A warm welcome to Purposely SHORT—short as in not long—a weekly episode featuring one of our past guests and their take on a specific topic. The goal is to give you a practical insight you can use to support your mission.
This week’s episode features Haehaetu Barrett, a nonprofit leader with deep experience in frontline and community-focused mahi. She talks honestly about the pressures that come with running a mission-driven organisation—where the work often feels nonstop, and the weight of responsibility is always there.
Haehaetu shares how burnout can build slowly and how, for many in the sector, proper rest only happens when it’s forced—when your body says “enough.” Over time, she’s learned the importance of making space for herself: spending time with whānau, visiting her mokopuna in Melbourne, and reconnecting with the places and people that keep her grounded.
Her key point: looking after others starts with looking after yourself. And in this kind of work, that’s not a luxury—it’s a necessity.
People Inspired By Purpose - Purposely Podcast