This episode was groundbreaking for me—both personally and professionally. In my own journey through burnout, and in the stories I witness daily as a psychologist supporting midlife women, I’ve often sensed that there was something deeper—something unspoken—beneath the exhaustion, the disconnection, the collapse. Meeting Lora Cheadle and learning about betrayal as a root cause of burnout felt like discovering a missing link. Lora—an attorney turned coach, author, and speaker—generously shares he...
Jul 02, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 7Ep. 55
In episode 54 of Midlife Reclaimed, we dive into one of the most quietly complex areas of midlife burnout recovery—relationships and intimacy. Whether you’re partnered or not, midlife often brings emotional and relational shifts that can leave us questioning what connection, desire, and closeness mean now. This conversation is an open, compassionate look at how burnout impacts intimacy—and how we can gently reconnect with ourselves and each other. Together with a special guest expert, we explore...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 7Ep. 54
In this solo episode, I invite you to see burnout through a different lens — not as a crisis to fear, but as a call for change, growth, and deeper self-connection. Drawing from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), my own burnout journey, the inspiring work of Dr. Dina Glouberman ( The Joy of Burnout ), and the lived experiences of my clients, we’ll explore how burnout can be a doorway to a life more aligned with who you truly are. Inside this conversation, we’ll dive into: Why burnout often ...
May 14, 2025•46 min•Season 7Ep. 53
In Episode 52 , I’m joined by Nicole Gribble, owner and coach at This is Living Nutrition, and a coach at one of Australia’s most popular gyms—Fitstop. Nicole works with adults across all life stages, but many of her clients happen to be midlife women—navigating stress, hormonal changes, and the question we all ask at some point: “Why am I doing everything ‘right’ and still feel so tired?” Together, we explore how nutrition can be a key player in reclaiming your energy, how to move away from all...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 7Ep. 52
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Debbie Sorensen, a clinical psychologist, who specialises in helping midlife adults with burnout. Dr. Sorensen is the author of ACT for Burnout (2023), a guide for breaking the burnout cycle, and co-host of Psychologists Off the Clock . She shares insights on how burnout shows up uniquely in midlife and the common patterns she observes. We explore the role of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in managing and recovering from burnout. Dr. Sorensen offers pr...
Apr 16, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Season 7Ep. 51
Vulnerability isn’t a weakness—it’s a superpower that fuels growth, resilience, and deeper connections. Yet, for many midlife women, embracing vulnerability can feel daunting, especially when navigating career shifts, evolving relationships, and changing identities. In this episode, we explore what vulnerability truly means, why it’s essential for navigating midlife with courage, and how it can become a catalyst for self-discovery and closer, more meaningful relationships. We’ll also unpack the ...
Apr 02, 2025•39 min•Season 7Ep. 50
Is your phone taking more than it’s giving? In this episode of Midlife Reclaimed , I take a personal and reflective journey into my mobile phone habits—how overuse has impacted my sleep, focus, and well-being, and what I’m doing to reclaim control. Drawing on research from Nick Petrie and his team, I explore the connection between phone overuse and burnout, and why a conscious "phone strategy" can be a game-changer for mental energy and stress reduction. Plus, I’ll guide you through reflective q...
Mar 19, 2025•53 min•Season 7Ep. 49
Join us on EP 48 as we chat with Naturopath Wendy Burke—a passionate advocate for holistic hormone health. Wendy decodes the interplay of hormonal changes, stress, & midlife challenges that send your emotions into overdrive. Discover why your anger spikes, mood swings are unpredictable, & what your body is really signalling. We explore practical strategies—from herbal supplements & nutrition to movement & sleep—that empower you during midlife. Walk away with a clearer view of you...
Mar 05, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Season 7Ep. 48
Welcome to Season 7—and my first solo episode back—as I mark a very special milestone: four-year anniversary of the day I left my demanding career behind to reclaim my life. I dive deep into that transformative moment—exploring the mix of emotions that propelled me from fear to liberation—and reflect on the lessons learned along the way. In our conversation, I discuss how the act of leaving everything familiar sparked a journey of self-discovery, leading me to redefine success, embrace vulnerabi...
Feb 24, 2025•57 min•Season 7Ep. 47
Midlife Reclaimed Welcome to Midlife Reclaimed —a podcast that has grown alongside my own story of burnout, recovery, and rediscovery in early midlife. I’m Shannon A. Swales, psychologist, writer, and midlife woman walking the path with you. This podcast began as Burnout: A Different Kind of GAP Year , where I shared my lived experience of midlife burnout in real time—alongside the stories of guests who bravely opened up about their own burnout journeys. As I returned to my work as a psychologis...
Jan 28, 2025•7 min
In this unplanned bonus episode of When Burnout Becomes Reality , I hit record to verbally journal my thoughts and feelings around an upcoming assessment for ADHD and Autism. This is raw, unedited, and entirely in the moment—a reflection of what’s been sitting on my heart and mind. I explore questions like: What if I’m not neurodivergent? Why am I even seeking an assessment? I also share a bit of my journey—what led me to consider this path and the thoughts swirling as I prepare for the assessme...
Jan 10, 2025•32 min•Season 6Ep. 46
As 2024 comes to a close, join Shan for this reflective solo episode of When Burnout Becomes Reality. In this final episode of the year, Shan guides listeners through a soothing breathing practice to ground the mind, calm the body, and honour the soul—a reminder of the power of small moments to care for ourselves during the busiest of seasons. In this heartfelt episode, Shan reflects on: The Year That Was: Insights into the challenges and joys of the holiday season and strategies for protecting ...
Dec 18, 2024•46 min•Season 6Ep. 45
In this episode, we explore the lived experience of neurodivergent burnout with Chrissy Foreman, a Neuro-affirming Artist and Arts Therapist based in South East Queensland, Australia. Chrissy, who is both Autistic and ADHD (AuDHDer), shares her personal journey with burnout, offering valuable insights into how it shows up, its cyclical nature, and the unique challenges of being late-diagnosed. We also discuss what helps Chrissy prevent and respond to burnout, the lessons she has learned along th...
Dec 04, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 6Ep. 44
Feeling drained, stuck, or questioning everything in your life? You’re not alone, and it’s a challenge many face in midlife. In this episode, we dive deep into understanding the overlap between two powerful experiences: burnout and the midlife crisis. Both can shake up your life in big ways, but how do you know which one you’re dealing with—or if you’re facing both? Tune in to discover: The key differences between a midlife crisis and burnout, and how each uniquely impacts your energy, mindset, ...
Nov 20, 2024•24 min•Season 6Ep. 43
I sat down with Michael Coles, a 49-yr-old autistic man, married, father of 2, & a podcaster. Michael shares his powerful story of experiencing autistic burnout, offering insights into what contributed to it, how he recovered, & how he now works to support his mental health & well-being. We explore key topics like people-pleasing, ableism, workplace accommodations, at-home support, the power of authenticity, & compassionate support from others. It is a must-listen for anyone who ...
Nov 06, 2024•50 min•Season 6Ep. 42
In this solo episode, host Shannon Swales explores Burnout Growth, a transformative approach to recovering from burnout and creating lasting change. Drawing from Nick Petrie’s research and her own experiences, Shannon contrasts the paths of "bouncing back" versus "bouncing forward" after burnout. Key topics include: What Burnout Growth is and how it differs from simple recovery The four potential outcomes after burnout, from Post-Traumatic Stress to Post-Traumatic Growth Practical strategies for...
Oct 16, 2024•51 min•Season 6Ep. 41
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Denis Belicki, a clinical psychologist with over 40 yrs of experience. His impressive career has spanned forensic psychology, private practice with his wife, & his current role as a digital nomad, providing remote therapy to healthcare professionals. Dr. Belicki has dedicated much of his work to supporting emergency first responders, veterans, physicians, & nurses who face many mental health challenges working in high-stress environments. We explore t...
Oct 02, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 6Ep. 40
In this solo episode of When Burnout Becomes Reality , Shannon takes you through everything you need to know about mindfulness and its role in overcoming burnout. Discover the essentials of mindfulness and how it can help manage stress and restore balance in your life. Key Topics Covered: Understanding Mindfulness: Learn what mindfulness is and how being present can alleviate burnout. Mindfulness and Neurodiversity: Explore how mindfulness practices can be adapted to support neurodivergent indiv...
Sep 18, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 6Ep. 39
In this episode, Michelle, a passionate and driven woman across all areas of life, shares her burnout journey through two careers: first as a social worker in Australia’s child protection sector, and later as an entrepreneur. Key insights: How passion and drive, without personal boundaries, inevitably lead to burnout. Setting aside time for deep reflection to assess what is and isn’t working in your work and personal life, followed by the courage to make necessary changes. The power of tuning in...
Sep 04, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 6Ep. 38
In this Solo episode of When Burnout Becomes Reality , we're diving deep into a question many of us wrestle with: "Am I Getting Better?" Burnout can cloud our judgment, making it hard to see our progress clearly. Our brains tend to fixate on the negative when we're stressed, anxious, or feeling down, which can skew our self-assessment. We'll explore why measuring burnout is crucial, not just relying on our subjective perceptions. From scientifically proven methods to practical tips, we'll uncove...
Jul 17, 2024•38 min•Season 5Ep. 37
Introducing Ep and Guest, Daniel Ewers 16+ yrs in the business world, Chartered accountant & CFO. Daniel reached the pinnacle of that career at age 29. Life on the surface seemed perfect, but what he didn’t realise was that he was right on the edge of a 4 yr burnout & recovery - cued by a huge panic attack in 2019. During this burnout or what he calls a cocktail of depression & PTSD, Daniel heavily researched the subject areas of epigenetics, accelerated learning, wellness, neuroscie...
Jul 03, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Season 5Ep. 36
Welcome to "When Burnout Becomes Reality," where we delve into the depths of our mental health journeys, shedding light on the often-overlooked shadows of burnout. In this episode, we embark on a crucial exploration: "How to Stop Burnout From Sneaking Up on You?" We begin by introducing Nick Petrie's three degrees of burnout and how to respond to each level of burn. Petrie's work provides a valuable framework for understanding the progression of burnout, from early warning signs to more severe s...
Jun 19, 2024•48 min•Season 5Ep. 35
Attention all educators! In this ep., Shannon sits down with Rowena, a career teacher turned burnout coach. Drawing from her experiences with burnout & compassion fatigue, as well as over 30 yrs in the education industry, Rowena shares invaluable insights & wisdom. This ep. tackles critical questions, including: What causes teacher burnout? We explore individual factors like the rescuer mindset, perfectionism, & the tendency to overextend oneself. Additionally, we examine systemic is...
Jun 05, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Season 5Ep. 34
Episode Notes: Welcome to "When Burnout Becomes Reality," where we delve into the depths of our mental health journeys, shedding light on the often-overlooked shadows of burnout. In this episode, we embark on a crucial exploration: "Am I Burnt Out?" Join us as we navigate the intricate web of signs and symptoms that define burnout, from exhaustion to cynicism to inefficacy. We're not just scratching the surface; we're delving deep into the scientific and lived experience knowledge surrounding bu...
May 15, 2024•33 min•Season 5Ep. 33
Attention mental health providers! In this episode, inspired by questions from American high school students Jayden, Gabriela, and Dana, we dive deep into the crucial topic of burnout in the mental health field. Join me as I address key questions such as the causes of burnout, its long-term effects, and practical strategies to combat it. In the first part, we explore the root causes of burnout and discuss ways to minimise its impact on mental health professionals. Then, in part two, starting aro...
May 01, 2024•1 hr 29 min•Season 5Ep. 32
Ep Description: In this intriguing episode, Clinical Psychologist Anna Wiederroth shares her wealth of knowledge accumulated through years of compassionate work with individuals and couples, delving into the concept she terms 'relationship burnout'. With eloquence and depth, Anna unpacks the intricacies of relationship burnout, exploring its origins, patterns, and the hurdles it presents. She empathetically addresses the common barriers, fears, and roadblocks individuals encounter on their journ...
Apr 03, 2024•1 hr 26 min•Season 5Ep. 31
In this episode, I had the privilege of engaging in a thought-provoking conversation with Shannon Bowman, the driving force behind Create Balance Psychotherapy and Counselling (see more about Shannon below). Our in-depth discussion centred around a crucial subject - worker well-being within the organisational context. We explored common pitfalls that workplaces often stumble upon, inadvertently contributing to poor well-being outcomes for workers. Drawing from Shannon's extensive experience, we ...
Mar 06, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 5Ep. 30
In Episode 29 of When Burnout Becomes Reality Podcast, I sit down with Marissa McKool from McKool Coaching. A public health worker from the US who experienced her own burnout prior to the pandemic and, upon recovery, made it her life's ambition to help women in the public health sector prevent, recover from, and grow from burnout. I interviewed Marissa on a critical topic that is special to her: REST. Marissa clarifies for the listener what exactly REST is, and it isn't what you think. She share...
Jan 31, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 5Ep. 29
Episode 28 brings you the wisdom of certified mindset and well-being coach Ange. Ange introduces us to five key steps to go from busy to balanced in this busy culture we find ourselves living in. A culture that is contributing to our unhappiness and conditions such as burnout. Our discussion on this topic flows from our very own personal journeys of imbalance to balance, those of the clients we work with and these key steps that Ange provides in this episode to help us walk from busy to balanced...
Jan 03, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Season 5Ep. 28
EP 27 When Burnout Becomes Reality Podcast brings you the recording of my World Mental Health Day 2023 virtual event - Burnout Panel Discussion and Q&A. The Burnout panel included a mix of experts and lived experience guests to help bring a well-rounded discussion on this critical topic. They are Nichola Browning: Retired Nurse (30 plus years across public, private, not-for-profit and corporate sectors), Health Advocate, Changemaker, Burnout Lived Experience, Mother of 3 https://www.linkedin...
Nov 01, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Season 4Ep. 27
