S1 E70 - Leadership Beyond Burnout - Selfish, Selfless, or Self‑Respecting?

Most women were trained to be “selfless” — then wonder why they feel invisible, resentful, and exhausted. This episode of Leadership Beyond Burnout breaks down the “self” words that quietly control your boundaries: selfish, self‑centered, self‑absorbed, selfless, self‑care, and self‑respect. You’ll learn why so many women over 35 feel guilty saying no, how family, culture, and faith messages twist what it means to be a “good woman,” and how that conditioning leads to chronic over‑giving, burnout, and emotional depletion.

Dr. Kimberly L. Wilson — retired Marine, psychologist, and burnout and boundaries expert — introduces a simple framework to evaluate every yes and no: Is this selfish, self‑respect, or self‑abandonment? Through real‑life examples at work, in families, and in faith communities, she shows how self‑respecting boundaries actually make you more loving and reliable, not less. You’ll walk away with language you can use immediately, a new way to interpret guilt, and permission to stop disappearing in the name of being “nice.”

If you’re a high‑impact woman who feels unseen, over‑responsible, and secretly angry that no one else seems to “step up,” this conversation will help you stop normalizing exhaustion and start designing a life and leadership that fit you. And if you’re ready to do this work with support, you’ll hear how Phoenix Rising and Dr. Kimberly’s women’s retreats help you untangle conditioning, regulate your nervous system, and practice self‑respecting boundaries in real time.