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
Feb 18, 2025 • 47min
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 11, 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 4, 2025 • 51min
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.
39 snips
Jan 28, 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 21, 2025 • 45min
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 14, 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 7, 2025 • 55min
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.
Dec 31, 2024 • 1h
How to be Ridiculously Relaxed
Prioritising relaxation when you’re under stress is easier than it sounds – but it’s possible, and it starts with saying “f**k it”.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 24, 2024 • 56min
How to Survive in a High Stress Job When You’re Neurodivergent
What’s it like to work in a high-stress job with autism, ADHD, or another neurodivergence, and how do we support colleagues whose brains work differently?Get more episodes and resources by joining FrogXtraMentioned 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.
Dec 17, 2024 • 21min
How to Stop Turning “You” Problems into “Me” Problems
When someone brings a problem to your door, the first thing to ask is “is it mine to solve?” The second question is “What are the consequences if I let them solve it themselves?”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.
