Hello, lovely souls, and welcome to today's episode. I'm Cait Donovan, and I'm truly honored to be your guide as we dive into the essential tools for recovering from burnout. We'll talk about the healing power of yoga, the importance of foundational self-care, the creation of an upgraded boundary system, and the immense value of community in your burnout recovery process. Stay tuned as we unpack these essential tools, share practical insights, and embark on a journey toward a life filled with more balance, joy, and purpose.

Episode Highlights:

Cait emphasizes the critical importance of foundational self-care, urging listeners to heed their body's basic needs, enhance interoception, and embrace practices like Yoga Nidra.

She also delves into the significance of cultivating an upgraded boundary system, underlining the role of improved interoception in setting flexible, healthy boundaries.

Cait underscores the value of community in burnout recovery, highlighting how isolation can contribute to burnout and encouraging listeners to seek support from various groups and communities.

Her message resonates with the idea that recovery is a unique, step-by-step journey, and self-compassion is the guiding light.

Everyone's path to recovery is unique. These core components provide a foundation, but your journey may require additional elements. Take it one step at a time, listen to your body, and allow your recovery to unfold naturally.

Connect with Cait:

Cait Donovan is a keynote speaker, author, and host of FRIED: The Burnout Podcast, specializing in burnout, mis/match, and sustainable performance at work. She partners with corporate leaders, teams, and professional associations through keynotes, workshops, and leadership sessions that treat burnout as data, not failure, to help organizations reduce burnout without blame or shame and build healthier, high performing cultures.

To bring Cait to your organization or event, book an inquiry call here: https://bit.ly/bookcait

Learn more about Cait’s speaking work: https://www.caitdonovan.com/speaking

Short on time? Watch this 3-min video: https://bit.ly/caitdreel2025

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is one of the latest trends in the world of technology. People use it in various ways, and constant research is done to maximize its potential. But have you heard of using AI as a tool to reduce stress? In today's episode, I invited Henna Pryor, performance expert, award-winning 2x TEDx, global keynote speaker, virtual presenter, team facilitator, and a professional certified coach. She is also the author of the upcoming book Good Awkard: How to Embrace the Embarrassing and Celebrate the Cringe to Become The Bravest You. Henna will discuss how we can utilize the power of AI to reduce burnout and why embracing awkwardness can make our lives easier. Stay tuned to learn more!

Episode Highlights:

Henna Pryor shares her insight about the connection of AI in reducing burnout. As a mother and an entrepreneur, her time is always occupied with what she needs to do. Thus, she started to find a way to make her life easier. And that’s how Henna stumbles upon the AI technology. With its power, her work becomes faster, more convenient, and stress-free, reducing the possibility of burnout.

Henna talks about why we should embrace awkwardness and how it can make you vulnerable. Often, high-performers have expectations they think they must meet no matter what. However, having his mindset can be exhausting, eventually leading to burnout and a downgrade in performance.

Small steps are the best step. And so take your time towards vulnerability. Don’t rush; it only becomes impossible. Learn to be comfortable with being awkward, and you’ll be there in no time.

Connect with Henna Pryor:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hennapryor/

https://www.facebook.com/hennapryorcoach/

https://www.instagram.com/hennapryor

Good Awkward: https://pryoritygroup.com/book/

Connect with Cait:

Cait Donovan is a keynote speaker, author, and host of FRIED: The Burnout Podcast, specializing in burnout, mis/match, and sustainable performance at work. She partners with corporate leaders, teams, and professional associations through keynotes, workshops, and leadership sessions that treat burnout as data, not failure, to help organizations reduce burnout without blame or shame and build healthier, high performing cultures.

To bring Cait to your organization or event, book an inquiry call here: https://bit.ly/bookcait

Learn more about Cait’s speaking work: https://www.caitdonovan.com/speaking

Short on time? Watch this 3-min video: https://bit.ly/caitdreel2025

In today's episode, I will talk about the bad advice you can get regarding burnout and how those pieces of advice came to be due to certain misconceptions. I will be emphasizing how burnout is not solely a mental or thought issue but a systemic one involving various aspects of life.

Episode Highlights:

Cait Donovan talks about burnout advice she wrote about two years ago and still agree with. She talks about how many people perceive burnout as solely a mental or thought-related issue, which affects the how they distinguish between burnout prevention and recovery, and that most advice falls into prevention. Cait stresses the importance of life pruning, rebuilding emotional filters, and moving intentionally during recovery.

Cait encourages listeners to trust their inner guidance when choosing which advice to follow.

Remember, trust your inner guidance. In a sea of advice, your intuition knows what resonates with your soul. When choosing which path to follow, listen closely to that inner voice, for it knows the way to your own unique journey of healing and growth.

Connect with Cait:

Cait Donovan is a keynote speaker, author, and host of FRIED: The Burnout Podcast, specializing in burnout, mis/match, and sustainable performance at work. She partners with corporate leaders, teams, and professional associations through keynotes, workshops, and leadership sessions that treat burnout as data, not failure, to help organizations reduce burnout without blame or shame and build healthier, high performing cultures.

To bring Cait to your organization or event, book an inquiry call here: https://bit.ly/bookcait

Learn more about Cait’s speaking work: https://www.caitdonovan.com/speaking

Short on time? Watch this 3-min video: https://bit.ly/caitdreel2025

In this world full of stress and a toxic environment, getting a hold of your health and staying physically and mentally fit is challenging. But worry not, as there are ways to stay ahead of your health. In this episode, I have an exciting discussion with Kristen Holmes, the vice president and principal scientist at Whoop. Kristen shares how Whoop, a physiological monitoring device, can help you track your body’s data, take action accordingly, and ultimately have control over your health. She also talks about why heart rate variability matters, workplace resilience, sleep consistency, real burnout prevention, difference of stress and anxiety, and more!

Episode Highlights:

Kristen focuses on aligning your mind and body– in other words, having extreme awareness of your body is crucial to taking control of your health. She also explains the usage of technology and how we can utilize it to get optimal data to work and take the needed actions for our bodies.

Kristen shares tips and tricks to aid in increasing stress resilience, sleep consistency, and managing stress, such as aligning our circadian rhythm, time-restricted eating, viewing sunlight, breathwork, and regular body movement throughout the day.

Listening to this episode will encourage you to take action and start your health and wellness journey. Don’t wait for your body to suffer. Instead, focus on taking preventive measures. It’s not too late; with discipline and perseverance, you can achieve your goal. Everyone deserves to live better, healthily, and joyfully–free of too much stress and burnout.

Links to episodes on Trauma and Coping Mechanisms:

https://www.friedtheburnoutpodcast.com/post/straightfromcait-how-childhood-trauma-is-related-to-burnout-even-if-you-think-you-have-none

https://www.friedtheburnoutpodcast.com/post/straightfromcait-coping-mechanisms-and-burnout-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly

Connect with Kristen Holmes:

https://www.whoop.com/us/en/

https://www.instagram.com/kristen_holmes2126/?hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-holmes/

Connect with Cait:

Cait Donovan is a keynote speaker, author, and host of FRIED: The Burnout Podcast, specializing in burnout, mis/match, and sustainable performance at work. She partners with corporate leaders, teams, and professional associations through keynotes, workshops, and leadership sessions that treat burnout as data, not failure, to help organizations reduce burnout without blame or shame and build healthier, high performing cultures.

To bring Cait to your organization or event, book an inquiry call here: https://bit.ly/bookcait

Learn more about Cait’s speaking work: https://www.caitdonovan.com/speaking

Short on time? Watch this 3-min video: https://bit.ly/caitdreel2025

Burnout is the feeling of exhaustion physically and mentally from the problems you have in everyday life. Similar to wildfires, where everything is burned out to ash. However, life is a cycle of death and rebirth, which is critical in keeping the balance in the world. With the right resources, we can return to life beautiful and stronger. Our speaker today, Sarah Vosen, a burnout recovery coach at FRIED, explains the relation of wildfires to being burned out, why you should honor the cycle in life, and how Sarah can help in your burnout recovery journey. Tune in to learn more!

Episode Highlights:

Sarah discusses the similarities between burnout and wildfires. Just like wildfires, where everything is burned, fall, decay, and turn into ash, being burned out will feel like our life is falling apart. However, a burned forest will go through a rebirth cycle, and everything will return beautifully. Similarly, experiencing burnout will allow us to be reborn, and with the right resources, we can come back to life.

Sarah highlights the importance of honoring the cycle in life. We don’t need to be burned completely to have a renewal; we just need to realize that life is constantly changing, and resting is necessary to balance our work. We need to stop forcing ourselves to be the same every day. Slow down and give some time and space to process your emotions, set boundaries, and know the most important things in your life.

Burnout is normal, so just acknowledge your problems or difficulties and pay attention to control them. Recognize that you have the ability to control it, heal, and recover to become stronger.

Links:

Burnout isn’t a personal failure or a lack of resilience. It’s a signal that something in the system, expectations, roles, pace, or support, is out of alignment. Conversations like this one help surface the human experience of burnout, while the broader work continues to explore how organizations can respond more intelligently and sustainably.

To explore burnout, leadership, and sustainable performance through a workplace and organizational lens, connect with Cait Donovan: https://bit.ly/bookcait

Learn more about Cait’s speaking work: https://www.caitdonovan.com/speaking

Short on time? Watch this 3-minute reel: https://bit.ly/caitdreel2025

Do you ever feel like you have to hide something about yourself from the world? In this episode, you will hear an honest and heartfelt conversation with Ruth Rathblott, a speaker, coach, and author of the book Singlehandedly: Learning to Unhide and Embrace Connection. Ruth shares her story of living with a limb difference and how she used it as a tool to start conversations and create safe spaces for others to share their stories. She also reveals the secrets of unhiding, which is the process of releasing shame, overcoming fear, and embracing your true self, without worrying about what others think.

Episode Highlights:

Ruth Rathblott opens up about the common phenomenon of hiding, which affects many people who feel like they are the only ones who have a visible or invisible difference, such as a disability, a mental health issue, a family background, or a personal struggle. She explains how hiding can make us feel isolated, exhausted, and limited, and how unhiding can help us live more authentically and confidently.

Ruth shares some practical tips and exercises to help you unhide in your own life and create more meaningful connections with others. She emphasizes the importance of being the first to go first, which means sharing something about yourself that you are hiding or uncomfortable with, in order to create a safe space for others to do the same.

This episode is a powerful reminder that you are not alone in your hiding journey. You have the power to unhide and live your truth. Listen to this episode now and start your own unhiding journey today. You will be amazed by the freedom and joy that comes from being yourself and connecting with others who accept you as you are!

Connect with Ruth Rathblott:

https://ruthrathblott.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ruthrath/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-rathblott/

https://twitter.com/ruthrath

https://www.amazon.com/Singlehandedly-Learning-Unhide-Embrace-Connection-ebook/dp/B0B95TSJBS

Connect with Cait:

Cait Donovan is a keynote speaker, author, and host of FRIED: The Burnout Podcast, specializing in burnout, mis/match, and sustainable performance at work. She partners with corporate leaders, teams, and professional associations through keynotes, workshops, and leadership sessions that treat burnout as data, not failure, to help organizations reduce burnout without blame or shame and build healthier, high performing cultures.

To bring Cait to your organization or event, book an inquiry call here: https://bit.ly/bookcait

Learn more about Cait’s speaking work: https://www.caitdonovan.com/speaking

Short on time? Watch this 3-min video: https://bit.ly/caitdreel2025

In today's episode, I will discuss my own experiences with burnout recovery and talk about all the misconceptions that often surround it. I will give emphasize the importance of seeking support, learning from setbacks, and acknowledging that progress may not always follow a linear path.

Episode Highlights:

Cait Donovan talks about experiences and mistakes during her burnout recovery journey and the challenges of progress recognition, the need for ongoing effort, the dangers of prematurely ending recovery efforts, the importance of allowing others to come to their own realizations, and the pitfalls of overexertion and comparing one's experiences to others. She highlights the complexity of the recovery process and the personal growth it entails.

Cait advises listeners about the challenges of self-trust, the need to overcome the desire to prove oneself, and the importance of embracing failure as part of the recovery process. She realizes the impact of sharing her story and encourages everyone to learn to trust themselves and their feelings during their own burnout recovery.

Remember, growth comes from acknowledging one's evolution and using newfound knowledge to navigate similar situations in a more empowered way.

Connect with Cait:

Cait Donovan is a keynote speaker, author, and host of FRIED: The Burnout Podcast, specializing in burnout, mis/match, and sustainable performance at work. She partners with corporate leaders, teams, and professional associations through keynotes, workshops, and leadership sessions that treat burnout as data, not failure, to help organizations reduce burnout without blame or shame and build healthier, high performing cultures.

To bring Cait to your organization or event, book an inquiry call here: https://bit.ly/bookcait

Learn more about Cait’s speaking work: https://www.caitdonovan.com/speaking

Short on time? Watch this 3-min video: https://bit.ly/caitdreel2025

In today's episode, I have a heartfelt conversation about an often overlooked aspect of burnout – its intersection with autism and neurodivergence. My guest, Paula Liub, a burnout coach for people who identify as neurodivergent, shares her personal journey of overcoming burnout as a neurodivergent individual, getting a late autism diagnosis and offers valuable insights into understanding and managing burnout within the neurodivergent community.

Episode Highlights:

Paula Liub shares her personal burnout story, which she describes as having three distinct stages. She recounts her journey from experiencing repetitive burnouts, recognizing the need for change, and finally discovering her autistic diagnosis as the missing piece that led to complete recovery and prevention of further burnout.

Paula encourages listeners, especially those within the neurodivergent community, to embrace their sensitivities and needs. She highlights the importance of self-validation, trusting one's body and experiences, and prioritizing well-being without waiting for a formal diagnosis.

Remember, your burnout recovery journey is valid and unique – prioritize your well-being and embrace your neurodivergent strengths.

Connect with Paula Liub:

https://www.paula-mindfulness.com

https://www.instagram.com/paula.mindfulness/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-liub/

Free meditation guide for people who don't like to meditate: https://tinyurl.com/mr3we3t6

Connect with Cait:

Cait Donovan is a keynote speaker, author, and host of FRIED: The Burnout Podcast, specializing in burnout, mis/match, and sustainable performance at work. She partners with corporate leaders, teams, and professional associations through keynotes, workshops, and leadership sessions that treat burnout as data, not failure, to help organizations reduce burnout without blame or shame and build healthier, high performing cultures.

To bring Cait to your organization or event, book an inquiry call here: https://bit.ly/bookcait

Learn more about Cait’s speaking work: https://www.caitdonovan.com/speaking

Short on time? Watch this 3-min video: https://bit.ly/caitdreel2025

In this episode, Cait sits down with Owen Fitzpatrick, a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) and renowned psychologist, who has worked with esteemed organizations like Coca-Cola, Google, JP Morgan, LinkedIn, Pfizer, and Salesforce. Owen's vast experience also includes coaching billionaires and Olympic athletes and delivering captivating talks in 31 countries. He has shared the stage with luminaries like Sir Richard Branson and Seth Godin.

Owen introduces the concept of "Belief Leadership," focusing on how beliefs shape behavior. The discussion delves into how burnout affects cognitive function and decision-making processes. They emphasize the importance of recognizing one's own belief system and the stories they tell themselves about burnout.

Owen explains that individuals often fall into either a victim mindset (blaming external factors) or a villain mindset (self-criticism). However, he highlights that both mindsets can limit personal growth. Instead, they encourage listeners to adopt a hero mindset by focusing on what they can control and influence. This perspective empowers them to take positive action and make choices aligned with their goals.

The conversation touches upon the significance of identity and how labels can limit personal development. Owen advises embracing a more positive identity while acknowledging current limitations and areas for growth. Positive affirmations can reinforce self-belief and pave the way for transformation.

They draw parallels to the hero's journey found in storytelling, where protagonists face challenges with the support of guides and mentors. Similarly, seeking support from others can aid in overcoming burnout and personal struggles.

Owen and Cait wrap up the episode, emphasizing the importance of recognizing one's mental state and choosing to adopt a hero mindset. The hero mindset empowers individuals to take charge of their lives, embrace personal growth, and overcome burnout challenges with determination and support.

Continue learning from Owen:

www.owenfitzpatrick.com

https://www.instagram.com/owenf23/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/owenfitzp/

https://owenfitzpatrick.com/changing-minds-podcast/

Connect with Cait:

Cait Donovan is a keynote speaker, author, and host of FRIED: The Burnout Podcast, specializing in burnout, mis/match, and sustainable performance at work. She partners with corporate leaders, teams, and professional associations through keynotes, workshops, and leadership sessions that treat burnout as data, not failure, to help organizations reduce burnout without blame or shame and build healthier, high performing cultures.

To bring Cait to your organization or event, book an inquiry call here: https://bit.ly/bookcait

Learn more about Cait’s speaking work: https://www.caitdonovan.com/speaking

Short on time? Watch this 3-min video: https://bit.ly/caitdreel2025

In this episode of Fried. The Burnout Podcast, I delve into the topic of differentiating between burnout and stress. I often encounter this question from you, my magic listeners, and others: whether it's at conferences, speaking gigs, or even in the Facebook group. Understanding the distinction between burnout and stress is crucial to address the issue effectively. So let's explore how to recognize and differentiate between these two conditions.

Burnout is not simply an escalated form of stress but rather an end result of chronic, unresolved stress over extended periods. According to the World Health Organization, burnout is characterized by three key elements:

• Feelings of physical and emotional exhaustion
• Cynicism and detachment
• A lack of impact and productivity

Stress, on the other hand, is a natural response of the body to any challenge, be it environmental, emotional, or physical. It is a short-term reaction with a time-bound measure, meaning it arises and subsides, especially when the stress cycle is completed.

One way to distinguish stress from burnout is by assessing recoverability. When experiencing stress, a few days of rest or a good night's sleep can often suffice to rejuvenate and return to a state of equilibrium. However, in the case of burnout, recovery becomes challenging. Even extended periods of rest may not alleviate the symptoms, making individuals feel stuck in a perpetual stress cycle.

Burnout manifests in a host of physical and mental symptoms, such as headaches, digestive issues, explosive emotions, frequent colds and flus, anxiety, and depression. These symptoms persist and hinder one's ability to move forward.

Addressing burnout requires understanding that it is not a quick fix. Unlike simple stress, which can be managed relatively swiftly, burnout recovery can take anywhere from 12 months to three years, and in some cases, even longer. Patience and consistent effort are vital during this process.

Navigating burnout alone can be overwhelming. Seeking help from professionals specializing in burnout recovery can significantly speed up and ease the process. Burnout coaching and therapy can work hand in hand to provide comprehensive support.

The key takeaway from this episode is that if you find yourself unable to recover from exhaustion and stress despite various attempts, it might be burnout rather than just stress. Recognizing the difference is crucial to implement the right strategies for recovery. Remember, seeking help from professionals can make a significant difference in your burnout recovery journey. You don't have to face it alone.

Connect with Cait:

Cait Donovan is a keynote speaker, author, and host of FRIED: The Burnout Podcast, specializing in burnout, mis/match, and sustainable performance at work. She partners with corporate leaders, teams, and professional associations through keynotes, workshops, and leadership sessions that treat burnout as data, not failure, to help organizations reduce burnout without blame or shame and build healthier, high performing cultures.

To bring Cait to your organization or event, book an inquiry call here: https://bit.ly/bookcait

Learn more about Cait’s speaking work: https://www.caitdonovan.com/speaking

Short on time? Watch this 3-min video: https://bit.ly/caitdreel2025