Black Girl Burnout

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: RedCircleAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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: RedCircleAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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: RedCircleAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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: RedCircleAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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: RedCircleAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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/healAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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/privacyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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/privacyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 lessAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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/privacyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy