x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Frustrated And Exhausted

Welcome to "Frustrated and Exhausted," a podcast for women in leadership! I"m Ruth Wood, a leadership coach for women, and I’m here to help you navigate life without feeling overwhelmed. This podcast is for you if you"re tired of juggling so many things. Here, I"ll share experiences, tips, and practical ways to find balance and thrive in leadership without sacrificing your sanity.

business careers

All Episodes

40:58

Climbing Without A Map

Frustrated And Exhausted ·

2025/08/19

In this empowering episode ofFrustrated and Exhausted, we get to know Seema Kisney, who shares her journey from a working-class background in the north of England to a senior digital leadership role at the Royal College of Art. Seema’s story is about building a career with no blueprint—navigating tech, leadership, and ambition without a network or roadmap.Key Themes:Becoming What You Couldn't See:Seema reflects on not having visible role models in leadership or tech while growing up. Her journey is

en

12:41

Out of Office, But Not Out of Mind

Frustrated And Exhausted ·

2025/08/12

Welcome back to another episode of Frustrated and Exhausted, hosted by Ruth Wood! If your out-of-office is on, but your mind is juggling meetings, to-do lists, and family responsibilities, this episode is for you.[00:01:33] – Personal Story & Invisible LoadRuth discusses her difficulties in slowing down, the constant mental “tabs” open in her mind, and shares personal anecdotes of balancing work, parenting, and preparing for holidays.[00:04:03] – The Emotional & Invisible LaborShe touches on

en

11:31

The Quiet Season

Frustrated And Exhausted ·

2025/08/05

In this episode, I take a slower, more reflective approach as she dives into the often-overlooked power of quiet seasons—those stretches when the emails dwindle, meetings fade away, and the pace of work noticeably softens.[00:01:54] The benefit of embracing stillness: greater clarity, realization of exhaustion, and focusing on what truly matters. The myth that speed equals competence is challenged.[00:02:51] Shares that the best and biggest decisions often come out of stillness, not constant

en

15:15

What to do about Rachel?

Frustrated And Exhausted ·

2025/07/29

In this episode, I dive deep into the media reaction and double standards surrounding British Chancellor Rachel Reeves showing emotion during a high-profile parliamentary session. I explore the gender biases at play, the different standards applied to male and female leaders, and the larger implications for women in leadership.(00:02:05 – 00:04:08) The Gender Double Standard:Ruth unpacks how tears from women are often interpreted as incompetence or weakness, while similar emotional displays from

en

10:49

Stop Calling Me Passionate - The Patronising of Women

Frustrated And Exhausted ·

2025/07/22

In this episode, I dive into a subtle but persistent form of gendered undermining in leadership—the “little girling” of women. Think of those times when a woman delivers a strategic, thoughtful point, but the response is “you’re so passionate!” or “I love your energy!” I break down how these words are used in place of truly acknowledging women’s expertise and authority, explores why language like this is damaging, and offers strategies for reframing, redirecting, and challenging such comments. I

en

34:00

Hysterical Women - The Gendered History of Being ‘Too...

Frustrated And Exhausted ·

2025/07/15

In this deeply thought-provoking episode, Ruth welcomes psychodynamics expert Julia Rogers to unpack the loaded concept of "hysteria" and its fraught historical connection with women and femininity. From ancient Greek medicine to Freud's consulting room and all the way through to the modern workplace, they explore how women's emotional expression has been pathologized and turned into a tool for control and dismissal.Key TakeawaysHysteria has always been gendered:Rooted in control and dismissiveness,

en

13:09

You Don't Have To Bark To Be Heard - Reclaiming...

Frustrated And Exhausted ·

2025/07/08

In this episode I dive into the concept of assertiveness for women in leadership. Explore common misconceptions around assertiveness, the societal conditioning that shapes how women express power, and offers practical tips on how to reclaim your voice authentically—without feeling the need to adopt an "alpha" persona or "bark to be heard." Assertiveness, is about clarity, boundaries, and self-respect, not aggression or dominance. I share personal stories and actionable strategies to help you show up

en

11:50

The Achievement Hangover

Frustrated And Exhausted ·

2025/07/01

In this episode of "Frustrated and Exhausted," I dive into the concept of the "achievement hangover"—that letdown or slump in energy and mood after reaching a major professional milestone. They explore why, after striving hard for a goal and achieving it, you might not feel the sense of fulfillment you expected. The discussion also covers societal and organizational expectations, particularly for women, and offers practical advice for processing these feelings and navigating the aftermath of

en

11:44

Confidence Is A Con Job

Frustrated And Exhausted ·

2025/06/24

In this episode, I’m calling out the confidence hype. We’ve all been told that if we just had more confidence, we’d get the job, the pay rise, the recognition. The truth is confidence is not the magic fix it’s made out to be.It’s often a cover for deeper stuff like privilege, practice, or just being loud. And when we buy into the idea that we’re not doing well because we’re not confident enough, it becomes yet another reason to beat ourselves up.What if the real game changers are things like

en

13:48

The Paradox of Authenticity

Frustrated And Exhausted ·

2025/06/17

We’re told to “just be authentic” as leaders. But let’s be honest, actually doing that can feel like ripping your chest open in front of a room full of people. In this episode, I’m diving into why being authentic sounds great in theory, but often feels uncomfortable in practice.I share a real story from a client who finally spoke up in a tough environment… and then spent the next 24 hours spiralling with doubt. Sound familiar?We explore the very real tension between showing up as yourself and the

en

10:49

Leadership On Your Terms

Frustrated And Exhausted ·

2025/06/10

What if the traditional idea of leadership, the way we’re told it should look, just doesn’t suit you?I’m unpacking why so much leadership advice feels awkward or just plain exhausting for some women. Maybe you don’t want to be the loudest in the room. Maybe being “always on” isn’t your thing. And maybe, just maybe, there’s another way to lead that actually feels like you. If you’ve ever felt like you’re playing a role instead of showing up as yourself, this episode is for you. Let’s talk about what

en

13:56

When You're The Only Woman In The Room

Frustrated And Exhausted ·

2025/06/03

Ever walked into a room and thought, “Oh... it’s just me then”? In this episode, I’m talking about what it’s really like to be the only woman in the room. The awkwardness. The invisible load. The way we manage, rather than just show up as we are. I’m sharing how those old patterns sneak back in, and how we can notice them, challenge them, and show up fully as ourselves anyway!Here are the highlightsPerformance Pressure and Hypervisibility (1:34)Structural Issues and Cultural Norms (3:53)Emotional

en

16:58

The Cost of Being A Good Girl

Frustrated And Exhausted ·

2025/05/27

In this episode, I am unpacking the hidden cost of “good girl” conditioning in the workplace. From over apologising and people pleasing, to decision fatigue and emotional burnout, I explore how the pressure to be liked can chip away at our confidence, assertiveness, and authenticity.You’ll hear how these habits are wired into us, why they’re so hard to shake, and how we can start to rewire our responses. Here are the highlightsImpact of Good Girl Conditioning on Workplace Behaviour (2:36)Emotional

en

12:04

Are You Serious?

Frustrated And Exhausted ·

2025/05/20

Do you take yourself as seriously as others do? That one question at a business event stopped me in my tracks, and sparked this episode. I’m reflecting on why we sometimes hold back, ignore our ambitions, or play smaller than we need to.We’ll explore how self doubt, fear of change, and putting others first can quietly chip away at our confidence. Here are the highlightsPersonal Growth (3:00)Challenges of Taking Yourself Seriously (4:07)Do You Dream Anymore? (5:21)Environment and Support Networks

en

13:58

From Meh to Magnetic - The Alchemy of Inspirational...

Frustrated And Exhausted ·

2025/05/13

What actually makes a leader inspiring? In this episode, I unpack what inspirational leadership looks like day to day, not just from a stage. We’re talking about connection, creativity, shared purpose, trust, and the quiet kind of presence that draws people in.I also share why you can’t inspire others if you’re running on empty, and what it takes to stay energised and creative as a leader. Here are the highlightsBuilding Connection and Shared Purpose (3:56)Communication and Storytelling in

en

18:20

High Expectations

Frustrated And Exhausted ·

2025/05/06

Do you ever feel like you're carrying the weight of impossible standards? In this episode, I’m talking about how high expectations, especially the ones we set for ourselves, can sneakily lead to perfectionism, burnout, and self doubt.We’ll explore where these pressures come from, how they play out at work and home, and why “doing enough” is more powerful than it sounds. Here are the highlightsInternal vs External Expectations (2:15)Perfectionism and Self-Doubt (5:53)Impact on Risk Taking and

en

14:37

A Crying Shame

Frustrated And Exhausted ·

2025/04/29

Today we’re getting into a topic that hits closer to home than most people want to admit - crying at work.I’m unpacking why emotions show up, how they get misunderstood, and what actually helps when things get teary. We’ll talk gender biases, emotional triggers, and why getting curious about tears can change the whole culture of a workplace.Whether you're a secret crier like me or someone who panics when emotions pop up in meetings, this episode will help you understand it all in a much more human

en

20:55

Where Do You Put Your Attention?

Frustrated And Exhausted ·

2025/04/22

In this episode, I’m getting honest about something I’ve been struggling with lately - focus. From brain fog to constant distractions, it’s harder than ever to get into deep work mode. So, I’ve been digging into the science of focus, and what actually helps us reclaim our attention in the middle of all the noise!We’ll talk about inner, outer, and social focus, how tech and multitasking are rewiring our brains, and why being “busy” isn’t the same as being productive. Here are the highlightsThe

en

50:53

How to Have Impact with Estelle McCartney

Frustrated And Exhausted ·

2025/04/15

What does it really take to lead with purpose in today’s world? In this episode, I chat with Estelle McCartney, CEO of Arctic Shores, about career pivots, privilege, and creating change that matters. Estelle shares how personal loss and a desire for impact shaped her journey from politics to tech, and why her leadership style is rooted in curiosity, humility, and knowing when to lean in (and when to lean out).We talk about building diverse teams, making recruitment fairer, and why leaders aren’t

en

20:00

Young, Ambitious and Leading

Frustrated And Exhausted ·

2025/04/08

Leading when you're the youngest in the room isn’t always celebrated, especially if you’re a woman. In this episode, I’m talking about the real life challenges young female leaders face, from being underestimated to dealing with age and gender bias in the workplace.I’ll share experiences from my own career and my clients’, plus offer practical ways to build your confidence, boost visibility, and get the support you need. Whether you're climbing fast or figuring out your next move, this episode is

en

114 results

Similar Podcasts

TaxTalent.com The Golden Rule Podcast

Adam Golden

TaxTalent.com Podcast

Tony Santiago

Handelsblatt Crime - spannende Streitfälle der deutschen Wirtschaft

Ina Karabasz, Solveig Gode, Sönke Iwersen

Deffner und Zschäpitz – Der Wirtschafts-Talk von WELT

WELT

Black Box - La scatola nera della finanza

Guido Brera e Gian Luca Comandini -...