If you’re ambitious, driven, and still feel like you’re constantly behind, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Clock In, I’m joined by Israa Nassir, therapist, writer, and mental health advocate, to break down toxic productivity — why high achievers are especially prone to it, and how ambition can quietly turn into anxiety, burnout, and chronic self-pressure.

We unpack:

• Why productivity culture makes even successful people feel like they’re failing
• How ambition gets tied to self-worth and identity
• Why rest feels uncomfortable (or even unsafe) for high performers
• How “doing more” becomes a coping mechanism, not a strategy
• What a healthier relationship with work actually looks like

If you’ve ever felt guilty for slowing down, anxious when you’re not being productive, or like no amount of success ever feels like enough — this conversation will help you understand why you feel this way, and how to start breaking the cycle.

About the guest:
Israa Nassir is a therapist, speaker, and the author of Toxic Productivity. Her work focuses on burnout, emotional resilience, and unlearning hustle culture. You can learn more about her work at israanasir.com and pick up her book here: https://www.israanasir.com/toxic-productivity

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Got a career question you want answered on the show? Submit it here! 🎧 Listen to Clock In for real career talk, job search advice, and unfiltered recruiter insights — new episodes every Wednesday.

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AHHH! I AM NOT OVER THIS EPISODE! SO MUCH TO TELL YOU!!! But also.

January hits different. The motivation crash is real, the anxiety is loud, and suddenly everything feels… urgent. In this episode, we’re talking about The January Scaries — why they happen, why you’re not broken for feeling them, and how to calm your nervous system when the year feels like it’s already asking too much of you.

PLUS: huge life updates (the kind I’d only tell you) and a WWED (What Would Emily Do) segment where we get into real listener dilemmas — careers, confidence, boundaries, and the quiet panic of “am I doing enough with my life?”

If you’re feeling behind, overwhelmed, or weirdly emotional for no clear reason — this one’s for you.

Got a career question you want answered on the show? Submit it here! 🎧 Listen to Clock In for real career talk, job search advice, and unfiltered recruiter insights — new episodes every Wednesday.

PRE ORDER Clock In: https://emilydurham.org/clock-in

If you feel behind, confused, or low-key panicked because you still don’t know what you want to do with your life — this episode is for you.

In today’s job market, the pressure to have a “dream career” figured out is unrealistic, outdated, and honestly… unhelpful. In this episode, I’m breaking down why not knowing your end goal isn’t the problem — and what you should be focusing on instead.

We’ll walk through a practical, no-BS career mapping framework that helps you move forward without needing a 10-year plan, a passion epiphany, or a quarter-life crisis meltdown.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why “finding your passion” is terrible career advice
• How to build career momentum even when you feel lost
• The difference between a career goal and a career direction
• How to make smart next moves without locking yourself into the wrong path
• What to focus on when you don’t know your long-term plan — but still want to make more money, gain confidence, and stop feeling stuck

This episode is your permission slip to stop spiraling, stop comparing, and start making strategic moves that actually compound over time.

You don’t need to know what you want to do with your life, you just need a map.

Got a career question you want answered on the show? Submit it here! 🎧 Listen to Clock In for real career talk, job search advice, and unfiltered recruiter insights — new episodes every Wednesday.