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
7 snips
Mar 10, 2025 • 27min
The Trouble with Wellbeing
Discover the secret to overcoming burnout by reclaiming your autonomy and agency over your time. A personal journey highlights how shifting perspectives can ignite fulfillment and growth. Dive into the damaging links between hard work and success, pushing for boundaries that enhance well-being. Learn how performance pressures in demanding workplaces can be managed by prioritizing self-care and responsibility, transforming both personal work life and organizational culture.
8 snips
Mar 3, 2025 • 58min
How to Be Kind Instead of Nice (and Why it Matters)
Graham Allcott, author and founder of Think Productive, dives into the transformative power of kindness at work. He distinguishes authentic kindness from mere niceness, explaining how it fosters trust and resilience in teams. The discussion highlights strategies for compassionate leadership, emphasizing the need to prioritize people over productivity. Allcott shares insights on creating psychological safety, balancing work with personal well-being, and cultivating a culture of kindness, ultimately showing how these practices lead to healthier, more productive work environments.
Feb 24, 2025 • 1h
How to Make Long-term Behaviour Change Stick
Committing to behaviour change is one thing. Making it stick when life gets in the way or others’ needs conflict with yours is another matter. Alasdair Cant returns to explain how to keep going when change is tough.Get more episodes and resources by joining FrogXtraMentioned in this episode:FrogFest Virtual – The Boundary HuntersTuesday 25th NovemberFrogXtra Gold
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Feb 17, 2025 • 48min
How to Leave Work on Time
Alistair Kant, an independent facilitator and behavior change coach, shares invaluable insights on work-life balance and personal growth. He emphasizes the psychological barriers to leaving work on time and the comfort of familiar routines. Alistair discusses the power of motivational interviewing in fostering autonomy and meaningful change. He offers practical strategies for setting boundaries, managing time effectively, and nurturing self-compassion to combat burnout. The conversation highlights the importance of open dialogue and supportive communities in achieving a fulfilling life.
Feb 10, 2025 • 22min
How to Choose What Kind of Problem You Want
Discover the importance of choosing your problems wisely to avoid burnout and promote self-care. Learn to confront fears head-on rather than avoiding challenges, impacting relationships positively. Hear humorous anecdotes about a robot hoover named Brian that highlight the contrast between human and robotic behaviors in daily tasks. Also, dive into mastering time management with tips on prioritization and the power of saying no, plus insights about an upcoming virtual workshop to enhance these skills.
Feb 3, 2025 • 52min
How to Plan Your Year for Peak Performance
In this insightful conversation with Kim Daybell, a former GB Paralympian and current resident doctor, the focus is on setting meaningful goals for the new year. Kim shares his journey from competitive table tennis to medicine, discussing how to balance a high-pressure career while managing burnout. He emphasizes the importance of viewing failure as a growth opportunity, intentional planning, and finding joy in the process. Additionally, he provides essential tips for achieving sustainable performance and fulfillment in both personal and professional realms.
38 snips
Jan 27, 2025 • 21min
Are You Amplifying Your Overwhelm? Here’s How to Stop
Explore how perfectionism and people-pleasing can amplify feelings of overwhelm. Discover the importance of setting boundaries to manage stress effectively. Learn to identify toxic behaviors that contribute to overwhelm, and adopt a coaching mindset to empower those around you. The discussion stresses prioritizing personal well-being, especially for leaders facing heightened challenges in a post-COVID world. Gain insights into minimizing inefficiency and guilt by recognizing controllable tasks!
19 snips
Jan 20, 2025 • 46min
How to Manage Your Energy Instead of Your Time
Chris Cooper, a leadership and team development expert with a healthcare background, discusses the transformative shift from managing time to managing energy. He explores practical strategies to alleviate overwhelm, emphasizing mindfulness and gratitude. Cooper highlights the importance of aligning personal strengths with career paths for fulfillment and introduces self-awareness techniques like journaling. The conversation also touches on the role of leadership in fostering positive team dynamics and the impact of self-care on overall well-being.
Jan 13, 2025 • 21min
How to Stop a Difficult Conversation Going Bad
Discover how to tackle tough conversations without triggering defensiveness. Learn strategies to enhance self-awareness and improve workplace communications. Empathy and active listening take center stage as key tools for understanding and connecting in dialogues. The importance of assuming good intent in conversations can transform outcomes and relationships. Plus, find a helpful model to navigate these discussions more effectively and avoid common pitfalls.
68 snips
Jan 6, 2025 • 56min
How to Overcome the Toxic Effects of Shame on Your Team
Dr. Sandy Miles, a GP with over 20 years in healthcare, delves into the toxic effects of shame on medical teams. She discusses how shame undermines self-care and communication, particularly in high-stress professions. Dr. Miles emphasizes the need for psychological safety to foster open dialogue and strong connections. She advocates for kindness in trainee support and highlights storytelling as a powerful tool for healing. By addressing shame and vulnerability, teams can create healthier environments for learning and collaboration.
