Beyond Chronic Burnout: The Talk Show for Women & Helping Professionals

What’s draining your energy—and how can you protect what little you have left? In this powerful first episode of our new monthly series Things That Really Matter , Carole Jean and Becca Lory Hector dive into the often invisible emotional and mental toll that autistic individuals face—especially in a world that can feel increasingly marginalizing. Together, they explore: ✨ How to identify and avoi...

Beware of the Restoration Illusion Trap!  Have you ever thought you were out of burnout, only to find yourself back in it?  Many autistic women face this sneaky trap where temporary relief feels like recovery. But it's just a return to baseline burnout.  Today, we're exploring the concept of your "autistic blueprint" and how building foundations for a deeply connected relationship with yourself ca...

What happens when autistic women take the mic during Autism Awareness Month—on their terms? In this Social Saturdays episode, we’re joined by powerhouse advocate, educator, and fellow autistic woman Sara Bradford for a real conversation on shifting the narrative of Autism Awareness Month from external education to internal empowerment. 🔹 Highlights you won’t want to miss: A behind-the-scenes look...

For many autistic women, being believed is a battle . From childhood, we’re told our experiences aren’t real, that we’re “too much” or “not enough.” It’s time to change that. This week, we explore narrative therapy —how storytelling fosters self-trust, validation, and healing. Whether you’re autistic or a helping professional, this episode is for you. ✨ Includes: ✅ Guided meditation for self-val...

Do you ever feel like you’re living on autopilot, disconnected from what you truly want? Like you’re moving through life checking off tasks, but when you stop, you realize—you don’t even know you ? In this episode, we dive into the powerful self-discovery questions that transformed my life. These aren’t just prompts—they’re invitations to unmask, to reconnect, and to rediscover you . Whether you'r...

What does it mean to lead as your authentic self? In this compelling episode, we explore the evolving landscape of autistic leadership with Philip King-Lowe, host of Today's Autistic Moment , as he celebrates his 100th episode milestone. Philip shares the profound impact of amplifying autistic voices, fostering community, and redefining leadership for 2025 and beyond. Expect to uncover: 🔥 Aut...

Do you ever feel like you’re running on empty, constantly shifting who you are to fit into different situations? In this episode, we’re diving deep into the connection between masking and autistic burnout—why it happens, how it impacts autistic women, and the signs to watch for before burnout takes over. I’ll share my own experience with burnout, the role of masking styles (especially the Integrat...

Imagine living a life where you fully embrace who you are, without the need to hide or conform. Episode 190, “The Invisible Struggle: How Autistic Women Lose Themselves” offers a path to rediscovering your authentic self and stepping into your true identity. Learn practical steps to unmasking and living with genuine self-trust and peace.  🔗 Take the Masking Styles Quiz and discover if you’re The...

Have you ever felt like you’re holding back your true voice? Struggled with self-acceptance or body image? In this episode of Beyond Chronic Burnout , host Carole Jean Whittington sits down with leadership expert and spiritual medium Kara Bunde-Dunn to explore the profound impact of stepping into your authentic voice. Kara shares insights on how self-acceptance transforms body image and overall we...

In this episode of Beyond Chronic Burnout , I sit down with Jerry Marcus, an inspiring disability and mental health leader who shares his invaluable insights on navigating leadership, burnout, and self-care. Jerry highlights the importance of setting a culture that values mental health within organizations and emphasizes the need for leaders to create supportive environments where well-being is pr...

Appreciative Rest is Taking in and Appreciating the beauty around you. (Phase III of The UnVeiling Method - 7 Forms of Rest Other Than Sleep) Creative rest practice is the active form of appreciative rest where you are creating by painting, writing, sewing, singing, playing an instrument etc. Signs of Appreciative Rest Depletion: ●     focus on the needs of others and don’t consider your needs a ...

Create a Cozy Space in Your Mind - Pause for a quick Rapid Recharge Lab Session with me. Your internal space deserves comfort too. Negative self-talk can create heavy feelings, but with a simple reframe, you can build a lighter, more harmonious mental space.  Here’s how: 💭 Step 1: Notice the thought. 💭 Step 2: Pause and ask yourself, “How can I reframe this with kindness?” 💭 Step 3: Try one of...

✨ Grief, burnout, and the holidays... it's a powerful mix that so many of us face in different ways. In this special 4-episode series on Beyond Chronic Burnout , we’re diving deep into these topics with incredible guests: 💬 Samantha Pickering on the layers of grief, child loss and navigating complex emotions 🎨 Peta O’Brien Day on rediscovering creativity and joy after the loss of a spouse &...

Grief is complex, and for neurodivergent and disabled individuals, it often shows up in unique ways. In this bonus episode, Carole Jean Whittington—host of Beyond Chronic Burnout —shares her expertise on the intersection of grief and burnout, especially for neurodivergent folks. From the loss of a loved one to the grief of letting go of a career, an identity, or even family relationships, Carole J...

Grief and burnout often go hand in hand, and they can feel overwhelming during the holiday season. In this compassionate conversation, mental health counselor and grief specialist Kate Rylander explores the ways grief and burnout intersect, especially for neurodivergent and disabled individuals. Kate’s work through HonoringX , an organization supporting parents grieving child loss, emphasizes the...

Grief changes us in profound ways—and for neurodivergent and disabled folks, it can be even more overwhelming. In this episode, brand messaging strategist and podcast host Peta O’Brien Day shares her story of navigating grief after the loss of her husband and the burnout that followed. Peta’s journey took her from youth work to a creative career in copywriting, but it wasn’t easy. She talks about...

The holidays can bring joy, but for those navigating grief, they often amplify the pain of loss.  In this heartfelt conversation, Life Coach and Grief Educator Samantha Pickering shares her journey after the devastating loss of her son, Thomas. Samantha opens up about the challenges of grief during the holidays, societal expectations around grieving, and the tools she uses to support herself and o...

Struggling to balance burnout and fulfillment in the workplace? This episode explores how autistic individuals can find deeper purpose, foster meaningful connections, and create neuro-inclusive work environments.  Join A.J. Locashio and Jessica Jahns from Umbrella Alliance US as they share their personal journeys through burnout, the power of interdependence, and how building trust and support can...

Is “balance” an elusive goal? Join us as visual artist and writer Coco Stroppelli reveals her journey from self-discovery to thriving as a neurodivergent entrepreneur.  In this episode, Coco challenges traditional work norms and shares insights into crafting a life of harmony rather than balance. Discover how to create accessible workspaces, an accessible life, embrace creative resilience, and red...

Autistic burnout is real, relentless, and rarely addressed. Join us as Becca Lory Hector, an autistic DEIB advocate and workplace consultant, reveals her personal journey through burnout and the groundbreaking strategies she's developed to support neurodivergent individuals in demanding workplaces.  Discover why outdated work structures need a major overhaul and how self-advocacy, boundaries, and...

In this live episode, we're joined by internationally recognized recruiter and professional speaker, Dan Roth, as he shares his unique insights on anxiety and depression, and self-care during career transitions and growth—whether you're a job seeker or an HR professional.  Known for his powerful storytelling and dynamic speaking style, Dan draws on his personal journey from trials to triumph to of...

Ever feel like you're "miserably successful"? In this episode of Beyond Chronic Burnout , we dive deep with bestselling author and TEDx speaker Cortney McDermott on what it really means to redefine success.  Cortney opens up about her journey from corporate success to internal fulfillment, sharing how societal pressures and consumerism fuel our sense of “not enough.”  Together, we explore practica...

Are you or someone you know struggling with the job search process? Or maybe you’re a small business owner looking for a better way to find the right talent.    In this insightful episode of Beyond Chronic Burnout , Carole Jean Whittington sits down with Jacqueline Diez, a thought leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion, to unpack the hidden stressors in job searching and recruiting.  Jacquelin...

In Episode 178 of Beyond Chronic Burnout , Jagmeet Kaur Sangha , a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, joins the show to discuss how building intentional and supportive communities in the workplace can address burnout and promote self-awareness.  Jagmeet explains how her approach to Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) helps foster environments where neurodiversity thrives, leading to innovation...

Whether you're a DEIB professional, an advocate, or someone looking to foster deeper connections within your community, this episode offers valuable insights and practical strategies to help you create a more inclusive world. In this enlightening episode of Beyond Chronic Burnout , host Carole Jean Whittington sits down with Dr. Scott Frasard, an experienced educator and autism advocate.  Together...