Midlife crisis or just springtime fun? Brett kicks off this week’s episode with a surprise: he joined a kickball league. (It’s mostly for the post-game beers, don’t worry.) But beneath the laughs, there’s a deeper theme threading through this week’s show—how so many of us are just getting through right now.
The Huddle
What’s top of mind for us this week? Honestly… burnout. Between news cycles, messy calendars, and rising stress levels, we’re seeing a lot of leaders in the proverbial burn unit—emotionally fried, physically drained, and still trying to show up with a smile. That came through loud and clear in our last Huddle, where even the head nods felt tired.
The Review
Hold the weight, not the blame.
This week on Same Page, Greg wrote a post called Hold the weight, not the blame.—a callout to leaders who absorb the emotional mess of misalignment, even when it’s not theirs to carry. We’ve both been there: internalizing failures, over-owning dysfunction, and quietly cleaning up after others while pretending it’s just part of the job. But the truth? That guilt doesn’t serve you—or your team.
We unpack:
- The difference between responsibility and blame
- Why emotional weight feels like leadership… until it burns you out
- How to recognize when you’re quietly cleaning up someone else’s mess
- And how vulnerability—when balanced—is a leadership strength, not a liability
“Responsibility feels grounded. Over-owning feels like panic disguised as productivity.” —Brett
This one’s for everyone trying to lead through hard times with empathy, but forgetting to offer themselves any in return.
Also on Same Page this week:
The Ask
Join us for our first-ever live event: The Huddle
🗓 Wednesday, May 7, 2025
🕧 12:30–1:00pm ET
🎯 Insights, conversation, resource and inspiration sharing, a few laughs, and a group high-five to wrap it up.
Register now—it’s free!
The Hit List
What we’re reading, writing, watching, and listening to this week:
Listening:
Writing:
- Tuned in, worn out – Brett reflects on overstimulation and burnout
- We've built a society on bullshit and emojis. – Greg in full rage mode
- Connection isn’t just personal. It’s political. – a call to rehumanize community
- This is your brain on nostalgia. – Greg’s take on Gen X burnout and memory traps
Reading:
- THE GEN X CAREER MELTDOWN (NYT) – because yes, we all felt seen
The High Five
This week, we’re giving a big ol’ high five to saying the quiet parts out loud.
We’re done pretending. Done over-owning. Done swallowing thoughts that deserve to be voiced. Expect more real talk from us in the weeks ahead—both here and over at Same Team. Because let’s be honest: it’s time.
