SB-style banter.

And for the Stackers worried about the financial side of burnout, we pivot in the second half to a practical discussion on managing multiple 401(k) plans—because a cluttered retirement portfolio can be just as stressful as a cluttered schedule. From account consolidation tips to understanding your investment options, this is a one-two punch of mental clarity and financial order.

How to recognize the red flags of burnout (and stop it in its tracks)
Why personal rituals and play can fuel productivity and joy
How to align your schedule with your core values
Strategies for balancing ambition with sustainability
Practical steps for managing multiple 401(k) plans without losing track
Why decluttering your finances can boost your mental clarity

Thoughts to Ponder During the Episode

What’s one personal ritual you could add to your day that would give you energy instead of draining it?
Have you ever consolidated old retirement accounts? What made you decide to do it (or not)?
How do you know when you’ve hit your “enough” point with work and need to reset?
What’s one value you’d like to see reflected more clearly in your daily life?

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/how-to-reset-with-clarity-and-purpose-1727

Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201

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