FRIED. The Burnout Podcast

Mita Mallick, an author and changemaker known for transforming workplace cultures, discusses the hidden dangers of toxic leadership. She recounts her personal burnout experience with a boss nicknamed "Medusa" and emphasizes the need for self-reflection in recognizing and addressing unhealthy work environments. Mita advocates for collective responsibility in shaping workplace cultures and reflects on the transformative impact of authentic leadership. The conversation navigates the fine line between urgency and burnout, urging leaders to foster connections and self-awareness.

In this enlightening discussion, Jerry Colonna, an executive coach and author, shares his journey from a high-achieving venture capitalist to a man confronting the weight of burnout. He delves into radical self-inquiry as a means to reclaim authenticity, challenging the damaging ties of perfectionism. Jerry emphasizes the healing power of listening and being present, illustrating how these practices foster connection and encourage personal growth. His reflections on privilege and community highlight the intricate balance between societal pressures and individual agency.

Burnout recovery takes center stage as Sarah Vosen coaches a guest trapped in perfectionism and self-criticism. Real-time coaching reveals the emotional toll of constantly pleasing others and the struggle to say no. They explore the balance between ambition and self-compassion, addressing the fear of boundaries and the importance of community support. Listeners gain insights on how small acts of courage—like asking for help—can shift the focus from self-judgment to healing, emphasizing that recovery is a messy but worthwhile journey.

Burnout Recovery works better with support. UNFRIED is our small group (5 people max!) coaching program to help guide you through your recovery. Apply now! [http://bit.ly/unfried]Burnout reaches far beyond the office, touching every layer of health, purpose, and identity, and Dr. Jen Wagner joins Cait Donovan to uncover what true recovery really looks like. As Chief Health and Performance Officer at Canyon Ranch, Dr. Wagner brings both professional expertise and lived experience, sharing how her own burnout as a young physician and mother reshaped her path and deepened her commitment to helping others heal. Together, she and Cait explore why burnout isn’t just mental exhaustion but a full-body, whole-life disruption that can strip away joy, relationships, and meaning.This episode shines a light on Canyon Ranch’s integrative model of care, where labs, glucose and cortisol monitoring, nutrition, mental health, and spiritual practices come together to give people the tools and support they need to rebuild. Recovery, they emphasize, is not an overnight solution but a 12 to 18 month journey of self-awareness, community, and purpose realignment. Along the way, they tackle the systemic pressures that push women leaders to the brink and the cultural belief that suffering through misery is a badge of honor. What emerges is a powerful reminder that joy and well-being are not luxuries but essentials, and that choosing recovery is one of the most important investments we can make in ourselves and the people we love.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Meet Dr. Jen Wagner and the Burnout Retreat03:28 How Burnout Reshapes Body, Identity, and Purpose04:35 Recovery vs. Prevention of Burnout06:56 Medical Testing and Biomarkers That Matter10:18 Integrative Care and Community at Canyon Ranch13:53 Dr. Jen Wagner’s Personal Burnout Story22:09 Inside the Burnout Retreat Experience29:12 Long-Term Recovery and Ongoing SupportConnect with Dr. Jen Wagner:Canyon Ranch Canyon Ranch: Beat BurnoutFollow Canyon Ranch on Instagram LinkedInConnect with Cait:Initial Call with CaitInitial Call with SarahBurnout Recovery works better with support. UNFRIED is our small group (5 people max!) coaching program to help guide you through your recovery. Apply now! [http://bit.ly/unfried]Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Burnout recovery often requires a supportive environment and self-reflection. Most people face a timeline of 12 to 18 months, influenced by emotional and identity shifts. Challenges like letting go of a dream job or caregiving responsibilities can prolong recovery. The podcast dives into these key factors, emphasizing the importance of boundaries and how relationships may evolve unexpectedly. Ultimately, burnout can lead you toward a more fulfilling life, making the challenging journey worthwhile.

Feeling stuck by burnout? Discover the 'Worst Case Scenario' exercise, a powerful tool to confront fears and navigate tough decisions. This method helps you explore worst-case outcomes and action plans, giving you confidence to move forward. With insights on seeking support from unexpected places, like local librarians or Facebook groups, you'll learn that recovery is a journey best taken with a little help. Ready to tackle those daunting decisions head-on?

Sarah Vosen, Director of Coaching at Burn Bold and acupuncturist, shares her journey through burnout recovery. She highlights the dangers of hyper-independence and why even coaches need support. With her personal story, she emphasizes how asking for help can shift one’s healing process. Sarah also introduces Qigong practices, like 'pulling down heavens,' which use breath and movement to restore energy flow. Her insights encourage listeners to embrace support and make mindful practices a staple in their recovery.

Cait Donovan reveals her personal struggle with a long-standing sugar habit, highlighting how habits can mask deeper discomforts. With support from dietitian Sydney Green, she explores her relationship with food through compassion rather than shame. Instead of drastic changes, she opts for a small yet powerful shift — no sugar in her coffee. This simple decision leads to greater awareness of her body and emotions, inviting listeners to reflect on what habits they might be avoiding and encouraging them to start small on their own journey.

Burnout Recovery works better with support. UNFRIED is our small group (5 people max!) coaching program to help guide you through your recovery. Apply now! [http://bit.ly/unfried]If your brain screams ‘lazy’ every time you try to rest, it’s time to stop trusting a bully and start listening to the one part of you that never lies: your body. So many people in burnout recovery hear the same harsh inner dialogue. “You’re lazy.” “You should be doing more.” “You’ll never be enough.” But what if those thoughts aren’t reflections of reality, just echoes of a brain running on exhaustion and fear?Sarah Vosen is back for another #sarahshares episode to unpack a powerful community poll that revealed just how mean our minds can be when we try to rest. She walks through what it means to recognize those messages as lies and gives guidance for tuning into your body’s truth instead. Because when the body says “I’m too tired,” it isn't a weakness. It’s wisdom.This episode invites you to try a different approach - one rooted in self-compassion, small moments of rest, and the radical idea that your worth isn’t tied to your productivity.Episode Breakdown:00:00 What Your Brain Says When You Try to Rest03:02 The Lying Brain vs. the Truthful Body07:09 How to Rest Even When Guilt Creeps In08:13 Why Self-Compassion Is Key to Burnout Recovery10:00 Sarah’s Personal Turning Point with Self-Kindness13:03 Can Wearable Data Help You Trust Your Body Again?LinksListening to your body:https://open.spotify.com/episode/7f3rMZ42rwnWW3c8kuAKk5?si=YSkz0JS0RTyOwWu6LN4XOAKristin Neff:https://open.spotify.com/episode/5vHiMpzVHcOYRdvDXwbyE1?si=AmhF8nCERjm5zLBY2rKsFwHow to resolve exhaustion:https://open.spotify.com/episode/0W65Yv1l2aOI7F5ZyebfXs?si=Eyt5XV8uS8ODyv7DxoJfegConnect with Cait:Initial Call with Cait: bit.ly/callcaitInitial Call with Sarah: bit.ly/callsarahvBurnout Recovery works better with support. UNFRIED is our small group (5 people max!) coaching program to help guide you through your recovery. Apply now! [http://bit.ly/unfried]Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Burnout Recovery works better with support. UNFRIED is our small group (5 people max!) coaching program to help guide you through your recovery. Apply now! [http://bit.ly/unfried]Imposter syndrome has a way of creeping in when we’ve spent so long meeting everyone else’s expectations that we forget what we actually want for ourselves.In this episode, Cait Donovan reconnects with Nicole Kalil for a conversation about burnout, confidence, and the stories we tell ourselves when we’re doing all the right things but still don’t feel like we belong. Nicole shares what happened when she finally cleared space in her life and was left with a surprising sense of emptiness, a feeling that’s all too common but rarely talked about. What do you do when achievement no longer feels satisfying? How do you navigate that awkward in-between where you’re no longer burned out, but not quite sure who you are without the hustle?Together, Cait and Nicole explore the deeper patterns behind imposter syndrome, including the habit of blaming yourself when things go wrong and dismissing your role when things go right. They talk about how women especially are conditioned to internalize failure, and how that mindset can make even well-deserved success feel like a fluke. They also raise an important question: when you say you don’t belong, is it because of the culture around you or because you haven’t figured out what belonging actually feels like for you?This isn’t a step-by-step guide. This episode’s an invitation to pause, question what you’ve been carrying, and consider what it might look like to build confidence from a place of self-trust rather than constant achievement.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Welcome to FRIED: The Burnout Podcast02:16 The Link Between Burnout and Feeling Underwhelmed07:22 What Imposter Syndrome Really Means12:28 Why High Achievers Struggle to Own Their Success17:06 Recognizing Red, Yellow, and Green Light Phases21:05 How to Manage Head Trash and Build Confidence24:23 Gender, Expectations, and the Pressure to Perform30:02 Is It a Toxic Workplace or Just a Bad Fit?36:56 Separating Facts from Feelings41:26 Rewiring Your Brain with Cognitive Reappraisal47:11 Where to Find Nicole Kalil and Her Confidence QuizLinksConnect with Nicole Kalil:https://www.instagram.com/nicolemkalil/ www.linkedin.com/in/nicolekalil https://nicolekalil.com/confidencequizConnect with Cait:Initial Call with Cait: bit.ly/callcaitInitial Call with Sarah: bit.ly/callsarahvBurnout Recovery works better with support. UNFRIED is our small group (5 people max!) coaching program to help guide you through your recovery. Apply now! [http://bit.ly/unfried]Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm