In this special Halloween episode of Burnout Banter, we’re trading burnout for bone-chilling banter as we share real-life horror stories from the trenches of AEC marketing. From cursed proposals to ghosted deadlines and inboxes that just won’t die, these are the terrifying tales that linger long after the final submission.

Whether you’ve ever sacrificed sleep to a “quick revision,” watched a file freeze at 98% with seconds to spare, or questioned reality while updating org charts from the passenger seat—this one’s for you. It’s all in good fun (sort of), but it’s also a reminder of how unsustainable some of our industry’s expectations can be.

So pour your favorite fall drink, dim the lights, and join us… if you dare.

Join us monthly on Burnout Banter as we showcase and share the stories and insights of marketing professionals and technical teams in the construction industry. We aim to shed light on issues such as miscommunication and burnout. Please email us any burning questions you would like us to answer at burnoutbanter@gmail.com.

As Q4 ramps up, everything suddenly feels urgent. Deadlines move closer. Teams scramble to "finish strong." And somewhere along the way, urgency becomes the default operating mode—whether it's necessary or not.

In this episode of Burnout Banter, Jeff and Rachelle explore the seasonal pressure that hits many AEC professionals in the fall. The push to hit year-end metrics, wrap up key initiatives, and juggle increasingly complex schedules can leave teams running on fumes before the holidays even start.

We'll unpack the difference between true urgency and manufactured urgency, why leaders often (accidentally) escalate pressure, and how to spot when you're caught in a frenzy that's doing more harm than good. Most importantly, we'll share strategies to slow the spin, prioritize what matters, and lead without panic.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who feels like the calendar flipped to October and suddenly everything became a fire drill.

Join us monthly on Burnout Banter as we showcase and share the stories and insights of marketing professionals and technical teams in the construction industry. We aim to shed light on issues such as miscommunication and burnout. Please email us any burning questions you would like us to answer at burnoutbanter@gmail.com.

Even the most experienced professionals in the AEC industry—people who manage complex projects and navigate high-stakes deadlines—still struggle to hold their boundaries. It’s not a time management issue. It’s a culture, communication, and identity issue.

In this episode, Jeff and Rachelle explore why boundaries feel so elusive, even for high performers. They dig into how people-pleasing, perfectionism, and unspoken team norms wear down even the clearest intentions. From vague client expectations to the “hero” mentality of being the one who always steps in, AEC professionals are often rewarded for boundary-breaking behavior—and punished (implicitly or explicitly) for pushing back.

You’ll hear real-world examples, practical communication scripts, and a mini coaching framework to help redefine boundaries not as limitations—but as strategies for aligned leadership and long-term sustainability.

Whether you’re burned out from always being “the fixer,” or just need a better way to protect your time and energy, this episode will help you reflect, reset, and reinforce what matters most.

Join us monthly on Burnout Banter as we showcase and share the stories and insights of marketing professionals and technical teams in the construction industry. We aim to shed light on issues such as miscommunication and burnout. Please email us any burning questions you would like us to answer at burnoutbanter@gmail.com

We assume vacation is the antidote to burnout—but for many AEC professionals, it's just a brief escape before diving back into chaos. In this episode, Jeff and Rachelle unpack why we're getting vacation wrong and how to shift from escape mode to recharge mode. They explore the myth of the summer slowdown, the false belief that vacation is the ultimate fix, and how poor boundaries and internal pressure prevent true rest. The conversation invites leaders and professionals to look at how they prepare for, experience, and return from time off—and what that says about the rest of their work life.

You'll hear honest reflections, real-world examples, and practical strategies for using vacation as part of a sustainable energy management plan—not just a temporary relief valve. If you've ever returned from vacation and immediately felt behind, guilty, or like nothing's changed... this one's for you.

Join us monthly on Burnout Banter as we showcase and share the stories and insights of marketing professionals and technical teams in the construction industry. We aim to shed light on issues such as miscommunication and burnout. Please email us any burning questions you would like us to answer at burnoutbanter@gmail.com

In this episode of Burnout Banter, Jeff and Rachelle explore one of the most underused tools in the burnout recovery toolkit: movement. Most people immediately think of exercise when they hear “get active,” but physical activity is only one piece of the puzzle.

Drawing from both research and lived experience, Jeff and Rachelle break down five types of activity—physical, creative, social, organizational, and reflective—that help shake off the fog of burnout and get people moving again. They dive into why burnout thrives in stillness and how intentional movement, in any form, can help restore momentum, confidence, and emotional regulation.

This episode is for anyone who feels stuck, exhausted, or overwhelmed—and especially for those who say, “I know I should exercise, but I just can’t right now.” The good news: You don’t have to run a marathon to move forward. You just have to move something.

Join us monthly on Burnout Banter as we showcase and share the stories and insights of marketing professionals and technical teams in the construction industry. We aim to shed light on issues such as miscommunication and burnout. Please email us any burning questions you would like us to answer at burnoutbanter@gmail.com

In this episode of Burnout Banter, Jeff and Rachelle take a hard look at one of the most ingrained norms in modern work culture: the 40-hour workweek. From its gritty roots in the Industrial Revolution to its popularization by Henry Ford and eventual legalization in 1938, they trace the surprising history of how the "9 to 5" came to be—and why it's no longer working for so many.

Despite its original purpose to protect workers, the 40-hour standard is often exceeded, especially in the AEC industry, where tight deadlines and site-based work demand more than what's on paper. Jeff and Rachelle examine whether the structure still serves today's workforce or has become an outdated relic, exposing the productivity myths and mental health trade-offs hidden behind those extra hours.

You'll hear about real-world alternatives—from Iceland's reduced workweek pilot to flexible and compressed schedules—and why more companies should consider rethinking time, not just tasks. If you've ever asked yourself, "Why am I still working this much?" this episode offers both historical insight and a hopeful path forward.

Join us monthly on Burnout Banter as we showcase and share the stories and insights of marketing professionals and technical teams in the construction industry. We aim to shed light on issues such as miscommunication and burnout. Please email us any burning questions you would like us to answer at burnoutbanter@gmail.com

In this episode of Burnout Banter, Jeff and Rachelle unpack the major findings from The State of Workplace Burnout 2024 report by Infinite Potential. Burnout has plateaued at 38%, but that doesn't mean the problem is solved, it's just entrenched. The episode explores what this data tells us about work in 2024, and looks at it through the lens of the AEC industry, where long hours, tight deadlines, and fieldwork are standard.

You'll hear surprising stats on hybrid work, gender disparities, loneliness, and the real productivity cost of burnout. Jeff and Rachelle also share ideas on what AEC leaders can do, especially those who think reduced hours or hybrid models aren't feasible.

Join us monthly on Burnout Banter as we showcase and share the stories and insights of marketing professionals and technical teams in the construction industry. We aim to shed light on issues such as miscommunication and burnout. Please email us any burning questions you would like us to answer at burnoutbanter@gmail.com.

Link to report: https://infinite-potential.com.au/the-state-of-burnout-2024

In this episode of Burnout Banter, Jeff and Rachelle explore how introversion, while often misunderstood, can be a surprising contributor to burnout. Using the HuffPost article, "There Are 4 Types Of Introverts — Which One Are You?", as a launch point, they break down the four main types—social, thinking, anxious, and restrained—and examine how each may be vulnerable to specific patterns of burnout.

They also challenge the common narrative that being an introvert is a barrier to connection, growth, or leadership. Many people use the label “introvert” as an excuse to avoid necessary social or professional interactions, which can actually increase stress, create isolation, and amplify burnout. This episode offers a fresh perspective on how honoring your introverted nature doesn’t mean hiding from the world—it means learning how to engage with it in ways that support your energy and wellbeing.

Join us monthly on Burnout Banter as we showcase and share the stories and insights of marketing professionals and technical teams in the construction industry. We aim to shed light on issues such as miscommunication and burnout. Please email us any burning questions you would like us to answer at burnoutbanter@gmail.com