S3E5: Gather At The Well: Is Your Workplace Actually Toxic? Self-Study, Burnout + the Courage to Stay or Go (Elandria Jackson Charles, Lindsey Fuller + Naomi Hattaway)
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Overview
Feeling worn down by work or wondering if your burnout is more than just stress? You’re not alone.
In this episode, Lindsey Fuller is joined with Elandria Jackson Charles and Naomi Hattaway for a heartfelt conversation about how our jobs impact our wellbeing—and what to do when things start to feel overwhelming. Together, they explore real stories of burnout and offer gentle, practical tools for tuning into your own needs.
Tap into how to recognize the difference between everyday discomfort and true harm, plus find fresh ways to rest and even reclaim joy amid the daily grind. Whether you’re considering a career shift, dreaming of consulting, or simply hoping to feel more balanced, this conversation will support you and give you thoughtful steps to move forward.
Key Takeaways:
How to identify if you’re facing common job stress, misalignment, or something more toxic.
The power of tuning in to your body and emotions—and simple practices to get started.
Somatic techniques to relieve stress and gain clarity before big decisions.
Ways to reshape your schedule and habits to nurture your wellbeing.
What really shifts in your life when you leave a job or strike out on your own.
Reflective questions and a clear checklist to help you determine: Should I stay—or go?
Uplifting affirmations and encouragement to steady you no matter where you are in your journey.
Affirmations
Leaving can be my best leadership. I can honor what is and still choose what's next.
I was made to walk in peace and clarity.
Stepping away makes room for my brilliant Ashé.
📝 Discernment Checklist
What is it costing me to stay?
How is my work impacting my relationships, health, values, and professional growth?
Why am I staying versus leaving? (Is it commitment, conflict avoidance, guilt, exhaustion, or something else?)
Am I so attached to the mission that I think no one else can take my place?
Is this situation something that can truly change, and do I have the power to influence that change?
Who benefits from me staying, and could someone else benefit if I left?
What does my gut tell me about this decision—really?
What is my fear telling me, and how can I check it?
Can this space hold the full scope of my brilliance?
Which version of me would be most proud—the one who stays, or the one who leaves?
(Practice) Create a “visual confirmation” T-chart:
On one side: What’s pulling me outward to leave?
On the other: What’s pushing me inward to stay?
Reflect on what the visual reveals.
Today’s Speaker
Lindsey Fuller, Executive Director of The Teaching Well
Naomi Hattaway, Leaving Well Consulting
Elandria Jackson Charles, Founder + Chief Joy Officer at Ayoka Partners
“Misalignment, dysfunction, and toxicity are not the same.”
Episode Transcript
Download Full Episode Transcript Here
Episode Highlights
Exploring Self-Study and Burnout (02:57)
The Importance of Nature and Grounding (05:31)
Navigating Personal and Professional Seasons (08:22)
Tools for Self-Care and Recovery (10:43)
The Role of Agency in Time Management (13:47)
Creating Protected Time for Wellbeing (16:54)
The Power of Naming and Noticing (19:43)
Zoom Out Somatic Practice (22:50)
Understanding Workplace Dynamics (27:32)
Differentiating Misalignment, Dysfunction, and Toxicity (28:49)
Navigating the Transition to Consulting (35:20)
Naomi and Elandria’s Affirmations (43:12)
Powerful Quotes
“My burnouts can look like overdoing and overcompensating. For some people, it means pulling way back—mine means, do even more.” - Naomi Hattaway
“What is it costing you to stay? Are you sacrificing your relationships, your health and your integrity?” - Naomi Hattaway
“Leaving can be my best leadership. I can honor what is and still choose what’s next.” - Naomi Hattaway
“I dont want to have to heal from employment, I no longer consent to that.” - Lindsey Fuller
“Hope isn’t naive, it’s choosing to believe that repair and rest are all still possible.”- Lindsey Fuller
“Self-study isn’t something you do once and figure out, right? It’s something that we have to continuously engage in.” - Lindsey Fuller
"I want to encourage all of you, you deserve protected work time. You deserve to be able to sit down and eat lunch." - Lindsey Fuller
“Recovery as a design principle is about realignment." - Lindsey Fuller
"Design a rhythm that honors both your mission and your humanity." - Lindsey Fuller
"Work-life integration isn't perfection, it's permission.." - Lindsey Fuller
"Anchor your days with practices that sustain calm." - Lindsey Fuller
“I got to do my own self-study if I dare to support other people to find rest, to lead with joy." - Elandria Jackson Charles
"A lot of times, you have agency to control how you spend your time, but you just give it away to others." - Elandria Jackson Charles
“As soon as you open your eyes in the morning, ask yourself, what is the best fuel to support my dreams today?" - Elandria Jackson Charles
Connect with Lindsey
Connect with Naomi
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