In this episode, I sit down with Deirdre Culbert, a highly experienced humanistic and integrative psychotherapist, certified by both the Irish Association of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy (IAHIP) and the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP).

Deirdre brings over 20 years of experience in the multinational technology sector, giving her a unique perspective on the mental and emotional challenges faced by professionals today—especially around burnout, work-life balance, and managing stress in high-pressure environments.

We explore:

• How burnout develops and why it’s more than just “being tired”

• Practical tools to regulate your nervous system during stressful times

• The role of self-awareness in building emotional resilience

• Why workplace culture can either fuel or fight burnout

• How leaders can support their teams through empathy and understanding

• The importance of recognizing life transitions and seeking support early

Deirdre’s person-centered approach draws on Psychodynamic Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Object Relations Therapy, and Body Psychotherapy—tailored to each individual’s needs. Throughout our conversation, she shares compassionate, actionable advice that listeners can apply right away, whether you’re a professional under pressure, a leader supporting a team, or someone navigating personal challenges.

This episode is packed with insights for anyone who wants to better understand themselves, manage stress, and foster recovery in both life and work.

Connect with Deirdre:
🌐 www.deirdreculbert.com (replace with actual link)

In this powerful episode, I sit down with global consultant Alan O’Neill, founder of Kara, a leading expert in organizational change and high-performance culture. Alan brings decades of experience helping businesses navigate transformation while staying true to their core values.

We dive into the "golden thread of culture" – that often invisible, but essential element that connects purpose, people, and performance within every successful organization.

Whether you're a business leader, manager, or part of a team navigating change, this episode offers practical insights on how to align strategy with culture to drive long-term results — without burning people out in the process.

💡 In this episode, we cover:

• What culture really means — beyond slogans and posters

• The golden thread: how culture connects strategy, leadership, and performance

• Why recovery and reflection matter just as much as productivity

• How to support people through organizational change

• Common pitfalls companies face during transformation

• Alan’s real-world experience with brands like Harrods and Primark

• Actionable takeaways for leaders looking to build high-performing, resilient teams

🔗 Learn more about Alan’s work at Kara.ie

The Sleep & Health Podcast is proudly sponsored by Zenflore Calm & Precision Biotics.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

In this fascinating episode, I’m joined by Donncha Phelan, founder of Active Body Clinic and a leading specialist in Vagus Nerve Regulation.

We explore the powerful role the vagus nerve plays in regulating stress, recovery, digestion, sleep, and emotional wellbeing — and why it's often the missing link in both physical and mental health.

Donncha breaks down:

• What the vagus nerve actually is — and why it matters

• Signs your nervous system might be stuck in "fight or flight"

• Simple, practical ways to activate the vagus nerve daily

• How vagal tone affects pain, anxiety, inflammation, and even burnout

• The link between trauma, tension, and nervous system dysregulation

Whether you're an athlete, a shift worker, a parent, or someone dealing with chronic stress — this episode is full of insights to help you better understand your body and build real resilience from the inside out.

🧠💪 Calm your system. Improve recovery. Feel human again.