Dog Walk Thoughts - with Clare E Kenny

Many of us cope through the week only to crash at the weekend - but that isn’t recovery, it’s survival. In this episode, I explain why chronic fight-or-flight reduces focus, collaboration and strategic thinking, and why waiting for holidays doesn’t solve the problem. I talk through how to spot early warning signs, widen your window of tolerance, and build small, realistic moments of nervous system...

January asks us to perform at full pelt when our biology is still in hibernation mode.  In this episode, I unpack why so many of us feel anxious, snappy, foggy or overwhelmed at this time of year, and what’s actually happening in the nervous system when we slip into survival mode. I’ll share a few simple, practical ways to create space, calm the system, and get back to clearer thinking (without be...

In this episode, I talk about masking, why “high functioning” is really just “high masking”, and how much it costs our nervous systems over time. We explore neuro-inclusion, social energy, recovery and boundaries, and why living outside your authentic limits is a fast track to burnout.

After a morning of unexpected tears and a sense that everything has been a bit much lately, this episode is a straight, honest reflection on what happens when ADHD becomes relentless. I talk about the past few months feeling heavier than usual, the strange release of crying at Netflix show 'Heartstopper', and the relief of speaking to someone who genuinely understands the constant noise in my head...

In this episode, I dive a bit deeper into what true psychological safety really means at work. It’s not just about people feeling comfortable - it’s about creating an environment where they feel safe to challenge, to disagree, and to say when something isn’t working. I share a few stories, including a focus group experience that still makes me laugh (and feel a certain level of rage about) years l...

After a little summer break, I’m back with another Dog Walk Thoughts, this time exploring one of my most requested topics, psychological safety. As I walk the pack (with a pocket full of turkey slices!) I unpack what psychological safety really means beyond the buzzwords, from Amy Edmondson’s original research to why it’s the biggest driver of team performance. We’ll look at why mistakes matter, h...

Ever struggle to shake off a bad mood? In this episode, I hit record while walking my dogs - in the middle of one of those flat, fed-up days - to see if I could shift my mood in real time. I share practical tools I use in workshops (like the circles of control, gratitude reframing, and healthy dopamine boosts), plus some honest reflections on why it’s okay to sit with your feelings before moving f...

Ever feel like no matter how much you do, it’s never enough? In this episode, I dive into the “never enough” mindset that fuels burnout and share the small but powerful shifts I’m using to quiet it down. From naming my inner critic (yes, it has a name!) to questioning old beliefs about worth and productivity, I explore practical ways to find more balance, compassion, and calm in daily life. If you...

It’s been a little while since my last dog walk thoughts recording - partly because it’s been scorching hot so I've been walking my dogs more at night, partly because I’ve been navigating some pretty relentless health challenges. In this episode, I share a raw and meandering update from the middle of a very sharp wheat field (not my best decision), reflecting on recent pain, a brilliant GP, and th...

In this episode, I’m walking the dogs (obviously!) and talking about something I know a lot about: numbing. From addiction to anxiety to undiagnosed ADHD, I’ve spent most of my life avoiding difficult emotions - and living in a constant state of fight-or-flight. I share how that’s shown up in my body, the role my childhood played, and what it’s looked like to finally start feeling instead of numbi...

In this episode, I share some honest reflections from a messy few weeks – from unpredictable energy and health challenges to the emotional weight of anniversaries. I talk about the small, practical tools that have been helping me manage stress, reduce overwhelm, and stay focused on what actually matters. If life’s been feeling a bit too much lately, this one’s for you!

In this slightly rambling but very real episode, I talk about the juggle of working motherhood during the school holidays, the guilt that creeps in when I try to set boundaries, and the pressure so many of Mothers feel to earn our rest. Between the dogs, the bunnies and the occasional rant about gender roles, this is a reminder (for me as much as anyone) that joy is reason enough.

In this episode, I share what happened when I ended up in A&E right in the middle of Mental Health Awareness Week, and what it taught me about pain, pressure, and the guilt we carry around not being ‘productive enough’. I talk honestly about the challenges of slowing down, why rest feels so hard to justify, and how I’m trying to let go of the idea that my worth is tied to how much I get done....

How do we move beyond pigeonholes and policies to create truly inclusive workplaces? In this episode, I reflect on why a one-size-fits-all approach to inclusion often misses the mark - and how we can do better. From neurodiversity to quiet thinkers in meetings, I explore the risks of echo chambers, the power of diverse perspectives, and the practical changes leaders can make to create environments...

In this episode, I’m talking about the emotional load so many HR, people and wellbeing professionals are carrying right now - and what it’s doing to us. If you’re constantly supporting others through change, uncertainty and big emotions, this one’s for you. I’m sharing some thoughts on boundaries, triggers, and why we all need time to process what we’re holding. Because looking after others should...

Let’s Talk About Guilt In this episode, I’m diving into something that’s been on my mind a lot lately - guilt. The constant, creeping kind that shows up even when I am getting things done. Whether I’m working on my business, spending time with my daughter, or just doing something I enjoy, there always seems to be a part of me asking, “But what about everything else?” Since my ADHD diagnosis, I’ve...

This one’s all about managers. The brilliant ones who help you grow, and the ones who slowly make you dread Mondays. I share stories of both, and unpack the massive impact people managers have on culture, wellbeing, and performance. From feedback styles to affinity bias, micromanagement to missed potential, we look at what really makes a great manager - and what happens when leadership blocks the...

In this episode, I reflect on what connection really means - especially as someone who’s introverted and sober. From the discomfort of small talk to the beauty of honest, quiet moments, I explore how we can build nourishing community in ways that actually work for us. I also look at how small acts of local connection might be more powerful than we realise, especially in a world that often feels ov...

In this episode, I’m chatting about all things change - the good, the bad and the messy middle. From organisational restructures to flying lessons (yes, really), I’m sharing thoughts on how we cope with uncertainty and what helps us stay steady when life gets wobbly. It’s part rant, part reflection, with a few wild rabbits and resilience tips thrown in. Dog Walk Thoughts. Join me, Clare E Kenny, a...

In this episode, I’m digging into the often-misunderstood concept of resilience. Are we genuinely bouncing back from challenges, or are we simply numbing ourselves to survive unsustainable demands? I explore how both individuals and organisations sometimes misuse resilience as a cover for deeper issues - and why it might be time to step out of the "briar patch" altogether. Expect personal stories,...

Is burnout just another word for stress? Not quite. In my latest podcast episode, I break down what burnout really is, how it differs from stress and anxiety, and why it’s more than just "being overwhelmed for too long." I explore: 🔹 How our nervous system reacts to constant stress 🔹 The hidden warning signs of burnout (including memory issues and cynicism) 🔹 Why workplaces often miss the real...

It’s one thing to have a vision for your culture, leadership, and people strategy - but how do you take it from words on a page to something that truly shapes the day-to-day reality of your business? In this episode, I explore what it takes to bridge that gap. From aligning leadership behaviours with company values to embedding your people strategy in everyday decisions, I share practical ways to...

I feel much more at peace with my addiction than I am with my anxiety.  I give the addict in me compassion, patience and grace, where the anxious person in me is treated with derision, impatience and frustration.  In this episode I talk a bit about how that shows up day to day, why that might be and what I am doing to try and shift the balance.  Dog Walk Thoughts. Join me, Clare E Kenny, as I take...

In this episode, we dive into the transformative power of sharing personal stories and how vulnerability can create connections. Join me as I explore how opening up about our struggles can change workplaces and cultures for the better. Dog Walk Thoughts. Join me, Clare E Kenny, as I take a stroll with my four dogs and dive into everything mental health and wellbeing. From navigating mental health...

PART 2. You can have the best wellbeing strategy in the world, you can be offering great benefits and initiatives and have market leading policies in place. But this doesn't always translate into a mentally healthy culture day to day.  in this third episode I discuss some of those main barriers that often get in the way of a truly mentally healthy culture at work.  Dog Walk thought - join me, Clar...