Black Girl Burnout

In this episode, Kelley names what’s really behind the collective exhaustion so many Black women are feeling: layer after layer of crisis, an overworked nervous system, and the cultural push to lock in when we barely have anything left to give. Drawing from her lived experience and burnout expertise, she breaks down the three layers of the Great Crash Out of 2025 and offers a liberatory alternative: finishing the year softly. Instead of urgency, shame, or “push harder” thinking, this conversation ushers listeners into practical softness, lowered bars, micro-permission slips, and deep rest — a grounding reset for anyone who is tired in their spirit, body, or bones.Key Takeaways (3–4 max)Nothing is wrong with you — you're living through a collective burnout event.Survival mode is incompatible with high performance, and your nervous system is doing its best to protect you.Finishing the year softly is an act of liberation, not laziness.Practical softness > performative productivity, especially in seasons of depletion.Episode Highlights + Timestamps00:00 — Naming the Great Crash Out of 2025Kelley opens with a clear, compassionate framing of the exhaustion so many are feeling and affirms that nothing is wrong with you.07:30 — “Me too, girl. Me too.”She shares transparently about grief, family stress, financial uncertainty, and her own nervous system overwhelm — offering shared humanity rather than performance.10:31 — Survival Mode vs. High PerformanceKelley explains why creativity, focus, and motivation go offline under chronic stress, grounding the conversation in evidence-informed truths about burnout.18:00 — The Soft Pivot: Practical Over ProductiveShe offers three soft-life strategies: lowering the bar, finishing the year softly, and giving yourself micro-permission slips.22:43 — Your Only Goal This Month: SoftenA liberatory reframing of December as a time to reclaim capacity rather than perform productivity or self-reinvention.If This Episode Spoke to You…If this episode made you feel seen, relieved, or less alone, share it with another woman who deserves softness and liberation in this season. Leave a review on Apple or Spotify to support the movement — it’s free, deeply impactful, and helps this message reach more women who need it. And stay connected across platforms at Black Girl Burnout for community, softness, and what’s coming next.Support the ShowLike, share, and subscribe on all platforms, and find us on social media@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 SponsorsCheck out Pharmanutra: pharmanutra-us.comSavvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/Advertising Inquiries: RedCirclePrivacy & Opt-Out: RedCircle Our Sponsors: * Check out PharmaNutra and use my code BGB for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 10 December 2025

In this deeply grounding conversation, Kelley and author Tara Pringle Jefferson explore what it takes to stop “doing it all yourself” and allow support, softness, and ease into your life. Together, they unpack how burnout, community, and generational healing intertwine—and what it means to give yourself permission to bloom exactly as you are.Key TakeawaysLetting yourself be supported is not weakness—it’s relief and renewal.Community and vulnerability are essential parts of self-care and healing.Making life easier for yourself is an act of resistance, not indulgence.Blooming is both a personal and generational practice—when you flourish, others do too.Episode Highlights[00:03:00] Tara shares how burnout led her to “retire” from Team I’ll Do It By Myself—and how asking for help brought unexpected relief and community.[00:12:20] The story behind Bloom How You Must—how a Lucille Clifton poem became the heartbeat of Tara’s message about Black women’s wellness and resilience.[00:28:00] The revelation that “it’s perfectly fine to make life easier for yourself”—and how small shifts toward ease can radically change daily life.[00:45:00] Tara and Kelley discuss generational healing, honoring their mothers and grandmothers, and redefining strength through softness and humanity.Something to Take With YouTake a quiet moment to notice where you’ve been carrying things alone. Choose one place in your life where you can let something be easier—asking for help, softening a deadline, or loosening an old expectation. Let this be a small experiment in allowing support. If this conversation opened something for you, share the episode with someone who also deserves more ease and community.Support the ShowLike, share, and subscribe on all platforms, and find us on social media@blackgirlburnoutSubscribe to our newsletter: blackgirlburnout.comWatch the episode on YouTubeDrop a review—help us spread the word that rest is not weakness.Connect with Tara Pringle JeffersonGRAB A COPY OF Bloom How You Must: CHECK OUT HER SITESELF-CARE SUITETARA'S SUBSTACK - The Well Rested Black WomanStay 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 SponsorsCheck out Pharmanutra: pharmanutra-us.comSavvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/Advertising Inquiries: RedCirclePrivacy & Opt-Out: RedCircle Our Sponsors: * Check out PharmaNutra and use my code BGB for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 3 December 2025

In this episode, Kelley offers a gentle invitation to rethink gratitude and generosity in ways that honor your real capacity. Instead of pushing through exhaustion or defaulting to obligation, she explores how rest, presence, and honest boundaries can create more meaningful connection. This is a grounding reminder to slow down, soften, and practice generosity that does not require self-erasure.Key TakeawaysGratitude does not need to look like labor or over-functioning; it can be quiet, slow, and restorative.Generosity is not depletion—true generosity flows from clarity, intention, and wellness.Rest is a powerful model for others and an act of generational healing.You are allowed to give less, move slower, and choose what aligns with your current capacity.Episode Highlights & Timestamps00:01 — Naming the pressure of gratitude and generosity: Kelley reflects on how cultural messages about being grateful and generous can encourage Black women to push past their limits, reminding listeners that gratitude does not require exhaustion.02:36 — Reframing gratitude as rest and truth-telling: A powerful reminder that gratitude can look like slowing down, breathing, or closing the door for five quiet minutes.03:31 — Redefining generosity without self-sacrifice: Kelley introduces a spacious definition of generosity—one rooted in values rather than guilt or depletion.Gentle Call to ActionAs you move through this time of reflection, take a quiet moment to find one small pocket of peace. Let yourself pause. Let yourself breathe. Let your generosity begin with you.Support the ShowLike, share, and subscribe on all platforms, and find us on social media@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 SponsorsCheck out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGBCheck out Pharmanutra: pharmanutra-us.comSavvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/Advertising Inquiries: RedCirclePrivacy & Opt-Out: RedCircle Our Sponsors: * Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGB * Check out PharmaNutra and use my code BGB for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 26 November 2025

This episode invites you to look honestly at the weight you’ve been carrying—family roles, cultural conditioning, religious expectations, emotional labor—and notice where care has turned into collapse. Kelley unpacks why so many Black women feel stretched thin and offers a grounded path back to caring in a way that honors your capacity, preserves your joy, and keeps you connected without abandoning yourself.Key TakeawaysCaring becomes harmful when it requires self-erasure, chronic overgiving, or inherited roles that leave you invisible.Cultural, familial, and religious conditioning often normalize collapse, and unlearning these scripts is essential.You can care deeply while protecting your energy through pausing, honest capacity checks, and letting grown people be grown.Caring without collapsing brings lightness, reciprocity, steadiness, and the return of your joy.Episode Highlights & TimestampsNaming collapse and its signs — The internal breaking point so many Black women hide behind resilience. [00:02:03–00:03:00]How collapse shows up: resentment, exhaustion, invisibility[00:09:00–00:09:15]Tools for boundaries and presence — Capacity checks, time parameters, and redirection without abandoning yourself. [00:18:11–00:20:29]What caring without collapsing feels like — Lightness, reciprocity, safety, and joy’s return [00:21:00–00:22:00]Gentle Call to ActionTake one small step today: choose one place where you’ve been giving from depletion and practice a pause before responding. Let your body tell you the truth about your capacity.If this episode brought clarity, share it with someone who is carrying too much. Let them know there’s another way—care can coexist with ease.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 SponsorsCheck out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGBCheck out Pharmanutra: pharmanutra-us.comSavvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/Advertising Inquiries: RedCirclePrivacy & Opt-Out: RedCircle Our Sponsors: * Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGB * Check out PharmaNutra and use my code BGB for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 19 November 2025

In this deeply personal episode of Black Girl Burnout, host Kelley opens up about the exhaustion that comes with trying to hold everything together—career, caregiving, friendships, and self-care. She examines why so many high-achieving Black women feel pressured to “keep all the balls in the air,” and what it means to pause, realign, and choose peace over perfection. Kelley invites listeners to question the story behind their constant juggling and to gently let go of the myth that balance means doing it all.KEY TAKEAWAYSThe belief that we can “have it all” and “do it all” is a system trap that fuels burnout.Silence around struggle keeps us isolated—naming the cost of success is an act of healing.Balance isn’t the goal; alignment is. True peace comes from dropping what doesn’t serve you.Giving yourself permission to pause is not failure—it’s an act of reclaiming your capacity.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Kelley shares her personal experience of juggling multiple roles and feeling stretched thin.03:00 – The myths of “having it all” and “doing it all” as silent traps for high-achieving women.07:50 – Why “balance” keeps us burned out—and how “alignment” offers a softer, truer alternative.15:30 – Practical reflection: What are you juggling right now, and what can you safely put down?GENTLE CALL TO ACTIONTake a quiet moment this week to notice what you’ve been juggling out of fear or obligation. Ask yourself: What can I set down, even for a little while? Share your reflections with us on social media @blackgirlburnout, or leave a review to help another Black woman find this space of rest and relief. Our Sponsors: * Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGB * Check out PharmaNutra and use my code BGB for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 12 November 2025

In this episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley invites you to rethink what discipline can feel like. Instead of viewing structure as a restriction, she shares how to make discipline delicious by weaving in joy and pleasure through a practice called dopamine anchoring. This gentle, neuroscience-backed approach helps you stay consistent without relying on willpower or burnout cycles—proving that pleasure isn’t a distraction from your goals, it’s the fuel that enables you to reach them.KEY TAKEAWAYSJoy isn’t a reward—it’s the engine that makes meaningful work possible.Discipline becomes sustainable when it’s paired with consistent pleasure and sensory anchors.Small rituals like scent, music, or sunlight can rewire your brain to associate joy with effort.You don’t have to earn rest or play—integrating them into your routines leads to lasting change.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS00:58 — Why “work hard, play later” doesn’t work for your nervous system04:53 — How dopamine anchoring transforms chores and routines into joyful rituals08:29 — Kelley’s personal journey from hustle and burnout to rhythm and ease15:22 — Simple ways to create your own sensory and movement anchors for daily joyA GENTLE INVITATIONStart small: choose one daily task and pair it with a simple pleasure—a favorite scent, a song, or a five-minute stretch. Notice how that shift changes your energy.Then, share your experience with us on Instagram @blackgirlburnout or tag us using #OptIntoJoy.If this episode helped you reimagine what discipline can feel like, follow Black Girl Burnout on your favorite podcast platform and leave a gentle 5-star review to help more women find this community of rest, joy, and abundance.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 SPONSORSCheck out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGBCheck out Pharmanutra: pharmanutra-us.comSavvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/Advertising Inquiries: RedCirclePrivacy & Opt-Out: RedCircle Our Sponsors: * Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGB * Check out PharmaNutra and use my code BGB for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 5 November 2025

In this reflective solo episode, host Kelley explores what it means to “do your best” when your best no longer looks the same. Drawing from her experience with grief, aging, and shifting capacity, Kelley redefines productivity and success through softness and self-compassion. She invites listeners to release perfectionism, honor their limits, and embrace a gentler approach to achievement.This episode is a tender reminder that your best self is not about doing more—it’s about doing what’s sustainable and aligned with who you are today.KEY TAKEAWAYSDoing your best changes with your season of life—honor your current capacity.Softness and rest are not weakness; they are essential to long-term fulfillment.Cultural and familial conditioning can disguise perfectionism as ambition.Redefining excellence can help you reclaim balance, visibility, and joy.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS00:00 – Redefining “Your Best”Kelley opens up about end-of-year pressures and how “soft lock-in” challenges the old habit of grinding.04:00 – Listening to the Body’s SignalsShe reflects on grief, aging, and the body’s cues for rest and slowing down.07:00 – Unlearning the Need to OverperformKelley unpacks how cultural narratives about excellence and representation shaped her identity.18:00 – Choosing Ease and VisibilityShe closes by discussing how striving for perfection leads to burnout and invisibility—and how choosing ease brings peace.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 SPONSORSCheck out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGBCheck out Pharmanutra: pharmanutra-us.comSavvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/Advertising Inquiries: RedCirclePrivacy & Opt-Out: RedCircle Our Sponsors: * Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGB * Check out PharmaNutra and use my code BGB for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 29 October 2025

In this powerful episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley invites us to radically rethink how we approach productivity. For generations, Black women have been conditioned to believe that joy must be earned—that rest comes only after the grind. But what if that belief is not only outdated, but harmful?Through personal stories, science-backed insights, and cultural truth-telling, Kelley introduces us to dopamine anchoring, a technique that helps you pair joy with effort to create ease, motivation, and emotional safety. This isn’t about tricking yourself—it’s about healing yourself. It’s time to opt out of burnout and into a life where joy leads.Key Takeaways:Willpower is not your problem—depleted dopamine is. Chronic stress disrupts your motivation, making “push through” productivity unsustainable.Black women have been sold a lie: grind now, rest later. That mindset leads to burnout, not breakthroughs.Dopamine anchoring can rewire your brain for joyful productivity. Pairing pleasurable activities with hard tasks helps you create new habits grounded in ease.Pleasure is not a distraction—it’s a resistance tool. Choosing joy is a radical act of self-preservation and cultural healing.Episode Highlights + Timestamps[00:01:00] – Calling Out the Willpower MythKelley breaks down how the brain’s chemistry—not mindset alone—determines our motivation. Willpower doesn’t stand a chance when dopamine is depleted.[00:06:00] – A Personal Story of Burnout and BetrayalKelley shares her journey of grinding in her twenties and thirties, achieving professional “success,” but still feeling depleted, overlooked, and disrespected.[00:14:51] – What is Dopamine Anchoring?A clear, simple explanation of this practice: pairing joyful sensations with difficult tasks to build sustainable motivation and safety in the nervous system.[00:23:00] – Three Practical Anchor RitualsKelley offers a sensory anchor, a connection anchor, and a celebration anchor—three gentle rituals you can try today to reclaim joy and make work feel softer.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 SideralXL for your Iron needs: https://pharmanutra-us.com/Savvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/Advertising Inquiries: RedCirclePrivacy & Opt-Out: RedCircle Our Sponsors: * Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGB * Check out PharmaNutra and use my code BGB for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 22 October 2025

In this episode of the Black Girl Burnout podcast, Kelley shares an honest check-in she calls The Getting My Life Together Toolkit. Instead of another rigid routine or “glow-up” plan, she offers the small, sustaining habits and mindset shifts that are actually helping her through life’s “life-ing.” From soft structure and nervous system routines to practical self-care rituals, Kelley invites you to build your own toolkit—one rooted in gentleness, intention, and capacity, not perfection.KEY TAKEAWAYSStructure can be soft. Create routines that support you—not drain you—by honoring your real capacity, not your ambition.Habits can soothe your nervous system. Small grounding rituals like making your bed, dressing intentionally, and setting calm boundaries bring steadiness to your days.Dress for the energy you want. Even when working from home, wearing real clothes can signal self-respect and shift your mindset.Protect your peace before bed. Limiting dysregulating content at night helps your nervous system unwind and deepens rest.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS[00:00–03:00] A Real-Life Check-In: Kelley explains why she’s naming this season her “Getting My Life Together Toolkit” and shares what inspired it.[03:00–07:00] The Type A Recovery Plan: How she’s learning to make to-do lists that honor capacity rather than overachievement.[07:00–11:00] Nervous System Habits That Stick: From making her bed to red-light therapy, Kelley shares small routines that make her mornings calmer.[11:00–17:00] Dressing for Your Day: How shifting from hoodies to cozy two-piece sets has changed her energy and self-respect.[17:00–22:00] Protecting Peace at Night: Why she no longer watches intense or “dysregulating” shows after 7 p.m., and how it’s improving her sleep and calm.[22:00–28:00] Building Your Own Toolkit: Kelley invites listeners to reflect on what’s actually helping them through and share their own soft lock-in routines.YOUR TURNTake a few minutes today to build your own Getting My Life Together Toolkit.Write down 3 small things—habits, tools, or mindset shifts—that help you feel more grounded or capable right now.Then, share one of them with us on social media using #BlackGirlBurnout.Your toolkit doesn’t have to be perfect—just supportive. That’s the real goal.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!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 SPONSORSCheck out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGBCheck out Homeaglow: https://homeaglow.com/BGBSavvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/Advertising Inquiries: RedCirclePrivacy & Opt-Out: RedCircle Our Sponsors: * Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGB * Check out PharmaNutra and use my code BGB for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 15 October 2025

In this powerful episode of Black Girl Burnout, host Kelley sits down with Precious L. Williams, 13-time national elevator pitch champion, bestselling author, and CEO of The Pitch Perfect Group. Precious shares her remarkable story of resilience—rising from homelessness and heartbreak to global recognition as a speaker and business leader. Together, she and Kelley explore the intersections of financial empowerment, community, and self-worth, revealing why abundance requires both strategy and self-belief.This conversation is both practical and deeply inspiring, reminding you that the road to wealth—financial, emotional, and spiritual—begins with owning your story and standing in your power.Key TakeawaysYour next chapter isn’t too late—it’s right on time. Precious shares how she rebuilt her life and business after deep loss, proving that resilience is learned, not innate.Financial education starts with self-worth. True wealth begins with knowing your value, asking for what you deserve, and refusing to shrink.Find gate openers, not just supporters. Community matters—but so does access. Surround yourself with people who open doors, not just cheer from the sidelines.Lead from power, not pain. Precious urges Black women to stop introducing themselves through their trauma and instead stand firm in their brilliance, talent, and results.Episode Highlights & Timestamps[00:04:50] The Power of a Plot Twist: Precious shares her journey from attorney to entrepreneur—and the leap of faith that changed her life.[00:10:57] Building Wealth from the Inside Out: A deep discussion on the emotional roots of financial literacy and why community matters more than credit scores.[00:32:45] Gatekeepers vs. Gate Openers: Kelley and Precious unpack how mentorship, access, and allyship shape the financial futures of Black women.[00:46:21] Leading with Power, Not Pity: Precious reflects on how she learned to tell her story from a place of victory, not victimhood—and why that shift attracts abundance.Reflection InvitationTake a quiet moment after this episode to ask yourself:Where in my life am I still playing small?Who are my true gate openers—the people who speak my name in rooms I haven’t yet entered?What would change if I started leading from my power instead of my pain?Write down one area—big or small—where you’re ready to build both wealth and worth, then take one step this week that aligns with that truth.Connect with PreciousWebsiteInstagramOrder all 5 of Precious's best-selling books!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 Pharmanutra: pharmanutra-us.comSavvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/Advertising Inquiries: RedCirclePrivacy & Opt-Out: RedCircle Our Sponsors: * Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGB * Check out PharmaNutra and use my code BGB for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 8 October 2025

In this reflective solo episode, Kelley invites you into the quiet, powerful moment when change begins—not with a bang, but with a whisper. Whether you’re shifting careers, reevaluating relationships, or letting go of an identity you’ve outgrown, this conversation holds space for the soft, honest pivot. The one you make not out of burnout or collapse, but from clarity, self-trust, and care.This is an episode about tuning in, not performing. About choosing yourself before things fall apart. And about the courage it takes to release something—even when it once brought you joy.Key TakeawaysThe soft pivot honors the quiet nudge before the crash. You don’t have to break to begin again. Listening early can save you pain later.Outgrowing a role, job, or identity doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you're evolving—and evolution comes with grief, grace, and growth.Stillness is strategic. Get still before you get busy. Let your body weigh in on your next move. Expansiveness is a signal.You can take a small step without having the whole plan. A pivot can begin with a journal entry, a whispered truth, or a shift in energy.Episode Highlights & Timestamps[00:05:23] Choose to bend before you breakKelley introduces the concept of the soft pivot—a gentle, intentional shift before burnout forces your hand. She explores what it means to move from alignment instead of collapse.[00:09:22] You can love something and still need to leave itA tender reflection on grief, identity, and how hard it can be to walk away from something you’re good at—even when it’s no longer right for you.[00:16:08] Get still before you get strategicKelley offers practical insight on the difference between reacting and recalibrating. Stillness isn’t inactivity—it’s preparation.[00:20:11] CTA: What are you outgrowing right now?The episode ends with a powerful question: "What are you holding onto that no longer feels true about yourself?"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: RedCircle Our Sponsors: * Check out Homeaglow: https://homeaglow.com/BGB Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 1 October 2025

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: RedCircle Our Sponsors: * Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGB * Check out Homeaglow: https://homeaglow.com/BGB Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 24 September 2025

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: RedCircle Our Sponsors: * Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGB * Check out Homeaglow: https://homeaglow.com/BGB Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 17 September 2025

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: RedCircle Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal * Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGB * Check out Homeaglow: https://homeaglow.com/BGB Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 10 September 2025

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: RedCircle Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal * Check out Green Chef: https://greenchef.com/50BGB Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 3 September 2025

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: RedCircle Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 29 August 2025

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: RedCircle Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 27 August 2025

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: RedCircle Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 22 August 2025

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: RedCircle Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 20 August 2025

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/heal Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 15 August 2025

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/privacy Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 13 August 2025

In this heartfelt “love note” episode of the Black Girl Burnout podcast, Kelley invites you to rethink everything you’ve been taught about work. She draws a clear, compassionate line between hustle culture—the toxic grind rooted in scarcity, overperformance, and self-betrayal—and the kind of hard work that fuels joy, purpose, and self-liberation.Pulling from personal reflections and what she’s been seeing in conversations across social media, Kelley explores how Black women can release the pressure to constantly “push through” and instead choose work that aligns with their values, lights them up, and sustains their well-being.Whether you’ve been trapped in the “do more, be more” loop, struggling with FOMO, or wondering if it’s even possible to escape hustle culture in today’s world, this episode offers both clarity and hope—plus practical ways to reclaim your time, energy, and joy.Key Takeaways:Hustle culture is rooted in scarcity and self-betrayal. It demands you overperform for external validation while eroding your peace and health.Hard work isn’t the enemy. When it’s aligned with your purpose and values, work can be deeply satisfying—even joyful.Ask yourself: Who are you working hard for? If the answer isn’t you, it’s time to reevaluate where your energy goes.Episode Highlights (with Timestamps):[00:00:39] – Why hustle culture and a “soft life” can’t coexistKelley unpacks the contradictions in popular social media messages about ease and rest—especially when they come from people still entrenched in hustle culture.[00:02:26] – The real cost of the grindFrom overperforming to tolerating mistreatment, Kelley describes how hustle culture convinces Black women to abandon their own needs for the sake of acceptance and survival.[00:04:06] – The scarcity mindset trapWhy “if I don’t say yes, I’ll miss my chance” thinking keeps us locked in burnout—and how to break free.[00:05:37] – Hard work as joyThrough examples from artistry, entrepreneurship, and her own experience producing the podcast, Kelley reframes hard work as something that can be energizing and life-giving.[00:06:37] – The alignment testPractical questions to help you discern whether your hard work is rooted in liberation or in someone else’s expectations.Support the ShowThis week, we’re challenging you to take inventory of your work—paid or unpaid. Where are you working hard because it fuels you? Where are you working hard out of fear or pressure? Share your reflections with us on Instagram @blackgirlburnout so we can celebrate your wins and support your shifts.📱 Follow us on Instagram: @blackgirlburnout📧 Subscribe to our newsletter: www.blackgirlburnout.com📺 Watch the episode on YouTube💌 Show some love with a review—don’t let Kelley’s mama be the only one dropping 5 stars!Stay In TouchJoin our Substack family for weekly reflections, tips, and tools to help you opt out of burnout and into joy. Become a paid subscriber for just $8/month and access exclusive content like digital guides and wellness resources that support your journey.Our 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/privacy Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 8 August 2025

In this special listener Q&A episode of the Black Girl Burnout podcast, Kelley answers your most powerful questions—from how to slow down without guilt to what it really takes to change careers in your 30s. She opens up about her personal morning affirmations (including a game-changing one: “There is more. And more. Still more.”) and gives deeply honest reflections on navigating burnout, setting boundaries, and finding peace in a fast-paced world.Whether you're dealing with FOMO, decision fatigue, or just trying to reconnect with yourself, this episode offers practical tools and soulful insight to help you opt out of pressure—and into a life rooted in ease, intention, and joy.Key Takeaways:Slowing down is not failure—it’s strategy. Kelley reminds us that rest, ease, and intentionality are not luxuries, but requirements for sustainable growth.Morning affirmations are mindset medicine. A simple shift in your internal dialogue can radically transform how you show up—for yourself and your life.There’s no “right” timeline. Whether you’re switching careers in your 30s or building boundaries later in life, your journey is valid and unfolding at the perfect pace.Episode Highlights (with Timestamps):[00:03:18] – “How do I slow down?”Kelley explores a listener’s deceptively simple question about slowing down, offering both practical tips and mindset shifts for anyone stuck in hustle mode.[00:06:16] – Reclaiming your time: Why skipping a meeting might save your peaceKelley shares how saying “no” to non-essential work commitments became a radical act of self-care—and inspired a culture shift in her workplace.[00:09:43] – Social urgency vs. soulful connectionKelley unpacks the pressure to “do it all” socially and how FOMO often masks our deeper need for rest, presence, and real connection.[00:10:00] – “There is more. And more. Still more.”In a vulnerable moment, Kelley shares the affirmation that changed everything—and how it helped her stop chasing and start trusting.[00:14:40] – Pivoting with purpose: Changing careers at 31Kelley responds to a listener navigating a major life shift, reminding us that reinvention isn’t just possible—it’s powerful.Support the ShowAre you following your curiosity, or just following the plan? This week, we’re inviting you to pause and honor the unexpected pivots — the career detours, the creative sparks, the dreams you almost didn’t say out loud. Joy isn’t just a reward at the end of the journey — it's the thread that connects every version of who you’ve been and who you're becoming. So, take a moment to reflect: Where has curiosity led you lately? Snap a pic, share a story, or drop a voice note about the path you're carving for yourself — and tag us @blackgirlburnout so we can cheer you on.📱 @blackgirlburnout📧 Subscribe to our newsletter: www.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 July's Q &A episode click here to submit your questions.Stay In TouchIf you’re looking for more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community, we’ve got you covered:Join our Substack family! Think of it as a modern-day online magazine (Tumblr-coded for the millennial hearts). We share weekly reflections, tips, tools, and deeper insights into each podcast episode—plus personal notes from Kelley’s life.Become a paid Substack subscriber for just $8/month (about the cost of a fancy latte) and access exclusive content like digital tools, apps, and free resources that are valued far beyond that.Our 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/privacyRead less Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 6 August 2025

In this episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley Bonner sits down with branding expert, content creator, and former pageant queen Mackenzie Green for a conversation that will resonate with every multi-passionate Black woman who’s ever felt stuck or pressured to follow a rigid plan.From junior Olympic swimming to Ivy League business school to sitting at the table with Gabrielle Union and Tia Mowry, Mackenzie shares how she’s zigzagged through careers, passions, and identities — not despite the chaos, but because of it. This episode is all about embracing your evolution, following your curiosity, and letting joy guide your decisions. If you've ever felt behind or boxed in, Mackenzie offers a refreshing reminder: there’s no deadline on your dreams, and every pivot has purpose.Key Takeaways:Your path doesn’t have to make sense to others — it has to feel aligned to you. Mackenzie’s journey proves you can thrive without a traditional roadmap.Skills stack across seasons. From athletic discipline to personal branding, every part of your story equips you for what’s next.Joy and curiosity are strategy. You don’t have to hustle your way to success — you can follow what lights you up and still reach your goals.Episode Highlights (with Timestamps):[00:03:05] – From Olympics to Pageants: Mackenzie reflects on her elite athletic background and how that discipline shaped her mindset — and her unexpected pivot into the world of pageantry.[00:06:00] – Miss Universe Dreams & the Power of Belief: How her family rallied behind her wildest vision — and why unwavering self-belief matters when your goals seem “unrealistic.”[00:16:45] – The Myth of the 10-Year Plan: Kelley and Mackenzie dig into the toxic expectation of linear success — and why being multi-passionate is not only valid, but valuable.[00:23:20] – How to Follow Your Curiosity Threads: Mackenzie introduces her favorite concept for growth and self-discovery — and how letting curiosity lead the way built her dream life.[00:54:15] – Final Word: Why Joy is the Real Strategy: Kelley and Mackenzie close with a message for every listener who’s afraid to pivot — reminding us that your path is valid even if it’s not linear.Connect with Mackenzie GreenInstagram: @missusa2mbaSupport the ShowAre you following your curiosity, or just following the plan? This week, we’re inviting you to pause and honor the unexpected pivots — the career detours, the creative sparks, the dreams you almost didn’t say out loud. Joy isn’t just a reward at the end of the journey — it's the thread that connects every version of who you’ve been and who you're becoming. So, take a moment to reflect: Where has curiosity led you lately? Snap a pic, share a story, or drop a voice note about the path you're carving for yourself — and tag us @blackgirlburnout so we can cheer you on.📱 @blackgirlburnout📧 Subscribe to our newsletter: www.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 July's Q &A episode click here to submit your questions.Stay In TouchIf you’re looking for more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community, we’ve got you covered:Join our Substack family! Think of it as a modern-day online magazine (Tumblr-coded for the millennial hearts). We share weekly reflections, tips, tools, and deeper insights into each podcast episode—plus personal notes from Kelley’s life.Become a paid Substack subscriber for just $8/month (about the cost of a fancy latte) and access exclusive content like digital tools, apps, and free resources that are valued far beyond that.Our Sponsors:Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/healAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 30 July 2025

In this empowering episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley sits down with venture capitalist and tech trailblazer Shalanda Armstrong to break down what it really takes to build a successful, scalable business. This isn’t just an inspiring conversation—it’s the essential business wisdom we wish someone told us sooner.Whether you're dreaming up your first idea, growing your side hustle, or already in the entrepreneurial trenches, this conversation is your blueprint. Shalanda shares the truth about venture capital, how to know if your business is fundable, and why women’s health tech—and Black women’s ideas in particular—deserve to be seen, funded, and scaled.This episode is for every Black woman who’s ever asked:“Is my business enough?”“How do I make real money without burning out?”“Where are the people funding ideas like mine?”Here’s your answer.Key TakeawaysYou don’t need to chase every investor—not all great businesses are venture-backed (or should be).Founders must understand the business model they're in—before seeking money or mentorship.Women’s health, joy, and ease are worthy of innovation and investment—especially by us, for us.Mindset clarity and financial alignment are non-negotiable for building sustainable businesses.Episode Highlights[04:30] Shalanda breaks down what venture capital is—and what it’s not.[12:17] The real criteria for venture-backed businesses and why most founders aren’t told the full truth.[21:44] Kelley and Shalanda discuss the dangers of “accidental burnout” and being overcommitted.[28:06] The myth of speed: why scaling fast isn’t always better, and how to define your version of success.[35:51] How to build your business around your mission and your lifestyle—without compromising either.[41:28] A powerful closing reflection: trust your instincts, slow down, and get honest about the business you actually want to build.🔗 Connect with Shalanda ArmstrongInstagram: @100kmventureswww.100kmvc.comLinkedIn 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: www.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 July's Q &A episode click here to submit your questions.Stay In TouchIf you’re looking for more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community, we’ve got you covered:Join our Substack family! Think of it as a modern-day online magazine (Tumblr-coded for the millennial hearts). We share weekly reflections, tips, tools, and deeper insights into each podcast episode—plus personal notes from Kelley’s life.Become a paid Substack subscriber for just $8/month (about the cost of a fancy latte) and access exclusive content like digital tools, apps, and free resources that are valued far beyond that.Our Sponsors:Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/healAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 23 July 2025

In this unfiltered and vulnerable episode of the Black Girl Burnout podcast, Kelley shares her personal experience of hitting an emotional and physical wall—and choosing not to push through. Recording from a space of softness, Kelley opens up about caregiving for her mother, work exhaustion, and the long-standing cultural pressure for Black women to "keep going no matter what."Kelley challenges the toxic belief that struggle is a badge of honor, and that doing things the hard way is the most admirable path. She invites listeners to opt out of hustle worship and instead opt into softness, rest, and sacred ease.If you’ve ever felt guilty for resting or struggled with letting go of your “strong Black woman” armor, this episode will speak directly to your soul.KEY TAKEAWAYSHard doesn’t equal holy – You don’t need to earn your peace or prove your worth through struggle.The glamorization of hustle is harmful – Constantly pushing through burnout isn’t strength, it’s unsustainable.Rest is a radical choice – Saying no and choosing ease is a powerful act of self-love and resistance.Letting go makes space for new you – Releasing the “old version” of yourself is necessary for real joy and healing.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS00:42 – Kelley records in real-time from a space of softness and transparency02:10 – Balancing professional demands with a family emergency05:40 – Letting go of the version of self that pushes through everything08:15 – Naming and rejecting the myth of “holy hardness”12:45 – How pop culture glamorizes Black women’s pain and struggle17:20 – Why “pushing through” is no longer virtuous or sustainable22:58 – An invitation to release the performance of strength26:10 – Closing: Choosing rest and presence over perfectionSUPPORT 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: www.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 July's Q &A episode click here to submit your questions.STAY IN TOUCHIf you’re looking for more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community, we’ve got you covered:Join our Substack family! Think of it as a modern-day online magazine (Tumblr-coded for the millennial hearts). We share weekly reflections, tips, tools, and deeper insights into each podcast episode—plus personal notes from Kelley’s life.Become a paid Substack subscriber for just $8/month (about the cost of a fancy latte) and access exclusive content like digital tools, apps, and free resources that are valued far beyond that. OUR SPONSORSCheck out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/healAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 16 July 2025

In this powerful and tender episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley is joined by licensed clinical social worker and bibliotherapist Emely Rumble for a deeply affirming conversation about the healing power of stories. As part of our “Summer of Yes,” this episode explores what happens when we slow down, find ourselves in fiction, and use storytelling as a path to emotional integration and liberation.Kelley and Emely talk about the role of literature in Black healing, how stories help us reclaim fragmented parts of ourselves, and why culturally rooted narratives matter in the therapeutic process. This episode is your invitation to reflect on the books that shaped you, the characters who gave you language, and the stories that helped you survive. If you’ve ever felt healed by a page, this one’s for you.Key TakeawaysStories are mirrors and medicine. Literature offers language, validation, and emotional integration when we’re navigating trauma or transformation.Healing must be culturally grounded. For Black women, therapy and story must reflect our lived experiences—not just clinical frameworks.You don’t need to be a therapist to use stories to heal. From poetry to journaling, storytelling is a tool we all have access to.Reclaiming your narrative is radical healing. Naming your truth through story is a form of resistance and restoration.Episode Timestamps00:00 – Setting the Summer ToneKelley opens the episode with reflections on the Summer of Yes—and why Emely’s work in bibliotherapy is the perfect fit for a season rooted in ease, healing, and affirmation.02:00 – What is Bibliotherapy?Emely defines bibliotherapy and explains how literature can support emotional healing, identity exploration, and personal growth.05:30 – Books as Emotional CompanionsA heartfelt discussion about how fiction and poetry can give us language, belonging, and connection—especially when we’ve never had the words ourselves.09:00 – Real-Life Impact: From Prison to PoetryKelley shares her early experience introducing poetry in the prison system and the unexpected healing that followed.13:30 – Representation in StorytellingEmely and Kelley reflect on why representation in literature matters and how seeing ourselves in books shifts our inner narratives.17:15 – Fragmentation and IntegrationEmely explains how trauma fragments the self and how storytelling helps us piece ourselves back together.21:00 – Language as LiberationThey explore how reading and storytelling give Black women a powerful framework for naming emotions, setting boundaries, and reclaiming joy.25:00 – Books That Healed UsKelley and Emely share the characters and books that shaped them—and how those stories continue to guide their healing journeys.29:00 – Reflection + ClosingThe episode ends with a loving invitation for listeners to reflect on the books that helped them heal and how storytelling might be the next step on their path to wholeness.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: www.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 July's Q &A episode click here to submit your questions.Stay In TouchIf you’re looking for more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community, we’ve got you covered:Join our Substack family! Think of it as a modern-day online magazine (Tumblr-coded for the millennial hearts). We share weekly reflections, tips, tools, and deeper insights into each podcast episode—plus personal notes from Kelley’s life.Become a paid Substack subscriber for just $8/month (about the cost of a fancy latte) and access exclusive content like digital tools, apps, and free resources that are valued far beyond that. Our Sponsors:Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/healAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 9 July 2025

In this energizing episode of Black Girl Burnout, host Kelley invites us into July with a powerful reminder: true freedom often begins with one simple word, no. As we continue embracing our "Summer of Yes," Kelley gets honest about what it really takes to say yes to joy, ease, and delight. Sometimes, that means first saying no to exhaustion, overcommitment, and emotional labor that’s not yours to carry. This episode sets the tone for a month of liberation by exploring boundaries as a daily freedom practice and encouraging listeners to opt into rest without guilt. If you’ve been feeling burnt out from being the go-to person or struggling to say no without guilt, this episode is your permission slip.Key TakeawaysFreedom requires boundaries. Saying "no" is not about rejection—it's redirection toward peace and personal capacity.Performative ‘yes’ leads to burnout. If your yesses are rooted in obligation instead of joy, it’s time to reevaluate.Permission to stop performing. You don’t have to do the most to prove your worth—freedom is choosing rest over performance.Episode Timestamps00:00 – Setting the Tone for JulyKelley introduces the theme “Freedom Looks Like This” and previews upcoming guests and topics.03:00 – Why “No” Matters More Than EverKelley reframes saying no as a form of freedom and empowerment rather than rejection.05:00 – Honoring CapacityShe challenges listeners to reflect on how often they override their emotional and physical limits out of obligation.07:00 – The Weight We CarryA discussion on the invisible labor Black women often bear and how it keeps us from freedom.10:00 – From Performer to TwirlerKelley shares a beautiful metaphor between performers and twirlers—those choosing rest, beauty, and softness.13:00 – The Cost of Saying YesA reflective moment about how past people-pleasing and overextension came at a high emotional cost.15:00 – Emotional Permission SlipKelley offers a loving call to opt out of guilt and into peace, giving listeners full permission to reclaim their energy.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: www.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 July's Q &A episode click here to submit your questions.Stay In TouchIf you’re looking for more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community, we’ve got you covered:Join our Substack family! Think of it as a modern-day online magazine (Tumblr-coded for the millennial hearts). We share weekly reflections, tips, tools, and deeper insights into each podcast episode—plus personal notes from Kelley’s life.Become a paid Substack subscriber for just $8/month (about the cost of a fancy latte) and access exclusive content like digital tools, apps, and free resources that are valued far beyond that. Our Sponsors:Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/healAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 2 July 2025

On this episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley explores the transformative power of play and how Black women can reclaim joy and resilience through active rest. In a world that constantly demands output and performance, Kelley breaks down why play isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. She dives into the science of joy, the healing impact of non-productive rest, and the cultural pressure that often robs Black women of their right to be playful. With heartfelt honesty and practical insights, this episode is a powerful reminder that silliness, spontaneity, and delight are not just allowed, they’re essential for thriving.Key TakeawaysActive rest—joyful, non-productive activities—can boost creativity, reduce stress, and improve emotional resilience.Black women are uniquely in need of play due to chronic stress and societal expectations to perform strength and competence.Incorporating even five minutes of play into your day can help you reclaim joy, connection, and mental clarity.Episode Timestamps 1:00 — What is active rest and why does it matter?Kelley introduces the concept of play as a form of rest and outlines how it differs from traditional ideas of productivity.4:00 — The science behind joyful livingResearch shows that play lowers cortisol, raises endorphins, and supports cognitive flexibility—vital tools for navigating life’s stressors.10:30 — How play creates emotional resets and connectionPlay not only improves your mood but also enhances your relationships by making you more open and connected to others.15:00 — Micro-moments of play that actually workKelley shares her go-to ideas for quick, joyful play: spontaneous dance breaks, coloring, stretching, and more.23:00 — The courage to be silly and softBy saying yes to small acts of joy, we challenge the narrative that Black women must always be strong. Play is a revolutionary act of healing.SUPPORT THE SHOWAre you creating your Summer of Yes?Whether it’s sleeping in, brunching solo, or finally saying no to that thing, you deserve joy without permission or guilt.✨ Snap a pic or video of how you're saying YES to joy, rest, and ease✨ Tag @blackgirlburnout✨ Use the hashtag #SummerOfYes📩 Subscribe to the newsletter: blackgirlburnout.com📱 Follow on socials: IG + TikTok: @blackgirlburnout🎥 Watch the episode on YouTube and show some love. Don’t let Kelley’s mama be the only one dropping hearts!Have a question for July's Q &A episode click here to submit your questions.STAY IN TOUCHIf you’re looking for more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community, we’ve got you covered:Join our Substack family! Think of it as a modern-day online magazine (Tumblr-coded for the millennial hearts). We share weekly reflections, tips, tools, and deeper insights into each podcast episode—plus personal notes from Kelley’s life.Become a paid Substack subscriber for just $8/month (about the cost of a fancy latte) and access exclusive content like digital tools, apps, and free resources that are valued far beyond that.Work with Kelley directly: If you’re in New York State, Kelley is also accepting short-term therapy clients with select insurance and private pay options. Sessions are designed to be focused and transformational within 90 days. Book a Consultation. Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 25 June 2025

In this heartfelt and healing episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley explores the radical power of joy in the midst of grief, burnout, and emotional overwhelm. Drawing from personal reflections and powerful psychological insights, she introduces the concept of micro-joys—small, intentional moments of delight that can help rewire our emotional landscape and bring peace, even on the hardest days. Listeners are invited to shift their perspective, claim joy as a birthright, and participate in a 7-day challenge to notice and name one micro-joy each day.KEY TAKEAWAYSJoy is not a luxury—it’s a healing tool. Even in sorrow, we can access delight in small, meaningful ways.Micro-joys are your emotional reset button. A good song, a bite of fruit, a moment of sunlight can restore more than you think.Choosing joy daily helps us reclaim power. It reminds us that we’re still here, still worthy, and still allowed to feel good.EPISODE TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Welcome & Intention SettingKelley shares the emotional backdrop for this episode and why joy matters, especially now.03:30 – What Is a Micro-Joy?Defining micro-joys and why they’re essential tools for emotional resilience.09:10 – Personal Stories of Everyday JoyKelley shares real-life examples of delight that brought light into dark moments.15:00 – The “One Delight a Day” ChallengeIntroducing a 7-day challenge to help you practice intentional joy daily.21:20 – Final Reflection & Journal PromptsQuestions to deepen your connection to joy and anchor it in your routine.SUPPORT THE SHOWAre you creating your Summer of Yes?Whether it’s sleeping in, brunching solo, or finally saying no to that thing, you deserve joy without permission or guilt.✨ Snap a pic or video of how you're saying YES to joy, rest, and ease✨ Tag @blackgirlburnout✨ Use the hashtag #SummerOfYes📩 Subscribe to the newsletter: blackgirlburnout.com📱 Follow on socials: IG + TikTok: @blackgirlburnout🎥 Watch the episode on YouTube and show some love. Don’t let Kelley’s mama be the only one dropping hearts!Have a question for July's Q &A episode click here to submit your questions.STAY IN TOUCHIf you’re looking for more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community, we’ve got you covered:Join our Substack family! Think of it as a modern-day online magazine (Tumblr-coded for the millennial hearts). We share weekly reflections, tips, tools, and deeper insights into each podcast episode—plus personal notes from Kelley’s life.Become a paid Substack subscriber for just $8/month (about the cost of a fancy latte) and access exclusive content like digital tools, apps, and free resources that are valued far beyond that.Work with Kelley directly: If you’re in New York State, Kelley is also accepting short-term therapy clients with select insurance and private pay options. Sessions are designed to be focused and transformational within 90 days. Book a Consultation. Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 18 June 2025

In this uplifting and informative episode of Black Girl Burnout, host Kelley sits down with Kisha, a seasoned traveler and founder of Travel Niche Kisha, who has explored over 70 countries. Together, they discuss how travel can be a radical act of self-care, joy, and rest for Black women.Whether you're hopping on a plane or dreaming from your living room, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on how travel—both near and far—can reset your spirit. They discuss everything from budget-friendly luxury to embracing rest over hustle while exploring new places.This conversation is part of our Summer of YES series—an invitation to say YES to joy, rest, and meaningful experiencesKey Takeaways & Timestamps:[04:00] Travel as Self-Care for Black WomenWhile working in social work, Kisha shares how travel became her antidote to burnout. Travel isn’t just about escape—it’s a form of healing and restoration, especially for Black women who carry so much weight.[10:00] “Chase the Deal, Not the Destination”Kisha reveals her game-changing travel hack: prioritize deals over dream destinations. She breaks down how she’s visited places like Curaçao and Peru for under $300, proving that luxury and joy don’t have to break the bank.[18:00] Rest as a Travel Intention, Not an AfterthoughtKelley and Kisha discuss the trap of over-scheduling trips and offer tips on curating restful, joy-filled itineraries. From scheduling downtime to savoring slow mornings, they invite listeners to plan for peace, not pressure.[27:00] Romanticize Your Travel Experience—Big or SmallYou can still embrace a travel mindset even if you're not getting on a plane this summer. Keisha explains how to bring vacation energy into your everyday life with intention, local adventures, and a spirit of curiosity.Support This ShowAre you creating your Summer of Yes?Whether it’s sleeping in, brunching solo, or finally saying no to that thing, you deserve joy without permission or guilt.✨ Snap a pic or video of how you're saying YES to joy, rest, and ease✨ Tag @blackgirlburnout✨ Use the hashtag #SummerOfYes📩 Subscribe to the newsletter: blackgirlburnout.com📱 Follow on socials: IG + TikTok: @blackgirlburnout🎥 Watch the episode on YouTube and show some love. Don’t let Kelley’s mama be the only one dropping hearts!STAY IN TOUCHIf you’re looking for more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community, we’ve got you covered:Join our Substack family! Think of it as a modern-day online magazine (Tumblr-coded for the millennial hearts). We share weekly reflections, tips, tools, and deeper insights into each podcast episode—plus personal notes from Kelley’s life.Become a paid Substack subscriber for just $8/month (about the cost of a fancy latte) and access exclusive content like digital tools, apps, and free resources that are valued far beyond that.Work with Kelley directly: If you’re in New York State, Kelley is also accepting short-term therapy clients with select insurance and private pay options. Sessions are designed to be focused and transformational within 90 days. Book a Consultation. Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 11 June 2025

This week on the Black Girl Burnout podcast, Kelley kicks off June with a powerful declaration: this is the Summer of Yes. In this deeply affirming episode, she explores what it means to embrace radical rest, joy, and ease, especially for Black women who are often taught that they must hustle to be worthy. As she reflects on grief and healing, Kelley also reminds listeners that joy is not the absence of struggle, but the resistance to it. This episode is both a soft invitation and a bold call to action: to reclaim summer not as a season of over-productivity, but as a sacred space to say YES to softness, delight, boundaries, and fun.What You’ll LearnHow to shift from survival mode into intentional joy.Why rest is not optional—it’s essential.Ways to say "yes" to joy and "no" to energy drainers.The radical act of celebrating yourself without guilt or apology.Key Takeaways & Timestamps:[04:00] Say YES to Radical Rest: Instead of hustling through summer, Kelley challenges listeners to redefine rest as a revolutionary act—and make space for true rejuvenation in everyday moments.[07:03] Joy Is Resistance: Kelley reframes joy as an act of defiance in a world that conditions Black women to glorify struggle. She invites us to consider how delight can coexist with grief.[08:11] Boundaries Are Beautiful: Whether it’s people, places, or obligations, Kelley emphasizes the power of saying no to what drains you—and yes to what restores you.[10:55] Design Your Summer With Intention: Listeners are guided to reclaim their time, whether that’s through slower mornings, sacred Sundays, or committing to just one restful ritual each week.Support This ShowAre you creating your Summer of Yes?Whether it’s sleeping in, brunching solo, or finally saying no to that thing—you deserve joy without permission or guilt.✨ Snap a pic or video of how you're saying YES to joy, rest, and ease✨ Tag @blackgirlburnout✨ Use the hashtag #SummerOfYes📩 Subscribe to the newsletter: blackgirlburnout.com📱 Follow on socials: IG + TikTok: @blackgirlburnout🎥 Watch the episode on YouTube and show some love. Don’t let Kelley’s mama be the only one dropping hearts!STAY IN TOUCHIf you’re looking for more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community, we’ve got you covered:Join our Substack family! Think of it as a modern-day online magazine (Tumblr-coded for the millennial hearts). We share weekly reflections, tips, tools, and deeper insights into each podcast episode—plus personal notes from Kelley’s life.Become a paid Substack subscriber for just $8/month (about the cost of a fancy latte) and access exclusive content like digital tools, apps, and free resources that are valued far beyond that.Work with Kelley directly: If you’re in New York State, Kelley is also accepting short-term therapy clients with select insurance and private pay options. Sessions are designed to be focused and transformational within 90 days. Book a Consultation. Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 4 June 2025

What if the exhaustion you’re carrying… is actually grief? In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Kelley Bonner opens up about the layered, often invisible nature of grief—and how it has quietly shaped her healing. From the loss of her father to unexpected feelings around legacy, motherhood, and slowing down, this episode is a compassionate invitation to feel what’s real, honor what’s hard, and still choose expansion. Grief doesn’t have to shrink you. It can soften you, grow you, and gently guide you into a more grounded version of yourself.What You’ll LearnHow grief shows up beyond death—through broken dreams, career changes, and shifting identitiesWhy slowing down can be a sacred and necessary act of healingHow to listen to your body’s cues during a season of lossGentle tools to transform grief into personal growthKey Takeaways & Timestamps:[00:03:00] – Naming the Hidden Grief Beneath BurnoutKelley reframes anxiety, anger, and burnout as signs of unacknowledged grief.[00:10:35] – Grief Will Slow You Down (And That’s a Gift)Kelley shares how loss forced her into stillness, softness, and deeper presence.[00:14:49] – Grief Expands More Than PainUnexpected emotions can rise—career regret, lost dreams, and shifting identity.[00:22:15] – Three Invitations for Healing Through GriefIn the final section, Kelley shares three powerful practices to process grief: (1) honor the pause, (2) let your body lead, and (3) allow buried feelings to surface gently. Each tip is an invitation to let grief expand—not harden—your heart.Be part of our upcoming Q&A Episode:Got a question you’ve been holding onto? Ask me anything, life, healing, boundaries, burnout.Click to fill out our google form or DM @blackgirlburnout to be part of our upcoming Q&A episode. Support This ShowIf this episode held space for your grief, send it to someone who’s grieving too. Share it in a group chat, post a moment that resonated, or tag @blackgirlburnout on social. We’re not just sharing stories—we’re building a sanctuary. One rooted in healing, softness, and radical self-compassion.Remember: You’re not broken—just breaking open. Let grief grow you.📩 Subscribe to the newsletter: blackgirlburnout.com📱 Follow on socials: IG + TikTok: @blackgirlburnout🎥 Watch the episode on YouTube and show some love. Don’t let Kelley’s mama be the only one dropping hearts!STAY IN TOUCHIf you’re looking for more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community, we’ve got you covered:Join our Substack family! Think of it as a modern-day online magazine (Tumblr-coded for the millennial hearts). We share weekly reflections, tips, tools, and deeper insights into each podcast episode—plus personal notes from Kelley’s life.Become a paid Substack subscriber for just $8/month (about the cost of a fancy latte) and access exclusive content like digital tools, apps, and free resources that are valued far beyond that.Work with Kelley directly:If you’re in New York State, Kelley is also accepting short-term therapy clients with select insurance and private pay options. Sessions are designed to be focused and transformational within 90 days. Join the waitlist now. Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 28 May 2025

In this heartfelt episode, Kelley invites us to redefine expansion. What if the quiet seasons in your life—the ones that feel like stillness or even failure—are actually seasons of rooting? Drawing wisdom from nature, Kelley shares that true bloom only comes when the roots are strong. With personal reflections, cultural critique, and deeply practical insights, this episode explores how Black women can opt out of performative growth and instead root into authenticity, softness, and sustainable joy.What You’ll LearnWhy rooting is essential before blooming—and how it can be a form of powerful expansionHow to recognize when you’re asking the wrong questions and reframe them for deeper alignmentThree practical ways to build roots in your daily life: community, movement, and moneyWhy performative success (aesthetic, financial, social) often leads to burnoutHow Kelley is embodying rooted expansion in her own life and creative workKey Takeaways and Timestamps[00:00:22 – 00:02:09] Rooting is unseen but essential — Just like in nature, real growth happens beneath the surface. True expansion starts with internal clarity, not constant visibility.[00:05:00 – 00:09:00] Ask deeper questions — Instead of chasing aesthetics or metrics, ask what your soul is truly craving: peace, visibility, joy, or ease.[00:20:00 – 00:28:00] Live, don’t perform — Whether it’s friendships, fitness, or finances, choose presence over perfection and connection over curation.[00:18:37 – 00:37:18] Hold contradictions with grace — You can love who you are and still want more. Expansion doesn't have to cost your well-being.Support the ShowIf this episode touched something in you, share it with a friend, text it to a sister, or post a screenshot to social and tag @blackgirlburnout. We’re not just building a podcast—we’re creating a movement. One rooted in peace, softness, and collective bloom.You don’t need to perform your way into bloom. You only need to root. CHECK OUT OUR PARTNERS:Happy Mammoth and use my code BGB for a great deal: www.happymammoth.comRevolve and use code BGB for a great deal: https://www.revolve.com/bgbSTAY IN TOUCHIf you’re looking for more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community, we’ve got you covered:Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @blackgirlburnout — Each platform offers something different, so come vibe with us where it feels right for you.Join our Substack family! Think of it as a modern-day online magazine (Tumblr-coded for the millennial hearts). We share weekly reflections, tips, tools, and deeper insights into each podcast episode—plus personal notes from Kelley’s life.Become a paid Substack subscriber for just $8/month (about the cost of a fancy latte) and access exclusive content like digital tools, apps, and free resources that are valued far beyond that.Work with Kelley directly:Book a 90-minute Clarity Catalyst Coaching Session — a deep-dive roadmap session to bring clarity and strategy to your next life move (not therapy, just powerful support).If you’re in New York State, Kelley is also accepting short-term therapy clients with select insurance and private pay options. Sessions are designed to be focused and transformational within 90 days. Join the waitlist now. Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 21 May 2025

In this soul-centered solo episode, Kelley Bonner returns to the mic with a personal and powerful reflection on the radical value of softness. She shares why she's shifting the podcast to a weekly cadence and how this decision reflects a deeper commitment to her values of rest, sustainability, and truth. As we move through seasons of blooming and expansion, Kelley invites you to reject hustle culture and embrace a new form of wealth—ease, softness, and alignment. Because softness isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. And it might just be the richest thing you own.What You’ll Learn:Why “soft is the new rich” is more than a mantra—it’s a movementHow Kelley is aligning her life and work with values of sustainabilityThe role of nervous system regulation in Black women’s wellnessWhy expansion often means doing less, not moreA call to embrace your voice and show up unapologetically Key Takeaways & Timestamps:[00:01:00] – Softness Is the Currency of the FutureKelley introduces the theme of the episode—why softness is the “new rich”—and how it connects to nervous system regulation, healing, and sustainability for Black women.[00:11:00] – Softness Cannot Be Bought She unpacks how the aesthetics of success—money, body goals, relationships—are not what create real softness. Instead, she encourages listeners to reject performative growth and anchor into internal healing.[00:13:00] – The True Definition of Wealth Kelley redefines richness as being able to sit in your home and feel peace. She encourages listeners to set boundaries, name their preferences, and hold space for emotional safety.[00:24:45] – Three Ways to Build a Soft Life She shares three actionable tips:Romance the ordinaryProtect your peaceWalk your talk—live soft without performative pressure[00:35:00] – Reclaim Rest as Pleasure & Presence Kelley wraps with a powerful call to reject exhaustion and show up in softness—even if imperfectly. She names softness as sustainability, not weakness. Support the Show:If this podcast speaks to you, consider sharing it with a friend, leaving a 5-star review, or shouting us out on social media. Help amplify the message that Black women deserve softness, rest, and radical joy.Softness is your inheritance. Rest is your rebellion. And joy? That’s your revolution.DM us on Instagram and let us know—what are you choosing to take off your plate this season? CHECK OUT OUR PARTNERS:Happy Mammoth and use my code BGB for a great deal: www.happymammoth.comRevolve and use code BGB for a great deal: https://www.revolve.com/bgb💬 STAY IN TOUCHIf you’re looking for more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community, we’ve got you covered:Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @blackgirlburnout — Each platform offers something different, so come vibe with us where it feels right for you.Join our Substack family! Think of it as a modern-day online magazine (Tumblr-coded for the millennial hearts). We share weekly reflections, tips, tools, and deeper insights into each podcast episode—plus personal notes from Kelley’s life.Become a paid Substack subscriber for just $8/month (about the cost of a fancy latte) and access exclusive content like digital tools, apps, and free resources that are valued far beyond that.Work with Kelley directly:Book a 90-minute Clarity Catalyst Coaching Session — a deep-dive roadmap session to bring clarity and strategy to your next life move (not therapy, just powerful support).If you’re in New York State, Kelley is also accepting short-term therapy clients with select insurance and private pay options. Sessions are designed to be focused and transformational within 90 days. Join the waitlist now. Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 14 May 2025

In this powerful episode, Kelley is joined by Daria Burke for a truth-filled, liberating conversation about breaking up with performative ambition and reclaiming what success feels like, rather than how it looks. Together, they explore how Black women can move beyond hustle culture, make room for joy, and embrace post-traumatic growth. This episode invites you to stop waiting for “later” and start living on your own terms now. What You’ll Learn:Why it’s time to stop mistaking ambition for identityThe quiet danger of "performing wellness"How to move from self-improvement to self-examinationThe signs and power of post-traumatic growthWhy tending to your joy isn’t optional — it’s essential Key Takeaways & Timestamps:[06:10] – From Self-Improvement to Self-ExaminationDaria explains why self-improvement can become another form of hustle—and how self-examination invites softness, clarity, and truth.[14:50] – Burn the Bucket ListThis is the moment that names the episode: a rallying cry to abandon achievement checklists and start asking, “Does this feel good?”[21:00] – There Is No LaterA mic-drop reminder that deferring joy is a trap. The life you want isn’t down the road—it’s in your daily decisions now.[25:00] – The Power of Post-Traumatic GrowthDaria introduces PTG and unpacks how growth after hardship is not only possible but already happening for many Black women.[33:00] – Joy Is Not a Luxury, It’s MedicineA bold truth: chronic stress is harming us. Prioritizing joy, rest, and pleasure is not selfish—it’s survival.🔗 Connect with Daria Burke:Instagram: @dariaburkedariaburke.comLinkedIn newsletter: The Power of PossibilityBuy her debut memoir, "Of My Own Making." CHECK OUT OUR PARTNERS:Happy Mammoth and use my code BGB for a great deal: www.happymammoth.comRevolve and use code BGB for a great deal: https://www.revolve.com/bgb💬 STAY IN TOUCHIf you’re looking for more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community, we’ve got you covered:Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @blackgirlburnout — Each platform offers something different, so come vibe with us where it feels right for you.Join our Substack family! Think of it as a modern-day online magazine (Tumblr-coded for the millennial hearts). We share weekly reflections, tips, tools, and deeper insights into each podcast episode—plus personal notes from Kelley’s life.Become a paid Substack subscriber for just $8/month (about the cost of a fancy latte) and access exclusive content like digital tools, apps, and free resources that are valued far beyond that.Work with Kelley directly:Book a 90-minute Clarity Catalyst Coaching Session — a deep-dive roadmap session to bring clarity and strategy to your next life move (not therapy, just powerful support).If you’re in New York State, Kelley is also accepting short-term therapy clients with select insurance and private pay options. Sessions are designed to be focused and transformational within 90 days. Join the waitlist now. What are you ready to burn from your bucket list? DM us on IG @blackgirlburnout or share your thoughts in the comments. Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 7 May 2025

In this soul-nourishing and joy-filled conclusion to the Black Girl Burnout series with Rhonda Ross, Kelley and Rhonda close out their conversation by focusing on the power of integration, community, and what it truly means to protect your joy. Rhonda shares how centering and claiming all parts of herself has not only deepened her personal healing but also allowed her to show up more fully for the communities she loves.💡 Today You’ll Learn:Why self-care is a radical act of community careHow meeting your own emotional needs empowers you to be more generous and groundedThe difference between happiness and true, sustainable joyHow Black women can build community around healing, stability, and reciprocityPractical ways to protect your joy—even in the face of life’s inevitable challenges This episode is a celebration of what becomes possible when you tend to your inner world. Rhonda reminds us that joy is not about perfection—it’s about power, presence, and mindset.✨ Episode Highlights: 01:00 Why community care starts with self-nourishment 05:00 How mutual care creates a feedback loop of love and support 07:00 Why obstacles are not the enemy of joy—they’re part of the path 09:00 Rhonda defines the difference between happy and joyful 11:00 How the “magic of mindset” keeps her grounded, no matter whatIf you’ve ever wondered how to hold joy in the midst of struggle, this episode is your answer. You can be soft. You can be stable. You can be joyful—and still be healing. Ways To Support The Podcast:⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify (goal: 1,000 reviews!)👉Check Out This Month’s BGB Freebie l The Mini Money Reset📲 Follow on TikTok & Instagram (@blackgirlburnout)💬 Tag a Black creator, artist, or entrepreneur you’ve supported recently. Stay engaged! Follow us on Substack: Substack🎧 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!👉 Let’s continue this conversation: What’s one act of reciprocity you’ve done this week? DM us or comment on our latest IG post!Remember, support isn’t just about money. Visibility, engagement, and amplification matter, too.Want To Partner With Black Girl Burnout: [email protected] Check Out Our Partners:Happy Mammoth and use my code BGB for a great deal: www.happymammoth.comRevolve and use code BGB for a great deal: https://www.revolve.com/bgb Connect With Rhonda Ross:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therhondaross/YouTube:Shaping Freedom - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYv95PMu4Wc&t=9s #BlackGirlBurnout #OptOutOfStruggle #ReciprocityMatters #SupportBlackWomen Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 2 May 2025

In this transformative and deeply practical episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley continues her conversation with Rhonda Ross as they dive into the heart of Rhonda’s life-changing framework: the magic of mindset. Rhonda vulnerably shares her personal journey through depression, infertility, and career setbacks—and the tools she used to reclaim her power. Through her “RUN ON” method, she teaches us how to stop gaslighting ourselves, feel our feelings, and rewire our internal narratives with gentleness and intention.💡 Today You’ll Learn:Why your feelings are your responsibility—and why that’s empowering, not blamingHow to identify and shift the automatic, negative thoughts looping in your mindRhonda’s RUN ON method for transforming mindset and managing emotionsWhy intentional, nourishing thoughts (INTs) are the first step to healing burnout If you’ve ever felt stuck in loops of negative thinking, disconnected from your true feelings, or unsure how to shift out of burnout, Rhonda’s wisdom offers a way forward that is both powerful and deeply compassionate. You’ll leave with practical steps to help you feel more grounded, seen, and in control of your inner world.✨ Episode Highlights:01:00 Rhonda shares her personal experience with depression and infertility03:10 Discovering the space between event and emotion and reclaiming power within it05:00 The “RUN ON” framework: five steps to shift your mindset08:45 Why INTs (Intentionally Nourishing Thoughts) matter more than toxic positivity17:00 A gift from Rhonda: free access to her course The Crucial First Step20:00 A sneak peek at the next episode: self-care, community care, and joyThis episode is an invitation to stop running on empty and start running on truth, gentleness, and intentional thought. You have the power—and now you have the tools.Ways To Support The Podcast:⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify (goal: 1,000 reviews!)👉Check Out This Month’s BGB Freebie l The Mini Money Reset📲 Follow on TikTok & Instagram (@blackgirlburnout)💬 Tag a Black creator, artist, or entrepreneur you’ve supported recently. Stay engaged! Follow us on Substack: Substack🎧 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!👉 Let’s continue this conversation: What’s one act of reciprocity you’ve done this week? DM us or comment on our latest IG post!Remember, support isn’t just about money. Visibility, engagement, and amplification matter, too.Want To Partner With Black Girl Burnout: [email protected] Check Out Our Partners:Happy Mammoth and use my code BGB for a great deal: www.happymammoth.comRevolve and use code BGB for a great deal: https://www.revolve.com/bgb Connect With Rhonda Ross:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therhondaross/YouTube:Shaping Freedom - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYv95PMu4Wc&t=9s #BlackGirlBurnout #OptOutOfStruggle #ReciprocityMatters #SupportBlackWomen Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 30 April 2025

In this inspiring and heart-opening episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley is joined by the brilliant Rhonda Ross—artist, mindset coach, Emmy-nominated actor, and founder of the Happy Toolbox Self-Improvement Programs. In Part 1 of their conversation, Rhonda shares her journey of refusing to shrink, picking herself over other people's expectations, and embracing her full, multi-passionate self.💡 Today You’ll Learn:Why Rhonda refused to "pick a lane" despite pressure to choose just one identityHow to honor all parts of yourself—even when the world tries to box you inThe critical difference between what happens to you and how you think about itWhy mindset mastery is the key to living expansively, authentically, and joyfully This episode is a masterclass in living big, bold, and unapologetically. Rhonda reminds us that coming home to ourselves is not just a destination—it’s a lifelong, beautiful journey.✨ Episode Highlights: 01:00 Meet Rhonda Ross and her multifaceted magic 03:00 How she fused music, storytelling, and mindset work into one authentic offering 05:45 The challenge of being multi-passionate in a world demanding one identity 08:00 Why it often takes time—and lived experiences—to fully come home to yourself 11:00 Understanding the power of the space between event and emotion 14:00 What standing fully in your truth feels like—and why it's worth the waitIf you’ve ever been told to choose, to shrink, or to silence parts of yourself, this episode is your permission slip to be all of you. Let it be messy. Let it be big. Let it be beautiful. Ways To Support The Podcast:⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify (goal: 1,000 reviews!)👉Check Out This Month’s BGB Freebie l The Mini Money Reset📲 Follow on TikTok & Instagram (@blackgirlburnout)💬 Tag a Black creator, artist, or entrepreneur you’ve supported recently. Stay engaged! Follow us on Substack: Substack🎧 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!👉 Let’s continue this conversation: What’s one act of reciprocity you’ve done this week? DM us or comment on our latest IG post!Remember, support isn’t just about money. Visibility, engagement, and amplification matter, too.Want To Partner With Black Girl Burnout: [email protected] Check Out Our Partners:Happy Mammoth and use my code BGB for a great deal: www.happymammoth.comRevolve and use code BGB for a great deal: https://www.revolve.com/bgb Connect With Rhonda Ross:Special Gift l https://talk.ac/rhondaross l Use Code - noburnoutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/therhondaross/YouTube:Shaping Freedom - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYv95PMu4Wc&t=9s #BlackGirlBurnout #OptOutOfStruggle #ReciprocityMatters #SupportBlackWomen Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 28 April 2025

In this intimate episode, Kelley shares her own experience of reaching a threshold—the quiet ache of burnout and the radical realization that asking for more isn’t betrayal, it’s evolution. She explores why advocating for your value, especially as a Black woman, can feel like a violation of who you’ve been taught to be… and why it’s actually the boldest form of self-preservation. Listeners will reflect on the cost of overgiving, the inherited guilt around charging for their gifts, and how to shift from scarcity to self-honoring in their careers and creative work.💡 Today You’ll Learn:Why asking for more is not “selling out”—it’s choosing self-respectThe emotional toll of sacrificial generosity and overgiving in professional spacesHow internalized scarcity and martyrdom narratives keep Black women stuckReflective questions to help shift your money mindset from guilt to groundednessWhat it looks like to honor your value in real, tangible ways This episode is an offering of clarity, calling listeners to remember: you deserve to be well-paid and well-rested. Kelley introduces The Clarity Catalyst, a new one-on-one coaching experience designed to help you identify your burnout triggers, redefine your worth, and walk boldly toward ease.✨ Episode Highlights: 01:00 The ache behind burnout—and why Kelley is choosing differently this time 03:10 The quiet harm of overgiving masked as generosity 05:40 How societal myths (like martyrdom and professionalism) fuel scarcity 09:00 Reflective questions to reclaim your worth 11:00 Introducing the Clarity Catalyst—an offering to help you get unstuck 13:00 Final thoughts: this is your time to value yourself, unapologeticallyYou are not asking for too much. You’re asking for what you’ve always deserved. Let this episode be your permission to stop shrinking and start receiving—with intention, clarity, and care. Ways To Support The Podcast:⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify (goal: 1,000 reviews!)👉Check Out This Month’s Freebie l The Mini Money Reset📲 Follow on TikTok & Instagram (@blackgirlburnout)💬 Tag a Black creator, artist, or entrepreneur you’ve supported recently. Stay engaged! Follow us on Substack: Substack🎧 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!👉 Let’s continue this conversation: What’s one act of reciprocity you’ve done this week? DM us or comment on our latest IG post!Remember, support isn’t just about money. Visibility, engagement, and amplification matter, too.Want To Partner With Black Girl Burnout: [email protected]Check Out Our Partners:Happy Mammoth and use my code BGB for a great deal: www.happymammoth.comRevolve and use code BGB for a great deal: https://www.revolve.com/bgb Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 25 April 2025

In this deeply affirming and liberating episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley continues the powerful three-part series on healing your money mindset in professional spaces. Today’s focus: how to trust yourself when advocating for what you're worth—especially when others try to gaslight you out of your value. If you've ever asked, “Am I being too sensitive?” this episode will help you find your answer—and your power.💡 Today You’ll Learn:How professional gaslighting shows up—especially for Black womenWhy your intuition is a valid and essential part of your decision-makingHow to stop over-explaining your worth and start owning your valueTools to recover and reclaim your peace after boundary violations at workThis episode is a call to honor your emotional truth, set clear boundaries around compensation, and stop justifying your value. You are not asking for too much. You are asking for what you deserve.✨ Episode Highlights: 01:00 Why advocating for money is really about power 07:00 How microaggressions and coded language can cause self-doubt 10:45 Why feelings are data, not drama—and how to trust them 13:00 What to do after workplace gaslighting (journal, rewrite, and rest) You’re not too sensitive—you’re finally paying attention. And that awareness is your superpower. Let this episode be your reminder: clarity is not conflict, and your needs are not negotiable.Ways To Support The Podcast:⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify (goal: 1,000 reviews!)📲 Follow on TikTok & Instagram (@blackgirlburnout)💬 Tag a Black creator, artist, or entrepreneur you’ve supported recently. Stay engaged! Follow us on Substack: Substack🎧 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!👉 Let’s continue this conversation: What’s one act of reciprocity you’ve done this week? DM us or comment on our latest IG post!Remember, support isn’t just about money. Visibility, engagement, and amplification matter, too.Want To Partner With Black Girl Burnout: [email protected] Check Out Our Partners:Happy Mammoth and use my code BGB for a great deal: www.happymammoth.comRevolve and use code BGB for a great deal: https://www.revolve.com/ Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 23 April 2025

In this bold and truth-telling episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley kicks off a powerful three-part series on healing your money mindset in professional spaces. Today, she dives deep into the myth of “exposure” as compensation—and the emotional toll it can take. Just because an opportunity promises visibility doesn’t mean it’s valuable. In fact, sometimes it’s exploitation wrapped in a pretty bow.💡 Today You’ll Learn:When unpaid opportunities do make sense—and when they don’tThe emotional cost of overgiving in the name of exposureHow to assess whether a professional opportunity aligns with your peace and valuesWhy Black women are especially targeted for free labor—and how to break that cycleThis episode is a permission slip to honor your time, your energy, and your worth. Visibility doesn't pay rent—but alignment and peace just might.✨ Episode Highlights: 01:00 Why “comfort and coins” is the 2025 mantra 02:40 When visibility is valuable—and when it’s exploitative 05:18 How cultural conditioning encourages Black women to overgive 08:00 Questions to ask when offered unpaid work 10:50 Healing your relationship with money through professional boundariesIf you've ever been told to be “grateful” for exposure, this episode is your reminder: your voice, labor, and presence have real value. Opt out of burnout—and into power, alignment, and prosperity.Ways To Support The Podcast:⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify (goal: 1,000 reviews!)📲 Follow on TikTok & Instagram (@blackgirlburnout)💬 Tag a Black creator, artist, or entrepreneur you’ve supported recently. Stay engaged! Follow us on Substack: Substack🎧 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!👉 Let’s continue this conversation: What’s one act of reciprocity you’ve done this week? DM us or comment on our latest IG post!Remember, support isn’t just about money. Visibility, engagement, and amplification matter, too.Want To Partner With Black Girl Burnout: [email protected] out Happy Mammoth and use my code BGB for a great deal: www.happymammoth.com Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 21 April 2025

In this joyful and grounding conclusion to the Feel Good Finance series, Kelley and financial therapist Aja Evans wrap up their powerful conversation with a focus on what we all deserve—joy. This episode is a celebration of what it means to feel good about your money, not just from a place of survival, but from stability, intention, and emotional peace.Today You’ll Learn:Why financial joy is both possible and necessaryHow healing your money story creates room for pleasure and easeThe difference between momentary dopamine hits and a joy-centered financial lifestylePractical ways to protect the things that bring you joy—without guilt This episode is your reminder that joy isn’t a luxury—it’s a birthright. Whether it’s dinners with friends, solo coffee dates, or simply peace of mind when you check your account, joy in your finances starts with intention and healing.✨ Episode Highlights: 01:06 Money as a tool for joy—not just survival 02:20 Releasing past trauma to create financial peace 04:00 Why budgeting for joy is an act of self-respect 07:00 How Asia protects what brings her joy (hint: food, community & connection) 09:00 Ways to stay consistent with your joy ritualsIf you’re ready to treat your joy like a non-negotiable, this episode is for you. Let’s build lives—and budgets—that feel as good as they look.Ways To Support The Podcast:⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify (Goal: 1,000 reviews!)📲 Follow on TikTok & Instagram (@blackgirlburnout)💬 Tag a Black creator, artist, or entrepreneur you’ve supported recently. 🎧 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!👉 Let’s continue this conversation: What’s one act of reciprocity you’ve done this week? DM us or comment on our latest IG post!Remember, support isn’t just about money. Visibility, engagement, and amplification matter, too. Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code BGB for a great deal: www.happymammoth.com Connect With Aja EvansWeb: AjaEvansCounseling.comInstagram and TikRok - @AjaETherapyPre-Order for Feel Good Finance Available! #BlackGirlBurnout #OptOutOfStruggle #ReciprocityMatters #SupportBlackWomen Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 18 April 2025

In this compassionate and wisdom-filled continuation of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley is joined again by financial therapist Aja Evans for Part 2 of their conversation on healing your relationship with money. This episode dives into the how—how we move from judgment and shame into grace, clarity, and empowered action with our finances.Today You’ll Learn:Practical steps to shift out of financial shame and into awarenessHow to reframe negative money stories and internal narrativesWhy gentleness is key in your financial healing journeyTools to rebuild your relationship with money from a place of peace This episode is a grounding reminder that healing your finances isn’t about hustle or shame—it’s about compassion, emotional awareness, and choosing a better way forward.✨ Episode Highlights:00:52 Moving from judgment to healing02:08 Letting go of guilt in your financial journey04:15 The power of rewriting your money story06:42 Asia's tools for emotional and financial regulation10:30 Why your healing doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerfulThis is your invitation to opt into financial softness, to listen without judgment, and to begin creating a new relationship with money—one rooted in love and liberation.Ways To Support The Podcast:⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify (Goal: 1,000 reviews!)📲 Follow on TikTok & Instagram (@blackgirlburnout)💬 Tag a Black creator, artist, or entrepreneur you’ve supported recently.🎧 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!👉 Let’s continue this conversation: What’s one act of reciprocity you’ve done this week? DM us or comment on our latest IG post!Remember, support isn’t just about money. Visibility, engagement, and amplification matter, too. Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code BGB for a great deal: www.happymammoth.com Connect With Aja Evans Web: AjaEvansCounseling.comInstagram and TikRok - @AjaETherapyPre-Order for Feel Good Finance Available! #BlackGirlBurnout #OptOutOfStruggle #ReciprocityMatters #SupportBlackWomen Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 16 April 2025

In this heartfelt and enlightening episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley is joined by financial therapist, speaker, and author Aja Evans for a conversation that will transform the way you think about money. Asia, the author of Feel Good Finance, breaks down the deep and often hidden connection between our emotional wellbeing and our financial behaviors. This is more than a money talk—it’s a healing conversation about rewriting your money story with softness, truth, and self-compassion.Today You’ll Learn:Why your money habits are rooted in your emotional and life experiencesHow to unpack and rewrite your financial story without shameCommon money myths that keep us stuck in guilt or avoidanceWhy joy, education, and gentleness are essential in your financial journey This episode is a powerful kickoff to a series focused on emotional and financial healing. It’s an invitation to break financial silence, release old beliefs, and lean into a money mindset rooted in self-awareness and peace.✨ Episode Highlights: 01:37 Why money and emotions are deeply connected 03:04 The myths we tell ourselves about money 06:20 How life experiences shape financial behaviors 10:45 Feel Good Finance—healing your relationship with moneyThis episode is both grounding and uplifting. Tune in and start the work of untangling your finances from fear—and instead, building a future based on joy, truth, and financial peace. Ways To Support The Podcast:⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify (Goal: 1,000 reviews!)📲 Follow on TikTok & Instagram (@blackgirlburnout)💬 Tag a Black creator, artist, or entrepreneur you’ve supported recently. 🎧 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!👉 Let’s continue this conversation: What’s one act of reciprocity you’ve done this week? DM us or comment on our latest IG post!Remember, support isn’t just about money. Visibility, engagement, and amplification matter, too. Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code BGB for a great deal: www.happymammoth.com Connect With Aja EvansWeb: AjaEvansCounseling.comInstagram and TikRok - @AjaETherapyPre-Order for Feel Good Finance Available! #BlackGirlBurnout #OptOutOfStruggle #ReciprocityMatters #SupportBlackWomen Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 14 April 2025

In this nourishing and mindset-shifting episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley reclaims the word “budget” and reframes it as an act of radical self-love. Instead of treating budgeting as punishment, she introduces the concept of “soft-life budgeting”—a compassionate, values-driven approach that centers rest, joy, and protection. If traditional budgeting has ever felt restrictive or shame-based, this episode is your invitation to rewrite the rules.💡 Today You’ll Learn:Why budgeting should feel like a love letter, not a lectureHow racism, classism, and trauma shape our relationship with moneyWhat it means to create a soft-life budget rooted in joy and nervous system regulationThree key categories of a self-love budget: joy-centered spending, self-protection, and boundaries This episode is all about aligning your money with your values and creating space for abundance, rest, and peace. It’s budgeting, but make it soft, intentional, and healing.✨ Episode Highlights: 01:06 Reframing budgeting as a form of self-love 03:00 Why traditional budgeting methods often fail us 05:18 Understanding the roots of financial trauma 07:37 What a soft-life budget actually looks like 10:06 Joy-centered spending, safety essentials, and healthy financial boundaries 14:04 Rituals and practices to make budgeting sacredThis isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being present. Tune in and learn how to design a financial life that reflects who you are, protects your peace, and prioritizes your joy.Ways To Support The Podcast:⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify (Goal: 1,000 reviews!)📲 Follow on TikTok & Instagram (@blackgirlburnout)💬 Tag a Black creator, artist, or entrepreneur you’ve supported recently. Stay engaged! Follow us on Substack: Substack🎧 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!👉 Let’s continue this conversation: What’s one act of reciprocity you’ve done this week? DM us or comment on our latest IG post!Remember, support isn’t just about money. Visibility, engagement, and amplification matter, too.Want To Partner With Black Girl Burnout: [email protected] out Happy Mammoth and use my code BGB for a great deal: www.happymammoth.com #BlackGirlBurnout #OptOutOfStruggle #ReciprocityMatters #SupportBlackWomen Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 11 April 2025

In this eye-opening and affirming episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley unpacks the powerful connection between burnout and your bank account. If you’ve ever looked at your finances and felt exhausted, overwhelmed, or ashamed—this one’s for you. Burnout isn’t just emotional—it shows up in how we spend, overgive, and self-soothe with money. But with softness, intention, and joy-first budgeting, we can start to opt out of burnout spending and into financial ease.💡 Today You’ll Learn:How exhaustion and emotional depletion impact your spending habitThe difference between life-giving and life-draining expensesWhy budgeting should be a reflection of your values—not just your billsHow to create a “joy-first” budget that honors rest, softness, and self-love This episode is a gentle invitation to do a financial energy audit and begin aligning your spending with what truly nourishes you. No shame. Just awareness, intention, and healing.✨ Episode Highlights: 01:06 The emotional roots of burnout spending 03:00 Why burnout leads to impulsive and avoidant spending 05:18 Introducing “joy-first” budgeting 08:00 How to align your finances with your values 10:24 Doing a 7-day life-giving vs. life-draining spending audit 15:00 Reframing budgeting as self-love in actionYou don’t need to overhaul everything—just start with noticing. With tenderness and grace, you can rebuild your relationship with money from a place of joy and rest.Ways To Support The Podcast:⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify (Goal: 1,000 reviews!)📲 Follow on TikTok & Instagram (@blackgirlburnout)💬 Tag a Black creator, artist, or entrepreneur you’ve supported recently. Stay engaged! Follow us on Substack: Substack🎧 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!👉 Let’s continue this conversation: What’s one act of reciprocity you’ve done this week? DM us or comment on our latest IG post!Remember, support isn’t just about money. Visibility, engagement, and amplification matter, too.Want To Partner With Black Girl Burnout: [email protected] out Happy Mammoth and use my code BGB for a great deal: www.happymammoth.com #BlackGirlBurnout #OptOutOfStruggle #ReciprocityMatters #SupportBlackWomen Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 9 April 2025

In this transformative episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley invites us to opt into something radical—financial peace. When you hear the word “money,” does it bring anxiety or calm? Too often, financial freedom is framed as a grind, a hustle, a never-ending race to a bigger number. But what if the goal wasn’t just wealth—but peace?💡 Today You’ll Learn:Why financial freedom and financial peace are not the sameHow to redefine success beyond external markers like flashy purchases or social statusThe deep cultural roots of financial anxiety—and how to break freePractical steps to shift from money stress to money ease This episode is an invitation to step away from shame, scarcity, and burnout. Instead, we’re embracing a new narrative—one where financial wellness is measured in safety, alignment, and a regulated nervous system.✨ Episode Highlights: 01:06 – Why money brings up big emotions 02:44 – The myth of financial freedom vs. the goal of financial peace 05:18 – Letting go of hustle culture and scarcity mindset 09:09 – How to detach self-worth from financial status 10:50 – First steps toward financial peace—without judgment 15:07 – Affirmations and mindset shifts to reclaim your financial powerThis month, we’re making space for ease, healing our relationship with money, and choosing peace over panic. Tune in, take a deep breath, and start your journey toward financial wellness today. Ways To Support The Podcast:⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify (goal: 1,000 reviews!)📲 Follow on TikTok & Instagram (@blackgirlburnout)💬 Tag a Black creator, artist, or entrepreneur you’ve supported recently. Stay engaged! Follow us on Substack: Substack🎧 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!👉 Let’s continue this conversation: What’s one act of reciprocity you’ve done this week? DM us or comment on our latest IG post!Remember, support isn’t just about money. Visibility, engagement, and amplification matter, too.Want To Partner With Black Girl Burnout: [email protected] out Happy Mammoth and use my code BGB for a great deal: www.happymammoth.com BGB Community Minute l Aline LopesATTN: BGB Community In Dorchester (Boston Area) Massachusetts, we are happy to highlight an amazing upcoming play in your area. We need your help to support this event.Note From Aline Lopes:My name is Aline and I am a theatre company owner from Boston. Our productions are focused on stereotypes and taboos surrounding mental health that exist in black and brown communities.About The Play:The play's name is "The Many Faces Of The Strong Black Woman: The Dark Days", and we will be performing at the Strand Theater in Dorchester, MA April 4th and 5th, 2025. The play is a part of a series of plays that displays different stories of black women maneuvering through the stressors of life all while trying to live up to the ideals held by the idea of "the strong black woman". The plays are meant to highlight the interconnectivity that exists between our biology and our race. The play displays some of the ways these factors impact us as black women living in the US. This particular play showcases what happens when all the members of a sisterhood are simultaneously struggling to manage their individual mental health status. The play focuses on the ways we interact with our inner circle and the world beyond when our mental health is suffering. This production displays some of the dark ways we impact ourselves and those close to us when our mental health is deteriorating. The story is told through dialogue, dancing, singing and rapping. The production collaborates with local artists and works hard to use as much original local music as possible. Where:Strand Theater543 Columbia RdDorchester,, MA 02125When:Friday April 4, 2025Saturday April 5, 2025Attire:Evening / Cocktail Attire Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2025

In this uplifting and transformative episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley explores the power of opting into joy and allowing life to get sweeter with time. Healing isn’t about grand gestures or one-time breakthroughs—it’s about the small, daily choices that shape a life of peace and ease. Through personal reflections and powerful metaphors, Kelley unpacks the importance of emotional conditioning and the power of consistent, intentional self-care.💡 Today You’ll Learn:Why healing is a daily practice, not a one-time eventHow emotional conditioning can create lasting joy and easeThe importance of small, intentional choices in building a fulfilling lifePractical ways to integrate rest, joy, and self-affirmation into your routine This episode is an invitation to shift your mindset, embrace ease, and choose practices that make life sweeter. It’s time to move beyond survival and into a space where peace becomes second nature.✨ Episode Highlights:01:06 The myth of overnight transformation 02:44 The power of emotional conditioning and daily reps 05:18 Personal reflections on healing and growth 09:09 Practical ways to choose joy and ease daily 15:07 Celebrating your progress and embracing a sweeter life Tune in and take a step towards making joy, rest, and ease - your birthright. Let your life be sweet—and let it get sweeter with time.Ways To Support The Podcast:⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify (goal: 1,000 reviews!)📲 Follow on TikTok & Instagram (@blackgirlburnout)💬 Tag a Black creator, artist, or entrepreneur you’ve supported recently. Stay engaged! Follow us on Substack: Substack🎧 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!👉 Let’s continue this conversation: What’s one act of reciprocity you’ve done this week? DM us or comment on our latest IG post!Remember, support isn’t just about money. Visibility, engagement, and amplification matter, too.Want To Partner With Black Girl Burnout: [email protected] out Happy Mammoth and use my code BGB for a great deal: www.happymammoth.com BGB Community Minute l Aline LopesATTN: BGB Community In Dorchester (Boston Area) Massachusetts, we are happy to highlight an amazing upcoming play in your area. We need your help to support this event.Note From Aline Lopes:My name is Aline and I am a theatre company owner from Boston. Our productions are focused on stereotypes and taboos surrounding mental health that exist in black and brown communities.About The Play:The play's name is "The Many Faces Of The Strong Black Woman: The Dark Days", and we will be performing at the Strand Theater in Dorchester, MA April 4th and 5th, 2025. The play is a part of a series of plays that displays different stories of black women maneuvering through the stressors of life all while trying to live up to the ideals held by the idea of "the strong black woman". The plays are meant to highlight the interconnectivity that exists between our biology and our race. The play displays some of the ways these factors impact us as black women living in the US. This particular play showcases what happens when all the members of a sisterhood are simultaneously struggling to manage their individual mental health status. The play focuses on the ways we interact with our inner circle and the world beyond when our mental health is suffering. This production displays some of the dark ways we impact ourselves and those close to us when our mental health is deteriorating. The story is told through dialogue, dancing, singing and rapping. The production collaborates with local artists and works hard to use as much original local music as possible. Where:Strand Theater543 Columbia RdDorchester,, MA 02125When:Friday April 4, 2025Saturday April 5, 2025Attire:Evening / Cocktail AttireTime:The play begins at 7pm - 8:30 (20 minute intermission). Afterwards there is a meet and greet with the cast. Coffee and desserts are served during this time. Art:We will also be displaying paintings and other visual arts pieces, from college and high school students in the gallery. Purchase Your Ticket:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-many-faces-of-the-strong-black-woman-the-dark-day-tickets-1242367557809?aff=oddtdtcreatorLearn More About This Organizationhttps://www.thecrewproductions.com/#BlackGirlBurnout #OptOutOfStruggle #ReciprocityMatters #SupportBlackWomen Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 4 April 2025

In this powerful and truth-telling episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley unpacks a hard but necessary reality: you can’t perform your way into healing. We often use relationships, achievements, and overgiving as survival tools, but true healing requires something different—softness, presence, and rest.💡 Today You’ll Learn:Why survival tools are not the same as healing practicesHow overachieving, overgiving, and over-controlling keep us stuckThe importance of rewriting the narratives we’ve carried for so longPractical ways to embrace softness, rest, and true intimacy with yourself This episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and start moving differently in your life. It's time to choose healing over performance and create space for the sweetness that comes with doing the real work.✨ Episode Highlights:01:06 The trap of performing your way through life02:44 Personal experiences with survival vs. healing05:18 The societal rewards of overgiving and overachieving09:09 The importance of rewriting our internal narratives10:50 Practical steps for stepping into softness and true rest15:07 Final thoughts and next steps in your healing journey Ways To Support The Podcast:⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify (goal: 1,000 reviews!)📲 Follow on TikTok & Instagram (@blackgirlburnout)💬 Tag a Black creator, artist, or entrepreneur you’ve supported recently. Stay engaged! Follow us on Substack: Substack🎧 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!👉 Let’s continue this conversation: What’s one act of reciprocity you’ve done this week? DM us or comment on our latest IG post!Remember, support isn’t just about money. Visibility, engagement, and amplification matter, too.Want To Partner With Black Girl Burnout: [email protected] Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code BGB for a great deal: www.happymammoth.com BGB Community Minute l Aline LopesATTN: BGB Community In Dorchester (Boston Area) Massachusetts, we are happy to highlight an amazing upcoming play in your area. We need your help to support this event.Note From Aline Lopes:My name is Aline and I am a theatre company owner from Boston. Our productions are focused on stereotypes and taboos surrounding mental health that exist in black and brown communities.About The Play:The play's name is "The Many Faces Of The Strong Black Woman: The Dark Days", and we will be performing at the Strand Theater in Dorchester, MA April 4th and 5th, 2025. The play is a part of a series of plays that displays different stories of black women maneuvering through the stressors of life all while trying to live up to the ideals held by the idea of "the strong black woman". The plays are meant to highlight the interconnectivity that exists between our biology and our race. The play displays some of the ways these factors impact us as black women living in the US. This particular play showcases what happens when all the members of a sisterhood are simultaneously struggling to manage their individual mental health status. The play focuses on the ways we interact with our inner circle and the world beyond when our mental health is suffering. This production displays some of the dark ways we impact ourselves and those close to us when our mental health is deteriorating. The story is told through dialogue, dancing, singing and rapping. The production collaborates with local artists and works hard to use as much original local music as possible. Where:Strand Theater543 Columbia RdDorchester,, MA 02125When:Friday April 4, 2025Saturday April 5, 2025Attire:Evening / Cocktail AttireTime:The play begins at 7pm - 8:30 (20 minute intermission). Afterwards there is a meet and greet with the cast. Coffee and desserts are served during this time. Art:We will also be displaying paintings and other visual arts pieces, from college and high school students in the gallery. Purchase Your Ticket:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-many-faces-of-the-strong-black-woman-the-dark-day-tickets-1242367557809?aff=oddtdtcreatorLearn More About This Organizationhttps://www.thecrewproductions.com/ #BlackGirlBurnout #OptOutOfStruggle #ReciprocityMatters #SupportBlackWomen Our Sponsors: * Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Transcribed - Published: 2 April 2025