Escaping the Busy Trap

Nonprofit Hub Radio

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What if the key to greater nonprofit impact isn’t pushing harder—but leading differently? In this refreshing and deeply honest conversation, Kishshana Palmer—veteran fundraiser, founder of ManageMint, and author of Busy is a Four-Letter Word—challenges the toxic myth that busyness equals effectiveness. After a debilitating injury forced her to confront her own unsustainable pace, Palmer began reimagining leadership rooted in wellbeing, not overwork. She shares her Five-Star Wellness Plan—physical, mental, spiritual, financial, and community health—as a framework for reclaiming balance and breaking the cycle of burnout, especially for women and "oldest daughters" who often carry the heaviest loads. More than a personal wellness strategy, Palmer calls for a cultural shift in the nonprofit sector: one where self-care is embedded in professional development, rest is celebrated, and vulnerability is seen as strength. If you're exhausted by hustle culture or simply wondering if there's a better way to lead, this episode offers a bold, compassionate roadmap to sustainable impact.

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Chapters

1. Introduction to "Busy as a Four-Letter Word" (00:00:00)

2. Breaking the Cycle of Busyness (00:03:45)

3. Learning to Say No Without Guilt (00:11:04)

4. Five-Star Wellness Plan for Leaders (00:15:30)

5. Modeling Self-Care for Your Team (00:21:10)

6. People-Powered Leadership for Nonprofits (00:27:20)

7. Stop and Listen to Your Body (00:31:45)