370: When High-Achieving Women Carry Too Much Alone with Meghan French Dunbar

For high-achieving women, that belief can run deep. We’re taught to be capable, composed, productive, and independent, and to keep going no matter what.

But what happens when “I can handle it” becomes burnout?

In this episode of Workday Playdate, Meghan French Dunbar joins Erin for a candid conversation about burnout, leadership, vulnerability, women at work, and what it really takes to build humane workplaces. Drawing from her experience as a founder, CEO, and mother, Meghan shares the personal wake-up calls that forced her to rethink what success and leadership actually mean.

Together, Erin and Meghan unpack chronic busyness, workplace vulnerability, trust, overwork, and the pressure to be an unbreakable leader. They explore how small shifts in the way we lead can create more sustainable work rhythms and teams.

Inside This Episode:

When Work Becomes Your Identity: Meghan shares the airplane story, miscarriage, and burnout experiences that forced her to confront the personal cost of being an “unbreakable” leader.

The Myth of the Busy Season: What happens when “I’m just in a busy season” becomes your permanent state? Meghan explains how chronic busyness can become a system—not just a season.

Vulnerability Builds Trust: Discover why being honest about struggles can actually make leaders more trustworthy and help teams feel safer opening up.

Women Don’t Have to Do It All: Erin and Meghan unpack the pressure high-achieving women face to be endlessly capable—and why asking for help doesn’t make you a burden.

Rethinking Leadership: Move beyond the superhero leader. Meghan explores a healthier blend of decisiveness, empathy, compassion, listening, and vulnerability.

What to Do Now:

Question Your “Busy Season”: Is this actually a season—or has chronic busyness become your normal? Identify one expectation or habit that’s keeping you stuck in overload.