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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

44:20

Bridging the Gap with Silke Bloem

Frustrated And Exhausted ·

2025/09/23

In this episode ofFrustrated and Exhausted, I sit down with Silke Bloem, who shares her journey from physicist to research manager and leader, and the invaluable insights she's gained along the way. They unpack big topics around career pivots, the role of science in management, cultural assumptions, and what it really takes to build collaborative, trusting teams—especially when you’re “in the middle” between different stakeholders.From Physics Lab to Leadership:Silke opens up about what initially

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13:21

The Politics of Exhaustion

Frustrated And Exhausted ·

2025/09/16

In this heartfelt and timely episode of "Frustrated and Exhausted," I dive into the concept of "the politics of exhaustion". The discussion centers on how current political climates—characterized by division, blame, and relentless negative news cycles—are deeply impacting women's well-being, both at work and at home.I explore how societal and political systems perpetuate a chronic state of tiredness, especially for women. From right-wing protests to polarized debates in the UK, the news is

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12:14

Energy Not Urgency

Frustrated And Exhausted ·

2025/09/09

Welcome back toFrustrated and Exhausted! In this episode, your host dives deep into how to harness the revitalizing “September energy” and steer clear of the all-too-familiar sprint towards end-of-year burnout. Listen in and learn how to set the pace for a sustainable, energized team—without falling into the trap of constant urgency.[00:01:46] Different ways people return from leave and the misleading appearance of “energy” that might actually be urgency.[00:02:29] Signs of urgency in teams—diary

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34:18

Off The Beaten Track- Redefining Career Success with...

Frustrated And Exhausted ·

2025/09/02

Welcome to another episode ofFrustrated and Exhausted! This week, we’re joined by Elizabeth Brauer, Head of HR at 1IO, for a heartfelt and honest conversation about stepping away from the traditional career path and redefining what success really means.Episode Highlights:Early Career Crossroads:Elizabeth shares how, at just 18, an unexpected life event led her away from the “expected” pathway (college → university → job) and into an unconventional—and ultimately fulfilling—career.Ambition and

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10:41

Taking Up Space

Frustrated And Exhausted ·

2025/08/26

In this episode, I dive deep into the concept of "taking up space" as women, leaders, and human beings in progress. Using the vibrant, expansive energy of summer as a metaphor, Ruth explores how we often feel more permission to expand — and why so many women are conditioned to shrink themselves, both literally and figuratively.[00:02:11] – Shrinking Ourselves & The Airplane AnalogyRuth shares her experience of physically shrinking herself while flying for work, compared to men who take up more

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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,

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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