PODCAST · business
Frustrated And Exhausted
by Ruth Wood
Frustrated & Exhausted explores the realities of leadership inside modern organisations.Hosted by Ruth Wood, the podcast looks beyond individual capability to the conditions that shape how work really happens - from decision-making and team dynamics to trust, challenge and organisational culture.Through solo episodes and conversations with senior leaders, it offers a thoughtful, practical perspective on what helps people and teams perform at their best - and what quietly gets in the way.”
Episodes
-
When Meetings Become Theatre – Why We Perform At Work and What Makes Meetings Better
In this episode of Frustrated and Exhausted, Ruth dives deep into the performative nature of workplace meetings, exploring why so many of us feel compelled to "act" in these spaces and what organizational factors drive this behavior. Ruth unpacks the cultural, political, and emotional layers that...
-
Trusting Yourself: Building A Career Beyond Expectations with Naveli Ahuja-Mehta
In this episode, Ruth sits down with Naveli Ahuja-Mehta, an accomplished finance director whose career has spanned continents and industries—from India to Kenya to Austria to the UK, and from engineering consultancies to investment management and transformation leadership. The conversation…
more -
Niceness Is Not Trust: Why Disagreement Feels Risky at Work
In this episode, Ruth explores the underlying reasons why intelligent, experienced people often hold back from saying what they really think at work—especially on leadership teams. What looks like workplace “niceness” may actually be a way of managing social threat, not genuine trust or…
more -
The Conditions That Make Change Possible with Kathryn Eade
In this episode, Ruth is joined by Kathryn Eade, Head of Strategic Change at the University of Salford and founder of the Female Leadership Collective. With over 20 years' experience in leading change and supporting growth, Kathryn Eade shares her insights on what really makes change possible...
-
The Leadership Conditions Nobody Talks About: What Actually Drives Performance
In this episode, Ruth explores the hidden drivers behind team and organizational performance that are rarely discussed—conditions and systems rather than just individual leadership strengths. Rather than focusing solely on whether “we have the right people,” Ruth challenges leaders to consider…
more -
When To Push & When To Walk Away – How Leaders Decide Between Persistence & Pivoting with Tina Munglani
In this episode, Ruth is joined by Tina Muglani Siddiqui, whose dynamic career has spanned the aviation, hospitality, and construction industries, as well as her current role in fintech and her charity work as treasurer and board trustee at the Asian Women's Resource Centre. Together, they…
more -
When Smart People Stop Speaking – Psychological Safety In Teams
In this episode, Ruth unpacks the subtle dynamics that emerge when highly capable people in organizations become hesitant to speak up in team settings. Drawing from a recent experience observing a leadership team, Ruth explores why discussions become constrained and what really underlies this...
-
Why Good People Feel Exhausted At Work
In this episode, Ruth dives into a pervasive issue she’s observed in high-performing organizations: why even the most capable, committed people end up feeling exhausted at work. Drawing on real-life conversations with senior leaders and research like Christina Maslach’s work on burnout, Ruth...
-
A Quiet Shift For Frustrated & Exhausted
In this episode of "Frustrated and Exhausted," Ruth returns after a brief pause to reflect on what’s really at the root of burnout, frustration, and stagnation—especially for women in leadership. Rather than focusing solely on personal development, Ruth explores how broader organizational systems...
-
When Leaders Mean Well
In this episode I explore a tough but hopeful topic: why trust can erode in organizations even when leaders have the best intentions. Drawing from real conversations and coaching experiences with senior leaders, the episode unpacks the difference between a leader’s intent and the reality…
more -
Too Nice to Trust?
Welcome to Frustrated and Exhausted, In this episode, we dig into an important leadership topic: the difference between genuine trust and simply being “nice” within senior teams. Why do so many organizations confuse harmony and collegiality with real, risk-taking trust, and what does this…
more -
Why Leaders Avoid Clarity
Welcome back to another episode of Frustrated and Exhausted. In this episode, I dive deep into the reasons why leaders often shy away from clarity—and the real costs this can have on teams and organizations. Clarity vs. Certainty: I explain how clarity is often mistaken for certainty or the...
-
Pointless Leadership Conversations
Welcome back to Frustrated and Exhausted! In this insightful episode, I dive into the reality behind those endlessly repetitive leadership conversations that never seem to spark real change. If you’ve ever left a meeting feeling like “everything was said but nothing changed,” this one’s for you....
-
Belonging Is A Performance Issue
In this episode, I explore the often-overlooked connection between belonging and performance at work. Rather than framing belonging as something "nice" or optional, I make the case that real belonging is foundational for teams and organizations to function at their best. Belonging’s Branding...
-
Living With The Cost Of Unreliable Leadership
In this episode of Frustrated and Exhausted, Speaker I dive into the powerful topic of how unreliable leadership impacts women, their well-being, and their performance at work. Instead of focusing on personal shortcomings, I challenge the common narrative around burnout and exhaustion…
more -
The Year We Carried
In this reflective year-end episode, I take listeners on a gentle pause to sit with the reality of the year they've just carried. It's not the polished, social-media version of the year, but an honest look at what women, especially in leadership and career spaces, have held—often invisibly. From...
-
The Permission Slip
Welcome to "Frustrated and Exhausted, a podcast dedicated to empowering women in their careers and leadership journeys without compromising well-being or sanity. In this heartfelt holiday episode, Resonate Leadership I offer listeners a gentle, much-needed "permission slip" for Christmas Eve—a...
-
The Inclusion Edit
Welcome to another episode of "Frustrated and Exhausted," where we talk all things women, career, and leadership without sacrificing well-being. This episode, “The Inclusion Edit,” is a special compilation celebrating two years of bold, honest, and insightful conversations. This time, we look at...
-
The Purpose Edit
Welcome to the two-year anniversary of Frustrated and Exhausted! In this special “Purpose Edit” episode, we’re taking a grounded look at what purpose really means for women’s careers and leadership—well beyond the usual cliches. This episode features conversations with three remarkable women…
more -
The Resilience Edit
Welcome to a special two-year anniversary compilation episode of "Frustrated and Exhausted." This week, the focus is on resilience—but not in the “just carry on” sense. The conversation centers on women, career, and leadership, celebrating how real resilience is about self-knowledge, owning your...
-
The Unfinished Year
In this thoughtful episode, I explore the familiar pressure to “finish strong” as the year winds down. I unpacks the sense of collective urgency that builds in workplaces and homes as December approaches—from inboxes full of end-of-year reviews to the desire for neat conclusions on projects…
more -
Mirror Mirror - Leadership and Self-Delusion
In this insightful episode, I dive deep into the theme of self-reflection and authenticity in leadership. I explore how leaders can become distanced from their true selves, often falling for a curated and polished version that feels safe and familiar. Through personal stories and coaching...
-
Authenticity In Action
In this inspiring conversation, Lucy Barnes shares her personal journey from growing up in the care system to her current role as a pupil barrister and founder of Lawyers who Care—the UK’s first organisation creating mentoring and paid work experience for care experienced aspiring lawyers. Lucy...
-
The Shadow Side of Leadership
Today, we’re diving deep into the lesser-talked-about “shadowy side” of leadership. While leadership is often framed around positivity, strength, and values, there’s a whole set of unseen influences—the parts of ourselves we’d rather not acknowledge—that shape the way we lead. Drawing on ideas…
more -
Haunted By Old Stories
Welcome to “Frustrated and Exhausted,” the podcast supporting women in career and leadership. In this reflective October episode, I dive deep into how past experiences can quietly haunt us in our professional lives—especially as the season shifts and we find ourselves reflecting more. Recognizing...
-
Your Time Isn't A Buffet
In this episode, we tackle the all-too-familiar “buffet” approach to time—why piling your schedule high with every request isn’t sustainable, and how to protect your energy for what really matters. The host shares practical strategies for setting boundaries, having trade-off conversations, and...
-
Where Are We Now WIth The Fight For Gender Equality? With Penny East
Welcome to a powerful episode of Ruth: Frustrated and Exhausted, where our host is joined by Penny East, CEO of the Fawcett Society—the UK's leading charity campaigning for gender equality and women’s rights. Together, they dive deep into what equity really looks like in today’s fast-changing...
-
Soft Voice, Strong Spine
Welcome to the 100th episode of Frustrated and Exhausted! In this milestone episode, I dive into the theme of “Soft Voice, Strong Spine,” unpacking the persistent myths around leadership, communication, and impact—especially for women in the workplace. Celebrating Episode 100: A heartfelt thank…
more -
Telling Stories That Change The World with Dr. Monica Nangia
This week, we're joined by Dr. Monica Nangia, a seasoned higher education leader with more than 20 years of experience. Dr. Monica is celebrated for her sharp insight, commitment to equity, and a powerful, student-centred leadership approach. She’s also leading an initiative capturing the stories...
-
Bridging the Gap with Silke Bloem
In this episode of Frustrated 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...
-
The Politics of Exhaustion
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...
-
Energy Not Urgency
Welcome back to Frustrated 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...
-
Off The Beaten Track- Redefining Career Success with Elizabeth Brauer
Welcome to another episode of Frustrated 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…
more -
Taking Up Space
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,...
-
Climbing Without A Map
In this empowering episode of Frustrated 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…
more -
Out of Office, But Not Out of Mind
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 Load Ruth discusses her difficulties in...
-
The Quiet Season
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…
more -
What to do about Rachel?
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...
-
Stop Calling Me Passionate - The Patronising of Women
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…
more -
Hysterical Women - The Gendered History of Being ‘Too Much’
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...
-
You Don't Have To Bark To Be Heard - Reclaiming Assertiveness
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…
more -
The Achievement Hangover
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…
more -
Confidence Is A Con Job
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...
-
The Paradox of Authenticity
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...
-
Leadership On Your Terms
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.…
more -
When You're The Only Woman In The Room
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,...
-
The Cost of Being A Good Girl
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...
-
Are You Serious?
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...
-
From Meh to Magnetic - The Alchemy of Inspirational Leadership
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...
-
High Expectations
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…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Frustrated & Exhausted explores the realities of leadership inside modern organisations.Hosted by Ruth Wood, the podcast looks beyond individual capability to the conditions that shape how work really happens - from decision-making and team dynamics to trust, challenge and organisational culture.Through solo episodes and conversations with senior leaders, it offers a thoughtful, practical perspective on what helps people and teams perform at their best - and what quietly gets in the way.”
HOSTED BY
Ruth Wood
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Frustrated And Exhausted have?
Frustrated And Exhausted currently has 128 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Frustrated And Exhausted about?
Frustrated & Exhausted explores the realities of leadership inside modern organisations.Hosted by Ruth Wood, the podcast looks beyond individual capability to the conditions that shape how work really happens - from decision-making and team dynamics to trust, challenge and organisational...
How often does Frustrated And Exhausted release new episodes?
Frustrated And Exhausted publishes regularly with 128 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Frustrated And Exhausted?
You can listen to Frustrated And Exhausted on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Frustrated And Exhausted?
Frustrated And Exhausted is created and hosted by Ruth Wood.
URL copied to clipboard!