This week, I’m doing something a little different.

It’s summer—and let’s be honest—we don’t need more noise or a bunch of new content right now.

Instead, I’ve pulled together six hand-picked episodes to help you make the most of these summer months.

Think: focus, reset, and space to prepare for the rest of the year.

You can grab the playlist at brookerichiebabbage.com/summerresetplaylist or text SUMMER to 66866!

Whether you’re slowing down, catching up, or gearing up, these quick listens are here to help you lead with more clarity and less overwhelm.

So grab what you need, leave the rest, and enjoy your Summer Reset.

Want to work together?

Apply for the Next Level Nonprofit Accelerator, a high-touch coaching and training accelerator for established organizations that want a smart, powerful playbook for taking their growing organization to the next level.

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Mid-year always feels like it should be a breather... but somehow, it’s not. If you’re feeling foggy, stretched thin, or stuck in reactive mode right now—you are not alone. This episode is all about decision fatigue, that sneaky mental exhaustion that piles up without us noticing. I’m breaking down why this happens (especially mid-year) and sharing three simple, practical strategies nonprofit leaders can use to lighten the load. These are tools I use with my coaching clients—and myself—to protect clarity, energy, and focus for the second half of the year.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why mid-year is a prime danger zone for decision fatigue
• How to set default decisions to reduce overwhelm
• Simple mindset shifts that make your to-do list lighter (without ignoring what matters)

💡 Key Takeaways:

1. Decision fatigue is structural, not personal. It’s not about being bad at leadership—it’s how the brain works.
2. Defaults and rules protect your mental energy. Remove recurring micro-decisions before they drain you.
3. Narrow your time horizon. Zoom in from big, overwhelming goals to the next right step.

🔧 Step-by-Step Framework to Reduce Decision Fatigue:

1. Design Default Decisions:
   • Turn anything you do more than twice into a default.
   • Examples: Assign writing days, set standing meeting cadences, or use the same reflection questions after every event.
2. Set Compassionate Rules:
   • Pre-decide boundaries to eliminate repetitive mental negotiations.
   • Examples: No emails after 7 p.m., “If it’s not in the budget, it’s not on the table,” or “I only say yes to things that strengthen our funding pipeline.”
3. Shrink Your Time Horizon:
   • Stop solving the whole year and just solve today—or the next step.
   • Example: Instead of fixing the staff burnout problem completely, commit to enforcing 6 p.m. log-off times for two weeks.

Want to work together?

Apply for the Next Level Nonprofit Accelerator, a high-touch coaching and training accelerator for established organizations that want a smart, powerful playbook for taking their growing organization to the next level.

Connect with me!

• LinkedIn
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Are your board members nodding along… but not really moving in sync with your priorities? In this episode, I break down why that misalignment happens even after you’ve clarified goals—and what you can do to fix it. Whether you're launching a new initiative, setting annual goals, or trying to get real traction on fundraising, I share three powerful moves that shift board engagement from passive to activated.

We’ll talk about what truly motivates people (hint: it’s not a list of KPIs), how to use pushback as a strategic tool, and how to build real ownership—before your plans stall out. If you’ve ever felt like you’re dragging your board along for the ride, this one’s for you.

🔑 Listen in for three practical moves you can make this week to drive alignment.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why board members feel disconnected from even the clearest goals—and how to reframe it
• What to say (and what to avoid) when sharing your priorities with your board
• How to turn resistance into insight and ownership into momentum

3 Key Takeaways:

• Start with shared motivation: Your board will act when they see their “why” in your goals.
• Resistance isn’t rejection—it’s feedback. Use it to deepen clarity and connection.
• Ownership builds buy-in. The earlier you invite it, the stronger your momentum.

The 3 Moves to Align Your Board:

1. Start with a Shared Pain Point -- Frame your goals around challenges your board already cares about. Don’t just announce priorities—connect them to things like burnout, mission drift, or unrealized impact. Ask, “What does meaningful progress look like for you this year?”
2. Treat Resistance as Useful Data -- When board members push back, dig deeper. Ask what’s behind their hesitation—often, it’s fear of unrealistic expectations or lack of clarity. Address concerns early and openly to reduce silent disengagement.
3. Distribute Ownership Early -- Give board members a meaningful role in the work. Don’t just ask for “help”—ask what they want to steward. Invite them into shaping the process, and let trusted peers share why the work matters.

Resources Mentioned:

🎧 Board Activation Blueprint

A free, 3-part private audio micro-training to help you turn your board into a motivated, strategic team. 👉🏾 Grab it here

Want to work together?

Apply for the Next Level Nonprofit Accelerator, a high-touch coaching and training accelerator for established organizations that want a smart, powerful playbook for taking their growing organization to the next level.

Connect with me!

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• YouTube