You Are Not A Frog

Women in medicine are often undervalued and taken less seriously than their male counterparts. They’re also made to feel less safe at work, and encounter pushback when they make a complaint.This week’s guest is Professor Dame Jane Dacre, and the episode is recorded in partnership with the Physician Mums Facebook Group (PMGUK). In her discussion with Rachel, Dame Jane lays out what needs to change at structural and interpersonal levels.She invites members of the industry to shine a light on inappropriate behaviour and develop a zero-tolerance approach towards sexism and misconduct. She also describes ways in which leadership courses, mentoring, and resources can be provided to empower women to advance in their careers. And she encourages men and women to be allies, speak up against inequality, and support each other in challenging situations.This discussion follows up on the 2020 report into the gender pay gap chaired by Dame Jane, and while progress is happening, women are still undervalued and face barriers to success. But by raising awareness about the gaps in pay and authority, we can create an environment where everyone is valued and has equal opportunities to thrive.⭐️ Work Well Webinars Listen to this episode toLearn about the efforts being made to address the gender pay gap in medicine and the progress that has been made so farUnderstand the concept of the authority gap and its impact on women in various fieldsGain insights into the importance of supporting and empowering women in the workplace and taking collective action to challenge cultural norms and inequalitiesEpisode highlights[00:05:23] Follow-up on the gender pay gap report[00:08:12] Addressing sexual misconduct in medicine[00:09:56] Expectations of women in medicine[00:14:17] The authority gap[00:16:33] Finding allies[00:20:42] Systemic failures leading to women not being heard[00:24:08] Everyday misconduct[00:26:27] Jane's story[00:30:07] The benefits of a non-linear career[00:37:09] The importance of authenticity and kindness[00:37:51] Sponsorship over mentoring[00:38:35] Maternal guilt[00:42:28] A letter to Jane's younger selfAbout the guestProfessor Dame Jane Dacre is an Emeritus Professor of Medical Education at UCL. She supports women in the medical workplace, and is actively involved in addressing the gender pay gap in medicine. She works with organisations like the Department of Health, the NHS, and the British Medical Association to narrow the gap, and runs a course to help future women leaders develop their skills.LinkedIn | TwitterResourcesTHRIVE Weekly PlannerJoin the Physician Mums Facebook Group (PMGUK)More episodes of You Are Not a Frog:How to Be a Professional Woman – Episode 41 with Dame Jane DacreThe Glass Slipper and Other Challenges for Women in Medicine – Episode 158, with Professor Chloe Orkin and Dr Nuthana BhayankaramHow to Be a (Happy) Working Parent – Episode 121 with Corrina Gordon BarnesDownload the episode’s workbook and CPD form. You can use them for reflection and to submit for your appraisal.Medical Women Talking – Jane’s podcastEnjoyed this episode?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect with RachelHave any questions? Contact Rachel through these platforms:LinkedIn: @Dr-Rachel-MorrisTwitter: @DrRachelMorrisEmail: hello@youarenotafrog.comFind out more about our training

Saying what you really feel – especially in a high-stress job – is no easy task. Crucial conversations are often avoided for fear of damaging relationships. These unaired grievances get bottled up and over time can increase our level of stress.⭐️ Work Well Webinars But there are three core conditions for effective conversation that can help here: empathy (stepping into someone else’s shoes), unconditional respect (accepting the other’s right to be as they are), and congruence (expressing our thoughts and feelings authentically).Sadly, ignoring a problem with another person – or avoiding giving negative feedback – won't make them go away. On the contrary, too many important things going unsaid can lead to a toxic environment where stress levels rise, relationships break down, and productivity suffers.But, by stepping into the other party’s shoes, respecting their right to be as they are, and expressing our own thoughts authentically, we can create a more psychologically safe environment where issues are dealt with respectfully.🤔 Take Our Quiz & Get a Personalised Episode Playlist Listen to this episode toLearn about the three core conditions for effective conversationUnderstand how balancing these conditions can improve communication and lead to healthier relationshipsDiscover strategies to identify and address conversations you've been avoiding, reducing stress and unresolved conflictsEpisode highlights[00:03:50] Where people struggle to say what they mean[00:04:44] Bringing your whole self to work[00:08:59] The 3 core conditions for being with people[00:17:56] What to do if you're stuck in a "must-win" mindset[00:22:10] Saying what you really mean[00:27:27] Identifying your emotions[00:31:01] When to ask for help[00:34:20] How to give difficult feedback[00:39:42] How to take difficult feedback[00:43:54] When tricky feedback situations become unpleasant[00:48:53] Lasy's top tipsAbout the guestLasy encourages people to bring their authentic selves to work, promoting a healthier and more honest work environment. She co-founded Conscious Business People to advocate for bringing our entire personality to come to work, over surface-level perks like dress-down Fridays. Her mission is to make people see work as part of their life and to enhance authenticity in the workplace.Website | LinkedInResourcesTHRIVE Weekly PlannerWatch the video version on YouTubeMore episodes of You Are Not a Frog:How to Get Moving Again When You Feel Stuck – Episode 207 with Nicola Rylett-JonesHow to Challenge Upsetting Behaviour – Episode 192 with Dr Chris TurnerWhat Happens When We’re Really Listened to – Episode 180 with Tom DillonDownload the episode’s podsheet. You can use it for reflection and to submit for your appraisal as part of your CPD.Mentioned in this episode:Say it So You’re Heard A FREE crib sheet for clear and calm communication in high-stress moments.

We often set goals in the belief they’ll make us happier. But setting goals alone might not be enough to truly help us thrive.In this quick dip, Rachel discusses why that’s the case, and offers a different approach to finding satisfaction and success.⭐️ Work Well Webinars It all begins with a shift in focus from goals to desires. Instead of starting with specific goals, we should first identify what we truly desire and what our basic needs are. This helps us align our actions and routines with what truly matters to us.Life’s too short to not love what you do, and vice versa. So it’s time to look at our own desires and needs, ask “What truly matters to me?”, and determine whether they’re aligned. Doing this will move you closer to a more fulfilling and satisfying life.🤔 Take Our Quiz & Get a Personalised Episode Playlist Listen to this episode toStop starting with goals and focus on your desires and needsLearn about the four elements of your North Star and how they can guide youUnderstand the problem with outcome-based goals and why process goals are more effectiveEpisode highlights[00:01:31] Stop starting with goals[00:03:27] The four elements of your North Star[00:05:13] Figure out your "why"[00:06:01] Making space for your needs[00:08:30] THRIVE Week Planner[00:13:09] The problem with outcome-based goalsResourcesTHRIVE Weekly PlannerWatch the video version on YouTubeMore episodes of You Are Not a Frog:Life’s Too Short NOT to Love What You Do – Episode 209Finding Your North Star – Episode 208Download the episode’s podsheet. You can use it for reflection and to submit for your appraisal as part of your CPD.Enjoyed this episode?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect with RachelHave any questions? Contact Rachel through these platforms:LinkedIn: @Dr-Rachel-MorrisTwitter: @DrRachelMorrisEmail: hello@youarenotafrog.comFind out more about our training

There are times working in medicine or other high-stress jobs, when you feel trapped and unhappy. And maybe you’ve told yourself you have no other option but to stay put. These “shoulds” can come from societal expectations or the idea that you’ve put so much into your job already that it would be silly – or even irresponsible – to quit now.⭐️ Work Well Webinars These myths and pressures keep us feeling stuck, and prevent us from exploring alternative possibilities within or outside of our current field.This week, Rachel is joined by Dr Sarah Goulding, who breaks open those myths, and shows how we can uncover new possibilities. It all starts by recognising we’re not defined solely by our roles, and embracing the idea that it's okay to change and to pursue work that aligns with our strengths and passions.Sarah also has a set of self-coaching questions that can help us discover what we’re going to do with our “one wild and precious life”.Listen to this episode toDiscover how to find a way of working that doesn't harm your well-being and allows you to be passionate and energetic in and out of workExplore the myths and societal pressures that keep us feeling trapped in our current careers and learn how to break free from themGain valuable insights into the importance of reflecting on your skills and experiences to uncover new career possibilities within or outside of medicineEpisode highlights[00:03:17] The job-for-life fallacy[00:07:53] Toxic expectations of gratitude[00:09:57] Availability bias and the sunk cost fallacy[00:15:41] Reinventing yourself[00:18:05] When's the right time to make a change?[00:20:55] Satisfaction outside of work[00:21:20] Your one wild and precious life[00:26:14] 2,000 weeks left[00:27:46] Taking imperfect action[00:31:16] Career crafting[00:33:26] Self-coaching questions[00:38:42] Crafting your joyful career path[00:45:36] The "I will be happy when..." myth[00:47:10] Sarah's top tipsAbout the guestSarah is a Career Coach for Doctors, passionate about the power of finding your place to thrive. She has 7 jobs, including GP; educator; mentor; and Head of Development at the Joyful Doctor.Website | Instagram | LinkedInResourcesTHRIVE Weekly PlannerWatch the video version on YouTubeWhy We’re Ditching the Term ‘Imposter Syndrome’ – Episode 112, with Dr Sarah GouldingFinding Your North Star – Episode 208Bringing Your Best Self to Work – Episode 67, with Dr Sarah GouldingDownload the episode’s podsheet. You can use it for reflection and to submit for your appraisal as part of your CPD.Enjoyed this episode?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect with RachelHave any questions? Contact Rachel through these platforms:LinkedIn: @Dr-Rachel-MorrisTwitter: @DrRachelMorrisEmail: hello@youarenotafrog.comFind out more about our trainingMentioned in this episode:Say it So You’re Heard A FREE crib sheet for clear and calm communication in high-stress moments.

We’re all seeking the perfect job or career path that will bring us happiness and fulfilment. But while we’re focused on achieving success, we can overlook the bigger stuff – and it’s possible that our current career trajectory might not take us there.That’s why we need to find and then follow our North Star. Finding it starts with prioritising four fundamental needs: feeling fully human, deep connections, meaning and purpose, and growth and learning. By aligning our goals with these needs, we can find true fulfilment.⭐️ Book Your FrogFest Ticket Now In this quick dip episode, Rachel outlines how we can understand what makes us feel alive, cultivate meaningful relationships and activities, and embrace continuous growth in all aspects of our lives.If we carry on putting achievement ahead of our own needs – especially if we’re doing so to please someone else – we may end up feeling empty and unsatisfied.But by tapping into those four fundamental needs, we’ll find ourselves on a path to a more fulfilling and balanced life.Listen to this episode toDiscover the four fundamental needs for true fulfilment in lifeLearn practical steps to align your goals with these fundamental needsUnderstand the consequences of prioritising achievement over fundamental needs and how it can impact your well-beingEpisode highlights[00:03:48] What are you aiming for?[00:06:06] The first core need: physical wellbeing[00:06:51] The second core need: Connection[00:08:00] The third core need: Meaning and purpose[00:08:43] The fourth core need: Learning and growth[00:09:42] The fifth element: A need to achieve[00:10:57] Your north star[00:12:07] Self-awareness[00:14:49] How do you need to live?[00:16:30] Don't get pulled southResourcesTHRIVE Weekly PlannerWatch the video version on YouTubeDefining Your Own Success in Life – Episode 107, with Dr Claire KayeHow to Escape the Tyranny of the ‘Shoulds’ – Episode 196, with Charlotte HousdenHow to Reconnect With Your Purpose in Life – Episode 94, with Dr Richard PileDownload the episode’s podsheet. You can use it for reflection and to submit for your appraisal as part of your CPD.Enjoyed this episode?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect with RachelHave any questions? Contact Rachel through these platforms:LinkedIn: @Dr-Rachel-MorrisTwitter: @DrRachelMorrisEmail: hello@youarenotafrog.comFind out more about our training

We all experience moments of feeling stuck. Sometimes we have the motivation, but something’s in our way. On other days the simplest things can feel like pushing a boulder up a hill. Now matter how competent we know we are, that feeling of inertia can wreak havoc on our self-confidence. If we’re going to get unstuck and move forwards, we first need to find out what’s blocking us.⭐️ Book Your FrogFest Ticket Now The solution is to take a conscious leadership approach. This means shifting our mindset and becoming more aware of our reactions and thought patterns. By recognising when we’re “below the line” and stuck in victim mode, we can consciously shift “above the line” and take control of our actions and reactions.This week, Rachel is joined by executive coach and conscious leadership expert, Nicola Rylett-Jones. Nicola offers practical steps you can take today to embody the role of a conscious leader – even if you don’t consider yourself as having a leadership position.Living below the line makes us feel frustrated, demotivated, and without the ability to make progress. It can also make us less effective leaders and colleagues, more prone to agitation. But by becoming more aware of our triggers, we can work better together with less effort.🤔 Take Our Quiz & Get a Personalised Episode Playlist Listen to this episode toLearn practical steps to overcome feelings of being stuck and gain control of your actions and reactions.Discover how to shift your mindset and become more aware of your reactions and thought patterns.Find out how to embody the role of a conscious leader, even if you don't consider yourself in a leadership position.Episode highlights[00:04:19] How we demotivate ourselves[00:09:38] Conscious leadership[00:14:58] Becoming unstuck[00:29:16] Getting a different perspective[00:34:00] Worrying[00:36:16] Tackling anxiety around complaints[00:38:44] It's time to take action[00:46:17] Guilt as a motivator[00:57:18] Nicola's top tipsAbout the guestNicola Rylett-Jones is a senior leader who has held both regional and national Director roles with some of the UK’s most prestigious organisations. She is currently a Trustee and Deputy Chair of the Institute of Leadership, executive coach and relationship manager for the Welsh Government’s Accelerated Growth Program, and chair of two leading marketing organisations.Website | LinkedInResourcesTHRIVE Weekly PlannerWatch the video version on YouTubePassing the Naughty Monkey Back – Episode 65, with Dr Amit SharmaHow to Escape the Drama Triangle and Stop Rescuing People – Episode 75 with Annie HanekomConversations Which Will Get You Unstuck – Episode 95 with Annie HanekomDownload the episode’s podsheet. You can use it for reflection and to submit for your appraisal as part of your CPD.Apply for Nicola’s Conscious Female Leadership programmeNicola’s Inspirante Business Book ClubLeadership Development – The Institute of LeadershipEnjoyed this episode?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect with RachelHave any questions? Contact Rachel through these platforms:LinkedIn: @Dr-Rachel-MorrisTwitter: @DrRachelMorrisEmail: hello@youarenotafrog.comFind out more about our trainingMentioned in this episode:Say it So You’re Heard A FREE crib sheet for clear and calm communication in high-stress moments.

If you were in a life-or-death scenario and the only path out was over hot coals, would you take it? Of course. But when it comes to situations that are making us uncomfortable or even miserable, we seldom want to experience that discomfort to get to what we know will be better for us.⭐️ Book Your FrogFest Ticket Now In this quick dip episode, Rachel explores the importance of considering the long-term impact of our work, and offers a single question you can ask yourself right now, to discover what you really want to do with your one wild and precious life.If you’re on a burning platform or in a situation that could get worse, you can make a change – even if it's a small one. Any change can help you break free from the status quo.Listen to this episode toDiscover the importance of considering the long-term impact of your work on your well-being, mindset, character, and relationshipsLearn practical steps to recognise short-term discomfort, assess risks and benefits, seek external perspectives, and take action towards positive changeUnderstand what happens if you ignore the impact of your work, and how to create a fulfilling work life by addressing this problemEpisode highlights[00:02:12] Walking across hot sand[00:04:20] The burning platform[00:06:46] What is your work doing to your mind, your character, and your relationships?[00:08:14] Should I stay or should I go?[00:09:19] Where to go for guidance[00:10:07] Taking actionResourcesTHRIVE Weekly PlannerWatch the video version on YouTubeMore episodes of You Are Not a Frog:How to Live With No Regrets – Episode 123 with Georgina ScullHow to Say F**k it and Become Ridiculously Relaxed (even about stuff that REALLY matters) – Episode 130 with Jon C ParkinShould I Stay or Should I Go? – Episode 89 with Corrina Gordon-BarnesDownload the episode’s podsheet. You can use it for reflection and to submit for your appraisal as part of your CPD.Enjoyed this episode?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect with RachelHave any questions? Contact Rachel through these platforms:LinkedIn: @Dr-Rachel-MorrisTwitter: @DrRachelMorrisEmail: hello@youarenotafrog.comFind out more about our training

If you’re in a job where you use your brain a lot, it can be easy to feel disconnected from your body and emotions. This in turn can lead to a lack of self-awareness and even difficulty in expressing yourself. That lack of awareness changes how we outwardly express ourselves, even in ways we’re not aware of.But by becoming consciously connected with our body, we can get a bit more control over our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and over how others see us.⭐️ Book Your FrogFest Ticket Now This week, Rachel is joined by coach and trainer Helen Leathers, who shows us how our posture, our movements, even the way we dress, can affect not only our mood, but how we’re perceived at work. She also shares a practical exercise that can help us cultivate stillness, so we appear more confident and open.It’s natural for those of us in cerebral jobs to see the body as just a vessel for the brain. But if we disconnect for too long, we can find it harder to tap into, understand, and express difficult feelings like stress and overwhelm.But there are simple things you can do to reconnect with your body, to literally shake off those negative feelings, and to “fake it ‘til you become it”.🤔 Take Our Quiz & Get a Personalised Episode Playlist Listen to this episode toLearn practical steps to cultivate self-awareness and express yourself more effectivelyDiscover how becoming consciously connected with your body and emotions can lead to positive changes in your lifeUnderstand the practical applications of embodiment, and separate it from the pseudoscienceEpisode highlights[00:04:50] Consciously connecting body and mind[00:13:28] How posture and movement affects how we're perceived[00:16:34] Fake it 'til you become it[00:17:41] How we dress is a signal to our body[00:19:52] Embodiment and overwhelm[00:28:08] Acknowledging where feelings sit in our body[00:32:37] Shake it off[00:38:58] Does it matter where in your body you feel something?[00:43:35] Helen's embodiment tipsAbout the guestHelen Leathers is a transformational coach with expertise in helping people use their body to access thoughts and emotions. She helps women who feel lost or overwhelmed to find their way in life again, and teaches doctors coaching and communication skills.Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTubeResourcesTHRIVE Weekly PlannerWatch the video version on YouTubeTiny Habits, Big Changes – Episode 2, with Dr Katherine HickmanWhat Happens When We’re Really Listened to – Episode 180, with Tom DillonDoctors’ Transformational Coaching Diploma – Use the code FROGSPAWN for an exclusive discountDownload the episode’s podsheet. You can use it for reflection and to submit for your appraisal as part of your CPD.Enjoyed this episode?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect with RachelHave any questions? Contact Rachel through these platforms:LinkedIn: @Dr-Rachel-MorrisTwitter: @DrRachelMorrisEmail: hello@youarenotafrog.comFind out more about our trainingMentioned in this episode:Say it So You’re Heard A FREE crib sheet for clear and calm communication in high-stress moments.

We all experience shame from time to time, but when it becomes toxic, we can end up in a shame spiral from which it's difficult to escape. When we’re called out on something about which we feel shameful, it can make us defensive. And so often, no-one can punish us as harshly as we punish ourselves.In this quick dip episode, Rachel shares her strategy to break free from shame spirals and cultivate a healthier mindset; by sharing our shame, taking some perspective, and seeking support from others. She unpacks her SHAME model that was inspired by a recent spiral, which is a simple five-step framework for working through the sensations of shame and finding a way to be kinder to ourselves.Shame doesn’t make us better people – it only makes us harder on ourselves and leads to us being defensive. So this episode offers a chance to break free of that spiral, remember that we’re human, and remind ourselves we’re doing our best.Listen to this episode toDiscover how shame can impact our internal mindset and contribute to burnoutLearn about the complex nature of shame and how it shows upExplore strategies and techniques to break free from shame spirals and cultivate a healthier mindsetEpisode highlights[00:02:09] What's on your pop bottle label?[00:03:14] When our actions clash with our values[00:07:30] What our ingrained stories tell us[00:13:20] Share your shame[00:14:35] Hang outwith useless friends[00:15:37] Awe[00:16:42] Multiple identities[00:19:17] Empathy and understandingResourcesTHRIVE Weekly PlannerWatch the video version on YouTubeHow Do You Say No When Someone Might Die? – Episode 193Why Can’t I Say No? – Episode 163How Perfectionism and Shame Lead to Stress and Burnout – 152 with Sandy MilesHow to Avoid Becoming the Second Victim – Episode 92 with Dr Caraline Wright & Dr Lizzie SweetingTara Brach leads a Guided Meditation: The Practice of RAINDownload the episode’s workbook and CPD form. You can use them for reflection and to submit for your appraisal.Enjoyed this episode?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect with RachelHave any questions? Contact Rachel through these platforms:LinkedIn: @Dr-Rachel-MorrisTwitter: @DrRachelMorrisEmail: hello@youarenotafrog.comFind out more about our training

When we’re presented with a difficult problem, naturally we use logic and reasoning to solve it. But some problems – like stress and burnout – can’t be solved with logic alone.The left hemisphere is the area of the brain focused on tasks, logic, and problem-solving. But the right hemisphere deals with relationships, connections, and new perspectives. It’s also visual and metaphorical, so it can help us see problems in a different way. So our right brain can help us live more easily with problems that can’t be solved by the left.This week, executive coach Yda Bouvier explains how introducing visuals can activate our right brain and give us new perspectives and insights, which can help us understand complex issues, improve problem-solving, and enhance our connection with others.Over-relying on our left brain can leave us struggling with complex relationships, focusing too much on threats, and making it harder to adapt. But by incorporating more visuals and movement, we can tap into the power of our right brain and unlock new insights and possibilities.Listen to this episode toLearn how using the right brain can help us manage high-stress jobsDiscover how visuals, metaphor, and movement can activate the right brain and give us new perspectivesUnderstand the role of the right brain in problem-solving, intuition, and dealing with complex situationsEpisode highlights[00:02:55] The right brain[00:05:28] Left brain vs right brain[00:08:41] Yda's journey[00:10:47] Are we usingrelying too much on our left brain?[00:15:08] The impact of switching to right-brain thinking[00:18:02] How does the right brain help solve wicked problems?[00:22:40] The left brain and the ego[00:25:27] Making practical use of the right brain[00:30:22] Left and right brains in relation[00:32:52] The power of metaphor and images in communication[00:44:05] Exercise: What to do with a big problemAbout the guestYda Bouvier is an executive coach with 15 years of experience helping individuals and teams navigate challenges and develop their potential. Yda has a background in strategy consulting and holds a degree in physics. She is the author of the book "Leading with the Right Brain" and is passionate about incorporating right-brain thinking into problem-solving and decision-making processes.LinkedIn | WebsiteResourcesTHRIVE Weekly PlannerWatch the video versionHow to Stop Worrying When There’s a Lot to Worry About – Episode 106, with Dr Caroline WalkerHow to Feel Happy, Calm, and Connected – Episode 170,Dr Giles P Croft withLeading with the Right Brain – Yda’s bookDownload the episode’s workbook and CPD form. You can use them for reflection and to submit for your appraisal.Enjoyed this episode?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect with RachelHave any questions? Contact Rachel through these platforms:LinkedIn: @Dr-Rachel-MorrisTwitter: @DrRachelMorrisEmail: hello@youarenotafrog.comFind out more about our trainingMentioned in this episode:Say it So You’re Heard A FREE crib sheet for clear and calm communication in high-stress moments.