Why is burnout so often a hidden collapse?

In this candid episode, host Rachel Morris and guest Catherine Lightfoot reframe burnout not as a single crash but as a “slow disappearing of self,” often hidden by masking - especially for neurodivergent professionals - and intensified by personal and organisational change.

Listeners will get concrete takeaways for themselves and others:

• How to spot disconnection behind the word “fine,”
• How to design humane policies and communication processes
• How to encourage simple regulation rituals like brief daily check‑ins

Tune in for a practical compass—self, share, support—and the deceptively powerful prompt Catherine shares which she now lives by: What do I need right now?

Key Discussion Points

Burnout as a slow fade, not a single crash — why “slowness” matters and what it looks like day to day.

The hidden toll of masking (especially for ADHD and other neurodivergences) and how it obscures warning signs.

Two deceptively simple check‑ins that rebuild regulation: a “six‑minute” ritual and a five‑year micro‑journal.

Why “I’m fine” is a red flag — and how managers can navigate power dynamics to earn real answers.

Support that actually helps vs. harms: choosing therapy, somatic work, or coaching at the right stage.

The guilt/shame loop that delays stopping — and the moment an external voice can (and should) break it.

Policy meets humanity: what great employers do to prevent, respond, and communicate without adding harm.

A cautionary tale for HR ops: automated processes (like performance letters) that retraumatize people on leave.

Rebuilding identity when work has become “who I am” — a question every high performer should ask.

A practical framework to share with teams: self, share, support — or as she puts it, What do I need right now?

Guest Information

Catherine Lightfoot is an executive coach, HR consultant, and the founder of Fire & Light Coaching. Her work helps leaders and organisations move through complexity with clarity and care.

With a background in senior leadership across sectors, Catherine brings a rare combination of strategic insight and lived experience to her work. Her own journey through burnout, fertility treatment, ADHD diagnosis, and maternity leave and return has shaped her understanding of how crucial the right support at the right time can be—especially for women and neurodivergent professionals navigating high-pressure environments. She now specialises in ADHD coaching for leaders as well as maternity coaching for women getting ready for and returning from leave.

Through her coaching and consultancy, she helps others create sustainable change leaning in to their strengths and finding their authenticity.

You can find more info on her website, socials or sign up to her newsletter.

Website: https://fireandlightcoaching.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-lightfoot-coach/

Newsletter: https://fire-light-coaching.kit.com/email-list-new

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