Dog Walk Thoughts - with Clare E Kenny

Your nervous system needs daily recovery (not just weekends)

Many of us cope through the week only to crash at the weekend - but that isn’t recovery, it’s survival. In this episode, I explain why chronic fight-or-flight reduces focus, collaboration and strategic thinking, and why waiting for holidays doesn’t solve the problem. I talk through how to spot early warning signs, widen your window of tolerance, and build small, realistic moments of nervous system regulation into the working day - including the often overlooked power of white space.

January isn’t a 'fresh start' - it’s survival season

January asks us to perform at full pelt when our biology is still in hibernation mode.  In this episode, I unpack why so many of us feel anxious, snappy, foggy or overwhelmed at this time of year, and what’s actually happening in the nervous system when we slip into survival mode. I’ll share a few simple, practical ways to create space, calm the system, and get back to clearer thinking (without beating yourself up for struggling).

High masking, not high functioning

In this episode, I talk about masking, why “high functioning” is really just “high masking”, and how much it costs our nervous systems over time. We explore neuro-inclusion, social energy, recovery and boundaries, and why living outside your authentic limits is a fast track to burnout.

ADHD Is relentless

After a morning of unexpected tears and a sense that everything has been a bit much lately, this episode is a straight, honest reflection on what happens when ADHD becomes relentless. I talk about the past few months feeling heavier than usual, the strange release of crying at Netflix show 'Heartstopper', and the relief of speaking to someone who genuinely understands the constant noise in my head. It’s all about overwhelm, sobriety without an off-switch, and the ongoing work of accepting how my brain works rather than trying to completely fix it.

Creating space for dissent - the key to unlocking psychological safety

In this episode, I dive a bit deeper into what true psychological safety really means at work. It’s not just about people feeling comfortable - it’s about creating an environment where they feel safe to challenge, to disagree, and to say when something isn’t working. I share a few stories, including a focus group experience that still makes me laugh (and feel a certain level of rage about) years later, along with some brilliant insights from Amy Edmondson on how to spot whether psychological safety really exists in your team. I also talk through some simple, practical ways to create space for honest feedback, respond to critique without getting defensive, and use that feedback to drive genuine growth. Because if as a leader the ONLY 'culture' feedback you’re hearing is that people wish others would unload the dishwasher, it’s probably not the dishwasher that’s the problem!