When Advocacy Gets Messy: Finding Your Lane, Your People, and Your Peace

In this episode of BURNT, hosts Michelle Glogovac and Lauren Lehman Carter dive into the real, unfiltered complexities of modern community building. They unpack what it means to show up as an advocate, navigate grassroots networks, and find your unique niche in a constantly evolving cultural landscape. Michelle and Lauren discuss the importance of supportive female relationships, the pressures and pitfalls of influencer culture, and why authenticity and healthy boundaries matter now more than ever. This conversation highlights how women can create meaningful connections, lead with kindness, and cultivate communities that truly uplift and empower.

What We're Talking About...

• Grassroots networks play a powerful role in shaping effective community response.
• Navigating complex family dynamics is challenging but essential for personal clarity and growth.
• Advocacy requires accountability, responsibility, and a commitment to showing up authentically.
• Discovering your niche within advocacy work can be a difficult but meaningful process.
• Supportive, values-aligned communities are key to collective and individual growth.
• Authentic, educational content creation builds deeper trust and long-term engagement.
• Strong, healthy relationships between women are not only possible but vital.
• Clear personal boundaries help protect mental well-being and prevent burnout.
• Influencer culture often prioritizes visibility over authenticity, impacting how communities form.
• Kindness, connection, and genuine relationship-building remain at the heart of thriving communities.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Weekend Reflections

03:37 Grassroots Rapid Response Networks

06:48 Navigating Responsibilities in Advocacy

09:46 The Role of Content Creators in Activism

12:41 Personal Growth and Political Engagement

15:46 Building Community and Supportive Relationships

18:33 Challenges of Female Collaboration

21:51 Setting Boundaries and Personal Standards

27:08 The Impact of Harmful Statements

27:45 Critique of Content Theft

29:33 The Ethics of Idea Ownership

30:34 Plagiarism in Influencer Culture

32:41 Consumerism and Authenticity in Content Creation

33:37 The Human Connection in Luxury

37:24 The Importance of Kindness and Respect

42:47 Setting Boundaries and Raising Standards