Join host Rachel Morris for Series 1 of Work Truths: Off the Record, as she sits down with a range of experts to explore the issue of Burnout, what it is, how to spot the signs, and how to help yourself and others handle and overcome it.
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Burnout - The Human Perspective - with Catherine Lightfoot
Why is burnout so often a hidden collapse?In this candid episode, host Rachel Morris and guest Catherine Lightfoot reframe burnout not as a single crash but as a “slow disappearing of self,” often hidden by masking - especially for neurodivergent professionals - and intensified by personal and organisational change.Listeners will get concrete takeaways for themselves and others:How to spot disconnection behind the word “fine,”How to design humane policies and communication processesHow to encourage simple regulation rituals like brief daily check‑insTune in for a practical compass—self, share, support—and the deceptively powerful prompt Catherine shares which she now lives by: What do I need right now?Key Discussion PointsBurnout as a slow fade, not a single crash — why “slowness” matters and what it looks like day to day.The hidden toll of masking (especially for ADHD and other neurodivergences) and how it obscures warning signs.Two deceptively simple check‑ins that rebuild regulation: a “six‑minute” ritual and a five‑year micro‑journal.Why “I’m fine” is a red flag — and how managers can navigate power dynamics to earn real answers.Support that actually helps vs. harms: choosing therapy, somatic work, or coaching at the right stage.The guilt/shame loop that delays stopping — and the moment an external voice can (and should) break it.Policy meets humanity: what great employers do to prevent, respond, and communicate without adding harm.A cautionary tale for HR ops: automated processes (like performance letters) that retraumatize people on leave.Rebuilding identity when work has become “who I am” — a question every high performer should ask.A practical framework to share with teams: self, share, support — or as she puts it, What do I need right now?Guest InformationCatherine Lightfoot is an executive coach, HR consultant, and the founder of Fire & Light Coaching. Her work helps leaders and organisations move through complexity with clarity and care.With a background in senior leadership across sectors, Catherine brings a rare combination of strategic insight and lived experience to her work. Her own journey through burnout, fertility treatment, ADHD diagnosis, and maternity leave and return has shaped her understanding of how crucial the right support at the right time can be—especially for women and neurodivergent professionals navigating high-pressure environments. She now specialises in ADHD coaching for leaders as well as maternity coaching for women getting ready for and returning from leave.Through her coaching and consultancy, she helps others create sustainable change leaning in to their strengths and finding their authenticity.You can find more info on her website, socials or sign up to her newsletter.Website: https://fireandlightcoaching.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-lightfoot-coach/Newsletter: https://fire-light-coaching.kit.com/email-list-newInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/fireandlightcoach/
Work Truths: Off the Record is a multi-series podcast focused on revealing the stories and emotions that shape us at work, hosted by Rachel Morris, executive coach and award-winning author. Each series will focus on an experience that is topical and common to many working people – one that is often hidden or unspoken, yet perhaps unsurprisingly, is frequently brought into the coaching room.Through conversations with different professional experts, perspectives on the topic will be aired, explored and deeper insight gained, taking hidden experiences and sharing them for more people to learn and to benefit from.Series One: BurnoutIn the first series of Work Truths: Off the Record, we’re diving into the topic of ‘workplace burnout’, which is widely reported to be on the rise globally, with recent data showing record levels of burnout amongst a wide range of employee groups. The factors contributing to burnout are complex, and the impact on an individual experiencing it is often severe. Which is why, in each episode of the series, host Rachel Morris will be asking a different expert to share their insights and experiences, to bring understanding, comfort and inspiration to us all.This series will be equally relevant and interesting to those supporting someone through burnout, experiencing burnout themselves, or simply curious about the topic.
UK