Black Girl Burnout

Kelley Bonner
undefined
Sep 24, 2025 • 37min

Opt Into Living in Your Purpose with Melissa A. Mitchell

In this episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley sits down with artist, author, and entrepreneur Melissa A. Mitchell, who turned grief into a global creative career. Together, they explore how art became a source of healing and purpose, the pressure of constant performance in entrepreneurship, and the role of boundaries and honesty in resisting burnout. Melissa shares how she stays grounded in her “why,” protects her energy, and chooses joy while building a vibrant legacy.Key TakeawaysPurpose can emerge from even the most painful beginnings—and it can sustain you through growth.Boundaries and small daily choices help protect creativity and joy.You don’t have to perform for social media or others to be successful.Burnout often signals misalignment; pausing and telling yourself the truth can restore balance.Episode Highlights[00:02:11] Melissa shares how grief and a chance encounter with paint transformed her life into a purpose-driven journey.[00:05:19] The pressure to “perform” online and how she learned to resist constant visibility.[00:07:18] Small acts—like wearing a headband instead of pushing through—show the power of gentle boundary-setting.[00:10:44] Signs burnout is approaching and the importance of honoring your true capacity.A Reflection for YouMelissa’s story is a reminder that your purpose is not about performing—it’s about aligning with what truly sustains you. Where might you be performing instead of living in your truth? This week, choose one small act that honors your capacity.Support the ShowAre you experimenting with new ways to rest? Whether it’s saying no to one more obligation, shutting your laptop at 5 p.m., or taking a slow walk with no agenda, capture that moment of ease. Share it with us:@blackgirlburnoutSubscribe to our newsletter: blackgirlburnout.comWatch the episode on YouTubeDrop a review—help us spread the word that rest is not weakness.Stay In TouchJoin our Substack family for weekly reflections, tools, and behind-the-scenes notes from Kelley.Become a paid Substack subscriber ($8/month—the cost of a latte!) for exclusive resources to support your burnout-free life.Our Sponsors:Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGBCheck out Homeaglow: https://homeaglow.com/BGBSavvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/Advertising Inquiries: RedCirclePrivacy & Opt-Out: RedCircleOur Sponsors:* Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGB* Check out Homeaglow: https://homeaglow.com/BGBAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
undefined
Sep 17, 2025 • 31min

Opt Into Rest: How Black Women Can Protect Their Peace in Chaotic Times

In this episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley invites you to step away from the constant noise of the news cycle and social media to reclaim rest, joy, and nervous system regulation. In a world that feels heavy and overwhelming, she reminds us that rest is not weakness—it’s resistance. This conversation is both a pause and a practice: an invitation to slow down, honor your body’s signals, and remember that choosing ease is a radical act of survival.Key Takeaways:Rest is resistance—it disrupts hustle culture and allows your body to reset.Black women often default to overwork as a trauma response, but it keeps the nervous system stuck in stress.Chaos in the world cannot be solved by hustling harder; rest is the counterintuitive answer.Practical rest can look like logging off, doing nothing, or giving yourself permission to stop.Joy and nervous system regulation are not luxuries—they are essential for resilience.Episode Highlights:00:39 – Why chaos leaves Black women’s nervous systems on high alert03:44 – Overwork as a trauma response: why “doing more” doesn’t heal05:23 – The limits of hustle culture in unsafe or unstable times07:18 – Kelley’s own journey of unlearning the impulse to fight and do08:58 – Rest as resistance: what it looks like in daily life09:57 – Practical examples of rest—logging off, pausing, reclaiming stillness11:25 – Developing your personal rest toolkit (5–10 practices you can use right away)13:01 – Guided meditation for calm and nervous system resetGentle Reflection Prompt:What does rest as resistance look like in your life right now?If this episode brings you relief, share it with someone who may be caught in the cycle of doing more when their body is begging for rest. And don’t forget to leave a review—it helps other Black women find the show and reclaim their joy.Support the ShowAre you experimenting with new ways to rest? Whether it’s saying no to one more obligation, shutting your laptop at 5 p.m., or taking a slow walk with no agenda, capture that moment of ease. Share it with us:@blackgirlburnoutSubscribe to our newsletter: blackgirlburnout.comWatch the episode on YouTubeDrop a review—help us spread the word that rest is not weakness.Stay In TouchJoin our Substack family for weekly reflections, tools, and behind-the-scenes notes from Kelley.Become a paid Substack subscriber ($8/month—the cost of a latte!) for exclusive resources to support your burnout-free life.Our Sponsors:Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGBCheck out Homeaglow: https://homeaglow.com/BGBSavvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/Advertising Inquiries: RedCirclePrivacy & Opt-Out: RedCircleOur Sponsors:* Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGB* Check out Homeaglow: https://homeaglow.com/BGBAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
undefined
Sep 10, 2025 • 38min

The Fall Reset: Why I'm Locking-in, Letting Go, And Closing the Year With Ease

Episode SummaryAs the year winds down, it’s easy to get swept into urgency—pushing harder, chasing more, and sprinting to the finish line. In this episode, Kelley invites you to embrace fall’s real lesson: letting go, slowing down, and closing the year with gentleness. She shares her practice of a “soft lock-in,” grounded in rest, ease, and intentional focus, offering you a way to rebuild without burnout and enter the next season with steadiness instead of strain.Key TakeawaysFall teaches the sacred practice of letting go—releasing what no longer serves you is as valuable as what you choose to hold.A “soft lock-in” allows you to set meaningful goals without urgency, grounded in alignment rather than hustle.Prioritizing rest and ease isn’t giving up—it’s the foundation for sustainable success.Closing the year well means centering on what matters most and composting what distracts or depletes.Episode Highlights[00:00] The seasonal rush of urgency and Kelley’s alternative: choosing ease over hustle.[05:08] Rebuilding after a devastating year: grounding in core strength and clarity.[09:28] Naming three core goals—rest, financial ease, and sustainable rhythms.[19:45] Reframing the “12-week year” as a tool for gentleness, not pressure.[32:10] Reflection on what it means to close the year proud, not depleted.An Invitation to ReflectChoose three things that truly matter to you for the rest of this year, and give yourself permission to release what doesn’t. Then, take a quiet moment to reflect: What can I lovingly let go of this fall so I can finish proud, not depleted?Support the ShowAre you stepping into a “Summer of No”? Whether you’re canceling plans for rest, setting fresh boundaries, or saying no to what drains you, you don’t owe anyone guilt. Take a moment this week to capture what freedom looks like for you. Snap a pic or video of your joy and tag us:📱 @blackgirlburnout📧 Subscribe to our newsletter: blackgirlburnout.com📺 Watch the episode on YouTube💌 Show some love—don’t let Kelley’s mama be the only one dropping hearts!Have a question for our upcoming Q&A episode? [Click here to submit your questions!]Stay In TouchWant more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community?Join our Substack family for weekly reflections, tools, and behind-the-scenes notes from Kelley.Become a paid Substack subscriber ($8/month—the cost of a latte!) for exclusive resources and tools to support your burnout-free life.Our Sponsors:Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGBCheck out Homeaglow: https://homeaglow.com/BGBGlobal Healing: https://globalhealing.com/Savvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/Advertising Inquiries: RedCirclePrivacy & Opt-Out: RedCircleOur Sponsors:* Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGB* Check out Homeaglow: https://homeaglow.com/BGBAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
undefined
Sep 3, 2025 • 25min

Opt Into Private Joy: How to Heal Without the Audience

In this episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley explores the pressure to make wellness a performance and reminds you that your healing doesn’t need an audience. She offers a gentle invitation to reclaim private joy, protect your peace, and let your journey be sacred—away from the constant pull of comparison culture.Key TakeawaysHealing loses power when it becomes performance; keep parts of your journey private to preserve its sacredness.Comparison culture can worsen burnout and keep you from authentic rest and joy.A slower, quieter approach to growth often leads to deeper, more sustainable healing.Joy is something to be lived, not proven or posted.Episode Highlights00:30 – Why Kelley sees September as a time to recommit to wellness and rest03:00 – The tension between sharing your healing publicly and keeping it private05:11 – The hidden cost of performing healing online and how it fuels burnout07:54 – The quiet strength of women who choose slower, softer, more solid healing09:37 – Why joy is meant to be lived, not performed for an audienceListen and ReflectAs you listen, consider:Where in your healing or wellness journey are you performing instead of truly tending to yourself?What would it look like to keep one practice, ritual, or step of your growth completely private—for you alone?How might moving slower or softer feel more solid and sustainable?Take a moment this week to choose one area of your life to keep offstage. Let it be yours, sacred and whole, without needing validation or visibility.Support the ShowAre you stepping into a “Summer of No”? Whether you’re canceling plans for rest, setting fresh boundaries, or saying no to what drains you, you don’t owe anyone guilt. Take a moment this week to capture what freedom looks like for you. Snap a pic or video of your joy and tag us:📱 @blackgirlburnout📧 Subscribe to our newsletter: blackgirlburnout.com📺 Watch the episode on YouTube💌 Show some love—don’t let Kelley’s mama be the only one dropping hearts!Have a question for our upcoming Q&A episode? [Click here to submit your questions!]Stay In TouchWant more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community?Join our Substack family for weekly reflections, tools, and behind-the-scenes notes from Kelley.Become a paid Substack subscriber ($8/month—the cost of a latte!) for exclusive resources and tools to support your burnout-free life.Our Sponsors:Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/Savvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/Advertising Inquiries: RedCirclePrivacy & Opt-Out: RedCircleOur Sponsors:* Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGB* Check out Homeaglow: https://homeaglow.com/BGBAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
undefined
Aug 29, 2025 • 5min

Opt Into Planning for Joy

In this special Labor Day episode of Black Girl Burnout, host Kelley invites you to pause, breathe, and reflect on the role of joy in your life. While sharing her own story of navigating stress and reclaiming rest, Kelley offers a gentle reminder that joy doesn’t have to be spontaneous—it can be something we intentionally plan for, just like vacations, appointments, and work projects.This episode is a nudge to slow down, release the pressure of constant labor, and carve out space for rest, peace, and delight.KEY TAKEAWAYSYour nervous system may be asking for deep rest and regulation—not just more productivity.Planning for joy is just as essential as planning for responsibilities.When life feels overwhelming, intentionally scheduling joy can restore balance and ease.Joy doesn’t have to be grand; even a day on the couch with a good book counts.Asking yourself “What’s next for joy in my life?” can be a powerful reset.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS00:20 Why rest—not labor—should be prioritized on Labor Day02:00 Choosing to plan for joy instead of only focusing on the next project02:34 A reflection: What joy is coming up for you?03:00 Giving yourself permission to pause and make joy intentionalLISTEN & REFLECTTake a moment this week to plan one small joy for yourself. Maybe it’s an afternoon nap, a favorite meal, or time with a good book.What’s next for joy in your life?If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who also deserves to rest and recharge. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review to support the Black Girl Burnout community.Support the ShowAre you stepping into a “Summer of No”? Whether you’re canceling plans for rest, setting fresh boundaries, or saying no to what drains you, you don’t owe anyone guilt. Take a moment this week to capture what freedom looks like for you. Snap a pic or video of your joy and tag us:📱 @blackgirlburnout📧 Subscribe to our newsletter: blackgirlburnout.com📺 Watch the episode on YouTube💌 Show some love—don’t let Kelley’s mama be the only one dropping hearts!Have a question for our upcoming Q&A episode? [Click here to submit your questions!]Stay In TouchWant more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community?✨ Join our Substack family for weekly reflections, tools, and behind-the-scenes notes from Kelley.✨ Become a paid Substack subscriber ($8/month—the cost of a latte!) for exclusive resources and tools to support your burnout-free life.Our Sponsor:Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/Savvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/Advertising Inquiries: RedCirclePrivacy & Opt-Out: RedCircleOur Sponsors:* Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGB* Check out Homeaglow: https://homeaglow.com/BGBAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
undefined
Aug 27, 2025 • 21min

You're Not Tired, You're Tapped Out

In this episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley shares the powerful truth that exhaustion isn’t always about needing more sleep. Sometimes, your body is tapped out—living in chronic stress and unable to downshift into rest. Drawing from her own story of nervous system dysregulation, she unpacks how years of carrying too much can leave you wired even while exhausted. This conversation is an invitation to pause, reset, and explore practices that bring your body back to safety.Key Takeaways:Being tapped out means your nervous system is stuck in stress mode—it’s different from simple tiredness.Chronic stress can disrupt sleep, spike heart rate, and create physical symptoms even at rest.Black women are often conditioned to self-silence and normalize pain, leading to hidden depletion.Vacations, catch-up naps, or “pushing through” don’t heal nervous system dysregulation.True restoration comes from nervous system resets, boundaries, joy practices, and professional support.Episode Highlights:00:38 – Kelley's story: sleep struggles, smart ring tracking, and discovering heart rate spikes03:18 – Learning her nervous system was stuck in stress mode05:29 – The deeper difference between tiredness and being tapped out07:06 – How cultural self-silencing leads to chronic stress in Black women09:20 – Why ignoring symptoms or relying only on vacations doesn’t help12:13 – Small nervous system resets anyone can try13:27 – Boundaries and the importance of daily self-care13:55 – Normalizing medical and therapeutic support15:18 – Joy resets: music, rituals, creativity17:13 – Reflection prompt: How do you know when you’re tapped out?Gentle Reflection Prompt:What’s one sign for you that you’re tapped out—not just tired?If this episode resonates, share it with someone who might be running on empty without realizing it. And don’t forget to leave a review—it helps other Black women find the show and start their own journey out of burnout.Support the ShowAre you stepping into a “Summer of No”? Whether you’re canceling plans for rest, setting fresh boundaries, or saying no to what drains you, you don’t owe anyone guilt. Take a moment this week to capture what freedom looks like for you. Snap a pic or video of your joy and tag us:📱 @blackgirlburnout📧 Subscribe to our newsletter: blackgirlburnout.com📺 Watch the episode on YouTube💌 Show some love—don’t let Kelley’s mama be the only one dropping hearts!Have a question for our upcoming Q&A episode? [Click here to submit your questions!]Stay In TouchWant more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community?✨ Join our Substack family for weekly reflections, tools, and behind-the-scenes notes from Kelley.✨ Become a paid Substack subscriber ($8/month—the cost of a latte!) for exclusive resources and tools to support your burnout-free life.Our Sponsor:Savvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/Advertising Inquiries: RedCirclePrivacy & Opt-Out: RedCircleOur Sponsors:* Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGB* Check out Homeaglow: https://homeaglow.com/BGBAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
undefined
Aug 22, 2025 • 19min

Opt Into Gate Openers: Stop Confusing Support with Elevation (Bonus Episode)

In this bonus “love note” episode, Kelley Bonner breaks down the crucial difference between supporters — the friends and peers who cheer you on — and gate openers, the decision-makers who can truly elevate your career. Many of us confuse the two, surrounding ourselves with cheerleaders but missing the people who can actually open doors. Kelley shares personal stories, practical tips, and a simple reflection exercise to help you identify who’s in your corner, who can advance you, and how to build relationships with intention and integrity.Key Takeaways:Supporters are vital for encouragement and sustainability, but they can’t always elevate your career.Gate openers are decision-makers — executives, leaders, and people with power to create opportunities.Most of us have many supporters but very few gate openers — and that gap matters.A single gate opener can change your career trajectory.You can intentionally nurture these relationships with respect, value, and patience.Episode Highlights:00:27 – The big question: Who’s really elevating you?01:23 – Supporters vs. gate openers: a career conversation throwback03:13 – Defining supporters: peers, friends, colleagues who sustain you05:28 – Why peers can’t always “put you on” — Kelley’s government job example06:40 – Defining gate openers: leaders with decision-making authority08:11 – How one gate opener changed Kelley’s career trajectory10:26 – Supporters sustain you; gate openers elevate you12:01 – The reality: supporters are often Black women; gate openers are often men in power14:57 – Reflection exercise: make your supporters vs. gate openers list16:22 – Four tips for identifying and nurturing gate openers18:19 – Building relationships with integrity, not transaction18:53 – Closing encouragement + Substack invitationLet Us KnowTake a few minutes today to write two lists: your supporters and your gate openers. Notice the gap. Then choose one potential gate opener in your orbit and begin thinking about how to nurture that relationship with intention and integrity.Support the ShowAre you stepping into a “Summer of No”? Whether you’re canceling plans for rest, setting fresh boundaries, or saying no to what drains you, you don’t owe anyone guilt. Take a moment this week to capture what freedom looks like for you. Snap a pic or video of your joy and tag us:📱 @blackgirlburnout📧 Subscribe to our newsletter: blackgirlburnout.com📺 Watch the episode on YouTube💌 Show some love—don’t let Kelley’s mama be the only one dropping hearts!Have a question for our upcoming Q&A episode? [Click here to submit your questions!]Stay In TouchWant more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community?✨ Join our Substack family for weekly reflections, tools, and behind-the-scenes notes from Kelley.✨ Become a paid Substack subscriber ($8/month—the cost of a latte!) for exclusive resources and tools to support your burnout-free life.Our Sponsor:Savvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/Advertising Inquiries: RedCirclePrivacy & Opt-Out: RedCircleOur Sponsors:* Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGB* Check out Homeaglow: https://homeaglow.com/BGBAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
undefined
Aug 20, 2025 • 48min

Saying the Quiet Parts Loud: Rachel Hislop on Rest, Creativity & Joy

In this powerful episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley sits down with writer, strategist, and visionary Rachel Hislop to talk about rest, creativity, and what it means to truly opt out of struggle.From leading Beyoncé’s digital presence to becoming one of Mozilla’s “25 Visionaries Shaping the Future of the Internet,” Rachel has lived at the intersection of culture, creativity, and relentless grind. But when burnout knocked her down, she rebuilt her life—and career—on a foundation of joy, balance, and radical honesty.This is not just a conversation about recovery—it’s a roadmap for every Black woman ready to rewrite the rules of success, reclaim her time, and center her happiness.This episode is for every Black woman who’s ever asked:“If I stop grinding, who am I?”“How do I choose myself without disappointing everyone else?”“What does joy look like when I’ve been in survival mode for so long?”Here’s your answer.Key TakeawaysStruggle is not a prerequisite for success—burnout is not a badge of honor.Prioritizing joy and well-being is not selfish; it’s revolutionary.Boundaries aren’t just about saying no to others—they’re about saying yes to yourself.Creativity thrives when you lead with honesty, rest, and alignment.Episode Highlights[04:53] Rachel reflects on how hustle culture tied her worth to constant struggle.[12:32] The pandemic as a breaking point—and a turning point.[20:11] Choosing responsibility over blame in healing from burnout.[25:14] The practice of setting—and keeping—boundaries with yourself.[30:44] Rediscovering creativity and writing as a tool for honesty and healing.[40:12] Joy as intergenerational healing and the legacy of documenting Black women’s wholeness.🔗 Connect with Rachel HislopInstagram: @amazingrachWebsite: rachelhislop.comRead her Pocket collection: Saying the Quiet Parts LoudSupport the ShowAre you stepping into a “Summer of No”? Whether you’re canceling plans for rest, setting fresh boundaries, or saying no to what drains you, you don’t owe anyone guilt. Take a moment this week to capture what freedom looks like for you. Snap a pic or video of your joy and tag us:📱 @blackgirlburnout📧 Subscribe to our newsletter: blackgirlburnout.com📺 Watch the episode on YouTube💌 Show some love—don’t let Kelley’s mama be the only one dropping hearts!Have a question for our upcoming Q&A episode? [Click here to submit your questions!]Stay In TouchWant more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community?✨ Join our Substack family for weekly reflections, tools, and behind-the-scenes notes from Kelley.✨ Become a paid Substack subscriber ($8/month—the cost of a latte!) for exclusive resources and tools to support your burnout-free life.Our Sponsor:Savvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/Advertising Inquiries: RedCirclePrivacy & Opt-Out: RedCircleOur Sponsors:* Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGB* Check out Homeaglow: https://homeaglow.com/BGBAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
undefined
Aug 15, 2025 • 16min

Bonus Episode: When Thriving Makes Others Uncomfortable

In this deeply honest Love Note episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley explores a side of healing we rarely talk about—the way it can strain, shift, or even dissolve relationships.From friends who quietly drift away to loved ones who bristle at your boundaries, thriving can sometimes trigger discomfort in the people around you. Kelley unpacks why this happens, how to navigate the grief of changing connections, and why holding your ground is essential to moving forward.If you’ve ever felt isolated, second-guessed, or misunderstood while on your healing journey, this conversation offers clarity, validation, and encouragement to keep going—no matter who can come with you.Key TakeawaysHealing can mirror others’ unhealed places, sometimes triggering defensiveness or withdrawal.Relationships built on shared wounds may feel threatened when one person starts to heal.Not all relationships can—or should—survive your growth, even when endings are painful.Grieving dissolved connections is natural and doesn’t mean you’re doing healing “wrong.”Aligned community awaits on the other side of loss.Episode Highlights[00:40] Why healing can feel like an “earthquake” in your relationships.[02:40] The Michelle Obama lesson: not everyone can make the climb.[06:30] Healing as a mirror—how your growth can trigger others.[09:00] The hidden grief of losing relationships forged in struggle.[10:17] Signs a relationship is dissolving in ways that serve your growth.[12:51] Three ways to navigate the pain without backtracking: name the loss, hold your ground, and seek aligned community.[14:39] Remembering that your healing is not up for debate.Support the ShowIf this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who’s navigating the messy middle of their own healing journey.Follow us @blackgirlburnout on IG, ,TikTok and SubstackSubscribe to our newsletter: www.blackgirlburnout.comWatch the episode on YouTubeLeave a review on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyOur Sponsors:Savvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/healOur Sponsors:* Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGB* Check out Homeaglow: https://homeaglow.com/BGBAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
undefined
Aug 13, 2025 • 40min

From Exhaustion to Ease: How Black Women Can Reclaim Rest and Joy (REPLAY)

In this deeply resonant episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley is joined by licensed clinical social worker and burnout recovery coach Michelle Goodloe for an honest conversation about what it truly takes to move from chronic exhaustion into a life rooted in rest and joy.Together, they unpack the realities of professional burnout, the hidden cost of “pushing through,” and the cultural pressures Black women face to perform strength at the expense of well-being. Michelle shares her own journey from burnout to balance, offers a compassionate definition of burnout, and explains why recovery is about more than quick self-care fixes—it’s about rebuilding your relationship with yourself over time.If you’ve been feeling depleted, disconnected, or like you’ve been running on empty for too long, this conversation offers both validation and practical ways to start your shift toward ease.Key TakeawaysBurnout isn’t just a bad week—it’s a long-term pattern of exhaustion, disconnection, and feeling ineffective.Recovery requires redefining your identity outside of work and accomplishments.Systemic factors like capitalism fatigue and the “Strong Black Woman” stereotype amplify burnout for Black women.Self-care is important, but deep recovery work starts with boundaries, self-compassion, and mindset shifts.Your “well-rested self” is a touchstone for what’s possible—and worth protecting.Episode Highlights[00:40] Michelle shares her personal journey through burnout and why she now helps others recover.[04:16] Recognizing burnout: symptoms, time factors, and the difference from temporary stress.[08:46] The role of systemic pressures—capitalism fatigue, cultural expectations, and identity-based stressors.[10:30] The connection between self-betrayal, boundary erosion, and burnout.[12:02] Imagining your “well-rested self” as a guide to healing.[14:15] Why burnout recovery is ongoing work, not a quick reset.Connect with Michelle GoodloeWebsite: https://www.gmichelle.com/Instagram: @thegmichelleSupport the ShowIf this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who might need the reminder that they don’t have to push through exhaustion to prove their worth. You deserve rest.📧 Subscribe to our newsletter: www.blackgirlburnout.com📺 Watch the episode on YouTube💌 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyOur Sponsors:Savvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/healAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyOur Sponsors:* Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGB* Check out Homeaglow: https://homeaglow.com/BGBAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app