Beat Teacher Burnout!

Rowena Hicks

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SELF-IMPROVEMENT
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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!

1D AGO

EP : 82 When Compassionate School Leadership Leads to Burnout

In this honest and reflective episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I’m joined by education leader, coach and author Sarah Hussey to explore the hidden cost of caring deeply in school leadership. Sarah shares her journey in education, from beginning her career in the 1990s to becoming a headteacher committed to building a school culture based on compassion, trust and belonging. But alongside the passion for her work came growing pressure that many school leaders will recognise. The increasing demands of leadership, accountability systems and the emotional responsibility of supporting staff, pupils and families gradually began to take their toll. What started as exhaustion and rising stress eventually led to serious cardiac health events that forced Sarah to step away from the role she loved. This conversation isn’t about blaming education. Instead, it explores the human cost that can arise when compassionate leaders carry too much responsibility for too long. We talk openly about the emotional impact of leaving leadership due to burnout, the feelings of guilt and shame many educators experience, and the loss of identity that can follow when a role that once defined you suddenly ends. But this episode is also about hope. Sarah now supports teachers and school leaders to recognise the warning signs earlier, protect their wellbeing and continue leading with compassion without sacrificing their health. If you’re a teacher or school leader who cares deeply about your work and sometimes feels the weight of that responsibility, this conversation is for you. Because compassionate leadership is powerful but without boundaries, it can become unsustainable. What You’ll Hear in This Episode Why burnout in education often develops slowly over timeThe impact of accountability and inspection pressures on leadersHow prolonged stress can affect physical healthWhy many educators feel shame when burnout forces them to step awayWhat compassion fatigue looks like in caring professionsThe importance of boundaries in school leadershipHow communication expectations changed after the pandemicWhy small moments of appreciation can transform school cultureThe importance of redefining what “good enough” leadership really meansKey Message Burnout doesn’t happen because you are weak. It often happens because you cared deeply, gave generously and carried responsibility for too long without the support and recovery leadership requires. Compassion is one of the greatest strengths a leader can have. But sustainable leadership means extending that compassion to yourself as well. Connect with Sarah Hussey: Website: www.possibilitiesandperspectives.co.uk Instagram: www.instagram.com/possibilitiesandperspective Follow Rowena: Instagram: www.instagram.com/rowenaphicks/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/people/Teach-Flourish-Thrive-Beat-Teacher-Burnout/61552987182926/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rowenaphicks/ Website: www.rowenahicks.com/ — Subscribe to the Beat Teacher Burnout Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop fortnightly to help you reduce stress, prevent burnout, and lead with clarity and energy. Listen here: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2unYCtcA81Qi5coaLZ22H1 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beat-teacher-burnout/id1731803571 Youtube: www.youtube.com/@AuthorRowenaHicks/ — Looking for Rowena’s books?Explore all books here:www.rowenahicks.com/books Buy on Amazon: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D2JJGG3T?ref=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_4SZ8663Z8DRGAT03NZA8&ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_4SZ8663Z8DRGAT03NZA8&language=en-GB&skipTwisterOG=2 — If you’re ready for gentle, practical support that fits into real school life, explore my courses here:👉www.rowenahicks.com/courses

27 min
FEB 27

EP : 81 Burnout Isn’t an Explosion. It’s an Erosion.

In this practical and thought-provoking episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I’m joined by wellbeing consultant, author and former international principal Helen Kelly to explore one of the most significant yet overlooked drivers of burnout in education: the inability to properly switch off. We move beyond surface-level wellbeing advice and examine the neuroscience, psychology and leadership impact of psychological detachment from work. Helen shares findings from her survey of more than 500 school leaders, and the data is sobering. Only 14% regularly switch off in the evenings. Nearly half ruminate about work outside working hours. Many struggle to relax and feel guilty prioritising their own needs. Together, we explore why switching off is not indulgent or optional. It is essential for physical health, emotional regulation, sound decision-making, creativity and school culture. When leaders cannot switch off, the impact cascades. Helen introduces her PAUSE model, offering practical, research-informed micro-repairs that are small, realistic and sustainable. This episode is for teachers and leaders who lie awake replaying conversations, check emails before they’re fully awake, and want to feel energised rather than depleted. What You’ll Hear in This Episode Why switching off regulates your hormonal stress response and strengthens resilienceHow emotional contagion means your mood influences your whole school communityWhy burnout is an erosion, not an explosionThe structural barriers within education that make switching off more difficultWhy micro-breaks of even 40 seconds make a measurable differenceHow beginning your day with non-work thoughts protects your mindsetPractical ways to create clearer boundaries around digital communicationWhy rumination keeps your nervous system activatedTechniques to interrupt overthinking, including structured task lists and intentional self-talkThe difference between family support and professional coachingWhy leadership effectiveness improves when wellbeing is safeguardedThe PAUSE Model P – Protect Time Build micro-breaks into your day. Small resets reduce the need for longer recovery later. A – Anchor Your Day Create intentional start- and end-of-day rituals to strengthen work-home boundaries. U – Unplug Reduce constant accessibility and set clear expectations around digital communication. S – Still the Mind Use practical tools to reduce rumination and calm cognitive overload. E – Emotional Support Access coaching, supervision or professional support. Leaders need support too. Key Message Switching off isn’t selfish. It’s strategic. Burnout isn’t prevented by one long holiday, but by small, consistent repairs. Sustainable leadership isn’t endurance, it’s intentional recovery. If you want clarity and energy, it starts with learning how to truly detach. Pause. Reset. Protect the human as well as the leader. Connect with Helen Kelly: LinkedIn: Dr. Helen Kelly Follow Rowena: Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/rowenaphicks Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Teach-Flourish-Thrive-Beat-Teacher-Burnout/61552987182926 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowena-hicks444 Website: https://www.rowenahicks.com Subscribe to the Beat Teacher Burnout Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop fortnightly to help you reduce stress, prevent burnout, and lead with clarity and energy. Listen here:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2unYCtcA81Qi5coaLZ22H1 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beat-teacher-burnout/id1731803571 — Looking for Rowena’s books? Explore all books here:https://www.rowenahicks.com/books Buy on Amazon:https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D2JJGG3T?ref=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_4SZ8663Z8DRGAT03NZA8&ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_4SZ8663Z8DRGAT03NZA8&language=en-GB&skipTwisterOG=2 — If you’re ready for gentle, practical support that fits into real school life, explore my courses here: 👉https://www.rowenahicks.com/courses

29 min
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

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

84
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Rowena Hicks
Show Website

Beat Teacher Burnout!