What if burnout isn’t a personal failure—but a cultural one? On this episode of Millionaire By Morning, host Rashad Thirlkill sits down with Dr. Kristen Donnelly (MSW, M.Div, PhD)—award-winning researcher, 4x TEDx speaker, international educator, and co-author of the bestselling book The Culture of Burnout: Why Your Exhaustion Is Not Your Fault.
Kristen is the COO of Abbey Companies, Founder of Abbey Research, and a nationally recognized voice on leadership, generational collaboration, and sustainable success. Recently named to the 2025 Who’s Who of Notable Americans and previously nominated as an EY Entrepreneur of the Year, she brings deep insight into how organizations, leaders, and high achievers can redefine productivity without sacrificing well-being.
In this powerful conversation, Rashad and Kristen explore:
Why burnout is embedded in modern work culture—not individual weaknessHow leaders can build wealth, impact, and longevity without exhaustion The hidden gifts each generation brings to leadership and innovationWhat sustainable success really looks like in business and lifeHow culture change begins at the top Kristen is also a passionate advocate for education and food equity, serving on multiple nonprofit boards and helping launch organizations that drive real-world change.And yes—she’s an unapologetic nerd for stories of transformation. If you’re building wealth, leading teams, or striving for success without burning out, this episode will change how you think about work, leadership, and legacy. 👉
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