Why Listen? In this deeply engaging episode, Andy Brown sits down with ER nurse, relationship expert, and podcast host Jillian Riddell to explore the concept of emotional overdraft and the profound impact it can have on our lives. Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, Jillian shares her journey from being a hidden child to a teen mother, and how these early experiences shaped her approach to life and relationships. This episode is packed with practical advice, emotional exercises, and inspiring stories that will resonate with anyone looking to build emotional resilience and find balance in their lives.

Key Topics and Insights:

• The Origin of Emotional Overdraft: Jillian opens up about her challenging childhood, revealing how being a “secret” child shaped her self-worth and drove her to overachieve in an attempt to fill emotional voids. "I was almost addicted to achievement, not for my internal purpose, but for an external result."
• Self-Awareness and Emotional Health: Jillian discusses the importance of understanding our emotions and their origins. "If we don't know how we feel, then we don't know what we need." She introduces practical exercises like her “Clarity Sessions” and the "Emotional Playlist" to help listeners manage stress and build emotional resilience.
• Overcoming Personal Adversity: From being a teen mum to becoming an ER nurse, Jillian's story is one of perseverance. She shares the impact of societal judgements and how she defied expectations to build a successful career and a fulfilling life. "I had my son on a Monday when I was nine months pregnant in college, went back the next Monday, and became valedictorian."
• Emotional Overdraft in Relationships: Jillian dives into how unresolved emotional baggage can strain relationships and shares how she and her husband worked through their own challenges. "If we don’t know how to unpack those grief cases together, we end up just being each other's source of grief."
• Practical Tools for Emotional Resilience: The episode is rich with practical advice, including the importance of regular self-check-ins, deep breathing exercises, and the creation of an “Emotional Playlist” to maintain a positive mindset. "Emotions are primary energy drainers, but they can also be our primary energy drivers."

Personal Anecdotes:

• Jillian’s Secret Childhood: Jillian candidly shares how being hidden from her father’s family until she was 18 affected her sense of self-worth and led to a lifelong struggle with people-pleasing and achievement addiction.
• Andy’s Reflection on Adoption: Andy connects with Jillian by sharing his own experience of being adopted at a young age and the impact it had on his need to prove his worth. "I spent years, probably still do at 59, trying to prove that I was worthy."

Further Resources:

• Life Without Secrets Podcast: Hosted by Jillian Riddell, this podcast dives into personal growth, relationships, and emotional resilience.
• Emotional Overdraft Book by Andy Brown: For more insights on managing emotional overdraft, Andy’s book is available on Amazon in various formats.
• HeartMath Institute: Explore the science behind emotions and heart rate variability, as discussed by Jillian in this episode.

Follow Jillian Riddell:

• Instagram: @LifeWithoutSecretsPodcast
• Website: Life Without Secrets

Connect with Andy Brown:

• LinkedIn: Andy Brown on LinkedIn

"Burnout isn't something that happens for a day. It is physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual exhaustion."

"All of my self-worth was coming from work. So I'd got myself into a situation where I felt useless and worthless except when I was getting accolades from work or recognition from work."

"I remember a conversation with my new line manager... And I was being like I don't need help. If I have to ask for help, it means that I can't cope. And then everybody knows that I'm not able to do my job. So there was some imposter syndrome as well."

Show Notes for "Exploring Emotional Overdraft" Podcast Episode with Andy Brown and Hannah Holden

Background and Burnout Story (01:37):

Hannah Holden (01:50): Shares her background in IT and consulting, detailing her experience with burnout 10 years ago. She emphasises the high demands and unmanageable workload that led to her burnout.

Understanding Burnout (05:05):

Hannah Holden (05:34): Explains what burnout means to her, describing it as physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual exhaustion akin to depression. She clarifies that burnout is not a temporary state of tiredness.

Signs and Reactions to Burnout (07:52)

Hannah Holden (07:52): Discusses her reluctance to seek help due to imposter syndrome and the misinterpretation of her boss's empowerment as lack of support

Low Point and Turning Point (10:14):

Hannah Holden (10:14): Recalls the moment she realised she was severely depleted, both emotionally and spiritually, leading to a breakdown on her kitchen floor. This low point became her turning point.

Recovery and Identity-Based Change (12:31):

Hannah Holden (12:31): Describes how she used her desire to become a mother as motivation to change her lifestyle and habits. Emphasises the importance of aligning actions with personal values.

Navigating Stress (23:10)

Hannah Holden (23:10): Suggests that understanding and navigating stress, rather than managing it, is crucial. Recommends finding support from others to help see and address issues that may not be apparent to oneself.

Values and External Help (28:21):

Andy Brown (28:21): Highlights the importance of understanding personal values and getting external help to navigate stress and avoid burnout.

Practical Advice (33:40):

Hannah Holden (33:40): Advocates for intentional decision-making based on what is truly valuable, using examples from her own experience and those of her clients

Connecting with Others (37:03):

Andy Brown (37:03): Shares a personal story about reconnecting with friends and the power of maintaining a supportive network.

Simple Change for Reducing Stress (43:40):

Hannah Holden (43:40): Introduces the "physiological sigh" technique to quickly reduce stress. Demonstrates how to do it effectively.

Hannah Holden: "Getting to know your values is helpful... but working with somebody else makes it so much easier and faster."

Call to Action:

• Listen to Hannah Holden's podcast, "Burnout Isn't Necessary," available on Apple and Spotify.
• Connect with Hannah on LinkedIn or visit her website at hannahholden.co.uk.
• Practise the "physiological sigh" technique to manage stress effectively.

Additional Resources:

• Hannah Holden's LinkedIn: Hannah Holden on LinkedIn
• Website: hannahholden.co.uk
• Podcast: Burnout Isn't Necessary on Apple and Spotify

Thank you for listening!

In the latest episode of "Exploring Emotional Overdraft," host Andy Brown engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Alex Price, a former agency owner who reflects on his journey from freelance web designer to the founder and eventual seller of a digital marketing agency. Alex shares his candid insights on the highs and lows of building a business, including the challenges of managing a growing team and the personal toll it took on him.

Alex recounts his early days, starting as a freelancer at 16, and how he scaled his agency to 35 employees before selling it in 2022. He touches on the imposter syndrome he faced, especially as a young entrepreneur managing older employees, and the constant pressure of balancing business growth with personal well-being. Throughout the discussion, Alex emphasizes the importance of delegating effectively and trusting his team, which allowed him to focus on strategic growth rather than micromanagement.

A key theme of the episode is Alex’s realization of the concept of "overworking and under living." He discusses how his relentless focus on work often led to neglecting other aspects of life, such as relationships and personal interests. This imbalance, he notes, can lead to an emotional overdraft where the success of the business comes at the expense of one's mental and physical health.

Alex offers valuable advice for other entrepreneurs facing similar challenges: avoid overworking by ensuring you continue to live fully and engage in activities outside of work. He highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and staying connected with friends, family, and personal interests.

To conclude, Alex shares his current endeavors, which include traveling, consulting, and exploring new opportunities while finding a better balance in life. Listeners can connect with him on LinkedIn or through his website, alexprice.co.uk, to learn more about his journey and gain further insights.

This episode provides a deep dive into the emotional aspects of entrepreneurship, offering practical advice for managing stress and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Introduction of Alex Price: Former digital marketing agency owner who scaled his business from freelancing to a 35-employee agency.

Early Career: Started freelancing at 16 and quickly transitioned into running an agency by his early twenties.

Imposter Syndrome: Faced challenges managing older employees and the pressure of transitioning from freelancer to CEO.

Business Growth: Importance of delegating tasks and trusting team members for effective business scaling.

Personal Toll of Entrepreneurship: Discussed the emotional and physical impact of running a business, including constant stress and difficulty detaching from work.

Overworking vs. Under Living: Highlighted the need to balance work with personal life to avoid emotional overdraft and maintain overall well-being.

Hiring and Managing People: Focused on hiring for attitude and soft skills over technical skills, and the importance of creating a supportive work environment.

Post-Sale Reflection: Reflected on selling his agency and the mixed emotions of detaching from the business.

Current Endeavors: Engaging in consulting, traveling, and exploring new opportunities while maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

Advice for Entrepreneurs: Encouraged listeners to live fully outside of work to prevent burnout and maintain mental and physical health.