Strength & Softness: Michelle Goodloe on Burnout Recovery for Black Women (REPLAY)

In this thoughtful conversation, Kelley sits down with licensed clinical social worker Michelle Goodloe to explore what burnout really is—and why so many Black women experience it differently. Michelle shares her personal journey through professional burnout, explains why self-care alone isn't enough to recover, and offers a compassionate framework for rebuilding a healthier relationship with yourself through boundaries, restorative self-care, and intentional slowing down.

Together, they unpack the Strong Black Woman stereotype, capitalism fatigue, identity beyond work, and why healing begins with giving yourself permission to become more than what the world expects of you. The episode is both validating and practical, offering listeners tangible first steps toward burnout recovery and a more joyful, sustainable life.

Key Takeaways

• Burnout develops over time—and recovery does too. Healing begins by slowing down, identifying what's contributing to burnout, and taking small, sustainable steps toward rest.
• Boundaries are an act of self-respect. Healthy boundaries protect your time, energy, and joy while teaching others how to have healthy relationships with you.
• Black women deserve identities beyond "strong." You have permission to redefine strength to include rest, softness, vulnerability, and self-compassion.

Episode Highlights & Timestamps

00:02 – Michelle's personal burnout story

Michelle shares how professional burnout transformed both her life and the work she does today.

09:00 – What burnout actually is

A powerful conversation on how burnout develops over time, the role of capitalism fatigue, and recognizing the signs before your body forces you to stop.

16:30 – Beyond the Strong Black Woman stereotype

Michelle and Kelley unpack how inherited expectations around strength contribute to burnout and how Black women can redefine what strength means for themselves.

29:00 – Boundaries protect your joy

Michelle shares practical boundary-setting strategies—including her "Yes, No, Yes" framework—and explains why protecting your time is essential for burnout recovery.

A Gentle Invitation

This week, ask yourself one simple question: "What would help me go from a 10 to a 9?" Instead of trying to overhaul your life, choose one small way to slow down—reschedule one task, say no to one request, or create one boundary that protects your time. Burnout recovery isn't about changing everything overnight; it's about consistently choosing yourself, one step at a time.

Connect with Michelle

G. Michelle Goodloe, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker, burnout recovery strategist, and founder of Gmichelle Wellness. Through her therapy-informed approach, Michelle helps exhausted professionals—especially Black women and helping professionals—recover from burnout, unlearn toxic productivity, and build sustainable self-care practices rooted in compassion and rest.

Website: Gmichelle Wellness

Instagram: @thegmichelle (https://www.instagram.com/thegmichelle)

Books & Guided Journals

• The Self-Care Investment: Your Guide to Making Your Self-Care Non-Negotiable – A practical workbook filled with guided exercises, self-care trackers, and reflective activities to help you build a personalized, sustainable self-care practice.
• Purchase: The Self-Care Investment
• I Own My Magic: Self-Talk for Black Women – An affirmation and self-reflection journal designed to help Black women strengthen self-esteem, practice self-compassion, and embrace their softness.
• Purchase: I Own My Magic
• Self Explore, Self Restore – A guided self-care journal with thoughtful prompts to help you reconnect with yourself, reduce stress, and make self-care a consistent part of everyday life.
• Purchase: Self Explore, Self Restore

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