Beneath the Busy: Insights into Workplace Mental Health

It’s our anniversary, and we’re turning the mic inward. In this special episode of Beneath the Busy , our Producer and Editor Toto sat down with our host Lauren Davis, for a raw, honest conversation about her own journey. Beyond the podcasting, Lauren shares her personal experiences, the moments that shaped her, and what it truly means to lead with authenticity in both life and work. We dive into:...

In this deeply moving inaugural guest episode of Beneath the Busy , Lauren Davis sits down with Dr. Shirley Zinn, a renowned leadership expert, non-executive director, and author of Swimming Upstream . This conversation transcends typical leadership advice, diving into the raw, human experiences that shape how we lead, heal, and thrive in high-pressure environments. Dr. Zinn shares her powerful pe...

In this powerful episode, clinical psychologist Lauren Davis sits down with representatives from SADAG (South African Depression and Anxiety Group) for an in-depth discussion on workplace mental health. They explore what poor mental health really looks like in the workplace - often masked under high-performing behavior rather than obvious signs.  The conversation covers the overlap between burnout...

Burnout isn't just about being tired - it's a serious mental health condition that mimics depression, anxiety, and even PTSD. In this powerful episode originally aired on Corporate Burnouts, clinical psychologist Lauren Davis joins to reveal what happens beneath the surface of burnout and why we need to take it far more seriously than casual conversation suggests. Lauren explains that wh...

What if the real obstacle to your success isn't your abilities, but your belief in your worth? In this season 2 special Lauren Davis sits down with Regina Larko to explore the hidden fears that keep high-achieving leaders up at night - the universal question of "Am I good enough?" that persists regardless of titles, accolades, or salary. With years of experience supporting executive...

In this special PODCASTHON episode, Lauren Davis explores the critical intersection of mental health stigma and access to care. Featuring the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), this episode reveals how 1 in 8 people worldwide live with mental health conditions yet remain trapped in silence due to both internal stigma and systemic barriers to care. Discover how SADAG's innovat...

Burnout and compassion fatigue are reaching crisis levels in HR and leadership roles. In this episode of Beneath the Busy, Lauren Davis explores the hidden emotional cost of being the person everyone relies on and why caring roles are breaking under the weight of constant demand. This conversation goes beneath surface level self care to unpack compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, and the nervous...

Why do high achievers struggle to feel “enough” even when they’re performing at their best? In this episode of Beneath the Busy , Clinical Psychologist & Leadership Coach Lauren Davis explores the proving mindset : the quiet pressure to earn your worth through achievement and the emotional cost of carrying that pressure for years. Through the story of Zane, a respected senior leader on the edg...

Why do so many high-performing leaders feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and strangely unaccomplished, even after incredibly busy days? In Season 2, Episode 2 of Beneath the Busy , Lauren Davis explores the hidden psychology behind busyness, burnout, leadership pressure, productivity dysmorphia, and chronic urgency . You’ll learn: Why busyness has become a status symbol in modern work How leaders mista...

In this episode, Lauren Davis unpacks The Leadership Paradox — why today’s leaders operate under Olympic-level expectations with almost no built-in support. We explore the hidden cost of resilience, the emotional labour leaders and HR carry, and how high performance quietly becomes burnout in slow motion. Through psychological insight and decades of coaching high-performing executives, Lauren reve...

If rest makes you restless, this episode is for you. In the Season 1 finale of Beneath the Busy , we look beneath the polished surface of high performance to explore a quietly harmful dynamic: work addiction. It often looks like dedication—but underneath is a loop of anxiety, avoidance, and a relentless need to prove. You’ll learn: What work addiction is (and isn’t) Why it hides in plain sight—esp...

Anxiety often hides behind high performance, overthinking, and the need to stay in control. In this episode, we unpack what anxiety really is, and what it isn’t.  You’ll learn:  – How anxiety hijacks your nervous system  – Why it can mask itself as productivity or people-pleasing  – A practical tool to interrupt spirals (the “What If” antidote)  – And how to work with anxiety, not just fight it Be...

Most of us were never taught how to feel our feelings; let alone why it matters. In this episode, we explore what emotions are really trying to tell us, how the brain responds to emotional overwhelm, and why “naming it to tame it” is more than just a clever phrase. You’ll learn:  – Why emotional suppression backfires  – How to sit with uncomfortable feelings without spiralling  – A simple reflecti...

In this follow-up episode of Beneath the Busy , we explore why blurred boundaries are more than just a personal struggle, they’re a systemic issue.  When leaders can’t say no, burnout becomes the norm. This is the how episode: how to set boundaries that hold - without guilt, collapse, or disconnection. Because boundaries aren’t soft skills. They’re survival skills. Tune in and reclaim your edge. T...

Ever said “yes” when your whole body was saying “no”?  You’re not alone.  In this episode of Beneath the Busy , Lauren Davis unpacks why boundaries matter, why people-pleasing keeps us stuck, and how busyness can be a shield that hides our discomfort. It’s time to step off the resentment loop and start living with more self-respect. Tune in now and let’s get beneath the busy. Thanks for listening!...

We’re told discipline is the key to success, but what if that’s a trap?  In this episode, Lauren Davis explores a kinder, more sustainable way to care for ourselves: one that's rooted in discernment and honours our humanity rather than turning us into productivity machines. Tune in to uncover why more force isn’t the answer, and what actually supports sustainable growth. Thanks for listening!...

We’ve all been sold on the quick fixes: drink more water, meditate, exercise, repeat. But why do these things often feel like a temporary bandaid?  In this episode, I’m unpacking why chasing after temporary solutions won’t get us where we need to go.  Instead, it’s about small, consistent shifts that rewire our approach to work and life. Forget the checklist mentality. Wellbeing is an ongoing prac...

Busy is the New Lazy, and it’s costing you. In this episode of Beneath the Busy , Lauren Davis invites you to take a breath and get brutally honest:  Is all that busyness really necessary, or is it just a convenient cover? We unpack: Why we wear “busy” like a badge of honour The myth of productivity and its hidden emotional cost How staying constantly in motion keeps us disconnected — from ourselv...

Exhaustion is a deep-rooted issue that spans centuries, and in this episode, we explore its historical evolution—from ancient Greece to the Protestant Reformation and the Industrial Revolution, right up to the digital age. Why are we so tired, and how did we become addicted to busyness? We dive into the historical and cultural forces that have shaped our modern-day exhaustion and the ironic ways w...

In this quick preview, we’re diving into the roots of exhaustion—why we're so hooked on being busy, how our cultural history has shaped this obsession, and the paradox of doing more to feel better. Get a glimpse of what's coming in Episode 2, as we explore the history of exhaustion and how it's more than just a modern problem. Thanks for listening! If you’re ready to take this furth...

There is still so much stigma around the term Mental Health and yet it’s a vital part of our daily lives. In this episode, we’re breaking down what mental health truly means, why it’s so much more than burnout or resilience, and how you can start checking in with yourself in an honest and grounded way. Whether you’re a leader managing a team, an HR professional trying to create mentally healthy or...

In this quick preview of Episode 1 - Demystifying Mental Health, we’re diving into the truth behind mental health. It’s more than just burnout or resilience—it’s about understanding what mental health really is and how to check in with yourself in a grounded, meaningful way. Get a taste of what's to come in this powerful, no-fluff sneak peek. Thanks for listening! If you’re ready to take this...

A Glimpse Beneath the Busy Podcast is your first step into uncovering the space beyond the hustle. In this brief introduction, Lauren Davis gives you a sneak peek into what’s to come—deep conversations that explore the quieter, more meaningful aspects of life, work, and everything in between. Take a moment to pause, breathe, and join us as we peel back the layers of what lies beneath the busy. Tha...

Beneath the Busy — my new podcast — launches on the 1st of May. After 20+ years of working with CEOs, frontline workers, and everyone in between, I’ve seen the same thing again and again: We’re all fighting the same battle — the pressure to be always on . It’s exhausting. And it’s time we talk about it — really talk about it. That’s why I created the Beneath the Busy podcast. To have deeper conver...