Podcast Summary: Private Practice Startup Episode 195

"Up Close and Personal with Jo Muirhead"
Released: June 15, 2020 | Hosts: Dr. Kate Campbell & Katie Lemieux | Guest: Jo Muirhead

Main Theme & Purpose

This special "Up Close and Personal" episode dives into the personal and professional journey of Jo Muirhead—rehabilitation counsellor, author, business coach, and the founder of Purple Co. Departing from the podcast’s usual focus on straight business tips, this episode offers a candid look at Jo’s upbringing, values, challenges (including recent health crises), and insights on burnout, self-care, and resilience. The conversation also touches on family, traditions, and forming a purpose-driven business, delivering inspiration and valuable perspective for mental health professionals and entrepreneurs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jo’s Upbringing & Early Influences

• Background: Grew up in suburban Australia; eldest of three sisters.
• Developed a love for work and personal responsibility early, starting with jobs at 14.
• Influence of parental business failures—“I basically adopted the philosophy of doing the opposite of what my father did and my business should succeed.” (03:30)

2. Cultural Insights from Australia & New Zealand

• Explained New Zealanders (“Kiwis”), accents, and the symbolic kiwi bird (06:08).
• Playful exploration of cultural differences and language quirks (Kiwi = fruit in the US).

3. Work History & The Value of Work

• Early jobs: 1960s-style hamburger joint, chiropractor receptionist, bookstore clerk.
• Love of books continues; currently reading historical fiction about WWII.
• Regularly shares book recommendations online (esp. those with strong, independent female leads) (07:34-09:06).

4. Business Philosophy & Burnout in Helping Professions

• Advocates for aligning work with personal values and self-knowledge.
• Importance of “being” over “doing” in business; recommends Grit by Angela Duckworth (10:46).
• “My fascination has always been around who do we need to be as people, who do we need to be? And how do we tap into our innate strengths... and turn that into a way of earning an income?” (11:12)
• Warns against scarcity mentality: “If you have taken all these people on really low fees and you don’t interrupt that pattern for yourself, you’re just going to keep perpetuating that problem...” (15:15)
• Stresses the need for practitioners to ask not just “how much do I want to make?” but “what do I need my business to do for me, now and in five years?” (17:19)

5. Jo’s “Why” & Business Structure

• Purple Co (multi-clinician practice) funds lifestyle and future retirement; aims for future self-sufficiency.
• Coaching & consulting brings her deepest sense of purpose: “This is the way I wanted to be able to change the world when I was 17.” (18:26)

6. Relationships & Navigating Personal Crises

• Met husband John Drury in church; both previously married.
• Dealt with cancer diagnoses (hers and husband’s), Australian bushfires, floods, and COVID-19 (22:48+).
• Faith is a key anchor for resilience.
• Shifted from rigid goal setting to milestone-focused project management for self-care and adaptability:
  “I don’t do smart goals anymore. Actually, I think in this climate, smart goals are a bit redundant. So I don’t manage time anymore, I manage milestones.” (25:43)
• Emphasis on delegation and prioritizing only what she uniquely can do.

7. Self-Care, Hobbies & Traditions

• Primary self-care: reading, gardening, arts, and crafts (especially since becoming unwell).
• Reconnected with cross-stitch, coloring, and plans to start crocheting (29:28+).
• Owns ~40 of her grandmother’s bone china teacups; uses them to honor family legacy and start new traditions (32:44).
• Family tragedy: lost both parents to accidents years apart—used grief therapy as support (36:22).

8. Lightning Round & Fun Facts

• Coffee: Double macchiato is Jo’s drink of choice. “Starbucks is not coffee.” (36:51)
• Pet peeve: People who listen to respond, not to understand (38:07).
• Favorite dessert: Tiramisu; also likes Bark Thins, received as a surprise from abroad (39:08).
• Dislike: Beetroot (“beets”)—“Everybody loves beets except Jo.” (40:01)
• Birthday tradition: Devil’s food cake, started by her late mother (40:33).
• Travel must-have: Power board (multi-outlet strip), even before her beloved coffee machine “Matilda” (41:08).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On finding purpose:
  “Too many of us got stuck in jobs where there was such a conflict of values... My fascination has always been around who do we need to be as people...” —Jo (11:13)

• On burnout:
  “If you don’t know who you are, then how on earth can you maintain yourself to last the distance... chances are you’re not going to be able to last the distance. I don’t want that for you.” —Jo (14:29)

• On resilience during crisis:
  “I have found it incredibly difficult with my own health being so... My wellness is limited. I’ve had to learn how to do the tasks that only I can do and learn how to delegate effectively. Delegating is not just dumping a task on someone.” —Jo (24:05)

• On shifting from time goals to project milestones:
  “I don’t manage time anymore, I manage milestones. So when a specific project is finished, then we move on to the next project. And I’ve taken all the pressure and sense of failure off.” —Jo (25:47)

• On leadership & community:
  “If I’m not solid and the tree trunk and not rooted and grounded, then the branches will wither and not as many people get served...” (31:21)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:30: Jo discusses her upbringing and values.
• 06:08: Cultural chat: Australia vs. New Zealand.
• 07:34: Early jobs and love for books.
• 10:46: Favorite business book (Grit) and business philosophy.
• 15:15: Burnout, scarcity mentality, and setting business goals.
• 17:19: The importance of personal and business future planning.
• 18:26: Jo’s “why” and business structure.
• 22:48: Coping with health crises, bushfires, COVID-19.
• 25:43: Switching mindset from time management to project milestones.
• 29:28: Jo’s self-care routines and crafting.
• 32:44: Legacy of the teacups and family connection.
• 36:22: Coping with parental loss and grief.
• 36:51: Coffee talk: Jo’s coffee snobbery.
• 38:07: Pet peeve: Listening to respond vs. listen to understand.
• 40:33: Birthday tradition and travel habits.

Takeaways for Listeners

• Self-awareness and purpose are vital for sustainable, rewarding practice.
• Burnout prevention requires more than basics—plan for the future you want and protect your energy.
• Flexibility is essential, especially during life upheavals—milestone-based planning over rigid deadlines.
• Legacy and personal rituals can offer grounding and connection amid stress.
• Stay playful! Whether in teacup collections or coffee rituals, small joys matter.