When the people who care for us are running on empty, everyone feels it. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Emma Jones, pediatric oncologist, palliative care physician, and burnout recovery coach, to unpack what burnout in healthcare really looks like—and why it matters for all of us, not just medical professionals.

Dr. Jones explains burnout in clear, human terms: that bone-deep exhaustion, growing cynicism, and the haunting sense that nothing you do really matters. She shares how she spent years quietly functioning at a high level on the outside while feeling completely numb on the inside—and what finally forced her to stop, listen, and rebuild from the inside out.

We talk about the sneaky early signs of burnout (think irritability, chronic pain, over-numbing with food, screens, or alcohol), why “just resting more” isn’t enough, and how identity (“I am a doctor / parent / helper”) can trap us in unsustainable patterns. Dr. Jones walks us through simple, powerful ways to start checking in with yourself, creating a personal “wellness scale,” and designing SOS self-care that actually fits real life.

If you’re a healthcare professional—or someone who loves one—this conversation will help you see burnout differently and give you a place to start healing.

Connect with Dr. Emma Jones:

Website & book: EmmaJonesMD.com + The Phoenix Blueprint → emmajonesmd.com/phoenixblueprint

Instagram: @ejones_md

Facebook: ejonescoaching

LinkedIn: Emma Jones, MD

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