Burnout happens when you give endlessly without allowing yourself to receive.
Cait Donovan and Sarah Vosen are back for #FRIEDguides to break down why high achievers and caregivers struggle to accept support, energy, and appreciation. If you dismiss compliments, downplay your needs, or feel guilty for resting, you’re not alone. The problem is that without refueling, burnout becomes inevitable.
The co-hosts introduce the idea of “receivership” and explain how learning to accept, rather than just give, creates balance. Through stories, metaphors, and practical exercises, they offer ways to expand your capacity to receive without guilt. If you want to keep showing up for others, you need to let yourself be fueled too!
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Introduction
00:57 The Problem with Being a Good Giver
01:52 The Importance of Receiving and Taking
02:25 Fueling Yourself Beyond Sleep
03:48 Secret Indulgence and Shame
05:05 Reframing Selfishness as “Self-Full”
07:21 Teaching the Body to Receive
10:03 The Flow of Energy and Physical Manifestations
12:49 Description of the Meditation
15:03 The Importance of Flow in Energy and Life
18:58 Susceptibility to Burnout Post-Recovery
19:45 Identifying and Expanding Your Capacity
21:04 Receiving to Sustain Generosity
22:39 Increasing Capacity to Receive with Gratitude
24:17 Closing
Links
Burnout isn’t a personal failure or a lack of resilience. It’s a signal that something in the system, expectations, roles, pace, or support, is out of alignment. Conversations like this one help surface the human experience of burnout, while the broader work continues to explore how organizations can respond more intelligently and sustainably.
To explore burnout, leadership, and sustainable performance through a workplace and organizational lens, connect with Cait Donovan: https://bit.ly/bookcait
Learn more about Cait’s speaking work:
https://www.caitdonovan.com/speaking
Short on time? Watch this 3-minute reel:
https://bit.ly/caitdreel2025
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
