Feeling flat and unmotivated after what should have been a restorative break? You're not alone. In this episode, Dr. Jo explores the science behind post-holiday blues, including the role of dopamine crashes and why healthcare workers are particularly susceptible to this phenomenon. She shares practical, evidence-based strategies for gradual re-entry, maintaining holiday elements in daily routine, and resetting your dopamine baseline. Learn why these feelings are a normal neurobiological response and discover actionable steps to extend the benefits of your time off while being compassionate with yourself during the transition back to work.

Resources:
https://drjobraid.com
www.instagram.com/burnoutrecoverydr
www.linkedin.com/in/drjobraid

Thank you to our sponsors:
MIGA: https://miga.com.au & Heidi Health: https://heidihealth.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Dr. Jo shares a personal story about stepping into a locum position where she inherited a "difficult" patient situation involving family complaints and communication challenges. Rather than approaching the interaction defensively, she chose curiosity over preconception and discovered that the family wasn't difficult—they were scared and feeling unheard. Through this experience, she learned that healthcare resilience isn't about developing thicker skin, but about maintaining openness and choosing connection even in challenging situations. The episode explores how reframing complaints as information about unmet needs can transform patient relationships and offers practical tools including the "Fresh Eyes" approach, curious questioning techniques, and complaint reframing strategies.

Thank you to our sponsor
MIGA: https://miga.com.au

Resources:
https://drjobraid.com
www.instagram.com/burnoutrecoverydr
www.linkedin.com/in/drjobraid

I acknowledge that I create this podcast on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people, who have been the custodians of this land around Orange, New South Wales, for thousands of generations. I pay my respects to Wiradjuri Elders past, present, and emerging, and recognize the continuing connection to land, waters, and culture. This acknowledgment is a small but important step in recognizing the sovereignty of First Nations peoples and the deep historical and ongoing relationship with Country.

Disclaimer:

The information provided on or through our Site, products and/or services is intended to be for informational purposes only. It does not constitute or replace professional advice for individual or specific situations and nor does it take into account your specific needs or circumstances. Under no circumstances should the content made available on our Site, or regarding our products and/or services be relied upon as professional legal, medical, financial, business or other advice. You agree to obtain these services if you need these. Our Site may have articles and content that is of a general nature and is intended to be for informational purposes only. Your access to and use of they Site is subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this deeply personal episode, Dr. Jo Braid shares a conversation with her mother that fundamentally changed how she views career success and professional identity in healthcare. Through her mother's journey from university lecturer to teaching retirees, Jo explores how healthcare professionals can avoid the dangerous trap of tying their self-worth to professional achievements. Drawing on research from the Mayo Clinic and Stanford's WellMD Center, this episode examines the "arrival fallacy" - the belief that reaching the next career milestone will bring lasting fulfilment - and offers evidence-based strategies for reframing work as a means to support your life, not define it. Perfect for healthcare workers and helping professionals seeking to prevent burnout while maintaining meaningful careers, this episode provides practical tools for identity diversification and sustainable excellence.

Resources:
https://drjobraid.com
www.instagram.com/burnoutrecoverydr
www.linkedin.com/in/drjobraid

I acknowledge that I create this podcast on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people, who have been the custodians of this land around Orange, New South Wales, for thousands of generations. I pay my respects to Wiradjuri Elders past, present, and emerging, and recognize the continuing connection to land, waters, and culture. This acknowledgment is a small but important step in recognizing the sovereignty of First Nations peoples and the deep historical and ongoing relationship with Country.

Disclaimer:

The information provided on or through our Site, products and/or services is intended to be for informational purposes only. It does not constitute or replace professional advice for individual or specific situations and nor does it take into account your specific needs or circumstances. Under no circumstances should the content made available on our Site, or regarding our products and/or services be relied upon as professional legal, medical, financial, business or other advice. You agree to obtain these services if you need these. Our Site may have articles and content that is of a general nature and is intended to be for informational purposes only. Your access to and use of they Site is subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.