Vicki Young: Pregnant & Pitching – the harsh reality of business ownership

The power of progress and a masterclass in ambition without burnout with Brett Gilliland

This episode is a masterclass in ambition without burnout. Andy Brown sits down with Circuit of Success host and Visionary Wealth Advisors CEO, Brett Gilliland, for an unfiltered, energising conversation on goals, habits, leadership, family, and what it really means to achieve success without draining your emotional reserves. Brett’s got the kind of clarity and conviction that’s contagious – and he’s living proof that you can design a life of impact, fulfilment, and balance. This episode is packed with practical advice for anyone feeling stretched, overwhelmed, or caught in a cycle of “over work and under living.” 🎯 Key Topics Covered: • The danger of goal-setting (and how to avoid becoming a slave to the goal) • F to the Sixth Power: Brett’s powerful framework to keep life in balance – Faith, Family, Fitness, Firm, Fun, and Finances • Emotional Overdraft – what it looks like and how Brett narrowly avoided it • Journalling for success: Brett’s 90-day habit that has shaped his mindset, leadership and wellbeing • Progress > Perfection: The small daily habits that lead to big change • Guilt-Free Golf: Why recharging is productive, not indulgent • Leading with mission and meaning – from personal assistants to charitable foundations • Why writing things down beats any productivity app • How to create your own personal “game” to stay on track • Redefining success: from childhood ambitions to CEO mindset shifts Standout Quotes: 🟡 “The only person who’ll remember you worked late in 10 years is your child.” 🟡 “If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you’re right.” 🟡 “Write your goals down every day – it’s not discipline, it’s habit. That’s your brain tattoo.” 🟡 “We plug in our phones every night, but forget to recharge ourselves.” 🟡 “When I play golf now, I call it guilt-free golf – because I’ve earned it.” 📌 Why You Should Listen: If you’re a leader, founder, business owner – or simply someone who feels constantly under pressure – this episode offers a rare window into how high achievers stay high-performing without running themselves into the ground. Brett’s tools aren’t just for the boardroom. They’re for the kitchen table, the sidelines at your child’s football match, and the quiet moments you carve out to reflect. This episode will help you: • Rethink what productivity really means • Prioritise what matters most • Create healthy, energising habits that last • Avoid (or recover from) emotional overdraft 📚 Brett’s Journal: Achieving a Future Greater Than Your Past is available now on Amazon.

Vicki Young: Pregnant & Pitching – the harsh reality of business ownership

In this powerful episode of Exploring Emotional Overdraft, Andy Brown sits down with Vicki Young, award-winning entrepreneur and founder of Nalla, to explore the highs and lows of building a business. From burnout and grief to pregnancy discrimination and the hidden cost of ambition, Vicki opens up about the emotional overdraft she fell into while growing her agency. Her journey is a must-listen for leaders and foundersnavigating the pressures of business, success, and personal wellbeing. What You'll Learn in This Episode 💡 Burnout is sneaky—until it isn’t. "I was addicted to the rush of it. I was giving my all to something… banking that it would give back. It didn’t." → Why pushing through exhaustion without reflection can cost you your wellbeing, relationships, and clarity. 💡 Pregnancy prejudice is real—and brutal. "As soon as I started showing I was pregnant, we couldn't win anything. The tap of luck turned off." → Vicki shares the harsh reality of pitching while pregnant and how bias against female founders affected her business. 💡 You can’t be the only one holding it all together. "I naturally take ownership of everything. I creep into people’s workloads. It’s baked into my personality." → The danger of making yourself indispensable and why founders must let go to grow. 💡 You will never be ‘ready’ to take a break. Take one anyway. "For the first time ever, I went on holiday with no laptop, no phone… And guess what? The team stepped up." → Vicki reveals how stepping away gave her team room to rise—and why you need to take all your annual leave. 💡 Tiny changes can stop the cycle of burnout. "I used to unload the dishwasher first thing in the morning. Now, I stop myself. It’s about breaking those automatic ‘busy’ habits." → How small mindset shifts can help you reclaim your time and energy. Why This Episode is Essential for Leaders & Founders 🚨 If you're constantly pushing, always ‘on’, and struggling to switch off, this episode is for you. 🚨 If you think your business can’t function without you, this episode will change your perspective. 🚨 If you find it hard to take breaks, Vicki’s story will inspire you to prioritise yourself without guilt. 🎧 Listen now and take control of your emotional overdraft.

Crisis to Clarity: leading through emotional turbulence with AI expert Antony Mayfield

In this candid conversation, Andy Brown talks with Antony Mayfield, CEO of Brilliant Noise, about navigating business transformation during crisis, maintaining emotional wellbeing as a leader, and finding clarity in decision-making. Antony shares his journey of pivoting his digital transformation agency through COVID-19 and emerging stronger in the AI consulting space. Key Points: * The importance of making conscious decisions, even when choosing not to change * How crisis can bring clarity to leadership purpose and decision-making * The challenge of balancing business success with emotional wellbeing * The value of setting clear deadlines for tough decisions * The role of self-awareness and metacognition in leadership * Managing the emotional cost of protecting team members during crisis * The dangers of making assumptions about what others are thinking "You really know what you're for in a crisis. You know who you need to be. Sometimes when things are OK or meddling along, you're spinning lots of plates. But if you're dealing with really tough decisions, then you have a deep sense of purpose." - Antony Mayfield "The only way to be absolutely sure that nobody thinks negatively about you and nobody disagrees with you is not to do anything ever and meet anyone ever." - Antony Mayfield Thoughts for Leaders: 1. Set clear deadlines for difficult decisions and make the hardest option the default 2. Don't assume you know what others are thinking - have direct conversations 3. Success can mask emotional overdraft as much as crisis can create it 4. Regular habits and routines are crucial for maintaining emotional wellbeing 5. Being aware of when you're dipping into emotional overdraft is the first step to managing it Practical Takeaway: Antony shares how he uses AI as a "cognitive mirror" for daily reflection, creating a morning routine of answering questions that help set priorities and prepare mentally for the day ahead. Business Insight: The episode highlights how financial discipline (like maintaining cash reserves) learned during tough times can create resilience for future growth, and how the same principle applies to emotional resources. Connect with Antony: * Website: https://www.brilliantnoise.com/ [https://www.brilliantnoise.com/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonymayfield/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonymayfield/]  Take the free Emotional Overdraft Self Assessment: https://emotionaloverdraft.com/self-assessment/ [https://emotionaloverdraft.com/self-assessment/]

BURN DOWN YOUR CALENDAR. The Concept of Overwhelm and the Need for a Plan with Ken Eslick

Episode Summary: In this episode of Exploring Emotional Overdraft, host Andy Brown talks to Ken Eslick—entrepreneur, author, podcaster, and founder of the Leaders Lab—about the delicate balance of leadership and personal well-being.  Ken shares his journey from a young, carefree college student to a thriving entrepreneur and corporate leader, offering practical tools and hard-won lessons for managing time, prioritisation, and emotional energy. This conversation is packed with actionable insights for leaders striving to build sustainable businesses without sacrificing their mental or physical health. Key Takeaways: 1. The Power of Planning: Discover why pausing to plan is critical for reducing overwhelm and driving success. 2. Burn Down Your Calendar: Ken’s unique method for revitalising his schedule to stay aligned with his goals and values. 3. Duty and Delegation: Understand how leaders can manage their sense of responsibility while building a sustainable, self-sufficient team. 4. Productivity Techniques: How focused, distraction-free time blocks can dramatically boost efficiency and effectiveness. Memorable Quotes: * "You’re only going to rise to your level of overwhelm." – Ken Eslick * "If you don’t have time for Netflix, you don’t have time for your kids or your health either." – Ken Eslick * "Open door policy doesn’t mean people can walk in whenever they feel like it—it means you’re accessible with intention." – Ken Eslick Connect with Ken: * LinkedIn: Ken Eslick [https://www.linkedin.com/in/keneslick/] * Podcast: The Leaders Lab Podcast [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-leaders-lab-4757852] * Website: The Leaders Lab [https://www.leaderslab.com/] Further Listening: Check out Andy Brown’s guest appearance on The Leaders Lab Podcast for more on emotional overdrafts and leadership strategies.

Resilience has become a trauma response. I’d rather not be called resilient—give me peace instead - Dr Nicole DeKay

Episode Summary: In this insightful episode of Exploring Emotional Overdraft, Andy Brown is joined by Dr Nicole DeKay, a data scientist and industrial-organisational psychologist with a passion for workplace wellbeing. Together, they unpack the intersections of resilience, burnout, and emotional overdraft, exploring how systemic issues, workplace trauma, and individual habits shape our professional lives. Nicole shares her journey from counselling in a lockdown facility to developing workplace trauma assessments and pioneering research on the absence of negatives in workplace wellbeing. Andy reflects on the origins of the emotional overdraft concept, the power of words like "burnout", and the challenge of building healthier habits. This is a conversation filled with actionable insights, thought-provoking ideas, and practical advice for anyone navigating the complexities of modern work. Key Takeaways: * Burnout vs. Tiredness: Nicole explains that burnout isn’t just feeling tired—it’s emotional exhaustion tied specifically to the workplace. Studies show a striking 87% correlation between burnout and depression, making it essential to address the root causes. * The Trouble with Resilience: Resilience is a valuable quality but has been weaponised in the workplace. As Nicole says, "Resilience is meant for extraordinary situations, not daily chaos. If your workforce is constantly required to be resilient, the system is broken." * Workplace Trauma and Wellbeing: Nicole adapted trauma questionnaires to create workplace-specific assessments, revealing that 25% of respondents qualified for PTSD related to their job. This highlights the need for systemic change, not just individual coping strategies. * Changing Habits, Not Just Systems: Andy emphasises the importance of small, sustainable habit changes to reduce emotional overdraft. As Nicole adds, "Give yourself grace. Developing new habits is hard, and self-compassion is key to making lasting changes." * The Power of Movement: Nicole’s simple change: Incorporate movement into your day. "A five-minute walk or stretching at your desk can help release built-up stress and improve overall wellbeing." Quotes Worth Sharing: * "Resilience has become a trauma response. I’d rather not be called resilient—give me peace instead." – Dr Nicole DeKay * "Burnout isn’t just tiredness—it’s emotional exhaustion. And a depressed workforce is not an effective workforce." – Dr Nicole DeKay * "We subsidise the success of our business at the cost of our mental and physical wellbeing—that’s what I call an emotional overdraft." – Andy Brown * "Changing habits is simple, not easy. Be kind to yourself—relapse is part of the process." – Andy Brown Mentioned in This Episode: * Nicole’s website: humanalists.com [http://humanalists.com/] * Follow Nicole on LinkedIn: Nicole DeKay on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/] * The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk * Maslach Burnout Inventory Connect with Us: * Explore more episodes of Exploring Emotional Overdraft on emotionaloverdraft.com [https://emotionaloverdraft.com/] * Take the free Emotional Overdraft self-assessment: Self-Assessment * Follow Andy on LinkedIn: Andy Brown on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/]