In this candid and insightful episode of Quietly Visible, host Carol Stewart is joined by Kai-Nneka Townsend, leadership resilience and burnout consultant. Kai-Nneka shares her personal journey through burnout—how it crept up, the warning signs she missed, and the steps she now teaches leaders to prevent it.
They discuss the reality of exhaustion, cynicism, and self-doubt that can undermine even the most successful leaders, and how unmanageable workloads combined with the pressure to “push through” can take a serious toll on health and confidence. Kai-Nneka offers practical strategies for setting boundaries, asking for help, and managing both professional demands and personal responsibilities.
The conversation also tackles “mum guilt”—why it happens, how it impacts working mothers, and how to balance career ambitions with quality time at home without being consumed by guilt.
💡 Key takeaways:
Recognising the early signs of burnout before it’s too late
Why boundaries are essential for protecting your time, energy, and wellbeing
The importance of defining what success looks like for you at this stage of life
How to have honest conversations at work and at home to get the support you need
Practical tips for managing “mum guilt” and being fully present in both work and family life
This episode is a must-listen for leaders, especially introverted women, who want to protect their energy, thrive in their careers, and still enjoy life beyond work.
🔗 Connect with Kai-Nneka Townsend:
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🎵 - ©️Julie Anne Smith
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