Dunwoody, Phil, and Neal Utterback. “Burnout and Workplace Wellbeing.” Produced by Phil Dunwoody and Neal Utterback. Thrivology Lab: The Science, Philosophy, and Practice of Thriving. April 16, 2025. Audio podcast, 57:56:00 min. https://rss.com/podcasts/thrivologylab/1988078/.
This podcast discusses the origins of the term burnout and our current understanding of its causes. Burnout is a syndrome acknowledged as a health risk by the World Health Organization that comprises three components: feelings of exhaustion and depletion, increased mental distance or cynicism about one’s job, and doubts about one’s current role. According to research by Gallup, education has one of the highest self-reported burnout rates by industry. As the result of chronic unresolved stress, burnout is a function of the employment environment and not an individual characteristic. Because burnout increases institutional costs through turnover, health insurance rates, low productivity, and disengagement, it should be a leadership priority.