.jpg)
Lead with Heart | Philanthropy, Nonprofit Leadership, Nonprofit Management & Fundraising
Welcome to the Lead with Heart Podcast, where the heartbeat of philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, and fundraising resonates in every episode. I'm Haley, your host—a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), Certified Stress Management Coach, Certified EmC trainer, and, most importantly, a recovering nonprofit burnout survivor.
In this empowering space, we invite nonprofit professionals to amplify their voices and unveil the heart behind their missions.
Our mission is clear: to empower, elevate, and engage nonprofit leaders, fostering the growth of healthy, thriving organizations.
Join me and a lineup of inspiring guests as we delve into real stories of Philanthropy, Leadership, Courage, and Empathy. Together, we explore the strategies and practices employed by these remarkable leaders to heal from burnout, propel their missions forward, raise crucial funds, and ultimately, make a lasting impact in the nonprofit world.
Discover the unwavering commitment to making a difference, the resilience required to navigate the challenges of philanthropy, and the innovative approaches to leadership that drive positive change.
Whether you're a seasoned nonprofit professional or just starting your journey, the Lead with Heart Podcast is your go-to resource for insights, inspiration, and actionable strategies to enhance your leadership, elevate your organization, and amplify your impact on the world of philanthropy. Tune in and let the heartbeat of leadership guide your nonprofit journey.
Lead with Heart | Philanthropy, Nonprofit Leadership, Nonprofit Management & Fundraising
E123: Choosing Clarity Over Burnout: Why I’m Pausing the Podcast
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Friends, this episode is a vulnerable one.
For the first time since launching Lead with Heart, I’m pressing pause on the podcast for Q1 of 2026. Not because I’m quitting. Not because the mission has dimmed. But because clarity asked me to make a courageous decision — one that aligns with the emotional sustainability I teach every day
In this episode, I’m sharing the real story behind this pause: what 2025 revealed, what I’m witnessing across the nonprofit sector, the hard truth about capacity, the emotional health crisis facing nonprofit leaders, and why building the Lead with Heart Summit requires my full presence. It’s about choosing purpose over productivity, depth over doing, and alignment over proving.
In this episode:
- 00:00:00 Embracing Leadership Clarity
- 00:03:48 Prioritizing Emotional Sustainability
- 00:08:08 The Lead with Heart Summit
RESOURCES
The Lead with Heart Summit is not just another conference. It's a powerful, purpose-driven experience created specifically for nonprofit fundraisers who are feeling burned out, stretched thin, and in need of real, meaningful support. April, 2026.
NOTEWORTHY QUOTES
“ When you become crystal clear on your one thing, the hard decisions stop looking like sacrifices and start looking like alignments.” - Haley Cooper
“ Clarity does not make decisions painless. It makes them purposeful.” - Haley Cooper
“Just because we are capable of doing something does not mean we have the capacity to do it all at the same time.” - Haley Cooper
Send Haley a suggestion or request via text HERE!
My book, Sow, Grow, Lead is live on Amazon! It shares my journey of starting a nonprofit in Malawi and offers practical strategies for nonprofit leaders to create real impact.
CONNECT WITH HALEY
Haley is a CFRE, Stress Management Coach, and EmC trainer. Founder of The Savvy Fundraiser, she brings experience in human services, homelessness, and youth nonprofits. She specializes in EmC, leadership, board development, and fundraising, empowering nonprofit leaders to build thriving organizations.
Instagram: @thesavvyfundraiser
LinkedIn: Haley Cooper, CFRE
Website: thesavvyfundraiser.com
YouTube: thesavvyfundraiser
Produced by Ideablossoms