Gather At The Well: Leaving Well - Rest, Sabbaticals + Human-Centered Transitions - Lindsey Fuller and Naomi Hattaway

We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits

In this soul-nourishing conversation, Lindsey Fuller is joined by strategist, storyteller, and founder of the Leaving Well framework, Naomi Hattaway. Together, they unpack what it means to lead with intention, especially when it comes to rest, sabbaticals, and workplace transitions that truly center people.

From micro-sabbaticals to full-scale cultural shifts, Naomi shares wisdom for how organizations can operationalize rest as a core value—not just a perk. You'll hear powerful insights on how to care for your team through change, reimagine wellness in the workplace, and create brave space for transitions that honor the past and make room for what’s next.

This episode is a reminder that we don’t have to choose between humanity and productivity—we can hold both. And it starts with rest.

Affirmations:

• You deserve a workplace that values your humanity as deeply as your contributions.
• Rest isn’t a luxury—it’s leadership.
• Every transition is an invitation to honor what was and imagine what’s possible.

Episode Highlights

• The Importance of Rest as Policy (02:40)
• Somatic #1 (02:56)
• Operationalizing Rest in Organizations (05:52)
• Deceleration and Onboarding (11:42)
• Embedding Wellness in Workplace Culture (14:28)
• Sabbaticals and Employee Retention (17:16)
• The Ripple Effect of Sabbaticals (20:19)
• Navigating Sabbaticals in Nonprofits (25:27)
• Advocating for Rest and Well-being (31:35)
• Somatic #2: Middle Path Meditation (34:42)
• The Impact of Transitions on Organizational Culture (37:17)

Resources Mentioned:

• Individual Workplace Transition Nssessment (Naomi Hattaway)
• Organizational Workplace Transition Assessment (Naomi Hattaway)

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/leavingwellrestsabbaticalhumancenteredtransition

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Chapters

1. Introduction to Leaving Well Framework (00:00:00)

2. Somatic Exercise: Clearing Circles (00:05:32)

3. Operationalizing Rest Through Policy (00:10:11)

4. Decision-Making and Wellness Integration (00:17:52)

5. Sabbaticals for Employee Retention (00:24:43)

6. Somatic Exercise: Middle Path Meditation (00:34:40)

7. Thoughtful Transitions and Culture Shifts (00:38:42)

8. Closing Thoughts and Critical Hope (00:48:47)