Nonprofit work has a reputation for burning its workers out with long hours, shrinking budgets, and impossible expectations. Somehow, you’re still expected to smile through it all. You’ve probably heard the compliments: “Wow, you’re so dedicated. I don’t know how you do it.” But if we are honest about it all, dedication does not mean depletion.
That’s where Burnout & Breakthroughs comes in. This podcast is for nonprofit professionals, mission-driven leaders, and purpose-driven people who are tired of being told exhaustion is noble. It’s for anyone who’s whispered frustrations in the staff kitchen or cried over a grant report at midnight, and is wondering if caring this much should really hurt.
I’m Samantha, a nonprofit leader who’s lived the emotional whiplash of trying to do more with less. After a decade in the trenches, I know the burnout story by heart. I also recognize and have experienced the breakthrough moments where we see that boundaries aren’t selfish, joy is a form of resistance, and rest isn’t a reward.
Each episode is a mix of straightforward conversations, stories, and strategies. Some weeks, we pull apart the systems that keep us exhausted, and other times, we share practical tools for setting limits, holding onto our worth, and showing up without running ourselves into the ground. And often, it’s just space to tell the truth; the kind we usually save for therapy or late-night texts with a trusted friend.
Burnout doesn’t mean you are weak or that it's your fault. It’s the natural result of systemic structures designed to exploit and use up the people. Healing from this isn’t separate from the work; it is an essential part of it.
So if you’ve been craving a place that’s honest, compassionate, and a little bit rebellious, welcome! You’re not defeated, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to keep choosing between the mission and yourself.
