Is return to office really about “culture”—or is it quietly draining families, energy, and trust?

In this episode, I unpack what’s actually happening in your mind and brain when RTO policies shrink your choices, stretch your days, and turn Sunday nights into dread. You’ll learn why lost autonomy registers as threat, how that shows up as jaw tension, irritability, and exhaustion, and why none of this makes you weak or “not a team player”—it makes you human.

We’ll walk through the science of motivation (autonomy, competence, and connection), allostatic load, and how your brain’s stress chemistry changes when your work rhythm stops matching your life rhythm. Then I’ll show you how to use the 5-step Neurocycle to translate “return to office rage” into practical redesigns: small, repeatable choices that protect family rituals, restore a sense of control, and rebuild culture based on trust instead of attendance.

This episode is for parents, new grads, managers, and leaders who feel torn between policy and people—and who want a healthier way forward for both work and home.

📘 My new book Help in a Hurry is out now!

Get It Here: www.helpinahurrybook.com

Inside the book, I walk you through:

• How to interrupt “return to office rage” using the 5-step Neurocycle

• Tools to rebuild agency when your schedule keeps shifting

• Why your brain treats lost choice as danger—and how your mind can step in

• Language you can use with yourself, your team, and your family in the moment

🎓 Go deeper with the Help in a Hurry course:

A 19-lesson experience to help you apply these tools in daily life—at work and at home:

Get It Here: https://www.helpinahurrycourse.com

🧠 Explore the Neurocycle app: https://neurocycle.app

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🌐 Visit my website: https://www.drleaf.com

GET IN TOUCH:

📸 Instagram: / drcarolineleaf

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SPONSORS:

BiOptimizers: Get 15% off bioptimizers.com/drleaf with code DRLEAF.

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DISCLAIMER: This podcast and description are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a professional for personalized support.

#ReturnToOffice #WorkCulture #DrCarolineLeaf #Neurocycle #HelpInAHurry #RTO #WorkLifeBalance #FamilyMentalHealth #BrainScience #AutonomyAtWork #BurnoutRecovery #MentalHealthTools #PsychologyPodcast

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Emily J. McCarthy

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