This is part one of a three-part personal story.

Burnout doesn't start at work. For me, it started in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. Growing up where the world could shift without warning, I learned, quietly, without anyone teaching me, to stay braced, stay useful, and stay small. I carried that wiring into every room I walked into for the next 30 years.

In this episode, I trace the patterns that drove me: the fear underneath the ambition, the coping that quietly became a problem, and the moment I couldn't hold it together anymore.

Share. Inspire. Explore. is the podcast from Where I'm At — honest conversations on burnout, career change, and what comes next.

⚠️ 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: bomb explosion, burnout, mental health, alcohol dependency. Please take care of yourself first.

Where I'm At is based on lived experience. It is not therapy, crisis support, or professional advice.

𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞⁣

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📝 Join the burnout recovery community: https://community.whereimatcommunity.com/store/product

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⭐ If this episode helped you, please rate it, follow, and leave a comment, it helps more people find this burnout-safe space.⁣

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𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤? 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟐⁣

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In this second part of a two-part conversation, I continue speaking with Alina Meyer-Riad about the psychology behind work addiction.⁣

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If Part 1 focused on recognising the pattern, Part 2 explores where these patterns may come from and what recovery can begin to look like.⁣

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We talk about perfectionism, people pleasing, fear of failure, early conditioning, support, resilience, and some of the practical ways people can begin creating healthier boundaries around work.⁣

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This episode may resonate with professionals, founders, burnout survivors, and anyone trying to build a healthier relationship with work without shame or self-blame.⁣

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𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞:⁣

• the deeper psychology behind work addiction⁣

• feeling worthy only through work⁣

• perfectionism, people pleasing, and fear of failure⁣

• why reaching out matters⁣

• what resilience means in recovery⁣

• small practices that can support healthier boundaries⁣

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If you are joining here first, Part 1 lays the foundation for this conversation by exploring what work addiction is and why it can be so hard to spot.⁣

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𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭⁣

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Share. Inspire. Explore. is the podcast from Where I’m At, a lived-experience platform focused on burnout, recovery, career change, and honest reinvention.⁣

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Through honest stories, reflection, and expert conversations, the podcast helps working professionals understand what may be happening and explore what comes next.⁣

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𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫⁣

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This podcast is grounded in lived experience and educational conversation. It is not therapy, crisis support, or individual professional advice.⁣

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𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐌𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐫-𝐑𝐢𝐚𝐝⁣

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amrresilienzstaerken/⁣

Website: https://www.amr-resilienz-staerken.de/⁣

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𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞⁣

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Join the burnout recovery community waiting list: https://www.whereimatcommunity.com/community⁣

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If this episode helped you, please like, subscribe, and leave a comment, it helps more people find this burnout-safe space.⁣

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Want to support the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/whereimatcommunity⁣

Addicted to Work? The Psychology Behind Work Addiction, Episode 18 Part 1

In this first part of a two-part conversation, I sit down with Alina Meyer-Riad to explore what work addiction actually is and why it is often misunderstood.

We talk about the difference between working hard and losing control, the role of validation and productivity in shaping identity, and why work addiction can be harder to spot than other behavioural patterns because it is so often rewarded.

This episode may speak to working professionals, high achievers, and anyone who feels their self-worth has become too closely tied to output.

Key themes include:

• what addiction is and how Alina defines it

• why work addiction is not simply long hours

• how dopamine and reward can reinforce overworking

• why work addiction is often normalised in hustle culture

• some of the early warning signs that work is taking over too much space

Part 2 continues the conversation and looks more deeply at where these patterns come from, along with recovery, resilience, and healthier boundaries.

Disclaimer

This podcast is grounded in lived experience and educational conversation. It is not therapy, crisis support, or individual professional advice.

Connect with Alina Meyer-Riad

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/amrresilienzstaerken/

Website:https://www.amr-resilienz-staerken.de/

Explore more

Join the burnout recovery community waiting list: https://www.whereimatcommunity.com/community

If this episode helped you, please like, subscribe, and leave a comment, it helps more peoplefind this burnout-safe space.

Want to support the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/whereimatcommunity