Back After Burnout

Real stories, real tools, real returns with Karina Schneider

Back After Burnout is the practical, upbeat companion for career professionals navigating the messy middle between “doctor’s orders—take a break” and “welcome back, you’re fit to work."

If you’re on stress leave, or are quietly planning your return to work after an extended absence, this show is for you. Host Karina Schneider, HR strategist, certified coach, and mental health first aid instructor, blends lived experience with science-backed frameworks so you don’t have to choose between your mental health and professional ambitions.

Why listen?
Because googling “burnout recovery” at 2 a.m. rarely delivers a roadmap. Karina speaks the language of both employees and employers, translating HR policies, fit-to-work assessments, and reintegration plans into human terms. Whether you’re fearing that first Monday back or wondering what's next for you, you’ll find clear answers, and a compassionate community here.

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Recent

Building Change Capacity featuring Oksana Prokhorova
Nov. 15, 2025

Building Change Capacity featuring Oksana Prokhorova

Why does change feel so threatening —even when we know it's good for us? In this episode, transformation leader Oksana Prokhorova reveals the neuroscience behind our stress responses and shares practical tools to build change...
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Returning to Work Starts with Who You Want to Be
Nov. 1, 2025

Returning to Work Starts with Who You Want to Be

Coming back to work after burnout isn't just about resuming what you did before, with better stress management techniques. It’s about reshaping how you choose to live, work, and lead yourself. Today, we’re exploring how recov...
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Should I stay or should I go?
Oct. 15, 2025

Should I stay or should I go?

In this episode of Back after Burnout, we tackle one of the most challenging questions facing professionals recovering from burnout: should I stay in my current role or move on? Karina Schneider breaks down the decision-makin...
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Boundaries in a Messy Reality featuring Emma Saccomani
Oct. 1, 2025

Boundaries in a Messy Reality featuring Emma Saccomani

In this episode, we are joined by Emma Saccomani and together we cover a lot of ground on the hairy topic of boundaries. Whether you have gone through burnout or not, setting boundaries is a crucial life skill and a muscle we...
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How Not to Panic During Your First Manager Conversation
Sept. 15, 2025

How Not to Panic During Your First Manager Conversation

That first conversation with your manager after a mental health absence can feel like a test you didn’t study for. In this episode, reintegration coach Karina Schneider shows you how to replace panic with a plan. You’ll learn...
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Your frequently asked questions, answered featuring Dr. Elizabeth Frei
Sept. 1, 2025

Your frequently asked questions, answered featuring Dr. Elizabeth Frei

Burnout is more than just stress or exhaustion—it's a physical and neurological injury that affects how we function, recover, and live. In this episode, Karina sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Frei , a U.S.-trained and Swiss-cert...
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Am I Ready? Five Reflective Questions to Know if it’s Time To Return
Aug. 15, 2025

Am I Ready? Five Reflective Questions to Know if it’s Time To Return

Stepping off stress leave into a full return to work can feel like standing on a foggy bridge: part of you has healed, yet doubts still swirl. In this episode, Karina Schneider dismantles the myth of being “100% ready” and sh...
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The Mindset Shift: Work as Part of Burnout Recovery
Aug. 1, 2025

The Mindset Shift: Work as Part of Burnout Recovery

The passage from stress leave to a full return to work is neither linear nor instantaneous. In this episode, career reintegration coach Karina Schneider argues that stepping back into the workplace is an active stage of recov...
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Karina Featured on c2gether Podcast with Dr. Elizabeth Frei
July 22, 2025

Karina Featured on c2gether Podcast with Dr. Elizabeth Frei

Karina was featured as a guest on the c2gether Podcast with Dr. Elizabeth Frei in October 2024
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Why You Need to Prepare for Your Return to Work
July 15, 2025

Why You Need to Prepare for Your Return to Work

The transition from a period of burnout to a successful return to work is not merely a matter of resuming one’s previous role; it is a nuanced process that requires careful navigation and support. Throughout the discussion, K...
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Reviews

A haven of calm and practical steps

"I highly recommend these episodes to anyone recovering and looking to get back to work, wanting to prevent burnout, or supporting someone needing compassionate advice. Karina has so much user-friendl…"

Emma Saccomani | Nov. 17, 2025

A Must-Listen

"Made with so much heart, hard work, and a genuine desire to help others thrive, she wants nothing more than to help you transition with success and support. Karina is one of the most supportive peop…"

A friend | Sept. 8, 2025

Saving our Sanity

"It’s so simple, good and honest, and just really connects with your audience. It’s like have a conversation with you talking about professional life and the realities that come with it. So thankful f…"

A friend | Oct. 8, 2025

Clarity and Calm

"I’ve listened to all three episodes of Back After Burnout and they are excellent. I really appreciate how you bring clarity and calm authority to a subject that is often spoken about in clichés, with…"

A friend | Oct. 25, 2025
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Recent Blog Posts

Karina Featured on c2gether Podcast with Dr. Elizabeth Frei
July 22, 2025

Karina Featured on c2gether Podcast with Dr. Elizabeth Frei

Karina was featured as a guest on the c2gether Podcast with Dr. Elizabeth Frei in October 2024

Read the Blog Post
Karia Featured on Success Gems with Dr. Alex Steinberg
July 9, 2025

Karia Featured on Success Gems with Dr. Alex Steinberg

Karina was featured on Success Gems with Dr. Alex Steinberg in January 2024 🔍 Key Insights Explored: Challenges faced by professionals during the return-to-work transition. Strategies for a smooth reintegration into the workplace. Creating a s…

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Karina Featured on FRIED. The Burnout Podcast
June 30, 2025

Karina Featured on FRIED. The Burnout Podcast

Karina was featured as a guest on FRIED. The Burnout Podcast in May 2023. 

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About the Host

Karina Schneider, ACC Profile Photo

Karina Schneider, ACC

HR Leader | Mental Health Advocate

Transforming Workplaces: Culture | Leadership & Organizational Development | Mental Health

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