Frustrated And Exhausted

In this episode, we tackle the all-too-familiar “buffet” approach to time—why piling your schedule high with every request isn’t sustainable, and how to protect your energy for what really matters. The host shares practical strategies for setting boundaries, having trade-off conversations, and making your time more impactful—especially for women leaders prone to overcommitting. [00:01:02] – C...

Welcome to a powerful episode of Ruth: Frustrated and Exhausted, where our host is joined by Penny East, CEO of the Fawcett Society—the UK's leading charity campaigning for gender equality and women’s rights. Together, they dive deep into what equity really looks like in today’s fast-changing world. Penny sheds light on everything from closing the gender pay gap and the underrepresentation of wome...

Welcome to the 100th episode of  Frustrated and Exhausted ! In this milestone episode, I dive into the theme of “Soft Voice, Strong Spine,” unpacking the persistent myths around leadership, communication, and impact—especially for women in the workplace. Celebrating Episode 100: A heartfelt thank you to all listeners and supporters. Making it to 100 episodes is a proud achievement—especially...

This week, we're joined by Dr. Monica Nangia, a seasoned higher education leader with more than 20 years of experience. Dr. Monica is celebrated for her sharp insight, commitment to equity, and a powerful, student-centred leadership approach. She’s also leading an initiative capturing the stories of women of colour in higher education—spotlighting both their achievements and the barriers they've h...

In this episode of  Frustrated and Exhausted , I sit down with Silke Bloem, who shares her journey from physicist to research manager and leader, and the invaluable insights she's gained along the way. They unpack big topics around career pivots, the role of science in management, cultural assumptions, and what it really takes to build collaborative, trusting teams—especially when you’re “in...

In this heartfelt and timely episode of "Frustrated and Exhausted," I dive into the concept of "the politics of exhaustion". The discussion centers on how current political climates—characterized by division, blame, and relentless negative news cycles—are deeply impacting women's well-being, both at work and at home. I explore how societal and political systems perpetuate a chronic state of tiredn...

Welcome back to  Frustrated and Exhausted ! In this episode, your host dives deep into how to harness the revitalizing “September energy” and steer clear of the all-too-familiar sprint towards end-of-year burnout. Listen in and learn how to set the pace for a sustainable, energized team—without falling into the trap of constant urgency. [00:01:46] Different ways people return from leave and t...

Welcome to another episode of  Frustrated and Exhausted ! This week, we’re joined by Elizabeth Brauer, Head of HR at 1IO, for a heartfelt and honest conversation about stepping away from the traditional career path and redefining what success really means. Episode Highlights: Early Career Crossroads: Elizabeth shares how, at just 18, an unexpected life event led her away from the “expected” p...

In this episode, I dive deep into the concept of "taking up space" as women, leaders, and human beings in progress. Using the vibrant, expansive energy of summer as a metaphor, Ruth explores how we often feel more permission to expand — and why so many women are conditioned to shrink themselves, both literally and figuratively. [00:02:11] – Shrinking Ourselves & The Airplane Analogy Ruth share...

In this empowering episode of  Frustrated and Exhausted , we get to know Seema Kisney, who shares her journey from a working-class background in the north of England to a senior digital leadership role at the Royal College of Art. Seema’s story is about building a career with no blueprint—navigating tech, leadership, and ambition without a network or roadmap. Key Themes: Becoming What You Cou...

Welcome back to another episode of Frustrated and Exhausted, hosted by Ruth Wood! If your out-of-office is on, but your mind is juggling meetings, to-do lists, and family responsibilities, this episode is for you. [00:01:33] – Personal Story & Invisible Load Ruth discusses her difficulties in slowing down, the constant mental “tabs” open in her mind, and shares personal anecdotes of balancing...

In this episode, I take a slower, more reflective approach as she dives into the often-overlooked power of quiet seasons—those stretches when the emails dwindle, meetings fade away, and the pace of work noticeably softens. [00:01:54] The benefit of embracing stillness: greater clarity, realization of exhaustion, and focusing on what truly matters. The myth that speed equals competence is challenge...

In this episode, I dive deep into the media reaction and double standards surrounding British Chancellor Rachel Reeves showing emotion during a high-profile parliamentary session. I explore the gender biases at play, the different standards applied to male and female leaders, and the larger implications for women in leadership. (00:02:05 – 00:04:08) The Gender Double Standard: Ruth unpacks how tea...

In this episode, I dive into a subtle but persistent form of gendered undermining in leadership—the “little girling” of women. Think of those times when a woman delivers a strategic, thoughtful point, but the response is “you’re so passionate!” or “I love your energy!” I break down how these words are used in place of truly acknowledging women’s expertise and authority, explores why language like...

In this deeply thought-provoking episode, Ruth welcomes psychodynamics expert Julia Rogers to unpack the loaded concept of "hysteria" and its fraught historical connection with women and femininity. From ancient Greek medicine to Freud's consulting room and all the way through to the modern workplace, they explore how women's emotional expression has been pathologized and turned into a tool for co...

In this episode I dive into the concept of assertiveness for women in leadership. Explore common misconceptions around assertiveness, the societal conditioning that shapes how women express power, and offers practical tips on how to reclaim your voice authentically—without feeling the need to adopt an "alpha" persona or "bark to be heard." Assertiveness, is about clarity, boundaries, and self-resp...

In this episode of "Frustrated and Exhausted," I dive into the concept of the "achievement hangover"—that letdown or slump in energy and mood after reaching a major professional milestone. They explore why, after striving hard for a goal and achieving it, you might not feel the sense of fulfillment you expected. The discussion also covers societal and organizational expectations, particularly for...

In this episode, I’m calling out the confidence hype. We’ve all been told that if we just had more confidence, we’d get the job, the pay rise, the recognition. The truth is confidence is not the magic fix it’s made out to be. It’s often a cover for deeper stuff like privilege, practice, or just being loud. And when we buy into the idea that we’re not doing well because we’re not confident enough,...

We’re told to “just be authentic” as leaders. But let’s be honest, actually doing that can feel like ripping your chest open in front of a room full of people. In this episode, I’m diving into why being authentic sounds great in theory, but often feels uncomfortable in practice. I share a real story from a client who finally spoke up in a tough environment… and then spent the next 24 hours spirall...

What if the traditional idea of leadership, the way we’re told it should look, just doesn’t suit you? I’m unpacking why so much leadership advice feels awkward or just plain exhausting for some women. Maybe you don’t want to be the loudest in the room. Maybe being “always on” isn’t your thing. And maybe, just maybe, there’s another way to lead that actually feels like you . If you’ve ever felt lik...

Ever walked into a room and thought, “Oh... it’s just me then”? In this episode, I’m talking about what it’s really like to be the only woman in the room. The awkwardness. The invisible load. The way we manage, rather than just show up as we are. I’m sharing how those old patterns sneak back in, and how we can notice them, challenge them, and show up fully as ourselves anyway! Here are the highlig...

In this episode, I am unpacking the hidden cost of “good girl” conditioning in the workplace. From over apologising and people pleasing, to decision fatigue and emotional burnout, I explore how the pressure to be liked can chip away at our confidence, assertiveness, and authenticity. You’ll hear how these habits are wired into us, why they’re so hard to shake, and how we can start to rewire our re...

Do you take yourself as seriously as others do? That one question at a business event stopped me in my tracks, and sparked this episode. I’m reflecting on why we sometimes hold back, ignore our ambitions, or play smaller than we need to. We’ll explore how self doubt, fear of change, and putting others first can quietly chip away at our confidence. Here are the highlights Personal Growth (3:00) Cha...

What actually makes a leader inspiring? In this episode, I unpack what inspirational leadership looks like day to day, not just from a stage. We’re talking about connection, creativity, shared purpose, trust, and the quiet kind of presence that draws people in. I also share why you can’t inspire others if you’re running on empty, and what it takes to stay energised and creative as a leader. Here a...

Do you ever feel like you're carrying the weight of impossible standards? In this episode, I’m talking about how high expectations, especially the ones we set for ourselves, can sneakily lead to perfectionism, burnout, and self doubt. We’ll explore where these pressures come from, how they play out at work and home, and why “doing enough” is more powerful than it sounds. Here are the highlights In...