You Are Not A Frog
Dr Rachel Morris
The podcast for GPs, hospital doctors and other professionals in high-stakes, high-stress jobs who want to thrive rather than just survive.
You studied for years, you’re really good at what you do but you’ve noticed that you’re starting to feel overwhelmed, overworked and under-resourced. You may be comparing yourself to a frog in boiling water - the heat has built up so slowly that you haven’t noticed the extra-long days becoming the norm. You may feel on the edge and trapped in the very job that you’ve spent years working towards.
Here’s the problem, frogs only have two choices; stay and be boiled alive, or jump out of the pan. The good news is that you are not a frog. You have many more choices than you think you do. You don’t have to quit, and nor should stress and burnout be inevitable.
It is possible to be master of your own destiny, to craft your work life and career so that you can thrive even in the most difficult of situations. There are simple changes you can make which will make a huge difference to your stress levels and help you enjoy life again.
Your host is Dr Rachel Morris, GP turned Executive Coach and Specialist in Resilience at Work who knows what it’s like to feel like an exhausted frog. In the podcast, she’ll be talking to friends, colleagues and experts all who have an interesting take on resilience for clever people in high-stakes, high-stress jobs so that together you can take back control to beat stress and burnout, survive and thrive.
You studied for years, you’re really good at what you do but you’ve noticed that you’re starting to feel overwhelmed, overworked and under-resourced. You may be comparing yourself to a frog in boiling water - the heat has built up so slowly that you haven’t noticed the extra-long days becoming the norm. You may feel on the edge and trapped in the very job that you’ve spent years working towards.
Here’s the problem, frogs only have two choices; stay and be boiled alive, or jump out of the pan. The good news is that you are not a frog. You have many more choices than you think you do. You don’t have to quit, and nor should stress and burnout be inevitable.
It is possible to be master of your own destiny, to craft your work life and career so that you can thrive even in the most difficult of situations. There are simple changes you can make which will make a huge difference to your stress levels and help you enjoy life again.
Your host is Dr Rachel Morris, GP turned Executive Coach and Specialist in Resilience at Work who knows what it’s like to feel like an exhausted frog. In the podcast, she’ll be talking to friends, colleagues and experts all who have an interesting take on resilience for clever people in high-stakes, high-stress jobs so that together you can take back control to beat stress and burnout, survive and thrive.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 27, 2026 • 48min
The Dangerous Programming That Influences Over-responsible Doctors
Practical techniques to help you respond when someone makes demands on your time, from an expert in mediation and team coaching.Get more episodes and resources by joining FrogXtraMentioned in this episode:Permission to Thrive 2026
Feel like yourself again, with our community of like-minded doctors.Say it So You’re Heard
A crib sheet for clear and calm communication in high-stress moments.
40 snips
Jan 20, 2026 • 43min
Why “You Always Have a Choice” Makes Doctors Feel Worse (And What to Say Instead)
Explore why the phrase 'you always have a choice' can make doctors feel overwhelmed. Discover how to identify 'impossible choices' shaped by guilt and professional identity. Learn the effective BRAN framework to weigh decisions and empower yourself. Dive into techniques for reframing dilemmas into actionable tasks, along with power mantras to navigate common challenges. This insightful discussion emphasizes the importance of informed self-consent and tolerating disapproval to prevent burnout.
63 snips
Jan 13, 2026 • 1h 15min
How to Confront Someone Without Creating Conflict (According to a Conflict Expert)
Joe Weston, an international trainer and author focused on respectful confrontation, shares insightful strategies for tackling chronic niceness, which often leads to passive aggression. He discusses the difference between old and new civility grounded in respect and collaboration. Joe outlines tools to help regulate your nervous system and build a safer space for dialogue. He emphasizes the importance of reframing confrontation as a means to deepen relationships, rather than to create conflict, urging listeners to connect authentically.
Jan 6, 2026 • 23min
Why You Keep Missing the Stress That’s Draining You
Stress doesn’t always come from work, or from things we traditionally think of ass stressful. As 2026 begins, here are three questinos you can ask yourself to see what it’s time to stop doing.Get more episodes and resources by joining FrogXtraMentioned in this episode:Permission to Thrive 2026
Feel like yourself again, with our community of like-minded doctors.
Dec 30, 2025 • 26min
The Hidden Shame Spiral That Keeps Us Stuck (Our Most-Watched Episode Ever)
When shame becomes toxic, we can end up in a spiral that’s difficult to escape. This quick dip offers a chance to break free of that spiral, remember that we’re human, and remind ourselves we’re doing our best.Get more episodes and resources by joining FrogXtraMentioned in this episode:Permission to Thrive 2026
Feel like yourself again, with our community of like-minded doctors.
Dec 23, 2025 • 46min
The Midlife Career Trap: Why So Many Doctors Feel Stuck After 20 Years — According to a Consultant Surgeon & Decision-Making Scientist
When it comes to work, what we seek can often shift in mid-life, from recognition and status towards meaningful contribution and purpose. What do you do if you’r at that crossroads in your career?Get more episodes and resources by joining FrogXtraMentioned in this episode:Permission to Thrive 2026
Feel like yourself again, with our community of like-minded doctors.Say it So You’re Heard
A crib sheet for clear and calm communication in high-stress moments.
Dec 16, 2025 • 1h 8min
Why Women in Healthcare are Exhausted (According to a Burnout Specialist)
Women are conditioned to be the emotional shock absorbers for men, and to carry the emotional load of a relationship or a family, on top of their duties at work.As Tamu Thomas explains, this isn’t about apportioning blame or guilt, but recognising what’s needed to create systems that allow both parties in a relationship to thrive.Get more episodes and resources by joining FrogXtraDownload the THRIVE Week PlannerFind more links and resources via our show notesMentioned in this episode:Say it So You’re Heard
A crib sheet for clear and calm communication in high-stress moments.Permission to Thrive 2026
Feel like yourself again, with our community of like-minded doctors.
7 snips
Dec 9, 2025 • 29min
300 Episodes In… Here’s the Hardest Truth About Burnout No One Says Out Loud
Burnout is not your fault, and it’s not inevitable. The choices you make will shape how you survive in a toxic system, and they don’t involve victim-blaming.Get more episodes and resources by joining FrogXtraMentioned in this episode:Permission to Thrive 2026
Feel like yourself again, with our community of like-minded doctors.
Dec 2, 2025 • 60min
Why You Won’t Feel Better Until You Give Yourself These 3 Permissions
Small, actionable steps you can take to reframe self-care as necessary care, and equip yourself to avoid burnout rather than waiting for someone else to tell you it’s OK.Get more episodes and resources by joining FrogXtraPermission to Pause – Join Dr Rachel Morris and Dr Caroline Walker for a free 60 minute event for doctors on Wednesday, 10th December at 8pm UK time.Mentioned in this episode:Say it So You’re Heard
A crib sheet for clear and calm communication in high-stress moments.Permission to Thrive 2026
Feel like yourself again, with our community of like-minded doctors.
Nov 25, 2025 • 12min
The Real (Toxic) Reason You’re a People Pleaser
Here’s what to say when someone asks you to overextend yourself, but you’re afraid of what they’ll think if you say no.Get more episodes and resources by joining FrogXtraMentioned in this episode:Permission to Thrive 2026
Feel like yourself again, with our community of like-minded doctors.
