MPC Podcast: Showing Up

Helping the Helpers: How Nonprofit Leaders Can Build More Supportive Teams | Jen Marr In this episode of Milwaukee's Philanthropic Community, host Jill Economou welcomes Jen Marr, founder of Showing Up and bestselling author of Showing Up and Lifting Up, for an important conversation about burnout, workplace culture, leadership, and the human need for connection. For more than a decade, Jen has studied how people respond to stress, suffering, change, and overwhelm. Drawing on research that began in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook tragedy, she shares practical insights to help nonprofit leaders and teams create healthier, more supportive workplaces where people feel seen, valued, and cared for. The discussion explores why so many mission-driven professionals experience burnout, how technology has changed workplace relationships, and the critical role leaders play in supporting their teams. Jen also provides actionable strategies for recognizing stress, improving communication, conducting meaningful check-ins, and building cultures that prioritize both people and purpose. Whether you're a nonprofit leader, manager, board member, or anyone looking to better support those around you, this episode offers practical tools you can begin using today. Episode Highlights 00:23 - Why caregivers and nonprofit professionals often struggle to care for themselves 00:56 - Meet Jen Marr and learn about her work studying human support and connection 02:01 - How her research began following the Sandy Hook tragedy 03:34 - Why nonprofit professionals are especially vulnerable to burnout 04:06 - Understanding the difference between caring and carrying 04:26 - How technology and screen-based work have reduced human connection 06:17 - The "barbell" framework: clinical care, self-care, and organizational support 07:32 - The role organizations and leaders play in employee well-being 08:47 - What gets lost when mission-driven work overshadows human connection 09:31 - Why leadership support matters more than ever 10:58 - Common signs of burnout among high-performing employees 11:55 - Understanding the "awkward zone" and leadership blind spots 13:24 - Why compassion alone isn't enough 14:58 - Why caring people often struggle to ask for help 15:25 - The top reasons people avoid seeking support 16:41 - The difference between a kind culture and a supportive culture 18:08 - Practical starting points for leaders 19:39 - Small actions that help people feel seen and valued 20:38 - The power of fast, frequent check-ins 22:07 - Creating space for honest conversations 23:32 - Helping employees prioritize during periods of stress 25:23 - Supporting the mission without sacrificing the people behind it 27:03 - The role board members, donors, and community partners can play 29:14 - One conversation every leader should be having right now 30:15 - What the data tells us about stress, burnout, and employee well-being 31:30 - Recognizing blind spots and becoming intentionally attentive About Showing Up Showing Up helps organizations, leaders, and teams develop practical skills for supporting people through stress, change, uncertainty, and difficult life experiences. Through research, training, speaking engagements, and bestselling resources like Showing Up and Lifting Up, the organization equips workplaces with evidence-based strategies to strengthen relationships, improve communication, and build cultures of meaningful support. 🌐 Learn more: https://showing-up.com Connect with Ellenbecker Investment Group Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG) is the presenting sponsor of Milwaukee's Philanthropic Community. EIG provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations. 🌐 https://www.ellenbecker.com Subscribe New episodes of Milwaukee's Philanthropic Community are released every Thursday. Subscribe to learn about the nonprofits, leaders, and organizations making a difference throughout Wisconsin and beyond. This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies or organizations do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group. #MilwaukeesPhilanthropicCommunity #MPCPodcast #NonprofitLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #EmployeeWellbeing #BurnoutPrevention #WorkplaceCulture #ShowingUp #JenMarr #CommunityImpact #EllenbeckerInvestmentGroup