Frustrated And Exhausted

In this episode, Ruth explores the underlying reasons why intelligent, experienced people often hold back from saying what they really think at work—especially on leadership teams. What looks like workplace “niceness” may actually be a way of managing social threat, not genuine trust or alignment. Ruth explains how neuroscience (specifically the SCARF model) sheds light on why disagreement feels so uncomfortable, why silence can become the norm, and how organizations unwittingly reinforce these dynamics.

Key Topics

In this episode, Ruth is joined by Kathryn Eade, Head of Strategic Change at the University of Salford and founder of the Female Leadership Collective. With over 20 years' experience in leading change and supporting growth, Kathryn Eade shares her insights on what really makes change possible within organizations. The conversation covers the realities of driving sustainable transformation, the human side of change, and the importance of fostering collaborative environments.

Key Topics Discussed

In this episode, Ruth explores the hidden drivers behind team and organizational performance that are rarely discussed—conditions and systems rather than just individual leadership strengths. Rather than focusing solely on whether “we have the right people,” Ruth challenges leaders to consider the environment and structures shaping behavior and outcomes.

Key Topics

In this episode, Ruth is joined by Tina Muglani Siddiqui, whose dynamic career has spanned the aviation, hospitality, and construction industries, as well as her current role in fintech and her charity work as treasurer and board trustee at the Asian Women's Resource Centre. Together, they explore the complexities leaders face when deciding whether to persist or pivot in their careers, and discuss key lessons in leadership, resilience, and the importance of following your heart.

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In this episode, Ruth unpacks the subtle dynamics that emerge when highly capable people in organizations become hesitant to speak up in team settings. Drawing from a recent experience observing a leadership team, Ruth explores why discussions become constrained and what really underlies this common organizational challenge.

Key Topics Discussed

In this episode, Ruth dives into a pervasive issue she’s observed in high-performing organizations: why even the most capable, committed people end up feeling exhausted at work. Drawing on real-life conversations with senior leaders and research like Christina Maslach’s work on burnout, Ruth explores how exhaustion isn’t always about personal resilience, but frequently about weary, outdated systems and misalignments in the workplace.

Key Topics

In this episode of "Frustrated and Exhausted," Ruth returns after a brief pause to reflect on what’s really at the root of burnout, frustration, and stagnation—especially for women in leadership. Rather than focusing solely on personal development, Ruth explores how broader organizational systems and workplace conditions profoundly shape individual experience and behavior.

Key Topics

In this episode I explore a tough but hopeful topic: why trust can erode in organizations even when leaders have the best intentions. Drawing from real conversations and coaching experiences with senior leaders, the episode unpacks the difference between a leader’s intent and the reality employees experience on the ground.

Intent vs. Impact:

How Trust Erodes Quietly...

Welcome to Frustrated and Exhausted, In this episode, we dig into an important leadership topic: the difference between genuine trust and simply being “nice” within senior teams. Why do so many organizations confuse harmony and collegiality with real, risk-taking trust, and what does this confusion cost?

Trust vs. Niceness

Avoidance and Its Pitfalls

Welcome back to another episode of Frustrated and Exhausted. In this episode, I dive deep into the reasons why leaders often shy away from clarity—and the real costs this can have on teams and organizations.

Welcome back to Frustrated and Exhausted! In this insightful episode, I dive into the reality behind those endlessly repetitive leadership conversations that never seem to spark real change. If you’ve ever left a meeting feeling like “everything was said but nothing changed,” this one’s for you.

In this episode, I explore the often-overlooked connection between belonging and performance at work. Rather than framing belonging as something "nice" or optional, I make the case that real belonging is foundational for teams and organizations to function at their best.

In this episode of Frustrated and Exhausted, Speaker I dive into the powerful topic of how unreliable leadership impacts women, their well-being, and their performance at work. Instead of focusing on personal shortcomings, I challenge the common narrative around burnout and exhaustion, encouraging listeners to look at the environments and conditions that drive these feelings.

In this reflective year-end episode, I take listeners on a gentle pause to sit with the reality of the year they've just carried. It's not the polished, social-media version of the year, but an honest look at what women, especially in leadership and career spaces, have held—often invisibly. From emotional loads and endless mental tabs to the weight of responsibilities, self-doubt, and cultural change, this episode speaks directly to those feeling stretched and tired.

What We Carried:

Welcome to "Frustrated and Exhausted, a podcast dedicated to empowering women in their careers and leadership journeys without compromising well-being or sanity.

In this heartfelt holiday episode, Resonate Leadership I offer listeners a gentle, much-needed "permission slip" for Christmas Eve—a reminder that self-care is just as important as caring for others. It’s an invitation to pause, rest, and release the weight of perfectionism, especially as the year comes to a close.

Key Themes:

Welcome to another episode of "Frustrated and Exhausted," where we talk all things women, career, and leadership without sacrificing well-being. This episode, “The Inclusion Edit,” is a special compilation celebrating two years of bold, honest, and insightful conversations. This time, we look at inclusion as more than a corporate initiative—it's a human practice, an engine for performance, trust, and belonging.

Episode Highlights

1. Neurodiversity and Authentic Workplaces

Welcome to the two-year anniversary of Frustrated and Exhausted! In this special “Purpose Edit” episode, we’re taking a grounded look at what purpose really means for women’s careers and leadership—well beyond the usual cliches. This episode features conversations with three remarkable women whose leadership journeys show that purpose is shaped by everyday choices, resilience, courage, and deep-rooted values.

Featured Guests:

Caroline Colliston, Managing Partner for Scotland at DWF:

Caroline shares her candid reflections on balancing ambition, family, and self-compassion. She discusses how her inner drive has been shaped in part by her rel...

Welcome to a special two-year anniversary compilation episode of "Frustrated and Exhausted." This week, the focus is on resilience—but not in the “just carry on” sense. The conversation centers on women, career, and leadership, celebrating how real resilience is about self-knowledge, owning your experience, and resisting the urge to shrink.

Featured Guests and Themes:

In this thoughtful episode, I explore the familiar pressure to “finish strong” as the year winds down. I unpacks the sense of collective urgency that builds in workplaces and homes as December approaches—from inboxes full of end-of-year reviews to the desire for neat conclusions on projects, goals, and even holiday celebrations.

Key Topics:

In this insightful episode, I dive deep into the theme of self-reflection and authenticity in leadership. I explore how leaders can become distanced from their true selves, often falling for a curated and polished version that feels safe and familiar. Through personal stories and coaching anecdotes, I unpack the subtle dangers of self-delusion and the ego’s protective fog.

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In this inspiring conversation, Lucy Barnes shares her personal journey from growing up in the care system to her current role as a pupil barrister and founder of Lawyers who Care—the UK’s first organisation creating mentoring and paid work experience for care experienced aspiring lawyers.

Lucy talks candidly about overcoming adversity, the importance of high expectations for care experienced young people, and how her background has cultivated skills essential for a career in law: resilience, resourcefulness, and self-advocacy. She reflects on moving beyond survival mode to making systemic change, championing the idea that care leavers not...

Today, we’re diving deep into the lesser-talked-about “shadowy side” of leadership. While leadership is often framed around positivity, strength, and values, there’s a whole set of unseen influences—the parts of ourselves we’d rather not acknowledge—that shape the way we lead. Drawing on ideas from Freud, Carl Jung, and practical leadership coaching, we explore how ignoring our shadows can come back to bite us, why avoidance doesn’t make our flaws disappear, and how self-awareness and ownership are crucial to sustainable, authentic leadership.

[00:01:06] – The Concept of the Shadow in Leadership

Welcome to “Frustrated and Exhausted,” the podcast supporting women in career and leadership. In this reflective October episode, I dive deep into how past experiences can quietly haunt us in our professional lives—especially as the season shifts and we find ourselves reflecting more.

Recognizing these patterns is crucial. I advise listeners to name the beliefs that haunt them and examine if they're still relevant or helpful. Through reflection, we can thank the past for its lessons and consciously decide to move forward.

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The concept of hauntings from past experiences: Discussing how old commen...

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] – Connecting the buffet analogy to overstuffed workloads at work

[00:01:46] – Why September is a peak "just a quick thing" season and prime time for overcommitment

[00:02:36] – The challenge of boundaries, especially for women, and reframing them as necessary for impact

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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 women in AI and politics, to ongoing workplace barriers and the challenges of combating violence against women and girls. The conversation unpacks the everyday realities women face, the nuances of new technology like A...

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 given how many podcasts don’t make it past the first few.

[00:00:43] – Episode Theme: “Soft Voice, Strong Spine”

Speaker A explains the focus on nuanced leadership and how a softer approach can have more impact.

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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 had to overcome.

What we cover in this episode:

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 the middle” between different stakeholders.

From Physics Lab to Leadership:

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 tiredness, especially for women. From right-wing protests to polarized debates in the UK, the news is overwhelming and draining energy from individuals and communities.

Distressing statistics highlight the rise of violence against women and girls in t...

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 the misleading appearance of “energy” that might actually be urgency.

[00:02:29] Signs of urgency in teams—diary bookings, new initiatives, sprint mindset, and the cost of sustained urgency.

[00:03:19] Rest as ongoing replenishment—not just a one-time rech...

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” pathway (college → university → job) and into an unconventional—and ultimately fulfilling—career.

Ambition and Pressure:

Elizabeth reflects on the pressures (real and imagined!) she felt as a young mum, her innate...

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

[00:03:23] – Everyday Examples of Shrinking

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:

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

[00:04:03] – The Emotional & Invisible Labor

[00:05:53] – Normalizing Guilt & Redefining...

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.

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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:

(00:04:08 – 00:08:00) Emotional Expression in Leadership:

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 this is damaging, and offers strategies for reframing, redirecting, and challenging such comments. I encourage listeners to recognise and resist this reductive behavior, and to find supportive allies and spaces where the issue can be o...

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 control and dismissal.

Key Takeaways

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-respect, not aggression or dominance. I share personal stories and actionable strategies to help you show up with calm, grounded confidence—no barking required.

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Social Conditioning & Dichotomy for Women  

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 women, and offers practical advice for processing these feelings and navigating the aftermath of achievement.

Timestamps & Topics

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What Is the Achievement Hangover?