In this uplifting and informative episode of Black Girl Burnout, host Kelley sits down with Kisha, a seasoned traveler and founder of Travel Niche Kisha, who has explored over 70 countries. Together, they discuss how travel can be a radical act of self-care, joy, and rest for Black women.

Whether you're hopping on a plane or dreaming from your living room, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on how travel—both near and far—can reset your spirit. They discuss everything from budget-friendly luxury to embracing rest over hustle while exploring new places.

This conversation is part of our Summer of YES series—an invitation to say YES to joy, rest, and meaningful experiences

[04:00] Travel as Self-Care for Black Women

While working in social work, Kisha shares how travel became her antidote to burnout. Travel isn’t just about escape—it’s a form of healing and restoration, especially for Black women who carry so much weight.

[10:00] “Chase the Deal, Not the Destination”

Kisha reveals her game-changing travel hack: prioritize deals over dream destinations. She breaks down how she’s visited places like Curaçao and Peru for under $300, proving that luxury and joy don’t have to break the bank.

[18:00] Rest as a Travel Intention, Not an Afterthought

Kelley and Kisha discuss the trap of over-scheduling trips and offer tips on curating restful, joy-filled itineraries. From scheduling downtime to savoring slow mornings, they invite listeners to plan for peace, not pressure.

[27:00] Romanticize Your Travel Experience—Big or Small

You can still embrace a travel mindset even if you're not getting on a plane this summer. Keisha explains how to bring vacation energy into your everyday life with intention, local adventures, and a spirit of curiosity.

Are you creating your Summer of Yes?

Whether it’s sleeping in, brunching solo, or finally saying no to that thing, you deserve joy without permission or guilt.

✨ Snap a pic or video of how you're saying YES to joy, rest, and ease

✨ Tag @blackgirlburnout

✨ Use the hashtag #SummerOfYes

📩 Subscribe to the newsletter: blackgirlburnout.com

📱 Follow on socials: IG + TikTok: @blackgirlburnout

🎥 Watch the episode on YouTube and show some love. Don’t let Kelley’s mama be the only one dropping hearts!

If you’re looking for more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community, we’ve got you covered:

• Join our Substack family! Think of it as a modern-day online magazine (Tumblr-coded for the millennial hearts). We share weekly reflections, tips, tools, and deeper insights into each podcast episode—plus personal notes from Kelley’s life.
• Become a paid Substack subscriber for just $8/month (about the cost of a fancy latte) and access exclusive content like digital tools, apps, and free resources that are valued far beyond that.
• Work with Kelley directly: If you’re in New York State, Kelley is also accepting short-term therapy clients with select insurance and private pay options. Sessions are designed to be focused and transformational within 90 days. Book a Consultation.

This week on the Black Girl Burnout podcast, Kelley kicks off June with a powerful declaration: this is the Summer of Yes. In this deeply affirming episode, she explores what it means to embrace radical rest, joy, and ease, especially for Black women who are often taught that they must hustle to be worthy. As she reflects on grief and healing, Kelley also reminds listeners that joy is not the absence of struggle, but the resistance to it. This episode is both a soft invitation and a bold call to action: to reclaim summer not as a season of over-productivity, but as a sacred space to say YES to softness, delight, boundaries, and fun.

• How to shift from survival mode into intentional joy.
• Why rest is not optional—it’s essential.
• Ways to say "yes" to joy and "no" to energy drainers.
• The radical act of celebrating yourself without guilt or apology.

[04:00] Say YES to Radical Rest: Instead of hustling through summer, Kelley challenges listeners to redefine rest as a revolutionary act—and make space for true rejuvenation in everyday moments.

[07:03] Joy Is Resistance: Kelley reframes joy as an act of defiance in a world that conditions Black women to glorify struggle. She invites us to consider how delight can coexist with grief.

[08:11] Boundaries Are Beautiful: Whether it’s people, places, or obligations, Kelley emphasizes the power of saying no to what drains you—and yes to what restores you.

[10:55] Design Your Summer With Intention: Listeners are guided to reclaim their time, whether that’s through slower mornings, sacred Sundays, or committing to just one restful ritual each week.

Are you creating your Summer of Yes?

Whether it’s sleeping in, brunching solo, or finally saying no to that thing—you deserve joy without permission or guilt.

✨ Snap a pic or video of how you're saying YES to joy, rest, and ease

✨ Tag @blackgirlburnout

✨ Use the hashtag #SummerOfYes

📩 Subscribe to the newsletter: blackgirlburnout.com

📱 Follow on socials: IG + TikTok: @blackgirlburnout

🎥 Watch the episode on YouTube and show some love. Don’t let Kelley’s mama be the only one dropping hearts!

If you’re looking for more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community, we’ve got you covered:

• Join our Substack family! Think of it as a modern-day online magazine (Tumblr-coded for the millennial hearts). We share weekly reflections, tips, tools, and deeper insights into each podcast episode—plus personal notes from Kelley’s life.
• Become a paid Substack subscriber for just $8/month (about the cost of a fancy latte) and access exclusive content like digital tools, apps, and free resources that are valued far beyond that.
• Work with Kelley directly: If you’re in New York State, Kelley is also accepting short-term therapy clients with select insurance and private pay options. Sessions are designed to be focused and transformational within 90 days. Book a Consultation.

What if the exhaustion you’re carrying… is actually grief? In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Kelley Bonner opens up about the layered, often invisible nature of grief—and how it has quietly shaped her healing. From the loss of her father to unexpected feelings around legacy, motherhood, and slowing down, this episode is a compassionate invitation to feel what’s real, honor what’s hard, and still choose expansion. Grief doesn’t have to shrink you. It can soften you, grow you, and gently guide you into a more grounded version of yourself.

• How grief shows up beyond death—through broken dreams, career changes, and shifting identities
• Why slowing down can be a sacred and necessary act of healing
• How to listen to your body’s cues during a season of loss
• Gentle tools to transform grief into personal growth

[00:03:00] – Naming the Hidden Grief Beneath Burnout

Kelley reframes anxiety, anger, and burnout as signs of unacknowledged grief.

[00:10:35] – Grief Will Slow You Down (And That’s a Gift)

Kelley shares how loss forced her into stillness, softness, and deeper presence.

[00:14:49] – Grief Expands More Than Pain

Unexpected emotions can rise—career regret, lost dreams, and shifting identity.

[00:22:15] – Three Invitations for Healing Through Grief

In the final section, Kelley shares three powerful practices to process grief: (1) honor the pause, (2) let your body lead, and (3) allow buried feelings to surface gently. Each tip is an invitation to let grief expand—not harden—your heart.

Got a question you’ve been holding onto? Ask me anything, life, healing, boundaries, burnout.

Click to fill out our google form or DM @blackgirlburnout to be part of our upcoming Q&A episode.

If this episode held space for your grief, send it to someone who’s grieving too. Share it in a group chat, post a moment that resonated, or tag @blackgirlburnout on social. We’re not just sharing stories—we’re building a sanctuary. One rooted in healing, softness, and radical self-compassion.

Remember: You’re not broken—just breaking open. Let grief grow you.

📩 Subscribe to the newsletter: blackgirlburnout.com

📱 Follow on socials: IG + TikTok: @blackgirlburnout

🎥 Watch the episode on YouTube and show some love. Don’t let Kelley’s mama be the only one dropping hearts!

If you’re looking for more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community, we’ve got you covered:

• Join our Substack family! Think of it as a modern-day online magazine (Tumblr-coded for the millennial hearts). We share weekly reflections, tips, tools, and deeper insights into each podcast episode—plus personal notes from Kelley’s life.
• Become a paid Substack subscriber for just $8/month (about the cost of a fancy latte) and access exclusive content like digital tools, apps, and free resources that are valued far beyond that.
• Work with Kelley directly:
• If you’re in New York State, Kelley is also accepting short-term therapy clients with select insurance and private pay options. Sessions are designed to be focused and transformational within 90 days. Join the waitlist now.

In this heartfelt episode, Kelley invites us to redefine expansion. What if the quiet seasons in your life—the ones that feel like stillness or even failure—are actually seasons of rooting? Drawing wisdom from nature, Kelley shares that true bloom only comes when the roots are strong. With personal reflections, cultural critique, and deeply practical insights, this episode explores how Black women can opt out of performative growth and instead root into authenticity, softness, and sustainable joy.

• Why rooting is essential before blooming—and how it can be a form of powerful expansion
• How to recognize when you’re asking the wrong questions and reframe them for deeper alignment
• Three practical ways to build roots in your daily life: community, movement, and money
• Why performative success (aesthetic, financial, social) often leads to burnout
• How Kelley is embodying rooted expansion in her own life and creative work

[00:00:22 – 00:02:09] Rooting is unseen but essential — Just like in nature, real growth happens beneath the surface. True expansion starts with internal clarity, not constant visibility.

[00:05:00 – 00:09:00] Ask deeper questions — Instead of chasing aesthetics or metrics, ask what your soul is truly craving: peace, visibility, joy, or ease.

[00:20:00 – 00:28:00] Live, don’t perform — Whether it’s friendships, fitness, or finances, choose presence over perfection and connection over curation.

[00:18:37 – 00:37:18] Hold contradictions with grace — You can love who you are and still want more. Expansion doesn't have to cost your well-being.

If this episode touched something in you, share it with a friend, text it to a sister, or post a screenshot to social and tag @blackgirlburnout. We’re not just building a podcast—we’re creating a movement. One rooted in peace, softness, and collective bloom.

You don’t need to perform your way into bloom. You only need to root.

• Happy Mammoth and use my code BGB for a great deal: www.happymammoth.com
• Revolve and use code BGB for a great deal: https://www.revolve.com/bgb



If you’re looking for more ways to connect with the Black Girl Burnout community, we’ve got you covered:

• Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @blackgirlburnout — Each platform offers something different, so come vibe with us where it feels right for you.
• Join our Substack family! Think of it as a modern-day online magazine (Tumblr-coded for the millennial hearts). We share weekly reflections, tips, tools, and deeper insights into each podcast episode—plus personal notes from Kelley’s life.
• Become a paid Substack subscriber for just $8/month (about the cost of a fancy latte) and access exclusive content like digital tools, apps, and free resources that are valued far beyond that.
• Work with Kelley directly:
• Book a 90-minute Clarity Catalyst Coaching Session — a deep-dive roadmap session to bring clarity and strategy to your next life move (not therapy, just powerful support).
• If you’re in New York State, Kelley is also accepting short-term therapy clients with select insurance and private pay options. Sessions are designed to be focused and transformational within 90 days. Join the waitlist now.

In this soul-nourishing and joy-filled conclusion to the Black Girl Burnout series with Rhonda Ross, Kelley and Rhonda close out their conversation by focusing on the power of integration, community, and what it truly means to protect your joy. Rhonda shares how centering and claiming all parts of herself has not only deepened her personal healing but also allowed her to show up more fully for the communities she loves.

💡 Today You’ll Learn:

• Why self-care is a radical act of community care
• How meeting your own emotional needs empowers you to be more generous and grounded
• The difference between happiness and true, sustainable joy
• How Black women can build community around healing, stability, and reciprocity
• Practical ways to protect your joy—even in the face of life’s inevitable challenges
• 
  

This episode is a celebration of what becomes possible when you tend to your inner world. Rhonda reminds us that joy is not about perfection—it’s about power, presence, and mindset.

✨ Episode Highlights:

01:00 Why community care starts with self-nourishment

05:00 How mutual care creates a feedback loop of love and support

07:00 Why obstacles are not the enemy of joy—they’re part of the path

09:00 Rhonda defines the difference between happy and joyful

11:00 How the “magic of mindset” keeps her grounded, no matter what

If you’ve ever wondered how to hold joy in the midst of struggle, this episode is your answer. You can be soft. You can be stable. You can be joyful—and still be healing.

Ways To Support The Podcast:

⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify (goal: 1,000 reviews!)

👉Check Out This Month’s BGB Freebie l The Mini Money Reset

📲 Follow on TikTok & Instagram (@blackgirlburnout)

💬 Tag a Black creator, artist, or entrepreneur you’ve supported recently.

Stay engaged! Follow us on Substack: Substack

🎧 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!

👉 Let’s continue this conversation: What’s one act of reciprocity you’ve done this week? DM us or comment on our latest IG post!

Remember, support isn’t just about money. Visibility, engagement, and amplification matter, too.

• Want To Partner With Black Girl Burnout: sponsorships@blackgirlburnout.com

• Check Out Our Partners:
• Happy Mammoth and use my code BGB for a great deal: www.happymammoth.com
• Revolve and use code BGB for a great deal: https://www.revolve.com/bgb

• Connect With Rhonda Ross:
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therhondaross/
• YouTube:Shaping Freedom - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYv95PMu4Wc&t=9s

#BlackGirlBurnout #OptOutOfStruggle #ReciprocityMatters #SupportBlackWomen

In this transformative and deeply practical episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley continues her conversation with Rhonda Ross as they dive into the heart of Rhonda’s life-changing framework: the magic of mindset. Rhonda vulnerably shares her personal journey through depression, infertility, and career setbacks—and the tools she used to reclaim her power. Through her “RUN ON” method, she teaches us how to stop gaslighting ourselves, feel our feelings, and rewire our internal narratives with gentleness and intention.

💡 Today You’ll Learn:

• Why your feelings are your responsibility—and why that’s empowering, not blaming
• How to identify and shift the automatic, negative thoughts looping in your mind
• Rhonda’s RUN ON method for transforming mindset and managing emotions
• Why intentional, nourishing thoughts (INTs) are the first step to healing burnout

If you’ve ever felt stuck in loops of negative thinking, disconnected from your true feelings, or unsure how to shift out of burnout, Rhonda’s wisdom offers a way forward that is both powerful and deeply compassionate. You’ll leave with practical steps to help you feel more grounded, seen, and in control of your inner world.

✨ Episode Highlights:

• 01:00 Rhonda shares her personal experience with depression and infertility
• 03:10 Discovering the space between event and emotion and reclaiming power within it
• 05:00 The “RUN ON” framework: five steps to shift your mindset
• 08:45 Why INTs (Intentionally Nourishing Thoughts) matter more than toxic positivity
• 17:00 A gift from Rhonda: free access to her course The Crucial First Step
• 20:00 A sneak peek at the next episode: self-care, community care, and joy

This episode is an invitation to stop running on empty and start running on truth, gentleness, and intentional thought. You have the power—and now you have the tools.

Ways To Support The Podcast:

⭐ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify (goal: 1,000 reviews!)

👉Check Out This Month’s BGB Freebie l The Mini Money Reset

📲 Follow on TikTok & Instagram (@blackgirlburnout)

💬 Tag a Black creator, artist, or entrepreneur you’ve supported recently.

Stay engaged! Follow us on Substack: Substack

🎧 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!

👉 Let’s continue this conversation: What’s one act of reciprocity you’ve done this week? DM us or comment on our latest IG post!

Remember, support isn’t just about money. Visibility, engagement, and amplification matter, too.

• Want To Partner With Black Girl Burnout: sponsorships@blackgirlburnout.com

• Check Out Our Partners:
• Happy Mammoth and use my code BGB for a great deal: www.happymammoth.com
• Revolve and use code BGB for a great deal: https://www.revolve.com/bgb

• Connect With Rhonda Ross:
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therhondaross/
• YouTube:Shaping Freedom - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYv95PMu4Wc&t=9s

#BlackGirlBurnout #OptOutOfStruggle #ReciprocityMatters #SupportBlackWomen