What happens when the people caring for our beloved pets are quietly carrying the emotional weight of everyone else's worries?

In this episode of I'm Fine - The Truth Behind the Smile, Jayne is joined by Kate and Sharon, directors of Mulberry House Vets, to explore the hidden emotional realities of veterinary practice. Between them, they have decades of experience as a veterinary surgeon, veterinary nurse and practice leaders, giving a unique insight into one of the most rewarding, but emotionally demanding, professions.

Kate reflects on always knowing she wanted to be a vet and how a supportive mentor early in her career made all the difference. She discusses how the profession has changed over the past two decades, with rising client expectations, social media scrutiny and perfectionism creating a far more challenging environment for today's graduates.

Sharon shares her journey from veterinary nursing into management and practice ownership, describing the long hours, relentless demands and emotional exhaustion that once led her to step away from clinical practice. Together, they explain why resilience alone isn't enough and why psychologically safe workplaces have become essential.

The conversation explores how Mulberry House Vets has built a culture where mistakes are treated as learning opportunities, leaders remain visible and approachable, and staff speak openly before stress becomes burnout. Rather than simply having an "open door policy," Kate and Sharon explain what it takes to genuinely live those values every day.

Jayne also explores the changing landscape of the profession, including the growing number of women entering the industry, the importance of flexible working, and why talking openly about mental health is helping change a profession that once expected people to simply "get on with it."

Finally, Kate and Sharon share how they protect their own wellbeing. Sharon returns to horse riding to disconnect and reset, while Kate finds balance through running, being outdoors, time by the sea and laughter with close friends. Both agree that looking after yourself isn't a luxury. It's what allows you to continue caring for others.

This is an honest conversation about compassion, leadership, resilience and why supporting the people behind the profession ultimately benefits everyone, including the animals they care for.

Connect with Sharon here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-tongue-2a259849/

Find out more here: https://www.mulberryhousevets.co.uk

EF training Ltd exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis, who learnt the hard way so you don't have to.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review. It helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch at [email protected].

Visit us at https://eftraining.co.uk to learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP.

The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd.

What does great care really look like?

This week, Jayne is joined by Nick Witan, founder of the 'Just Care' Campaign and host of the 'Just Care' Podcast, for a thoughtful conversation about why care should mean far more than simply meeting people's basic needs.

Nick shares how he unexpectedly found his calling in health and social care and why, after more than 17 years in the sector, he believes it's time for a fundamental shift in how we think about support. Together, he and Jayne explore the difference between helping people survive and helping them truly live.

They discuss why genuine independence comes from doing with people rather than doing for them, how meaningful relationships transform care, and why quality of life should never be viewed as an optional extra.

The conversation also turns to the emotional reality of working in caring professions. Nick speaks openly about the anxiety he has experienced during his career, the lack of proactive emotional support available for frontline staff, and why so many dedicated professionals quietly put everyone else's needs before their own.

Together they explore:

• why relationships are at the heart of exceptional care

• the hidden emotional toll of supporting vulnerable people

• why staff wellbeing directly affects the quality of care people receive

• the importance of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)

• why "good enough" should never be the ambition in health and social care

• how simple daily acts of self-care can prevent us from running on empty

This is an honest and inspiring conversation about compassion, leadership, purpose and the responsibility we all have to create lives filled with meaning, not simply safety.

If you've ever worked in health or social care, supported a loved one, or wondered what truly person-centred care should look like, this episode is full of insight, hope and practical wisdom.

EF training Ltd exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis, who learnt the hard way so you don't have to.

Connect with Nick here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-witan%F0%9F%92%A1-aa5698313/

Listen to Nick's 'Just Care' Podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/033uW3PKYIjbSlfGB6uDoF

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review. It helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch at [email protected].

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk to learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP.

The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation and learning.

Burnout expert, author and host of Fried: The Burnout Podcast, Cait Donovan joins Jayne for a fascinating conversation about why so many caring, high-achieving people don't realise they're burning out until their minds and bodies force them to stop.

Cait shares her extraordinary journey from training as an acupuncturist, building thriving practices across Europe, and experiencing severe burnout herself, to becoming one of the world's leading voices on burnout prevention and workplace wellbeing.

Together, Jayne and Cait explore the hidden links between childhood experiences, helping professions and perfectionism, why compassion fatigue and burnout can be so difficult to recognise in ourselves, and the fascinating neuroscience behind why some of us genuinely don't notice the warning signs.

They discuss:

• why high achievers often believe burnout happens to "other people"

• the connection between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and caring professions

• compassion fatigue, burnout and emotional exhaustion

• why boundaries matter more than balance

• how resentment can become one of our most valuable emotional signals

• what leaders can do to create healthier workplaces

• and the practical steps that helped Cait recover and build a life that's no longer driven by self-neglect.

This is an honest, insightful conversation that blends science, lived experience and compassion, reminding us that saying "I'm fine" is often the beginning of a much bigger story.

Connect with Cait here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitdonovanspeaks/

Find out more about Cait and how she supports here: https://caitdonovan.com/

Listen to Cait's podcast, 'Fried: The Burnout Podcast' here: https://caitdonovan.com/podcast

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have to.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review. It helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. Connect with us at [email protected]

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP.

The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue.

What happens when the people who spend their lives caring for others forget to care for themselves?

In this episode of I'm Fine- the truth behind the smile, Jayne is joined by Vicky Lake, Workforce and Education Manager at the West Midlands Cancer Alliance, for an honest conversation about modern nursing, compassion fatigue and why emotional wellbeing should be considered just as important as physical health and safety.

Vicky shares her journey from teenage nurse cadet to intensive care nurse, clinical researcher and now regional workforce leader, reflecting on the unexpected twists her career has taken and how the nursing profession has changed over the past 16 years. Together, they discuss the realities of working in today's NHS, the hidden pressures behind caring professions, and why so many healthcare professionals find themselves saying, "I'm fine," even when they're anything but.

The conversation explores the emotional toll of nursing, the challenge of balancing compassionate care with increasing organisational pressures, and why so many nurses struggle with their professional identity as their careers evolve. Vicky also shares how discovering the concept of compassion fatigue gave a name to something she'd seen throughout healthcare, and why she believes emotional wellbeing training should be embedded into every healthcare organisation rather than becoming something staff only seek once they're already overwhelmed.

They also talk about the vital work of the Cancer Alliances, the importance of psychological safety at work, and the small but powerful ways healthcare professionals can begin protecting their own wellbeing—from asking for support sooner to recognising that looking after yourself isn't selfish, it's essential.

This is a thoughtful and reassuring conversation about purpose, identity, resilience, and creating healthier workplaces for the people who spend their lives looking after everyone else.

Connect with Vicky - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicky-lake-1992ba125/ 

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. 

Connect with us at [email protected]

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP. 

The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue. 

This week on I'm Fine – The Truth Behind the Smile, Jayne Ellis is joined by Verna Lavender, Head of Nursing for Research, Innovation and Education at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.

Verna's career has taken her from working as a teenage care assistant, supporting herself through adversity, to becoming a cancer nurse, educator, researcher and leader in one of the UK's leading NHS organisations.

In this honest and thoughtful conversation, Verna reflects on the experiences that shaped her career, including caring for her father during her nurse training, navigating repeated pregnancy loss whilst supporting patients with cancer, and finding the courage to pursue a PhD at a time when nurse researchers were still the exception rather than the norm.

Together, Jayne and Verna explore how nursing has evolved over the past four decades, the growing demands placed on today's workforce, and why protecting compassionate patient care has never been more important.

They also discuss professional identity, resilience, the emotional impact of caring, and the importance of recognising when "I'm fine" isn't really the truth.

This episode is a powerful reminder that behind every experienced healthcare professional is a person with their own story—one that deserves just as much compassion as the patients they care for.

Dr Verna Lavender is the Head of Nursing for Research, Innovation and Education in Cancer and Surgery at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. She is a visiting associate professor at the University of Surrey, senior lecturer at King’s College London, a NIHR Nursing and Midwifery Senior Research Lead alumni and a Past President of the UK Oncology Nursing Society.  Verna is a recognised cancer nurse academic with expertise in cancer nursing and cancer nurse education. She has extensive experience on national cancer care education committees and boards and has published widely on in the field of cancer nursing. 

Explore Verna's published work and academic background via her ORCID Profile: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5871-4984

Connect with Verna at https://www.linkedin.com/in/verna-lavender-7b775930/

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. 

Connect with us at [email protected]

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP. 

The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue. 

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions about suicide, burnout, compassion fatigue, euthanasia, grief, emotional trauma, mental health and animal illness and loss. Some listeners may find these topics distressing. Please listen with care and seek support if you need it.

This week on I'm Fine – The Truth Behind the Smile, Jayne Ellis is joined by veterinary surgeon, educator and mental health advocate Mark Johnson.

From life as an equine vet working relentless hours to leading one of the world's most respected veterinary information platforms, Mark shares the reality behind a profession that many people see as rewarding, but few truly understand.

Together they explore the emotional impact of caring for animals and the people who love them, the hidden toll of compassion fatigue, burnout, euthanasia, difficult conversations with owners and why veterinary professionals experience some of the highest rates of mental health challenges.

Mark also speaks candidly about losing his father to suicide as a child, how his own experience of burnout changed the direction of his career, and why he has dedicated so much of his life to improving mental health support across the veterinary profession.

The conversation also explores the pioneering work behind Vets in Mind and the development of EuthaSafe, an innovative system designed to reduce suicide risk by creating safer access to euthanasia medications while supporting veterinary professionals during some of the most emotionally demanding moments of their careers.

This is an honest, compassionate conversation about resilience, purpose, human connection and the importance of looking after those whose job it is to care for everyone else.

Because behind every animal is a family… and behind every professional is a human being.

Connect with Mark here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gmarkjohnston/  

Find out more about VetStream here - https://vetstream.ltd/

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. 

Connect with us at [email protected]

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP. 

The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue. 

How far would you go to protect someone you love?

In this powerful and deeply moving episode, Jayne is joined by leading advocate, author and Founder of Care Campaign for the Vulnerable, Jayne Connery, whose personal experience of caring for her mother with dementia led her to become one of the UK’s leading voices for greater transparency, safety and dignity in adult social care.

After witnessing failures in her mother’s care, Jayne turned heartbreak into action, founding a national not-for-profit organisation that supports families navigating the care system while championing the rights of vulnerable people, promoting responsible use of technology in care, and working collaboratively with providers and professionals to improve safety, transparency and standards of care across the UK.

Together, Jayne and Jayne discuss the emotional toll of navigating the care system, the importance of rebuilding trust, and why technology, when used ethically and responsibly, can help protect residents, families and care professionals alike.

This conversation is not about criticising care—it is about improving it. It shines a light on the incredible carers who go above and beyond, while exploring how openness, compassion and transparency can help create safer environments for everyone.

If you've ever supported a loved one with dementia, worked in health or social care, or wondered what really happens behind the scenes when families say "I'm fine" while carrying an enormous emotional burden, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Find out more about Care Campaign For The Vulnerable  https://carecampaignforthevulnerable.com/

Connect with Jayne Connery https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayne-connery-frsa-92376758/ 

Jayne's book - The Long Road Back to Tipperary: A memoir about a mother, a daughter, and the truth of dementia https://amzn.eu/d/0iTGmIMB 

Please note all proceeds from the sale of the book are donated to dementia charity BRACE - Dementia Research and Adopt a Grandparent https://www.alzheimers-brace.org/ 

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. 

Connect with us at [email protected]

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP. 

The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue. 

What happens when the person everyone relies on is the one who's struggling?

In this thought-provoking episode, Jayne is joined by mindset and leadership coach Carmen McDougall, who shares her own experience of corporate burnout and how it transformed both her career and her understanding of emotional wellbeing.

Together they explore why so many leaders feel they have to carry everything alone, the hidden impact of people-pleasing, and why asking for help is often seen as a weakness when it should be recognised as a strength.

Carmen explains how stress, anxiety and overwhelm can affect decision-making at every level of an organisation, and why emotionally intelligent leadership starts with looking after yourself first. They also discuss the importance of prevention rather than simply responding when someone reaches crisis point, and why workplaces need to become better at recognising the early signs that someone isn't coping.

If you've ever found yourself saying "I'm fine" when you're anything but, or you've struggled to balance the pressures of work, family and expectations, this conversation offers practical insights, reassurance and hope.

Connect with Carmen and find out more: www.happysoulcoaching.co.uk 

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. 

Connect with us at [email protected]

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP. 

The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue. 

What if the experiences that shaped your deepest struggles could also become your greatest source of strength?

In this powerful conversation, Jayne is joined by Resilience Expert Alfred Ricci to explore how childhood trauma, adversity and high-pressure careers can become catalysts for growth, purpose and service.

Alfred shares his remarkable journey from an unstable childhood spent in shelters, group homes and foster care to an international career in corporate banking spanning more than 20 countries. Despite professional success, he found himself questioning whether achievement alone could bring fulfilment, leading him on a path towards helping others build resilience and wellbeing - ultimately finding his true purpose in helping others.

Together, they explore why some people are able to thrive despite adversity, the hidden emotional cost of high-pressure corporate cultures, and the importance of supporting those who dedicate their lives to helping others. Alfred shares how resilience, mindfulness and a willingness to challenge the status quo helped him move beyond survival and create a life centred on meaning and service.

This episode is a powerful reminder that while we cannot always change what has happened to us, we can change how we respond to it. 

If you've ever felt trapped by old beliefs, workplace pressures or past experiences, this conversation offers hope, practical wisdom and a fresh perspective on what it means to thrive.

Learn more about Alfred and his work here - https://www.alfredricci.com/ 

Connect with Alfred here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alfredricci/

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. 

Connect with us at [email protected]

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP. 

The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue. 

After arriving in the UK as a young student in 1975, Parvez Hemnani set out with a simple ambition: build a better life for himself and his family. What followed was a successful career spanning decades in sales and marketing, negotiating million-pound deals, leading teams and working under the relentless pressure of targets, forecasts and performance expectations.

In this episode, Parvez joins Jayne to reflect on the hidden cost of working in high-pressure corporate environments and the moment he realised that stress at work, combined with challenges at home, had become too much to carry alone.

Parvez shares the practical strategies that helped him find calm in the chaos, including early morning walks, meditation, gratitude and the importance of having trusted people he could turn to when life felt overwhelming. He speaks openly about why men often struggle to talk about stress, how attitudes towards mental health are changing in younger generations and why support networks matter more than ever.

The conversation also explores what organisations could do differently to support emotional wellbeing at work, from normalising conversations about mental health to creating simple opportunities for mindfulness and reflection during the working day.

Parvez also reveals the surprisingly simple prioritisation system that helped him manage pressure throughout his career and explains why gratitude remains one of the most powerful tools for building resilience.

This is an honest and thoughtful conversation about success, stress, self-awareness and the small daily habits that can make a profound difference when life feels anything but fine.

Connect with Parvez on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/parvez-hemnani-6785367/ 

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. 

Connect with us at [email protected]

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP. 

The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue.