What have we learnt from our guests this season?

And how do coaches work with their clients to support them before, during and on the recovery from burnout?

In the final episode of Work Truths Off the Record series 1, host Rachel Morris and coaches Julie Nelson and Amy Funkhouser Watkins discuss and draw insight from the previous episodes of the first series. They reflect on their own and other guests' experiences along with the stories from their coaching practices.

The conversation emphasises the importance of recognising early signs, the individual nature of burnout, and the critical role of support systems in recovery.

The coaches share practical strategies for helping individuals navigate their burnout experiences, highlighting the need for kindness, grace, and community support.

Guest Information

Amy Funkhouser Watkins

Amy Funkhouser Watkins is an executive coach, leadership team facilitator and founder of Hummingbird Insights, LLC. She helps leaders and teams reach their greatest potential with a focus on results and authenticity.

She brings over 25 years of experience in business and leadership helping people thrive in change and complexity, bringing her integrity, compassion, courage and curiosity to every situation.

Her LinkedIn profile is https://linkedin.com/in/amyfunkhouser.

Julie Nelson

Julie Nelson is an executive and leadership coach, accredited in coaching and change management, and a certified NLP Master Practitioner. She is the designer of the BeYou Programme, which empowers individuals to build confidence, resilience, and authentic leadership.

Julie delivers personal growth, management training, and leadership development programmes across diverse sectors, drawing on her senior leadership experience and a strong background in HR, Learning and Organisational Development. Her holistic coaching approach creates psychologically safe spaces for transformation.

Her work as a coach supports clients to prevent, navigate, and recover from burnout—helping them rediscover balance and purpose.

Julie is also an associate coach at Motion Learning, creators of the Work Truths podcast https://www.motionlearning.com/julie-nelson.

Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-n/

In this episode of Work Truths Off the Record, host Rachel Morris speaks with Julianne Gilbert, a seasoned leader, about the critical issue of workplace burnout. They explore the definition of burnout, its recognition in teams, and the responsibilities of managers and organisations in addressing it. Julianne shares her insights on the signs of burnout, strategies for managers to support their teams, and the importance of creating a supportive work environment.

Key Discussion Points

Burnout can manifest in various individual ways.

Recognising burnout requires understanding team dynamics.

Leaders must be proactive in checking in with their teams.

Managers need a toolkit for supporting employees.

Creating a culture of openness is essential for addressing burnout.

Employers have a responsibility to support mental health.

Self-care for managers is vital to prevent burnout.

Good intent in management can foster a supportive environment.

Guest Information

Julieanne Gilbert is Executive Director, People at City Lit, leading the HR and Student Services team. Julieanne has over 25 years of experience working and leading teams within both private and public sectors including retail, energy and business schools.

Julieanne is known for her values-driven and human-centric approach to leadership and development. As a qualified coach, she’s passionate about empowering individuals and organisations to thrive through authentic connection, empathy, and purpose-led growth.

She would be delighted to connect and her LinkedIn profile is: www.LinkedIn/in/julieannegilbert

A content warning for today’s episode: our conversation includes two brief mentions of suicide in the context of burnout.

If you’re struggling, please reach out to Samaritans on 116 123. Take care as you listen.

In this episode of Work Truths Off the Record, host Rachel Morris engages with Alexander Maxwell Cole, an expert in occupational psychology, to explore the complex topic of workplace burnout. They discuss the interplay between organisational demands and individual experiences, the importance of recognising early warning signs, and the critical role of leadership in preventing burnout. The conversation emphasises the need for supportive workplace cultures and proactive measures to address burnout, highlighting that it can be prevented with the right resources and communication.

Key Discussion Points

Burnout is stress that wasn't managed properly.

The interplay between organisation and individual is crucial.

Burnout can have profound psychological and physical effects.

Identifying early warning signs is essential for prevention.

Leadership plays a significant role in employee well-being.

Supportive workplace culture is vital for addressing burnout.

The impact of difference between rhetoric and reality in organisations.

Prioritising well-being is essential for individuals facing burnout.

Organisational responsibility includes providing adequate resources and support.

Guest Information

Alexander Maxwell-Cole is an accomplished Lecturer in Occupational and Organisational Psychology, Human Resource Management, and Organisational Behaviour, with a proven track record of fostering knowledge transfer and external engagement through strategic partnerships with industry leaders and professional bodies.

His influence extends to shaping professional practice and policy, achieved through active participation in discipline-relevant forums that bridge academia and real-world application. As an experienced practitioner in strategic human resource management and development, Alexander has spearheaded innovative initiatives and delivered impactful organisational behavioural and psychological interventions. These efforts span performance management, training and development, organisational development and change, as well as retention and employee engagement.

Additionally, he excels in leading and motivating teams while addressing workplace stress and emotional well-being, empowering organisations to thrive in dynamic environments.

How does the experience of burnout differ from person to person?

And do the signs also differ?

In this episode of Work Truths Off the Record, host Rachel Morris speaks with Sophie Peaty, an expert in leadership development, about her personal experience with workplace burnout.

Sophie shares her journey through burnout, the signs she ignored, and the importance of self-care and support. They discuss the role of employers in recognising and addressing burnout, the need for vulnerability in leadership, and the significance of kindness towards oneself and others during challenging times.

The conversation emphasises that recovery from burnout is not linear and encourages open dialogue about mental health in the workplace.

Key Discussion Points

Burnout can manifest as an inability to switch off, not just exhaustion.

Personal experiences of burnout can provide valuable insights for helping others.

Recognising early warning signs, like sleep disturbances, is crucial.

Support from colleagues and managers can make a significant difference.

Vulnerability from leaders can help reduce stigma around burnout.

It's important to have open conversations about mental health at work.

Recovery from burnout is a personal journey and varies for everyone.

Employers should create a culture that supports mental well-being.

Guest Information

Sophie Peaty is a Leadership and Development Coach and the Founder of Shine Leadership.

With over a decade of experience in global retail leadership and people development, she now works with individuals and teams to grow capability and confidence, strengthen resilience, and lead with authenticity.

Drawing on her own journey of learning how to thrive and lead well in high-pressure environments, she brings a warm, practical and human perspective to her work.

An EMCC Senior Practitioner Coach, she has delivered leadership programmes to thousands of people globally.

You can find more info here:

Website: www.shine-leadership.co.uk

Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/sophiepeaty

Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

Do you know your legal responsibilities to your employees in relation to burnout and mental health issues?

Have you got the right type of insurance? And the right type of legal support?

In this episode of Work Truths Off the Record, host Rachel Morris engages with legal experts Emma Clark and Cordelia Rushby to explore the multifaceted issue of workplace burnout.

They discuss the legal implications of burnout, how to balance policies and processes with compassion and care, and the responsibilities of both employees and employers in addressing mental health in the workplace. The conversation highlights the need for compassion, proactive management, and the significance of early intervention in preventing burnout.

Key Discussion Points

Burnout is a complex set of symptoms that can be misunderstood.

Legal insights are crucial for both employees and employers regarding burnout.

Early warning signs of burnout often include over-engagement and perfectionism.

Employers have a legal duty to ensure the mental health of their employees.

It's essential for individuals to seek medical advice and support early.

Understanding symptoms rather than labelling them as burnout is empowering.

Compassionate management can significantly impact employee well-being.

Employers should actively engage in creating a supportive workplace culture.

Training for managers is vital to recognise and address burnout effectively.

Insurance policies can provide crucial support for employees and employers.

Guest Information - Emma Clark

Emma is an employment and partnership lawyer who advises both senior executives and organisations. She has over 22 years’ experience and her expertise spans advisory work, employment litigation and corporate transactions across a variety of sectors.

She has been ranked and recognised for the last 4 years by the main legal directories (Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners).

Her LinkedIn profile is below and she would be delighted to connect:

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

Guest Information - Cordelia Rushby

Cordelia is an injury, health and insurance lawyer. She’s instructed by both insurers and senior executives in connection with workplace health and injury issues, giving her the advantage of insight and perspective when providing strategic advice, conducting audits, or managing claims.

With nearly 40 years experience, she provides a wide range of advice on commercial issues connected with the management of workforce injury and health often bridging the gap between human resources, employment concerns and claims. She provides advice on insurance coverage to both senior executives and insurers.

She has been ranked and recognised for many years by the main legal directories for Insurance and reinsurance litigation, and for Personal Injury (Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners).

Her LinkedIn profile is below and she would be delighted to connect;

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cordelia-rushby-a2687369/?originalSubdomain=uk

Can you recognise the physiological and psychological signs of impending burnout?

What can you do to help your body and mind to avoid burnout?

In this episode of Work Truths: Off the Record, host Rachel Morris welcomes Rachel Philpotts, award-winning author, nutritionist and mental health expert, who shares her personal journey through burnout and the significant changes it prompted in her life.

Together they explore the warning signs of burnout, the possible routes to recovery and the importance of addressing physiological as well as psychological elements with self-care, nutrition and support.

Key Discussion Points

• Burnout is a significant issue affecting many individuals today.
• The journey through burnout can lead to profound personal change.
• Understanding the complexities of burnout is crucial for recovery.
• Burnout is a physiological as well as psychological experience
• Nutrition, diet and lifestyle all play a vital role in mental health and burnout recovery.
• Self-care practices can help prevent burnout.
• Awareness of burnout symptoms is the first step towards healing.
• Sharing experiences can provide comfort to others facing similar challenges.
• Professional guidance can aid in navigating burnout effectively.
• Burnout recovery is a personal journey that varies for everyone.

Guest Information

Rachel Philpotts is the founder of re:Nu - a functional medicine clinic for burnout and beyond- and the award-winning author of The Burnout Bible: How to tackle fatigue and emotional overwhelm naturally.

Having experienced burnout in her 30s, she quit the corporate world and retrained. Now as a nutritionist, functional medicine practitioner and mood expert, she helps tired and wired career women to wake up feeling energised, focussed and ready to fulfil their true potential utilising root cause clinical testing and ultra-personalised health programmes.

Alongside her clinic work, Rachel delivers health and wellbeing workshops to the professional services sector and hosts day retreats.

You can find more info here:

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-philpotts/

Website: https://renuclinic.co.uk

Instagram: www.instagram.com/renu_clinic_

Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

How can organisations help when employees face burnout? How do values and behaviours affect an organisation's susceptibility to burnout?

In this episode of Work Truths Off the Record, host Rachel Morris speaks with HR professional Justine Cooper about the pervasive issue of workplace burnout. They explore Justine's personal experiences with burnout, the multifaceted nature of its definition, and the importance of recognising warning signs.

The conversation delves into strategies for individuals experiencing burnout, the role of teammates in identifying it, and the responsibilities of employers in creating a supportive culture. Justine emphasises the need for connection and the evolution of leadership styles, ultimately highlighting the significance of seeking help and support in overcoming burnout.

Key Discussion Points

Everyone is susceptible to burnout, regardless of their position.

Recognising warning signs in ourselves and others is crucial.

Teammates play a significant role in spotting changes in behaviour.

Connection in the workplace is essential for mental health.

Employers must align their actions with their stated values.

Creating a supportive organisational culture can mitigate burnout.

Leadership styles are evolving towards more empathy and understanding.

Guest Information

Justine Cooper has a background of 30 years experience in the field of Human Resources, leading teams of HR professionals in high performing organisations for growth through organisational and cultural change across a diverse range of industries including retail, legal and financial services, and energy management.

In addition to developing talent management strategies to attract, develop and retain talent, she is passionate about developing trusted and inclusive cultures, where everyone thrives.

Justine has been developing strategies to build diverse teams and foster inclusive cultures since 2005, across all dimensions of diversity, cultures and geographies.

Justine holds a BA (Hons) degree in Business Studies & Information Technology and a Masters in HR Leadership. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development, a Certified Fellow of the Australian HR Institute and a qualified Coach/Mentor with Distinction from the CIPD Advanced Certificate.

You can find more info here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinecooper1/

Discover a therapist’s grounded, compassionate take on burnout—what it looks like before the crash, how it blurs home and work, and the small workplace shifts that actually help.

Drawing on 40 years of practice, guest Miranda Rock distinguishes pre-burnout from breakdown, unpacks the “stress curve,” and shares vivid client moments like "I feel like the phone is harassing me".

In this conversation, host Rachel Morris and guest Miranda Rock discuss the multifaceted nature of burnout, emphasising that it is not solely a product of work-related stress. Miranda highlights the impact of personal life challenges and individual personality traits on one's ability to cope with stress. The discussion also touches on the importance of resilience and how it varies among individuals.

Key Discussion Points

Burnout is influenced by factors outside of work.

Personal life stressors can contribute significantly to burnout.

Resilience varies from person to person.

Coping mechanisms are shaped by personality traits.

Experiences in life can affect one's stress levels.

It's important to recognize the complexity of burnout.

Not everyone copes with stress in the same way.

Understanding personal limits is crucial for mental health.

Life events can compound work-related stress.

Resilience can fluctuate over time.

Guest Information

Miranda Rock is an Accredited Master Executive Coach, and an Accredited Therapist. She brings many years of experience of working in 1:1 settings to her coaching, coach supervision, leadership development work and therapy clients. Her clients - individuals and teams - come from a range of industry sectors including financial services, professional services, energy and Health Services.

As a therapist over many decades, her work draws upon an underpinning of psychological training and experience. Clients don't get stuck because they're not trying, they get stuck because the issues are often not external but inside themselves. Clients often say 'I've never joined the dots before', once they see the influence of their personal history on their current coaching or therapy dilemma.

Her own personal history includes working in senior roles in HR in Corporate settings and for Partnerships.

You can find more info here:

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirandarock

Join host Rachel Morris for Series 1 of Work Truths: Off the Record, as she sits down with a range of experts to explore the issue of Burnout, what it is, how to spot the signs, and how to help yourself and others handle and overcome it.

Why is burnout so often a hidden collapse?

In this candid episode, host Rachel Morris and guest Catherine Lightfoot reframe burnout not as a single crash but as a “slow disappearing of self,” often hidden by masking - especially for neurodivergent professionals - and intensified by personal and organisational change.

Listeners will get concrete takeaways for themselves and others:

• How to spot disconnection behind the word “fine,”
• How to design humane policies and communication processes
• How to encourage simple regulation rituals like brief daily check‑ins

Tune in for a practical compass—self, share, support—and the deceptively powerful prompt Catherine shares which she now lives by: What do I need right now?

Key Discussion Points

Burnout as a slow fade, not a single crash — why “slowness” matters and what it looks like day to day.

The hidden toll of masking (especially for ADHD and other neurodivergences) and how it obscures warning signs.

Two deceptively simple check‑ins that rebuild regulation: a “six‑minute” ritual and a five‑year micro‑journal.

Why “I’m fine” is a red flag — and how managers can navigate power dynamics to earn real answers.

Support that actually helps vs. harms: choosing therapy, somatic work, or coaching at the right stage.

The guilt/shame loop that delays stopping — and the moment an external voice can (and should) break it.

Policy meets humanity: what great employers do to prevent, respond, and communicate without adding harm.

A cautionary tale for HR ops: automated processes (like performance letters) that retraumatize people on leave.

Rebuilding identity when work has become “who I am” — a question every high performer should ask.

A practical framework to share with teams: self, share, support — or as she puts it, What do I need right now?

Guest Information

Catherine Lightfoot is an executive coach, HR consultant, and the founder of Fire & Light Coaching. Her work helps leaders and organisations move through complexity with clarity and care.

With a background in senior leadership across sectors, Catherine brings a rare combination of strategic insight and lived experience to her work. Her own journey through burnout, fertility treatment, ADHD diagnosis, and maternity leave and return has shaped her understanding of how crucial the right support at the right time can be—especially for women and neurodivergent professionals navigating high-pressure environments. She now specialises in ADHD coaching for leaders as well as maternity coaching for women getting ready for and returning from leave.

Through her coaching and consultancy, she helps others create sustainable change leaning in to their strengths and finding their authenticity.

You can find more info on her website, socials or sign up to her newsletter.

Website: https://fireandlightcoaching.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-lightfoot-coach/

Newsletter: https://fire-light-coaching.kit.com/email-list-new

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fireandlightcoach/