When the Culture’s Not Well: The Human Cost of Workplace Burnout

In this powerful conversation, Shannon is joined by Lazz Tomic — a workplace wellbeing and early intervention specialist who’s lived both sides of burnout: as a professional advising on wellbeing, and as someone who burned out while doing that very work. Together they explore what happens when the system itself is tired — when workplace cultures built on productivity, compliance, and “doing more” begin to erode the wellbeing they claim to promote.This episode explores:How cultural values like performance, speed, and growth clash with human needs for connection, care, and restThe concept of moral injury — when our work asks us to act against our core valuesWhy burnout isn’t just an individual issue, but a systemic onePractical reflections on creating workplaces where people and organisations can thriveIt’s a reminder that wellbeing isn’t just self-care — it’s culture care. When the culture’s not well, none of us can be for long.Guest: Lazz Tomic is a WorkCover, Injury Management, and Workplace Wellbeing Specialist dedicated to transforming how organisations care for their people. With over a decade of experience across major Victorian corporations, he brings lived experience of burnout and a commitment to designing workplaces that value humans over performance metrics. Founder of Early Intervention 2.0 — a free community for HR and OHS leaders — Lazz helps high-care sectors like healthcare, emergency services, social work, and education shift from a compliance mindset to one of compassion and shared responsibility.LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lazztomicJoin Early Intervention 2.0: LinkedIn GroupBook a chat: cal.com/lazztomic/30minHost: Shannon Swales — Psychologist, writer, and midlife woman who’s walked through burnout and come out the other side. Through her clinical wisdom and lived experience, she helps women reconnect with themselves, reclaim energy, and grow through what once felt like breaking points.If you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:• Midlife Reclaimed Online Community — a place for women to come home to self• Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn• 1:1 Burnout Therapy• Subscribe for a free eJournal to help you come back to yourselfDisclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist–client relationship with Shannon A Swales. The views expressed are general and not a substitute for personalised therapy. If in distress, seek professional help — you don’t have to face it alone.DisclaimerEngaging with this podcast does not intend to create, nor does it create, a therapist-client relationship between you and Shannon A Swales. All views, opinions, and tips expressed by me or my guests are general in nature and not a replacement for personalised therapy. As I have done for myself, I encourage anyone experiencing distress to seek professional support. In Australia, if you are in a life-threatening emergency, please dial 000. For immediate counselling, contact Lifeline (13 11 14) or 13YARN (13 92 76) for First Nation Australians. Stay safe, and remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.