The Overwhelm Cure

Kimberly Knull
  • 5.0 (3)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Transforming Stress into Peace and Balance In the past five years, my clients starting short-term disability for stress and burnout have risen from nearly zero to 80%. This is not okay. Over my 20 years as a practicing psychologist, I've seen an alarming rise in stress and burnout, and it's accelerated since 2020. I've come through the other side of burnout. In 2019, I resigned from my job after discovering that traditional solutions to feeling overworked weren't enough. Based on my experience and several years of research in my private practice, I developed The Overwhelm Cure. You'll discover client success stories and research-backed methods to combat this mounting crisis. There's a reason why our current lives aren't making us happy, and each week, you'll discover proven strategies to help you create significant change. Dream big, make great decisions, and manage your emotions. Join me to start building your roadmap to lasting calmness and harmony.

  1. 1D AGO

    56: How to Know If You're a Great Leader

    In this episode, we're diving into a topic many leaders struggle with … truly knowing if you're doing a good job. We all have blind spots, and what we think a great leader is — someone who has all the answers and never makes mistakes. These are common myths we tell ourselves. The truth is, poor leadership usually happens outside of our awareness. You'll hear how self-awareness is essential for great leadership. That means having the courage to genuinely ask for feedback from your team, family, and community. We also discuss the fear of looking stupid or incompetent, and how that shame can lead us to react defensively. Finally, I discuss how the skills taught in the Dare to Lead framework — like getting comfortable with being uncomfortable, managing shame, and using conflict to build trust — can be game-changers for your leadership .  The good news is that as a leader, no one expects you to be perfect; you only have to be willing to work on any problem spots. Knowing is always better than not knowing, because you can't change what you don't acknowledge.  Join me to learn the skills you need to show up as the brave, authentic leader your team and family need. Key Takeaways Poor leadership often stems from a lack of awareness of how you're impacting others and the organization. To be a great leader, you need to proactively cultivate self-awareness. Great leaders are willing not only to receive feedback but to ask for it directly from others, and truly listen to the response. Everyone has problem spots, blind spots, and weak areas. Acknowledging and working on them earns respect and improves your effectiveness. You can only change what you acknowledge. Ignoring problems won't make them go away — it keeps things stuck and can make it worse. Learning to manage feelings of shame (e.g., the fear of being perceived as incompetent), you can move from an emotional, reactive state to a calm, intentional response. Why conflict and adversity should be viewed as opportunities to build relationships and bond with your team, acting as a "fast forward" on building trust and confidence. Great leaders face setbacks head-on and bravely lead their teams through change without excessive drama, anxiety, or stress, and I hope this episode helps you get curious about how you can be a stronger leader.   Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Leadership 01:15 Identifying Good Leadership 02:39 Self-Awareness in Leadership 04:25 The Fear of Feedback 07:57 Research on Effective Leadership 10:26 The Importance of Self-Assessment 11:55 The Dare to Lead Workshop 14:11 Embracing Feedback and Building Trust 20:11 Handling Setbacks and Moving Forward 21:04 Conclusion and Workshop Invitation   Links from today's episode: Dare to Lead Workshop Connect with me: Connect on LinkedIn Connect on Facebook Connect on Instagram

    22 min

  2. JAN 26

    55: Why Every Human Needs the Dare to Lead Workshop

    Life Skills Everyone Thinks They Should Know (But Were Never Taught) In this episode, I dive into the profound impact of the Dare to Lead Certificate Workshop.  Honestly, the title is misleading. After facilitating this workshop for hundreds of people, I get piles of feedback sharing that it was the best training they've ever attended.  I think the workshop should truly be called "life skills everyone should know."  You'll hear how I've redefined leadership, realizing it isn't exclusive to those who hold titles like CEO or manager. Really, a leader is anyone who influences others, including parents, friends, family members, and community leaders.  One problem I see with many in leadership positions is that they think they need to be perfect. Which, really, is just the desire to be loved and accepted. But when leaders are afraid to make mistakes, it can stop them from taking risks, lead to overworking, and cause burnout. The Dare to Lead foundation rests on Brené Brown's prior core books: I Thought It was Just Me, which addresses common human struggles we think we face alone; Gifts of Imperfection, which focuses on overcoming perfectionism; Daring Greatly, which encourages being "all in" and living life without regret; and Rising Strong, which teaches the skill of resetting quickly when things don't go as planned.  Ultimately, the workshop teaches the mental toughness and courage required to address disruptive issues, have hard conversations, and make tough choices.  A core lesson I took away from doing this work was developing grounded confidence where my worth is never on the line.  Leaders are made — and leadership is a skill everyone can master. Key takeaways: Leadership is about influence, not just titles — if people look to you for support, mentoring, or answers, you're a leader. The Dare to Lead workshop teaches essential life skills in courage, empathy, and decision-making aligned with your values (the workshop helps you get clear on your values, too) Perfectionism is a barrier that prevents us from taking risks and leads to burnout Effective leaders manage their own emotions and address issues directly, even when it's uncomfortable, earning respect over the need for popularity. Building and repairing trust is a critical, teachable skill for team success and psychological safety. Resetting quickly when facing challenges is key — so learn how to bounce back fast   Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to the Dare to Lead Workshop 00:57 Understanding Leadership Beyond Titles 02:08 Brené Brown's Influential Books 04:33 Embracing Imperfection and Taking Risks 07:53 Handling Feedback and Rising Strong 08:47 The Essence of Dare to Lead 22:27 Building Trust and Psychological Safety 26:45 Conclusion and Invitation to the next Dare to Lead Workshop Links from today's episode: Sign up for the next Dare to Lead Workshop Connect with me: Connect on LinkedIn Connect on Facebook Connect on Instagram

    28 min

  3. JAN 19

    54: How Unrealistic Expectations Lead to Burnout

    Have you ever felt frustrated because a change in your life is happening more slowly than you think it should?  I've worked with countless women, and have gone through it myself, where we're making progress, but our minds tell us it's not enough or not fast enough.  Then, we wind up frustrated and quit, or we end up in a cycle of overwhelm and burnout. Many of the women I work with even end up taking stress leave from their jobs. The reason: we hold ourselves to unrealistic standards. How many times have you experienced a full weekend and thought you should be ready to bounce back on Monday morning? Needed a vacation from your vacation? Or starting to come down with a cold, only to end up sicker for way longer than usual?  In this episode, I dive into why we expect our bodies to bounce back in a week when it took years to get to a point of exhaustion. You'll learn about what can help — like setting clear boundaries, normalizing rest, and no longer sacrificing your time for your employer's problems.  You'll also hear about how my own healing from burnout took far longer than I expected, plus the crucial mindset shift that helped me rebuild my life with good habits.  Listen, we're not productivity machines — we're human beings. Today, I invite you to explore how we can swap self-criticism for self-compassion, prioritize our well-being, and adjust our expectations to create real, lasting healing. Key Takeaways: Why we need to be patient with progress. Change often happens more slowly than we expect. Just because our brains can make a quick decision doesn't mean our bodies have caught up yet.  How sneaky, unrealistic expectations can fuel burnout — often leaving us feeling more tired after a break than before. Suggestions for setting clear boundaries and protecting your time and energy. Specific, helpful thoughts to adopt, such as "it takes as long as it takes to feel better."  Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction: The Struggle with Slow Progress 02:42 The Impact of Unrealistic Expectations 05:04 The Harmful Cycle of Overwork 06:39 Setting Boundaries and Normalizing Rest 08:34 The Guilt of Taking Time Off 10:46 Understanding the Need for Extended Recovery 15:42 Creating a Supportive Mindset for Healing 20:48 Conclusion: Adjusting Expectations for a Healthier Life Connect with me: Schedule a free 20-minute consultation Connect on LinkedIn Connect on Facebook Connect on Instagram

    23 min

  4. JAN 12

    53: The Anti-Overwhelm Formula: 3 Steps for an Easier Life

    I know how overwhelming and difficult life can seem when we jump back into our routines and schedules after the holidays. We often think of vacations as the only true rest, but what if we could make our everyday lives feel easier?  I believe we are often making our own lives harder than they need to be. In this episode, I share my three-step plan for creating a simpler life. Effectively, it's the "anti-overwhelm formula. What you'll hear about today: How to challenge the belief that everything you do is important — our day-to-day lives are not an emergency room situation. Strategies to identify and let go of at least one thing that's draining you. Why complaining about recurring problems doesn't help — instead, they need to go to the top of our to-do lists — saving stress and struggle in the future. Simple ideas to help you automate parts of your routine. Why investing just a little time in planning can help you avoid struggle later. Timestamps:  00:00 Introduction: Overcoming Life's Overwhelm 02:12 How the Illusion of Importance Creates Overwhelm 06:50 Addressing Recurring Stressors 14:50 Making Life Easier: Practical Tips 20:46 Conclusion: Proactive Living Connect with me: Schedule a free 20-minute consultation Connect on LinkedIn Connect on Facebook Connect on Instagram

    23 min

  5. JAN 5

    52: How to Finally Keep Your New Year's Resolutions

    I'm checking in with you on your New Year's resolutions.  If you're like me, you might have let go of them within a day and a half! This time, my goal is more manageable: to create small, consistent habits.  Did you know that almost half of what we do every day is out of habit? This is good news, because if we can turn the changes we want to make into regular habits we don't need to think about, we can more easily reach our goals. In this week's episode, I dive into the psychology of why we quit—our brain feels deprived when we focus on taking things away.  Instead, I propose a helpful mindset shift: instead of focusing on sacrifice, let's focus on adding in enjoyable things that support our goals. For example, adding 20 minutes of reading before bed or a morning breathing break to de-stress feels enjoyable and can help us reach our goal of reducing stress.  We also talk about the importance of becoming the person who already has the goal. What would a person with a great marriage or a fit person do? Start making decisions based on that persona.  And importantly, if you "fall off the wagon," I explain why you haven't failed—it's only a chance to adjust and reset. Don't quit, keep learning and going until you achieve your goal! Discover: Why most New Year's resolutions fail and how to be in the successful 10% of those who reach their goals. The key mindset shift from "taking away" (deprivation) to "adding in" (abundance) to make positive changes stick. Practical examples of habits you can add to boost energy, increase mood, and reduce stress. How to use the "Future Self" method to help you make better decisions in the moment. The power of consistency, even in small increments like 10 minutes a day. A non-judgmental approach to "falling off the wagon" and why you should always reset instead of quitting. Timestamps:  00:00 Introduction and New Year's Resolutions Check-In 01:28 The Power of Positive Habits 04:29 Adding Instead of Subtracting 08:33 Visualizing Success 10:44 Consistency and Making Adjustments 16:15 Overcoming Setbacks Connect with me: Schedule a free 20-minute consultation Connect on LinkedIn Connect on Facebook Connect on Instagram

    19 min

  6. 2025-12-29

    51: Resetting for 2026: Power, Freedom, and Your New Year's Plan

    This is the last Overwhelm Cure podcast episode of 2025, and I certainly feel like we need a reset.  2025 was a year full of highs, but I also felt the stress and the weight of the world.  If you did too, I invite you to close that chapter, take what we learned, and plan for 2026. The Chinese zodiac brings the Year of the Horse, which signifies power, freedom, energy, and success. It encourages bold action, pursuing dreams, and overcoming obstacles through determination. 2025 was the Year of the Snake — a year of shedding what no longer fits our lives. As we approach a fresh new year, let's be honest about resolutions.  How long do yours last?  Did you know the average is 3.5 weeks? Mine is about a day and a half. I love making resolutions, but I often lack a plan.  Forming a new habit takes work, discomfort, and dedication, and when I realize how hard it is, I usually give up. This year, let's pick resolutions that are reasonable and realistic, and make a plan to support ourselves. Before we set 2026 goals, we need to first reflect on 2025.  In today's episode, you'll hear why most resolutions fail — and what you can do instead to make them stick in 2026. Discover: The problem with resolutions and why most fail fast. How to embrace the Year of the Horse (2026), which encourages power, freedom, energy, success, and bold action. The secret to creating goals that are genuinely achievable (hint: they need to provide joy and meaning). Why planning and support (even external) are essential. A counterintuitive approach to creating a consistent habit by going slow. How to create a plan for setbacks to help you stay on track. Connect with Kimberly: Schedule a free 20-minute consultation Connect on LinkedIn Connect on Facebook Connect on Instagram

    20 min

  7. 2025-12-15

    50: Stop the Holiday Overwhelm: Your 6-Step Prep Plan

    How to Prioritize Health, Declutter Your To-Do List, and Avoid Burnout this Season The busy holiday season is coming up fast. It might already be here for you when you listen to this. This year, I'm doing holidays differently, and I invite you to do the same. I'm challenging you to treat this busy period like the high-performance athlete you are. It's a marathon, not a sprint, and we need a strategy to make sure you can actually enjoy it without spiraling into overwhelm. In this episode, I'm sharing my essential six-step plan you can start on today to feel better. We dive into why prioritizing your health over everything else is the ultimate game-changer, how to be relentless about decluttering your to-do list, and the incredible freedom that comes from embracing the mantra: done is better than perfect. (my favourite mantra these days!) By taking the time to plan now, you'll return to work in the new year without needing a holiday from your holiday! What you'll discover today: How to put your health at the absolute top of your priority list (above baking, presents, and wrapping). A simple process to help you declutter and delegate your holiday to-do list while embracing the mindset that "done is better than perfect." How to take a realistic look at your holiday priority list — you might need to let go of some things! Building in time to rest and recover after your busy period (as a professional athlete would) will help you return to work in January feeling restored and rejuvenated. After the season, evaluate what worked, what you loved, and what you'd do differently to ensure you continue focusing on joy. If gift-giving is overwhelming for you, you'll love the 4-gift rule (it's my favourite!) Timestamps:  00:00 Introduction: Preparing for the Busy Holiday Season 00:55 Mindset of a High-Performance Leader 03:38 The Six-Step Plan for a Stress-Free Holiday 03:48 Prioritizing Health and Essential Tasks 05:28 Decluttering and Delegating Holiday Tasks 08:45 Effective Planning and Time Management 10:12 Daily Check-ins and Adjustments 13:23 Rest and Recovery 15:39 Evaluating and Learning from the Season 18:27 Conclusion and Invitation to The Overwhelm Cure Program Invitation: The Overwhelm Cure Program Join the Overwhelm Cure Program to learn step-by-step how to create a life that nurtures and supports you by taking things off your to-do list that aren't bringing you joy. You'll find a life much more in line with what you truly enjoy, lighting you up even with a busy household and job. Invest in yourself this season and sign up for the Overwhelm Cure Program. Sign up is open now! We start in January 2026. Join The Overwhelm Cure Program Connect with Kimberly: Schedule a free 20-minute consultation Connect on LinkedIn Connect on Facebook Connect on Instagram

    20 min

  8. 2025-12-08

    49: Are People REALLY Doing Their Best?

    Finding Empathy and Peace at Holiday Gatherings With the holiday season filled with a stream of office parties, celebrations, and family gatherings, it's inevitable … We're going to run into "that person."  You know who it is.   The person you constantly find yourself judging or complaining about.   These people might even make you think twice about even attending the holiday party, because you'd rather not even deal with them. Or you go to the event and end up having to participate in conversations you don't want to have, endure their boisterous behavior, or even feel like you need to take care of them.  Perhaps they simply agitate us. They make us feel angry, frustrated, confused, and resentful. We might think, "If only they could have some self-awareness, they could see how they're impacting people!" Then, even worse, we end up talking about them behind their back, making snide comments, avoiding them, and sometimes confronting them out of sheer frustration.  Unfortunately, this doesn't resolve anything. It only makes us feel like terrible people, even though we're the ones getting our buttons pushed. In this week's episode, I'm asking a potentially controversial question: Do you think people are doing the best they can? How we answer this question might surprise you. What you'll discover in today's episode: Find out why asking, "Are people doing the best they can?" might be the most transformative (and controversial) question we can ask this holiday season. Discover how harsh judgment of others is actually a mirror of our own internal perfectionism. Learn when and how to set firm boundaries, even with family, to protect your mental health and choose peace. How to let go of magical thinking and hoping others will miraculously change overnight is a recipe for frustration (and what we should focus on changing instead). Understand the importance of accepting a relationship for what it is to find peace. This season doesn't have to be a repeat of every December past. I invite you to do things differently this year. Timestamps:  00:00 Introduction: The Dreaded Holiday Gatherings 01:26 The Problem with Difficult People 03:34 A Controversial Question: Are People Doing Their Best? 05:33 Empathy and Compassion: Changing Our Perspective 08:20 Setting Boundaries for Your Well-being 11:52 Self-Compassion and Extending Grace to Others 14:14 Conclusion: Prioritizing Peace and Joy This Holiday Season Connect with me: Schedule a free 20-minute consultation Connect on LinkedIn Connect on Facebook Connect on Instagram

    17 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Transforming Stress into Peace and Balance In the past five years, my clients starting short-term disability for stress and burnout have risen from nearly zero to 80%. This is not okay. Over my 20 years as a practicing psychologist, I've seen an alarming rise in stress and burnout, and it's accelerated since 2020. I've come through the other side of burnout. In 2019, I resigned from my job after discovering that traditional solutions to feeling overworked weren't enough. Based on my experience and several years of research in my private practice, I developed The Overwhelm Cure. You'll discover client success stories and research-backed methods to combat this mounting crisis. There's a reason why our current lives aren't making us happy, and each week, you'll discover proven strategies to help you create significant change. Dream big, make great decisions, and manage your emotions. Join me to start building your roadmap to lasting calmness and harmony.

Information

  • Creator
    Kimberly Knull
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    135
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    The Overwhelm Cure