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Black Girl Burnout

Kelley Bonner
Black Girl Burnout
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  • Opt Into Planning for Joy
    In this special Labor Day episode of Black Girl Burnout, host Kelley invites you to pause, breathe, and reflect on the role of joy in your life. While sharing her own story of navigating stress and reclaiming rest, Kelley offers a gentle reminder that joy doesn’t have to be spontaneous—it can be something we intentionally plan for, just like vacations, appointments, and work projects.This episode is a nudge to slow down, release the pressure of constant labor, and carve out space for rest, peace, and delight.KEY TAKEAWAYSYour nervous system may be asking for deep rest and regulation—not just more productivity.Planning for joy is just as essential as planning for responsibilities.When life feels overwhelming, intentionally scheduling joy can restore balance and ease.Joy doesn’t have to be grand; even a day on the couch with a good book counts.Asking yourself “What’s next for joy in my life?” can be a powerful reset.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS00:20 Why rest—not labor—should be prioritized on Labor Day02:00 Choosing to plan for joy instead of only focusing on the next project02:34 A reflection: What joy is coming up for you?03:00 Giving yourself permission to pause and make joy intentionalLISTEN & REFLECTTake a moment this week to plan one small joy for yourself. Maybe it’s an afternoon nap, a favorite meal, or time with a good book.What’s next for joy in your life?If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who also deserves to rest and recharge. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review to support the Black Girl Burnout community.Support the ShowAre you stepping into a “Summer of No”? Whether you’re canceling plans for rest, setting fresh boundaries, or saying no to what drains you, you don’t owe anyone guilt. Take a moment this week to capture what freedom looks like for you. Snap a pic or video of your joy and tag us:📱 @blackgirlburnout📧 Subscribe to our newsletter: blackgirlburnout.com📺 Watch the episode on YouTube💌 Show some love—don’t let Kelley’s mama be the only one dropping hearts!Have a question for our upcoming Q&A episode? [Click here to submit your questions!]Stay In TouchWant more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community?✨ Join our Substack family for weekly reflections, tools, and behind-the-scenes notes from Kelley.✨ Become a paid Substack subscriber ($8/month—the cost of a latte!) for exclusive resources and tools to support your burnout-free life.Our Sponsor:Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/Savvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/Advertising Inquiries: RedCirclePrivacy & Opt-Out: RedCircleOur Sponsors:* Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/healAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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  • You're Not Tired, You're Tapped Out
    In this episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley shares the powerful truth that exhaustion isn’t always about needing more sleep. Sometimes, your body is tapped out—living in chronic stress and unable to downshift into rest. Drawing from her own story of nervous system dysregulation, she unpacks how years of carrying too much can leave you wired even while exhausted. This conversation is an invitation to pause, reset, and explore practices that bring your body back to safety.Key Takeaways:Being tapped out means your nervous system is stuck in stress mode—it’s different from simple tiredness.Chronic stress can disrupt sleep, spike heart rate, and create physical symptoms even at rest.Black women are often conditioned to self-silence and normalize pain, leading to hidden depletion.Vacations, catch-up naps, or “pushing through” don’t heal nervous system dysregulation.True restoration comes from nervous system resets, boundaries, joy practices, and professional support.Episode Highlights:00:38 – Kelley's story: sleep struggles, smart ring tracking, and discovering heart rate spikes03:18 – Learning her nervous system was stuck in stress mode05:29 – The deeper difference between tiredness and being tapped out07:06 – How cultural self-silencing leads to chronic stress in Black women09:20 – Why ignoring symptoms or relying only on vacations doesn’t help12:13 – Small nervous system resets anyone can try13:27 – Boundaries and the importance of daily self-care13:55 – Normalizing medical and therapeutic support15:18 – Joy resets: music, rituals, creativity17:13 – Reflection prompt: How do you know when you’re tapped out?Gentle Reflection Prompt:What’s one sign for you that you’re tapped out—not just tired?If this episode resonates, share it with someone who might be running on empty without realizing it. And don’t forget to leave a review—it helps other Black women find the show and start their own journey out of burnout.Support the ShowAre you stepping into a “Summer of No”? Whether you’re canceling plans for rest, setting fresh boundaries, or saying no to what drains you, you don’t owe anyone guilt. Take a moment this week to capture what freedom looks like for you. Snap a pic or video of your joy and tag us:📱 @blackgirlburnout📧 Subscribe to our newsletter: blackgirlburnout.com📺 Watch the episode on YouTube💌 Show some love—don’t let Kelley’s mama be the only one dropping hearts!Have a question for our upcoming Q&A episode? [Click here to submit your questions!]Stay In TouchWant more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community?✨ Join our Substack family for weekly reflections, tools, and behind-the-scenes notes from Kelley.✨ Become a paid Substack subscriber ($8/month—the cost of a latte!) for exclusive resources and tools to support your burnout-free life.Our Sponsor:Savvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/Advertising Inquiries: RedCirclePrivacy & Opt-Out: RedCircleOur Sponsors:* Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/healAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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  • Opt Into Gate Openers: Stop Confusing Support with Elevation (Bonus Episode)
    In this bonus “love note” episode, Kelley Bonner breaks down the crucial difference between supporters — the friends and peers who cheer you on — and gate openers, the decision-makers who can truly elevate your career. Many of us confuse the two, surrounding ourselves with cheerleaders but missing the people who can actually open doors. Kelley shares personal stories, practical tips, and a simple reflection exercise to help you identify who’s in your corner, who can advance you, and how to build relationships with intention and integrity.Key Takeaways:Supporters are vital for encouragement and sustainability, but they can’t always elevate your career.Gate openers are decision-makers — executives, leaders, and people with power to create opportunities.Most of us have many supporters but very few gate openers — and that gap matters.A single gate opener can change your career trajectory.You can intentionally nurture these relationships with respect, value, and patience.Episode Highlights:00:27 – The big question: Who’s really elevating you?01:23 – Supporters vs. gate openers: a career conversation throwback03:13 – Defining supporters: peers, friends, colleagues who sustain you05:28 – Why peers can’t always “put you on” — Kelley’s government job example06:40 – Defining gate openers: leaders with decision-making authority08:11 – How one gate opener changed Kelley’s career trajectory10:26 – Supporters sustain you; gate openers elevate you12:01 – The reality: supporters are often Black women; gate openers are often men in power14:57 – Reflection exercise: make your supporters vs. gate openers list16:22 – Four tips for identifying and nurturing gate openers18:19 – Building relationships with integrity, not transaction18:53 – Closing encouragement + Substack invitationLet Us KnowTake a few minutes today to write two lists: your supporters and your gate openers. Notice the gap. Then choose one potential gate opener in your orbit and begin thinking about how to nurture that relationship with intention and integrity.Support the ShowAre you stepping into a “Summer of No”? Whether you’re canceling plans for rest, setting fresh boundaries, or saying no to what drains you, you don’t owe anyone guilt. Take a moment this week to capture what freedom looks like for you. Snap a pic or video of your joy and tag us:📱 @blackgirlburnout📧 Subscribe to our newsletter: blackgirlburnout.com📺 Watch the episode on YouTube💌 Show some love—don’t let Kelley’s mama be the only one dropping hearts!Have a question for our upcoming Q&A episode? [Click here to submit your questions!]Stay In TouchWant more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community?✨ Join our Substack family for weekly reflections, tools, and behind-the-scenes notes from Kelley.✨ Become a paid Substack subscriber ($8/month—the cost of a latte!) for exclusive resources and tools to support your burnout-free life.Our Sponsor:Savvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/Advertising Inquiries: RedCirclePrivacy & Opt-Out: RedCircleOur Sponsors:* Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/healAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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  • Saying the Quiet Parts Loud: Rachel Hislop on Rest, Creativity & Joy
    In this powerful episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley sits down with writer, strategist, and visionary Rachel Hislop to talk about rest, creativity, and what it means to truly opt out of struggle.From leading Beyoncé’s digital presence to becoming one of Mozilla’s “25 Visionaries Shaping the Future of the Internet,” Rachel has lived at the intersection of culture, creativity, and relentless grind. But when burnout knocked her down, she rebuilt her life—and career—on a foundation of joy, balance, and radical honesty.This is not just a conversation about recovery—it’s a roadmap for every Black woman ready to rewrite the rules of success, reclaim her time, and center her happiness.This episode is for every Black woman who’s ever asked:“If I stop grinding, who am I?”“How do I choose myself without disappointing everyone else?”“What does joy look like when I’ve been in survival mode for so long?”Here’s your answer.Key TakeawaysStruggle is not a prerequisite for success—burnout is not a badge of honor.Prioritizing joy and well-being is not selfish; it’s revolutionary.Boundaries aren’t just about saying no to others—they’re about saying yes to yourself.Creativity thrives when you lead with honesty, rest, and alignment.Episode Highlights[04:53] Rachel reflects on how hustle culture tied her worth to constant struggle.[12:32] The pandemic as a breaking point—and a turning point.[20:11] Choosing responsibility over blame in healing from burnout.[25:14] The practice of setting—and keeping—boundaries with yourself.[30:44] Rediscovering creativity and writing as a tool for honesty and healing.[40:12] Joy as intergenerational healing and the legacy of documenting Black women’s wholeness.🔗 Connect with Rachel HislopInstagram: @amazingrachWebsite: rachelhislop.comRead her Pocket collection: Saying the Quiet Parts LoudSupport the ShowAre you stepping into a “Summer of No”? Whether you’re canceling plans for rest, setting fresh boundaries, or saying no to what drains you, you don’t owe anyone guilt. Take a moment this week to capture what freedom looks like for you. Snap a pic or video of your joy and tag us:📱 @blackgirlburnout📧 Subscribe to our newsletter: blackgirlburnout.com📺 Watch the episode on YouTube💌 Show some love—don’t let Kelley’s mama be the only one dropping hearts!Have a question for our upcoming Q&A episode? [Click here to submit your questions!]Stay In TouchWant more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community?✨ Join our Substack family for weekly reflections, tools, and behind-the-scenes notes from Kelley.✨ Become a paid Substack subscriber ($8/month—the cost of a latte!) for exclusive resources and tools to support your burnout-free life.Our Sponsor:Savvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/Advertising Inquiries: RedCirclePrivacy & Opt-Out: RedCircleOur Sponsors:* Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/healAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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  • Bonus Episode: When Thriving Makes Others Uncomfortable
    In this deeply honest Love Note episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley explores a side of healing we rarely talk about—the way it can strain, shift, or even dissolve relationships.From friends who quietly drift away to loved ones who bristle at your boundaries, thriving can sometimes trigger discomfort in the people around you. Kelley unpacks why this happens, how to navigate the grief of changing connections, and why holding your ground is essential to moving forward.If you’ve ever felt isolated, second-guessed, or misunderstood while on your healing journey, this conversation offers clarity, validation, and encouragement to keep going—no matter who can come with you.Key TakeawaysHealing can mirror others’ unhealed places, sometimes triggering defensiveness or withdrawal.Relationships built on shared wounds may feel threatened when one person starts to heal.Not all relationships can—or should—survive your growth, even when endings are painful.Grieving dissolved connections is natural and doesn’t mean you’re doing healing “wrong.”Aligned community awaits on the other side of loss.Episode Highlights[00:40] Why healing can feel like an “earthquake” in your relationships.[02:40] The Michelle Obama lesson: not everyone can make the climb.[06:30] Healing as a mirror—how your growth can trigger others.[09:00] The hidden grief of losing relationships forged in struggle.[10:17] Signs a relationship is dissolving in ways that serve your growth.[12:51] Three ways to navigate the pain without backtracking: name the loss, hold your ground, and seek aligned community.[14:39] Remembering that your healing is not up for debate.Support the ShowIf this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who’s navigating the messy middle of their own healing journey.Follow us @blackgirlburnout on IG, ,TikTok and SubstackSubscribe to our newsletter: www.blackgirlburnout.comWatch the episode on YouTubeLeave a review on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyOur Sponsors:Savvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/healOur Sponsors:* Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/healAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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About Black Girl Burnout

Black Girl Burnout is a podcast uniquely tailored for black women that guides you from burnout to joy and abundance. Tune in three times a week for 20-minute or less episodes brimming with actionable tips, empowering personal stories, and transformative perspectives. Join us on a journey filled with liberation, celebration, community, and joy.
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