279: Goodbye Burnout! Exploring the Joyful Side of Exhaustion with Christina Guthier

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide, which may be distressing for some listeners. Please take care while listening.


In this episode of Work from the Inside Out, I’m so excited to bring you my dear friend and colleague, Dr. Christina Guthier. Christina is an occupational health psychologist who has studied burnout and exhaustion for over a decade. What makes her perspective unique is her discovery of something she calls joyful exhaustion—a state of being physically tired, yet emotionally fulfilled, because the work feels meaningful and worthwhile.


In our conversation, Christina opens up about the personal experiences that shaped her research journey, including the contrasting ways her grandparents and father experienced work, and the tragic loss of her godfather, which left a deep impression on her understanding of burnout. She also shares how her academic path was shaped by both serendipity and deep reflection, leading to her award-winning research and upcoming book, Joyfully Exhausted.


What I loved most about this interview is Christina’s grounded, compassionate take on what it means to live and work in sustainable, satisfying ways. If you’ve ever felt wiped out but fulfilled, or burned out and stuck, this episode will help you reflect on what truly makes your efforts feel worthwhile. And stay tuned for more when the English translation of her book launches in the U.S.!


In this week’s Work From The Inside Out podcast, learn more about:

• Discover the concept of joyful exhaustion, where tiredness comes from meaningful effort, not depletion.
• Understand how personal history and family dynamics can shape our experience of work and burnout.
• Learn why recovery is essential, even when you love what you do.
• Hear the powerful story of how Christina’s godfather’s death influenced her mission to humanize work.
• Get a sneak peek into Christina’s upcoming book and how she’s helping people reframe burnout through science-backed insights.




Learn more about Christina:

• Visit Christina’s Website (https://christinaguthier.com/en/)
• Connect on Linkedin (  / dr-christina-guthier  )
• Follow Christina on Instagram: @christinaguthier (  / christinaguthier  )
• Watch Christina’s TEDx talk: Let’s Talk About the Bright Side of Exhaustion (   • Let's talk about the bright side of exhaus...  )





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