S2E7: Understanding and Healing Compassion Fatigue
Episode Description
In this episode, Lindsey sits down with Dr. Jacquelyn Ollison (or Dr. J, as many call her) to explore the often unspoken reality of compassion fatigue in human-centered work.
Physical exhaustion? Increased irritability? Social withdrawal? These might be signs of compassion fatigue—and you're not alone. Dr. J connects her personal experience with practical wisdom for creating policies that actually support the humans doing this important work. As she reminds us: "People want to do their best. As a system it's our responsibility to give them all the tools so they can do their best."
You’ll learn:
• How to recognize compassion fatigue before reaching crisis point
• Why policies created without input from those most impacted rarely succeed
• Practical ways to build authentic check-ins into your team culture
Whether you're a teacher, nonprofit leader, or anyone committed to human-centered change, join us for this important conversation. Because naming compassion fatigue is the first step toward healing it. 👊
Listen to this Episode
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Episode Highlights:
Grounding Somatic (2:00)
Defining Compassion Fatigue (5:00)
Signs and Impact of Compassion Fatigue (13:00)
Policy and Systemic Solutions for Organizational Support (19:00)
Somatic Pause: Self Compassion Meditation (30:00)
Case Studies + Positive Workplace Approaches (35:00)
Affirmations:
My worth is not measured by my output.
I lead with compassion, and I extend that same compassion to myself.
I release the need to carry everything alone.
I am allowed to need what I give so freely to others.
Healing is not a destination. It's a practice, and I'm practicing.
Homework:
Start the Conversation Around Compassion Fatigue:
Find the next natural moment to bring compassion fatigue into the conversation—with HR, leadership, or your team. Make sure resources and support are easy to find and even easier to talk about.
Make Check-Ins More Meaningful:
Reflect on how your meetings begin. A simple shift in your opener can create space for empathy, connection, and care. Try questions that invite people to share how they’re really doing, what they need, or how they’re tending to themselves.
Powerful Quotes
“When you have the ability to put yourself in somebody else's shoes, you can feel what they’re feeling. If you feel that, without the capacity to deal with things, that can take a toll.” -Dr. J
“If you have all of that and you are experiencing burnout, that’s when it becomes much more problematic.” -Dr. J
“It doesn’t just happen to teachers, it happens to leaders too.” -Dr. J
“The social sector encompasses anyone who does service work caring for other people to enhance society.” -Lindsey
“We owe people this professional courtesy and professional respect.” -Dr. J
“You typically are planners, if you have the information ahead of time, you can plan to do something about it.” -Dr. J
“Because people don’t talk about it, people don’t know what is happening to them.” -Dr. J
“People want to do their best. As a system it’s our responsibility to give them all the tools so they can do their best.” -Dr. J
“This is a possibility. We want you to be mindful that it could take a toll on you.” -Dr. J
“Policy is a solution to an issue or a problem. There’s something happening, we need solutions for how to make this work.” -Dr. J
“Often policies are written without the people who will be implementing them.” -Dr. J
“Not about me, without me.” -Dr. J
“Let’s talk with our educators about what they need.” -Dr. J
“In your change management of human-centered policies, you need to get feedback from those most impacted.” -Lindsey
“From a business perspective, if I’m thinking about wanting this thing to be implemented, if you don’t create it with them, then it won’t get implemented.” -Dr. J
“People need to remember that this type of work is human-centered. How are we checking in with our staff? Are we doing that in ways that are authentic?” -Dr. J
“Learn about how to show appreciation, care, and show up for people in a way that works for them.” -Dr. J
“Take a look at the last 5 meetings you facilitated and planned. Did you create conditions for folks to share what they’re going through?” -Lindsey