Work and Wellness

Ange Davies
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Welcome to Work and Wellness, the podcast for anyone who wants to feel great and perform at their best, without burning out. I’m Ange Davies, a wellbeing speaker and ex-corporate leader, here to help you create a life that feels as good as it looks. Each week, I’m joined by guests who bring real stories and practical insights on what it means to thrive both at work and beyond. Ready to live well and succeed on your own terms? Hit follow and let’s get into it!

  1. EP 61: Burnout Isn’t the Problem- How to Trust Your Intuition and Realign Your Career (Human Design Explained) with Hillary McVeigh

    22 HR AGO

    EP 61: Burnout Isn’t the Problem- How to Trust Your Intuition and Realign Your Career (Human Design Explained) with Hillary McVeigh

    As we wrap the Year of the Snake, this episode feels like the perfect reset. I’m joined by Hillary McVeigh—former lawyer turned Human Design teacher and intuitive guide—for a grounded conversation about what happens when your life looks “successful” on paper, but your body is screaming no. Hillary shares her journey from burnout, panic attacks, and a workplace that slowly drained her life force… to rebuilding a career that feels aligned, sustainable, and deeply fulfilling. We unpack the difference between clarity and certainty, why burnout isn’t always about workload, and how Human Design can act as a practical framework for self-awareness, decision making, and working in a way that actually suits your energy. If you’re at a turning point—career-wise or just internally—this one will land. Why so many of us choose careers at 17/18 with zero intuition in the room The hidden signs of misalignment: dread, anxiety, loss of joy, and “the colour leaving your life” Burnout as a misalignment signal, not a personal failure The role of conditioning: people-pleasing, overachieving, proving yourself, and external validation How Hillary began “deconditioning” (awareness, somatic work, inner child + shadow work) Why rest can feel terrifying—and why it’s often the turning point The mindset shift: rest as a success strategy, not a weakness The difference between your intuition and your inner critic (this is gold) A simple body-based check-in: expansion vs constriction Why you don’t need more certainty—you need more self-trust A practical Human Design overview: the energy types and how they influence work and direction The closing message for anyone in a transition: let life mirror what you’re ready to see “Burnout isn’t always from overwork. It’s often from working out of alignment.” “Your intuition won’t attack your insecurities. It’s just a clean ‘no’—not available.” “Clarity isn’t certainty. If you wait for certainty, you’ll wait forever.” “Your subconscious only cares if you’re safe—your life force wants you thriving.” If you’re ending the year feeling tired, foggy, flat, or like you’ve outgrown the way you’ve been working—consider this your permission slip to stop forcing it. Repost note (Year of the Snake context):This is a beautiful listen for anyone ready to shed old identities, stop proving, and move into a new season with more self-trust, nervous system regulation, and alignment. In this episode, we cover:Key takeaways / quotable moments:If this resonates:

    52 min
  2. EP 60: Change Fatigue Is Real- How to Lead Yourself (and Others) Through Constant Change at Work

    2 FEB

    EP 60: Change Fatigue Is Real- How to Lead Yourself (and Others) Through Constant Change at Work

    Change at work isn’t new — but the pace and volume of change is leaving a lot of capable, high-performing people feeling exhausted. In this episode, Angela unpacks why constant change creates such a heavy mental load, even when we’re adaptable, smart, and capable. She explains what change actually does to our nervous system, why “just pushing through” eventually backfires, and how people end up busy but disconnected. This isn’t about resisting change or pretending it’s fine. It’s about responding in a way that protects your energy, clarity, and capacity — whether you’re leading the change or on the receiving end of it. You’ll learn: Why constant change creates decision fatigue, irritability, and disengagement How to shift your focus to what’s actually in your control Practical ways to stay grounded during periods of uncertainty How leaders can support teams through change without having all the answers What to watch for when you (or your team) slip below the line — and how to come back above it If work feels unsettled, noisy, or overwhelming right now, this episode offers calm, practical guidance to help you lead yourself well — so you can respond to change, rather than be consumed by it.

    19 min

  3. 26 JAN

    EP 59: Your Attention Isn’t Yours Anymore- A Big Tech Insider Explains Why, What it's Doing to our Mental Health (and How to Get It Back)

    Your Attention Isn’t Yours Anymore — A Big Tech Insider Explains Why (and How to Get It Back) What if the reason you feel distracted, overwhelmed, and mentally exhausted isn’t a lack of discipline — but the systems you’re using every day? In this episode, I’m joined by Kenneth Schlenker, former Google product leader and founder of Opal, the screen-time app helping millions of people reclaim their focus. After years working inside Google on products like Maps, YouTube and Ads, Kenneth saw firsthand how Big Tech uses behavioural science to capture — and monetise — human attention. He walked away to build the opposite: tools that put people back in control of their focus, time and mental wellbeing. We explore how social media subtly rewires our desires (including how I briefly became convinced I needed a $50k Birkin bag 🙃), why attention — not time — is the real currency, and how constant information overload is quietly fuelling burnout. This is a candid, grounded conversation about technology, mental health, shame, parenting, sleep, and what it really takes to use modern tools without letting them use us. • What Big Tech really optimises for — and why wellbeing isn’t part of the business model• How platforms use behavioural science (infinite scroll, autoplay, likes) to keep us hooked• Why attention matters more than time — and how it shapes who we become• The “Birkin effect”: how social media influences what we think we want• Why we often feel worse after scrolling (especially women)• The link between information overload, sleep disruption and burnout• Why willpower alone isn’t enough — and why tools and friction actually help• How shame keeps people stuck in unhealthy tech habits• Social media bans for kids: do they help, or push behaviour underground?• Why sleep is the most important boundary for both adults and teenagers• How Opal is evolving from a tool into a trusted wellbeing partner You’re not weak for struggling with your phone.These systems were designed by very smart people to be hard to put down. The goal isn’t to quit technology — it’s to use it intentionally, in service of the life you actually want to live.

    49 min

  4. 19 JAN

    EP 58: 2026 Work & Wellness Predictions- Why Human Energy, Connection and Capacity Will Matter More Than Ever

    In this episode, Angela unpacks three powerful work and wellness trends set to shape the workforce in 2026 — inspired by a recent Forbes article that signals a meaningful shift in how organisations think about performance. While AI continues to accelerate, this conversation brings the focus back to the human system behind the work. Angela explores why wellbeing is no longer a “nice to have,” and how energy, recovery, connection and capacity are becoming critical drivers of decision-making, performance and longevity at work. Why analog work is making a comebackFace-to-face connection, offline thinking and human creativity are becoming the new luxury in an always-on world. Angela shares why digital tools can support work — but never replace real connection. How longer lives are reshaping careersWith people living and working longer, Angela explores portfolio careers, multi-generational teams, mentoring models and how organisations can better harness decades of experience without burning people out. The rise of biometric data in the workdayFrom wearables to readiness scores, we look at how data on sleep, recovery and energy could help leaders make smarter decisions, structure work more intelligently and prevent burnout before it happens. This episode is a hopeful look at the future of work — one where performance improves not by pushing harder, but by working in better alignment with human limits. Angela also shares why she’s encouraged to see major business publications finally treating wellbeing as a core business strategy, not a perk. Link to Forbes Article- 4 Growing Wellness Themes That Will Shape The Workforce In 2026

    20 min

  5. 12 JAN

    EP 57: The Real Ins and Outs for 2026- Work, Wellness and Living a Rich Life

    As we head into a new year, social media is flooded with “ins and outs” lists — so in this episode, I’m sharing my take on what’s actually worth leaning into (and letting go of) in 2026 when it comes to work, wellbeing and how we live our lives. This is a thoughtful, reflective episode rather than a set of rigid rules. These are ideas I’ve been sitting with, talking through with Liam, friends and my community, and noticing show up more and more in the way people are working, leading and living. We start with what’s in for 2026 — including the skill I believe will be essential for leaders and humans alike, why fibre is having its moment alongside protein, and why your wellbeing needs to be booked into your calendar before anything else. We also explore why reading is replacing scrolling, why silent walks are staying, and what it really means to define and live your own rich life. Then we move into what’s out — from fear-based leadership and unsustainable New Year’s resolutions, to blindly climbing the career ladder and relying on CVs that no longer reflect who we really are or what we can do. This episode is an invitation to slow down, question what you’ve been told success should look like, and intentionally design a year — and a life — that actually supports your health, values and energy. In this episode, we cover: Why learning to hold paradox is a critical skill for 2026 The shift from protein-only thinking to fibre and internal health How to be more discerning with the information we consume and share Why wellness should be scheduled before work, not around it Reading over scrolling (and how to make it easier) The importance of courageous conversations at work and in life Silent walks, creativity and giving your nervous system space Defining what a rich life means to you — not anyone else What’s officially out for 2026: Doing things (or not doing things) because they feel “cringe” Unrealistic, unsustainable New Year’s resolutions Fear-based leadership Avoiding difficult conversations Movement that depletes rather than builds Blindly following the career ladder Over-reliance on CVs instead of real connection and demonstrated value If you’re feeling called to approach 2026 differently — with more intention, curiosity and care — this episode is for you.

    28 min
  6. EP 56: Why Your Goals Fail Without Systems (and How to Build Habits That Actually Stick)

    5 JAN

    EP 56: Why Your Goals Fail Without Systems (and How to Build Habits That Actually Stick)

    Every January, we talk about goals. But goals don’t fail because we lack motivation — they fail because we don’t have the systems to support them. This episode is a re-visit of one of last year’s most listened-to conversations on habits — and I’m bringing it back because this time of year is exactly when we need this reminder. The energy is high, intentions are set, and now the real work begins. In this episode, we move beyond goal setting and into the part that actually determines whether you follow through: your daily habits and the systems around them. Research shows that around 40% of our daily actions are habits, not conscious decisions — and people with strong habits are over two times more likely to achieve their goals. That means if your environment, routines, and systems aren’t working for you, willpower alone won’t save you. I break down: What habits actually are and how they work in the brain Why motivation fades — and why systems don’t How to design habits that reduce friction and decision fatigue The four laws of behaviour change that make habits stick How to use your morning, evening, and weekend routines to support your goals Why starting with one big habit beats trying to change everything at once I also share a real example from my own life — how I’m using habit stacking and environmental design to train for an ultra marathon — and why preparation is often the difference between intention and action. This episode is not about creating a three-hour morning routine or becoming a completely new person by February. It’s about small, deliberate habits that compound over time and make progress feel inevitable. If you’ve set goals for the year — or you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or inconsistent — this is your reminder that you don’t rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems. Habits remove the need for constant motivation Environmental cues drive most of our behaviour The easier a habit is, the more likely it is to stick Consistency beats intensity every time One well-designed habit can change the trajectory of your entire year Resources Atomic Habits by James Clear Aristotle: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

    24 min

  7. 29/12/2025

    EP 55: How to Set Intentional Goals for the New Year- 2026

    Summary In this episode, Angela Davies discusses the importance of goal setting for the new year, emphasizing reflection on the past year, identifying personal values, setting intentions, and structuring achievable goals. She encourages listeners to take a thoughtful approach to planning, ensuring that their goals align with their values and desired life experiences. Takeaways Goal setting should support your wellbeing and energy. Reflect on the past year to inform future goals. Identify what went well, what was challenging, and what gave you energy. Values act as a compass for goal setting. Choose a word or intention to guide your year. Visualization can help in achieving goals. Break the year into manageable segments with intentional breaks. Set one year-defining hard goal to challenge yourself. SMART goals are essential for clarity and focus. Regular reflection helps keep you aligned with your goals. Keywords goal setting, reflection, values, intentions, visualization, personal growth, planning, new year, self-improvement, SMART goals

    23 min

  8. 22/12/2025

    EP 54: Why Time Off Doesn’t Equal Rest- The Different Types of Rest You Need to Recover and Avoid Burnout

    Summary In this episode, Angela Davies discusses the importance of understanding and optimizing rest during the holiday season. She emphasizes that true rest goes beyond simply taking time off work; it involves recognizing the different types of rest needed for physical, mental, emotional, social, sensory, and creative rejuvenation. Angela encourages listeners to check in with themselves to determine what type of rest they need and to embrace rest as a vital part of well-being, rather than a luxury or something that must be earned. Takeaways We often don't need more time off, but the right kind of rest. Physical rest involves giving your body a genuine break. Mental rest is about reducing decision fatigue and information overload. Emotional rest comes from being around people who allow you to be yourself. Social rest is about choosing quality interactions over quantity. Sensory rest helps reduce overstimulation from our environment. Creative rest can be deeply replenishing and counteract burnout. Rest should be responsive to what your body and mind need at the moment. Rest is not a waste of time; it's essential for well-being. The goal of living is to enjoy life and have fun. "No is a full sentence." "Rest is not optional." "Rest isn't a waste of time." Keywords rest, types of rest, emotional well-being, mental health, self-care, holiday season, burnout, relaxation, personal growth, wellness

    16 min
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About

Welcome to Work and Wellness, the podcast for anyone who wants to feel great and perform at their best, without burning out. I’m Ange Davies, a wellbeing speaker and ex-corporate leader, here to help you create a life that feels as good as it looks. Each week, I’m joined by guests who bring real stories and practical insights on what it means to thrive both at work and beyond. Ready to live well and succeed on your own terms? Hit follow and let’s get into it!

Information

  • Creator
    Ange Davies
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    62
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ange Davies
  • Show Website
    Work and Wellness

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