What if burnout wasn’t a personal failure, but a sign that something bigger at the system level needs to change? In this episode of Legendary Leaders, host Cathleen O’Sullivan sits down with Kelly Swingler, the renowned “burnoutologist” and founder of the Burnout Academy, to uncover the truth behind today’s burnout epidemic. With candour and compassion, Kelly challenges the norms that glorify stress and exhaustion, exploring why real burnout is so much more than long hours. It’s about broken systems, shame, and outdated definitions of success.

Together, Cathleen and Kelly dive into the emotional realities of burnout, breaking down stigma and sharing personal stories of their own experiences. You’ll discover why leaders are often the first to “burn the brightest and break first,” and how shifting our focus from individual fixes to systemic change is the real path to sustainable well-being at work. Filled with vulnerability, laughter, and bold truths, this episode offers both insight and a call-to-action: it’s time to stop treating burnout as a weakness and start building workplaces and lives where well-being isn’t just an afterthought.

Episode Timeline:

03:27 Introducing Kelly Swinger, the "burnoutologist".

07:29 Burnout is the debilitating result of chronic stress

14:10 Leaders often misinterpret feeling overwhelmed or struggling as incompetence

19:47 Burnout is a global issue often caused by toxic workplaces

25:48 Living an unhealthy lifestyle can't be offset by minimal healthy activities

32:48 Many avoid discussing mental health as workplace stress rises

33:45 Burnout is often masked by other conditions due to stigma

56:27 Workplace freedom and creativity could reduce toxicity

01:07:35 Stressed leaders repeat outdated patterns

01:13:08 Leaders should focus on self-awareness and personal values over profits

01:20:20 Self-care routines can't cure burnout without genuine presence

01:24:49 Self-awareness and inner work are ongoing, challenging but rewarding.

Key Takeaways:

• Burnout is not just chronic stress or exhaustion, it’s falling off the edge of your stress scale into a place that affects your whole life.

• Leaders and organisations must move beyond surface-level “well-being” fixes and tackle the root causes of systemic burnout.

• You can’t “self-care” your way out of burnout, lasting transformation requires stopping, reflecting, and doing the deep inner work.

ABOUT Kelly Swingler

Kelly is the Burnoutologist, empowering Leaders to Banish Burnout in the changing world of work for themselves and their people. She leads the world’s number one Burnout Academy, training in Burnout Awareness. Known for being a rebel and a rule-breaker, Kelly has been ripping up the rulebook since 2002 after realising

that the way we are working isn't working, and how we are taught to define success is outdated. Today, Kelly educates leaders, Coaches HR and managers from companies around the world on how to recognise, prevent and recover from Burnout.

Connect with Kelly:

The Burnout Academy: https://www.kellyswingler.com/burnoutacademy

Book: https://www.kellyswingler.com/fckburnout

Social Media Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyswingler/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkellyswingler/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Z6iJPB4gYz1MZoUPOgdlQ

Connect: 


Find | Cathleen O’Sullivan

Business: cathleenmerkel.com

Email: cmc@cathleenmerkelcoaching.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-merkel/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendary_leaders_cathleenos/

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What if your greatest legacy isn’t what you build, but who you build with along the way? In this episode of Legendary Leaders, your host, Cathleen O’Sullivan, invites you into a candid conversation with Nick Peel, a leader whose career spans some of the world’s most ambitious projects, from Arsenal Football Club to the cutting-edge NEOM "Line" project in Saudi Arabia. You’ll hear how Nick’s human-first approach to leadership has empowered teams to thrive under pressure, transcending titles and status in favour of authenticity, humility, and genuine impact. Together, they explore why self-awareness, openness to failure, and the courage to lead with empathy are at the heart of truly legendary leadership. Tune in to discover how embracing your humanity and building others up may just be the most powerful legacy you leave behind.

Episode Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

11:51 Embracing innovation and tackling ambitious projects

15:48 The importance of authenticity and being human in leadership

20:16 Learning from failure and the power of reflection

32:06 Building a strong, supportive family while leading global projects

38:09 Leading high-performing teams through empowerment and simplicity

44:22 The origins of NEOM’s The Line: bold ideas and collaboration

52:03 Leading diverse teams and unlocking innovation through trust

57:31 Supporting women’s leadership for future generations

Key Takeaways:

• Nick shares stories of nurturing talent and pride in seeing former colleagues grow, highlighting the importance of building others up on your leadership journey.

• Nick discusses the value of showing up authentically, empowering diverse teams, and leading with humility, whether in the high-pressure corporate world or ambitious projects like NEOM’s "The Line".

• Nick’s career, shaped more by "default than design," showcases how adaptability, curiosity, and learning steer personal and professional growth. He talks of the importance of reflection, being open to new ideas and leveraging lessons from both success and failure.

ABOUT Nick Peel

Nick has over 30 years of senior commercial and operational leadership expertise under his belt with esteemed organisations like Arsenal FC, LandSec, Battersea Power Station, McArthur Glen Designer Outlets, and Morrison Supermarkets. He has also held Non-Exec roles with a number of entities, including UCI World Cycling Championships, Streetwork charity, and Icons.com. His career spans retail, hospitality, property / real estate and sports, which he confesses is more by default than by design.

Nick is currently Director of Operational Readiness for THE LINE, the futuristic city under development at NEOM in Saudi Arabia. He specializes in building high performance teams, creating go to market strategies, building the new, and fixing the broken. He prides himself on a ‘ human first ‘ leadership style, and is motivated by change, learning, travel, and in particular his family and children.

Connect with Nicholas:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-peel-a5943a9?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Connect: 


Find | Cathleen O’Sullivan

Business: cathleenmerkel.com

Email: cmc@cathleenmerkelcoaching.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-merkel/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendary_leaders_cathleenos/

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Is leadership about going it alone, or could sharing the load lead to even greater success? In this episode of Legendary Leaders, host Cathleen O'Sullivan welcomes the dynamic duo Clare Freshwater-Turner and Annabelle Richards to explore how job sharing could be the key to enhanced leadership and personal fulfilment. Clare and Annabelle, senior managers in sustainable business at Lloyds Banking Group, have mastered the art of job sharing, proving that two heads can indeed be better than one. Join us to learn about the unique partnership they’ve built over nine years, sharing insights into how combining different strengths and perspectives leads to superior outcomes. Tune in for a conversation that challenges conventional leadership norms and offers a refreshing perspective on ambition and success.

Episode Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

​​08:41 Supporting each other and managing priorities

17:49 The benefits of two coaches for a team

24:10 How to play to each other's strengths

32:07 Why creating a work-life balance is so important

47:42 Communication practises for effective teamwork

56:39 Flexible working enhances productivity and satisfaction

Key Takeaways:

• Clare and Annabelle highlight how their contrasting personalities and skills enhance decision-making and problem-solving. They emphasise that two heads can indeed be better than one, providing richer ideas and solutions, which in turn benefits the entire team and organisation.

• The conversation addresses common misconceptions about job sharing, such as it being more work for managers or only suitable for certain roles. Clare and Annabelle debunk these myths by sharing their experience of managing each other’s development and workload, easing the burden on their line manager.

• On a personal level, job sharing has allowed Clare and Annabelle to maintain a healthy work-life balance. They can pursue personal interests and family commitments while still having fulfilling careers.

ABOUT Clare Freshwater-Turner & Annabelle Richards

Annabelle and Clare are a jobshare and senior managers in Sustainable Business at Lloyds Banking Group, working in the Nature team. They have been with Lloyds Banking Group for many years, working in a wide variety of roles in the Finance and Sustainability functions. These included leading teams, culture change and developing manager training programs. They joined the Group Sustainable Business Team in 2022 supporting Dr. Rebecca Heaton in setting up the team. After they both completed the CISL course with a distinction, they transferred to the nature senior manager role. Within the Nature team, their primary focus is to integrate nature into decision-making and developing training to meet business unit requirements.

Connect with Annabelle & Clare:

Website: https://thejobsharecoach.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thejobsharecoach/

Connect: 


Find | Cathleen O’Sullivan

Business: cathleenmerkel.com

Email: cmc@cathleenmerkelcoaching.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-merkel/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendary_leaders_cathleenos/

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Are you merely enduring tough times, or are you truly thriving through them? In this episode of Legendary Leaders, army veteran and leadership expert Rachel McGill joins Cathleen to explore the nuanced art of resilience. Rachel unveils the clear difference between merely bouncing back and proactively moving forward. She shares her journey, from breaking a world record to creating Resilient Leaders Elements, a framework designed to help leaders like you build genuine resilience. Discover why true resilience is not about muscling through challenges but about adapting, making better decisions under pressure, and balancing control with adaptability. Tune in for a conversation that will inspire you to transform challenges into opportunities and rethink the way you lead during challenging times.

Episode Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

05:40 How to best structure your day and maximise energy

12:17 Building and developing resilient leadership skill

20:26 Why inclusion is a fundamental need

34:04 Turning crisis into opportunity

41:10 Visualising desired outcomes helps build resilience

51:12 Foreseeing crises, staying informed and being prepared

01:08:51 Authentic leadership and emotional intelligence

01:15:32 True diversity requires different perspectives and experiences

Key Takeaways:

• Rachel explains that resilience isn't about simply toughing it out through difficult times. She explains how having a bias for achievement and a positive intention can provide clarity and direction even during uncertainty.

• Cathleen and Rachel discuss the importance of creating a culture where everyone feels included and empowered to lead. This involves sharing control, encouraging openness, and fostering an environment of trust and accountability.

• Rachel shares stories of experience in the army and in business, emphasising the need for leaders to be adaptable and aware of their environments. During times of crisis or change, the ability to reassess and invite diverse perspectives becomes crucial.

ABOUT Rachel McGill

Having served as an army officer, Rachel McGill has 30 years’’ leadership development experience and specialises in the development of resilience in leaders and the tools they need to succeed. As co-founder of Resilient Leaders Elements with her colleague Dr Jeremy Mead, her ambition is to make world-class resilient leadership development available to all. Rachel has designed and facilitated hundreds of courses for thousands of people and leads on ensuring pragmatic approaches to leadership development.

Connect with Rachel McGill:

Website: www.resilientleaderselements.com

X: www.twitter.com/leaderselements

Facebook: www.facebook.com/resilientleaderselements

Instagram: www.instagram.com/resilientleaderselements

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/resilient-leaders-elements

Connect: 


Find | Cathleen O’Sullivan

Business: cathleenmerkel.com

Email: cmc@cathleenmerkelcoaching.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-merkel/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendary_leaders_cathleenos/

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What if you stopped waiting for the right time and started living fully right now? In this episode of Legendary Leaders, Cathleen O'Sullivan welcomes the inspiring Keisha Hickson, a transformative thought leader and resilience advocate. Diagnosed with a rare incurable cancer multiple myeloma at a young age. Keisha's story isn't just about survival; it's about thriving and leaving a legacy on her own terms. She explores her experiences of overcoming fears and embracing authenticity daily, all while battling a rare incurable disease. Keisha also shares her insights on ‘daring to change’ and how to make bold changes and decisions. Tune in for a conversation that will challenge you to start living now and inspire you to create your own legendary legacy, one step at a time.

Episode Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

08:22 Keisha's life-changing cancer diagnosis

18:00 Normalising diverse paths to impact by addressing struggles

26:19 How to support employees with invisible disabilities

38:08 Discovering your "Why" is crucial in defining your legacy

50:57 Celebrate milestones, embrace resilience, and pursue true passions

57:57 Being a proactive advocate for healthcare

Key Takeaways:

• Keisha emphasises the importance of determination, action, resiliency, and execution through her concept of "Dare to Change." She explains how she moved from a place of complacency to making bold changes and decisions.

• Keisha shares the challenges of living with an invisible disability, such as her ongoing battle with multiple myeloma. She explains how she manages her condition while maintaining her daily activities and endeavours.

• Cathleen and Keish talk about leaving a legacy that is not defined solely by financial success but rather by the impact on our community, loved ones, and personal fulfilment.

ABOUT Keisha Hickson

Keisha Hickson is a professional speaker, transformative thought leader, and passionate advocate for resilience, transformation, and women’s empowerment. Her personal journey, marked by a diagnosis of multiple myeloma and a challenging prognosis, has fueled her pursuit of a limitless legacy. This concept, which she passionately advocates, is about living life on your own terms, creating a narrative that leaves a lasting and meaningful impact beyond conventional boundaries.

Keisha brings 25 years of experience in the financial industry to the table, including roles up to Vice President & Senior Branch Manager in Wealth Management. She has successfully owned and operated multiple businesses, demonstrating her diverse interests and business savvy. Her ventures include a children’s salon, a wellness brand, and a luxury gifting business, each flourishing under her leadership with collective revenues in the seven-figure range.

Connect with Keisha Hickson:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thereal_keishahickson/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keisha-hickson/

Email: hello@keishahickson.com

Connect: 


Find | Cathleen O’Sullivan

Business: cathleenmerkel.com

Email: cmc@cathleenmerkelcoaching.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-merkel/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendary_leaders_cathleenos/

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Are you still chasing the wrong kind of success? In this episode of Legendary Leaders, Nancy Ho joins host Cathleen O'Sullivan to discuss the hidden struggles of high-performing professionals and the paradox of success. Nancy shares how defining success externally can lead to a void of stress and unfulfillment. She talks about turning pain into gain, redefining what you truly want, and the importance of being authentic rather than conforming to societal pressures. Discover how your thoughts shape your reality and the power of self-reflection in transforming your life. Tune in for a conversation that invites you to redefine success on your own terms and move towards a life filled with genuine satisfaction and freedom.

Episode Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

08:40 Choosing what you want over what you need

17:22 The difference between authentic self-care and social pressure

27:37 Addressing your needs genuinely and fostering long-term relationships

36:32 Gradually changing bad habits to good ones with ongoing support and strategy adjustments

44:28 Success comes from the inside so focus on inner fulfilment

50:05 Living in the past and having a fear of judgment

01:01:01 Wake up calls from life

Key Takeaways:

• Nancy emphasises the importance of self-reflection to understand your own habits and tendencies. Being aware of the pain points and reflecting on them helps to make necessary changes.

• Nancy explains that recognising the authentic pain (what one truly wishes to avoid) and the real gain (the genuine pleasure and outcome desired) can lead to more motivated and effective action.

• Cathleen and Nancy discuss how true motivation and contentment come from internal desires rather than external validation. Nancy highlights the importance of doing things for yourself rather than seeking approval from others.

ABOUT Nancy Ho

Introducing Nancy Ho, a distinguished Life Strategist, Clarity Messenger, and state-of-mind specialist with over 26 years of experience guiding individuals toward holistic success. Throughout her illustrious career, Nancy has empowered over 10,000 clients, including C-Suite executives, mid-level managers, and business owners, to navigate the intricate balance between professional achievement and personal fulfillment. As an internationally-recognized thought leader on "The Professional Paradox," Nancy brings a unique perspective to the podcasting world. With a focus on helping high-performing professionals transcend the silent weight of success, Nancy's insights offer valuable guidance for listeners seeking harmony in their professional and personal lives. Nancy's expertise lies in addressing the disconnect between external success and inner fulfillment. Her comprehensive approach includes personalized executive coaching, strategic planning, and confidential support tailored to the unique needs of each client.

Connect with Nancy Ho:

Website: https://www.nancyho.net/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-ho-exec-coach/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachnancyho/

Connect: 


Find | Cathleen O’Sullivan

Business: cathleenmerkel.com

Email: cmc@cathleenmerkelcoaching.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-merkel/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendary_leaders_cathleenos/

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Are you living to work, or working to live? In this episode of Legendary Leaders, Dr. Rana Al-Falaki joins host Cathleen O'Sullivan to share her incredible journey from being a successful but stressed professional to finding true joy and authenticity. She opens up about overcoming trauma, breaking through unhealthy patterns, and discovering genuine self-love - all while building a thriving career helping others find balance and fulfilment. Dr. Al-Falaki explains the critical difference between "being" versus "doing". She reveals how understanding your unique stress response can transform your resilience, and offers you strategies for creating sustainable success without burnout. Tune for a conversation that will help you shift from external validation to internal peace while still performing at your highest level.

Episode Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

11:19 Accessing your intuition when you're truly busy

16:21 Overcoming fears with holographic thinking

25:14 The benefits of living with authenticity

35:23 Defining human energy: what does it mean?

46:19 Living with a false mask and learning how to trust

51:32 Dr. Al-Falaki's life-altering diagnosis transformational journey

01:13:10 Empowerment through self-reflection

01:20:07 Navigating menopause and personal growth

Key Takeaways:

• Dr. Al-Falaki emphasises the importance of creating silence in your life to access intuition. During busy and hectic times, prioritising silence helps in making more conscious and effective decisions.

• Both Cathleen and Dr. Al-Falaki discuss how the definition of success evolves over time. In their experiences, it shifted from external validations and material achievements to internal peace, joy, and self-love.

• The conversation touches on how trust and empathy are foundational for effective leadership and creating a high-performing team. Vulnerability is about expressing true needs and emotions, which fosters a healthy, open, and supportive work environment.

ABOUT Dr. Rana Al-Falaki

Dr Rana Al-Falaki openly talks about her past life struggles and traumas and is passionate about making an impact on every person she meets. She claims this as her purpose and gives meaning to all events in her life. She describes her first 40 years of life as OUTWARDLY SUCCESSFUL BUT INWARDLY STRESSFUL. Having perfected how to reach a state of flow where everything happens - laser focus, high productivity, financial wealth, powerful leadership, loving relationships, high energy, motivation, feeling at ease, in peace, joyful and present - she works with professionals and teams to do the same, be that through coaching, speaking or training.

Connect with Dr. Al-Falaki:

Website: https://nail-it.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rana/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rana.alfalaki

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nailit_drrana

Connect: 


Find | Cathleen O’Sullivan

Business: cathleenmerkel.com

Email: cmc@cathleenmerkelcoaching.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-merkel/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendary_leaders_cathleenos/

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Are you ready to transform your approach to customer success and discover how aligning your leadership with customer needs can drive sustainable growth? In this captivating conversation on Legendary Leaders, Cathleen O'Sullivan sits down with Thomas Voigt, founder of TV Consulting and the Customer Success Academy. Thomas shares his remarkable journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship. Tune in for an episode filled with inspirational insights and practical strategies for driving success and growth.

Episode Timeline:

07:50 Struggled with solopreneurship, returned to employment at GWI for five years.

13:50 Learning from discomfort enhances leadership and personal growth.

16:15 I questioned what truly sparked joy beyond societal expectations of success.

27:37 Career ambitions thwarted by poor job market; led to self-reflection and acceptance.

33:55 Embraced entrepreneurship for freedom, launched TV consulting and Customer Success Academy.

48:58 Practicing daily routines like breathing exercises helps manage stress and maintain wellness.

53:28 Leverage fear and joy to drive ambition on LinkedIn by consistently engaging and adding value, fueled by a love for routine and exploration.

56:03 Embrace life's challenges, prioritise values over achievements.

01:10:23 Outsourcing customer success can work if teams are properly onboarded.

01:11:34 AI enhances customer success by streamlining admin tasks and enabling efficient outsourcing, with AI Copilots improving work processes.

Key Takeaways:

• The power of understanding and accepting your inner critic (whom Thomas named "TED") rather than trying to silence it completely

• How implementing a human-first approach to customer success can transform business relationships and drive sustainable growth

• Practical insights on integrating AI and technology in customer success while maintaining the human element

ABOUT Thomas Voigt.

Hey there, I am Thomas! I'm passionate about helping scale up businesses and unravel the mysteries of creating the perfect product/market fit. My adventure kicked off in advertising in Germany, where I honed my skills and guided media companies and advertisers in decoding consumer insights. I helped build new TV channels targeting high-value viewers, generating 8-digit revenue in their first years. In 2011, I moved to London to help Discovery Inc. understand its global audiences, set up intelligence tools, and build its digital businesses. After this, I took a sharp turn and dove into growing revenue for scale-up companies, scoring 140% net retention and building Customer Success teams that generated 8 digits in annual recurring revenue. Fast-forward to today, I'm a revenue leader and consultant, steering companies into their customers' loving arms and fine-tuning their revenue engines for sustainable growth.

Connect with Thomas:

Website: www.tvconsulting.net

Social Media Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-voigt/

Connect: 


Find | Cathleen O’Sullivan

Business: cathleenmerkel.com

Email: cmc@cathleenmerkelcoaching.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-merkel/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendary_leaders_cathleenos/

FOLLOW LEGENDARY LEADERS ON APPLE, SPOTIFY OR WHEREVER YOU LISTEN TO YOUR PODCASTS.