Jo shares her journey from Nottingham Medical School to rehabilitation medicine in Australia, and the pull towards the biopsychosocial side of patient care. She talks candidly about setting up her own functional medicine clinic in a small regional town, and how the isolation and responsibility of solo practice eventually tipped her into burnout.

Jayne and Jo explore what burnout actually looked like for her: working late once the children were in bed, a quietly observant husband who noticed the change first, and a perfectionist mindset that made stepping back feel impossible. Jo reflects honestly on quitting her clinic, and why she would not necessarily recommend that route to others now.

The conversation turns to what really helped her recover: coaching, learning to name and track emotions, and a deep dive into mindset work that eventually became her own coaching and podcasting career. Jo is refreshingly clear that leaving a job or profession is not always the answer, and explains the workplace factors that matter far more than individual resilience alone.

They also discuss Schwartz Rounds, a simple but powerful way for hospital staff of every kind to come together and share what it is really like to work under pressure, and why creating white space in a working day, protected time to think, breathe or simply pause, is one of the most valuable things any organisation can offer its people.

Finally, Jo shares her four pillars for staying well: mindset, movement, sleep and support, and why she still sees a coach herself after all these years of helping others.

A warm, practical conversation about burnout, recovery and building a working life that does not cost you your health.

Connect with Jo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjobraid/

Find out more about Jo's work: https://drjobraid.com

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup, founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have to.

Subscribe, share and leave a review to help more caring professionals find us. To be a guest, or just to say hello, reach us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Learn more about Jayne Ellis and our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience training at http://eftraining.co.uk

This podcast is for education and support only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care. If you are struggling, please contact a qualified professional or your GP.

Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open, honest conversation.

Tim explains why simply telling people what they should do rarely leads to lasting change, and how motivational interviewing creates a very different kind of conversation, one built on curiosity, empathy, autonomy and collaboration.

They explore the 'expert trap', why clinicians burn out when they feel responsible for changing their patients, and how helping people feel heard benefits not only patients and clients but also healthcare professionals, managers and leaders.

The conversation turns to why so many people say 'I'm fine' when they aren't. Tim discusses stigma, shame and vulnerability, the importance of asking twice, and listening without immediately trying to fix things so someone has the space to talk.

Jayne and Tim also explore self-compassion, mindfulness, psychological flexibility and the critical voice in our heads. Tim shares his own experiences of depression, anxiety and burnout, and practical techniques for changing our relationship with difficult thoughts and emotions.

The episode includes a simple but powerful exercise in cognitive defusion, learning to notice our thoughts rather than automatically believing them, along with Tim's reflections on unconditional self-acceptance and the difference between self-criticism and compassionate self-correction.

Connect with Tim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtimanstiss/

Dr Kristin Neff: https://self-compassion.org/

Professor Paul Gilbert and the Compassionate Mind Foundation: https://www.compassionatemind.co.uk/

Bill Miller, author of Listen Well: The Art of Empathetic Understanding: https://williamrmiller.net/training-speaking/

British Medical Journal (BMJ): https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/2/e047626

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup, founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have to.

Subscribe, share and leave a review to help more caring professionals find us. To be a guest, or just to say hello, reach us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Learn more about Jayne Ellis and our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience training at http://eftraining.co.uk

Content note: this episode discusses depression, anxiety and burnout, which some listeners may find difficult.

This podcast is for education and support only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care. If you are struggling, please contact a qualified professional or your GP.

Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open, honest conversation.

In this episode of I'm Fine, The Truth Behind the Smile, Jayne Ellis is joined by Ngozi Weller, co-founder and director of Aurora, a leadership development and organisational effectiveness consultancy that helps workplaces work better for everyone in them.

Ngozi tells her story with warmth, humour and honesty: an insecure teenager who longed to be a writer, the news bulletin that sparked a far bigger ambition, and the winding path into a sixteen-year corporate career.

She speaks candidly about the serious illness that changed the course of her life, and about being pushed out of that career by burnout. Ngozi describes just how dark things became, and what her recovery truly involved: the people who stepped in, professional support, and the slow, patient work of healing.

Out of that experience, Aurora was born. Ngozi and Jayne explore how she turned everything she lived through into work that helps others: healthier, more inclusive workplaces where people can thrive.

The conversation turns to that small phrase, I'm fine, and why we reach for it. Ngozi calls it the Robin Williams effect, and reflects on self-protection, the moments the mask slips, and why so few people really want to hear the honest answer.

Finally, Ngozi opens up about how she looks after herself now: the idea of responsible selfishness, firstborn daughter syndrome and people pleasing, the radical honesty she now practises, and the running crew and weekend painting that keep her from running on empty.

A powerful, funny and profoundly human conversation about ambition, resilience and learning to put yourself back on the list.

Connect with Ngozi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ngozi-weller-aurora/

Find out more about Aurora: https://aurorawellnessgroup.co.uk/

Listen to Ngozi's podcast, The Wellbeing Rebellion: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-wellbeing-rebellion/id1675517581

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup, founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have to.

Subscribe, share and leave a review to help more caring professionals find us. To be a guest, or just to say hello, reach us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Learn more about Jayne Ellis and our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience training at http://eftraining.co.uk

If you are struggling, you are not alone. In the UK you can call Samaritans free, day or night, on 116 123, or speak to your GP. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please call 999.

This podcast is for education and support only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care.

Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open, honest conversation.

Claire shares the winding path that took her from nursing into education and then into running her own business. She talks about specialising in learning disability nursing, moving through paediatrics and health visiting, and grabbing every opportunity the NHS put in front of her, before eventually setting up the training company she still leads today.

Jayne and Claire look back on the demanding BTEC programme they once taught together at university, and reflect on how much of that pressure came not from the subject itself but from the deep sense of responsibility they felt for their learners, and how that experience shaped the way Claire builds and supports teams now.

Together they explore what it really takes to create an inclusive, supportive culture: why vision and values matter far more than words on a website, how honest scheduling and a personal approach to observations can protect people from overwhelm, and why no single adjustment ever meets everybody's needs.

The conversation turns to the surprising number of transferable skills that come from a caring background: curiosity, the art of asking one more question, a non-judgemental way of meeting people, and the ability to coach, teach and lead by genuinely understanding others.

Finally, Claire opens up about how she looks after herself. She shares her motto, keep moving forward, and what it has taught her about recognising when she cannot cope, giving herself time rather than simply pushing on, and the small daily rituals, dog walks in the Chilterns, time in nature and losing herself in a good book, that help her reset.

A warm, honest conversation about people, purpose and looking after yourself while you spend your days looking after everyone else.

Connect with Claire: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-gardner-393a231a/

Find out more about Dynamic Training: https://www.dynamictraining.org.uk/

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup, founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have to.

Subscribe, share and leave a review to help more caring professionals find us. To be a guest, or just to say hello, reach us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Learn more about Jayne Ellis and our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience training at http://eftraining.co.uk

This podcast is for education and support only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care. If you are struggling, please contact a qualified professional or your GP.

Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open, honest conversation.

Frances spent 30 years in nursing, beginning in oncology before moving into district nursing, nurse practitioner roles and finally becoming a multiple sclerosis specialist nurse. She shares what drew her to community nursing, why she preferred working one to one with patients, and the pressures of a healthcare system stretched by staff shortages and limited resources.

After retiring from nursing she took an unexpected new direction and founded her own independent funeral business, Opals, which she has now run for around 10 years. The catalyst was the funeral of her beloved uncle: feeling his life had not been properly represented, she began researching the industry and asking whether she could offer families something different.

She talks openly about the journey from nurse to funeral director: training as a celebrant, overcoming her fear of public speaking, and learning to run a business from scratch. She explains why nurses have an extraordinary range of transferable skills, from listening and problem solving to managing teams, and reflects on the emotional parallels between nursing and funeral directing.

Together, Jayne and Frances explore facing death from a young age, the patients and families who stay with you long after the working day ends, and why some losses hit hardest. Frances shares how she protects her wellbeing through exercise, friendships, walking, holidays and, increasingly, allowing herself proper time away from work.

They also discuss the changing face of funeral directing, towards giving families the freedom to create a funeral that reflects the person they have lost. At the heart of it is a simple reminder: saying 'I'm fine' and putting on a smile isn't always enough. Frances's message to anyone considering a change is to think outside the box, because your skills may be more transferable than you realise.

Connect with Frances: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frances-alcock-b9b656109/

Find out more about Opals Funerals: https://www.opalsfunerals.co.uk/

Follow Opals on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/opalsfunerals/

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup, founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have to.

Subscribe, share and leave a review to help more caring professionals find us. To be a guest, or just to say hello, reach us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Learn more about Jayne Ellis and our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience training at http://eftraining.co.uk

Content note: this episode discusses death, dying, bereavement and funeral directing, which some listeners may find upsetting.

This podcast is for education and support only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care. If you are struggling, please contact a qualified professional or your GP.

Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open, honest conversation.

Poppy came to funeral directing from the art world, driven to do things differently after seeing poor standards of care in the sector. What began as a wish to give grieving families better care has grown into a team dedicated to helping people feel 'held and heard'.

She is honest about the toll of such demanding work, and says her biggest lesson has been learning to look after herself. In the early days she gave everything, on call through the night and driving paperwork across London, until she realised that approach wasn't sustainable.

Together, Jayne and Poppy explore boundaries, why caring professions make it so hard to recognise our own needs, why we should talk more openly about death, and the rituals that help us process loss. Poppy shares how swimming, walking and her support network keep her well, and why looking after yourself isn't selfish, it's what makes sustainable care possible.

Find out more about Poppy's Funeral Directors: https://www.poppysfunerals.co.uk/

Connect with Poppy here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/poppy-mardall-b1215117/ and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/poppy_mardall/

You can also follow Poppy's Funerals on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/poppysfunerals/

https://www.facebook.com/poppysfunerals

https://www.linkedin.com/company/poppy-s-funerals/

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have to.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch.

Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Content note: This episode discusses death, dying, bereavement and funeral directing. Some listeners may find these subjects difficult or upsetting.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP.

The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue.

Adrian shares an unexpected journey from wanting to join the army, through acting, into education and school leadership. Having had to engage with Educational Psychologists from primary school, he was eventually diagnosed with ADHD in his early twenties, and he reflects on growing up in a system that didn't understand neurodivergence, and how the right environments, structure and opportunities helped him thrive.

From Headteacher of ArtsEd to using his experience as a Master Practitioner Coach with the EMCC to coach neurodivergent young people, Adrian explains why what holds people back often isn't their dyslexia, ADHD, dyspraxia or autism, but how they feel about themselves. He talks openly about being labelled and misunderstood at school, the toll of masking, and why performing arts can be such a powerful home for neurodivergent young people, where creativity and individuality become strengths rather than things to hide.

Together, Jayne and Adrian discuss what parents should look for when choosing a school, why happiness and learning how to learn matter as much as academic results, and how to create genuinely neurodivergent-friendly workplaces through psychological safety, flexibility and space for creativity, recognising that progress doesn't always happen in a straight line.

Jayne asks the question at the heart of the podcast: how does someone who spends his time supporting others look after himself? Adrian's answer is revealing: family, martial arts, exercise and purpose, and he reflects on why every organisation is, at its heart, a people organisation. Perhaps the most powerful moment comes when he explains that at ArtsEd, people knew that 'I'm fine' rarely meant 'I'm fine'.

An uplifting, thought-provoking conversation about what happens when we stop trying to make people fit the system and start creating systems that let people thrive. A must-listen for parents, educators, leaders, employers and anyone who wants to understand what it really means to create belonging.

Connect with Adrian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-blake-5bb06560/

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup, founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have to.

Subscribe, share and leave a review to help more caring professionals find us. To be a guest, or just to say hello, reach us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Learn more about Jayne Ellis and our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience training at http://eftraining.co.uk

This podcast is for education and support only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care. If you are struggling, please contact a qualified professional or your GP.

Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open, honest conversation.

Charlotte shares her career journey from nursing in Switzerland and pharmaceutical market research to becoming an entrepreneur, running a home care business and eventually returning to healthcare, discovering along the way that her caring nature could be used in many ways and that being a nurse didn't have to define her entire career.

Now working as a clinical coach, she supports patients to better self-manage their health, navigate barriers within the healthcare system, build confidence and take action, and explains why simply listening and making someone feel heard can matter as much as practical guidance.

She also opens up about the emotional toll of caring for others, and the pressure healthcare and social care professionals put on themselves to be strong, resilient and dependable, made even harder when working remotely.

Charlotte shares her own experience of burnout, including the physical symptoms she had before recognising what was really happening. A book from her sister, Healing Back Pain: The Mind-Body Connection by John Sarno, helped her understand the link between stress and physical symptoms and became a turning point in how she viewed vulnerability.

Together, Jayne and Charlotte explore why healthcare professionals can find it so difficult to ask for help, why we don't want to be seen as the person who isn't coping, and why being vulnerable isn't a weakness; it can be a source of strength.

Charlotte also shares how she looks after herself now, including reading, yoga, guided meditation and personal growth. Her advice for anyone entering a caring profession is simple but powerful: notice how you're feeling, find the words to describe it, don't mask it and be true to yourself.

A powerful reminder that the people who spend their lives caring for others need to care for themselves too, and that there is only one you, so be you.

Connect with Charlotte: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-evans-575a1029/

Guided Meditation App: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/yoga-with-lisa/id6587581227

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis, who learnt the hard way so you don't have to.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch.

Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP.

The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue.

In this episode of I'm Fine - The Truth Behind the Smile, Jayne is joined by Silvia Freeman, a health and wellbeing consultant who helps organisations move beyond simply talking about stress and instead teaches practical techniques that help people regulate their emotions, calm their nervous systems and prevent burnout before it takes hold.

Silvia shares her own journey from an administrative career into wellbeing leadership at Network Rail, where a personal experience with therapy and emotional healing sparked a passion for supporting others. Starting as one of the organisation's first Wellbeing Champions, she developed innovative wellbeing programmes that introduced breathwork, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) tapping and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) to teams across the UK.

Together, Jayne and Silvia explore why so many workplace wellbeing initiatives remain reactive rather than preventative, and why simply telling people about stress is rarely enough. Instead, Silvia explains the importance of giving people practical tools they can use every day to regulate anxiety, improve focus and build emotional resilience.

The conversation also tackles the challenges of encouraging organisations and leaders to invest in wellbeing before problems become crises. Silvia explains why science, experience and consistency are all essential in helping leaders understand that healthier, emotionally regulated employees are not only happier, but also more productive and engaged.

Finally, Silvia reflects on the importance of practising what she teaches. From daily mindfulness and breathwork to EFT tapping, walking and dancing, she shares the non-negotiable habits that help her stay emotionally well while supporting others.

This episode is a refreshing reminder that emotional wellbeing isn't something we find once we've burnt out; it's something we build through small, consistent practices every day.

Connect with Silvia here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/silvia-freeman-wellbeingfacilitator/

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have to.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch.

Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP.

The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue.

In this episode of I'm Fine - The Truth Behind the Smile, Jayne is joined by Kate and Sharon, directors of Mulberry House Vets, to explore the hidden emotional realities of veterinary practice. Between them, they have decades of experience as a veterinary surgeon, veterinary nurse and practice leaders, giving a unique insight into one of the most rewarding, but emotionally demanding, professions.

Kate reflects on always knowing she wanted to be a vet and how a supportive mentor early in her career made all the difference. She discusses how the profession has changed over the past two decades, with rising client expectations, social media scrutiny and perfectionism creating a far more challenging environment for today's graduates.

Sharon shares her journey from veterinary nursing into management and practice ownership, describing the long hours, relentless demands and emotional exhaustion that once led her to step away from clinical practice. Together, they explain why resilience alone isn't enough and why psychologically safe workplaces have become essential.

The conversation explores how Mulberry House Vets has built a culture where mistakes are treated as learning opportunities, leaders remain visible and approachable, and staff speak openly before stress becomes burnout. Rather than simply having an "open door policy," Kate and Sharon explain what it takes to genuinely live those values every day.

Jayne also explores the changing landscape of the profession, including the growing number of women entering the industry, the importance of flexible working, and why talking openly about mental health is helping change a profession that once expected people to simply "get on with it."

Finally, Kate and Sharon share how they protect their own wellbeing. Sharon returns to horse riding to disconnect and reset, while Kate finds balance through running, being outdoors, time by the sea and laughter with close friends. Both agree that looking after yourself isn't a luxury. It's what allows you to continue caring for others.

This is an honest conversation about compassion, leadership, resilience and why supporting the people behind the profession ultimately benefits everyone, including the animals they care for.

Connect with Sharon here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-tongue-2a259849/

Find out more here: https://www.mulberryhousevets.co.uk

EF training Ltd exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis, who learnt the hard way so you don't have to.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review. It helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch at info@eftraining.co.uk.

Visit us at https://eftraining.co.uk to learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP.

The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd.

This week, Jayne is joined by Nick Witan, founder of the 'Just Care' Campaign and host of the 'Just Care' Podcast, for a thoughtful conversation about why care should mean far more than simply meeting people's basic needs.

Nick shares how he unexpectedly found his calling in health and social care and why, after more than 17 years in the sector, he believes it's time for a fundamental shift in how we think about support. Together, he and Jayne explore the difference between helping people survive and helping them truly live.

They discuss why genuine independence comes from doing with people rather than doing for them, how meaningful relationships transform care, and why quality of life should never be viewed as an optional extra.

The conversation also turns to the emotional reality of working in caring professions. Nick speaks openly about the anxiety he has experienced during his career, the lack of proactive emotional support available for frontline staff, and why so many dedicated professionals quietly put everyone else's needs before their own.

Together they explore:

• why relationships are at the heart of exceptional care

• the hidden emotional toll of supporting vulnerable people

• why staff wellbeing directly affects the quality of care people receive

• the importance of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)

• why "good enough" should never be the ambition in health and social care

• how simple daily acts of self-care can prevent us from running on empty

This is an honest and inspiring conversation about compassion, leadership, purpose and the responsibility we all have to create lives filled with meaning, not simply safety.

If you've ever worked in health or social care, supported a loved one, or wondered what truly person-centred care should look like, this episode is full of insight, hope and practical wisdom.

EF training Ltd exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis, who learnt the hard way so you don't have to.

Connect with Nick here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-witan%F0%9F%92%A1-aa5698313/

Listen to Nick's 'Just Care' Podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/033uW3PKYIjbSlfGB6uDoF

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review. It helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch at info@eftraining.co.uk.

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk to learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP.

The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation and learning.

Cait shares her extraordinary journey from training as an acupuncturist, building thriving practices across Europe, and experiencing severe burnout herself, to becoming one of the world's leading voices on burnout prevention and workplace wellbeing.

Together, Jayne and Cait explore the hidden links between childhood experiences, helping professions and perfectionism, why compassion fatigue and burnout can be so difficult to recognise in ourselves, and the fascinating neuroscience behind why some of us genuinely don't notice the warning signs.

They discuss:

• why high achievers often believe burnout happens to "other people"

• the connection between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and caring professions

• compassion fatigue, burnout and emotional exhaustion

• why boundaries matter more than balance

• how resentment can become one of our most valuable emotional signals

• what leaders can do to create healthier workplaces

• and the practical steps that helped Cait recover and build a life that's no longer driven by self-neglect.

This is an honest, insightful conversation that blends science, lived experience and compassion, reminding us that saying "I'm fine" is often the beginning of a much bigger story.

Connect with Cait here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitdonovanspeaks/

Find out more about Cait and how she supports here: https://caitdonovan.com/

Listen to Cait's podcast, 'Fried: The Burnout Podcast' here: https://caitdonovan.com/podcast

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have to.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review. It helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP.

The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue.

Together, they explore the often-unspoken emotional toll faced by healthcare professionals, especially in oncology, where grief, loss, and repeated exposure to distress can quietly build over time. Sara shares why the language around “compassion fatigue” and “resilience” can sometimes miss the bigger picture, focusing instead for greater honesty, systemic support, and a deeper understanding of the human impact of caregiving.

This episode also challenges common misconceptions around staff wellbeing, highlighting how meaningful support goes far beyond one-off resilience training or wellbeing initiatives. Sara discusses the importance of protected spaces, compassionate leadership, practical support, and creating workplace cultures where staff feel safe to acknowledge when things are hard.

At its heart, this conversation is about balance—how healthcare workers can hold space for sadness while also protecting hope, connection, and joy in their own lives. Insightful, thoughtful, and full of practical wisdom, this episode is essential listening for anyone working in healthcare, leadership or caregiving roles.

Sara Lister - Oncology Psychotherapist RN, BSc (Hons), PGDAE, MA, MSc, MBACP (Accred.) ACC (Accred.)

Connect with Sara here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-lister-1a761463/ 

https://www.instagram.com/saraelister/?__d=undefined

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. 

Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP. 

The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue. 

In this Episode, Ellie joins Jayne for an honest and deeply moving conversation about what happens when the people who care for everyone else, stop caring for themselves.

Ellie traces her journey from a surgical urology ward to building a cancer nurse specialist team from the ground up over 17 years - and reflects on the moment that changed everything: being encouraged by Jayne to stay for training on Compassion Fatigue that she set up for her team and discovering there was a name for what she and her colleagues had been silently carrying. 

She opens up about the weight of leadership in the NHS, why saying "I'm fine" becomes almost a reflex when you're conditioned to put everyone else first, especially when responsible as a leader.

But this story is also about recovery and reclaimed wellbeing.  Ellie shares how a 5.15am solo walk - come rain, snow or darkness - became the strategy that replaced her 3am anxious thoughts, restoring her sleep and gave her back herself.

A quiet but powerful reminder that even the most devoted carers need someone to ask - and really mean it - "how are you"?

Follow Ellie on X - https://x.com/EleanorRobins16 

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. 

Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP. 

The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue. 

From losing Abby in 2016 to building a vital support network embedded within University Hospital Southampton, Sally reflects on grief, resilience, and turning unimaginable pain into purpose. 

She reveals how Abby’s Heroes now provides family support workers, counselling, financial grants, sibling and grandparent support, and meaningful moments of connection for families navigating paediatric cancer.

This conversation also shines a crucial light on the emotional toll carried by nurses, palliative teams, and healthcare professionals working long shifts on the frontline of child loss. Sally speaks candidly about the urgent need for mental health support and better wellbeing systems for those caring for others through the darkest moments.

With remarkable honesty, Sally explores the masks people wear when answering “I’m fine,” the burden of grief, the loneliness of loss, and the strength it takes to protect others while surviving yourself. She also shares how “responsible selfishness” — from the gym to extraordinary cycling challenges like London to Paris — has become part of reclaiming her strength.

This episode is a moving exploration of love, loss, survival and service — and a reminder that even in the aftermath of devastation, purpose can rise, communities can heal and extraordinary legacies can be built.

Find out more about Abby's Heroes: 

https://abbysheroes.org/ 

Connect and Follow here:

https://www.instagram.com/abbysheroes/ 

https://www.facebook.com/AbbysHeroesCharity/ 

Connect with Sally here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-randall/

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. 

Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP. 

The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue. 

From adapting to demanding personalities and workplace expectations to the pressure of constantly appearing “fine,” this conversation explores the hidden emotional labour many professionals experience every day.

Everything changed after a life-altering health crisis - a stroke initially dismissed as high blood pressure - forcing a complete reassessment of stress, wellbeing, recovery and the culture of silence that still exists in many workplaces.

Together, they discuss the emotional impact of supporting others and why saying “I’m fine” is often anything but the truth. They dive deep into the reality of stress, burnout and invisible pressure in corporate life, as well as the journey of recovering both physically and psychologically after a stroke, including the profound impact serious illness has on families. 

The conversation highlights why workplace wellbeing must go beyond surface-level check-ins, emphasising the crucial importance of communication, boundaries and psychological safety. 

Finally, they share small, practical wellbeing practices that genuinely help during moments of overwhelm. 

This is an honest, moving, and deeply relatable conversation about resilience, identity, recovery and learning to listen when the body says enough.

Vicky Osbourn - Busy mum of two teenagers and a husband (who wants to be a teenager) that juggles full-time work whilst desperately clinging on the the vestiges of calmness and wholesomeness in an ever-changing world and life.

Connect with Vicky on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/vicky-osbourn-60472613  / Facebook - vickyhollyfield_osbourn / Instagram - vickyhollyfield_osbourn

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. 

Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP. 

The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue. 

In this introductory episode, our Host Jayne Ellis opens up about her own journey through compassion fatigue, a difficult exit from a career in Healthcare that she loved and the moment she realised that emotional health and safety in the workplace wasn't just overlooked - it was barely there! 

This inspired Jayne to write her first course to bring awareness for others who were suffering without the proper support in place and EF training was founded. She's on a mission so that everybody has access to the skills and tools needed to build sustainable emotional resilience.  

Join Jayne and her weekly guest as they bring conversations from healthcare, social care and beyond - voices of those who know first hand the workplace pressure and trying to find the balance within everyday life.

Each guest will be asked the question we so rarely answer honestly, "how are you really feeling?"

Because "I'm fine" is rarely the whole story.

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. 

Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP. 

The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue. 

Libby shares her fascinating journey from a successful career in music publishing to becoming a physiotherapist, driven by a desire to do work that felt meaningful and made a difference. Along the way, she reflects on working in research, supporting people living with multiple sclerosis, and the challenges and rewards of building her own business.

Together, Jayne and Libby explore the emotional impact of healthcare professions, the hidden toll of witnessing trauma, and why so many of us answer “I’m fine” when the truth is far more complicated. They discuss professional identity, the pressures of modern healthcare, the importance of genuine human connection, and how our personal experiences shape the way we care for others.

Libby also opens up about her own experience of burnout, the importance of creativity and music in maintaining wellbeing, and the powerful lesson that many of us learn too late: it’s okay to say no without explanation.

This episode is a thoughtful and relatable conversation for healthcare professionals, carers, teachers and anyone who has ever put everyone else’s needs before their own.

Find out more about Libby Jarman - www.ejhomephysio.com 

Connect - https://www.linkedin.com/in/libby-jarman-ba7098169/

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. 

Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP. 

The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue. 

With more than three decades on the NHS frontline, Lucy shares the lessons she’s learned about trusting your instincts, finding the courage to speak up and navigating the emotional impact of witnessing trauma, grief and loss from a young age.

Together, they discuss why so many healthcare professionals say “I’m fine” when they’re anything but, the importance of having safe people around you, and the hidden challenges nurses face every day. Lucy also reflects on the privilege of caring for patients at their most vulnerable, the importance of self-care, and why remembering who you are outside of work is essential for longevity in such a demanding profession.

This is an honest, moving and inspiring conversation about resilience, compassion, leadership and the power of saying, “I’m not okay.”

A must-listen for nurses, healthcare and social care workers, leaders and anyone who has ever hidden their struggles behind a smile.

Lucy shares: I am a passionate ED nurse, who values the team I work with, it is a privilege to support them and work alongside them. I am a wife, Mum of 2 and soon to be Grandparent. Out of work I love supporting my local football team, going to the gym and spending time with my family. 

Connect with Lucy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-tebbit-97a258256/  

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. 

Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP. 

The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue. 

In this powerful conversation, Jayne is joined by Resilience Expert Alfred Ricci to explore how childhood trauma, adversity and high-pressure careers can become catalysts for growth, purpose and service.

Alfred shares his remarkable journey from an unstable childhood spent in shelters, group homes and foster care to an international career in corporate banking spanning more than 20 countries. Despite professional success, he found himself questioning whether achievement alone could bring fulfilment, leading him on a path towards helping others build resilience and wellbeing - ultimately finding his true purpose in helping others.

Together, they explore why some people are able to thrive despite adversity, the hidden emotional cost of high-pressure corporate cultures, and the importance of supporting those who dedicate their lives to helping others. Alfred shares how resilience, mindfulness and a willingness to challenge the status quo helped him move beyond survival and create a life centred on meaning and service.

This episode is a powerful reminder that while we cannot always change what has happened to us, we can change how we respond to it. 

If you've ever felt trapped by old beliefs, workplace pressures or past experiences, this conversation offers hope, practical wisdom and a fresh perspective on what it means to thrive.

Learn more about Alfred and his work here - https://www.alfredricci.com/ 

Connect with Alfred here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alfredricci/

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. 

Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP. 

The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue. 

In this powerful and deeply moving episode, Jayne is joined by leading advocate, author and Founder of Care Campaign for the Vulnerable, Jayne Connery, whose personal experience of caring for her mother with dementia led her to become one of the UK’s leading voices for greater transparency, safety and dignity in adult social care.

After witnessing failures in her mother’s care, Jayne turned heartbreak into action, founding a national not-for-profit organisation that supports families navigating the care system while championing the rights of vulnerable people, promoting responsible use of technology in care, and working collaboratively with providers and professionals to improve safety, transparency and standards of care across the UK.

Together, Jayne and Jayne discuss the emotional toll of navigating the care system, the importance of rebuilding trust, and why technology, when used ethically and responsibly, can help protect residents, families and care professionals alike.

This conversation is not about criticising care—it is about improving it. It shines a light on the incredible carers who go above and beyond, while exploring how openness, compassion and transparency can help create safer environments for everyone.

If you've ever supported a loved one with dementia, worked in health or social care, or wondered what really happens behind the scenes when families say "I'm fine" while carrying an enormous emotional burden, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Find out more about Care Campaign For The Vulnerable  https://carecampaignforthevulnerable.com/

Connect with Jayne Connery https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayne-connery-frsa-92376758/ 

Jayne's book - The Long Road Back to Tipperary: A memoir about a mother, a daughter, and the truth of dementia https://amzn.eu/d/0iTGmIMB 

Please note all proceeds from the sale of the book are donated to dementia charity BRACE - Dementia Research and Adopt a Grandparent https://www.alzheimers-brace.org/ 

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. 

Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP. 

The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue. 

In this episode, Parvez joins Jayne to reflect on the hidden cost of working in high-pressure corporate environments and the moment he realised that stress at work, combined with challenges at home, had become too much to carry alone.

Parvez shares the practical strategies that helped him find calm in the chaos, including early morning walks, meditation, gratitude and the importance of having trusted people he could turn to when life felt overwhelming. He speaks openly about why men often struggle to talk about stress, how attitudes towards mental health are changing in younger generations and why support networks matter more than ever.

The conversation also explores what organisations could do differently to support emotional wellbeing at work, from normalising conversations about mental health to creating simple opportunities for mindfulness and reflection during the working day.

Parvez also reveals the surprisingly simple prioritisation system that helped him manage pressure throughout his career and explains why gratitude remains one of the most powerful tools for building resilience.

This is an honest and thoughtful conversation about success, stress, self-awareness and the small daily habits that can make a profound difference when life feels anything but fine.

Connect with Parvez on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/parvez-hemnani-6785367/ 

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. 

Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP. 

The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue. 

In this thought-provoking episode, Jayne is joined by mindset and leadership coach Carmen MacDougall, who shares her own experience of corporate burnout and how it transformed both her career and her understanding of emotional wellbeing.

Together they explore why so many leaders feel they have to carry everything alone, the hidden impact of people-pleasing, and why asking for help is often seen as a weakness when it should be recognised as a strength.

Carmen explains how stress, anxiety and overwhelm can affect decision-making at every level of an organisation, and why emotionally intelligent leadership starts with looking after yourself first. They also discuss the importance of prevention rather than simply responding when someone reaches crisis point, and why workplaces need to become better at recognising the early signs that someone isn't coping.

If you've ever found yourself saying "I'm fine" when you're anything but, or you've struggled to balance the pressures of work, family and expectations, this conversation offers practical insights, reassurance and hope.

Connect with Carmen and find out more: www.happysoulcoaching.co.uk 

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. 

Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP. 

The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue. 

This week on I'm Fine – The Truth Behind the Smile, Jayne Ellis is joined by veterinary surgeon, educator and mental health advocate Mark Johnson.

From life as an equine vet working relentless hours to leading one of the world's most respected veterinary information platforms, Mark shares the reality behind a profession that many people see as rewarding, but few truly understand.

Together they explore the emotional impact of caring for animals and the people who love them, the hidden toll of compassion fatigue, burnout, euthanasia, difficult conversations with owners and why veterinary professionals experience some of the highest rates of mental health challenges.

Mark also speaks candidly about losing his father to suicide as a child, how his own experience of burnout changed the direction of his career, and why he has dedicated so much of his life to improving mental health support across the veterinary profession.

The conversation also explores the pioneering work behind Vets in Mind and the development of EuthaSafe, an innovative system designed to reduce suicide risk by creating safer access to euthanasia medications while supporting veterinary professionals during some of the most emotionally demanding moments of their careers.

This is an honest, compassionate conversation about resilience, purpose, human connection and the importance of looking after those whose job it is to care for everyone else.

Because behind every animal is a family… and behind every professional is a human being.

Connect with Mark here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gmarkjohnston/  

Find out more about VetStream here - https://vetstream.ltd/

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. 

Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP. 

The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue. 

Verna's career has taken her from working as a teenage care assistant, supporting herself through adversity, to becoming a cancer nurse, educator, researcher and leader in one of the UK's leading NHS organisations.

In this honest and thoughtful conversation, Verna reflects on the experiences that shaped her career, including caring for her father during her nurse training, navigating repeated pregnancy loss whilst supporting patients with cancer, and finding the courage to pursue a PhD at a time when nurse researchers were still the exception rather than the norm.

Together, Jayne and Verna explore how nursing has evolved over the past four decades, the growing demands placed on today's workforce, and why protecting compassionate patient care has never been more important.

They also discuss professional identity, resilience, the emotional impact of caring, and the importance of recognising when "I'm fine" isn't really the truth.

This episode is a powerful reminder that behind every experienced healthcare professional is a person with their own story—one that deserves just as much compassion as the patients they care for.

Dr Verna Lavender is the Head of Nursing for Research, Innovation and Education in Cancer and Surgery at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. She is a visiting associate professor at the University of Surrey, senior lecturer at King’s College London, a NIHR Nursing and Midwifery Senior Research Lead alumni and a Past President of the UK Oncology Nursing Society.  Verna is a recognised cancer nurse academic with expertise in cancer nursing and cancer nurse education. She has extensive experience on national cancer care education committees and boards and has published widely on in the field of cancer nursing. 

Explore Verna's published work and academic background via her ORCID Profile: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5871-4984

Connect with Verna at https://www.linkedin.com/in/verna-lavender-7b775930/

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. 

Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP. 

The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue. 

In this episode of I'm Fine- the truth behind the smile, Jayne is joined by Vicky Lake, Workforce and Education Manager at the West Midlands Cancer Alliance, for an honest conversation about modern nursing, compassion fatigue and why emotional wellbeing should be considered just as important as physical health and safety.

Vicky shares her journey from teenage nurse cadet to intensive care nurse, clinical researcher and now regional workforce leader, reflecting on the unexpected twists her career has taken and how the nursing profession has changed over the past 16 years. Together, they discuss the realities of working in today's NHS, the hidden pressures behind caring professions, and why so many healthcare professionals find themselves saying, "I'm fine," even when they're anything but.

The conversation explores the emotional toll of nursing, the challenge of balancing compassionate care with increasing organisational pressures, and why so many nurses struggle with their professional identity as their careers evolve. Vicky also shares how discovering the concept of compassion fatigue gave a name to something she'd seen throughout healthcare, and why she believes emotional wellbeing training should be embedded into every healthcare organisation rather than becoming something staff only seek once they're already overwhelmed.

They also talk about the vital work of the Cancer Alliances, the importance of psychological safety at work, and the small but powerful ways healthcare professionals can begin protecting their own wellbeing—from asking for support sooner to recognising that looking after yourself isn't selfish, it's essential.

This is a thoughtful and reassuring conversation about purpose, identity, resilience, and creating healthier workplaces for the people who spend their lives looking after everyone else.

Connect with Vicky - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicky-lake-1992ba125/ 

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. 

Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP. 

The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue. 

Kate opens up about her journey into policing, from studying sports science and forensic interests to finding her true calling supporting victims of serious sexual violence and major crime. She shares the emotional realities of frontline policing, the pressures of performance culture, and the deep impact that working with trauma can have on those who dedicate their lives to helping others.

In this honest and moving conversation, Kate reflects on compassion, resilience, identity, and the hidden emotional toll carried by emergency service workers. It’s a powerful insight into the human side of policing — and the strength it takes to listen, support and keep showing up for people during the darkest moments of their lives.

Kate Flint 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-flint-47236834b/

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. 

Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP. 

The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue. 

Leon opens up about the emotional realities behind the uniform - the trauma officers silently carry, the incidents that stay with them forever and how years of witnessing tragedy slowly took a toll on his mental health. From fatal car crashes and violent crime scenes to the devastating Reading terror attack, Leon shares how the pressure to “just get on with it” nearly broke him.

This episode explores the changing culture around mental health within policing, the importance of vulnerability and leadership and why speaking up is no longer seen as weakness. Leon also speaks candidly about therapy, anxiety, burnout and the life-changing impact of breathwork and support charities including the Curtis Palmer Program and The Breath Connection.

Alongside the heartbreak, Leon also reflects on the humour, camaraderie and humanity that exists within the police service - and why kindness, self-awareness and talking openly can save lives.

A moving, eye-opening conversation about trauma, resilience, healing and the truth behind the smile.

Charities & Organisations Mentioned:

• Curtis Palmer Program — Police and veteran mental health support charity. https://curtispalmerprogram.org/   
• The Breath Connection — Breathwork and wellbeing programmes supporting mental health and trauma recovery. https://www.thebreathconnection.org/ 

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. 

Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP. 

The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue. 

Teyhou talks candidly about why she moved into mental health work in the first place, having found her earlier careers lacking the depth and human connection she was searching for. She speaks with real warmth about the students she now supervises, and the particular isolation many face training online without the mentorship and community that previous generations of therapists relied on.

The conversation explores the emotional toll of being a helping professional, the difficulty of setting boundaries when you are constantly seen as the person everyone else turns to, and how modern overwhelm, family pressure and what Teyhou calls trauma dumping have made genuine emotional support harder to find in a world where everyone seems too busy to truly connect.

Jayne and Teyhou also talk about why so many people, men especially, default to saying I'm fine rather than admitting they are struggling. Teyhou reflects on how men are often conditioned to suppress emotion and avoid vulnerability, and how that suppression can later resurface as addiction, burnout or a full mental health crisis when feelings go unspoken for too long.

The episode's turning point comes when Jayne introduces the phrase responsible selfishness. Teyhou admits it sounded contradictory to her at first, before explaining why she now believes it captures something essential about self-care, boundaries and simply surviving emotionally in a demanding world.

A warm, honest conversation about why protecting your own wellbeing is not selfish at all. It is necessary.

Connect with Teyhou: https://www.drteyhou.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drteyhou/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-teyhou-smyth/

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup, founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have to.

Subscribe, share and leave a review to help more caring professionals find us. To be a guest, or just to say hello, reach us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Learn more about Jayne Ellis and our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience training at http://eftraining.co.uk

Content note: this episode discusses burnout and addiction, which some listeners may find difficult.

This podcast is for education and support only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care. If you are struggling, please contact a qualified professional or your GP.

Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open, honest conversation.

In this episode, Charlotte joins Jayne to trace her remarkable journey - from Lead on Volunteering at a Thames Hospice, to 8 years Head of the Volunteer and Fostering team at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home - and what she discovered about human nature, purpose and the power of core values along the way.

Charlotte shares why you can train skills but who people are at their core is what truly motivates them to give their time for causes they love, and why volunteering in animal welfare carries a grief and emotional weight that is often under estimated.

And of course, Jayne asks the question at the heart of every episode - are you really fine?

Charlottes answer may surprise you - as she wisely reflects, sometimes we are the very last ones to know when we’re not okay - and the stories we tell ourselves can be the most convincing of all.

Charlotte speaks in a personal capacity and views expressed are her own.

 linkedin.com/in/charlotte-fielder-mbe-she-her-59190514

EF training exists because nobody should have to pour from an empty cup. Founded by Jayne Ellis who learnt the hard way so you don't have too.

If today's conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share and leave a review - it helps more professionals who care find this community.

If you or someone you know would like to join the conversation and be a guest on our podcast, please get in touch. 

Connect with us at info@eftraining.co.uk

Visit us at http://eftraining.co.uk for more information about Jayne Ellis and learn about our Compassion Fatigue and Emotional Resilience Training for Organisations and Individuals.

Please note: This podcast is intended for education and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact your GP. 

The views and options expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, values or position of EF training Ltd. Guest content is shared in the spirit of open conversation, learning and intended as a safe space for honest dialogue.