42. Rest Before Burnout Forces You To | Building a Soft Life with Intention

Rest can feel hard to choose when you were raised to keep going, keep serving, and keep proving that you can handle it all. In this conversation, Helen Hope Kimbrough and Dr. Charlitta Hatch sit down with Ashley Varnado and Bridgette (Brie) Wright to talk about rest, recovery, renewal, and what it takes to break the cycle of exhaustion. They share health wake-up calls, lessons from motherhood, generational guilt, and the freedom that comes when you stop treating rest like something you have to earn.Ashley Varnado is a recovering corporate executive, author, speaker, and advocate for intentional living. After experiencing serious health challenges, she stepped away from her executive career to embrace what she calls a "radical sabbatical" and now helps others rethink success, ambition, and rest. Connect with Ashley:WebsiteIGLinkedInPreorder “Out of The Yazoo Clay” by Ashley VarnadoBridgette Wright is the founder of 79 West Creative, a communications and marketing strategist, writer, and creator focused on helping women embrace restoration, joy, and what she calls "marvelous living." She also publishes the Sunday Dinner Substack, where she shares reflections and encouragement for women navigating life, leadership, and purpose.Connect with Bridgette:Sunday Dinner with BrieMarvelous LivingIGLinkedInResources mentioned:"Becoming" by Michelle Obama41. What Does a Soft Life Look Like for Black Women? | Healing Grind Culture for Our Daughters3 Practices for Choosing Rest Before Burnout Forces You To:Listen before your body gets loud. Chronic exhaustion, stress, headaches, irritability, and trouble slowing down are often signs that your body is asking for care before it has to force a pause.Let your children see you slow down. A canceled commitment, a quieter weekend, or an afternoon with no agenda can teach children that love, worth, and success are not measured by constant availability.Plan restoration before you desperately need it. Whether it’s a monthly reset, a quarterly getaway, or a future sabbatical fund, intentional rest helps you make decisions from clarity instead of depletion.Mothers are the queens of the castle, but let’s be real: it’s not all ball gowns and glass slippers. On this podcast, we’re giving you a peek Behind the Throne at the privilege and responsibility of wearing the crown. Hosted by Helen Hope Kimbrough - a proud wife and mom of two adult sons - and Dr. Charlitta Hatch, a proud wife married to her high school sweetheart, and a proud mom of two little ones. Get ready as we share jewels with each other and you around all things connected to motherhood!Connect with Us!: Podcast InstagramYouTubeCharlitta’s InstagramHelen’s InstagramSpero Hawk Coaching & Consulting