What if someone had pulled you aside on your first day in nonprofit work and told you the truth?In this episode of Burnout & Breakthrough, I'm having the conversation I wish someone had with me on my first day in nonprofit work. The real stuff that you don't learn about until you've been in the trenches long enough to get burned. Like how your passion can be weaponized against you, or why "collaborative environment" often means "no one's actually in charge."I asked my network what they wish they'd known before jumping into this field. Their answers were raw, honest, and necessary—from learning that being the "go-to person" eventually backfires, to realizing that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is walk away.Key TakeawaysHow passion exploitation shows up in nonprofit workplaces.Why impact gets reduced to meaningless metrics and what it costs us. The hidden costs of flat organizational structures and unclear decision-making.Honest advice from seasoned nonprofit professionals on how to survive and thrive.If you've ever felt blindsided by the realities of nonprofit work, or if you're considering this path, this episode is your heads-up.Complete list of references and resources from this episode → Show NotesRead the full blog post that pairs with this episode → No One Told Me This: The Silent Truths of Nonprofit WorkIf this episode resonated, rate and review the podcast here → Leave a ReviewStay connected: Subscribe to the newsletter → Join the email list
In this episode of Burnout & Breakthroughs, we’re unpacking one of the most harmful stories in nonprofit culture: the idea that the “best” workers are the ones who give endlessly, asking nothing in return. From the Giving Tree to modern-day nonprofit workplaces, this myth teaches us that worth is tied to depletion, and it’s time to call that out.We’ll explore where this narrative comes from, how it shows up in our daily work, and why setting boundaries is not selfish but essential if we want to keep caring without burning out.Key TakeawaysWhy the “selfless servant” story is really exploitation dressed up as serviceHow this myth harms not just individuals, but entire organizationsThe surprising power of boundaries to make generosity sustainablePractical scripts for setting boundaries at work (and what to expect when you do)Full list of references and resources from this episode → Show NotesRead the full blog post that pairs with this episode → The Giving Tree Problem: Why Nonprofit Workers Deserve Boundaries If this episode resonated, rate and review the podcast → Leave a ReviewStay connected: Subscribe to the newsletter → Join the email list
In this episode of Burnout & Breakthroughs, we dive into the hidden costs of nonprofit burnout — from skipped vacations to guilt around setting boundaries. I share real stories and practical strategies to help you protect your capacity and reclaim your humanity while at work.Key TakeawaysWhy boundaries feel hard in service-based workHow guilt shows up when we start saying “no”Real-world boundary-setting examples you can try this weekFull list of references and resources from this episode → Show NotesRead the full blog post that pairs with this episode → Decoding the Body's Response to Nonprofit StressIf this episode resonated, rate and review the podcast here → Leave a ReviewStay connected: Subscribe to the newsletter → Join the email list
🔥Understanding Burnout It’s National Nonprofit Day—and while the sector celebrates impact, we also need to honor the people who make that impact possible.In this first episode, I share my breaking point in nonprofit work, the toll of emotional labor, and why burnout isn’t an individual failure but a systemic issue. We’ll also discuss what a “breakthrough” can look like when we begin setting boundaries and protecting our humanity.Topics:Honoring nonprofit workers without glorifying burnoutThe health toll of emotional suppressionWhy burnout is systemic, not about willpowerBreakthrough as boundaries, not collapseReflection: What boundary could you set this week that honors your humanity over your exhaustion?When we protect the people, we preserve the purpose.References & Resources:Want to dig deeper into the research I mentioned in this episode? Here are some places to start:Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (2016). Burnout: A brief history and how to prevent it. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2016/07/burnout-a-brief-history-and-how-to-prevent-itBaird, K. (2021). Nonprofit workers are stressed, burned out, and leaving. Stanford Social Innovation Review. https://ssir.org/articles/entry/nonprofit_workers_are_stressed_burned_out_and_leavingNational Council of Nonprofits. (2023). The nonprofit workforce shortage crisis. https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/trends-policy-issues/nonprofit-workforce-shortage-crisisAmerican Psychological Association. (2019). Stress effects on the body. https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body