We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits · We Are For Good

670. The Power of the Pause: A New Year Self-Sync + Reflection - Jon, Becky, and Lindsey Fuller

·33 min

This episode is a reflective year-end conversation between hosts Jon and Becky of the We Are For Good and their recurring guest, nonprofit wellness expert Lindsay Fuller. They discuss the challenges of the past year and set intentions for a more peaceful, sustainable future in the social sector. Lindsay Fuller, founder of The Teaching Well, has spent the year guiding the community through topics like human-centered leadership and compassion fatigue. The hosts and Lindsay share their personal year-end reflections, with Lindsay describing a feeling of saturation from the "noise" of unwellness, budgetary trauma, and interpersonal ruptures. Jon recounts a story about his son, Lincoln, feeling a sense of belonging when someone at a homeschool meetup called him by name. Becky cites a quote from environmentalist David Orr about the planet needing more peacemakers and healers rather than just "successful people." A key story involves an executive director named Hector from Playworks Northern California, who exemplified collaboration by co-pitching Lindsay's organization to his own major donors. Lindsay critiques the common "grass is greener" mindset regarding job changes, urging listeners to consider if they can transform their current workplace. She introduces a practical tool called a "self-sync," a guided pause to assess personal, provider, and professional responsibilities before re-entering work. The hosts reveal that 60% of respondents to their community's mental health survey engage in inconsistent or no self-care, while 95% of national data shows nonprofit leaders cite burnout as a major concern. Lindsay shares her personal "self-study" example of intentionally choosing a gym that met her non-negotiable needs for community and variety, leading her to attend regularly. She reframes healing as an often "ugly" process involving recognizing fatigue, reestablishing boundaries, and working through negative self-talk. A powerful moment features a surprise audio clip from community member Amina Mohamed, founder of Cameras for Girls, who credits Lindsay's teaching on somatic breathing for leading her to seek trauma therapy. The conversation concludes with a shared hope for peace, with Lindsay praying for a year where everyone finds one tool or strategy to "dial up" peace in their shared spaces and interactions. The tone is deeply conversational, vulnerable, and supportive, blending personal storytelling with practical coaching. The style is educational and reflective, acting as a "collective exhale" for listeners. This episode is ideal for nonprofit professionals, leaders, or anyone in the care sector feeling depleted and seeking permission to prioritize their wellness. Listeners who prefer highly tactical, data-driven content without personal narrative might find it less engaging.

As heard by us

Rest is treated as part of the work, not a reward.

The episode settles into a steady case for peace in nonprofit life, with John, Becky, and Lindsay Fuller circling the same ground from different angles.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

A year-end reset for brains carrying too much.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify