Beat Teacher Burnout!

Rowena Hicks

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SELF-IMPROVEMENT
UPDATED WEEKLY

Burnout is NOT OK! Every episode of The Beat Teacher Burnout Podcast is filled with the motivation and strategies you need plus deeply personal stories, relatable topics and research-backed advice to help you become the best version of you to overcome the overwhelm and burnout in order to thrive!

FEB 13

EP : 80 Why So Many Capable Leaders Feel Trapped

In this honest and deeply reassuring episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I’m joined by Greg Bookman, an education recruiter with over 20 years’ experience and a rare, people-first approach to leadership recruitment and retention. Rather than focusing on roles, hierarchies or career ladders, this conversation centres on well-being, identity and humanity in education. Greg shares what he sees behind the scenes when leaders and teachers reach breaking point and why so many capable, committed people are quietly considering leaving the profession altogether. We talk about burnout not as a weakness, but as a signal, one that often appears when people have lost sight of who they are, what they value and where they truly belong. Greg brings a compassionate and hopeful perspective, reminding us that education is not broken everywhere and that there are schools and trusts where people can thrive without sacrificing their health. This episode speaks directly to leaders and educators who feel exhausted, disillusioned or stuck, especially those questioning whether they can keep going, but still care deeply about the work they do. What You’ll Hear in This Episode Why treating educators as people, not job titles, is key to retentionHow post-COVID shifts have changed what leaders need from workWhat burnout really does to confidence, identity and self-beliefWhat to say to yourself when you’re on survival mode and ready to quitHow school culture and values impact well-being more than workload aloneWhy appreciation and shared effort matter more than moneyThe fear and grief that often sit underneath thoughts of leaving educationHow reconnecting with your “why” can restore clarity and confidenceWhy reflection and self-awareness are protections against burnoutThe danger of suppressing your values in order to fit a roleHow finding the right school can change everything without leaving educationWhy staying silent and doing nothing is often the most damaging choiceKey Message You are not broken. Burnout is not the end. And leaving education is not the only option. Many educators burn out not because they don’t care enough, but because they care too much in environments that no longer allow them to be themselves. Confidence can be rebuilt. Purpose can be rediscovered. And with the right support, reflection and relationships, it is possible to find a role and a culture where you can thrive again. This episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and remember who you are beneath the pressure. To seek connection rather than isolation. And to believe that staying in education well is possible. Connect with Greg Bookman LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/greg-bookman Would you like to talk about coaching options? 1:1 sessions or group? Book a call here: https://calendly.com/rowenaphicks/30min Follow me on: 1. Instagram: @rowenaphicks 2. Facebook: Rowena Hicks 3. Linked In: Rowena Hicks Email me: authorrowenahicks@gmail.com Visit my website for Books, Journals, Free Community and lots of other interesting stuff: www.rowenahicks.com

20 min
JAN 30

EP : 79 The Weight Leaders Carry and Why It Matters

In this thoughtful and deeply human episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I’m joined by Dame Alison Peacock former headteacher and founding CEO of the Chartered College of Teaching to explore the realities of school leadership that are rarely spoken about openly. Alison describes headship as “both impossible and delightful,” a phrase that captures the tension so many leaders live with every day. Together, we reflect on the unpredictability of leadership, the emotional load leaders carry and the pressure created by inspection, accountability and constant readiness. This conversation moves beyond systems and structures and centres on people. We talk honestly about isolation in leadership, the myth of the heroic leader and how cultures of trust, collaboration and creativity are not optional extras; they are protective factors against burnout. Alison shares powerful reflections from her own headship, including leading a school in special measures, and how shifting from control to emancipating teachers rebuilt agency, energy and collective purpose. This episode is for school leaders, teachers and anyone in education who is holding responsibility alongside care and wondering how to do that without losing themselves in the process. What You’ll Hear in This Episode Why school leadership feels both deeply rewarding and relentlessly demandingThe impact of constant unpredictability and emotional readiness on leadersHow inspection and accountability quietly shape leadership behaviourWhy anchoring leadership to a nobler purpose changes everythingThe hidden isolation many leaders experience and why it mattersWhy leadership is not about being the hero, but enabling othersWhat “emancipating teachers” looks like in practiceHow burnout begins with feeling unseen, unheard and disconnectedWhy valuing staff wellbeing is essential, not “soft” leadershipHow creativity protects against burnout and restores professional trustWhy school culture is shaped in small, everyday momentsWhat sustainable leadership really requires beyond enduranceKey Message Leadership is not meant to be carried alone. Burnout is not a personal failure. Endurance is not the same as sustainability. When leadership is rooted in humanity, creativity and shared purpose, it becomes possible to protect both people and outcomes. The tension between heavy and hopeful, impossible and delightful, is not a sign that something is wrong, it is the reality of leading well. This episode is an invitation to lead with intention, connection and courage and to remember that how we lead matters just as much as what we lead. Connect with Dame Alison Peacock: LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dame-alison-peacock-dl-dlitt-7b996b24 Would you like to talk about coaching options? 1:1 sessions or group? Book a call here: https://calendly.com/rowenaphicks/30min Follow me on: 1. Instagram: @rowenaphicks 2. Facebook: Rowena Hicks 3. Linked In: Rowena Hicks Email me: authorrowenahicks@gmail.com Visit my website for Books, Journals, Free Community and lots of other interesting stuff: www.rowenahicks.com

35 min
JAN 16

EP : 78 Why Kind Leaders Burn Out First

In this episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I’m joined by Bob Benson, a former secondary headteacher and now coach and consultant, to explore a deeply embedded belief in education: that strong leadership means pushing through, coping silentlyand toughing it out. Drawing on lived experience, Bob reflects on the pressures of headship and how ongoing stress can quietly change who we are, pulling us away from the kindness and values that brought us into education. Together, we unpack the realities of school life, constant reactivity, emotional labour and long hours and question the idea that being busy or visible equals being effective. We also explore emotional honesty in leadership, the balance between vulnerability and oversharing and practical ways leaders can protect their wellbeing and model healthier boundaries. In this conversation, we explore: Why “toughing it out” is often confused with strength in educationHow leadership pressure can quietly reshape behaviour and identityThe impact of stress on empathy, kindness, and decision-makingWhy emotional intelligence becomes harder but more vital in busy schoolsThe difference between being busy and being effectiveHow leaders can model healthier ways of working without guiltWhy sustainable leadership matters for the future of the professionKey Message Toughing it out is not what makes leaders strong.Self-awareness, kindness and courageous boundary-setting are what sustain people and schools over time. If you’re a leader or teacher feeling the pressure to keep going at all costs, this episode offers reassurance that doing things differently isn't a weakness, it's leadership. Connect with Bob Benson: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bob-benson1educator. Follow me on: 1. Instagram: @rowenaphicks 2. Facebook: Rowena Hicks 3. Linked In: Rowena Hicks Email me: authorrowenahicks@gmail.com Visit my website for Books, Journals, Free Community and lots of other interesting stuff: www.rowenahicks.com

29 min
JAN 2

EP : 77 When Vulnerability Becomes Strength

In this reflective and honest solo episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I talk openly about vulnerability, near-burnout, and what it has taken for me to finally slow down as 2025 comes to an end. Inspired by Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability as courage, this episode explores how even positive things like building a business, publishing a book, pursuing passion projects can quietly push us back into old patterns of overworking, people-pleasing, and trying to prove our worth. I share how recognising those patterns early helped me step back before burning out again. This episode is for teachers, leaders and anyone who feels driven to keep going, even when their body and mind are asking them to stop.What You’ll Hear in This Episode Why vulnerability is not weakness, but a form of courageHow passion and purpose can still lead to burnout if we ignore our limitsThe warning signs that show up when old habits returnWhy rest is more than sleep and what real rest actually looks likeHow learning to truly switch your brain off creates clarity and creativityWhy prioritising yourself isn’t selfish, even when it feels uncomfortableThe role of boundaries, saying no, and protecting your energyHow imposter syndrome and the need to prove ourselves keep us stuckWhy finding safe people and places matters more than everHow small, intentional positives help us and our teams thriveKey Message You don’t need to keep proving yourself to be worthy. Rest is not failure. Vulnerability is not weakness. When we slow down, listen to ourselves, and choose to do things differently, we protect our wellbeing and create the conditions to show up with greater clarity, compassion Follow me on: 1. Instagram: @rowenaphicks 2. Facebook: Rowena Hicks 3. Linked In: Rowena Hicks Email me: authorrowenahicks@gmail.com Visit my website for Books, Journals, Free Community and lots of other interesting stuff: www.rowenahicks.com and purpose for the people around us.

19 min
12/19/2025

EP : 76 Can Kindness to Yourself Save Your Teaching Career?

In this episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I’m joined by George Athanasiou, former headteacher and wellbeing consultant, for a powerful conversation about why so many educators are overwhelmed and what we can realistically do about it. George talks openly about the exhaustion sweeping through schools, the guilt that keeps teachers pushing past their limits, and the pressure leaders face in trying to support everyone while barely holding themselves together. We explore how burnout builds slowly, why self-care must start with basic regulation like breathing and rest, and how mindset shifts only work once the body feels safe again. George introduces simple but impactful strategies for protecting energy: taking genuine breaks, saying “no” without guilt, focusing on what actually matters, and finding small moments of creativity to reconnect with the joy of teaching. His Cha Cha Cha framework Children, Choice and Challenge offers a beautifully simple way to plan lessons that feel purposeful rather than draining. We also discuss the role of technology and AI in reducing workload and bringing back the spark of creativity that many teachers feel they’ve lost. This conversation is honest, practical and deeply human, a reminder that thriving isn’t selfish, it’s essential. And sometimes, the first step really is as simple as one breath, one boundary or one small act of kindness toward yourself. Connect with George Athanasiou Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgeeducationalconsultant Website: https://www.educationalconsultancy.net/ Follow me on: 1. Instagram: @rowenaphicks 2. Facebook: Rowena Hicks 3. Linked In: Rowena Hicks Email me: authorrowenahicks@gmail.com Visit my website for Books, Journals, Free Community and lots of other interesting stuff: www.rowenahicks.co

39 min
12/05/2025

EP : 75 Are We Measuring the Wrong Things?

In this episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I’m joined by Chloe Fox, an Alternative Provision Lead whose powerful reflections on belonging and community have resonated with thousands across education. After a viral LinkedIn post about the “real gatekeepers” in schools, Chloe has become a compassionate voice for putting humanity back at the centre of our work. Together, we explore what sits behind the data we’re constantly asked to produce, the relationships, emotional labour and invisible work that truly shape school culture. Chloe opens up about her journey through burnout, losing herself in fear, pressure and perfectionism and the transformation that came when she pressed pause and rebuilt with support. She returns to education with a renewed purpose: to champion belonging, connection and authenticity as the foundations of thriving staff and thriving students. In this conversation, we talk about: How getting caught up in fear, metrics and accountability can disconnect us from our why.The reality of self-destruct patterns like constant availability and hyper-responsibility.What it means to “lose yourself” and how to find your way back.Why vulnerability is the most courageous form of leadership.How imposter syndrome shows up across education for support staff, teachers and leaders.The importance of psychological safety and honest conversations.Why community, belonging and relationships must come before data.Slowing down enough to notice stress responses before they become burnout.Key messageIf staff feel seen, valued, heard and safe, everything else follows: wellbeing, behaviour, learning, teamwork, culture and outcomes. Belonging isn’t a tick box. It’s something we feel. Connect with Chloe: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloefoxpastoral/ Want to find out more about my new course 5 Minutes to Thrive? Go to my website at www.rowenahicks.com Follow me on: 1. Instagram: ⁠@rowenaphicks ⁠2. Facebook: ⁠Rowena Hicks⁠ 3. Linked In: ⁠Rowena Hicks Email me: ⁠authorrowenahicks@gmail.com⁠ Visit my website for Books, Journals, Free Community and lots of other interesting stuff: ⁠www.rowenahicks.com

28 min
11/21/2025

EP : 74 Why Goodwill Isn’t Enough to Run a School

In this episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I sit down once again with Dr Adam McCartney, Educational Psychologist, to explore the quiet but powerful forces shaping staff wellbeing in schools today. This conversation looks beyond workload and policies, and instead examines what truly drives burnout identity, autonomy, culture, and the systems teachers work within every day. Adam shares powerful insights from his work across schools and explains why so many teachers are silently struggling, even in environments that appear functional on the surface. Together, we unpack what leaders and teachers can do to shift from surviving to genuinely thriving. We talk about: The silent epidemic of stress in schools and why it often goes unnoticed How budget cuts, loss of support staff, and unrealistic expectations are impacting staff wellbeing Why a clear vision and shared purpose can transform culture (and what happens when it’s missing) The role of communities of practice in strengthening collaboration, trust, and identity How teacher identity can become unhealthy and what educators can do to protect their sense of self Difficult conversations: why they matter and how schools can approach them safely The importance of autonomy and psychologically informed management systems A powerful real-life example of a teacher who went from nearly being dismissed to becoming one of the school’s strongest practitioners Practical steps for leaders who want to empower staff without burning themselves out How schools can create systems that work without relying on one person What healthy leadership looks like when it comes to pastoral care, role clarity, and trustI especially loved the final story. Adam shared a reminder that the right support, structure, and trust can completely change a teacher’s trajectory. These moments show what’s possible when school systems prioritise people over pressure. Connect with Dr Adam McCartney Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradammcartney/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581143277228 Linked In:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-adam-mccartney-afbpss-647ab1221/ Podcast: https://www.dradammccartney.com/betweentwopsychs Follow me on: 1. Instagram: @rowenaphicks 2. Facebook: Rowena Hicks 3. Linked In: Rowena Hicks Email me: authorrowenahicks@gmail.com Visit my website for Books, Journals, Free Community and lots of other interesting stuff: www.rowenahicks.co

32 min
11/14/2025

EP : 73 What Does a Thriving School Really Look Like?

In this solo episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, it’s just me reflecting on what a truly thriving school might look like. This week, AI gave me a suggestion of what a “perfect day” in school could be, and honestly… It made me laugh. From calm mornings and joyful lunches to smooth lessons and a stress-free 5 p.m. finish, it painted a picture that felt miles away from reality. So I started to wonder: what does a real day in school actually look like? And more importantly, what would it take for us to thrive within that reality of the chaos, the unpredictability, and the constant demands we face as educators and leaders? Drawing on my 30+ years in schools around the world, including a story from a little school in Poland where children hid in cupboards on my first day, I explore the truth that schools are full of messy, marvelous humans. We care deeply, but that caring can come at a cost. In this episode, I share my own experience of burnout, how I let work become my identity, and what I’ve learned since about boundaries, rest and the courage to switch off. I also talk about small, practical ways we can begin to change things right now: five-minute pauses, leaving work on time once a week, and remembering that our worth isn’t tied to how hard we work. I also introduce 5 Minutes to Thrive, the course I created to help staff teams build reflection and wellbeing into their weekly routine. It’s not another wellbeing add-on; it’s about changing habits and mindsets so we can all become stronger, calmer, and more creative versions of ourselves. In this episode, I explore: The difference between the “ideal” school day and our lived reality.Why it’s so easy to let work become our identity and how to stop it.The hidden cost of constant caring and why we need to switch off.How I learned to rest, reset, and reclaim balance after burnout.Why thriving teachers create thriving schools (and even better student outcomes).Simple challenges you can start today, like putting yourself first for just one hour this week.Want to find out more about my new course 5 Minutes to Thrive? Go to my website at www.rowenahicks.com Follow me on: 1. Instagram: @rowenaphicks⁠ 2. Facebook: ⁠Rowena Hicks⁠ 3. Linked In: ⁠Rowena Hicks⁠ Email me: authorrowenahicks@gmail.com⁠ ⁠ Visit my website for Books, Journals, Free Community and lots of other interesting stuff: ⁠www.rowenahicks.com

19 min

Burnout is NOT OK! Every episode of The Beat Teacher Burnout Podcast is filled with the motivation and strategies you need plus deeply personal stories, relatable topics and research-backed advice to help you become the best version of you to overcome the overwhelm and burnout in order to thrive!

Creator

Rowena Hicks
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

82
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Rowena Hicks
Show Website

Beat Teacher Burnout!