The Self-Care Work Leaders Can't Afford to Ignore

In this episode of the EVOLVE Talent & HR Show, Anna Morgan sits down with Kathy Love, VP at Something New, self-care coach, author, and two-time TEDx speaker, for a deeply honest conversation about self-care, burnout, boundaries, people-pleasing, and the importance of knowing what is—and isn't—ours to carry. With more than a decade of experience supporting talent and people leaders, Kathy shares how the same patterns that show up in caregiving can also show up at work—taking on too much, seeking approval, putting everyone else first, and believing that everything will fall apart if we stop. Anna and Kathy explore what happens when leaders prioritize everyone else's needs before their own, and why true self-care isn't about adding another task to your list. It's about becoming radically honest with yourself, listening to your body, setting boundaries, and giving yourself permission to take up space. They also talk about the power of community, how to say no without overexplaining, navigating difficult leadership decisions with humanity, and why sometimes the first step toward change is simply stopping, breathing, and asking yourself the right questions. In this episode, you'll learn: Why high-performing leaders can still be heading toward burnout How people-pleasing and codependency can show up at work Why self-care starts with awareness and radical honesty How to set boundaries without overexplaining yourself What leaders should—and shouldn't—carry during difficult decisions How breathwork and grounding can help create space to listen to yourself Why community plays such an important role in healing and growth How to prioritize yourself while continuing to lead and serve others Why progress over perfection matters when changing your habits 06:17 – Why people leaders burn out 08:38 – The cycle of putting everyone else first 11:55 – The physical and emotional cost of burnout 13:48 – Kathy's self-care questions for Anna 16:23 – Whose approval are you chasing? 20:25 – When exhaustion becomes part of success 28:53 – What leaders carry during layoffs 33:40 – Understanding codependency at work 36:08 – How to say no without overexplaining 39:54 – The healing power of community 43:43 – What kills community the fastest? 45:17 – How Evolve helped Kathy rebuild confidence 48:48 – Why we need whole-person communities 50:42 – Choosing yourself and making progress 51:40 – How Kathy is evolving: becoming a triathlete (Kathy Love is a VP at Something New, a self-care coach, author, and two-time TEDx speaker who brings more than a decade of experience in talent strategy and recruiting. Through her work, she helps people recognize the patterns that lead to burnout, understand what is theirs to carry, and create healthier ways to lead and live.) Join the EVOLVE 2027 Waitlist: ⁠https://link.evolve-conference.com/wi... Interested in collaborating or sponsoring EVOLVE experiences? Book an EVOLVE partnership call: ⁠https://link.evolve-conference.com/wi... If this episode resonated, subscribe, share it with a fellow HR or Talent leader, and leave a review to help more people-first leaders discover the show.