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 TAKEAWAYS

• Your 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 HIGHLIGHTS

• 00:20 Why rest—not labor—should be prioritized on Labor Day
• 02:00 Choosing to plan for joy instead of only focusing on the next project
• 02:34 A reflection: What joy is coming up for you?
• 03:00 Giving yourself permission to pause and make joy intentional

LISTEN & REFLECT

Take 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 Show

Are 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 Touch

Want 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: RedCircle

Privacy & Opt-Out: RedCircle

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal


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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 spikes
• 03:18 – Learning her nervous system was stuck in stress mode
• 05:29 – The deeper difference between tiredness and being tapped out
• 07:06 – How cultural self-silencing leads to chronic stress in Black women
• 09:20 – Why ignoring symptoms or relying only on vacations doesn’t help
• 12:13 – Small nervous system resets anyone can try
• 13:27 – Boundaries and the importance of daily self-care
• 13:55 – Normalizing medical and therapeutic support
• 15:18 – Joy resets: music, rituals, creativity
• 17:13 – 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 Show

Are 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 Touch

Want 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: RedCircle

Privacy & 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

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 throwback
• 03:13 – Defining supporters: peers, friends, colleagues who sustain you
• 05:28 – Why peers can’t always “put you on” — Kelley’s government job example
• 06:40 – Defining gate openers: leaders with decision-making authority
• 08:11 – How one gate opener changed Kelley’s career trajectory
• 10:26 – Supporters sustain you; gate openers elevate you
• 12:01 – The reality: supporters are often Black women; gate openers are often men in power
• 14:57 – Reflection exercise: make your supporters vs. gate openers list
• 16:22 – Four tips for identifying and nurturing gate openers
• 18:19 – Building relationships with integrity, not transaction
• 18:53 – Closing encouragement + Substack invitation

Let Us Know

• Take 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 Show

Are 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 Touch

Want 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: RedCircle

Privacy & 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

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 Takeaways

• Struggle 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 Hislop

• Instagram: @amazingrach
• Website: rachelhislop.com
• Read her Pocket collection: Saying the Quiet Parts Loud

Support the Show

Are 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 Touch

Want 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: RedCircle

Privacy & 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

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 Takeaways

• Healing 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 Show

If 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 Substack

Subscribe to our newsletter: www.blackgirlburnout.com

Watch the episode on YouTube

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Our 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

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 Takeaways

• Burnout 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 Goodloe

Website: https://www.gmichelle.com/

Instagram: @thegmichelle

Support the Show

If 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 Spotify

Our Sponsors:

Savvy Ladies: https://www.savvyladies.org/

Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & 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

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 coexist

Kelley 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 grind

From 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 trap

Why “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 joy

Through 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 test

Practical questions to help you discern whether your hard work is rooted in liberation or in someone else’s expectations.

Support the Show

This 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 Touch

Join 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/heal

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & 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

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 peace

Kelley 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 connection

Kelley 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 31

Kelley responds to a listener navigating a major life shift, reminding us that reinvention isn’t just possible—it’s powerful.

Support the Show

Are 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 Touch

If 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/heal

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Read less

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & 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 Green

• Instagram: @missusa2mba

Support the Show

Are 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 Touch

If 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/heal

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & 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

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 Takeaways

• You 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 Armstrong

• Instagram: @100kmventures
• www.100kmvc.com
• LinkedIn

Support the Show

Are 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

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📺 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.

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If 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.

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Our Sponsors:
* Check out Global Healing: https://globalhealing.com/heal


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy