
You Are Not A Frog
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.
Latest episodes

Nov 1, 2022 • 1h 3min
How to Stop Emotional Eating, Eat Better and Feel Better with Dr Matthea Rentea and Keri Williams
We're all guilty of eating our feelings from time to time. It can happen to anyone for any reason — a bad day at work, a stressful time at home, a plan falling short. We start emotional eating because eating is an inherently satisfying activity—and it must be! You feel good when you eat things you like. However, the problem arises when this is our only coping mechanism for dealing with difficult situations. Learning how to stop emotional eating can help us break or prevent unhealthy eating habits. In this episode, Keri Williams and Dr Matthea Rentea talked about the causes of emotional hunger and how it affects our mood and hormones. They also discussed their inspiring weight loss journey and explained why diets don't always work. Finally, they imparted tried-and-true advice on how to stop emotional eating. Don't miss out on this episode if you're looking for the most practical ways to manage binge eating and experience consistent weight loss! 3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Discover a critical step on how to stop emotional eating.Find out why stress drastically increases weight gain.Learn simple steps to eat and feel better.Episode Highlights[06:43] Issues with Returning to Work[10:18] The Benefits of Being Off Work[14:14] How to Regain Confidence[19:17] What to Do When You’re Back to Work[21:41] Sharing Your Situation[26:46] Acknowledge Your Skills[31:33] Nipping Stress and Burnout in the Bud[35:27] How to Avoid and Prevent Burnout[42:15] Top Tips for Going Back to WorkResourcesSign up for our FREE webinar 'How to cope when a doctor dies by suicide'. FREE webinar for doctorsSustainable Weight Loss: The School of Sustainable Weight Loss. You Are Not a Frog is proud to be an affiliate of the school, meaning we receive a small commission if you sign up through our link and you also get a 10% discount! We’re thrilled to be supporting Keri and Matthea in this important work.Burnout by Emily Nagoski and Amelia NagoskiAtomic Habits by James ClearConnect with Keri: Website | Instagram | Linktree | Youtube Connect with Matthea: Email | Instagram | Linktree Enjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeHave any questions? Contact Rachel through these platforms:LinkedIn: @Dr-Rachel-Morris Twitter: @DrRachelMorrisEmail: hello@youarenotafrog.comFind out more about our training here.Mentioned in this episode:The Anti-Burnout System
Take back control of your time and your workload — before burnout makes the decision for you.Join FrogXtra
The monthly membership for doctors and busy professionals in high stress jobs, who want to beat burnout, and thrive in work and life.

Oct 25, 2022 • 17min
If it Didn’t Hurt, There’d Be Something Wrong
Learning to manage your emotions is a crucial skill. No matter the situation, letting your emotions get the best of you doesn't typically end well. However, that doesn't mean we should shut our feelings down. Instead, it's best to identify and analyse them first, then take action.In this quick episode of You Are Not A Frog, I discuss difficult, negative emotions and how to handle them. We tackle what these emotions are and understand why we get them. I will also give tips on discerning whether you need to act or can safely ignore them. If you're struggling to manage overwhelming negative emotions, this episode is for you. 3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Understand negative emotions and why you feel them. Know how to deal with guilt.Learn when to act on your negative emotions and when to ignore them.Episode Highlights[01:46] The Price We Pay[03:12] Pain as Warning Bells[04:46] Not All Negative Emotions Warrant Action[08:04] Dealing With Guilt[09:24] Understanding Negative Emotions[10:46] Discerning When to Act or Ignore Negative EmotionsEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.ResourcesThe Happiness Trap: How To Stop Struggling and Start Living by Russ Harris Connect with Rachel: LinkedIn | Twitter | EmailTHRIVE Weekly PlannerMentioned in this episode:Join FrogXtra
The monthly membership for doctors and busy professionals in high stress jobs, who want to beat burnout, and thrive in work and life.

Oct 18, 2022 • 48min
How to Balance Life and Work
Does having a healthy work-life balance seem so unattainable that you’ve given up trying to acheive it? Work takes up most of our time, leaving only spare time for our other commitments. Maybe you have tried doing everything at once, only to end up resentful. This may be because you’re aiming for the impossible. Dr. Claire Kaye joins us in this episode to discuss why we should never aim for work-life balance, and why you should aim for life balance. We talk about the importance of prioritizing your needs and the things that give you joy. We also teach you practical ways to cope with burnout and create balance in all aspects of your life — career, socials, family, well-being, and hobbies.If you want to know how to get the life balance you need (and desire), stay tuned to this episode.3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Find out why achieving a perfect work-life balance will always fail.Learn how to do a life audit to work out your priorities. Get useful tips to cope with burnout and overwhelming situations.Episode Highlights[03:58] Life Balance[07:51] Different Definitions of ‘Balance’[11:50] Building Your Priority List[18:36] Find What Gives You Joy[22:05] Managing Your Energy[23:13] Work-Life Equation[27:45] Prioritize Yourself[30:53] Coping With Burnout or ‘Unbalanced Life’[34:48] Doing Reality Checks[40:35] Helping Others ‘Get Unstuck’[42:46] Top Tips for Life BalanceEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.ResourcesGet access to webinars to help your team deal with workload and beat feelings of stress and overwhelm designed for leaders in health and social care here. Listen to previous episodes with Claire:How To Change When Change is ScaryThe Surprising Power of Self Coaching (and How to Do it Well) Defining Your Own Success in LifeTHRIVE Weekly PlannerLearn more about Claire’s work on her website.Connect with Claire on her Instagram, Facebook, and email.Mentioned in this episode:The Anti-Burnout System
Take back control of your time and your workload — before burnout makes the decision for you.Join FrogXtra
The monthly membership for doctors and busy professionals in high stress jobs, who want to beat burnout, and thrive in work and life.

Oct 11, 2022 • 13min
Shark Music
Rachel gives a quick tip on facing shark music in this short episode of You Are Not a Frog. She shares her experiences of anticipating the worst-case scenario. She talks about why we hear 'shark music' in the first place and shares two quick steps you can take to stop it. It's time to stop assuming the worst and enjoy your life without shark music playing in the background.Tune in to this episode to hear Rachel’s quick tips on expecting the best and getting rid of your negative assumptions — the imaginary sharks!Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn where shark music can come from and what might trigger it for you.Understand why we assume the worst in different situations.Find out how you can beat the shark music by assuming the best.Episode Highlights[00:28] What It Means to Hear Shark Music [04:35] Assumptions of Sharks[07:42] Assuming the Best[09:06] Triggers of Shark Music[10:52] Stopping the Shark Music ResourcesJaws theme song by John WilliamsJaws (1975)Download our free Overwhelm SOS toolkitFeeling overwhelmed? Reach out to Rachel at hello@youarenotafrog.com THRIVE Weekly PlannerSign up to get your CPD workbook for this episodeEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeHave any questions? Contact Rachel through these platforms:LinkedIn: @Dr-Rachel-Morris Twitter: @DrRachelMorrisEmail: hello@youarenotafrog.comFind out more about our training here.Mentioned in this episode:Join FrogXtra
The monthly membership for doctors and busy professionals in high stress jobs, who want to beat burnout, and thrive in work and life.

Oct 4, 2022 • 1h 2min
How to Choose Joy, Even When Life Sucks
In this episode, Angela Deutschmann joins us to talk about how to experience joy despite the challenges of the healthcare profession. Being in a high-stress job can make you mistake happiness about external things with internal joy. Angela talks about how to reprogram your unconscious mind and find joy and satisfaction in your everyday life. She also discusses the difference between caring for and carrying out other people's suffering.If you want to rekindle your joy within and learn how to become joyful whatever the circumstance is, then listen to this episode.Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Find out the difference between happiness and joy.Discover tools that will help you care without carrying.Learn how to reprogramme the stories you’ve created in your unconscious mind.Episode Highlights[05:51] Angela’s Work around Joy[07:56] The Difference Between Happiness and Joy[11:27] Finding Joy in Adversity[12:52] Caring vs Carrying[15:03] Tools to Help You Care without Carrying[19:18] Working on the Programming of Your Mind[23:21] The Most Common Programmings People Have[25:18] Coping with Reprogramming Your Defence Mechanism[28:55] The Danger of Blame[30:43] The Process of Reprogramming[39:14] Creating a New Reality[43:23] Where the Analytical Part Comes in[49:27] How Long Reprogramming Takes[53:27] How to Choose Joy over SufferingResourcesAngela will be delivering a live full-day event in London on 26 November 2022 covering all these concepts on Joy – and more! Join her for a life-changing day. Click here to RSVP for the event.Download our Overwhelm SOS ToolkitGet a copy of the Overwhelm Buster ToolkitThe Happiness Equation by Neil PasrichaCollections of Meditations by Joe DispenzaEnneagram Personality Profiling ToolConnect with Angela on her website, Instagram, or LinkedInSubscribe to The Joy Studio and visit their Facebook page. Reach out to Rachel at hello@youarenotafrog.com Sign up to get your CPD workbook for this episodeEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeHave any questions? Contact Rachel through these platforms:LinkedIn: @Dr-Rachel-Morris Twitter: @DrRachelMorrisEmail: hello@youarenotafrog.comFind out more about our training here.Mentioned in this episode:The Anti-Burnout System
Take back control of your time and your workload — before burnout makes the decision for you.Join FrogXtra
The monthly membership for doctors and busy professionals in high stress jobs, who want to beat burnout, and thrive in work and life.

Sep 27, 2022 • 14min
How to Escape the Urgency Trap
In this short episode, Rachel talks about becoming more productive in life and work by escaping the urgency trap. She discusses the principles of the Urgent-Important Matrix and how it can help us assess the urgency and importance level tasks. She then shares how to begin doing gradual deep work towards a bigger goal.If you want to know how to escape the urgency trap and become more productive in life and work, stay tuned to this episode.Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn about the concept of the urgency trap.Identify tasks you should focus on using the Urgent-Important Matrix.Find out the power of doing deep work.ResourcesDownload our Overwhelm SOS ToolkitDeep Work by Cal NewportFeeling overwhelmed? Reach out to Rachel at hello@youarenotafrog.com THRIVE Weekly PlannerSign up to get your CPD workbook for this episodeEpisode Highlights[00:40] On ‘Managing’ Time[02:13] Urgent-Important Matrix[03:57] Urgency Trap[06:27] Navigating the Urgency Trap[08:57] The Power of Deep Work[10:41] Doing Deep WorkEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeHave any questions? Contact Rachel through these platforms:LinkedIn: @Dr-Rachel-Morris Twitter: @DrRachelMorrisEmail: hello@youarenotafrog.comFind out more about our training here.Mentioned in this episode:Join FrogXtra
The monthly membership for doctors and busy professionals in high stress jobs, who want to beat burnout, and thrive in work and life.

Sep 20, 2022 • 1h 6min
How to Tell People What They Don’t Want to Hear
In this episode, Jane Gunn joins us once again to share her advice on how you can say no. Most people don’t want to hear rejection. Jane talks about what you can do to avoid triggering others with what you say. Avoid a cycle of conflict by taking your time to respond and not react. She also discusses the many fears you might have as a professional saying no. Learn to set your boundaries and maintain them when you know how to say no.If you’re worried about how your refusal or rejection might cause conflict, then listen to this episode and learn to say no.Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Understand the importance of a clear and thought-out message when you are saying no.Learn how you can create a psychologically safe environment where you can say no without fear of judgement.Find out what you can do when someone isn’t happy with your refusal.Episode Highlights[05:42] Hearing Both Sides[09:26] Strong Perceptions[15:18] Problem-solving Process[20:32] The Principle of Self-Determination[24:16] Clearly Saying No[30:37] Standing By Your Values and Virtues[35:57] Opening Up Conversations[41:25] Psychologically Safe Environments[48:09] Responding to Unhappy Reactions[50:45] Making Asking Easier[01:01:29] Jane and Rachels’ Top TipsResourcesDownload our Overwhelm SOS ToolkitListen to more episodes from the You’re Not A Frog Podcast: Episode 123: How to Live With No Regrets with Georgina ScullEpisode 130: How to Say F**k It and Become Ridiculously Relaxed (Even about Stuff That REALLY Matters) with John C. ParkinsOther You Are Not a Frog episodes with Jane GunnEpisode 23: How to Do Conflict Well with Jane GunnEpisode 37: How to Manage Conflict During COVID with Jane GunnEpisode 96: How to Deal With Difficult Meetings with Jane GunnRegrets of the Dying by Georgina ScullF**ck It by John ParkinConnect with Jane on her website or through her email. Learn more about Jane’s 6-week course about mediationReach out to Rachel at hello@youarenotafrog.com Sign up to get your CPD workbook for this episodeEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeHave any questions? Contact Rachel through these platforms:LinkedIn: @Dr-Rachel-Morris Twitter: @DrRachelMorrisEmail: hello@youarenotafrog.comFind out more about our training here.Mentioned in this episode:The Anti-Burnout System
Take back control of your time and your workload — before burnout makes the decision for you.Join FrogXtra
The monthly membership for doctors and busy professionals in high stress jobs, who want to beat burnout, and thrive in work and life.

Sep 13, 2022 • 17min
But is it a Tiger?
In this episode, Rachel talks about how you can distinguish the tigers in your life and better understand why we respond to them in the first place. She shares the four common immediate responses and how they often put us in a mindset for bad decisions. Whenever we meet a threat or irritation, we need to step back and ask, "is it a tiger?"If you would like a quick tip on staying calm in the face of irritations and make better decisions even in the heat of staring down a tiger, stay tuned to this episode.Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Understand the three types of threats that affect us — and which one is the tiger. Learn to distinguish what matters and understand our core boundaries. Discover how you can make better decisions independent of your reaction to tigers.Episode Highlights[00:28] What are Tigers?[03:35] The Three Types of Threats[05:45] How Tigers Affect Us[07:23] How to Distinguish Tigers[10:40] Which Tigers Matter?[11:48] Key TakeawaysResourcesListen to more episodes from the You’re Not A Frog Podcast: Episode 130: How to Say F**k It and Become Ridiculously Relaxed (Even about Stuff That REALLY Matters) with John C. ParkinsEpisode 15: Eff It Living. An evidence-based way to beat stress and change your life. With John C. Parkin Download our Overwhelm SOS Toolkit Feeling overwhelmed? Reach out to Rachel at hello@youarenotafrog.com THRIVE Weekly PlannerSign up to get your CPD workbook for this episodeEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeHave any questions? Contact Rachel through these platforms:LinkedIn: @Dr-Rachel-Morris Twitter: @DrRachelMorrisEmail: hello@youarenotafrog.comFind out more about our training here.Mentioned in this episode:Join FrogXtra
The monthly membership for doctors and busy professionals in high stress jobs, who want to beat burnout, and thrive in work and life.

Sep 6, 2022 • 54min
What to Do When You are Overwhelmed with Gerrie Hawes
Gerrie Hawes joins us in this episode to discuss the suffocating feeling of being overwhelmed, but also how to deal with it. She shares why it's important to enjoy work and how you can take control of your happiness to do so. Learn from Gerrie what you can do when you realize you are overwhelmed. She shares how you can create a happier and more optimistic workplace for your team.If you’re feeling overwhelmed and want to learn what you can do to feel better, tune in to this episode that’s just for you!Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Understand why it’s alright to pursue your happiness.Follow Gerrie's step-by-step instructions on how you can overcome feeling overwhelmed.Learn how optimism can bring about a happier work day.Episode Highlights[04:50] Overwhelming Work[07:02] Letting Yourself Enjoy Work[10:45] Feeling Overwhelmed[20:31] The Big Picture: Aiming For Happiness[28:43] Moving Towards Happiness[32:17] How You Can Start Becoming Better[37:14] Delaying and Delegating[45:24] Recap and Final Tips from GerrieResourcesFeeling overwhelmed right now? Download our Overwhelm Buster Toolkit here.Get a copy of the Virtual Fatigue Buster ToolkitFeeling overwhelmed? Reach out to Rachel at hello@youarenotafrog.com THRIVE Weekly PlannerSign up to get your CPD workbook for this episodeConnect with Gerrie Hawes on LinkedInEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeHave any questions? Contact Rachel through these platforms:LinkedIn: @Dr-Rachel-Morris Twitter: @DrRachelMorrisEmail: hello@youarenotafrog.comFind out more about our training here.Mentioned in this episode:The Anti-Burnout System
Take back control of your time and your workload — before burnout makes the decision for you.Join FrogXtra
The monthly membership for doctors and busy professionals in high stress jobs, who want to beat burnout, and thrive in work and life.

Aug 30, 2022 • 53min
Summer Replay 2022 Episode 5
Are you facing a challenge at the moment, or feeling like you could do with some guidance when it comes to choosing your direction? Then our final Summer replay is for you. Discover the power of self-coaching, including the framework and questions to guide you on your self-coaching journey. Episode 117Podcast linksSign up for the FREE Summer Holiday Working Survival Guide!Sign up here for a free self-coaching toolkit!Check out the Permission to Thrive CPD membership for doctorsSign up now for the Shapes Toolkit Programs to help you take control of your workload, feel better, and beat burnout.The Self-Coaching Workbook by Dr Karen CastilleThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen CoveyYANAF Ep 62: Self-Coaching for Success with Dr Karen CastilleVisit Dr Claire's Website, or follow her on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.For more updates and episodes, visit the You Are Not A Frog website.You can also tune in on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.Sign up here to receive a link to the episode workbook and CPD form downloads for each podcast. You can use them for reflection and to submit for your appraisal.You can also join the Shapes Collective Facebook group where we chat about hot topics and regularly post interesting articles. Have any questions?Contact Rachel through these platforms:LinkedIn: @Dr-Rachel-MorrisTwitter: @DrRachelMorrisEmail: hello@youarenotafrog.comFind out more about our training here.Find out more about this episode here: https://youarenotafrog.com/episode-117/