The Burnout Recovery Podcast

In the first episode of our Music, Mental Health and Wellbeing series, Dr. Jo Braid explores how breaks function as preventative medicine for your brain and shares a transformative personal story from her days as a junior doctor. Discover why embracing life's 50/50 emotional reality and understanding the science of oxytocin can revolutionize your approach to wellbeing. Resources: Work with Dr. Jo:...

Dr. Jo Braid announces a two-week pause from podcast recording while travelling with family, demonstrating the four pillars of burnout recovery in action. She explains how this intentional break embodies connection by prioritizing deep family relationships, sleep through allowing her nervous system to truly rest, movement as joyful rather than obligatory, and mindset by releasing guilt around step...

In this powerful episode, we explore how cognitive overload acts as a hidden precursor to burnout, revealing the neuroscience behind why your brain feels constantly overwhelmed. You'll discover the three types of cognitive load and learn to recognize the early warning signs before they derail your well-being. We dive deep into practical, evidence-based strategies you can implement starting with yo...

In this powerful episode, Dr. Sunny Smith shares her transformative journey from full-time professor at UC San Diego to building a multimillion-dollar coaching business serving women physicians worldwide. After a life-changing bicycle accident in Tahiti left her immobilized and reflecting on life's priorities, Sunny discovered the power of coaching and created the most effective physician wellness...

Join Dr Jo Braid for a vulnerable and empowering mid-year check-in as she shares her personal journey through the first half of 2025, including achieving 150% of her annual speaking goals and how her word of the year "simplicity" has created effortless flow in her life. Discover how living by the four foundational pillars - Mindset, Movement, Sleep, and Support - enables authentic success without...

This week's episode explores the powerful connection between vulnerability and professionalism in healthcare, inspired by a transformative wellbeing session at Bathurst Health Service. Dr. Jo shares how allied health professionals and hospital executives created a culture of rewarded vulnerability by openly discussing their daily emotional experiences and boundary-setting challenges. You'll discov...

Dr Jo Braid shares insights from her recent holiday recovery, drawing fascinating parallels between jet lag and burnout recovery. Discover how the same four pillars that help your body adjust to new time zones can transform your approach to burnout recovery. Key Topics Covered: Why jet lag and burnout are both rhythm disorders How the four pillars (mindset, movement, sleep, support) apply to both...

In this illuminating episode, Dr. Carlo Bellini shares his journey from practising physician to healthcare transformation expert, revealing powerful insights about emotional blueprints and their connection to burnout. Carlo introduces his framework for achieving high agency behaviours, emphasizing how understanding our "shame-free wants" and expanding our emotional range can prevent burnout before...

In this empowering episode, Dr Jo Braid explores why burnout recovery requires a marathon mindset rather than a sprint approach. You'll discover practical strategies across the four pillars of recovery—mindset, movement, sleep, and support—that create sustainable healing. Learn how small, consistent actions lead to profound transformation and why celebrating every milestone matters on...

In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Susannah Ward shares powerful insights on physician wellness and the emerging role of Chief Medical Wellness Officers in preventing burnout among doctors. We explore innovative systemic approaches to healthcare worker wellbeing, including anonymous reporting systems for workplace issues and dedicated wellness leadership positions with executive support. Dr. W...

In this episode of the Burnout Recovery Podcast, Dr. Jo Braid explores the critical role emotions play in our professional lives and challenges the outdated notion that emotions should be checked at the door when we arrive at work. Key points covered: Why emotional awareness is essential for workplace effectiveness and wellbeing The science behind emotions at work and their impact on performance P...

In this illuminating episode of the Burnout Recovery Podcast, Dr. Jo Braid welcomes Dr. Em Wong, an internal medicine and women's health specialist with expertise in integrative health from Hong Kong. Dr. Wong brings her unique perspective as a physician, author, educator on brain health, and multimedia artist to share powerful insights on the connection between healthy aging and burnout recovery....

In this episode, we explore the transformative concept of "imperfect consistency" - prioritising the act of doing rather than the pursuit of perfection. We contrast perfect inconsistency (waiting for ideal conditions) with imperfect consistency (showing up regularly regardless of conditions) and examine how this approach can decrease your inner critic while building confidence. The episode unpacks...

In this episode, Dr. Jo Braid explores how small daily irritations—the "pebbles in your shoe"—can significantly impact wellbeing and contribute to burnout when left unaddressed. Drawing from insights at the recent Psychological Safety Summit, she shares how seemingly minor issues like "not having somewhere to store my bag" can create constant cognitive drain through what researchers ca...

In this episode of The Burnout Recovery Podcast, host Dr. Jo Braid reflects on the recent junior doctor strike in New South Wales, highlighting the importance of creating systemic change to address the unsustainable demands placed on healthcare workers. Dr. Braid shares her approach to leading her rehabilitation team through uncertainty with calm, intentional collaboration, and resilience, drawing...

In this episode of The Burnout Recovery Podcast, host Dr. Jo Braid has an inspiring discussion with mental health advocate and endurance athlete Sally Orange, MBE. Sally and Jo met years back during their university degrees through the Royal Army Medical Corps. Sally shares how her transition from a military career, due to mental health challenges, reshaped her identity and how she now uses endura...

In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Jo Braid explores how burnout develops through "death by a thousand paper cuts" and introduces the powerful concept of "micro moments of recovery." Discover seven simple practices that take less than a minute each but can dramatically shift your burnout trajectory when done consistently. Learn the fascinating science behind how small, intentional moments activate y...

In episode 124 of The Burnout Recovery Podcast hosted by Dr. Jo Braid, listeners delve into solo coping strategies crucial for tackling burnout. Dr. Braid provides insights into both unhelpful and helpful coping mechanisms, encourages awareness of internal and external stressors, and offers practical steps to build self efficacy. Tune in to discover how shifting from avoidance to problem-focused s...

In this episode of The Burnout Recovery Podcast, hosted by Dr. Jo Braid, listeners are taken on an insightful journey into the world of psychosocial risk factors in healthcare workplaces and how they contribute to burnout. Dr. Braid shares research-driven insights, personal experiences from her recent locum work, and practical strategies for both individuals and organizations to address these chal...

In this episode of The Burnout Recovery Podcast, host Dr. Jo Braid delves into the crucial topic of setting personal boundaries during burnout recovery. She shares practical strategies for recognizing warning signs, defining non-negotiables, and crafting assertive responses. Tune in to discover why saying no is not just about creating limits but about affirming a deeper yes to your own well-being...

In this episode of The Burnout Recovery Podcast, host Dr. Jo Braid welcomes guest Morwenna Williams, a registered nurse and midwife who has transformed her life through coaching after experiencing burnout. Morwenna shares her journey of regaining energy, redefining her values, and exploring new professional avenues, including becoming a coach herself. Listen in for an inspiring conversation that o...

In this episode of The Burnout Recovery Podcast, Dr. Jo Braid delves into a reflective conversation with her former self, exploring the transformative lessons learned from her journey through personal challenges and burnout. She candidly discusses the evolution of her relationship with herself, from the days of striving for perfection and resisting help, to embracing self-compassion, patience, and...

In episode 119 of The Burnout Recovery Podcast, host Dr. Jo Braid delves into the transformative power of sleep as a vital component of burnout recovery. She unveils the science behind how sleep aids brain detoxification and emotional reset, emphasizing the significance of establishing consistent routines to harness its full benefits. Tune in to discover practical tips like the 3-2-1 wind down met...

In this episode of The Burnout Recovery Podcast, Dr. Jo Braid explores strategies for managing burnout recovery during the challenging summer months, offering practical tips such as adopting a summer split schedule, utilizing water for recovery, and navigating social pressures. With a focus on understanding the relationship between heat and stress, listeners are encouraged to tailor their routines...

In this episode, Dr. Jo Braid interviews Dr. Ettie Ben-Shabat, a physiotherapist specializing in neurological rehabilitation with expertise in neuro-imaging. Dr. Ben-Shabat emphasizes that when rehabilitation clinicians have a deep understanding of neurological imaging, it significantly enhances their ability to tailor treatments effectively and efficiently. This knowledge allows clinicians to pin...