Work Truths: Off the Record
Work Truths: Off the Record is a multi-series podcast focused on revealing the stories and emotions that shape us at work, hosted by Rachel Morris, executive coach and award-winning author. Each series will focus on an experience that is topical and common to many working people – one that is often hidden or unspoken, yet perhaps unsurprisingly, is frequently brought into the coaching room. Through conversations with different professional experts, perspectives on the topic will be aired, explored and deeper insight gained, taking hidden experiences and sharing them for more people to learn and to benefit from. Series Two: Imposter Phenomenon In the second series of Work Truths: Off the Record, we’re turning our attention to Imposter Phenomenon – a deeply personal and often hidden experience that affects people across roles, industries and levels of seniority. Despite outward success, many individuals quietly question their abilities, feel like a fraud, or fear being “found out”. These feelings can shape decisions, limit potential, and impact wellbeing, yet they are rarely spoken about openly. In this series, host Rachel Morris speaks with a range of guests including authors, researchers, lawyers and HR professionals, combining expert insight with lived experience. Each conversation explores different perspectives on imposter phenomenon, helping to normalise the experience and bring greater understanding to its causes, impact and ways through it. This series will resonate with anyone who has ever doubted themselves at work, as well as those supporting others, leading teams, or simply wanting to better understand the inner experiences that shape how we show up professionally. Series One: Burnout In the first series of Work Truths: Off the Record, we’re diving into the topic of Workplace Burnout, which is widely reported to be on the rise globally, with recent data showing record levels of burnout amongst a wide range of employee groups. The factors contributing to burnout are complex, and the impact on an individual experiencing it is often severe. Which is why, in each episode of the series, host Rachel Morris will be asking a different expert to share their insights and experiences, to bring understanding, comfort and inspiration to us all. This series will be equally relevant and interesting to those supporting someone through burnout, experiencing burnout themselves, or simply curious about the topic.
Episodes
🎙️ Episode 11 of Work Truths: Off the Record is live, and this time I’m joined by two of my own colleagues from the Motion Learning Coaching Team: Rakhee Patel and Helen Brooks, both leadership coaches.
This felt like a particularly special conversation because, after hearing so many guest stories this series, we step back and reflect on what all of it means in practice for coaches. Rakhee and Helen bring such thoughtful, gro...
Episode 10 of Work Truths: Off the Record is live, and I’m delighted to be joined by Dan Cardwell, who describes himself as a failed writer, comedian and poet who works in marketing.
Dan’s story is a brilliant one because it shows how imposter feelings can live alongside creativity, humour and professional experience. In our conversation, we explore that inner “bully” voice that kicks in just as he starts to ...
In episode 9 of Work Truths: Off the Record I’m delighted to be joined by Tarquin Bennett-Coles, a global talent scout with more than 25 years’ experience identifying, interviewing and supporting leaders across sectors.
Tarquin’s story is a fascinating one because his experience of imposter thoughts is closely tied to something very specific: his name. In our conversation, we explore what it’s like to grow up...
Episode 8 of Work Truths: Off the Record is live, and this week I’m joined by Dr Lucy Ryan, a UK-based positive psychologist and author whose work focuses on women’s professional development.
If you’re a woman in midlife – or live with one, or work with one, or are friends with one – you might want to listen to this. I invited Lucy, author of ‘Revolting Women: Why midlife women are walking out and...
Episode 7 of Work Truths: Off the Record is live, and this time I’m talking with Eric Johnson, the instrument operations group leader for the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source.
Eric has one of those job titles that sounds brilliantly impressive – and yet he talks very honestly about not always recognising himself in it. That tension sits right at the heart of our conversation. We explore what it feels like to work in a highly...
Episode 6 of Work Truths: Off the Record is live, and today I’m joined by Dr Terri Simpkin, an academic and self-described ‘chaos wrangler’!
Terri brings a brilliantly fresh perspective to the imposter phenomenon because she doesn’t just research it — she has lived experience of it too. In our conversation, we explore how imposter feelings are shaped by the wider systems around us, not just by what&rsqu...
Episode 5 of Work Truths: Off the Record is live, and I’m delighted to be joined once again by Emma Clark, a highly experienced employment lawyer.
In this conversation, Emma and I look at where and how the imposter phenomenon shows up in real working life – especially in promotion decisions, performance management, discrimination, and the damage that toxic workplaces can do.
Emma brings a sharp legal lens to the subject. ...
Series 2 of Work Truths: Off the Record continues with a reflective and truly insightful conversation with Charlotte Allocca, an integrative therapist based in London.
Ever wondered what therapists experience behind their closed doors that tell them feelings of being an imposter are present? Well, listen to find out.
I was especially interested in speaking with Charlotte because her work focuses on self-doubt, low self-esteem, and ...
Episode 3 of Work Truths: Off the Record Series 2 continues with a powerful conversation with Denise McMurray, Chief People Officer at the RSPB.
I found this conversation particularly rich as Denise brings both deep professional experience and a very personal understanding of imposter experiences. We talk about what it can feel like to move into a completely new profession, to take a step down in title and salary, and to question wh...
🎙️ Series 2 of Work Truths: Off the Record continues with a brilliant conversation with Dr Kate Atkin, and this one is full of practical insight, honesty, and plenty to think about.
Kate is a speaker, facilitator, author, and researcher who completed her PhD on the imposter phenomenon in 2024, and has literally written the book on the topic. She also speaks from lived experience, which makes our conversation feel especially grounde...
Series 2 of Work Truths: Off the Record is all about the Imposter Phenomenon — and I'm starting with a powerful conversation with Dr Katie Ford
Katie has no less than 27 letters after her name, as well as ‘Dr’ before it. Yet her story is a powerful reminder that imposter feelings don’t disappear just because someone has the qualifications, the experience, or the external success.
In our conversation, Katie ope...
Series 2 of Work Truths: Off the Record will launch on Wednesday 6th May! Join host Rachel Morris again, as this time she dives deep into Imposter Phenomenon. Expect another round of honest conversations bringing expert insights and personal experiences to the surface, as Rachel and her guests discuss this often-misunderstood but deeply affecting experience.
What does burning the candle at both ends really look like?
And how bad can the consequences be?
In this episode of Work Truths Off the Record, host Rachel Morris speaks with Jay Asthana about his personal journey with burnout, starting from his early career as a pot washer to becoming a chef in prestigious London hotels.
Jay shares his experiences of overwork, the impact of high expectations, and the eventual diagnosis of type 1 dia...
What have we learnt from our guests this season?
And how do coaches work with their clients to support them before, during and on the recovery from burnout?
In the final episode of Work Truths Off the Record series 1, host Rachel Morris and coaches Julie Nelson and Amy Funkhouser Watkins discuss and draw insight from the previous episodes of the first series. They reflect on their own and other guests' experiences along with the stor...
In this episode of Work Truths Off the Record, host Rachel Morris speaks with Julianne Gilbert, a seasoned leader, about the critical issue of workplace burnout. They explore the definition of burnout, its recognition in teams, and the responsibilities of managers and organisations in addressing it. Julianne shares her insights on the signs of burnout, strategies for managers to support their teams, and the importance of creating a...
A content warning for today’s episode: our conversation includes two brief mentions of suicide in the context of burnout.
If you’re struggling, please reach out to Samaritans on 116 123. Take care as you listen.
In this episode of Work Truths Off the Record, host Rachel Morris engages with Alexander Maxwell Cole, an expert in occupational psychology, to explore the complex topic of workplace burnout. They discuss the int...
How does the experience of burnout differ from person to person?
And do the signs also differ?
In this episode of Work Truths Off the Record, host Rachel Morris speaks with Sophie Peaty, an expert in leadership development, about her personal experience with workplace burnout.
Sophie shares her journey through burnout, the signs she ignored, and the importance of self-care and support. They discuss the role of employers in recognising...
Do you know your legal responsibilities to your employees in relation to burnout and mental health issues?
Have you got the right type of insurance? And the right type of legal support?
In this episode of Work Truths Off the Record, host Rachel Morris engages with legal experts Emma Clark and Cordelia Rushby to explore the multifaceted issue of workplace burnout.
They discuss the legal implications of burnout, how to balance policies ...
Can you recognise the physiological and psychological signs of impending burnout?
What can you do to help your body and mind to avoid burnout?
In this episode of Work Truths: Off the Record, host Rachel Morris welcomes Rachel Philpotts, award-winning author, nutritionist and mental health expert, who shares her personal journey through burnout and the significant changes it prompted in her life.
Together they explore the warning signs...
How can organisations help when employees face burnout? How do values and behaviours affect an organisation's susceptibility to burnout?
In this episode of Work Truths Off the Record, host Rachel Morris speaks with HR professional Justine Cooper about the pervasive issue of workplace burnout. They explore Justine's personal experiences with burnout, the multifaceted nature of its definition, and the importance of recognising warnin...
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.