When Work Takes More Than It Gives
Hello everyone,
Have you ever been in a tough or painful situation and heard comments like these?
I guess everything happens for a reason
At least you’re going to get better
This happened to my great aunt nora and so I know how you feel
Or perhaps, on the other hand, you've been with a friend who’s facing the hardest of seasons, and you’ve just felt lost for words?
Emily McDowell, this week’s podcast guest, knows exactly how you feel.
Emily is a writer, illustrator, speaker, and entrepreneur, best known as the founder of Em & Friends.
At 24, she was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and one of the hardest parts of her experience was the loneliness and isolation she felt when many of her close friends and family members disappeared because they didn’t know what to say or said the wrong thing without realising it.
Her experience as a cancer patient, combined with the loss of a close friend to cancer, led Emily to create her ‘Empathy Cards’ series. These cards, her most popular line to date, offer a refreshing, honest way to communicate around difficult topics like grief, illness, and loss.
Emily’s work has redefined how we talk about these topics and has made a huge impact on many people’s lives.
Named one of Slate’s 10 Designers Who Are Changing the World in 2015, Emily has worked with inspiring figures like Elizabeth Gilbert and Sheryl Sandberg’s Option B Foundation.
But Emily’s success came at a cost.
I read one of Emily’s posts on her Substack, subtitled, ‘Find what you love, and let it kill you’, and immediately knew I had to have her on the podcast.
Emily’s story is one of how she found what she loved, watched it grow into something huge and consuming, and eventually realised it wasn’t good for her. What started as a passion turned into an overwhelming force that nearly took over her life.
Her journey is a powerful reminder that sometimes, the very thing we love can take more from us than we ever expected.
In this episode, Emily opens up about:
🔹 Her experience with burnout
🔹 The pressures of hustle culture
🔹 The importance of defining success on your own terms
🔹Deciding what you’re willing to sacrifice
🔹 How to step back and rediscover what really matters
🔹 What it means to pursue purpose without losing yourself
Honestly, this episode is a must-listen. It’s uncomfortable because Emily challenges us to face the truth: you can have too much of a good thing.
She encourages us to decide what we are willing to sacrifice and to reflect on who we are really doing it all for - and why.
I know this episode will resonate - and challenge you - because it forces us to confront the reality that sometimes, in our pursuit of success, we lose sight of what truly matters.
Emily’s insights act as a wake-up call to rethink how we define success and the costs we’re willing to pay for it. It’s a powerful reminder that it’s okay to step back and reassess, to choose what brings you fulfillment, and to have the courage to set boundaries.
This conversation will leave you reflecting on your own journey and asking yourself some important questions about balance, passion, and what’s worth the sacrifice.
With love,
Hannah xx
P.S. You can find out more about Emily here: www.emilyonlife.com
P.P.S. If you’re enjoying the podcast, please forward to a friend, or drop us a review, or both!