At the height of her career, Trudy Macdonald looked like she had it all. But beneath the surface, something was quietly unraveling; a relentless pace, a mounting pressure to "do it all," and a creeping sense of exhaustion that couldn’t be fixed with a weekend off.

In this episode, Trudy (Managing Director of TalentCode HR) and Australian “Speaker of the Year” joins Suzie to name what so many of us silently experience: burnout.

With expertise in organisational psychology and a fiercely human approach to leadership, Trudy shares her own story of burnout and the powerful strategies that helped her bounce back, not just to baseline, but to a more sustainable, fulfilling rhythm of life and work.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to recognise the early warning signs of burnout in yourself and others
• Why “doing it all” often leads us to a breaking point, and, how to rewrite that story
• What true resilience looks like (hint: it’s not about pushing through)
• The mindset shifts that protect our motivation, wellness and energy
• How organisations can foster healthy, high performance
• Practical, life-tested tips for creating boundaries, recovery rituals, and support systems

This conversation is an invitation to check in; on yourself, your loved ones, your team, and the culture you're creating around you. Because burnout isn’t a badge of honour. It’s a signal that something needs to change.

Want more?

Explore Trudy’s work at talentcodehr.com.au, or follow her on LinkedIn and Instagram for practical insights on high-performance leadership and wellbeing.

Stay connected with the Let’s Check In Podcast on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok for conversations that help you navigate the messy middle of modern life.

Ten years ago, sisters Fatuma and Laurinda Ndenzako were sitting in a café in Nairobi, watching local women walk past in bold, vibrant Maasai Shuka textiles. That moment sparked something more than a fashion idea; it sparked a movement. A movement that would become Collective Closets, a Melbourne-based slow fashion label built on purpose, heritage, and heart.

In this episode, Fatuma shares the journey behind the brand and how she and her sister are reshaping the Australian fashion landscape, one intentional piece at a time.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• How slow fashion offers an antidote to trend-driven consumption
• What it means to design with cultural integrity
• The creative (and often chaotic) dance between business, family and values
• Why clothing can be a powerful form of self-expression and storytelling

Collective Closets is not just a brand; it’s a source of empowerment, emotional resonance, and cultural pride, creating a legacy that reaches far beyond the runway.

Want more?

Explore the newest Be Your Own Muse Collection and follow Collective Closets on Instagram or Facebook for updates that celebrate culture, craftsmanship, and bold design.

Dive deeper into Fatuma and Laurinda’s journey at Collective Closets.

Stay connected with the Let’s Check In Podcast on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok for more soulful stories and slow fashion conversations.

Life doesn’t always go to plan; so let’s talk about it.

Season 2 of the Let’s Check In Podcast is almost here, and the trailer just dropped! 🎧

Think: Cultural icons, frontline experts, raw conversations, and the lessons that school skipped.

Guests this season include:

🟣 Purple Wiggle, Lachy Gillespie

🌀 The Hormone Revolutionist, Nat Kringoudis

💬 Behavioural scientists, therapists, founders & more

We’re diving into burnout, bodies, parenting pressure, identity shakeups - and what it takes to stay steady through life’s wobbly seasons.

🎙 Episodes drop every Monday for 6 weeks, starting 28 July, 2025

📍Follow now so you’re ready when the first one lands.